How can it be argued from those on the left that Obama’s campaign is not about race and then simultaneously argued that if he loses it will be because of racism? That somehow the only reason not to vote for Obama is because of:
“a vague, sophisticated, low-key prejudice that is chameleonlike in its ability to adapt to new surroundings and to hide even from those firmly in its grip.”
This article written by a Princeton educated, Harvard professor of Law, sums up what many feel about the Obama campaign — that someone who has obviously benefited from the opportunities of America can still find this country to be a dark and hateful place. Michelle Obama seems to embody this philosophy.
I am from the deep South and yes, racial prejudice still remains in this country. I see it everyday. I also see rampant sexism, homophobia and racial tension regarding immigrants. America has that side to it as do other cultures and societies. The difference is though, that I don’t think the vast majority of Americans feel this way. I believe this country is filled with people who don’t see color, gender, religion or orientation. I feel that as one generation passes, each new one takes us another step away from the darker side of our past.
Yes, there will be people who vote against Obama because he is black and there will also be people who only vote for him because he is black. Many people on both sides of that coin will be white. But, I do believe that there is a case to be made against Obama based solely upon his leftist, semi-Marxist ideals and that this is what is keeping him from the Whitehouse, not simply the color of his skin.
Obama is an elite intellectual and it is snobbery that is keeping him from connecting to people like the ones I know. It is this leftist idea of “we know what’s best and if you weren’t so unsophisticated you would get that” which is preventing his breaking through the cotton belt barrier.
I have said it before, to not vote for Obama simply because of race is shameful. However, people need to acknowledge that there are plenty of reasons based solely upon philosophy, ideals and party platform to oppose an Obama Presidency and such opposition does not immediately tar someone as racist.
Kennedy implies that if Obama were white he would not be meeting such resistance. To counter this point I offer up Al Gore and John Kerry. A repackaging of leftist ideology that has been rejected in past elections would have a hard time carrying an electorate that is largely divided along these lines regardless of who happened to be the standard-bearer. To quote Senator Obama, “You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig.”