My Take On Obama

In this video blog I talk about Obama becoming the first African American presidential nominee and how it will change the future:

Comments

[bluegreen]

Sean, you helped too. Every great black entertainer and athlete broke barriers in tiny pieces and continues to do so. Music is one way of getting the point instantly that we all have this connection, more big and more true than our hurts, mistrusts and fears. Music goes right into our hearts and souls. It cannot be denied. Not only are you a musician/producer but an enormously successful businessman who reaches out to all groups. You're good at making connections. You're greatly admired. Believe me, you helped too.

[iswideopen]

Sean, thank you for that. We all feel so deeply proud of the way Senator Obama represents The United States Of America. Conditions have come a long way. You mentioned our loved ones before this day who carried the torch to make this possible; it is now your turn, as an African-American male to pick up this torch and let young men and women of all colors put their best efforts towards an education. That is the only way to ensure their success. Yes, it will be difficult, they have mostly all dropped out of school. However, it is better late than never. They do not need to waste their lives trying to become rich overnight. Success starts with a plan, tiny baby steps, when necessary, with hard, hard work. Yes, they need a place to go, yes they need to belong, but this and more can have a positive effect when just one starts the plan, then others join. So, I urge you to gather your supporters of "worldy wealth" and open a computer lab, and tutoring centers for these at risk youth who need it most; it is all about inclusion, not exclusion. I still believe that the love in our country will overcome the hate. We have a way to go, however, I am deeply moved that the Americans with that love in their hearts have gotten our Senator Obama where he is today. I will never forget Iowa, who stood up first.

[Rockwell]

Sean, thanks for your words. I've been so caught up and excited about Obama as a great leader that I've forgotten to take the time to reflect on this moment in history.

I'm a middle aged white male who has been proud to contribute to Barack Obama's campaign and I will be even prouder to have him as my President. We The People will lift him up to lead us out of this wilderness.

[lisakaz2]

Seemed like a very heartfelt and also joyous pov.

[wisechild]

Thank you, Sean for your comments. I know you originally supported Hillary and that is understandable but the fact you recognize and share this moment is wonderful. Hope you will throw all your support and resources to electing Obama.

I am a white female who grew up in Virginia. I remember well our family's first drive down to FL in '59 when I was six. I remember the shacks that people were living in along the railroad and the hiways through little towns.
I remember stopping at a filling station and see the 'white only' drinking fountain and the colored drinking fountain. I asked my mother what did that mean? Was the water different?

'No' she replied. Some people don't want colored people to drink from the same fountain as us. I said, 'that's silly and took my water from the colored only fountain.

We're a long way from there. Obama is right leader at the right time. His race only matters because of the significance of this moment but he is all of us.

Go Obama!

[Balzac]

Sean, lots of people are feeling pretty good about Obama.
It seems like things could be getting a lot better.

[rationalthought1]

Sean, I'm 59 and white but I, too, am emotionally moved by what's happened. This is a real opportunity for America to assert its greatness - its true greatness, as the land of freedom and promise. I'm so proud of this younger generation; its up to you and its up to the older generations to support change - the change that will redeem us from the Bush/Cheney flirtation with fascism. Out of many we are one.

[Daly]

PD Go back the the community and tell them that faith is a good thing but praying don't make it happen. Obama as an example - when you are at the top of your class and Harvard law review nobody can affort to ingnore you.

Today will not change how blacks are view; rather Blacks not need to step up and embrace the opportunities.

Education is paramont. Recently I read about a girl from Africa now living in CA at her arrival she spoke no english; last week she graduated top of her Class. She is headed to UC Davis and even with a full scholarship she could use your support.

Kids come from countries with nothing more than mud huts, they embrace all that America has to offer; most end up at or near the top of their class.

Sean tell your fans that a rapper, singer or sports figure is a dream and while they persue that dream, an education is bedrock.

btw - last election I appreciated your get out the vote efforts, please do it again.

