|
|
| Will an Obama victory alter the idiosyncratic perception of the black race? |
 PRINTABLE VERSION |
The year 2008 would, no doubt, go down in the annals of American history as a monumental year politically and economically, but more importantly black history would not be complete without citing the amazing feat which Barack Obama has achieved. Barack Obama has not only become the first black man to secure the nomination of a major U.S. political party, he is at the verge of clinching victory and becoming the president of the United States of America if punters and polls are to be believed.
This is an incredible feat and I believe Mr. Obama himself would find it difficult coming to terms with the imminence of his presidency and how quickly the star in him has risen to prominence. But what will an Obama victory mean to an average black man or woman living in America or anywhere in the world? What would it mean to the perception of being black by other races? How would the rest of the world perceive 21st century America?
It will be incomplete to discuss the present political reality of an Obama presidency without collectively highlighting the fact that just decades ago, African Americans could only fantasise seeing a black president. When Thomas Jefferson declared American independence in 1776, he saw no humanity in the black race. Although the U.S. Constitution proclaims that “all men are created equal”, slaves were counted as 60% of a free American. Although slavery was formally abolished in 1865, blacks remained enslaved, socially, economically and politically. By 1964, 99 years after the end of formal slavery, the U.S. outlawed segregation through a new impetus given to the efforts by Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights community that included a handful of white people.
However, in spite of a formal end to segregation, blacks remained plagued by their past, and in fact saw themselves in a de facto political, social and economic slavery. Many had witnessed the ravages of 'Jim Crow' laws in the South, violent lynchings, KKK brutalities and lack of opportunities. All these--more than anything else--soured relationship between whites and blacks, particularly as black people saw the economic development of America as somehow tied to their sweat and blood.
Presently, there are disproportionate numbers of young African Americans in jail compared to those in school or employed. African Americans are disproportionately affected by poor health outcomes, including the incidence and prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and other chronic conditions, which have been intrinsically linked to poverty and lack of genuine opportunities.
As the countdown to the U.S. election continues, many African Americans are doubtful that white people would elect a black man to lead the free world, but polls point to the opposite, and all indications are that America will on the 4th of November, 2008, produce its first black president. With the imminence of an Obama presidency, one would envisage better race relations in America. One would also imagine a young black person setting goals that were once a mirage. African Americans would have no better time to walk on the streets with their heads held up high with dignity and expectation of equality and respect. It may also change the perception of black people by whites as a resilient lot that has throughout the history of mankind achieved great feats.
It would imbue black children to believe that after all dreams do come true. Not only would a young black man imagine becoming a U.S. president, an Obama presidency would solidify his campaign slogan “Yes we can” within the black community. Young black men and women will come to the realisation that there is no greater stumbling block on their way to success than their own lack of determination to succeed. They would come to the realisation that if they can dream it, they could become it.
What this will mean to African Americans is better experienced than imagined. Whether white people vote for Obama in the name of racial solidarity, political expediency or economic imperative, will be judged by historians. Most Americans appear to be at the verge of swallowing an age-old unpalatable pill to hand the mantle of American presidency to a once rejected brick that may become the cornerstone of America’s future. Not only will blacks in America be thrilled, black people all over the world would jubilate. So far, it appears America is trying to mend fences and address centuries of disgrace brought about by slavery and racial discrimination.
Commenting for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Sir Ronald Sanders opined, “What Obama’s election will do more than anything else is to imbue in black Americans--and black people everywhere--a heightened sense of self worth and pride in themselves”. He continues that, “America as a society will be stronger and more cohesive--no more a society where black people, whose contribution to its development is soaked in blood, sweat and tears, are denied access to the ultimate levers of power”.
|
Tags
You must be logged in to add tags.
|
Writer Profile
Pedus
I was born in Nigeria and was educated in Nigeria, USA and Australia. I am the founder and president of Christina-Mae Recruitment Consortium Australia and the author of the book "When Things Go Wrong: Concepts of Change". I am also the co-founder of Child Aid Survival and Development International (CASDI). As a freelance journalist, I have contributed to a number of professional journals and newspapers, as well as worked in a number of e-journalism projects. I have traveled extensively and currently call Australia and the USA home with extensive involvement in African Human Rights issues.
|
Comments
There are no RACES Eric Nicolas Schneider | Jun 11th, 2009
Races do not exist biologically with humans. With dogs, they do, since there exists a wide spectrum of genes. The variation of genes in humans is too little to speak of races. The small physical adaptations observed in humans are ot enough to speak of races. Therefore, in germany, where the race issue emerged strong enough to be seriously analysed by critical progressive science, the word RACE has not been applied to human beings for more than 50 years.
If this basic science is understood around the globe, it will change a whole lot.
As long as the word "race" is still in language, things will not change, since imaginary differences will keep prevailing.
p,s. on race Eric Nicolas Schneider | Jun 11th, 2009
The OMB defines the concept of race as outlined for the US Census as not "scientific or anthropological"
http://tigurl.org/jifpze
... the idea of race itself, and actual divisions of persons into races or racial groups, are social constructs.
http://tigurl.org/us53in(classification_of_human_beings)
Obama changes the world; the world changes Obama Richard Zhang | Jul 3rd, 2009
With the vicitory of American presidential campaign, Obama became the first African American president. "We change America", as he said. From that moment, "blacks are no longer judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character". It is Obama who changes people's point of view. It is Obama who breaks the stereoptyple about Blacks. It is Obama who is going to save Americans from economical and diplomatical fiasco done by Bush. It is Obama who changed, changes, and will change the world.
At the same time, the world is changing Obama. The financial crisis, the Taliban, the Al Qaedi, Honduras coup d'etats...all of them are actually testing Obama...to see if he can take all of them and solve the problems.
FWE Ben | May 21st, 2012
weqeqdAAT
You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.
|
|
