Why race won't be an issue with Obama

[IndyHatedByBothSides]

I've seen a number of threads question whether Obama is electable in the general election as an African-American. I think he is. He has handled the race issue well, and far from being an issue among older white voters as some have maintained, I think his handling of the race issue will work to his advantage. And I while it is unfair to stereotype Obama as the "black candidate", I cannot deny that his handling of the issue makes him look presidential.

Most older white people are not racists. Rather, they are the product of a different era. What makes them uncomfortable about the whole race issue is not the color of a person's skin, but the history that accompanies race and politics in America. It's the touchiness of the situation. It's the fear of "saying the wrong thing" rather than the pigment of a person's skin.

I came to this realization several years ago while attending an international course. There were participants from all over the world, representing all countries and racial backgrounds. Included in the mix were African-Americans, and Africans. It was there that I met the man who became one of my closest friends in the African-American community.

However, our relationship got off to a bad start because I always shied away from African-Americans. I felt uncomfortable around them for some reason I couldn't explain. I was always guarded. It wasn't right, and it troubled me that I felt this way, but I could not deny my feelings. Any time I was in a social situation with the African-Americans there was an awkward moment of silence.

In contrast, I got along very well with the Africans and became close friends with them during the course. We would hang out together during our leisure time, help each other with homework, participate in each other's cultural events, and even bunk together at certain out-of-town events. While racial and cultural differences added an extra dimension to our friendships, there was always the sense that we were friends and would want to be friends regardless of where we came from or the color of our skin.

One day, at an African cultural event, one of the African students noticed my awkwardness around the African-American students and arranged for me to talk privately with the most respected colleague among the African-Americans. The three of us sat down together, and the African asked that everyone speak honestly.

The African-American said to me: "I know you're not racist because I see how you've gone out of your way to befriend and make our African colleagues feel welcome. But I sense you're uncomfortable around me and other African-Americans. Am I just being overly-sensitive?"

To which I responded, without thinking: "Please don't take offense, but you're right. But it's got nothing to do with your race. It's just with speech codes and political correctness and the historical wrongs, I'm always scared I will say the wrong thing by accident and you will walk away offended."

The African-American scholar looked me in the eyes and said with a gentle voice: "I can trust that you are not a racist. Can you trust me to distinguish between a racist and someone like yourself who is from a different racial and cultural background? Like any other human relationship, there will be moments when someone says the wrong thing, but friendship is about overcoming these moments."

I felt a big weight lifted from my shoulders. I was touched that he recognized me where I was at, and look beyond past historical injustices to recognize my good faith efforts. I suddenly felt very comfortable around him and he became a good friend. He didn't deny past historical injustices against the African-American community, but he also acknowledged good faith efforts by white people to address and overcome these injustices.

Which reminds me of what Obama has done during this campaign. Older white voters feel comfortable around Obama because he reaches out to them, sets aside their fears of "saying the wrong thing", acknowledges the good faith efforts they have already made to move America beyond the racial divide, and then gently urges them to continue working toward overcoming issues pertaining to race. Obama doesn't condemn the glass as half-empty, but says: "I think it's great that the glass is half-full. Let's keep working together to top it off, not just for African-Americans but for all people whose glass isn't yet full."

This is called leadership. This is called acting presidential. And white voters, who are use to race being a divisive issue, appreciate how Obama is reject rancour for progress.

[democrattotheend]

1. You make some great points

I really hope you are right. As a product of both races, Obama is uniquely qualified to help bridge the gap, and I don't believe for one second that he harbors any animousity toward either. I'm just worried that the whole manufactured controversy over Reverend Wright has led too many people to believe that he does.

[flor de jasmim]

4. I share your concerns, and thanks to the OP:

it's a pleasure to read a thought-ful (full of thought) post.

[IndyHatedByBothSides]

9. Actually, I have heard more white people tell me...

...they now trust Obama because of his handling of the Rev. Wright situation, then vice-versa. They like how he disagreed with his pastor and his white grandmother, but refused to throw either under the bus. The fact he didn't disown them, even when it appeared to compromise his presidential campaign, but stood by them and acknowledged their progress on the issue, has gone a long way toward allaying their fears about a president from the African-American community.

[ClassWarrior]

2. Beautiful story.

Thank you for sharing.

NGU.

[papau]

3. Obama did not chose to take the MO out of the NH win by playing the race card- changing the subject?

[virgdem]

5. Welcome to my ignore list.

[cali]

7. He did not EVER play the race card. That was Hilly and her

dear hubby- and they continue to do it. It's the thing I find most disgusting. The only people claiming that Barack played the race card are total Clinton partisans and friends. It's completely ridiculous of accusing Obama of playing the race card; he has nothing to gain by doing so and a hell of a lot to lose.

[Sensitivity]

6. Which Country are you living in????

[ampad]

8. Are you a person of color?

I'm not trying to be rude I'm just wondering.

[IndyHatedByBothSides]

13. No, but having experienced racism...

...against the AA community, albeit it not to the same degree as African Americans, I can sympathize. Many moons ago I lived in the deep South with my young family. We had an African American family move into the neighborhood. Most of the locals were outraged. My spouse and I were concerned they might do something.

We were the only family to introduced ourselves to this new family. They had a child about the same age as ours, whom we invited over to play in our yard. Because of this my spouse and I were denounced as bad parents and "n*** lovers". This was done to our face and in front of our child.

Yet we held our ground. The African American child became my three-year-old's only friend over the next week. My child was no longer permitted to play with the other children. The other parents forbade it. One of my tire's was slashed during the night.

It fell on my shoulders to explain to my preschooler was racism was, why it was wrong, and why "n***" was a derogatory word that should never be said or used. I had to look my child in the eye and explain why the other kids - all former friends - were no longer allowed by their parents to come over and play.

Fortunately, the neighbors eventually came around, and those who had been the most racist became the most welcoming.

[BumRushDaShow]

10. A very poignant story...

What is interesting to note is that the African is considered a "foreigner" by any American, and that definitely affects the perception of that person. I have seen the same perception phenomena applied to those African diaspora who come from the Caribbean and South America (e.g., Brazil, Guyana, etc.)

Interestingly, those of us AAs who travel around the world are not assumed to be American until we open our mouths and some American dialect comes rolling out... :rofl:

[Rosemary2205]

11. It already is an issue.

too late to put that genie back in the bottle.

[NOLALady]

12. Maybe that's a good thing.

Some people seem to need it out in the open. Some need to feel that uncomfortable weight lifted.

[2rth2pwr]

14. Sounds beautiful, except Obama's supporters will accuse anyone of racism

at the drop of a hat.