Quote:
Originally Posted by DBlack
I feel the same way as you. Virtually none of them seem genuine. There is a small part of me hoping that Obama will step up and show me something real. But he cowardice, calculating and evasive like all the rest and I hate to have to admit that to anyone.
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"Cowardice, calculating and evasive like all the rest..." Welcome to the world of politics DBLack...It pained me to read such adjectives being thrown out there like that about our brother Obama, but of course, your allowed your viewpoint...however, considering how the political game has to be played, ESPECIALLY when running for the highest office, I think one should take into account just how much latitude a candidate who wants to have a serious chance of winning the nomination can have to be "gallant, reckless and forthright."
I will say that Obama is the ONLY candidate who did not vote for the war, hardly a "cowardly" stand to take at the time, but popular now.
The way I see it DBLACK, we, as african americans have three choices when it comes to politics:
1) "not participate" because we feel there is nothing to be gained in this "imperialist white-supremacist capitalist patriarchial" nation (to use bel hooks phrase) no matter who is in office, in which case, we are saying that the dreams of M.L.K.Jr. and others can't be realized and we should do as Brother Randal Robinson did, and "Quit America."
Option 2): "Particpate" not because we love this racist country and feel like we are 100% vested, but because we ain't leaving and realize that change can't come, and damn sure won't be given to us by white america if we don't take action ourselves. In this case, we vote for the candidate who will do the most for our people, no matter their political party. In many instances, this is a "Green Party" candidate, but we are so entrenched with the Democratic machine, that we can't see the forest for the trees (sorry for the bad pun)
Option 3: "Participate with nose held" This option means we have to face reality and realize that most times, the leading candidates may have little or no policies which will help us black people, but we vote for one or the other because something is better than nothing, i.e. "at least she'll protect affirmative action and affordable housing..." or we vote for him because the other candidate will do serious damage to us as a people
DBlack, I ask that you look at Obama, and the other candidates past on issues that concern you (and us) and see where they stood, not take only the rhetoric you here during the campaign season. Obama has stood up for our people, attends (still) a black church (not only during the campaign season), is married to a beautiful strong black sister, and has not run away from his blackness...these facts, along with the thought that I never thought I'd be able to live to see a black President (who wasn't a Clearance Thomas type) is enough for this brother to support him over the usual cast of charachters...my only fear is that he's not "cowardly, calculating, and evasive" enough to WIN the nomination....
Thanks for putting this topic out there Brother D...