Fear of a Black President
UPDATE: It seems like a lot of you are reading this and concluding that I'm either an idiot or a racist. I'll cop to being an idiot -- HuffPo probably isn't the best forum for unflattering self-analysis, especially where race is involved. But let me point out two things: one, I believe Senator Obama will be our next president. I've donated to his campaign and phone banked on his behalf, and I believe he's a brilliant, once-in-a-lifetime leader -- not because of the color of his skin, but because of the content of his character, and the quality of his mind. I agree with djarvis: "we are electing a person, not a symbol." Two, what I was trying to do was identify that fear of the unknown (which I believe is the root of all prejudice) and shame it. I failed to make either point. So idiot? Sure. Note to self: less soul-searching, more McCain bashing. Anyway, here's the piece, warts and all. -- SGS
I like being white.
Generally speaking, it's the easiest color in America to be.
It's so easy being white that when someone discriminates against me because I'm white, it's called "reverse" racism. My racism has its own special name -- that's how cool it is to be white. I can walk into any store without being followed; hail the cab of my choice; and there's not a country club that wouldn't welcome me, so long as I was clad in the requisite slacks and collared shirt.
I'm a liberal, college-educated white guy. I think gays should be allowed to marry, I think women deserve equal pay for equal work, and I firmly believe that the more ethnically diverse America becomes, the more perfect and lasting our Union will be.
But there's something about the idea of a black president that scares the shit out of me.
Until now, the notion of a black chief executive has belonged exclusively to Hollywood. I remember seeing Morgan Freeman in Deep Impact, and thinking what a cool, novel choice it was to cast a black man as the president of the United States. Cool, because it hit my progressive sweet spot. "Yes! That's the way the world should work!" Novel, because the idea seemed impossible. And that was scarcely ten years ago.
But the idea is very real now. A black man may well become the leader of the free world. And even for someone who fancies himself a progressive, that's forced me to take a long, hard look at what that would really mean to my white mind. To identify that tiny, obscure part of me that's suddenly afraid, and find out what its problem is.
Here's what I found.
It's been easy believing in equality, because part of me -- the part that's suddenly afraid -- didn't really think we'd ever achieve it.
For as long as I can remember, I've felt secure as a white person. Secure in the unspoken belief that no matter how much social progress we made in America -- no matter how many blacks and Latinos graduated Magna Cum Laude or how many trophies Tiger won -- that we'd always be the ruling class from sea to shining sea.
That belief was so ingrained in my DNA that nothing could shake it loose. Not the first billionaires of color, not the surging growth of the Latino population, not the Congressional Black Caucus...not even Oprah.
For though my better angels usually won the day, and though I was happy with the strides America was making, I was also -- deep down in that DNA -- gratified by the knowledge that mine was still the easiest color in America to be.
But a black president? That's different.
A black president means anything is possible. It means that that last little parcel of earth -- which for 232 years has been solely inhabited by white men -- is now open to people of all colors. That may seem insignificant. After all, there are black CEOs, black movie stars, black Senators...but the "highest office in the land" is just that.
The problem is, I think there are untold numbers of whites who can't bring themselves to pull the lever for Obama because of that fear -- the fear that a black president somehow takes us white folks down a notch.
I have friends and family members who support Obama as I do, but who are "certain" he won't win in November for this very reason. They just don't think white America is ready to pull that lever. Ready to put their vote where their mouth is.
Some of these hypothetical people are simply racists. People who've let that fear consume them, and who would never vote for a black candidate no matter what. Others are like me -- whites who embrace equality, and who've loved people of all colors with all their hearts, but who (somewhere deep down in that DNA) are afraid of what this brave new world will look like. Of what their place in it will -- or won't -- be.
As for me? I don't think we've arrived in a "post-racial" America just yet, but I have faith that more of us white folks are ready to give it a try than ever before.
I guess we'll see how big those better angels have grown.
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its just sad that if Obama wins, he'll be in charge of a horribly declining government. Corporations hold the real power.
Hopefully he'll be able to oversee the turnaround!
This is the most honest article I've ever seen here. Kudos.
Yep! He writes about what he knows
bwahahahahahahaha welcome to the reality of the other 9/10ths of the world population. No, seriously, nice post. I think you hit the nail on the head.
