The Trouble With Spikol: Print Edition
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Horse Race of a Different Color
In November 2006 Barack Obama gathered supporters to discuss running for president. When someone asked him about race, The New York Times reported, “Mr. Obama’s dismissal was swift and unequivocal. He had been able to navigate racial politics in Illinois, Mr. Obama told the group, and was confident he could do so across the nation. ‘I believe America is ready,’ one aide recalled him saying.”
But after claiming Americans were ready to look beyond race when they considered a presidential candidate, a month ago Obama found himself delivering a lengthy speech on race—partially in response to the controversy surrounding Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the leader of his black church.
I never believed in Obama’s idea of post-racial politics. Maybe it’s living in a racially fraught city like Philadelphia that breeds such cynicism. Whatever the reason, I’m going in the opposite direction. I’m voting for Obama because he’s black.
That requires explaining, I know.
I take voting extremely seriously. I always have, even in mock elections as a child. I get neurotic about it beforehand. I stay awake nights. I get a nervous stomach. The Clinton/Obama race has really taxed me. I’ve consumed so much information about both candidates, it’s been like a Wing Bowl primary.Ultimately, I’ve decided to make my vote consonant with my decision to vote for the African-American candidate. I’m not suggesting you do the same because my logic is highly personal, and slightly weird.
About a year ago I had a crisis of faith about doing good. I’m embarrassed to admit it was spurred by a Mahatma Gandhi quotation. I don’t remember where I found it. On a website offering words of wisdom? Who knows? It was undoubtedly somewhere humiliating.
The quotation: “The measure of a country’s greatness should be based on how well it cares for its most vulnerable populations.”
My first reaction was, “Jeez. Based on that, the U.S. sucks.” Not exactly eloquent, but how’s your internal monologue? I bet you use some shorthand too.
Something in me clicked. I left full-time work at PW to go into social services—first at an agency that advocated for incarcerated people, and now at a mental health center. Each day I think about what Gandhi said, only I’ve changed it: “The measure of Liz should be based on how well she cares for her country’s most vulnerable populations.”
African-Americans are this country’s most vulnerable citizens. They are more devastatingly and disproportionately affected by poverty, hunger, incarceration, crime and unemployment than any other ethnic group.
It’s a life-and-death situation. If you’re an African-American woman, your baby is more than twice as likely to die than if you’re a white woman. You’re less likely to survive cancer. You’re more likely to have AIDS and diabetes. And you’re far less likely to have health insurance.
There are complex reasons for all of these problems, which are perhaps best explained by a social scientist rather than someone who can calculate only a 20 percent tip. But I do know this: Racism is a defining factor.
I’m part of a minority group myself, but if I want to be hidden about my ethnicity, I can pass. That’s a luxury African-Americans don’t have. If you’re African-American, the first thing a person knows about you is that you’re black—whether it’s at a job interview, in a classroom, at an ER or a court proceeding. African-Americans have to challenge people’s assumptions about them every day from the minute they walk in the door.
How do I know Barack Obama would be good for African-Americans? I don’t. No American president in recent history has been especially good for black people—not even Bill Clinton, our first black president, according to Toni Morrison.
But it’s a matter of hope, which is sadly lacking in black America. If you have a black president, imagine the message that sends to black children, and to African-Americans who feel hopeless about their lives. Never has the most powerful person in this country resembled the least powerful. What would it be like for our most vulnerable citizens to see themselves that way?
I’ve heard some say there’s no way America is ready to have black children romping on the White House lawn. There’s a part of me that believes that. Every time a racist incident happens in Philadelphia—like the recent vandalism of a home purchased by a black family in a white neighborhood—it’s hard for me to imagine America is ready to have Michelle Obama as first lady, no matter how pretty her suits are.
But we have to try. On behalf of the most vulnerable, I must vote for Barack Obama in the hope that having a black family in the White House will revolutionize the way we see black people—in the same way some feminists hope having a female president would change the way women are treated.
There may be a time when America is ready for post-racial politics, and when that time comes, I hope our most vulnerable will be in a very different place. Until then, I’ve made my decision. As another quotable gentleman said (according to Matthew 6:2-4), “When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do. Announce it in the quiet of the voting booth.” Or something like that.
Comments
Dear Liz,
I am just shaking my head here. I have a sense of humor and would be amused by this disconcerting and convoluted logic were it not over such an important decision as that of voting America's next president. This decision is not about sex, race, color or creed but rather about which man or woman will be the best leader for this country and which will best represent the interests of the voters of the entire population. With so many important issues and concerns at hand, I believe it would be irresponsible to vote for a man based solely on the difficulties faced by those of his race. Even were his values and priorities not in direct conflict with my own (as they are), I would not make a gift of my vote to the population of any one race.