[CatLadyforObama]

Daly, AMEN! Thank you! I posted earlier about my work at an inner-city community college that is predominantly Black and Hispanic (I am white). While many of my students may call me a "sister" or say I'm "down with the struggle," the sad truth is the students I have the hardest time reaching are mostly AA males. While I appreciate the contributions rap artists and athletes have made to breaking down racial barriers, I have tried to impress upon my students that they are usually not good role models.

But now, we have a great role model in Obama. I can't tell you the positive effect he has already had--he has made my job that much easier. He is the perfect example of what one can do if they put their mind to it. Change is best sought from the inside. I have cried tears of joy with my students that I am alive to see this change, and indeed, change is already in the air.

Yes We Can!!!

[FogBelter]

Mr. Combs, I believe that in America if we focus on Sex,Race,Religion, or Region we Lose ... if we focus on People ... we Win.

America is People.

Obama's Nomination and Clinton's Candidacy are historic victories for all of the American People.

[pineapplegal]

Amen, amen. I don't want to distract from the historical significance of this because even Kennedy was given his due as first catholic president (I believe). HOWEVER, if you claim him as your "African-American" nominee, how do I claim him? I am a white 40 year old and he is HALF white. He is the best representation of ALL of us! I claim him as a passionate, intelligent American who's heart is in the right place....for the people...the rest of us - all colors, religions. Take your moment to acknowledge the times and then let's not point out the differences for he is black AND white. He will not be an African American President, he will be an American President.

[1jadednewyorker]

But he himself chooses to identify himself as BLACK. That is his choice. And if you did not know that he was of mix heritage would you say "yonder a white man goes.

NO you would not./

[sf94127]

Obama brings out his black ancestry when it helps him (North and South Carolina); he brings out his white familiy when it helps him (Memorial Day speeches).

The MSM will kite Obama because they make more money using the AA story vs. McCain, pretty boring old white guy. The MSM did Hillary in; they will do their best to keep McCain down.

Obama is definitely playing the race card; he is very smart about it, very smart.

[AshleyMarie]

1) No doubt about it... Hillary did herself in, with help from Bill and Penn. If you need proof, I refer you to Peter Paul, Travelgate, Filegate Whitewater, Walmart, Tyson Foods, Monica, Furnituregate and Pardongate as well as all of the sketchy library donations and that doesn't even bring us to THIS election. Here errors were many. Thinking she was inevitable, Mark Penn, Bosnia etc, etc... If you need more, watch the news. There are all sorts of "top ten mistakes" shows on this weekend.

2) Read Obama's book. Then you will know how genuine his embrace is of all the cultures that make him up. Seriously, open your mind and read it...

[cheforacle]

No its you who are playing the race card. All politicians talk of their family. What is he not allowed to discuss his family because he will be accused of pandering? It sounds to me like you are the racist? Identify one. just one comment of his, that constitutes "playing the race card"?

[AdobePhsyko]

I'm 56 ,White and consider myself color blind.
As our country matures and people of all races mingle,Brown will become the predominant color in America. Our "melting pot" has made it inevitable.
No Black , No White , Just Americans
Then Our Country Will Achieve It's True Greatness.
Barack Obama and Tiger Woods are The Tip Of A New Iceburg.

[lisakaz2]

VP for Tiger? LOL.

[peachesmahoney]

I totally don't care what a man responsible for two reality shows, a perfume called Unforgivable, and some of the worst hip hop songs of the century thinks about Obama. Sorry. I just don't.

[Oilygarch]

*LOL*

You obviously do. You just posted here.

You just had to. You cared enough to make quite a statement. Don't worry, that's forgivable. ;-)

Now that it's off your chest though, do you feel reset?

-at least until the next time Diddy says something else about Obama?? -& why shouldn't he??

Last time I checked, we all had the right to some free speech. As we can all see here you just exercised some of it.

*LOL*

[sueno]

Listen, I'm from the hood-
too little to late for you and 50
I know that change is difficult
I know that now you're following the money...
Save it for the kids, again you're late bro
OBAMA 08

[allonfla]

My post didn't make it so I'm going to ask again.

Mr. Combs: We want your help in making Nov. 4th an even bigger day. What will you be doing to help? Obama has a lot of the youth vote but we want to make sure they show up in November. Will you be using your influence to help?

