subject: Blacks Did Vote For Barrack Obama Because He is Black. And So What? [print this page] If you really want tostir up black people try telling blacks that the only reason they voted for Barrack Obama is because he is black. That is exactly what talk radio relationship guru Dr. Laura Schlesinger recently did on her program when a black woman called in for advice.
Most criticism has been aimed at her rambling and insensitive use of the "N" word. But in today's post civil rights era there is little shock and mostly pity for any prominent white who does use the "N" word. Those who do so are shunned and left to dwell in the social purgatory of ignorance until they repent-- a la Michael Richards and Don Imus.
The real stinger, however, was actually when Laura uttered to the caller that "a lot of blacks voted for (Barrack) Obama simply 'because he was half-black."
Not surprisingly many blacks were up in arms. Leonard Pitts, a renown black writer for the Miami Herald argued against Schlesinger with the worn out racially motivated implication that many whites believe black people are brainless' or incapable of thinking for themselves.
The response of white conservatives was equally inept and predictable. Most agreed with her and took the easy out by keeping silent. Both sides responses (or lack thereof) were then off the mark and miss a larger point.
The truth is that voting for Obama was for all blacks an emotionally, and for many, an intellectually, charged no brainier. Was Dr. Laura then right? Wellyes! But for different reasons.
Obama represents a symbol. And symbolism is a powerful and important component in the national dynamic of race relations in America whether we want to understand it or not. Furthermore, symbolism may be justification enough for blacks to vote for Obama.
Symbols can be both a positive or negative force in society. Every culture is laden with symbolism. They tell a lot about a people's history and their socio-cultural composition.
Law enforcement officers have often been seen as a symbol of injustice to blacks in America not because blacks have a natural inclination towards mayhem, but because historical experience had taught them to be mistrustful of them.
Likewise white conservatives elected Barry Goldwater because they saw him as a symbol who would stand against the onslaught of the Civil Rights Movement. White southern Protestant and Catholic kids used to throw rocks at each other here in Texas. Each was a negative symbol to the other. But I don't recently recall seeing any little old lady raise her hand in objection at a friend's wedding.
So fortunately many symbols like these fade away as a nation progresses and heals.
Obama represents a positive symbol not only for blacks but for all Americans. His election tells a story of America coming full circle in "holding these truth's to be self evident."
To deny the importance of emotional symbols is to deny black people their humanity. It verges on the kind of hypocrisy and historical revisionism that leaders of the American Right like Glenn Beck engage in when they make claims of being the true metal behind the Civil Rights movement.
The mystery of having a black president has already started to fade and the symbolism of Obama will do the same as we truly move as we are to becoming a more tolerant society.
So what of it if blacks voted for Obama because he is black!
Blacks Did Vote For Barrack Obama Because He is Black. And So What?
