"Race Relations: How far have we come?"
I couldn't help but be extremely moved and proud watching our first Black President standing before hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life at Grant Park in Chicago last week.
I was in awe of the sight and proud because I think this is a great opportunity for our nation to move forward and possibly heal deep wounds. I feel Mr. Obama's win will move our nation toward that place Dr. Martin Luther King spoke about... where you'll be judged by the content of your character...not the color of your skin.
As I watched President-Elect Obama and his wife Michelle visit their soon-to-be new home today...I wondered what Northeast Ohians were feeling.
My partner, Tim White and I talk openly and candidly about race. We don't always agree but we see it as a healthy discussion.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you think having a black president will make it easier for people of different races and background to relate to one another?
Can we have a discussion about race without being seen as a racist?
I was in awe of the sight and proud because I think this is a great opportunity for our nation to move forward and possibly heal deep wounds. I feel Mr. Obama's win will move our nation toward that place Dr. Martin Luther King spoke about... where you'll be judged by the content of your character...not the color of your skin.
As I watched President-Elect Obama and his wife Michelle visit their soon-to-be new home today...I wondered what Northeast Ohians were feeling.
My partner, Tim White and I talk openly and candidly about race. We don't always agree but we see it as a healthy discussion.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you think having a black president will make it easier for people of different races and background to relate to one another?
Can we have a discussion about race without being seen as a racist?
Labels: Race
posted by Romona at
4:06 PM
7 Comments:
I think everyone is focusing to much on the president-elects race. We keep on saying the first Black president. Do we forget that he is part white also. If we don't want to be racist we should be saying he is our first bi-racial president.
I'm sure that's because he's the first, so its historic. When there is a second, third and so on...you would hear his race mentioned as much.
I assume when the first woman is elected President, she will generate the same enthusiasm
Understanding that 40+ years ago the marriage between blacks and whites was illegal at the time at which Obama was conceived, does anyone see the incongruity with the defeat of proposition 8 in California and similar proposals in 3 or 4 other States? If we all examine our own meanings of the word, 'love', perhaps we, as a species, will survive longer.
40+ years ago the marriage between a black and a white was illegal which is when Obama was conceived. The defeat of proposal 8 in California creates incongruity by refusing to permit the marriages between homosexuals. The definition of 'love' must be examined by all who supported issue #8 in California.
40+ years ago it was illegal for a black and a white to marry which is when Obama was conceived and born. The recent defeat of proposal #8 in California and similar issues in other States creates incongruity in the meaning of the word, love.
I believe we have come a long way. It never should have taking this long, of course, but I felt a lot of pride...and hope for us as a nation. I remember my parents taking us to Washington DC and watching some of the civil rights debates going on in 1964?. My mom wanted us to really pay attention, it was so important. We lived in Memphis for a time. Moving south was going back in time. My sister was burned by a lit cigarette on a RTA bus for having a black friend. My brother had to drop his friend off away from his home so no one could see them together. In nursing school there,1974 or so some white people didnt want black patients in "their" hospital. After nursing school I went to the other hospital to work!
Horrible stuff. Anyway, I am thrilled with the possibilities. Never helped in a campaign till now!!! Yippee!
Deb
Hi Deb,
Thanks so much for your comments.
You're stories, though sad in some ways really speaks to the progress we've made.
Thank you for sharing and lets hope for an even better tomorrow!
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