A Note on Obama's Election

[kingnat]

I like to joke around a lot, but I wanted to offer up a serious thought for once that didn't relate to beer.

Although my decision to vote for Obama was not in any way swayed by his ethnic background or the color of his skin, I believe this to be one of the most extraordinary "fringe" benefits in all of American and, quite possibly, human history. Honestly, I don't think I totally appreciated it's significance until the last 24 hours. It was mentioned last night on one of the news shows that "America will see, an African-American family standing in front of the White House, and that's just something we haven't seen", and I thought to myself, "Wow, that will be different...". I wasn't thinking in any way that it will be a bad thing, but due to my up-bringing, my country, my schooling, the biases I was subjected to in my home growing up, and for a multitude of other incalculable reasons, I have unfortunately been programmed to see skin color as something that, all too often, should be recognized and accounted for, for whatever reason... good, bad or otherwise... and as I pictured that image, it struck me as something that will, just as the commentator reported, be slightly different.

Words cannot possibly describe the absolute thrill I have that my 4 y.o. son will NEVER know what it's like to see an African-American family in front of the White House and think for one second "huh... that's a bit different"... because he'll never have known it to be any different... and I think that is awesome.

[al yell]

cheers

[ProZachNation]

I heard Obama took performance enhancing drugs. And there will be a * next to his name in the history books.

[shazbox]

Now they will have to rename it the Black House! aaaahahahhahahahahha

[givememyleg]

Good post, and I know exactly what you mean. In a way, Obama's election is a step to help lessen racism, discrimination, intolerance and hatred. Not just against blacks, but against all races. The fact that people can be and are judged based on their race (or other physical appearances) is an ignorant and unintelligent part of our society. I hope these days are looked back on hundreds and thousands of years from now and we learn from them.

GOBAMA!

[a500lbgorilla]

Barack Hussein Obama!

The In-The-Tank for Obama, elite media won't say his real name, but I will!

The real benefit is that all of the people who think that Obama being president means a 75% chance that terrorists will be running our country can finally deal with the fun side of "America: Love it or Leave it!"

[Xianti]

My thoughts exactly, kingnat. Obama's ethnicity didn't really register in my mind as relevant or important until it was announced last night that he had won. Only then, did it dawn on me how much it could potentially change things. And what a wonderful feeling it was.

[will641]

has there been a video release of al qaeda dancing to the election yet?

[flomo]

good post kingnat.

so when i hear someone say "the man is bringing me down ", are they now talking about obama?

[XTR1000]

i had the same thoughts when a woman won our election. i mean, if had a 4yo son, i would have had the same thoughts, thats what i thought.

[swiggidy]

They're taking our jobs. I wanted to be president, but now I can't because of affirmative action. Bull shit...

[spoonitnow]

Yeeeeeeeeeep.

[kingnat]

has there been a video release of al qaeda dancing to the election yet?

You couldn't possibly miss the point more... this isn't about the politics in anyway.

[Deanglow]

i just hope i can go to black clubs and use the "i voted for obama" pickup line

[zook]

Great post kingnat. I also love to read comments from people overseas. Not just Europe, where they're obviously happy, but from China, where I read one woman interviewed said, "Black people... aren't they just like the janitors and farmworkers in the US? One of them could become president???" Or the Middle East, where they think the US is run by Jewish bankers and suddenly a brown guy with a Muslim father is president. Or Africa for christssakes. America is suddenly the land of hope and opportunity again. Now if we can just stop torturing and dropping bombs on innocent people...

[Renton]

Now if we can just stop torturing and dropping bombs on innocent people...

whoa whoa whoa wait a minute

i don't want to live in an america that doesn't regularly bomb innocent brown people

[Pelion]

this isn't about the politics in anyway.

[kingnat]

this isn't about the politics in anyway.

Read my first post... My voting for Obama was 100% based on the politics, but this thread was meant to be about something very different.

[kingnat]

I got to watch the events today with my son, and it made me think of this thread and felt like bumping it. Great day.

[kb coolman]

I was working from home today. I actually stood in front of my TV in the living room, all alone, and applauded when he completed the Oath of Office.

[bigred]

has there been a video release of al qaeda dancing to the election yet?

Hard to dance with the plague

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...n-Algeria.html

[XTR1000]

Wait, I thought the plague was eradicated in the midage?

[Monsieur_chat]

I'm a European, and yet I spent the whole afternoon absolutely riveted to the TV. I can't describe the feelings of optimism and relief and excitement that many of us on this side of the pond are feeling. As my friend put it "it feels as if we're ALL Americans today". Fantastic.

Also:

Words cannot possibly describe the absolute thrill I have that my 4 y.o. son will NEVER know what it's like to see an African-American family in front of the White House and think for one second "huh... that's a bit different"... because he'll never have known it to be any different... and I think that is awesome.

In a post full of great points, this is my favourite.