Nov
05
President-Elect Obama
Barack Hussein Obama, a black man, has been elected the 44th president of the United States. Wow.
I’m a Georgia Voter
Congrats also to Congressman Marshall. Despite some disagreements, I’m happy to see Jim prevail — in a very tough environment.
Shame that Jim Martin seems not to have joined the party. Two outta three ain’t bad. This is actually headed for a runoff election, an even tougher challenge for Martin. GOTV, folks.
Nonetheless, an historic night. Glad to have been part of it!
Later: I’ve been in Georgia, home of often-overt racism, for four years last month. I’ve been shocked on more than one occasion regarding the locals’ attitudes towards race: this is very much the South.
President-elect Obama, tonight:
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
I’m excited to be part of a movement that will hopefully move Georgians past “the South.” Here’s to a larger community.
As I was taught in my Black studies classes as an undergraduate (and though I may have reason to disagree):
The, possibly most, damning aspect of racism is not in its overt manifestations, but in the morays folkways and attitudes of an entire society.
The propensity to refer to Barack Obama as black, as is the case in the entire mainstream media (and even the candidate himself, go figure), is an example of the covert nature of racism in America.
Barack Obama is, in fact, of mixed-race. There is no “but everyone, if you were to go back far enough, is of mixed race” argument to be made here. His father was quite dark-skinned and his mother was racially caucasian.
I am hyper aware of this because of my own family’s mixed-race heritage and the (quite overt) racism you would find if you looked not too far back in my family tree.
As a person of white racial heritage, I am looking to be freed of racism also!
I thought that I might add to my last comment one further comment.
The reason I have cause to disagree is this, which is anecdotal, I know. Perhaps some social-science research is warranted!
In my experience, people are not asked if they are of mixed-racial heritage, and the general social attitude (e.g. racism in this context) is that human beings of mixed-race, especially who are as dark-skinned as Barack Obama for example, are black because they are treated as black by culture.
However, applying this to ALL cases would imply:
In this regard, race is ENTIRELY socially constructed, in which case, Barack Obama is no different than any president before him and there is no cause to celebrate…
I disagree with that logic as well.
Either way, I am THRILLED with the new president. I am THRILLED that our previous president’s term is winding down.
I am THRILLED to not own any stock right now….