For those keeping track (yes, I mean you mom) a few weeks back I posted the reasons why I was voting for Barack Obama. In this post, which is coincidentally right below this one, I mentioned how though I wasn’t head over heels like America apparently was —Barack took McCain behind the woodshed, I mean 349 to 163?!?! Where I come from that is an old fashioned woopin’). I strongly agreed we needed to steer away from the failed leadership of the last eight years, most definitely after the recent economic recession and mounting fears. However, when I saw almost an estimated half million people Chicago on surely a historic night not only for African Americans, but perhaps a turning point in American politics, I became a little insecure about my decision. I truly hope Americans can understand, though this is a huge step in the right direction, it is by no means a victory yet. If I remember correctly, George W. Bush in 2000 ran a campaign on reform lower taxes and less government and in 2004 due to plummeting popularity, decided to run a campaign based on fear. It is truly sad that over the course of W.’s administration not only has he not reformed government but he has overseen the largest expansion of government in the last 80 years and in my humble opinion neglected to make us any safer than we were before the heinous acts of 9/11, though only time will tell on that one. The point I’m trying to make here is simple, it is easy to make promises Americans and get them to vote for you but to really back it up is what is important. I have never immediately bought into the fads that sweep my generation. Sure, I’ve bought an iPod when It made sense to me, I shop in relatively modern fashion —I mean I wouldn’t walk around in acid wash jeans or wear fanny packs— and generally try to stay up on what is fresh and new in the world. It is just who I am, I follow the news not because I want to be hip but because it makes sense to me. What makes sense to me as an American is for us to overcome partisanship and have the capacity look past everything and focus on what is important; peace throughout the world, technological innovation and overall progression. We didn’t get to where we are now as a country by sitting around talking about how great we were. Though I am also reminded, America has had to take when and it had to, made tough decisions like wiping out an entire Japanese city to end a war and declaring independence from a far military superior empire. Back to the issue at hand, though I do feel Barack is the right choice, Obama’s administration has a lot of mess to clean up and the task will be treacherous and most likely wildly unpopular, but I hope the real measure of success of Barack’s legacy is what he accomplishes as president, not simply because he won an election.

However, there is a good chance I just don’t understand. I am not black and thus have no concept of what it means for a race of people who were long ago perceived as inferior, living in the white man’s world. Shamefully, I voted for a circuit judge in Pinellas county because he had an Irish last name —-I mean his name was like Shamish O’ Hooligan, it was ridiculous—–so perhaps I am being a hypocrite. I guess I am just sick of people using their race as a reason to not achieve something. A man, a black man, who came from practically nothing, has become the president over the most powerful country in the world. Not only that but he has a god awful name like Barack Obama, excuse me, Barack Hussein Obama! Conversation over. All I am saying is its 2008, if you feel you are discriminated because of your race, look no further than the white house. I use this example a lot in references, but what about Jewish people? Let’s talk about a group of people that were enslaved for centuries, forced to roam the deserts for lifetimes and oh yeah, nearly wiped off the face of the earth numerous times. Not only have the Jewish people survived unimaginable injustice and struggle, but they have come out as one of the more educated and affluent groups in the world. After Barack’s amazing accomplishment, which it is, I just never want to hear the words “Color barrier” ever again. I’m not saying that race plays no issue at all in today’s society, there are instances yes, were black people are still stereotyped just in the way Asians, Italians, Latino  and even white people are. However, for African Americans to think of these obstacles as life shattering is irresponsible.

Sure we are all stereotyped and black people are no exception:

The more common examples:

• Problems Hailing a cab late at night

• <!–[if !supportLists]–> Issue standing Behind someone at an ATM, especially when you are wearing a ski mask (this really happened to me and though it is terrible, I was petrified)
• The noisy lady screaming in the middle of a movie theatre
• Traffic violations that somehow turn a routine stop, into a 20 police car ordeal.

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<!–[if !supportLists]–>However, there are such things as positive stereotypes, small things that stick out in my mind:

• <!–[endif]–>Inclined to be Athletic
• <!–[if !supportLists]–> <!–[endif]–>Loyal to family and neighborhood
• <!–[if !supportLists]–>A musically and entertainment inclined culture
• <!–[if !supportLists]–> <!–[endif]–>Able to actually keep rhythm, don’t laugh there are some of us who can’t move like you

In this next administration I hope we somehow become intelligent enough to look past our country as white or black, blue or red but focus on real issues at hand and become a nation of Americans with a common goal. That my friends, *Mocking McCain reference* is what will bring the real change we need.