Content of Character
I am proud to say that it was a privilege to have been able to vote for Barack Obama in this historic election of 2008. I am one of the 33% of whites in the South that have that distinction. Outside the south whites voted for Obama at around 43%. White people did not elect Obama. People of color elected Obama. Our demographics have changed in this country and it will never again be like it was before. Whites can not dictate who is elected soley based on color. He wasn't elected because he was half-white and half-black. It was because he was the most capable and intelligent candidate with the best ideas and policies.
The fact that he was even able to be in a position to become president as the candidate of the Democratic Party in this country is in itself historic. Growing up in Henderson in the fifties and sixties I would have never thought this day would come in my lifetime but it did and it shows that our country has truly matured and we are the nation that our Constitutional founders envisioned. Kentucky has always been about thirty years behind the times culturally and politically but I have hope that our newer generation will not cling to the old racial stereotypes and prejudices of the past.
Race was primary to most people I spoke to in this area about the presidential election even though economics, war and bush incompetence were the primary issues the rest of the country focused on. It's interesting that this is the first time whites and all peoples of color have had the option to vote for someone other than two white men and with one exception, elect someone other than a white, Protestant man.
Can white people (WASP's) put themselves in the position of people of color, women or a minority religion and try to understand the feelings minorities have every four years when there is a presidential election? What if whites could only choose between two black female Jewish candidates every election in their life? How would that make you feel? Which one of these candidates is going to respect who I am and not resent me for my color, sex or religion? Think about what that means to the mindset of the electorate.
Yes, America has changed and for the good. Hopefully we can continue to judge people as Martin Luther King said, "not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Our ugly racial, sexist and religious history is still not totally healed but it has come a long way from the days of old. I am proud to be a part of that change. Our Constitution provides the basis for change and liberty for all through the process of voting. Never take it for granted. That is what makes America the greatest nation on earth.
The fact that he was even able to be in a position to become president as the candidate of the Democratic Party in this country is in itself historic. Growing up in Henderson in the fifties and sixties I would have never thought this day would come in my lifetime but it did and it shows that our country has truly matured and we are the nation that our Constitutional founders envisioned. Kentucky has always been about thirty years behind the times culturally and politically but I have hope that our newer generation will not cling to the old racial stereotypes and prejudices of the past.
Race was primary to most people I spoke to in this area about the presidential election even though economics, war and bush incompetence were the primary issues the rest of the country focused on. It's interesting that this is the first time whites and all peoples of color have had the option to vote for someone other than two white men and with one exception, elect someone other than a white, Protestant man.
Can white people (WASP's) put themselves in the position of people of color, women or a minority religion and try to understand the feelings minorities have every four years when there is a presidential election? What if whites could only choose between two black female Jewish candidates every election in their life? How would that make you feel? Which one of these candidates is going to respect who I am and not resent me for my color, sex or religion? Think about what that means to the mindset of the electorate.
Yes, America has changed and for the good. Hopefully we can continue to judge people as Martin Luther King said, "not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Our ugly racial, sexist and religious history is still not totally healed but it has come a long way from the days of old. I am proud to be a part of that change. Our Constitution provides the basis for change and liberty for all through the process of voting. Never take it for granted. That is what makes America the greatest nation on earth.
posted by T. Glenn Hall at 2:40 PM
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