R.I.P Racism: The Death of the Race Card???

November 4th, 2008, America elected its First Black President. History has been made. Many never thought they would see this day. Others marveled at the idea of how progressive America is and what this historic election means to the country’s future. However, another issue continues to linger: racism. Since President Elect Obama has won, I have heard reports that finally the ugly chapter on race has closed for this country. I have heard such reports that blacks feel vindicated for the years of injustice they have received and that blacks are now playing on an equal playing field. But how true or realistic are those statements. Are they insinuating that in the matter of 2 weeks, all of the racial prejudices and undertones have miraculously disappeared? Slavery is forgiven and forgotton?? And who are these people speaking on behalf of ALL Black People? One of my good friends made a great analogy about changing people and their perceptions on race. His analogy was this: Cows have been a commodity for humans for thousands of years. We view cows as farm animals that create milk and are used for food. Imagine that one day a law decrees that cows where equal to humans. How quickly could you change your perception of the cow from food to human? And not only that, would you instantly be able to respect that cow and offer it the same rights you do to your fellow man? I know that it is insulting to compare Black people to cows but for hundreds of years blacks were not viewed as human, they weren’t even viewed as a full being. How quick can you expect one’s view to change if it has taken 300 years for this country to elect a Black person for the nation’s highest position?? Now Women, Indians and Latinos are all serious candidates for any and all elections and positions in this country. Yes history and progress has been made, but you still have to scratch your head at the idea that it took so long for something that seems so normal. Instead of saying that Obama’s presidency has closed the book on racism in America and replaces our 40 acres and a mule, first, let’s not underestimate the importance of his election, and second, underestimate that racism is an ideology and that the two are independent. Some states are now looking to abolish affirmative action because they deem it unnecessary. Pump your brakes people! We are not there yet!. What I hope Obama’s presidency does is help erase stereotypes of Blacks and show that People of Color are normal and are able to manage and hold positions of power. The Obamas acting as first family will give the nation and inside view to something that it has been ignoring or overlooking: a positive black family. This racist ideology is not limited to whites. Many Blacks are racist towards one themselves and feel like they are unable to live outside their boxes. Obama represents what every man, black, white or indifferent is able to accomplish and leaves no room for excuses. This is a gift and a curse. A gift because it gives hope to a people who were disadvantaged and disenfranchised. These people felt like they were limited because if their race and the circumstances and conditions that come along with their race. Now there is no excuse and President Obama serves as an example for how men should conduct themselves and as a role model for young boys to look up to. It is a curse because it removes all excuses that People of Color have used in regards to being held back. Yes there are still boundaries; President Obama has not knocked them all down. But he did raise the bar and because of that, more is and will be expected from Black people. Will racial profiling still exist?? Probably. Will somebody not get a job or house because of the color of their skin?? Still Likely. But will the perception of race and the stereotypes that accompany it start to fade?? Yes…Eventually. So as we enter this new era and essentially a new identity, know that things have changed, but things are still the same. Racism is alive and will be for a while, however the expiration date on your race card is approaching fast. You will be held at a higher standard. NO excuses now, its time to step your game up. But do not mistake this as a concession. America still has a lot of work to do in regards to how it treats the Blacks and the oppressed. So let’s take President Obama’s win as an opening for an apology from this country and not forget that actions speak louder than words. Also…keep your card handy…just in case.


"Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate, than that these people are to be free; nor is it less certain that the two races, equally free, cannot live in the same government. Nature, habit, opinion have drawn indelible lines of distinction between them."

----Thomas Jefferson

Reality Check: Gay Marriage and Proposition 8

California currently has a Proposition on this November’s ballot title Proposition 8. For those that are unaware, Prop 8 ELIMINATES RIGHTS of same sex couples to marry. Essentially what this means is that if this proposition passes, California will alter its Constitution to recognize marriage as a legal union between ONLY a man and woman. Now I know that this is a sticky situation for many people, and I will cross that bridge in a minute. I am a heterosexual female, so this does not affect me, but I do have many gay friends, including some that are legally married. But my issue isn’t being gay or straight. If you are religious and see homosexuality as a sin, so be it. My goal is not to change your views. However, my goal IS to change your logic. ELIMINATE RIGHTS?? Who do you think you are?? It is amazing! We are on the heels of the First Black President of the United States. This is something that was a dream, fantasy, unreal accomplishment, and we are 3 days away from it. 400 years of oppression and discrimination and CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS stating that black people weren’t even a full man, just 3/5ths and yet some of you would truly consider, if not already, taking away the rights of someone. They justify it with religious rhetoric or that same sex marriage will be taught in school. Once again, I must call bullsh*t! Parents buy their kids violent video games, purchase Britney Spears albums, allow them to know who Paris Hilton is, even go to schools where Creationism is taught and yet you are frightened that same sex marriage will be taught to your children as if A. Marriage is even taught in school, and B. that teaching same –sex marriage will then turn your child gay. Right…because all those other gay people roaming the state must’ve received that lesson is school or else why would they be gay?? It’s just ridiculous to me. It is equivalent to when the United States banned the marriage of interracial couples. It is just amazing to me how one can justify eliminating someone’s right based on THEIR beliefs. Ok, if you choose to justify your decision with religious beliefs, I ask you this. Would you eliminate the right of a woman to have a child because she is unmarried?? Sex before marriage is a sin, an equal sin, yet I hear no elimination of those rights because it is ridiculous. How would you feel if after Barack Obama wins, a Constitutional Amendment was passed barring blacks or anyone else of color to run for high office?? The founder of the Mormon religion believed that black skin was a curse from God and that white-skinned people were superior to black people and he believed this because God told him so. I say this because people would allow their beliefs whether you feel they are true or not to dictate their actions, many time very unreasonably. I really feel passionate about this and have to hold back emotion when talking with people who are voting for this oppressive proposition. People very close to me have voted for this proposition and I am sure many of my friends might disagree with my opinion, and we will have to agree to disagree. Evolve in your thinking! How will you truly be affected?? So you marriage license does not say man and wife…does that mean you’re not still man and wife?? And then to throw out the suggestion of “well if they call it something other than marriage I will be ok with that”….sounds a little like Separate but Equal laws to me and I am sure many of you Civil Rights babies can agree that it may have been separate but it definitely wasn’t equal. Allowing same-sex marriages will not cause the world to blow up, as a matter of fact, voting no for prop 8 will not be your death ticket into hell. But voting yes creates judgment and gives you power you are not entitled to have. You are telling our future generations that discrimination is ok. This is just the beginning. How long will it be before you are discriminated against?? So I ask that you calm down, move forward and WAKE UP. And PLEASE VOTE NO on PROPOSITION 8!!!!!

“The worst government is the most moral. One composed of cynics is often very tolerant and humane. But when fanatics are on top there is no limit to oppression.”
----Henry Louis Mencken

Did You Know??? Interracial Marriage became legal in the United States after the Supreme Court ruling of Loving v. Virginia on June 12th, 1967