When George Washington presided over the inauguration of John Adams it was the first time in world history that transfer of leadership of a nation had occured, between two people who were not relatives, without bloodshed. When Obama swears in we will have the opportunity to become the world's first meritocracy. tbh im pretty siked.
Well it's certainly honest that you're thinking in a 9/10 state of mind... ;)
obvious* not honest (wow...i suck)
Seth says: there are black senators..
There is only one black senator, Senator Obama.
There are 2 black governors: New York and Massachusetts
People who have elected black mayors, governors, congressmen for their cities and states know it is not about changing racial dynamics in their communities. It boils down to voting for who is thought to be the best candidate. I am not voting for Obama because he is bi-racial like me, but because he offers opportunity to put this nation back on the right track.
McCain did not vote for the GI bill for vets and families to have a 4 year education. He is opposed to equal pay for women. He is probably opposed to a female in the white house. People will do what makes sense to them on election day. Caucasians know they have the numbers to elect Obama in November. They also know, they can elect any white person into office in 2012 if not pleased after 4 years. We will see what happens.
Obama 08.
Pacats,
Thank you. Well said.
I think that he was either confused (I was, I thought that there were more currently in the Senate....
As regards the House, there were 20 Black Representatives during Reconstruction, and 92 in the modern era, of which 41 are currently in the House.
In addition, there have been 5 Black non-voting members (from the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands), of which 2 are still serving.
If it is fear that gets you remember "fear is the root of all evil." The world will only shake evil if it shakes fear. Two choices in life love or fear. What's it gonna be folks.
lol no, that's donnie darko, there's more options tbh
Nope, The LOVE of money is the root of all evil
Gee hopefully the guy from Columbia and Harvard hasnt gotten that "disease"
Examine the cause of fear.
At the end you will find greed.
Greed used in a form to create reactions from people where the greedie can profit.
Fear after all creates Chaos in a society and they made great profits when these unfounded demand force increases in prices and diverse product offerings.
Greed is your true monster!
Seems like you drunk some serious "Truth Serum". You need to pass the bottle around and stop hogging it. You've stated the deep down thoughts of a high percentage of whites. And you will be attacked for it because they'll feel the same way but can't admit it. Afterall, they accuse blacks of "reverse racism" for saying the same thing you wrote hear.
If you truely believe in Equality, there is no such thing as "Reverse" Racism, just normal, clear thinking folks and Racists.
To presume that telling the proverbial poor white kid in W.V. that he cant acheive due to his race would impact him/her less then the proverbial poor black kid in bed stuy, is flatly riduclous and at best a indication of bigotry if not outright racism.
reverse Racism is a term thought up by guilty rich white persons trying to assuage the guilt of their trust fund and questioning just where it came from, but knowing they'd never willfully give it up by choice.
for those of us who've had to earn our keep in this nation, we just like to go on record that it's Obama white friends (Ayers, Ted Kennedy, etc) that we dont like.
I'd have Wright into my home before Pflager, ones a marine the other a life long charity case
Did you ear your keep while allowing slaves to establish the US economy?
Did you earn your keep by denying blacks the right to own property and participate in unions which gave whites - all whites even the poor ones a distinct economic advantage over African Americans which remained in place until the late 60's?
Do you earn your keep by neglecting "certain" parts of town with police, city services and good schools to force property values down. Then buy this property dirt cheap, bring in those tax payer services and raise the housing prices so that the original inhabitants can't afford to live there?
Open a history book or heck just take an unbiased look around and attempt to be honest about who's taken advantage of whom here.
Your post above already proves you're a bigot. You had to response to my post because you felt accused. And yes Seth is talking about people like you too.
If there are folks out there with this bizarre fear, remember our souls are transparent so race is meaningless. Also Jesus one of the most lauded men of all time was most likely a dark hue(not to say Obama is a messiah), considering Jesus where lived. If it still gets you, vote for Barack's white side which is very much who he is and how he was moulded...
Search u tube : obama's tribute to mother.
