The election results are in and it is a surprise that Senator Barack Obama has won the national election. People everywhere are buzzing with excitement. Over the past few months it has been almost like a national movement to get this guy elected president. I am older so over the years I have never seen such involvement from all kinds of people in the political process.
Everyone from children to senior citizens are excited about this election. The real truth behind all of this is that there is an opportunity here to make history. The history here is that for the first time in American history a black man will have the clear opportunity to be President of the United States! I have to admit that even though I personally don’t agree with the views of the political party that supports him I sense a spark of excitement rising up inside me as well.
What I liked about this man is that he represented all that I ever dreamed about in the image of what a successful black man should be. Intelligent, well spoken and professional appearance are just a few traits that I like about this man. He also seems to have an integrity and appeal that naturally draws people to him. Through the years if a black man was given any political exposure the media allowed him to come across as a candidate that was angry or frustrated. I know without a doubt that people of opposite values and views would be immediately turned off by his militant demeanor. I felt that the media had to be fair and appease him by giving him his ten minutes to vent his views. Even though the black candidate faced an uphill climb his frustrations were justifiable. The general public would dismiss him as being just another radical.
Barack Obama in my opinion was different in that he had a strategy of not allowing people to focus on his cultural background but on the issues that are important to them. We can talk all day on the issues of race but it is better to put our time to greater use by coming together to solve our problems. I thought to myself ‘what an awesome move! As I said before I don’t agree with all of his politics but this new President represents a lot more to me. There was a time in my life that I was discouraged by the very culture that I live in. As a black man I always felt that the only way I would be taken seriously in America is if I were an entertainer, or professional sports figure. I would sense more acceptances if I were in a ‘non-leadership’ or a ‘work horse’ role at work. As long as I wouldn’t come across as the ‘main’ leader I would be accepted.
My integrity to lead would never be put to the test. Even growing up as a boy in the sixties any appearance of radical independence from the social norm would interpreted by the very people that were around me as trying to ‘act’ white.
For years that would bother me to no end to hear that comment. Now it has happened. We have a black President who represents all that I inspire to be as a black man. He is the icon for the future generations of black people who now can pursue their dreams for greatness without the fear of being the denied the opportunity.
For me I won’t insult this man by calling him a ‘black’ President. I will address him as ‘Mr. President’ and extend to him the same customs and courtesies as the Presidents that came before him. My expectations of him won’t change either but my respect for him is there to step up to take on the hardest job in the world. He has my prayers and admiration. I don’t know why it is so hard to prove to the world that we are all the same. God intended it to be that way. This man does represent one ‘idea’ and that is we all are created equal and that regardless of our cultural or background differences you too can grow up to be President one day.
Article by Sgt. Roy Lewis