Guest Blogger: Jeff Porter, Obama Supporter
It is with a heavy heart that I must report a terrible tragedy. While vacationing with her family, Natalie became ill with Dead Zone Syndrome. If you are not familiar with Dead Zone Syndrome, it is a painful condition caused by prolonged periods of no Internet access. Please keep her in your prayers. Being the dedicated blogger that she is, Natalie asked me to guest blog for her. I don't know where she got the idea that I have political opinions, but I'll give it my best shot.
As the Democratic National Convention unfolds, it's sometimes hard to see past the made-for-TV drama that political conventions have become in the age of the 24-hour news cycle. Long gone are the days when conventions actually meant something. Today, it's more about political theater (and lobbyist parties) than the nitty-gritty of selecting a Presidential candidate. However, if we look beyond all of the glam, glitter and mind-numbing speeches, the historic nature of Barack Obama's nomination is really remarkable and something to ponder for a moment.
Less than 50 years ago, it was legal and not unusual for a black person to be told they couldn't sit at the lunch counter like everyone else, they had to give up their seat on the bus to a white person, they had to sit in the balcony at the movies, they were not welcomed in whites-only hotels, restaurants and neighborhoods and were forbidden from using whites-only water fountains. For generation upon generation, black Americans were told they were less than human and were often brutalized, denigrated and even killed for trying to maintain their human dignity. All of this, less than 50 years ago.
Today, a black man is the Democratic Party's candidate for President of the United States. Think about that. No matter what your politics, this is a good day for America.
It is with a heavy heart that I must report a terrible tragedy. While vacationing with her family, Natalie became ill with Dead Zone Syndrome. If you are not familiar with Dead Zone Syndrome, it is a painful condition caused by prolonged periods of no Internet access. Please keep her in your prayers. Being the dedicated blogger that she is, Natalie asked me to guest blog for her. I don't know where she got the idea that I have political opinions, but I'll give it my best shot.
As the Democratic National Convention unfolds, it's sometimes hard to see past the made-for-TV drama that political conventions have become in the age of the 24-hour news cycle. Long gone are the days when conventions actually meant something. Today, it's more about political theater (and lobbyist parties) than the nitty-gritty of selecting a Presidential candidate. However, if we look beyond all of the glam, glitter and mind-numbing speeches, the historic nature of Barack Obama's nomination is really remarkable and something to ponder for a moment.
Less than 50 years ago, it was legal and not unusual for a black person to be told they couldn't sit at the lunch counter like everyone else, they had to give up their seat on the bus to a white person, they had to sit in the balcony at the movies, they were not welcomed in whites-only hotels, restaurants and neighborhoods and were forbidden from using whites-only water fountains. For generation upon generation, black Americans were told they were less than human and were often brutalized, denigrated and even killed for trying to maintain their human dignity. All of this, less than 50 years ago.
Today, a black man is the Democratic Party's candidate for President of the United States. Think about that. No matter what your politics, this is a good day for America.
2 comments:
Great post! And yes, no matter my personal leanings, I was very proud of the fact that we finally have reached a milestone in our history. Taking the long term perspective (history of the world kind), 50 years isn't that long. But we are a young, still growing nation and those 50 years of changes listed here are great growth spurts! It is a proud moment in our history, for these reasons and many more!
The first step - breaking racial barriers - is 100% positive and should be celebrated. The proof, though, is in the pudding. Obama has to show not just that he is a Greek God, but that he can truly make the 'changes' he discusses, and that he has the judgment to lead a diverse nation effectively. If we let someone 'off the hook' for practical expertise and actions, then we're doing people of color a disservice, the burden is on Obama to show that he has what it takes.
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