Even though I am an African American and would be delighted to see the first Black President in American History, I am optimistic about Obama's Chances BUT I must make this observation.
Women around the world are being persecuted like never before and are always looking to the United States women as leadership to liberate themselves. Now for the first time in American History there is a creditable and highly qualified woman running for the highest office of the land. It is my belief that if American women fail to elect Hilliary Clinton, it would be the greatest set-back to women rights not only in this country but around the world.
As stated earlier, I would love to see Obama as the first minority to hold that office but the numbers don't add up. If every voting age African Americans in the entire United States voted for Obama, he would still not have enough votes to win the office. But on the other hand, if every woman in the United States voted for Hilliary, she would win by a landslide.
Let's look at what it would mean for the opportunities of women in the future if this opportunity was allowed to slip away. I believe that women in the future would not get another opportunity for many years. They would be constantly reminded that when you had an opportunity to elect a highly qualified woman candidate, you failed to do so. Your opportunity has past for a generation.
How does this effect women around the world that look up to American women for guidance and support? I believe not only would these women be let down, they would redirect their attention to countries that had the unity to elect a woman (i.e. the German chandler and the President of Liberia).
This was made very clear to me how the actions of a person(s) given the opportunity to stand up and be counted and does not, extremely effects all those looking to that person for leadership and support! This can be especially devastating if that person is the first minority to hold that office. Given this opportunity says that he/she, if nothing else, will be more sensitive to the concerns that greatly effect him as well as those with similar concerns.
Allow me to give an example, but first let me say, I believe that the only other woman in Politics that is as qualified and has the potential to become president is Ambassodor Condelica Rice. Not only is she qualified, she is also a minority. I was/am still shocked that the Republican Party did not make her a nominee. "Go FIgure!!!"
On the other hand, we have the example of the first African-American, Donald Washington, appointed as U.S. Attorney for Louisiana's western district covering Jena Louisiana. When confronted with a matter that should have been very sensitive to him, he failed to act. What does this say about future opportunities for African-Americans to hold his position. One thing is true, Mr Washington will be the example for all in the future who follows him.
www.voanews.com/english/2007-10-17-voa57.cfm
It seems to me that when given the opportunity to make permanent change is lost, it creates a ripple effect that is felt many years and even generations down the road. As Congresswoman Shiela Jackson-Lee stated to Donald Washington during the congressional hearings on the Jena 6 case, "This (sic) broken lives could have been prevented if you had taken the symbolic responsibility that you have being the first African-American appointed to the western district."
Lost opportunites greatly effects lives.
So how will the lost opportunity of women not electing Hilliary Clinton to the office of Presidency greatly effect women's rights for years or even generations to come? Well time will tell, but either way, the effects will be felt...
vbbbbbbb
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
3 comments:
Interesting analysis. However, at the end of the day, I think that woman, especially Black women, will see that Obama provides a unique opportunity to UNITE our country. Hillary simply DIVIDES our country for another four years.
Anyhow, I like the vibe of your blog. Keep it up! I've added you to the Black Blog Rankings. We publish updates each month.
I as you, am optimistic that Obama could attract the numbers in the a general election to become president. BUT for that to happen, Obama would have to attract a majority of women especially white women and the majority of black men.
I hope we can agree to disagree that black women are more woman than black. In todays culture, the black woman for the most part has somewhat of a negative opinion of black men (Obama is a black man). But black women are very much in step with women's rights and advancement.
I also believe that black men are apprehensive toward Obama because of what I call the "Clarence Thomas (Uncle Tom) syndrome. We can add Federal Attorney to Louisiana's western district overseeing Jena La to that list. We know what he did when the opportunity to stand up or shut-up knocked on his door, he chose to shut-up. So black men will have to be convinced that Obama is not just another "Uncle Tom."
Again, I would be delighted to see Obama sworn in as the first black president, but he has a tough long hard row to hoe.
About Hilliary!
I believe if she gets the nomination, she will change her focus to simply the economy. Race will be off the table and gender will reign supreme. Therefore when the choices are no longer black and white they become green. And Hilliary knows that very well.
Either way, thanks for your comments and adding me to the Black Blog Rankings...
I also believe that black men are apprehensive toward Obama because of what I call the "Clarence Thomas (Uncle Tom) syndrome.
Any brother that compares Obama to Uncle Clarence simply hasn't done his or her homework. Their body of work ... the people that they surround themselves with ... their wives ... and any other number of comparisons show that these two are on opposite sides of the Blackman spectrum.
I appreciate your comments. I hadn't thought about Black women being more gender-based than race-based. I'll need to think on that one for awhile...
Post a Comment