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.

Comments

[Celliott]

Actually, Seth is speaking the truth. As a person of color, I know how hard it's gonna be for most whites or maybe even other persons of color; like hispanics, native americans, Asian Americans to vote for a black president. Blacks have been demonized throughout our country for several hundred years and there is a collective message that we aren't worth much.

' Old thoughts and indoctrination does not die easily. Even blacks had problems with Obama initially. Remember, in the beginning of the primaries, we would not even vote for him until whites voted for him,thus legitimiting his candidacy. This is pretty sad. But, all of us are effected by this racism. Whether Barack wins or not, we as nation need to come to grips with racism, sexism and the other "isms" that destroy the potential greatness of this country. Because if we keep voting for the Bushes and McCains, we are going to get the same results as we have now: a dying society!

[Yohomegirl]

Ain't gonna be hard for this white girl, I'm ready to pull a lever, knock out a chad, mark an X in a box, whatever it takes, and from now til then, Every Hour, Every Dollar. Sent my third hundred tonight, 2K to go.

[paul195]

How on god green earth do you " know how hard it's gonna be for most whites or maybe even other persons " have you met them all?

Or is this just a excuse for your own bigoty maksed as liberal inteligence?

Get a grip and think for yourself

[mgloraine]

It's time to break down the barriers and cross that divide. Visible racial characteristics are just the decorative effects of family history, and ultimately inconsequential. That sense of superiority based on skin color was ALWAYS bogus ethnocentric rubbish anyway, so if that notion ends up in the dustbin, nothing of value will have been lost.

The only relevant consideration is what kind of America would we have under a President McCain as opposed to a President Obama? In that context, the choice is clearly not white vs. black, but "certain disaster" (McCain) vs. "possible improvement" (Obama). Only a tiny minority of voters will really vote for certain disaster. The rest of us will make the only responsible choice available.

[CalexenderJ]

Very interesting dynamic that you've touched on; the fear of (some) whites of not holding a preferential status in America. The fear of, as you put it, being taken down a notch. It reminds me of a conversation I overheard at work (in liberal California) between fairly liberal white people. They were complaining that by 2020 (i'm not sure of the exact year, but in the not too distant future) whites would no longer be majority in America, they would have to settle for being a plurality. This fact seemed to really bother them, as if America at it's core is a white country which allows other races to live here as long as there's not too many of them. They were afraid of whites being taken down a notch. This should offer you a glimpse into how many minorities view America. Just as you sense that whites are currently on top and it's easier to be white, minorites can sense that too. They are will aware that "no matter how many blacks and Latinos graduated Magna Cum Laude or how many trophies Tiger won -- that [whites are] the ruling class from sea to shining sea. They know that despite the rhetoric of all men being created equal, this has not yet been fully achieved in America. This is the promise of a Barack Obama presidency, your fear is their hope.

[IndependentTogether]

Very brave post. Like all fears, they're best faced head on... usually you'll find that there was nothing at all to fear. In fact, when we face our fears, things sometimes turn out much better than we'd expected. While I still don't believe in "identity" voting, actively supporting a Black president is the gene therapy that you and those who share your thoughts do sorely need to repair that broken DNA. "Paging Doc Barack..."

[midknightryder13]

As a gay man of color, I appreciate that al least one white man "gets it". However, I take exception to a few things. First off, Senator Obama is an exceptional man by any standard -- but because he has that institutionalized yardstick of having to be BETTER than his white counterpart to be considered 'as good' AND there is the attempt to get past race, at least in some circles -- some white men are feeling inferior. Ask yourself, "Is it the fact that he's black or the fact that he's exceptional?" Would you feel inferior if he were white? If not, why not.

Also, in my more cynical moments, there's a thought that SOME white people fear that if a non-white gets into power, he or she will treat whites the same way many whites have treated non-whites -- badly. While that thought should disturb you, it should be used a potential motivation to STOP the "bad" treatment. i.e. -- I don't really want revenge, but I would like to not have to be so much better to only get so much less.

[paul195]

Odd as Affirmative Action (which he supports) mandates by the govt that blacks get into colleges whether they have the proper grades, in many many cases less then the Asians who are a NPM (non preferred minority)

In your life, who has been more bigotted towards you, white regarding your hue, or blacks regarding your bedroom choices?

Black in america: the one safe place for homophobes

[diamondgirl9]

Where is all this affirmative action bs coming from. Do they even have it anymore? I am black and I don't know a single person that have benefitted from it. I read that white women have benefitted from affirmative action far more than any minorities.

You think that blacks are inferior. You think the only way they can go to college or achieve anything is thru affirmative action.

We are smarter than you think,white skin does not give you some kind of innate superiority. I know you are scared-your'e afraid that blacks are just as bigoted as you are.

