Thoughts and Observations

Obama to address the Race Issue in the presidential campaign

(posted by BarackObamadotcom)

Today, Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama gave a speech about the Race Issue in this campaign. He gave an inspirational speech, that addressed many of the key issues that are the basis of a racial divide and basis of racism-fueled actions in the U.S. He tells you not to forget, but instead of bitterness and anger, that you should focus on he healing, and perfecting of America. To use the drive to make things better for all Americans, not just African Americans, or just Caucasian Americans, or just Hispanic Americans, or just Asian Americans, or just Native Americans. All of these groups have had social and economic issues, some (for the outside world) more prominent than others, but there are many common problems. And all these groups are fighting for a better tomorrow. But instead of staying seperate groups who make progress really slowly or hardly any, they should stand together, because they ALL want that better future for their children and grandchildren, and so on. Together, they really stand strong. They are all Americans, regardless of what ethnicity, social class, gender, religion, job position, or other demographic they belong to. America is a diverse country that prospers from it’s diversity, creativity and ingenuity. That’s why America was the biggest initiator of modern democracy. It is in no way a perfect democracy, but it can only work on perfecting the democracy by truly working together. A lot of injustice has been done to many different demographic and ethnic groups in (as well as outside) the U.S. but just like a bundle of twigs, they are strong together, but if you take twig by twig, they’re easy to snap. America (as well as most of the world) are facing difficult and critical times in several different areas (political, economic, environmental, etc.) and we all need to stand strong, and stand together to keep each other safe and work on a brighter future.

I’m a young man, 23 years of age, turning 24 this May. I’m not an American, but I do acknowledge that the United States of America have taken on a responsibility to lead this world, themselves first, to a better future. I don’t know if, initially, this was a fair role for them to take on, but the course of history has brought us to this point, and the U.S. is an example of how different states can work together. The E.U. is another example, even though they aren’t a political unity in the likes of the U.S. I’ve always been against the formation of a United States of Europe, and I still am, but I do encourage Europe to work together more, better, and more synchronized on a lot of issues like Police/Justice, Traffic/Infrastructure, Defense/Intelligence, Human Rights, Health Care/Insurance, Rules & Regulations on many different areas. I do however want to harbor the values, traditions, and specific cultural traits that identifies all the seperate countries. Also, a lot of things can’t be centrally determined. In the U.S. that is solved by the principle of state legislation.

Okay, I kinda got off on a side track here, so let me get back to Senator Obama and his speech, of which you can read the full transcript here. This speech was (partially) caused by the remarks made by Reverend Wright, Obama’s former Reverend. He knows the man for over 20 years and has build up a personal relationship with him. The Reverend made several comments that spiced up the Race Issue and his comments were, at least to my opinion, and apparently to many people’s opinion, out of place and downright wrong. Senator Obama also felt these comments were out of line and wrong, and wouldn’t help to build a better future. He was very clear in that. He was also very clear in explaining how this man isn’t a bad man. And that it’s still someone who’s very dear to him. And I think it was one of the purest and most honest explanations in politics. You don’t have to agree on everything someone says, you can even denounce what they say, but still be friends or stay close. I’m sure everyone has arguments with friends, co-workers, spouses, children, pastors, rabbies, mullahs, parents, neighbours, classmates, etc. but many of you will still consider yourself to be close to them. Just because you have a different opinion, point of view, or think the other person is narrow-minded on certain issues does not make you forget about all the other facets that bonded you in the first place.

I listend to Obama’s speech and I read the full transcript afterwards. I think it was inspirational, honest, and it’s an issue that is very dear to him. He absolutely spoke from the heart.

But he’s right, we shouldn’t forget about the Race Issue. It’s an important issue. It is there, and it has a long past that has its reflection in the world of today. It’s important, as is Hillary’s claim that there’s not just a Race Issue, but also a Gender Issue. Both are issues that play an important role in this campaign. I want to say a few things about the comments that Geraldine Ferrara made a little while ago, about Obama’s ethnicity.

“If Barack ‘Hussein’ Obama were NOT Black he would not be where he is in this campaign“.

