Senator Barack Obama and Professional Golfer Tiger Woods

[monmouth]

Incorrectly posted in GD earlier.. Sorry.

have some stunning parallels. Both men are the only sons of mixed marriages, both well educated with hopes and dreams to make a mark in their lives. The first time I saw Tiger was when he was around four years old on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. His dad had him do some great shots on the set and the audience, and Johnny, were in awe of this adorable little boy. Tiger went to school, played golf for his college (Stamford) and excelled. And then he had the audacity to hope and dream to make it to the PGA.

This bastion of white republican-types, clubby and at times elitist, were aghast that this young man wanted to invade "their territory." Things were fine when he was that cute little guy who knew how to sink a put. It would have been fine if he wanted to caddy for them, but...but play??? He set those courses on fire, win, win, win. Don't think he didn't have to put up with the racist comments behind his back (he knew). I still remember Fuzzy Zoeller (who has since apologized and became friends with Tiger, to his credit) with a drink in his hand, be quite vocal in his disapproval of Tiger. I think he was more ticked off that Tiger's game was so far superior to all of theirs, it was just poor sportsmanship on their part. Then Jack Nicklaus, being the fine human being he is, and Arnie Palmer, embraced Tiger and took him in as one of their own. The others got the message and followed suit.

After that masterfully delivered speech in '04 of Barack Obama's, people were just enthralled with this junior Senator. Who is he? My Gawd, this guy is gonna be somebody, he's great, etc. Well he is great, he is somebody, people let him know (myself included) he had to jump in and put his talents to work. I'm sure he and Michelle discussed this to the death before the decision was made to run. They both knew what they would have to face, hell, in a way was this really anything new? If they weren't the objects of heavy discrimination themselves, they had at least heard the stories through the years. Yet, audacity and hope reared it's beautiful head and here we are.

It isn't easy being "new", it isn't easy breaking into others comfort zones. Maybe as Americans, we're in a rut. If you lived through the days of the Civil Rights, didn't you just know and hope this day would come? If you listened to Dr. King, even once in a while, you knew things were changing. The '60s and Vietnam anti-war demos made that crystal clear. I couldn't get down south to march because I was expecting my first child who was born four days after Barack in August of 1961.

As a white woman, retired professional I was supposed to be an HRC girl. Nah, I loved that little kid who is now kicking ass at Doral and I love that young man who had the audacity to share and give us the hope and opportunity to appreciate his talents. Yes We Can....Fore!!

[goclark]

1. Yes.We.Can. get this to the Greatest Page

I am slowly realizing that Obama is Dr. King's Dream Maker.

The words "the content of his character" spin in my head when I see Senator Obama.

Dr.King wanted little boys and little girls of all colors to sit down together ~ and that is what is happening in this campaign.

We may not be "little" but millions of people all over the world, are feeling that this doesn't have to be a dream anymore, it can be reality.

Like Dr. King, Senator Obama has a calmness about him that makes you feel that you matter.

I remember meeting Dr. King when I was in college. He was speaking at a huge church in Philadelphia that day. After his magnificent speech, our sorority leaders wisely had all of the Presidents of the college chapters line up to meet Dr. King.

When I extended my hand,he looked directly at me and said,"Young Lady,I am delighted to meet you."

Then he said," What do you want to be when you graduate?"
I responded,"I want to be a Teacher Dr. King!"

He looked directly at me, as if he wanted his next words to stay with me forever... "You will be a GREAT teacher!"

Throughout my teaching career,his words and his belief stayed with me.
Every time I reached another level, I would close my eyes and say, "Thank You Dr. King for believing in me."

That is the way I feel about Sen. Obama,he wants all of us to see the world in a different way. A better way... that will be bumpy but worth it.

When the final selection is made,I want to be able to say,"Thank you President Obama for believing in US,we want to show the world the content of our character."

[progdog]

2. That's beautiful!

Thanks for sharing.

[goclark]

3. Thank you and welcome to DU

:hug:

[stillcool]

17. Thank you for your post.

It is not easy for me to have the audacity to hope. It is much easier to accept that things will always be the way they have always been. That it is a fairy tale to believe Senator Obama could be elected President of the United States....because he is a Muslim, or because he is a Christian, and a renowned Pastor that preached at the same Church for 36 years said some things in one sermon that offended someone, or because of his name, or because he isn't black enough, or because he is too black, or because he hasn't been in Washington long enough, or because he is a Washington Insider...it goes on and on...and yet, there is something inside me that still has the audacity to hope...

and for you...this moment brought to you by they who dared to dream.

[Yossariant]

4. Tiger Woods is the best golfer in the world --- putting an end to the "parallels."

Obama is not the best anything in the world.

And that's setting aside the fact that your post is extremely racist.

~ A sad and desperate ploy from Obama and most of his toons.

[YDogg]

6. Her post is "extremely racist" in what specific way?

:wtf:

[monmouth]

7. I think you need a nap...aww

[citizen snips]

5. Tiger Wood's sponsor is Accenture, which is an outsourcing company.

Really good to know that Tiger supports jobs going oversees.

[snappyturtle]

8. K&R Wonderful post!

Your parallel is perfect...imho. I was fourteen when Sen.Obama was born so when civil rights was front and foremost, I was old enough to understand the inequities in the country. I, too, like you, hoped that today would come....it's been too long coming in my book but at least it's here. I thank Sen.Obama for pointing out earlier this week that there are still residual resentments on both sides, but that's OK, because he's made it a "Yes, We Can" subject.