If you were sitting in a room with friends and someone came in and gave you a great gift, right in front of everyone else, wouldn't you have pangs of guilt? That is how it feels to me sometimes to be white, like I wish I could share not the color but the ease, the lack of pain that comes from being treated differently for something as silly as pigment. I wish white people could share in the gift that black Americans have in the way they celebrate their faith, but I can't see Episcopalians swaying, clapping and singing with joy, no offence intended, we'd be sharing a belly laugh then!
Most Americans are xenophobic to some extent. We don't like change and we don't like the unkown. We honestly don't know what it's like to live in a world where African-Americans are completely equal to whites. But the only way to overcome ones fears is to face them and challenge them, and experience that fear to dispel its power. I personally am excited at the possibility of living in a country where people truly begin to view non-whites as completely equal. I hope I have the chance to see that in my lifetime. This election gives me hope that I just might. It's certainly a step in the right direction, and I'm very hopeful that in November it will be a giant leap.
As a black person in her early 20s I am cautiously optimistic about an Obama presidency. I will believe it when I see it. Blacks have endured too much to suddenly get our hopes up only to have them dashed. We want to see a world where minorities can access the "highest office in the land" but we can't help but think, what if they are afraid to elect this guy with this African name? I'm a Southern girl born and bred and I can't help but think that everything is too good to be true. After all, four generations ago, my great grandparents were slaves. My grandparents used to tell me stories about their parents, and that kind of thing doesn't go away with the election of Obama. This nation has a hell of a long way to go.
Don't you worry Shanni, we're going to do it and do it big. I was reading J. California Cooper just beofre SC's Primary, and decided that it would be so nice for elderly black people to see a black man in the White House before they go, and so I took a look at Obama. I didn't want to get involved before the primaries were over because I didn't like My party fighting itself, but I surely liked what I saw when I looked at Obama, and I was in. I told a young white mother how I came upon my decision, and she said wouldn't it be great for young black children as well to have such a fine man to look up to. Every time I see a black person in the obits, I hurt that they didn't make it to November. I am so sure that Obama is going to win that some friends and I have tickets to the innauguaration, and hotel reservations. All this doesn't mean that I will sit and wait for November to roll around. Every Hour, Every Dollar is my mantra. $300.00 down, $2000 to go!
Thats odd, as my 4th generation grandfather died at Ghettysburg (proper side of course), now I find out I somehow owe something to folks I've never harmed in my life, not had any power to change the status que.
man I love to see Barack up there with trust fund, murdering Ted Kennedy.. gives me goose bumps for a better, no trust fund, or white priveledge tomorrow.. Oh, wait...
I think your honesty is refreshing. It is going to be a strange site, to see how white America adjust to a black president. It should be the same adjustment one makes, when a different party takes office, but this is going to be an historic event!
I remember back in 2000, when America elected Bush. Then, everyone was tired of the Clinton's and the impeachment brought everyone down. People were ready for a change! They were even ready to elect an obviously, underqualified candidate, in George Bush; remember "compassionate conservative", over the plainly superior Al Gore! After eight years of Bush, and the lies that were jammed down our wide open throats, I think a change is due, and neccessary!
Now, back to the main topic. I don't know how white people will react, if Obama is elected. As a black man, I, and other minorities, have had to grinn and bare it, at the thought of another 4 years of the same mess, for all of our voting lives. Another four years of getting ignored, and watching commercial representations that tell the world that we are, at best, inept, and at worst, patholigically criminal. Some administrations have been worse than others.
We took our hits and moved on. Ultimately, I think that is what the majority of "apprehensive" white voters will do. Take your hit, and move on.
Well, happyblackman, I'm a lily white woman, and I'll tell you how I'll react if Obama gets elected. I'll jump for joy! I don't give a hoot about the color of his skin. I will feel we finally elected a person that's up to the job of being POTUS, and as a white person, I won't be "taking a hit." Obama will be the peoples president. For once the color of our skin won't matter! Obama, being of a mixed race, knows how both sides work, the only president ever to be able to say to a black person or a white person, "I know how you feel." And he can say the same to people of modest means..." I know how you feel." He will be sensitive to all the people. I will have voted wisely and without apprehension. I can't wait for November!
As a white man, I will admit that I would be scared of certain Black men getting elected President, there is a different common thread between them. They are all REPUBLICANS. At the same time, I'm scared to death that we will elect a WHITE Republican!
