Black in an Obama World

A funny thing happened when Barack Obama was elected our next President of the United States -- I became really, really popular.

Popular not just with my friends, but with those who only know me in a passing manner -- and stranger yet, popular with those who don't even know me at all.

It all started when President-Elect Obama secured the Democratic nomination. Just riding the bus to work, I could feel people looking at me as if to whisper, "Good for you!" And then as the race heated up against McCain, I came to realize that people actually had expectations. After they patted me on the back, they wanted someone to talk to about the election, and more specifically, about Obama -- and that someone was me. No longer could I be content to read the paper in public, scanning headlines about Decision '08, without someone sidling up next to me. "Isn't it amazing? Aren't you excited? I really think he's going to be good for this country..." No longer could I ride in a cab whose driver was listening to a news station, without being engaged in a full-blown discussion about the atrocities of the past eight years. No longer could I go into the office without white man's burden unloading on me with stories of growing up in sheltered communities and the hidden shame of a Republican parent. Just like that, I had become the outlet for everyone's personal Obama story.

Lest there be any confusion, I am ecstatic about the election, and proud of Obama's accomplishment, which is both a reflection of how far this nation has come in such a relatively short period of time, and a testament to its colourful fabric. But he is everyone's President, not just mine -- and I am entitled to the same rights as everyone else to hold any opinion of him, or none at all.

So far, I've entertained and engaged all of those who have knocked on my door (or, as the case may be, ploughed through it uninvited). But I'm getting a little tired. Yes, Michelle Obama does carry herself very graciously, and makes a lovely First Lady -- but it's okay to admit to me that her Election Day dress looked like a tie-dyed apron. And of course, President-Elect Obama's inauguration will be the most exciting in my life, and probably American history - but it's okay to roll your eyes at the selection of Rick Warren to lead the prayer. These opinions don't make you a racist in my eyes or anyone else's.

Perhaps as his presidency gets underway and the novelty of an African-American family in the White House wears off, I will once again be allowed to enjoy a pedicure in peace without having to participate in a political roundtable. In the meantime, next time anyone approaches, perhaps I'll just have to say I was really hoping for Hillary.*

* I wasn't.

Comments

[rudyardkipling]

I know exactly how you feel. My 5 year old son really likes trains and old ladies keep asking him if he's excited we have a vice president who rides the train every day.

[zizi]

Well Keisha
You certainly are entitled to the way you feel. But I think the reaction of people to you is rational considering the history of this country and the tendency to treat minorities as "group representatives". This time though, better this gushing reaction than being eyed anytime a high profile African American commits a crime as happened during the OJ trial in 1995. Also, people are simply excited and I think you should cut folks some slack. Soon normalcy will return and we can all slinker off into our lives of anonymity and the mundane. :o)

[Kiesha Ramey-Presner - Huffpost Blogger]

Based on some comments here, I"m afraid my primary point was not made as clearly as I might have hoped. The issue is not that I am in any way withholding excitement about Obama"s election, or was not motivated to help get him elected by either volunteering for the campaign, donating to it, or shamelessly proselytizing. Millions of people, black, white and otherwise, did the same thing. But that shouldn"t create an automatic entry point for my cab driver, upon me getting in, to immediately turn and unleash his gospel about the nation"s readiness for a "beautiful, strong, black woman in the White House." If he"s saying this to everyone who gets into his cab, fine " but he"s not. He"s looking at me and making a judgment, however seemingly obvious it is. And to echo my sentiment in a previously posted comment, while all of this is overwhelmingly positive, I wonder where the reaching out would have been had another excellent, but not black, candidate been elected. None of this is a "complaint" so much as it is pontification.

[sbrown80]

You r trying too hard to not be excited.

Ok so you don't want pple to assume you supported Obama because he's blk. I get it. But girl, get over yourself, no offense

[aishadl]

I concur with your article..and experienced the same thing. My company is predominately Indian and the day after the election people were shaking my hand congratulating and hugging me like I'd won the election. I'm fortunate to live and work in a very diverse very very blue area (Northern California) but even I received an abnormal amount of attention following the election!

[luvangelHussein330]

I totaly understand what the author is talking about...before and after I was my own minature Obama head quarters for questions etc. And even for those who felt like confessing being a Republican and voting for Obama and being to scared to tell other family members and friends....talk about ackward, but I get it. And I think this is a fantastic time be able to see how things play out. I already see a change in the youth I mentor.
One other thing that I've noticed is Michelle has helped my dating game across the spectrum. Men who wouldn't take the time black white or otherwise, now take a second look and inquire after a quick conversation about Barack and Michelle Obama....

