About the Obama Candidacy

07/10/2007

Paul Munnis


People have been asking me how I see the candidacy of Barrack Obama for President. To me it’s obvious. The Obama candidacy is a logical step in the progression of civil rights reform in America.

It is a progressive step wherein our nation comes face-to-face with the possibilities of a black president of the United States. People try out the image, they see it’s not so bad, and they relax.

It helps that Obama is not an ogre but is a compelling, likable, thoughtful, and articulate black male. A person far more in tune with the characteristics of his race than what some would have us believe; a man as American as any in the ranks of American citizens.

The selling of black urban ghetto youth culture has become big business in America and is being reluctantly parted with as Obama shows there are more compelling facts about black life in America than rap, sex, hip-hop, and gangsta culture. Al Sharpton must be credited with helping blacks shed that image.

We will not go thru the history of Blacks in America. Likely we could not do the story justice in an editorial column anyhow.

What we can say is that each Democratic Party generation has pledged itself to improve civil rights for blacks in America and each has succeeded; some dramatically as in the Kennedy era; some with sadness as in the King era. Now many are able to let the sunshine in and to admit blacks to political parity in America.

That is a significant achievement regardless of the outcome of the 2008 election cycle and one that Americans should be damned proud of.

It also helps brings closure to the American dream, ending the eras of slavery, Klu Klan activity, the dragging of blacks behind cars, the burnings of crosses on the homes of blacks, and the integration of blacks into American schools. It marks a determination that in spite of a GOP stuffed Supreme Court with neo-cons we will not move backwards in our commitment to our fellow citizens. Today even Texans are saying we must bury the “N” word.

In discssion with people in Atlanta and time spent with white educated males leaves us realizing there is much yet to be done. However miracles will never cease as long as we stay committed to making them happen.

I am proud of the Democratic Party and our Civil Rights record. I am also proud that we are not allowing the GOP to prejudice Latinos and Gay and Lesbian citizens. We are all Americans. We must accept one another including our differences.