About Barak Obama...

Today I was asked the following questions: What do you think about us having a Black president and what does it mean for Blacks? Wow. Those are short questions, however, they warrant a very detailed response. My response will consist of observations as well as opinions.

Americans (of all colors) either receive/acknowledge or reject Obama's African side. Fewer see him as an American with the beauty of both cultures. Even fewer reject/ignore his White side. While America is called a melting pot, it by no means concludes we have accepted the differences that makes the US what it is, it only means we are probably more tolerant than some other countries.

I'm encouraged we now have our first Black president. (Mind you, I would have been just as encouraged if he were any other minority.) If anyone can legitimately be called an "African-American", it's Barak Obama. (He doesn't have to do a DNA swab to know just what part of Africa his heritage comes from.) What I don't want, is for "Black" or "African" to be the ONLY thing anyone sees. While for African-American's he's the best thing since Martin Luther King Jr, I want African-American's to see more of what he has become, has done for the community and is currently doing. I want Obama to become a beacon of hope and springboard for young Black (and minority) youth to now KNOW, it IS possible to be President of the United States and not just something cute every parent says to their young child to motivate them to excel in their education. I want ALL American's to see the history of his public service. I want them to see his fortitude in the midst of failure, his commitment to his family, his pursuit of what he thinks is right and just. Don't judge him or laud him because of his color alone. Research his track record, look at how he progressed to get where he is. No short cuts, no under the table dealings...just pure hard work and long hours in the halls of higher education.

I admire him more because of his transparency. He makes known to the public his past indiscretions and failures. It disarms the media that would make it their priority to discredit him in some way. It seams as though Obama learned very early, if you open your own closets, people won't go searching for skeletons.

My hope is the American's that voted him in, won't anticipate instantaneous change. It would be quite unfair of America to think 1 year and 9 months of campaign promises are going to come to their fruition in the first 4 years he's in office. It's also unfair to think he could clean up the actions of the latest (soon to be former) President. I'm glad President Elect Obama, stated in this November 7th press conference, "Let me close by saying this. I do not underestimate the enormity of the task that lies ahead. We have taken some major action to date, and we will need further action during this transition and subsequent months. Some of the choices that we make are going to be difficult. And I have said before and I will repeat again: It is not going to be quick, and it is not going to be easy for us to dig ourselves out of the hole that we are in."
With that said, American's owe President-elect Obama, the same respect and support we've given previous Presidents and to expect no greater advantages or disadvantages for any particular race, creed or color of people.

I believe Obama to be the first President since Kennedy, to capture the real pulse and feel of this generation, not only nationally but globally as well.