Colorful Voting, Exercise Your Right
By Urban Thought on November 4, 2008 @ 1:41 pm
Something of concern is creeping into my head. Now I know that I’m not above knowing that I am black. I won’t even sit around and think that people don’t notice my race first. But I have to ask this question: Why do people keep saying that Barack Obama is “seeking to become the first black president in U.S. history?”
Last time I checked, he was running to become the next President of the United States. I won’t kid myself into thinking that he isn’t aware of his ethnicity. But do you really think he is saying in his head I want to be the first black president?
This is just a joke to me.
What is even more funny are those people who are going around thinking that black people are voting for Barack Obama because he is black. One of my associates said to me that minorities are voting for him because he is black. That may be true for some but that isn’t true for all.
There are a lot of educated black people out there that will vote for “that one over there” because of his views, values, and articulate way of speaking (I’ve always found this to be a code phrase).
I VOTED TODAY
Those who follow me on Twitter know that I voted today. I made my way to the polls and noticed that there was no line outside of the voting facility. While walking down the street, I could over hear the elderly folk talking about the election. Such comments as:
“This is a big deal.”
“You know we are voting for change today.”
We are going to be apart of history.”
As I made it into the facility, I realized that the line was way longer than I had anticipated. I don’t know why I underestimated the people in my community, but I did. I didn’t think they would be out there in record numbers, so early even. But there they were. I stood on the first line I saw wondering why there was only one line.
One of the election workers asked everyone to pay attention to the number on their card. I don’t recall receiving a card, ever. But I just stood there. She went on to say things such as: “You’re voting for the youth.” “I’m not voting so don’t ask me who I’m voting for. But any vote that is being done today is for the kids.” All I could think was, “I’m doing this for my 401k. I’m doing this because of the housing market. I’m doing this because I’m so tired of being stuck in the Bushes.”
If you are reading this, I hope that you have a plan to go and vote or already have voted. I took a survey in the office today and most of us were late from waiting on line. And then, I discovered that some other people have no intention of voting because they either don’t care for either candidate, never voted in their life or are too lazy to find out where they are suppose to vote.
I hope you have exercised your right to vote based on a informed view.
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- Pingback by Emphasis Added « Voice of the Turtle on November 4, 2008 @ 6:20 pm
I did!!! And I feel you on voting for change in your life. The kids are the future, yes, but we must consider our future as well!
You’re right, there’s quite a distinction between “a black person running for President” and “a person running for black President”. Thanks for the inspiration — you’ve given me an idea about what to write today.
I actually got a high when I voted today, and that has NEVER happened! I mean, after pulling that red handle I physically got a rush, and my face flushed. I walked out of that poll on air, and it took me a few minutes to get reoriented with reality. HOLY SHIT!
That to me is an indicator…damned near an epiphany. Something monumental is happening right now, and we all know it! I wonder if anyone else got a voter’s high today…
By the way, Obama will NOT be the first black prez if he makes it. You know where I’m going with this….
check it out:
http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=13698
Happy Voting!
I read what you are saying but this is a great moment that we just saw. You have no idea how relieved I am that people put color aside and voted for the best man for the job.
The black vote is not monolithic. I know several who voted for McCain. Why do people think that? We have a lot of catching up to do.
Hey, Fitness Diva, thanks for the link to the mind-blowing history lesson!
It doesn’t matter now what he was “seeking” to be… because he has done it… WE did it… We came out in groves and showed America that our voice will be heard. OUR president is a BLACK MAN… our first lady is chocolate just like me… and the 1st family has never been so beautiful
I have to say even though the lines were long on Tuesday, I have never seen people be so helpful and loving towards each other. Obama winning just capped off a day of glad tidings