While all the whoopla over Clinton’s comments contrasting LBJ and MLK’s efforts in the civil rights movement something really troubling has been missed in the dialog. It isn’t that the efforts of King were degraded, and neither were Johnson’s efforts in the civil rights legislation. What is being missed is the people, just like you and I, who are the real reason for the civil rights legislation.
Politicians tend to give themselves too much credit. I think King would say the same thing. But I also think King would be quick to pass credit on to the hundreds of thousands of people who worked, fought and died in this country to see that dream come true. Civil rights happened because of us. Because we Americans stood up.
Now chew on that for a few minutes and think about this election. Who is responsible for the end result of this country’s desire for change? Will it be Hillary Clinton? Certainly not when giving the credit to any one individual politician. And I think that is what offends me the most about her comment. Even though it was taken out of context and blown out of purportion, she still has some explaining to do. I already had reservations about voting in another legacy politician. That’s probably why I voted for Ross Perot so many years ago. It feels like the same old defeatists language to hear once again "change" happened because of one person. I’m surprised the black leaders in this country haven’t picked up on that for certainly, if change is going to happen, it will be from our action.
That is what makes Obama more appealing to me. I haven’t put my finger on any singular issue or statement but in many ways, he embodies the thought that you and I will be in control of the direction of this nation and no one else. There is still way too much rhetoric floating about, but my bet is, what will seal the deal for a candidate will be the one who recognizes that argument (something none of the republican candidates have been able to do). After all, we’ve had a really bad "father figure" for 8 years. Perhaps it’s time we leave the nest.