There are times, when stillness engulfs us, today is one of those days. Maybe, it the reality that after almost 2 years, it is over. To many of us, fairness and democracy have died. It is a disappointing feeling, to know that women, gays and many other minorities were treated so unfairly this election season. I suppose we all should be happy that we now how the first Black President. But I see this through different eyes. We have spent the past two years, watching the media fall down and almost worship Barrack Obama. As, A woman and a minority, I find this very disheartening. The degree of discrimination in this election was unprecedented. And, I am saying this was Not Discrimination against Blacks.
Now, before everyone starts accusing me of being racist let me explain. All members of the media, the Clintons and anyone who spoke about the election, tip toed around the subject. No one, could even criticize Obama, without being called a racist. Even people who had worked for Civil Rights, were not immune. The Obama camp, even accused Bill Clinton of being a racist. However, any mention that Obama, having attended Wrights church was considered racist. It did not matter, if it were true.
In this election, the pendulum of civil rights has swung, the opposite direction. 92% of Blacks voted for Obama. This election, was not based on merit, it was based on race and gender. Anyone who thinks otherwise, is either blind or a fool. What has been almost totally ignored, and buried under the first “black president”, is the fact that qualified women were trampled on, in order to achieve this goal. During this campaign season, I did research on the women’s movement. I have to say, I was appalled at the treatment of them through the years. As, A matter of fact, black men have faired much better in the last 130 years.
The real second class citizens in this country are not blacks, they are women, gays, Native Americans and countless other minorities. Let me explain, before every black person online starts calling me a racist. The sad truth is that, I am sure discrimination of blacks exists. But, what has happened over many years, is that racism has become the favorite word for anyone black to use as an excuse. It is clearly overused, even if you have a valid point, as with Obama. Anything negative is blamed on racism. I have come to the conclusion that it does not matter, if he was not born in America. “Because He’s Black”, we cannot dare question, his birth. Thus, it would be considered racism. However, 4 years ago, it was fine to question John McCain on his birth. The reason is simply, “Because he’s white”, it ok.
Another good example of this double standard is Barney Frank. Mr. Frank is a white man, but gay. Recently, he appeared on Fox news and was interviewed by O’Reily. It was a tough interview, and Bill accused Mr. Frank of many things including the Freddie and Fanny Mae mess. It was a very heated exchange, and not once did I hear anyone say, “stop, wait, you are discriminating against me, because I am gay”. Yet, any mention of Obama’s stance on Fannie and Freddie, was not talked about, for fear of racism. John McCain’s camp clearly did not run TV ads, exposing Obama for his faults, out of this fear.
The “Because I’m Black”, excuse has been so overused in this country that it is now, common knowledge that it is fine to question the integrity of a woman, or gay person. But it is not acceptable to ask that of a Black person. This has affected the outcome of this election, have no doubt. For example, many found it fine, to call Hillary Clinton a Bitch, or hang A Sarah Palin effigy from a noose in California. This even attracted large crowds to see the spectacle. However, an effigy of Obama was hung, and the men arrested. So, now tell me who are really the second class citizens?
This sends a message to every American, that the color of your skin, does mean you are treated differently. And, it’s not always a bad thing depending on who you are. I have no doubt, that not all take advantage of this, but many do. It is something that has been going on, in our society for a long time. This election clearly shows everyone the true America. Many say the best, but I have to disagree. I think we should pick a president, based on his or her qualifications. Thus, stopping the “Because he’s black” syndrome in its tracks.
So, now that we have a Black President, what will change? Much I am sure, but most importantly, free speech. The news media, criticized President Bush, for years. Not once did we hear, “You can’t criticize Bush, Cause he’s White, You’re a Racist”! However, I am sure speaking out against Obama, will not be tolerated by the new administration. Just this past week, reporters were thrown off his plane, due to not endorsing him. The excuse for any negative remarks, will always be “Because he is black”, anything we say will be racist.
At the very least, the Rev. Wright ordeal, showed truly how racist & sexist many are. And the truth is, not all racist are white. Now, let all hope and pray, that Obama will be a good president. Why?
Because He’s Black….
Timpassages
Oh, TimePassages. You speak for me and so many. Discrimination is a hateful thing, whether it is an insidious apathy and denial or outright and perpetrated with deliberate intent.
We saw so much of both during this election.
Was I sleeping before?
I think so.
And this election shook me awake and wouldn’t stop shaking me.
My heart breaks when I look at my daughter who does not value herself enough because she is a girl, my son, because he is disabled, when I look at all the minorities and people who became invisible in the bright glare of the collective drama played out this year. It became an obsession about expiating the guilt about the inhumanity visited upon one particular group. In the process, everyone else was forgotten. And if they didn’t want to be forgotten, they were eliminated by any means neccessary.
And so, we gather here, the ones whose voices were silenced by the roar we heard this year. Here we can keep speaking.
All of our stories are important.
That is something I instinctively knew Hillary understood.
She said, “You’re not invisible to me”
As a Native-American woman I agree with your observations. However, I don’t want to be noticed by elected officials. I’d rather be ignored by them. I don’t trust most of them. I do have trust for Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton. They were both treated so badly during this election. They are both strong women, and they can handle it. There is something to be said about the character of those people that have to endure hardships. It is quite different than the character of those that are handed a Presidency because of somebody else’s hardships.
I didn’t vote for Obama, but someone I know happened to point out your comments to me, and I just had to reply. If you’re trying to say that Obama won because of the black vote (i.e. 92% of blacks voted for Obama) I think you’re mistaken because the black vote is simply too small of percentage of the electorate. By my estimation (2006 census data) the black vote only account for about 11% of the electorate and to believe that the overwhelming votes from all other demographics weren’t because people thought that Obama “merited” their vote is flat out silly. He won because a majority of the electorate believed that he was the best PERSON for the job. Personally I think there’s a good chance that all of us might regret the decision we’ve made, but its been made, and now it’s time to get behind our President and see if we can make some improvements.
Respectfully,
Steve
I am saying the black vote helped, it could not have happened without it. There is no doubt about that, but many others did also, not just black. I think many voted out of wanting to appear to be non racist. As we have all been called racist so many times, I have lost count. I will not and many will not get behind Obama, sorry can’t do that. for those who regret it, we have been trying for almost a year to speak out and no one would listen. All they say was the color of his skin and that this was a historic election, and did not judge him on his merits. The improvements are already begining, the house at this moment is holding hearings to try to take everyones IRA’s and 401 k’s. This man was a member of the Democratic Socialist party and no one cared, except us. You do reap what you soe? Do you not? The only thing is all of america will pay for this….
I am a women, Hispanic, and gay. I see that discrimination is also used on white people because people have a hard time seeing that you don’t have to be white to be racists.
I am also a 15 years old, 9th grader and a Cambridge student. In the hall ways everyday I hear “that’s so gay” to every possible bad thing. I hear “that was racist” when a white teacher turns a black guy in for skipping.
I am also for Obama. But not for the color of his skin or because am afraid to speak out. I will admit that when the school had a mock vote Obama won with 80% of the votes, my school is around 50% black and 30% white, and the rest minorities. I have a lot of friend in the school from all over the social ladder and from every background possible, the ones that told me that voted for McCain also said that they voted for him because their parent support McCain and are very conservative.