As an African-American woman, I do not believe in voting for a man because he is of a similar race as myself (I say similar due to his bi-racial heritage). Race is an ever-present influence in our society and, therefore, influences the minds of most Americans. I cannot deny that it had maybe a 15-20% influence on my vote. According to this CNN article, 20 percent of those polled say that race played a factor—in Obama’s favor.
It’s hard not to want to make history for civil rights. Yet in all honesty, I think it is unfortunate how much race affected the election because I fear that, not only has it put lofty expectations on Obama now that he has won, but that these lofty expectations, if they are not reached, might set African-Americans back in the game of racial disparity. Michael Jackson (whom I adore) is an example of an African-American who fell fro grace. He was the King of Pop for over a decade. Then, two accusations (not even guilty verdicts) of child molestation tanked his career and have made him a nationally understood joke. I don’t want that to happen to Obama.
What if now that “we’ve” gotten “our” chance, it comes back in failure? Sure we’ve got one Black president, but it doesn’t guarantee there will ever be another one, especially if Obama doesn’t follow through on his promises. It is much more important to vote for a man on what he can do than who he is.
I await his actions as President before I can make any judgment as to whether or not this was a wise choice for America, as I would for any other President. I would like to see what he does about the looming Social Security problem and about our collapsed economy. The number of people of retirement age in this country will be in a one-third ratio with the workforce that is supposed to support them by 2020. This means less social security benefits for retirees or more taxes for the workers. This will be a huge economic problem that has not been planned for. This is in addition to the fact that future generations are going to be paying for the recent bailout, the economic future of America is grim. Obama plans to cut taxes for the middle class, but that might be completely offset by these future financial burdens. If he can truly turn our country around and straighten things out when it falls on these aspects, he will be a great president in my eyes, not just a great Black president.
Tags: great black president, michael jackson, obama, then what, what if obama fails, why i wait to celebrate obama
YAY! My first article. Although my name isn’t on it…?
I feel you though…by mid 2009 I guess we’ll either pop the bubbly for Obama, or be praying for a redo and calling ourselves Dominican instead of Black. Good job Leigh!
lol thanks Samantha
Puerto Rico!
Love the article, it touches on all the underline concerns that no one really wants to talk about. Amazing Job Leigh!
Good going Leigh! Guess I’ll be able to tap you for writing for the Magazine again? Your insights (and fears) are interesting and well-founded. But any new venture is always fraught with risk, isn’t it? And what a tremendous step this is. I think that if 125,000,000 people had the confidence in Obama to make him their President, not just their black or their white President, they’ll hang in there for at least a little while to support him. I’m hedging my bets though and saying a little prayer now and again.