Should one of the measures of this country's greatness be measured by its caring for its most vulnerable? Absolutely! Each of us, in his/her own way should take on this responsiblity.
P.S. Does Barack Obama look needy to you?
Posted by: preciousrock | April 18, 2008 01:49 PM
Thank you, Liz. You spoke aloud every sentiment of my own internal monologue as I made my decision about who to vote for. I know Obama can't share the sentiments publicly; America's Left-leaning Dems aren't ready to hear that message, and I don't believe the majority of blacks ready to hear it said from his platform, either. It'll be many years before an American culture & politcs without color becomes reality. But people will only get "there" by putting someone black, man or woman, in the White House as president. That needs to happen even before we cast a vote for a white woman candidate. And must I mention the giant step backward we'd all be taking if we elect yet another white male...and a warmonger, at that? Who makes up most of our armed forces, eh? Oh, and to answer the question, "Does Barack Obama look needy to you?" my answer would have to be YES. HE NEEDS TO WIN.
Posted by: Leah | April 18, 2008 04:04 PM
I think your decision to dedicate yourself to helping others is a noble one, and I wish you all the strength and fulfillment you'll need to carry on when the politics of the situation might otherwise get you down.
Regarding the 'irresponsibility' of your vote, to each their own. Most people would agree that one should vote for a candidate that serves certain desired interests. From what I gathered, you're basically saying that you believe Barrack Obama will best serve your interests. So you've chosen someone who you believe will serve your interests, you are certainly voting your conscience on this one, I figure that makes your vote a pretty responsible one.
Posted by: Fallingleaf | April 19, 2008 11:45 AM
I'm so sorry that you choose to make the presidential election about race.
When you cast your vote for Obama, because he is african american please consider the FACT that this country has bigger issues than racism right now. If it were the 60's and segregation were an issue I'd be with you.
But we have too much blood on our hands right now to pretend that race is the biggest problem we are facing. We are a war machine, and poor. All our money goes to killing people in foreign countries, including our own soldiers.
African american families aren't the only ones who are poor and losing their homes, these people are in every size, shape, color and race. They are AMERICANS and they need a president who can help them.
Do you realize middle class families are losing their homes and becoming homeless at an alarmingly fast rate in this country?
Were you aware that in most states women and children are allowed in shelters but men are not? So husbands and fathers can't even stay with their families when they get kicked out of the home they owned 6 months ago because they couldn't keep up with their mortgage.
This is the same nonsense that happened when people voted for Nader instead of Gore. We got Bush because of that.
What will happen this time? McCain? He has said he will fight for 100 years if he has to.
Do you think Bush's popularity is based on he himself? People don't like him because they do not support his war and what it is doing to our economy.
They are not going to vote for McCain.
And they are NOT going to vote for Obama.
So your vote, though to you may be poignant, it will be wasted. :( What is the point?
Posted by: Jo | May 3, 2008 02:24 PM
What a beautiful and heartfelt article. You seem to speak from the heart and that I can appreciate.
Thanks
Posted by: still standing | May 4, 2008 03:53 PM
Very well put. I enjoyed reading your slightly self deprecating argument in favor of Obama that actually touched on a really deep issue. Having him (and his wife) in the White House is going to be tough on a lot of people - in a good way.
Posted by: Camera5 | May 10, 2008 03:56 PM
Dear Liz,
I enjoyed what you wrote in "A horse race of a different color", however I must point out that Barack Obama isn't just any black man, and neither you nor I would vote for him just because he's black. I don't think that's what you're saying. You're saying that the fact that he's black is a plus with you, as it is for me. Just as the fact that Hillary is a woman is a plus with me. Nevertheless, I'm voting for Obama because he is the most talented and inspiring politician we have seen in years and years and because I agree with his positions. I think he will guide our nation intelligently and for the greater and long term good. As a woman I am sorry that we will have to wait awhile to have a woman president. It is Hillary's bad luck to have a man of such enormous talent as her opponent. But for all the black children in our country I rejoice that they will have a chance to see such a talented member of their ranks in the highest office in the land. I think Obama can win the general election and that he will be the best for our country!
Posted by: Margaret Kleinfeld | May 11, 2008 03:18 PM
Liz,
This is just one of the reasons I also voted for Obama but I see it as a very good reason. I also thought many times about that quote from Ghandi. I believe that justice and equality are directly effected by the governing laws but how long they govern is also related directly to how well they dispense that justice.
I appreciate your honesty. Nice piece.
Posted by: Zander | May 12, 2008 11:18 AM
I thought this was a joke, then I realized you were serious. Wow.
Can I use some of those 'good feelings' to pay my electric bill?
Posted by: Matthew | June 16, 2008 09:49 PM