sozobe wrote:Gah.
Again, when little was known about Obama BUT his skin color, he got the lowest numbers in polls of black people. If it was just about skin color, those polls would have been high right out of the gate.
You are absolutely correct. The assumption that blacks will vote for Obama simply because of his skin color ignores the FACT that a) initially the polls didn't reflect that and b) the more black voters learn about his politics; the more they'd like him if he was pink. 80% sounds reasonable enough to me; but my opinion is based on the FACT that Obama's politics are as
black-friendly as his skin color.
Further, I don't see anything wrong with the idea of black people voting for him
because of his skin color anyway... if only to offset the prejudiced who'll vote against him for the same reason. Hell, I'm inclined to myself. I'd estimate that I'm giving Obama a 5 point handicap for this very purpose; meaning I'll have to like a competitor at least 5 points more for it to be a tie for my vote.
I personally think the symbolic benefit of electing a Black President is worth those 5 points. It would signal, to me, a significant step in showing that we are that much closer to color-blind. In truth, I think it would demonstrate that Obama is extraordinary, however, in that I don't believe the average black candidate (with the same politics) could even come this far. So be it. Progress is progress.
I believe it is very much in the best interest of the United States to demonstrate to the under developed world that our philosophy of 'all men are created equal' is superior... and electing a black man (minority) to the highest office in the land could have a significant impact. I can easily imagine a debate between Sunnis going like this--> "Those damned capitalist bastards preach equality but they expect us to live out our lives being dictated to by the f*cking Shia. Hypocrites I tell you!"..."I don't know dude; Blacks in America are more of a minority than we are... and they did just elect a black President. Maybe there is something uniting about this capitalism business." Next thing you know they'd toss their AK-47's in the sand and break out in song:
John Lennon wrote:Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
Seriously though. I think a demonstration that we practice what we preach would have
some positive effect.
