The Race Question

The subject of race in this presidential election is surfacing, and, like it or not, the question of race is a major factor.

If you look around the world, race is the predominant factor in any major national government.

China has Chinese leaders.

Japan has Japanese leaders.

India has Indian leaders.

Even Indian reservations in America have Indian leaders.

Now try to imagine the Chinese electing an African or an Arab as their leader.

In 1968, The Kerner Commission stated:

... that we were living in two Americas -- one black and one white. When we examine the TV shows we all watch, those in the top 10 for whites are vastly different than those for blacks. Musical tastes vary, so do cultural norms.

It's hard to see where much of that has changed.

But politically, here in America, where we have been taught that we are a nation of immigrants, individuals of all races have held - and are holding high office - everywhere in the nation. The only exception to this has been the office of the President of the United States.

History has demonstrated that the leader of a nation defines that nation, and that includes that leaders ethnicity. A leader identifies a nation to the rest of the world. Blacks in America understand this, many whites do not.

So the ultimate question this presidential race asks of America is... do we want our president to identify this country to the world as a "White" nation, or as a "Black" nation?

There is no third option: Color blindness exists only in Utopia.

That's why so many whites are resisting the idea of a black man as president... the thought stirs up fears about losing their country to a minority, unable to act as America goes "black".

That's why blacks are so energized by this election. They see it as winning this nation for themselves. After all those years of slavery and mistreatment, they win the big prize. They become "The Man".

You have to ask yourself what the hell Whoopie Goldberg was really saying when she asked John McCain on "The view", should she worry about "becoming a slave again?"

Does it make sense? No, but that's the way the majority of humans - of all races - react.

Blacks have never identified with a white president, not even Bill Clinton. Conversely, whites will never identify with a black one, not even Barak Obama. Many whites may tolerate or even accept a black president, some even enthusiastically supporting him in his campaign, but very few will identify with him.

Barak Obama apparently represents Africa. He identifies himself as an "African" American. Exactly what is an "African" American? An African living in America? An American with African citizenry? An uncommitted fence sitter with dual citizenship?

Me? I'm just an American, born in Florida. I'm not an African-American, or a Mexican-American, or a Jewish-American, or an Indian-American... I'm just American. If asked about my race - a separate issue - I'm white.

But Barak? He does not call himself an American, or a black American. He's an "African" American, a man bragging about his "roots" and family - his emotional ties - in Kenya. That worries many.

Imagine what a zoo this race would be if we had a "Mexican" American also running for president, with "roots" and family - along with emotional ties - in Mexico.

Agree or disagree, like it or not, race is the huge undercurrent in this election. It will determine how the rest of the world will view America in the future. And that matters, even to those who just don't care.

Race and Politics, New york Times
Commentary: Race, Faith and Politics CNN.com