Posted June 6, 2008
I’m happy and excited about the upcoming election for the first time in a long time! We finally have some real choices to make…same old same old (McCain: old white guy representing the needs of the richest people in America) vs. a candidate who might possibly represent the needs of the rest of us.
I completely understand why so many black Americans see Barack only as a black man accomplishing what seemed like an impossible dream in America. But if everyone would choose to educate themselves about who this man is, they would find that he represents so much more.
In case you missed my previous plea to read his book: Barack Obama and what he knows about America, please take the time to read at least his first book! Then you will all have a much better idea why he is who he is. Obama’s black heritage was mainly a sperm donor from Kenya. He hardly had any contact with his father ever. His European-American mother and grandparents from Kansas made him what he is today.
His heritage from Kansas was much more important in his upbringing than his heritage from Africa. I believe that those who raise you everyday of your young life contribute much more to who you turn out to be, than a sperm donor who did not know you.
Obama was mainly raised in Hawaii, the most multi-cultural state in the union. He also lived a few years in Indonesia in his youth, because his mother remarried an Indonesian man. I believe these are all key elements in his innate understanding of other cultures, and his apparent ability to see the world through the eyes of a third world country.
But his mother’s strength, independence and brilliant mind are most evident in his book: Dreams from my father. His European-American grandfather was also a key role model in his life. He was a black kid raised in a white family. Imagine all he learned about racism everyday of his life, and how hard it was for him as he realized that he felt like his mother inside, but would not be treated the same because of how he looked.
A poignant section of his book tells of the time when his mother felt threatened by a black man on the street and all the internal confusion this caused inside of Barack. He has lived racism in America and seen it from so many different sides. Besides being brilliant and patient, his life experiences have given him unique insights into bridging racial and cultural differences in America and the world.
I could be wrong, but I’m thinking we need someone completely different to provide some leadership and wisdom in this very dark time in the United States. I’m betting on Barack for that change in perspective.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Interesting Post. Relevantly, as many prominent experts and publications have noted, Obama is a member of Generation Jones–born 1954-1965, between the Boomers and GenXers.
Don’t miss this new video which addresses exactly this point. It features many top national TV pundits (including David Brooks, Clarence Page, Dick Morris, Juan Williams, Karen Tumulty, Howard Wolfson, Michael Barone, etc.) specifically talking about Obama and Palin’s membership in Generation Jones, as well as the surprisingly big role that GenJones is now playing in this election. The video is 5 minutes, and can be found here: http://www.generationjones.com/2008election.html
Excellent, excellent post. Loved reading it.
Thank you, that’s why I do this. Laura Lee
Hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a fan