Thursday, September 18, 2008

Race, Always a Factor

JJ Brock is a compelling and intriguing blogger. Her blog, The Old Black Church (What Happened to the Black Church?), is one of my favorites. Her perspective is a combination of fresh and old school. I feel she is enlightening and keeps us grounded. We don't agree on everything but she is honest and open minded. I like that. Today her post included a letter from her local newspaper. Very Interesting.

What if John McCain were a former president of the Harvard Law Review? What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class? What if McCain were still married to the first woman he said “I do” to? What if Obama were the candidate who left his first wife after she no longer measured up to his standards?

What if Michelle Obama were a wife who not only became addicted to pain killers, but acquired them illegally through her charitable organization? What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard? What if Obama were a member of the “Keating 5”? What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?

If these questions reflected reality, do you really believe the election numbers would be as close as they are?

This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another when there is a color difference.


I can add, what if Obama's teen daughter was pregnant? Would people be so understanding? What if Obama had chosen Bill Richardson for his VP? Would voters accept two non-white candidates? This is all a lot to ponder. Go ahead and start pondering.

Here's some more.

Does It Begin and End with Race?

We have come a long way in this country. Senator Obama broke through some amazing racial barriers. I feel we heeded his challenge to begin opening up discussions on racial attitudes and relations. We have already gone beyond my expectations. I've seen millions of white people move beyond race for the first time in America's history. I pray that Obama becomes president. But, I still have serious doubts that even with all the evidence of the GOP's disastrous failure and betrayal of America, even after the magnitude of last weekend's Wall Street disaster fostered by an economic philosophy based on reckless practices and greed and an astonishing lack of leadership by the current administration, the GOP ticket may still be won because Barack Obama is black.

9 comments:

Ann Brock said...

Jackie thanks for the kind words. I believe this election cycle will change every thing. Every time someone ask the question why doesn't Obama have a stronger lead over McCain I want to scream pleaseeeee! stop asking that obvious question. When it's right in front of your face. The man is black!

Jackie said...

We've come a longggg way and I hate to be pessimistic. I wish I had the faith and confidence that Obama does in Americans. But I do have the hope. We must all keep the hope that we have the smarts and integrity to go all the way.

Darius T. Williams said...

There are soooo many things that make you stop and wonder, aren't there?

Monica Roberts said...

It's become almost comically entertaining for me to hear all the various flavors of denial that race isn't the reason that Obama isn't blowing out McAdulterer and Caribou Barbie when you bring up the subject in mixed company.

Once again its up to Black people to save America from itself.

Can we start gearing up now to get a massive turnout for the brother?

Mes Deux Cents said...

Hi Jackie!

"This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another when there is a color difference"

Wow, you said it all there. I wonder why the so-called mainstream media is ignoring the obvious. Where is the advantage Geraldine Ferraro talked about now?

If Obama was White the race would have been over long ago, period.


And JJB does have a great blog.
__________________________________

I missed your blog! I hope you and your sweetheart are doing well. :)

Dharma Kelleher said...

Personally, I was hoping Obama had chosen Richardson, who has excellent foreign relations experience.

Jackie said...

Dharma,
I like Richardson so much and wish America was mature enough to handle these two fantastic leaders.

Monica, girl yes we need to work on getting it out in the swing states. We are working on Indiana and Michigan.

mes deux cents,
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!
Missed you so much! So glad your sis is better. Please stay around, we need your insights on our comment page. Jackie doing a happy dance!!!!!

clnmike said...

To tell the truth this election has done more to expose liberal racism than anthing else.

Jackie said...

Yeah Mike, isn't that something. This race is putting it all out there. The issues or the skin color. We will soon see.