When Will Black Folks Get It?

TAMPA,FL-While the media will cover Barak Obama as an African-American (or my term black) candidate for President of the United States, you will never hear him play up this aspect of his candidacy. Why? Because while blacks and Hispanics are a significant voting block, the truth of the mater is that these groups are still minorities that could not elect a minority President outright.

Barak Obama is smart enough to stay about the racial fray and appeal to ALL Americans as highlighted in his recent television ad which shows promiently his white mother and grandparents and the Kansas heartland values that were instilled into him as a youth. He has to have broad support if he is to be the first black President which is why his win in Iowa at the start of the primary season was so stunning and critical.

Jesse Jackson Sr made the silly mistake of accusing Barak of talking down to black folks. I thought the comments were not necessary and have to wonder if there are some sour grapes from Rev Jackson because Barak is accomplishing what he was not able to do in the 80s during his presidential runs. If nothing else, Barak Obama has talked up to black folks and all folks quite frankly about the possibility for change in America. His verbal gifts have been used to elevate and not denigrate for the most part.

Be that as it may, I think that it is important for black folks to realize that just because Barak Obama may be the next President of these United States, it doesn't mean that his entire agenda will be focused on the black community per se. It is my hope that should he be elected to the highest office in the land that he would bring a different sensitivity to the plight of those who have been on the margins of our society for some time. It is my hope that he would give voice to those who have been without a voice. It is my hope that his policies would benefit ALL Americans no mater what their racial hue. It is my hope that if Barak Obama were to become President of the United States that we could finally say that what is good for America is good for all Americans and not just a privileged few.

See the segments on Bill O'Reilly's The O'Reilly Factor:



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