That is what she said. Apparently her words were taken slightly out of context, but lets address this. I don’t think she is completely wrong. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to be racist, and I don’t think she was trying to be. Senator Obama is who he is, because of what he stands for, and what his abilities and qualifications are. But he also is who he is because of what he is and what he looks like. That goes for everyone. He is a black man, and that does play a role in this life, and in this campaign. If Senator Obama had been white, he would most likely have been a different person. His experiences in life would have been different, and he would also most likely appeal to different groups of people. It’s no secret that people vote for someone they feel familiar with and can connect with. You vote for someone you believe understands your situation. And for African American people, not all of them, but obviously the majority of the ones that voted, Senator Obama is someone they believe in. A lot of caucasian people seem to believe in him as well, as do other ethnic groups. However, if he had been a white man, or had Hillary been a black person, this would be a different race. The point is however, it is not like that. Barack Obama is an African American running for president and Hillary Clinton is a woman running for president. They are who they are, and their life experiences and beliefs have made them who they are. If they had been of different ethnicity and different gender, or different whatever, but would have had the exact same life experiences and beliefs, I do not think this campaign would be essentially different. But Geraldine Ferrara’s comments, in my eyes, do not say more than just stating that this race is this race because of these issues. It plays a role. If those words I quoted were her exact words, I think she didn’t word it very well, and perhaps her timing wasn’t very fortunate, but I think it does address a central issue in this campaign. Besides, if he wouldn’t be where he is now in this campaign, it could also mean he would be even further ahead?

But kidding aside, there is a racial bias in the U.S., as there is in the rest of the world. Not just a racial bias, also gender bias, religious bias, and other biases. So yeah, race plays a role in this campaign, a significant role. I think Senator Obama addressed it well and although I don’t think it will (and should) be ignored in the political discussion, I think he made it clear what his thoughts are on this, and I hope many people saw/heard/read this, because it does remind you that we are all people, and the we should all be focusing on a better future for future generations.

I’m personally not a very religious person, and I would most likely classify myself as an atheist. This, however, doesn’t mean that I oppose religion, not at all. I have the deepest respect for all religions, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, and all other religions. (forgive me for not listing each and everyone of them, as I probably haven’t even heard of all religons and even though I know of more than just these 4, I think my point is that I respect them all) I do try to live by the values and virtues that most of them, if not all, preach. Honesty, respect, helping your fellow human beings, work for a better tomorrow, do your part in the scheme of things and learn to love and be loved. I think all people can agreen on these things.

There are many problems in this world, poverty, economic issues, ethnic and racial issues, religious problems and wars, starvation and child abuse, environmental problems and violation of civil and human rights. These are just a few of the problems in this world. And we’re not gonna make them go away by just knowing they are around. We can only work on these problems by standing together and working together. And we don’t have to enforce our own beliefs and cultures on other people. Who says we are right? We do what we BELIEVE is right. And that’s admirable.

Lets take China for example. Their culture is different from most of Western culture, though more and more of the Western culture is seeping through. But their culture is essentially different. I believe that we should not try to make them ‘do it our way’. The Chinese culture is among the oldest of the world, and survived for many many centuries. Who’s to say that they are wrong? Do I believe they violate human rights or address economic/industrial issues in a way that doesn’t help their position in the international community. Absolutely. And I think that in order for them to be a full part of the international community, that is respected and treated on an equal basis, there will have to be made compromises, from both sides. But we should not forget that their way of life and perception of life is different from ours because of their history and cultural and geographical ways and identities. It is hard, if not impossible, for us to understand that because we aren’t ‘build up’ that way. I’m not gonna claim I understand, or have the solution, because I absolutely do not. I do hope that both sides can work out the issues and work to a better understanding of each other (because what we need to learn about China and Chinese culture, goes the other way around as well), because it is in both their and our interest to get closer to each other and work together on a better future for this world.

This, obviously, doesn’t just go for China, but also for other countries, regions, and cultures. The first step is respecting each other and each other’s souvereignity. If we can do that, and are able to start a dialogue without trying to blow out each other’s brains, we can start working on understanding each other better and maybe, hopefully, eventually come closer to each other, and as Senator Obama said beautifully, work on perfecting our world (he spoke of a nation, but I believe it applies to the world in general). We all live together in this world, and we all want best for our children, our loved ones, and lets be honest, if possible for ourselves as well.

But once again I side tracked. Which in itself shows that Senator Obama’s speech was an inspiration speech, not only to U.S. citizens but also in a broader, general way that addresses an audience all over the world. The speech was about the Racial Issue, but it could be applied to many other issues that have a similar (though they might express themselves differently) impact on U.S. and global society.

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