"Does Obama deserve a Pass?"

Does Obama deserve a pass from black folks for being black?
I am sure those of us that live in the black community is well aware of what is referred to as "The white man's pass." If you have not figured it out yet, this is when a white man is given a pass just because he is white.
As I think back on the fathers of the Civil Rights movement and the foundation that was laid for us as a people, this question of a pass is haunting.
I heard Obama say recently that, "as a black guy running for president, you've got to have hope." Of course, my mind went back to the famous quote by Jesse Jackson used during his presidential campaign,

" Keep Hope Alive!"

So Obama using the word also made me think of how far we have come from then until now as a nation and a people.
A lot of questions come to mind that forces me to say, "what the hell, Obama is black like me, why not just give him a pass." But then was Jesse given a pass just because he was black or did he have to, do as we say in the black community,

"Bring it!" (And Jesse Brought it.)

OK, for that matter, does Hillary deserve a pass for being a woman?
Lord knows if she gets that pass, all the men in the race can go home now.
But back to Obama's pass.
I am old enough to remember the Klan coming to the house; JFK's, Malcolm, Martin, and Bobby's assassinations; and white and coloured restrooms.
So needless to say, the idea of having a black President fills me with a strong sense of pride and fulfillment. Pride because it speaks volumes about how far we have come as a people and a nation. Fulfillment because of all the sacrifices that has been made for this possibility to even exist.

BUT!!!

There is still this "Big But" in the room.
Why am I considering Obama for President?
Am I giving Obama a pass?

When I think about the other candidates in the race it seems obvious to me that the most qualified of all the candidates on both sides of the isle is Hillary. When one puts the pass forty years of all the candidates life in the political process side-by-side, Hillary's is the most impressive of them all. Not only is she most educated, but from the beginning she has been in the national political spotlight. I believe experience is the most significant teacher a person can have. I believe that there are several hot spots in the political arena. The experience of getting burned over the years teaches one how not to get burned over and over again. I also believe being in the political environment for four decades conditions one to be able to effective deal with the rapid and sometime turbulent changes in that atmosphere.

But all that said, "does Obama deserve a pass?"
From the picture I previously painted, if it's based on experience, the answer would be a resounding "Yes!" That would be the only way he could get elected.
I have heard Obama talk allot about the fact of him becoming President would bring the necessary change America needs to the white house. I do agree that a black man as president is change but so would the first woman as president.
Then if it is about change, Hillary being the first woman does the same thing on a larger scale than Obama being black and she comes with the experience.
So does Obama deserve a pass?
If it's about change then again the answer would be a resounding "Yes!" Need I say more about that?
"No!!!"
So now back to the founding fathers of the Civil Rights movement.
I believe there was one consistent thread among them all when the question of a pass would come up. I believe they lived by the words of Dr. King, "Where one is not judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character."
This is the underlining mantra that has been the battle cry of Civil Rights leaders for decades.
So does Obama deserve a pass???

The answer is a resounding, "No!"

I believe we as a people have to evaluate Sen Obama and all the other candidates not based on the color of their skin but the total "Content of their character."

You know I like to keep it interesting.
There is another famous line from another great movie "Dreamgirls!"
You probably did not hear it but you know me, "Culturally Conscious!"
Needless to say, this line had my ears burning for a minute...
This is the scene when Eddie and the girls do their first show in Vegas. The MC (White Guy) says something to the effect of, "Welcome this new black group with their new hit song xxxx! Lets give them a chance because if we don't like them, they can always clean up after the show..."

Wow!!!

I ain't going to say anything...
We will leave it right there...

Happy New Year everybody!!!