[pubear]

Should the historical significance of the first african-american president influence whether or not we should vote for Obama? This is a legitimate question. I'm a white guy and I don't think I am able to understand the importance. Please someone, help me out.

[chi]

All things being equal yes,but they are not,Sen Obama is by far the superior candidate compared to Sen MCcain,so vote for and create history anyway.

[ecksman]

i agree ...i am not white ... but i am not voting for obama b/c he'll be the first black candidate. i think if u really listen to obama's message he wouldn't support that line of thinking. just like mlk preached, obama too, wants people to be judged on merit, rather than skin color. i really hope we stop talking about him being black and just talk about him being an intelligent, great leader

[allonfla]

No one can explain in one post. To understand this moment you will have to understand Black History, the good, the bad and the very ugly and scary. A lot of it ugly and scary. We are not saying that that is the reason to vote for him. We are saying that this is something that no black person ever thought they would see. What really makes this special for me is that he is also very intelligent, passionate and can connect with a lot of different people. He can actually take this all the way. it is not a joke. it is not a test. it is for real.

We are not saying vote to get a Black man in.

[pubear]

Thank you. I am still unable get it, but thank you.

[Freemind42]

I can only speak from my perspective (also a white-male) but I'm not voting for him because he's the first Black candidate; I'm voting for Barak Obama because he represents an open and as transparent as possible government. I have been sitting here ever since I voted for Bush in the primary back in 2000 regretting my first vote more than anything else in my life. I refused to vote for either Bush or Gore in 2000 during the general election because by then I had realized what I'd done. The Orwellian veil that has been placed over our government during the last decade (even more but this one in particular) is the worst thing possible for our society. I'm voting for Obama because he represents a clean break from that.

[SingingBird]

Great post Freemind! I second what you said....I am not voting for B O because he is part African American. I am voting for him because of his integrity, his desire to innovate & think out of the box (do you need any further evidence than his fund raising abilities), his leadership qualities and his desire to make government transparent. I may not agree with him on every issue but I have faith that he is going to apply critical thinking skills to the issue (as he has previously demonstrated), consult the experts and propose a resolution in good faith and sound judgement.

Having said that, I can't wait to witness the ripple effect his leadership skills will provide as a sound role model for those that in desperate need of one and to help heal racial tensions in the US.

For the record, I am not an African American or a male.

[UpstateThinker]

No, it shouldn't! Look at his voting record and position statements justifying those votes. If you have respect for the Constitution, a desire for a more equitable distribution of the fruits of society's labor, and belief in the tradition of justice and liberty that have made America great, then you'll be proud to vote for Obama along with the rest of us white Americans who finally have the opportunity to vote for someone who shares our values.
No need to base your vote on anything else!

[robXdion]

Ask some black youths and adults about the racism they deal with and how it affects their worldview of what's possible in their life. Listen to their stories. Sorry, but it's sad whites can't empathize with blacks dealing with racism and lowered expectations enough that they can't see how this is like Moses parting the Red Sea. Look at history and ask yourself what if the roles were REVERSED, then maybe you can understand. The fact some whites can't get racism, is exactly why it continues. Some won't "get it" until it happens to them. And racism isn't just the extreme versions of KKK and Skinheads. It's the everyday cold stare and putdown of your intelligence and expects you to be in a lesser role. People are unaware they do it. Mentioning it for some is "being racist" (smdh).

The historical significance shouldn't matter. Obama is by far the best candidate. He's getting 90% of black voters not just because of his skin tone. Just ask Jesse, Al, and Alan Keyes about that. He is the "better person" period. That's why denying him is seen as latent racism by blacks, because people seem to create false reasons to oppose him. Obama has more legislative experience than Hillary and Edwards and he's obviously not muslim. He is the manifestation of the "content of character" judgement that people claim but STILL want to deny. That's why it's so infuriating. Fail, you're a black looser. Succeed, you're uppity, arrogant, elitist, and smug.

[Jimmyboyo]

It is incredible. I feel like I am dreaming as well.