I purposely used the term "closet" in the header to simply make a point: everyone in this generation understands the term to basically mean hiding who you really are inside due to fear of being ridiculed and/or labeled for your beliefs or lifestyle. There is a movement in this country that is falling far below the radar that polls and news reports can tap into because American's true feelings are being hidden. Because of this phobia I predict we will see both an outpouring of support and an overwhelming victory for Obama on November 4!
No matter how we try to frame the candidates we live in a racist society. Every single American is racist to some degree because that is the environment we have been raised in. We may try to convince ourselves that we are beyond the negative history that we are taught in schools at all grade levels but we are far from it. It is this single factor that I believe is completely being missed in polls and commentary from news agencies. How many of us are true 100% Obama supporters but are afraid to put that sign in our yard? How many of us try very hard to start a discussion about the election with African Americans that we know because it is a subject that we both understand? How many of us are reluctant to even have the discussion with our "truly" racist family members? How many of us maybe even refuse to discuss politics with our spouse because we know it's a no-win situation.
We as a society do not yet fully understand how to deal with what we are witnessing. But we as a society are excited as hell in Barack Obama!! It is this single factor that I believe when every American steps into that polling booth and can finally express their choice in total seclusion that we will overwhelmingly choose Hope and Future over Fear and Past!! It is the greatest asset in our democracy that we continue the practice of secret ballot and therefore are free to choose without any fear of any type of retribution.
These type of "closet" supporters will determine the outcome of this election and I guarantee these people exist in massive numbers! We are slowly coming around to the idea that Barack Obama is our future...and he comes from the worst part of our past!! How ironic that at such a pivotal point in our 235 years of existence that we will rely on an individual who represents such a negative piece of our history. I find this not only truly amazing but refreshing!! He is undoubtedly the one person in this country who can build that "bridge to everywhere" that we so desperately need in order to begin the process of healing our historical wounds.
I realize this diary injects race issues into discussion but I really feel that there is a movement that is hidden simply because there are so many people who don't know how to express themselves and in many ways are afraid to show their true support for Obama. I also believe it is the single reason that so many young people are so adamant in their support of him...they are comfortable in this area because they grew up in a different era.
The results will be amazing and we will witness history on November 4...and not simply because (to steal a line from Hillary Clinton) we will elect an African American President but because we will elect a President who happens to be African American. Then and only then will we truly understand the level of support that exists in this country for the right leader at the right time regardless of race, gender, age, etc.
I'm proud to live in this era of change and I hope everyone can take a minute and realize what is happening because this story will be repeated to our children and grandchildren for generations to come!!
Here is the question: How do we as a group understand this movement and educate our friends and family on how to openly and comfortably express their support?