Well, now ....

It would seem as though things got a little shook up since I posted this, didn't they?!? Two primaries, a win, a loss, some cryin', a bunch of bashing ... and it's pretty much back to where it all started!

I have been paying attention, though, and watching all the candidates. The recent N.H. debates were quite exposing. And I was really impressed with Obama's victory speech in Iowa. I'm not sure how much that has changed my perspective about him .. but there is one little teeny-weeny thing that's been bothering me about him as of late. It has to do with his infamous (and now signature) statement he made at the 2004 Democratic Convention speech. After thinking and thinking and thinking about it, I just can't figure out exactly what it means.

He said:

quote:

THERE IS NO BLACK AMERICA, AND NO WHITE AMERICA ... THERE IS ONLY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

And what I want to know is, does he really believe that? Or should that be taken in the context of a desire or a vision of things yet to come?

The current Front Page video featuring Colin Powell ends with him stating, "So we should see Barack as a candidate for president who happens to be Black and not as a Black president." Which is also, to a certain extent, Baracks own feelings as well. This rings somewhat strange with me, because everywhere I turn, I'm being asked (by African Americans) to vote for Obama, primarily (if not simply) because he is Black! While Barack, himself, says to do the opposite.

So, what I'm trying to figure out is whether or not he believes[/b] his statement? I know Colin Powell (as a Republican) does, which is another reason why I find their similar opinions puzzling. Is he just [I]wishing for a united, "we are one" kind of America? Can Barack make that happen? Can anything/anybody really make that happen? Does he already think we're living in one?

Personally, I see a Black America and White America everyday. A quick read of the news shows that divisions are very real. But Obama (and Colin Powell) seem to see a different America. They see/speak of one great togetherness. Do we have this? Do we want this? Is Barack delusional? Is this a visionary sort of thing?

I am doing my best to steer clear of all of the mud-slinging, the bashing, the hate, the hype and manipulations and lies. But, somewhere in all that are individuals (and their policies) that, to make an informed decision, I need to get to know and understand. And, I must say, I am confused by Barack and his "One America" statment. Is the man dealing with reality? Or do we just have a "smooth talker" on our hands??

There's a question lying in wait that'll probably knock the steam out of Barack's campaign :

DO YOU SUPPORT ISRAEL?


Hmmmmmmmm that's more than a question but a litmus test (or a last minute secret weapon) used to kill the careers Black political candidates.

quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:

And, I must say, I am confused by Barack and his "One America" statment.

I believe its more metaphorical than literal. It's like saying "there are no men and women, there are just people".

quote:

Originally posted by MBM:

quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:

And, I must say, I am confused by Barack and his "One America" statment.

I believe its more metaphorical than literal. It's like saying "there are no men and women, there are just people".

Okay! This is good! Means there's still hope.

quote:

Originally posted by zodo:
There's a question lying in wait that'll probably knock the steam out of Barack's campaign :

DO YOU SUPPORT ISRAEL?


Hmmmmmmmm that's more than a question but a litmus test (or a last minute secret weapon) used to kill the careers Black political candidates.

As President of the United States, support for Isreal is non-negotiable.

Barack couldn't represent that much change even if he wanted to.

quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:

quote:

Originally posted by zodo:
There's a question lying in wait that'll probably knock the steam out of Barack's campaign :

DO YOU SUPPORT ISRAEL?


Hmmmmmmmm that's more than a question but a litmus test (or a last minute secret weapon) used to kill the careers Black political candidates.

As President of the United States, support for Isreal is non-negotiable.

Barack couldn't represent that much change even if he wanted to.

Then would it be premature to say (unfortunately) good-bye Barack??? (my sarcasm)

No ... he's fine until he starts saying, "There is no Isreali Palistine, and no Palistinian Palistine ... there is only ...." He stays away from that, and he'll be just fine!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: EbonyRose,

********************
BLACK by NATURE, PROUD by CHOICE.
Before there was ANY history, there was BLACK history.

BUY BLACK!!!

brotha Barak will be Attorney General. ---zodo

An insult to Senator Obama.

Spitting in the face of African America.

I would be tremendously disappointed if Senator Obama would accept such demeaning offer.

He would be sacrificing a leveraging position in the Democrat Party for an 'If you please, sir.'...powerless job.

PEACE

Jim Chester

quote:

Originally posted by James Wesley Chester:

brotha Barak will be Attorney General. ---zodo

An insult to Senator Obama.

Spitting in the face of African America.

I would be tremendously disappointed if Senator Obama would accept such demeaning offer.

He would be sacrificing a leveraging position in the Democrat Party for an 'If you please, sir.'...powerless job.

Jim Chester

quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:
He said:

quote:

THERE IS NO BLACK AMERICA, AND NO WHITE AMERICA ... THERE IS ONLY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

And what I want to know is, does he really believe that?

either he is incredibly gullible or he is signaling his intention to end partisanship, which, would be a huge undertaking, but it would be monumental if he could pull it off...

at some level, there will always be partisanship...

quote:

Originally posted by negrospiritual:

quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:
He said:

quote:

THERE IS NO BLACK AMERICA, AND NO WHITE AMERICA ... THERE IS ONLY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

And what I want to know is, does he really believe that?

either he is incredibly gullible or he is signaling his intention to end partisanship, which, would be a huge undertaking, but it would be monumental if he could pull it off...

at some level, there will always be partisanship...

OR - he's telling white folks what he thinks they want to hear from a black man running for president.

quote:

Originally posted by MBM:

quote:

Originally posted by negrospiritual:

quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:
He said:

quote:

THERE IS NO BLACK AMERICA, AND NO WHITE AMERICA ... THERE IS ONLY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

And what I want to know is, does he really believe that?

either he is incredibly gullible or he is signaling his intention to end partisanship, which, would be a huge undertaking, but it would be monumental if he could pull it off...

at some level, there will always be partisanship...

OR - he's telling white folks what he thinks they want to hear from a black man running for president.

So telling someone something you do not believe in to obtain something you want is morally/ethically acceptable?

quote:

Originally posted by kresge:

quote:

Originally posted by MBM:

quote:

Originally posted by negrospiritual:

quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:
He said:

quote:

THERE IS NO BLACK AMERICA, AND NO WHITE AMERICA ... THERE IS ONLY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

And what I want to know is, does he really believe that?

either he is incredibly gullible or he is signaling his intention to end partisanship, which, would be a huge undertaking, but it would be monumental if he could pull it off...

at some level, there will always be partisanship...

OR - he's telling white folks what he thinks they want to hear from a black man running for president.

So telling someone something you do not believe in to obtain something you want is morally/ethically acceptable?

@ kresge ... no, but it's the name of the game in politics.

@ MBM ... (or anybody else for that matter) So, you think White folks really want to hear that? If so, why do you think that is? Are they ready to bury the hatchet? Seeking absolution? 'Cause it's the rallying cry of the Democratic Party? What?