Senator Obama's words today moved me close to tears on more than one occasion, in a speech that confronted the problem of "Race" in America head on and without apology. As the daughter of a Guatemalan immigrant mother, and a third generation American father, I have heard racial prejudices uttered thoughtlessly on both ends of the spectrum. We all have heard some form of racism, as America's legacy of freedom-seekers is at the same time laced with xenophobic fears. And yet, the words with which Obama addressed this deep-rooted American history were brilliant, succinct, and historic. Yet I am afraid it is one that will fall on many deaf ears who instead of listening, are keen to spread the same ignorant negativity. Close to home, his speech, and on a larger scale, his campaign, is one to which my loving parents could never relate. Partly due to a generational divide, I suppose, I hear "hope" when they hear "fluff." I see a candidate for President; they see a black man... While it is unfortunate that we cannot see eye to eye, I do owe them my open-mindedness, as it is they who gave me the gift of a great college education, and the ability to foster the free-thinking spirit I champion today. And perhaps some attribute my fervent support of Senator Obama for "youthful idealism," "naivete" and his "rock-star status."
Yet in the face of these all these suppositions, there is one fact that nay-sayers cannot take away from this campaign-- Against all odds, Barack Obama has my vote. I am a Latina. I am a woman. I was raised in a household of Fox News and Rush Limbaugh. So for all those who say that the Senator is just manufacturing unity, just spouting groundless ideals in bombastic or sensational tones-- I am proof to the contrary.