[baia]

Sorry to disappoint you Keisha but I engaged anyone I figured would be on our side. Many of us very so invested in this election that it occupied most of our spare time. All the better if blacks and whites could now have a common cause.

[Kiesha Ramey-Presner - Huffpost Blogger]

I'm not disappointed, and I agree with you - uniting across racial lines is always positive. I just wonder how deep the level of engagement would have been had Clinton or someone else entirely (stranger than fiction, I realize) been the nominee instead.

[Kiabell04]

It's kinda funny, I guess it's cool to be black now. I guess I won't get funny looks anymore.

[RRonin]

Something similar happened when Kennedy was elected. Suddenly, being Catholic was cool. People started bragging about having a distant relative who was Catholic ("My aunt Fanny was Catholic, and some of my relatives didn't approve, but she was always my favorite aunt!") When the novelty wears off, it will abate.

[Kiesha Ramey-Presner - Huffpost Blogger]

Good point. Isn't it funny how quickly times change?

[oafishcad]

There are some whites who voted for Obama in the general election, like me, who voted for him because he was far and away the best person in the race and not in any attempt to make history or assuage ancestral guilt. But I know where you're coming from. Many times I've been the only white guy among a group of blacks or asians or whatever. People treat me as though I'm are a representative for my whole race and the whole race speaks with one mind.

[luvangelHussein330]

now you know how people of color feel in a room full of white people....LOL...welcom to the party!!

[Kiesha Ramey-Presner - Huffpost Blogger]

I presume most whites (and hopefully, blacks and others) who voted for Obama did so because he was the most qualified candidate - I definitely don't doubt the voters' motives, so I hope I didn't come across that way! But yes, you echoed my sentiment exactly - as reasonable as I think it is to assume I'm an Obama supporter, I'd still like the right to stand on my own, apart from my race, and even hold a different opinion if such is the case.

[PATina]

hahahahahaha... you too??? But I was glad to actually be engaged in conversations of substance for a change instead of the "how do Black women get their hair this way or that?".... hahahahahahaha

[Kiesha Ramey-Presner - Huffpost Blogger]

Oh, that is a WHOLE 'nother post entirely!

[RobertHenryEller]

Dear Ms. Ramey-Presner:

Please forgive us non-Black Americans.

Many of us mistakenly say that electing Barack Obama President was a "victory" for black people.

In fact, Barack Obama's election was a great victory for white people - over themselves. We "became" more human. We just don't know how to say so. So, we bug Black Americans about this.

I feel like I and my fellow non-Black Americans re-took an IQ test, and finally, collectively at least, passed.

Pardon us, but that's what "we're" really celebrating. And yes, please do have opinions about the President regardless of the color of his skin - or the color of yours. I hope we all do.

I will say this, however: I found it most admirable that so many Black American voters, with so little history to auger the possibility, were ultimately willing to vote for Obama, believing that he might actually win. To hold onto that kind of hope, under the circumstances. That's amazing. That takes true emotional courage. Thank you for having that much "faith" in non-Black American voters. Many of "us" still scarcely believe it ourselves.

And thanks for the hint. I hope "we" can leave you in peace.

Is this corny, or in bad taste? This week, I don't care. I'm feeling as increasingly happy this week as I was feeling increasingly nervous the week before the election.

Sincerely,

Robert Eller
Milan, Italy.

[Kiesha Ramey-Presner - Huffpost Blogger]

I definitely appreciate the sentiment, and your point of view as Obama's election being in many ways a "victory for white people - over themselves" is poignant. And it's this point of view that I suspect most people I've encountered have held...and the very reason I've continued to engage them. It's a very interesting time for all of us, indeed.

[tel8034]

Yes Mr. Eller,

He is ALL of our President .................... and yes we are ALL still celebrating regardless of the color of our skins.

I guess Kiesha is experiencing on "home soil" the same experience ALL Americans who travelled abroad during the election season (and after), have received ....................... Every foreign person who came into contact with an American wanted (and still wants to) discuss the election and to get an opinion on Obama's win, and the expectations Americans have for his presidency..

They can't seem to get enough of Obama.

[yearlin]

'I will say this, however: I found it most admirable that so many Black American voters, with so little history to auger the possibility, were ultimately willing to vote for Obama, believing that he might actually win. To hold onto that kind of hope, under the circumstances. That's amazing. That takes true emotional courage. Thank you for having that much "faith" in non-Black American voters. '

that was nice