[bgregs]

As a fellow white man I must agree with the first parts of your post. I however, was NEVER scared by the idea of THIS black man as President. Someone like Alan Keyes would scare the hell out of me, but not because he's black, because he's a REPUBLICAN!!!!

[kvet]

I am a White man here and Race, Gender, religion, etc....has never been an issue for me....afte­rall,,,we are "Americans­".....what I dont understand though,,,,,is Hate, division, lies, etc....and how people choose not to let go of all these counterproductive traits that dont get anyone anywhere..­..includin­g themselves­....(prohi­biting self evolution)­...
I know the problem exists but its time to let go,,,,,,and move forward!..­...get on with life and enjoy it!....tim­e is too short to be scared, racist, etc.....in­stead of worrying about nonsense,,,,why not Live and Let Live!

[paul195]

Same as many republicans may feel about obama, may not vote for him due to party nor race

[Janet Carter]

I just don't understand this "fear of a black President.­" I am white and was born and raised in Texas by non-racial parents. I WAS a Republican for over 30 years (switched to Dem to vote for Obama as I simply could NOT vote for John McCain). I have been campaigning for Obama for about 8 months and have been appalled by the many "friends and family" and white strangers who have said they too cannot stand McCain but "no way would they ever vote for a BLACK man for President.­" I am 59 years old, been around the parking lot a few times, and I still just don't get it. I know that Obama will be our next President and I am thrilled, but why are so many white people so damned ignorant that they honestly believe that a BLACK man could never run this Country? For the love of God, could ANYBODY do a more pathetic job of running this Country than our own Texas guy, Dubya?

[RiseHillary]

May I interject into this conversation, being a Hillary supporter, I heard so many times people say the country was ready for a woman president, but not this woman. Well, I feel the same way about Obama. The country is ready for a black president, but not this black man. I say that because I can acknowledge that he is an inspirational speaker who arouses great emotion in people who follow him. I think with more experience he would not only have been a good president, but perhaps a great president. I do not think he has the experience to have what is described as the toughest, most important job in the world at this time. La Bush is leaving this country in a perilous condition, and what needs to be done in the next four years is to lead us out of that wilderness and restore our economy and prestige in the world. I don't think Obama is ready to do that. When he gives a scripted speech he is truly dynamic, but when he is unscripted he has difficulty grasping the nature of the "beast. That is how I feel, and it scares me that we might have another government which is run by someone other than the man who is president.
So a black man, sure, but not this black man at this time.

[robXdion]

If you knew anything about being black in America, you'll understand IF you do make it in life, you have a serious learning curve. THAT'S why blacks see no problem with Obama. And THAT'S why Obama comes off so cool. It takes skill, smarts, and enormous self-control to not end up in prison, dead, or an abject failure because of a biased teacher, cop, judge, lawyer, or administrator. Your problem is you really have no clue what being black is like. But you pride yourself on being around blacks.

[RepublicanBrain]

It is attitude like this that makes me ashamed to call myself American. To draw distinctions about a black President because he is black is shameful. We should not care that he is black, we should care about what he does.

What's scary about Obama is not that he is black. What's scary about Obama is the racial things he plans to do, and the racial bigotry he inspires. The claim is that we aren't ready for a black President because we haven't had one before, when really, that's a statement that can't be proven. Seeing is not believing.

There are many forms of racism in the world. I'm sure people won't vote against Obama because he's black. I get that. However, what people don't seem to grasp is that there are people who will vote for Obama because he is, in fact, black (or, because a black president is running, they will vote against the white guy. Same principal.­) That is just as racist. Racism is bias against all, and yes, there is such a thing as racism against whites, and it's not just the cute aside Grahame-Smith makes.

It was the same thing when Hillary was running with the whole "woman" thing. I've called out one person I respected immensely to their face in front of a large crowd when she commented on Nancy Pelosi "first woman" thing, and I'm glad I wasn't around her for the primary, as we'd probably be feuding.

[CalexenderJ]

"What's scary about Obama is the racial things he plans to do, and the racial bigotry he inspires. " What racial things does he plan to do? I've listened to most of his stump speeches, and I don't recall him planning to do any "racial things"

"However, what people don't seem to grasp is that there are people who will vote for Obama because he is, in fact, black (or, because a black president is running, they will vote against the white guy. Same principal.­) That is just as racist." You are oversimplifying the issue. You are absolutely correct in saying that there is racism towards whites and some of the people voting FOR Obama having racist motivations. However the simple fact of voting for Obama based on his race, isn't necessarily racist. As this article proves, Obama as a black man can have a unique effect on America, an Obama presidency can change the way some people views blacks and whites in a way that a McCain presidency couldn't. I don't think it's racist to vote for Obama to see this change take place. Now do I think that's the most salient issue to base your vote on? No, I do not. There are far more pressing issues in my opinion, such as the war, the economy, the supreme court. But I wouldn't call the people racists who are voting for Obama based on wanting to see a change in how many Americans look at blacks.

