Accept the good, dang it!

Has it really been a month since I really wrote something? There's been plenty to write about, such as - surprise surprise - more sex scandals involving our political leaders and the breakdown of investment banks. Oh yes and don't forget that the heroes we worship in American culture - athletes - revealing their human side by admitting to taking performance enhancing drugs. It's too much to handle and who really wants to read about all that? It's all overplayed.

I do want to say touch a common topic in another light. I'm really bummed about the direction the Democratic primaries turned last month. I'm referring to the Obama bashing that swelled up since Clinton and Obama's last debate in February in Texas. The biggest revelation? Race, it turns out, is still a touchy subject in America. WHOAH! I heard one news analyst reporting that many were disappointed to find out that Obama couldn't fulfill his promise to bring people together of all races, ages, and economic and political backgrounds. What a second - who brought race into the national discussion?

Much of the debate stemmed from Geraldine Ferraro's comment when she said that Obama would not be as successful in this campaign were it not for his race. From reading people's comments after numerous news articles online and on blogs there is a huge division over the truth of this statement. There are many who are relieved that someone had the guts to say it. But to me that statement just doesn't make sense. Take gender out for a second, since when have African Americans been more advantaged and given the benefit of the doubt more than whites. But then you can't even make the argument when gender is a factor. I'm reminded of countless stories in history of fatal racism that I learned about in college - black men accused of speaking to white women or accused of attacking or raping white women, which resulted in the beating and often lynching of many black men. Whose accounts were taken seriously? Certainly the white women's word was more valued and the black men were left hanging - literally. True, this was earlier in history and lynchings no longer happen here in the U.S., but can we honestly say that racism has disappeared completely?

I'm trying to understand where Ferraro was going with this. Was she saying that the swell of excitement and support for Barack is America trying to redeem itself and save the black race again? Is white America's acceptance of Barack an apology to the black race for the atrocities of slavery? Is she saying it's affirmative action for a presidential candidate? Is she saying that sexism is the ism that injures more than racism? But both of these isms have held the candidates back in their lives. Geez this is complicated! I'm not actually sure there's a logical way to read what's happening in this election. I don't think we can point the finger to either race or gender as the cause for one's success or failure.

I just can't get over how much this drama is blinding us. It seems to be the nature of human society to not recognize and accept true goodness when it's staring us in the face. We poke and prod, ridicule and question, and seek even the tiniest of strands of fault. Obama is where he is because he is the best and most mature leader in this country and he proves it with every hit given to him. I don't think any one else could be so articulate, so composed, and see the bigger picture any better than this guy. As mooshy as it sounds, he can bring people together, and we need to realize. In every part of his campaign he's busted his butt to bring people together and be active citizens. I wish that we as constituents would stop struggling so much to separate ourselves.

If you haven't seen it yet, check out Obama's incredible response after the pastor drama:



Here's another video I like a lot. Shows that Obama followers aren't just swayed by Obama's good speaking skills:



And his more personal response:




Ok, so maybe this next video has a little Michael Mooresque edge to it, but it's still a interesting take on where are news comes from: