Just Because He’s Black
September 16th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson
I got this in an email.
A white man asked his black friend, ‘Are you voting for Barack Obama just because he’s black?’
The black man responded by saying, ‘Why not? Hell, in this country men are pulled over everyday just cause they’re black; passed over for promotions just cause they’re black; considered to be criminals just cause they’re black; and there are going to be thousands of you who won’t be voting for him just because he’s black! However, you do not seem to have a problem with that! This country was built with the sweat and whip off the black slaves’ back, and now a descendent of those same
slaves has a chance to lead the same country, where we weren’t even considered to be people, where we weren’t allowed to be educated, drink from the same water fountains, eat in the same restaurants, or even vote. So yes! I’m going to vote for him! But it’s not just because he’s black, but because he is hope, he is change, and he now allows me to understand when my grandson says that he wants to be president when he grows up, it is not a fairy tale but a short term goal. He now sees, understands and knows that he can achieve, withstand and do ANYTHING just because he’s black!’
Let me rewrite this little story.
A black woman asked a black man, “Are you voting for Obama just because he’s black?”
The black man said, ‘No, I’m voting for Obama because I believe in his principles. The very country that once held me in no regard, has given me the right to vote on Principle. The men and women who died fighting for Black rights have null and voided my ability to be a follower. Now I get to cast my vote on what I believe and I believe the changes Barack Obama brings to the table, far out weigh the color of his skin. It’s about the improvement of All Americans and I will stand beside him for that reason. The same reason I voted for Clinton and I’m guessing the same reason most blacks voted for Kennedy. So it has nothing to do with the fact that he’s black. It has everything to do with where this country needs to go.
Now I don’t believe that story, but it would be better than the first. Of course I have to add my own little twist. Hope You Enjoy.
A black man asked Me, “Are you voting for Barack Obama just because he’s black?”
I said, “No, I would never vote for someone because of their skin color. ”
He said, “Why not? In this country men are pulled over everyday, just because they’re black; passed over for promotions, just because they’re black; and there are going to be thousands of white people that won’t vote for Obama just because he’s black! However you do not seem to have a problem with that. This country was built with the sweat and whip off the black slaves back and now the decendent of those same slaves has a chance to lead the same country, where we weren’t even considered to be people, where we weren’t allowed to be educated, drink from the same water fountains, eat in the same restaurants, or even vote. So Yes, I’m going to vote for him. But it’s not just because he’s black, but because he is hope, he is change, and he know allows me to understand when my grandson says he wants to be President when he grows up, it’s not a fairytale, but a short term goal. He know sees, understands, and knows that he can acheive, withstand, and do Anything just because he black.’
I said, “I’m sorry let me get this straight. If Barack Obama doesn’t win, does this mean your grandson will never become President? Are you teaching him, his whole world depends on the success of another person? Maybe I’m getting to literal, so let me rephrase. What black Presidential nominee did Barack Obama have to follow?
None. He made his own path and it wasn’t because he was black. It was because he was determined. I find it interesting when you start talking about the future, you have to use the past to justify it. Well let’s play that game for a minute. Slaves couldn’t eat in the same restaurants, couldn’t vote, couldn’t learn to read. But that didn’t stop them. When they became free, they still worked sharecropped land. Was it fair? Hell No. But they did it. They had a hunger to make up for all the lost time. All the lost words and ideas, they went to seek them out. And from that we got Great Black Role Models. Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Dubois. They did not wait for the right black man to come along and tell them it was O.K. to do so.
So why stake so much on Barack Obama. Oh, that’s right. It’s because black people still get pulled over for driving while black, because we still get passed over for promotions, and because there are still thousands of white bigots. Well there are Millions of people in this country and the voice of the the many outweigh the voice of the few. But you give them more validity with your arguement. If they are doing it, then we should do it to. If they won’t vote for the black man, I won’t even consider the white man. That makes you as big a bigot as the white people. Why? Because there are Millions of white people that are supporting Barack Obama. And it’s not because they want to prove they are not racist. It’s because they agree with his policy. They are against the War in Iraq. They are voting on Principle. And you’re voting on color.
I can even understand your inclination to support Obama. When my daughter saw Sarah Palin and asked if a woman could be President, I was happy. But that doesn’t stop the fact that she has to work for it. Sarah Palin is not what I use to bring my daughter hope. Her hope comes from me; telling her everyday that she is smart and beautiful and she can become anything she wants to be. I don’t need Sarah Palin for that and you shouldn’t need Barack Obama to impart the same on your grandson.
If we continue to put race over principles, we are doomed to continue on the same path. We have had our rights for years. Why is the situation only changing for a few of us? Some make it, but the majority don’t. And we continue to vote for the same policies. Something for nothing. When will we say; since more black people have joined the police force, there has been a decline in racially motivated stops; since more black people own there own business, there has been a reduction in the call for Higher Taxes that affect small businesses; since more black people have decided to vote Principle and not color, all black people have benefited from the character enrichment of elected officials.
So when your grandson gets old enough to run for President, race won’t even come up. It will all be focused on the Man and not the color. The ideas and not the color. The advancement of all America and not the color. Then maybe your grandson won’t think he can run for President because he’s black, but because he can make a difference in his country. He will know that Barack Obama may have laid a few stones but it was his hard work and detemination that got him to where he is not his color. I’m just saying.