As far as Obama, though? Not a chance, I will be jumping for joy WHEN he gets elected in November!!!!!
I'll give you a point for your honesty, although I would be embarrassed to have to admit what you did. Where the hell are you from? I am white and grew up in the deep South, I am the farthest thing from what is considered a 'wannabe', though I do sometimes go to black churches because I love the way they celebrate, and I do so wish I had an ounce of rhythm. This said, I think that we are so very ready for a black president, especially if that black president is Obama. I celebrate this first big time, but I don't think that the transition will be race related. It will be a transition from murky darkness of night, with things flying that you can't see, to bright vivid sunshine. I am, and I think that America is, whether everone realizes it or not, ready, yesterday!
This is liberal claptrap. Obama being Black will no longer hurt him. If he was a white liberal he would get and not get the same votes as now. If there are people who won't vote for him because he is Black they also would not vote for him because he is liberal.
If Obama loses in November, which I think is a 50-50 proposition, it will be because:
1 - he is relatively young (offset by McCain being old);
2 - he would be the most liberal President since FDR;
3 - enough Hillary voters vote for McCain to screw up a few swing states for Obama;
4 - the electoral college does him in even though I think it is certain Obama will win the popular vote; and
5 - the VP pick hurts Obama while McCain's choice helps.
Most liberal since FDR? That's such damning evidence! Who would want to be compared to the only president who kept getting elected until he died?
Actually according to a bio of Eleanor Roosevelt on PBS this week, she was the liberal socialist. FDR was a rounder who had several mistresses. She was the one who cared about the invisible voiceless people. Reminded me of why I am a passionate supporter of Hillary.
America -- or the American media, anyway -- is always talking about that "dialogue" we're supposed to have after every national incident that has racial overtones. Whether it's OJ or Katrina, L.A. Riots or the Million Man March, the nation always kind of dances around the edges but never really gets into the discussion. We always tend to stop short. Strides are made here and there, but it ultimately ends up being an annual issue in Newsweek, or a one-off panel discussion on a cable news outlet.
This post, with its brutal honesty and naked insight, does more to advance the discussion than anything I've read or seen in a long time (Senator Obama's speech on the subject excluded). It is a remarkable step, and I would say it should be required reading for anyone truly interested in transcending this albatross of the "race" construct here in America.
I must say that I never felt I had an albatross around my neck. On the other hand, I have said to my close white friends that I would like to treat my AA friends without the 'feeling' of race, but they seemed to block that. Perhaps it was their problem, which I didn't and don't understand, but this racial issue being so prevalent in this election does nothing for me. It was never a problem for me to treat people, one on one. It is getting more difficult now. Maybe it is because I feel more resentment from them toward whites in general. If there is to be a conversation, it has to be honest, but can it be. I'm not so sure, judging from my own experiences.
Maybe you need to imagine life in their shoes and see how nonchalant you'll see race. Their resistance could be because of your penchant to minimize their experiences because it doesn't effect you. That can be seen in your comments. You don't see how being black in America is a big deal. You're self-absorbed.
it is sad the minute you talk about race sometimes all the sudden, everybody on all sides are racist all of the sudden, I have to admitt, though when me an my co-workers talk about race it doesn't reall get muddied like that, I am AA, and the person i talk to the most is Mexican and another lady is caucasion, and when we touch on the subject of race we actually have a pretty good conversation not only that we are all women and no we don't get catty, but if more people had a real and polite conversations about race. it would be nice and you actually learn alot from the other ethnicities you speak, with. For example, I learned a lot about being a catholic and the mexican heritage during my talks with my hispanic co-worker. i enjoyed the information
Very honest and insightful article.
The one(and probably only) thing that will doom Obama will be those white people who go to the polls intending to vote for him but when it comes down to it they change their minds but still think he's gonna win because "other people are still gonna vote for him".
If we get enough people pulling back at the last second for the reasons the author described, it's over.
Also, if Obama manages to lose this thing during a clearly anti-Republican year and a very weak opponent, it'll be 75 years before any party, Democratic or Republican, will give the nomination to anyone with more than a 1/32 of African blood.
Conventional wisdom in an unconventional time is just educated foolishness.
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