Many in the United States see a victory for Barack Obama as a landmark moment for America, one of pride for a wounded nation. Though neither John McCain nor Obama made race a platform plank, the country is atwitter about the possibility of our first black president. In spite of the fact that Americans do everything we possibly can to sweep the issue of race under the rug, racism transcends our futile attempts and becomes the X-factor in all things American. Whether a point of pride, or an indication that race is off the laundry list of issues, a black president does not quench our nation's thirst for racial justice. The 2008 presidential election has touched more people than any before in my lifetime, causing socioeconomic issues to collide with chaotic results. With our citizens driven to bankruptcy from medical bills, forced to abandon their homes in the face of unjust mortgages and losing generations of sons and daughters to an illegal war, Americans want an antidote no matter who is President, nevermind an explanation of how we got here.
I believe Barack Obama has successfully proven that he is committed to leading a government that will pay closer attention — and devote more resources — to infrastructure that supports communities of color and to healing (to use a favorite word among liberals and the religious right alike) the open wounds of racism across the country. And while this is the perspective that drives my participation in our political process, the evolution of my vote has been rocky, watching my candidate navigate the year and a half leading up to election day, that phantom X-factor sucking the air out of every room his message enters.
When sprinkled into political debate, apologists claim that the accuser has played the infamous race card. Race card. The race card was issued on the Middle Passage to every African man and woman brought to this country and clipped upon Emancipation, leaving black Americans with bad credit. Barack Obama’s promises to the people will truly heal this nation. And his campaign has breathed new life into American politics and participation.
An incredible by-product of this election is that racism's prime beneficiaries are talking to each other more openly about the issue. From labor halls to Sunday morning talk shows, white America is facing itself. For the first time in history the foil in this caper is the racist, not the minstrel — and the audience is howling. Until this election, the idea of a black president quickly and comically invoked fearful thoughts of paint jobs and menu changes at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Today, America's promise has delivered a truly patriotic story that challenges our innermost feelings about leadership in this country.
As Americans vote, and the whole world watches this nation change, I challenge us to push for more than just talk and town hall meetings. But support our leadership in inventing a curriculum of accountability, policy, money and compassion. Our leadership will be forced to incorporate race and class issues into every presidential policy. Once practiced, politics will become about people and issues, not profiles. Until then, I say all power to the people.
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