One Giant Leap for America

[babylonsister]

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080114_one_giant_leap_for_america/

One Giant Leap for America
Posted on Jan 14, 2008

By The Rev. Madison Shockley


America is downright giddy with the possibility of electing its first black president. You can feel it in the air whenever the subject of Barack Obama comes up. His recent primary performances have obliterated any doubt about his electability. We’ve never been here before, and this time we think it just might happen. The first “black” candidate to raise the serious prospect of actual election was Colin Powell in 1995.

snip//

Ahh, healing—that’s the real magic of Barack Obama. Just standing before us, Obama symbolizes much of the healing that America so desperately needs. His family tree of black and white branches heals the fundamental fissure in the foundation of American culture: that of race. His second-generation immigrant status speaks volumes about what immigration can contribute to our society. His Arabic names raises the question of whether we can overcome our hatred and prejudice against Muslims and all things Islamic long enough to pull the lever for a man whose middle name is Hussein and whose last name, as his detractors have duly noted, rhymes with Osama. He represents that unique blend of evangelical faith and enlightened sensibilities, thus building a bridge across a growing gulf in our religious culture. He heals all of these rifts just standing there allowing us to say “Yes” to him. And when we do, it feels so good. And America has not been able to feel good about itself for quite a long time.

Then, Obama opens his mouth and reveals the genius-level IQ of a Harvard Law graduate while bouncing along in the rhythmic cadence of his black church experience. He opens his life and shows us a genuine commitment to his vision of an America where hard work is rewarded with achievement and complexion is conquered by competence (because he has personally demonstrated both outcomes). Now our collective voice rises even higher and the “Yes” of our initial infatuation becomes the “Yesssssssss!!!!!!” of pure love.

This good feeling will be more critical in the upcoming elections than his brief political tenure. After all, history will probably attribute the failed presidency of George W. Bush more to his lack of intellectual curiosity and his stubborn dogmatism than to a simple lack of experience in the nation’s highest office.

Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States because those voting for him don’t just like him. They love him. And no other candidate in either party has generated a fraction of the affection that Obama inspires. The woman who asked the question that made Hillary Clinton cry (and thus opened the floodgates of female voters that swept her to victory in New Hampshire) wound up voting for Obama because he made her cry while listening to him speak.

Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States, not the first black president of the United States. That detail will ultimately be ranked alongside others like the wingspan of his ears and the name of his father’s village in Kenya.

[AndyA]

1. You just keep telling yourself that.

Congratulations, the media has elected your next President for you, and you didn't even have to think about it! Things have been so grand the last 7 years, I can see why so many don't want anything to change. :eyes:

[babylonsister]

2. You'd do well not to sound so condescending; you're not doing

yourself or your candidate any good. I respect who you have selected as a candidate and I'd hope you'd respect everyone else's opinions. Last I checked, that's how it's supposed to work.

[AndyA]

3. Your candidate has no respect for gay people.

I won't go into the details of the McClurkin incident, but it was a slap in the face of every gay American. And when I read these glowing reviews of Barack, I find it strange that so many are willing to overlook this obvious flaw.

If you think my comment above was condescending, just try to imagine how you'd feel if you were gay and you were told you could be "cured of it." And make no mistake about it: Barack endorsed this person. It was an Obama event, and Barack allowed this person a pulpit and a captive audience to preach his lies to.

Nice. Respect is a two way street.

[babylonsister]

4. I'm obviously aware of the incident, and have stated previously

I think Obama is wrong on this one. If I could force him to apologize, I would. He did himself no favors, and I'm really sorry he hurt so many people here.

Now I know where you were coming from and why.