People take too much of one sentence lines to heart. Todays stories about Barack Obama and his relationship to black people once again bring us to a very important crossroads. It amazes me at how easily the news media is able to turn black people against their own. The media is wondering how Obama’s criticism of black people will affect him in the polls. The problem is black people want to be coddled and pampered. If you are black you have to blame the government for all the problems that face black America. I am first to say that racism does still play into societies treatment of African Americans, yet I refuse to say that we have no control at all. Racism cannot stop you from receiving an education. Poor people, not just black people, still need help from the government. I just don’t believe that in is the basis of all that is wrong with my people.
The problem is that people hear that Obama doesn’t like rap musics lyrics and black people condemn him for not understanding the black experience. I did not know it was against being black if you do not want to hear women constantly being berated on the radio and television. The interesting thing is that these question are asked of him by the media for the sole purpose of turning off black voters. Why? Because if they too supported him it would be an even greater chance that he would win the nomination. If black voters took time out to figure out what he stands for instead of just listening to 20 second clips on the news they may find that he is for many things that will benefit poor people. It is time to stray away from the same civil rights talking points that have been the political black voice for the last forty years. It is time for a new type of politician, the old way has gotten us no where. Pointing the finger has led to resentment it is time to simply put policies in place that lift of people in poverty. Things like raising the minimum wage and health care for children are the important things, not reparations and BET Uncut.
Take time out to learn for yourselves. You Tube is a great place to see what the people who want to be in charge are talking about. Take a look and listen to them speak instead of reading two sentence excerpts from magazines.
Ask Barack Obama whether his race will play a major role is his candidacy for the POTUS and he will tell you, "If the American people do not vote for me it is because I have not convinced them of my worthiness to carry that role." I LOVE THAT!
Lately the Chicago Tribune has been digging into Obama's past. Talking to family, friends, and any other people that know Obama. They claim he's exaggerated things in his autobiography "Dreams from my Father." If he doesn't remember everything so what? Who can blame him? How many people can rememeber every single thing that has occured in their life? Certainly not I and I'm only 13! The Tribune also says that they are a bit suspicous about his State Senate win and that he eliminated all other canidates with legal issues. I really hope that the Tribune digs into Hillary Clinton's past and read and criticize her autobiography "Living History." It would only be fair. But then again not all newspapers are fair. Especially if (like the Trib) they are a mostly Republican paper. Has anyone else noticed this? In the Tribune or any other newspapers?
Lately many people have been saying that Obama's lack of experience could be a issue with voters. I disagree. I think it's a good thing that Obama does not have much 'experience'. Poltical anaylsts have said that people who served as governors have a better chance of being elected president than a sneaotr, because people feel that a governor has more experience. That may be so, but Abraham Lincoln had little experience and was not very well-known outside of Illinois. And look Lincoln ended up being one of our greatest presidents. Obama on the other hand is pretty well known. Another example of someone who had little experience but was great is Jon F. Kennedy. He was also a senator and not well known outside of Massachusets but he attracted many young voters (which Obama has already shown that he can do) because he too was young and represented the younger, next generation. Obama seems to have the same effect on today's young people. JFK may not have had a lot of experience but he accomplished many things like; he sent a man to the moon, started the Peace Corps, and began pushing for a civil rights bill that passed (although he nver lived to see it). So if Lincoln and Kennedy two presidents with little 'experience' had such a profound impact on history I'm positive that Obama can and will be do the same.
Attention all voters! For all unregistered voters please get registered! I realize many people (like me) are not old enough to register to vote but if you are 18 or older and are still not registered to vote you MUST! Every vote counts and your vote WILL help make Barack Obama president. If you don't how to register contact me or someone else who can help you register.
Get out the Vote (GOTV)
So I am a registered voter, but I don't "trust" either party and therefore I'm not listed as being a part of any political party. This will be the first time that I register as a Democrat, simply because I am a supporter of Sen. Obama and I am moved to take action. I am so tired of hearing teachers complain about everything that is wrong with our urban school systems. It hurts because it seems that noone cares about our children and that they expect us to fail. Some of our schools are feeders into jails and juvenile halls. All children deserve THE SAME opportunities to be successful regardless of their race, class, and socioeconomic status. America seems to be so very hypocritical and even in denial about the state of our urban youth, and these legislators point fingers at the wrong people. It's so hard not to think it's all a conspiracy to wipe out poor minorities, but hey, if it walks like a duck...
Anyway, the first thing I think we should do is to hold voter registration drives at our urban schools in the Hampton Roads area (Newport News, Hampton, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Norfolk) so that we can get blacks and other minorities engaged in knowing that they can make a difference. I don't think that we understand as a (black) people how we have been ultimately brainwashed to believe that we don't matter and we can't make a difference and that our vote doesn't count. My only concern is...how do we start? Is there anyone who is interested in helping with this endeavor? I know plenty of teachers who would be interested in assisting if we had an action plan. Can you help?