[RepublicanBrain]

Quite a few of Obama's speeches mention racial things. The "More Perfect Union" speech is an example.

I agree, voting for Obama, by itself, isn't racist. Neither is voting for McCain, by itself. I've never stated that a vote for Obama is a vote for racism. But a vote for Obama based on his race actually is racist. Even if one was voting to see a change in the attitudes between black and white, that is still quite racial and certainly racist. It's tamer then other reasons without a doubt, but that doesn't mean it's not racist or acceptable. However, the issue is indeed quite simple. Judging one on race is racism, and people who vote for Obama because they want people to look at blacks different are not only racist, but have a hefty amount of prejudice.

[SayonaraSnot]

Your comment embodies the exact thing Mr Grahame-Smith addresses.

[RepublicanBrain]

No, nothing like that. Grahame-Smith speaks of fear of a black President because it brings white people down. My fear is what other people, not Obama, use his race to do. As for Obama himself, he's merely incompetent.

[oafishcad]

When we have a lesbian President, with her legally married, recognized in all 50 states first lady, then I'll think anything is possible. Even Senator Obama isn't evolved enough for that one. But yes, Obama is a step in the right direction. McCain is a step in the wrong direction. Senator Obama inspires the best in Americans, he truly does, even if he is too conservative for my tastes. Obama is the path towards what America should and could be. He isn't the destination.

[SayonaraSnot]

Please don't hold your breath waiting for Obama to evolve into a lesbian.

[Syco]

I'm not sure how exactly to respond to this.
Its a mixture of shock and WTF swirling in my head.

[RumiSouth]

I just wonder what is going to pass through tens of millions of minds like your own when he wins. When, not if. As dawn breaks on Wednesday morning in November, will you all collectively go into shock?

[sethgs]

What will pass through my head is "thank God." As I pointed out, I support Obama. I've donated to his campaign and worked phone banks on his behalf. My point was simply that for a lot of white people, the idea challenges our preconceptions of how the world works, which is a good thing.

[Syco]

imagine the scene from head of state

[several]

As a fellow white liberal guy I really appreciate your honesty, but it makes me really sad too.

Give up your fear and your cynicism. Dare to hope.

Yes we can.

[WorkingClass]

"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".

Electing a black president will not mean that *we* have achieved equality. I am a white man like you but we are not equal and probably never will be. I make less than $20,000 per year. If you are relatively well off your privileges are secure.

"The fear that a black president somehow takes us white folks down a notch".

Now thats a real discovery. Thats a fear that has been drummed into us white people since before the American revolution. Our masters (the - ahem - rich people) have always kept us down by keeping us separated. If working people were able to achieve solidarity across race and gender lines, we would have the power to receive our fair share of the wealth we create with our labor. Now that you have identified your fear you can see how silly it is. Having a black president won't take us down a notch. That just an idea that has been planted way in the back of our heads. Vote Obama!

[oafishcad]

Exactly. A black President, or a woman, or a gay native American president takes no one down a notch. It lifts us all a notch. Cutting taxes on the wealthy and cutting programs for the needy to pay for it, takes us all down a notch. War for lies and torture of enemies takes us all down a notch. No healthcare for all takes us down a notch.

[edtastic]

I think it was a couragious article, but your point is dead on. The fear is not in his "DNA" its in his head. Blaming your DNA is being racist against your personal GENOME. We are one people there is no white race beyond our social construct. We have all been victims of "Divide and Conquer" manipulation, and its painfully obvious to large swaths of the population this time. Obama is popular because the people raised him to this positon. The momentum behind Obama is enourmous and reflects the desires of the people in a country where 80% of the people think its heading in the wrong direction. This is not your average election year, the people are running the show not the media, not the pundits, not fear mongers. The people know the country is in trouble and they demonstrate the self correcting potential of democracy.

[lynnn]

Yes class is still really bad in this country, and getting worse. Race is just something used to distract us from it. I say this as an AA. They try to divide and conquer, and we still have a long way to go (though I think we can make it better).

[Softnsweet]

Seth,

Read this post. Obama is bi-racial. Why do people continue to forget this.

[Syco]

because hes darker then white.
seriously its a pretty simple concept

[doctordoubt]

Nice. The almost color of his skin? You're right, Syco. You are simple. Go get a tan and see how good you feel. Oh, and we all die, ok? Don't worry about how dark you get. Your heart is darker than you know.

[robXdion]

If he worked at your local gas station would you call him that?

[SayonaraSnot]

Good thing he's got that "Hey guys, I'm not black, I'm bi-racial" tattoo on his forehead, oh wait-