I'm new and if this has been dairied before, I apologize but I think some people need a reminder of the reality of our candidate's situation. He is a black man named Barack Hussein Obama. Did you think this would be easy?
Go easy on me, this is my first diary. But I feel I must address some of the hand ringing going on around here. p
First as an African American woman let me say thank you to all of Barack's white supporters, who supported him when most of the African American community didn't because we just didn't believe he had a snowball's chance in Hell of winning. Iowa, a state that is 97% white, sent Barack on his path to the White House and that is something that I will never forget. I hope that other black people remember that too.
I've found throughout my short life that few white people fully understand the extent to which all black people even, brilliant, successful and beautiful black people like the Obamas, are still subject to racism. This used to frustrate me, but then I thought about how separate black and white people often live. Some whites are well aware because they have black friends, black spouses or lovers. Or black people who are in their lives in some real intimate way that has allowed them to see the difference in treatment first hand. But for those of you who are not racist, but don't have black people you are close to, you are finding that many people you know don't want to vote for a black man for president and are using any excuse not to do so even though they know it's in their own best interests to vote for the Democratic Nominee. Many of you, especially people under 30 are getting aquainted with how race plays out in modern America, more covert then overt. You are shocked and hurt. I undderstand, but you better get over it and fast.
There is a certain percentage of the poulation, my guess is at least 20% that won't vote for Obama because he is black. It could be larger or smaller and the good news is many are already Rethugs, largely because of the racist Southern Stratgey. But if you assume that some of those people would be inclined to vote for the Democrat in the race then that is a loss for Obama that he can do nothing about. Even without Palin, who has rallied the GOP fundie base, McCains greatest asset against Obama in a close race is being an old white man in a country that has ony had white men as president. Barack does not have the time or the ability to change attitudes that existed before he was even born.
So if your anecdotal experience is that some people you know are moving to McCain who you though were available to Obama, don't be alarmed because they were never available to Obama they just didn't want to tell you why. Palin has given them cover for their decision, but please know that the decision was made already. Palin is a good excuse because she is a woman, but when they got into the voting both, alone with their racism, they were not going to vote for Obama. Ever.
What you are seeing in your lives, in the people around you and in the tight polling is the reality that comes with our choice. When we as Democrates and other who wanted change voted for Barack Obama and made him our Nominee, we took a huge gamble. White American's have had a lot more experience being brainwashed to be afraid of black men meaning them harm then white Republicans meaning them harm. You're right in this environment the race shouldn't be this close, but there shouldn't be any such thing as racism either. This is our reality, a reality that Barack has lived with and overcome all of his life. Now it's a part of yours too. So buck up, suck it up and get to work like Barack is 10 points down because he may be.
Barack can win and I trust he knows how to win, but we can't help him win if we freak out about what comes with the realities of having a black nominee every time they rear their ugly heads. Just like almost everything else in America, politics is harder if you are black. I think the Bradely Effect is already in these polls so things look closer then they should be in a non-racist, perfect world. Getting Barack Obama into the White House is the most audacious and improbable political endeavor in American history. Never forget that and never forget why.
This was always going to be a fight. This was always going to be an uphill climb. I think some of you may just only now be coming to that realization and I'm glad you have. Think about it and maybe even cry about it, but then let it be your fuel. We've got two months and we need everyone fired up an ready to go. Stop haggling with the bigots at work and maybe in your families because somewhere out there, people who is just now paying attention to this race, people who are open to Barack need to here from you and would be a better use of your time and energy. These people are how we win. Stop hand ringing and go get 'em!
UPDATE: Thank you all so much for putting me on the rec list! I also wanted to say that I think there is the possibility that there is both a reverse Bradley Effect (closet Obama supporters) and that if there is a Bradley Effect for Barack it's already reflected in the polls now. That's the missing 4-5 points that a Dem should get in this anti-incumbent environment.
I actually hate the term "folks" too, but I thought it was more gentile then "Hey you all you white people!"
Another thing. I realize that racism kind of has a scale so if you think you know someone who is possibly winnable, stay on them. It's the hard core racists I'm talking about. Some slaves don't want to be free so screw 'em! Let's get our Barack elected and we'll just have to try not to gloat when they benefit from him being in office too!
Thanks again. XOXOXOXO
UPDATE: I'm still pissed about that bullshit that ElizaBitch Hasselback pulled at the RNC in maligning Michelle Obama. We must be vigilant against such attacks. Shoot them an angry email here and demand a public apology!
http://abc.go.com/...
If you don't know what she did, take a look here. Just nasty and uncalled for. I used to think she was ok and just dumb, but she's got that Rethug evil meaness too. She and Vlad the ImPalin are soulmates.
http://www.youtube.com/...