The next president has been decided. At the close of what is the most monumental election in history, Barack Obama, a black man, has won the presidency. I have been weighing my reaction to his victory, and this is what I came up with. Our country is in the worst financial condition that it has been in as far back as I can remember. I am typically a Republican, a conservative, but I totally agree that it is a time for change. No, I do not agree with all that Obama represents; we do not have the same morals and the same values. However, I wanted someone in office who would bring about change. I know that many voters chose Obama based on the color of his skin. I could not understand why race was playing such a big factor in this race until I heard two explanations of it. One of my students explained to me that Obama, a black man, has been where they are and understands their needs. But perhaps the best explanation came on the news this morning when a tearful ASU student explained the hope that Obama's victory brings to the black population. Black Americans everywhere are inspired by a black man's rise to the most powerful position in the free world.
My concerns about Obama also stem from comments made by the same students. Yes, I do feel that it is important for someone to understand an entire race of people. But our president needs to understand two races of people, an entire country filled with two major races and many ethnicities, along with many minority groups. But more importantly, our present needs to fix what is wrong with America for all Americans. Do I feel that Obama can do this? Do I feel that he can represent all of America? Yes. I am concerned about having someone of a different faith in charge of our country. (I understand that Obama belongs to a Christian church--I am not doubting that--but even Christian churches differ.) But that is what makes America what it is—the freedom for anyone, anywhere, to be anything.
23 comments:
I have been a die-hard Dem for the last 6+ years, before that I voted for W ... after his 1st four years in office, I saw things taking a turn for the worse. I didn't vote for him the 2nd go-round.
As for Obama understanding the plight of all races, I'd say the man has a pretty good understanding. He IS half white, he's been through a divorced family, experienced different religions and had a very good education both in school and in life.
I don't know for certain that he'll be an above-par president, but I have a strong feeling ... a gut feeling that he will do just fine :)
I'M WITH YA, FINGERS CROSSED AND ONE EYE OPEN! I'M STOPPING BY FROM SITS, LOVE YOUR BLOG!
Happy SITS Day!! Happy Monday!!
~Jill :)
Congratulations on your SITS feature. Woo hoo!!! I thought this post was very well written!!!
Very well written, I am concerned as well for our country - I just continue to pray that he allows God to lead him.
Well, Obama possibly "can't", but neither can anyone else...big job. Congrats on your SITS day anyway. Now THAT's somethin'! :)))
He has to understand more than 2 races: we're a melting pot of races and religious ideals. I am personally excited that an open-minded person will take office. Too many areas of the US populus has been completely disregarded in this country. We can build a strong and tolerant America! Yes we can!!
OMG - I completely left out:
CONGRATS on your SITS feature!!!! :)
Politics make me ADD! ;P
Very well put.
I've visiting from SITS and I'm glad I did! I'm a black democrat and I agree with all you said wholeheartedly! I could not have said it better. Thank you.
I think we should all hold strong to our faith and the faith of America as the greatest country ever and sit tight, fingers crossed and heads bowed and pray for the nation we should be grateful to live in. Yes Obama is our leader, but there are more peices to this complicated puzzle.
Very well written!! I'm a disillusioned Republican myself. While I voted for McCain, I find myself totally cool with President Elect Obama.
The bottom line - he's a smart man. He will surround himself with smart people. I pray he will make smart decisions.
Pretty much the same thing I would be hoping for if McCain had won.
Time will tell if Obama will be the man that so many believe he can be. I'm gaurdedly optimistic.
Em (found you through SiTS!)
You've really hit the nail on the head for me. I know I will not agree with everything either side stands for, but I do agree more with the dems this year. I saw an interview with Obama before he ever anounced his candidacy and was struck by his words even then. I'm feelin fine now!
And btw, found you on SITS, congrats!
I'm hoping for the best, but I have to wonder what he could possibly accomplish for the US.
