While reading Kevin Hensley’s response to my opinion piece (see “Racism in the black community”), I realized that although I don’t agree with everything, well, hardly anything that the reader had to say, I respect that we are all entitled to our opinion. So let’s jump right in. I wouldn’t say that racism only occurred from one side, being that the reader only made it seem as though racism only occurred from the black community. Being that the reader felt this way, I have visited a few websites that anyone can go to just to see how much racism did play a role in the election, and it was not only from one side.
If you browse through , there are plenty of videos that display racist statements, such as “America is a white Christian nation”; “If Obama wins it will give the blacks too much power”; and “Obama is anti-white.” The last one clearly has to be one of the stupidest comments of all, since Obama’s mother is a white woman!
Clearly, though race did play some part in the election, I feel that it came from both sides, just in different forms. I don’t believe that only one race should be outcast as being racist in this election.
In reference to the reader saying that most African Americans voted for the wrong reason, I personally was offended by that statement. Being a young African American, I believe that making history and placing a more than intelligent Black male in office is reason enough to get out and vote, (and, yes, I called him a black male).
Really how many bi-racial people do you know of that are not considered Black/African American? As stated, 97 percent of African Americans got out and voted for Obama. Instead of making it seem that they voted for the wrong reasons, why don’t we acknowledge all the positive that came from this election? Many young African Americans like me began to keep up with politics and educate ourselves on what’s really going on within our government. Many of the new voters were very informed on who they voted for, though I guess it sounds better to make it seem as though they were uninformed.
I feel that this election helped many African Americans to see that they have a voice and can make a change within our government.
Do you know how encouraging it is to see someone who looks like you taking on such a prominent position? For many African Americans, this was our chance to feel proud and encouraged. So why not get out and support him?
Going back to the reader’s statement that “some of the most uninformed voters in U.S history” voted, the way I see it, there are many people who may vote for the wrong reasons within any political party. Many people only vote to stick with their own political party, without taking many things into account for whom they are voting. Take Bush getting into office a second time. Were they serious? There is no way anyone can say he was qualified for such a position. The man can hardly speak correctly, and let’s not look at the state of our economy since he’s been in office.
Many things within politics don’t make sense, but to come down on one side isn’t right. Not only that but white people, Hispanics, and everyone in between also came together to vote for Obama. Even some Republicans were switching over to vote for Obama, so clearly the majority did vote for what was good for our country, and not just because they were favoring a certain group. Though it may be hard to face, it looks to me like the better man won. Which leads me back to saying, whether you like it or not, he’s still YOUR president.
P.S I wouldn’t look at this as the closest we’d get to a black President. We’ve just achieved that! I would look at this as the beginning of a great change for this nation, opening the door for many other people of color to take on such a position.