..and the 44th President of the United States is...not Barack Obama!

So I'm off today(call it a personal holiday), and I figured since there's really nothing to do, because every one else is at work, might as well put pen to paper. I've been somewhat keeping an eye on the Presidential race of 2008, which just means that I know the main candidates in both Democratic and Republican parties. I think our upcoming American election will be the most interesting in history - in fact, I'm betting on it, figuratively that is. And just maybe literally as we come closer to 'E' day. But notice how I said 'interesting', as opposed to 'historic', or maybe even 'betterment'. When I say 'interesting' I mean more like, 'tellling' or 'unearthing.' Some of you may know where this is going already, as my blog title may have given it away. I'll say this first. I am an American. I love the fact that I am American, and I love the fact that God has blessed me with me being born in America, but especially being born after certain periods in the history of country. But before I am an American, I am black. In addition, I am a black male in America before I am an American, and therefore, I speak from that position first. Right now, I can hear the interjections of 'not another one of these', of 'get over it', and of 'why are black people so angry?' Well if you're one of those people with such interjections reading right now, I will assume that you are not black, and therefore can never understand what I am about to say. However, you may be able to understand somewhat if you are not black, but you are in an interracial relationship with someone black - but again, never entirely. The opinion that will be stated here is not coming from someone black who likes to take every opportunity to use 'the system' or blames every problem he/she has on 'the man.' This opinion will come from an educated black man who has who is at this point taking every opportunity provided to him by this country, to provide a better life for himself, and possibly any descendants. However, as a black man, the best education did not come from the prestigious classrooms of Howard University, or even my own father, who was one of the most intelligent, well read persons to have lived. Nor have I had to go beyond the borders of our country to travel, which they say serves as the best education. Yet the best education I have received, and continue to receive is the experience of being a black person in America. A country, though great with potential and promise, continues to suffer from the social cancers of racism, prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes, among other things. If you have half a brain, you know that racism still exists in America - even in 2007. I won't go into examples of racism in America, as they happen in instances everyday across the nation. And if you just sit and wait, soon enough, one particular instance makes national headlines. But this piece is not intended to focus on racism in America. It is intended to speak on the change that our country is supposedly ready for, despite the 'R' word in America. Exhibit A - I present the 2008 presidential race. Still early, the upcoming election presents itself as something that will become increasingly interesting as we get closer to primaries - and after the summer of 2008, guaranteed to be the hot topic spilling from the lips of most Americans. In one corner (the Republican party), we have Rudy Giuliani, the poster boy for courage, strength, resilience and heroism after 9/11. And then there's Mitt Romney, John McCain, Fred Thompson, and everybody else. In the other corner, we have Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Edwards, and everybody else. And oh yeah, there's Barack Obama. Senator from Illinois. Intelligent. Charismatic. Ambitious. Virtuous. Leader...Black. Notice that I had to say black. Not necessarily because I wanted to, though I am proud of/for him, as he is a credit to our race. But as it would be, 'black' is his most important characteristic, or at least the characteristic that defines who he is first, by this election and our country. Because let's face it, if you don't know Barack Obama's name by now, at the very least, you know that he is the 'the black guy running for President.' And if you are more familiar with Barack, you know he is attempting to do something that has not been done by any black male citizen of the United States, and accomplished by only three men of his age or less (Clinton, Kennedy, Roosevelt). First of all, I'll say this -that on primary day in California, I will be casting my vote for the 46 year old Obama. And if by some anomaly, Obama wins the Democratic nomination, then I will be voting for Obama for the next president of the United States. If not in just knowing that he can do no worse than Bush (I mean after all, I can do better than Bush with a dollar store calculator), then at least in knowing that many black people did not die in vain for the right to vote. Of course, I don't have to vote for Obama to respect the sacrifices these people made. I just, of course, have to vote. But, and however cheesy this may sound, I feel that by voting for Barack, I will help to effect the slow and tedious change that will one day lead to the first black president of the United States. And I believe that to be a part of Martin Luther King's dream...One day. Not 2008. Barack may be just as good as any other candidate for President, but right now America (and I am reading your mind America), he's not right enough to be your President. I know that Barack won't be President. There are countless other black people that know he won't become President. There are political analysts that know he won't become President. Hell, Rain Man knows that Barack won't become President. Let's take the obvious reasons. First, racism. There is still a lot of racism out there in America. A LOT!! Racism, evil, ignorance, and injustice. I'm not going to go through a Farrakhan tirade right now, but I'll just mention a few gems. The Jenna Six. Megan Williams(Woman Describes Horrific Ordeal). Michael Richards. Give it time, and it will be something else. The point being, that with all the ugly there is in our country, there is a lot of that ugly that has the right to vote. Even if you subtract the worst from the equation, you still have a lot of right wingers, those of the bible belt, who are traditionalists. God? Yes. Family Values? Yes. Gun Supporting? Yes. Black man leading their country? Are you seriously saying that to them with a straight face?...Second. This a very patriotic country and Barack has NO military service. NONE! So a patriotic country voting to office someone that will be commander-in-chief of our armed forces, with no military experience? I'll just leave you with that. Three. Barack is young. Really young in terms of that Presidential age. It's hard enough just being black and running for President, but couple that with convincing people older than you, that you know what's best for them? I mean, what would you think if someone half your age tried to give you any life advice? It would be hard for them to find an audience with you. Now apply that to the office of the Presidency of the United States of America and consider the many retiring baby boomers of our country. Again, consider our war heroes and vets. Now think to yourself. How often have you heard in the past, with someone being more than grown, married, and with family, someone else older professing that they were still a baby and didn't know shit - OR, still wet behind the ears...Exactly! The country has elected two people as young as Obama in the past, but for the first black President? I just don't see the country giving Barack a pass on the 'experience' at his age, for the FIRST black president. Talk to the country when you're doing Colin Powell numbers. Last, and probably most important, we allow race to be a subject of talk in this country, even to this day. Nearly fourty five years has passed since the march on Washington, and race is still an issue. It not only puts Barack on uneven ground, it puts every person of color in America on uneven ground. That's whether if you're black, brown, yellow, red or purple... I think Chris Rock, my idol, and one of the most talented, intelligent, and underrated comedians of our time said it best - as long as there is just the subject of race, there can never be true equality. I say, that after this election is over, that statement will never be more telling, as the endorsement of Obama by God himself, Oprah, will not be enough to raise him. However, with all its problems, America is still a good country. After all, we are free men, with free will, every one of us. And not everyone on this planet can say that. And with its checkered past, juxtaposed against a today, America has shown its ability to effect change, however slow and tedious. Today's change shows what great potential and promise this country can have tomorrow. So is it fair to assume however, that despite the issue of race, blacks (and other people of color) can make pioneering achievements? I thinks so. After all, it has already been done many times in the past. But can this country dare to dream of a day where race is not an issue, and even a black man can become President? Possibly. Just not for the 44th President of the United States.