"I believe our nation is ruined and has been for several decades, and the election of Obama is merely the culmination of the change," says Grant Griffin, a 46 year old white Georgia native. "If you had real change, it would involve all the members of (Obama’s) church being deported."
When I read that statement in our local paper, along with the inset about the kids from Rexburg, Idaho, chanting, ‘Assassinate Obama!" while on the school bus, I began asking myself why this country is still so in shock over the thought of a black president. Obama hasn’t even taken office yet, and already his presidency is being condemned for no other reason than the color of his skin.
I am from Idaho; in the time since the election, I have seen American flags flown at half mast in protest of his election, and have heard every derogatory comment imaginable. It infuriates me, because I truly believe Obama has the skill and the ability to bring this country back together, to reunite the United States; however, people like Mr. Griffin aren’t even willing to give him the chance to do so. And when second and third grade children are calling for the assassination of the president-elect, you know this is not an idea they came up with on their own.
The other thing that amazes me is there are people still willing to put our country through four more years of the last eight, and for no other reason than Obama is black. Bush was no hero for this country; we have record debt, record deficit, and a rapidly declining economy. The wealthiest in our nation have become wealthier, and the average person cannot afford decent health insurance. And despite Bush’s claims to be a "uniter, not a divider", our country is horribly divided…hopefully just not beyond repair.
So why not allow this man the chance to take our country in a different direction? Why not give him the support and the faith that maybe he can put us back on the right track? Is it really so hard to look past his race, when he offers us so much? I’m not looking to him to be a miracle worker, but I do hope he can put this country back on track to be a great nation once again.
I’ve heard many comments from the other side of the aisle that his election is a "vindication" for black people. In the same way I will say that we need to give him a chance, I will say that his election is not the vindication, but only the first step toward vindication. What he does in the next four years will be the true test of whether vindication has taken place.
The other thing we, as a country, need to understand is that race, in reality, is the minor issue; I’m not saying it isn’t important, and there are those, in both the black and the white communities, who will make it even more so. What I am saying is that, idealistically, we should be focusing on issues that affect our country as a whole – how can we bring more African American kids out of the ghettos and elevate them to the level of achievement of Obama? How can we make sure every child, regardless of race, has access to good quality medical care? How can we work together to reduce gang violence and domestic violence, and to not only help black people, but Hispanics and women all realize their contributions and their worth?
This country cannot work without the involvement of every class and every group. Instead of focusing on an issue that is not only divisive, but unchangeable, we should focus on ways to bring the classes together so we can become a truly united nation.
Leave Your Comments