A Race of the Races

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=127396

Hi there!! Here's the address for this week^, and the topic is one you've probably guessed since it's a pretty big one- yep, the election!

So as we all know by now (if not seriously get out more!) last Tuesday Barack Obama was elected as our 44th president. However many people are seeing it more like this: "Americans last Tuesday turned an important page in their history when they elected by a wide margin, the first African-American to lead the world’s most powerful nation." This isn't a bad way to look at it, after all it's the truth and a victory to say the least, but I think it should be looked on by what he can bring to our country as a whole and not what colour his skin is. On many scores Barack Obama’s victory against his Republican party rival John McCain gives the world hope of peace and stability. He promises change, and I believe he will make it. But most are saying this election only shows the "much-touted American dream can indeed be lived to the full and that the colour bar that had stood in the way of America’s Blacks could after all be scaled." Don't get me wrong, this is amazing that finally the colour barrier has not only been crossed but broken, and African Americans can finally get the respect they deserve. I'm just saying an election is about more than the "race".

In fact Obama's overwhelming victory, won him more White and Hispanic votes than Democratic candidate John Kerry did in 2004 (which I find hilarious!! Little Kerry, God bless his soul.) Many are saying this is significant simply because it is coming 45 years after Martin Luther King Junior's speech in which he expressed his confidence that one day every American will "stand or fall on his personal merit, and not based on the colour of his skin." Obama, by all reasonable accounts; ran a very good campaign, that was too often based solely on colour and not content. As hard as it may be, people need to get past the fact that Obama is black (although only half mind you!) and put more thought into his polices and promises. I support Obama, and have through the whole election process, but I never saw him or any of the candidates as black, white, man, or woman, simply people. When it gets down to running this country it's not about race, this is the "melting pot" for crying out loud!!! We should be used to race, and ready to focus on the real issues like the economy, health care, the environment, the war, and everything else that seems to be wrong with this country!

Geeze I could go on ranting for hours, but for the sake of everyone I will rap it up, so this is my blog for this week, take it or not but please don't get the idea that I'm racist because I am NOT! I love everyone, and I'm super excited about Obama winning!!! Hopefully his being an African-American won't be the only reason this election is historic, and he will really do this country some much needed good!

This is all. GO OBAMA!!!!! =D