Why I'm Backing Barack

Who would you like to see in The White House and why?

Do you reckon we could get a Black or another female prime minister at Number 10 any time soon?

Veron
I heard on the Radio 4 religious news this last Sunday that Barak is a Christian. I know that the word Christian different things to people in America, but have you any confirmation that he may be a Christian.
Yours Barry K

Hi Barry,

Thanks for your post. I believe that Barack is a Christian - although without actually hearing/ seeing him say that, it's hard to tell these days with public figures.

We've just gone through a decade of leadership in tthe UK under the leadership of Tony Blair, who we were told is a Christian.

The Obama family have attended a full gospel church in his native Illinois for many years.

Barry, who would you vote for if you were a US citizen?

Veron

Great work you've been doing; but you shouldn't 'diss' Hillary Clinton. Black men could damage Obama by 'disrespecting his female opponent.

As a Black male opinion leader, you should do better. For instance, you could 'big up' both candidates for their history-making candidacy. Afterall, whichever one of them wins the White House, will change the world and make some serious history.

For Obama to win, white people will have to vote for him, in large numbers. Anything petty or negative said by Obama, or by his Black male supporters -- about race, gender or Hillary Clinton, could backfire big time and make the difference in this historic elections -- because Black men have a poor reputation when it comes to gender equality and Obama could be 'tarred' with this stereotyping brush.

White people expect Black men to disrespect women -- both Black and white.Incase you don't know, the general perception of Black men in America is that:"Amongst other things--they're too macho for their own good and machismo--even the faintest whiff-is not good sense-its not even common sense. Its misguided nonsense and does not reflect the truth--not any part of it."

What you've said about Hillary is trite-not profound, informative, intelligent or gracious and adds nothing to this great debate-in fact your comments are downright useless because, nothing is about how big her smile is -- or whether she smiles or not. If people were to start picking at Obama's personality, they could probably find something they don't like..so, lets not go down that road-shall we.

Your comments about Hillary are also borderline sexist too; and could be perceived as typical male macho comments; since they're just a smidgen away from saying: she's not pretty enough, or doesn't dress well enough or that you don't like her hairstyle...see what I mean. I would have been well chuffed, if you had offered some enlightenment on her policies and her 'dirty tricks' tactics; since shes so full of both.

Hope I haven't lost your friendship or respect. But you're an 'opinion leader now' and I cannot afford not to tell you these things. You can thank me later.

Heads up bro!

Regards
Claudine

Thanks for your post, Claudine.

No you haven't lost my friendship or respect. I've long known you to be an opinionated lady, however your comments/ viewpoints are consistent, unlike Hilary's.

A man expressing doubts about a woman does not automatically make that man sexist, in the same way that a white person doubting Barack's credentials would necessarily be racist.

It was the way Hilary has flip-flopped on policies and explained how she 'found her voice' after losing an early primary which makes me doubt whether we are seeing the real Hilary on the campaign trail.

I'd like anyone running for public office to know their voice and be confident enough to stick with it - win, lose or draw - also not to go negative, as she has done many times.

Barack speaks of hope and rational rather than emotional responses to the real problems America faces.

By the way, Hilary is a great dresser and is always very well groomed.

Keep the comments coming, my sister. The definition of a good leader is a person who can take heed from those he or she is leading.

Anyway, who would you vote for?

Veron

I agree with your response-every word of it. Something tells me you were playing 'Devils Advocate' with your previous comments; nevertheless you're back on track. To answer your question- who do I support-Ans: I will support the American Democratic Party Presidential Candidate. I believe either Barrak or Hilary is eminently suitable and I have decided- on this occasion-- not to choose race over gender; since there are more women in America than Blacks or men. When in doubt- go with the numbers- is what I always say! You don't believe I'm some kind of a race traitor-do you?

Mind how you go!
Regards
Claudine

No, Claudine.

I don't think you are a race traitor for leaning towards Hilary.

Don't you think that this is part of the problem -once there is a racial element to an issue, rational folks' judgement is expected to be clouded?

Remember the cases with OJ Simpson and Michael Jackson?

How many folks said these guys were not guilty just because they are Black?

Barack hasn't played the race card, and he deserves to be credited for that. Sometimes race just isn't enough.

But consider this: for over two hundred years, the US have elected one form of rich, white guy or another. Now they're contemplating installing Black dude and a woman to The White House!

What does that say about the job President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have done?

Veron

I've got to hand it to you. So far, you've
truly respected this space, as one for views or opinions. I hope you keep it that way.

Regarding your question about--the job Bush and Cheney have done-- hear me now bro: If you really want someone to answer this question, ask 'Sub Saharan Continential Africans.

I think its more about the job (s) Bush and Cheney haven't done; rather than about the job they've done! But I do not wish to extrapolate on precisely what I mean by this, at this point. Maybe I will- in twenty years time- when the fog of war has cleared; or when history has assessed the job they've done in the kind of 'timely fashion' that only history can.

Meanwhile, I will point out that much more needs to be done to combat overzealous zealots; stop them killing people who do not agree with them and stop them using gender, religion, sexuality and money to oppress people who're different.

The trouble with some of us Black peeps-- is that we only see 'racial oppression'; we don't consider religious, gender, sexuality and other forms of oppresion -as sufficiently important; and if and when we do, we consider those other types of oppresssion still secondary to racism.

So its not really about how badly or how well Bush and Cheney have done; it's really about what needs to be done, to change the world; to improve the lot of the poor; to protect the weak and the powerless--like the people of Darfur--in ways that will help them stand up and defend their rights and strengthen themselves against those who will destroy and bully them to deprive them of those rights. So, if you want someone to really answer that particular question, you should ask the people of Darfur.

One or two people; or one or two regimes cannot or shouldn't be expected to right all the wrongs of this world-in eight years. Some of us really expect too much of our leaders and we seldom ask ourselves, what should we do? What can we do? Was it John F. Kennedy who said: "Ask, not what your country can do for you; ask, what you can do for your country?" I believe we all should ask ourselves what can we do to help our leaders to protect the weak, help the poor and generally improve the environment. I do not believe enough people ask these questions of themselves, before they criticise their leaders; but-if the wind of change blowing over the USA is enough to go by-I believe this could change. I believe a lot of Americans and a wide cross section of them- will become involved in the governance of their country and of the world. This is healthy vibes. I hope you and the readers of this space can find ever more constructive ways of becoming involved too.

Finally, I have one question for you: Do you think Hilary and Barack have the strength and courage to get tough when the tough gets going? Or to 'kick arse' when it needs kicking?

Love & sound intellectual views my friend
Claudine

you know what i have heard a lot of sniping about barack obama some politacal commentators describing him as the black tony blair all smooth and businessman like, but heres my take on barack abama i think he could become the tiger woods of politics in america and yes i do like tiger woods i put £20 on him at odds of 5/1 to win the us open and he won playing on one leg not bad heh...peter