[monmouth]

9. Thanks for the kind words. We need to start looking at the big picture..n/t

[goclark]

15. Yes.We.Can.Be.United nt

and a little kick for the night crowd

[snappyturtle]

28. Yes. And, another kick!

:kick:

[tblue]

10. Like Barack and like Tiger, I, too, am a human melting pot and I love it

but I have been around white folk who spoke evil of black folk and black folk who expressed frustration with white folk, and I've learned to accept that this is part of life. But, when Rev. Wright railed against 'rich white' people, he was talking about the powerful, moneyed elite that exploits the poor - the clubby 'bastion' you talk about - not the entire white race.

A lot of people who are not 'of color' may not realize this, but a lot of of us talk about race all the time. I can honestly say, every single day the subject comes up in one form or another in conversations with people I am close to. Not out of hatred or envy or evil intent, just as a matter of observance or an attempt to understand because we think that it does make a difference in how people perceive and treat US. Some of us are daily made aware of what race we are with respect to those around us, so thinking and talking in terms of race just becomes a part of life. In the United States, we do live in a mostly white society and most of the power and wealth is concentrated there, and NOT with us. Those are facts. Though I know there are people, couples, families, friends who don't ever discuss race, I honestly don't know what it would be like NOT to. What surprises me is how many people are shocked to hear it goes on and that our perspective is different from theirs.

[goclark]

24. tblue I appreciate what you are saying

about "melting pot" people.

As an African American I know exactly what you are talking about ~ at least 10 times a day, I see things that can make my cholesterol go up...

When I see a group of Whites like Morning Joe sitting there discussing Dr. Wright with 4 strong talking White people like Pat B. and then they throw in a Black person "for color" it makes me want to bash the screen.

Yes, they gave a token black to add color and make some White Americans feel that they were being "fair and balanced" but to most
African Americans, we know immediately what they are doing. And it makes our blood boil and we become angry.

Roland Martin and Rev.Dyson are two of the best speakers that should have been included in on every "discussion" of RACE and Sen. Onama's message.

I believe I have seen Roland on CNN about 4 times and Rev. Dyson twice.

Sen, Obama set the tone beautifully for a discussion of this critical issue but I have not seen his speech played in any sound bit without Rev. Wright given "equal time" in the segment.

That is the key to healing in America,the debate/discussion must be fair and it is not.

I am so uplifted when I see a post such as yours.

I am so uplifted when I see so many that are supportive of the Senator, not because he is Black but because of the "Content of his character" and his sincere desire to unite us - not for his own power but to give all of US power to make this world a better place.

Peace

[snappyturtle]

25. If I could kick and recommend a reply, I would yours.

I just want you to know that I too am disgusted watching the likes of Joe in the Morning and the white, elitist cadre. As a sixty year old white woman they are not talking to me...not you either I see. The discussion is not fair...not fair on many counts. Sen.Obama said last week, in yet another great speech, that there are resentments on the white side. Well, I agree but, I wonder if he knows how deep the resentments on the white side are against the elitist whites that have held most of us back black and white? They control the media and hence the conversation which is only among themselves.

I, too, hope that the healing that needs to be discussed is presented in a fair format. This is a primary reason I back Sen.Obama because he seems to be a fair person...a listener! I can tell he's been listening by what he talks about.

My great fear of the moment is that something awful will happen and he will not get the nomination.

[WinkyDink]

31. "Folk" is a totally condescending word.

[Scurrilous]

11. Great post.

K & R :thumbsup:

[K Gardner]

12. Beautiful !

[femrap]

13. And you're still NOT allowed

into Augusta, are you? And Tiger didn't care one iota. So glad you like your place in society....helping the boys excel while you're left to change the diapers.

And BO won't care one iota if you get into Augusta either. He'll just be 'present.'

[monmouth]

14. Oh girl, get over yourself. Do you play golf? Do you need to be

"in" Augusta??? I now realize why some men spend all of their spare time on the golf course....geez.

[Johnny__Motown]

16. Not ALL our spare time on the course.... that isn't fair, we also watch golf on TV

[monmouth]

21. Hahaha, me too. Glued to the tv for the weekend..n/t

[femrap]

19. I was raised by a Pro...had clubs

at the age of 5. Maybe it's OK with you to cheer the boys from the gallery....but I don't particularly like it.

Be a woman....for a change. You're what they call a TRUE BLUE cocksucker....probably got yourself a rich hubby down there in Palm Beach who takes care of you....as long as you behave.

eta: forgot something.

[Doctor_J]

18. But I think Woods is a Repuke

and spends his life trying to stay OUT of the spotlight. But both live under constant death threats and have gone beyond race to a higher plane.

[AZBlue]

20. Yeah, I'm "supposed" to be a Clinton supporter too.

But, I'm supporting Obama despite Clinton's gender and my age.

[cooolandrew]

22. We sure can =)

[rug]

23. Go here. They need your support.

http://golfersforobama.com/

[FatDave]

26. Technically, he was still only a state senator when he made that speech in '04

He was running for U.S. Senate, and was very likely to win, but he hadn't won it yet.

I point this out not to correct you, but to better illustrate how far he has come in just under 4 years. This fall in Denver he will be able to say "Four years ago I stood here as a state senator from Illinois".

[ElsewheresDaughter]

27. Too bad Rev Wright threw Tiger under the bus in his sermon

[cooolandrew]

29. kick

[EffieBlack]

30. Beautiful!!!

[cooolandrew]

32. kick