He has promised change, but never actually said what kind of change. Now, he is choosing people from way back in the Clinton era to help him. That's not new.
Plus, his campaign started saying, a few weeks before the election, to lower the expectations for him. He said himself in Grant Park that he wouldn't be able to change much in only 4 years.
Oh well, all we can do is hope for the best.
I'm looking really forward to 2012!
I admire your brave post and topic on your SITS day, high traffic, and all.
I think you should think about reading Obama's books and you will see how non-onedimensional he is.
I think our country is in deep poo poo right now, and feel bad for anyone taking on the challenge. But he is a very smart man and will surround himself with very smart people, like eudea said.
I'm a black Democrat with moderate leanings a deep and abiding love for my country. I did not vote for Obama because he's black; I voted for him because he's brilliant and offered up some real ideas for how to fix the mess of the past administration. I also think that while your students are excited that there is a president in office who finally understands black folks, the underbelly of their comments is that for the past eight years, it's seemed as if OUR current president didn't understand or care much about the issues that African-Americans and Democrats care deeply about: affordable healthcare, sound education for our children, real assistance for those most in need, and jobs that pay wages that make it easier for people to take care of their families. These are issues that affect all of us, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or political party affiliation.
After much research and reading two of his three books, I have a lot of confidence that President-elect Obama is going to reach out to ALL of us because it seems that's the kind of man he is. Will he be able to fix during his term eight years of muck and mess that's gotten us into the position we're in now? It would be great if he could, but he probably can't fix everything. Obama's not offering up any silver bullets. He's being honest. And it's up to all of us to roll up our sleeves and help our president do what we ALL can to help OUR country.
Thank you for being so honest about your feelings and sharing them with us; it's precisely this discourse that we as a country need to have to help heal the divisions that have battered us all these years. I'm visiting from SITS--happy SITS day.
Denene
I appreciate your words.
America is a melting pot.
(Again, Happy SITS day!! )
i enjoyed reading your opinion on the election. i agree with you that it's time for a change!!
I do not agree with Obama on most issues. That being said, I support him 100% because he is my President (elect). All of those people that are moaning thinking the world is over have lost their minds. Look at it this way: he certainly can't do any worse!
I am so very happy that in my children's lifetime they will only know that a President can be of any race. I love America!
I loved reading your post. I think the thing that he represents for me is the person who can muck through all this partisan rancor that's eating up this country. Few liberals are ever as extreme as they're portrayed by conservative media and the same goes for conservative thinkers.
We're all somewhere in the middle. I am a church deacon (in the UCC) and a democrat. I have really loved Obama since 2004 when he said there were no blue states or red states. Something like :"we worship an awesome God in the blue states and we don't like Federal agents poking around in our libraries in the red states."
As far as race is concerned I don't get why he's automatically defined as black when he's both. The interesting thing is that he doesn't define himself by race. I think he's just a great human being and I trust him to do a fine job.
Hey, visiting from SITS. I appreciate when people express opinions respectfully. Cool job there.
I voted Obama and I could care less about race, but I do think it's interesting that he's been labeled as black at all. Did we forget he is half white and was raised by the white side of his family? I don't know how he feels about his own racial makeup, but in my opinion, labeling him "black" isn't totally accurate, which gets me to thinking about labels in general. Labels are stupid.
Hey Heather,
I voted for Obama and I have high hopes for him. I think he came along at just the right time for this country.
In regards to what you said in your post....remember, he is 1/2 black and 1/2 white. I doubt he forgets any race....he didn't even run his campaign on race....that was the news media.
Well said. I was not an Obama supporter during the election, but that is based on my political views and not anything personal. Now that our country has spoken and chosen him as our President-Elect, I respect him as our leader. We are definitely in need of a change and I hope he can put his fresh perspective to work in Washington. He seems to be taking his new position very seriously. I just hope he doesn't rely too much on folks from the Clinton years...we do need some fresh ideas.
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