Obama breaks obsolete stereotype
The ‘unlikely’ candidate raises the ‘standard’ and sets timely example
By Lindsey Williams | gargoyle@flagler.edu
There was once a time when it seemed impossible for an African-American man to capture the presidential nomination for an American political party. So much so that discussing the chances served no real purpose other than being a fun addition to the “what if” game. But today, before us, a black man stands ready to serve as this nation’s next president.
For years, blacks in this nation have stood circumspect of times to lead and times to follow. However, the option of following often seemed more feasible than that of leading. Or the option of defeat was chosen over the option of winning.
For too long have I bared witness to black men, in particular, anticipating this taste of defeat as opposed to reaching greater heights of success. I’m talking about dreams, hopes and ideas for a better life; ideas that are birthed in a nation where blacks have historically been laughed at for trying, punished for seeking change, and often gawked at for breaking the preconceived mold.
However, then rose the unlikely candidate. A man who’s presence has dispelled a million stereotypes.
A million stereotypes, which drag a long line of excuses to settle for an image served to them by media and by experience, have been challenged with his arrival.
With Barack Obama, unlikely dreams, possibilities and hopes have surfaced. Dreams of someday starting and running successful business are erased from the list of “what ifs” and added to the list of “to dos.” Hopes of becoming more than your barren surroundings achieves not only high possibility, but elevates itself to a state of reality.
A state of mind has changed. This change will usher in a wave of CEOs, leaders, physicians, teachers, and citizens who will accomplish more than the calculated statistics that most young black men have had etched over their heads. These are statistics that include things like incarceration and unemployment.
Coming from a writer who is neither a registered Democrat, Republican nor Independent, I urge you to take note of the direction this election is going.
But allow me now to address the new audience who may potentially influence your life: There is no excuse, young men, for not achieving. The next leader of this country could be someone that was, and perhaps still is, looked upon in similar ways that you have been. However, the plights of such perceptions have not kept this man from possible presidency. You have no excuse to lead a life without the expectancy of greatness. Today, you have no excuse.
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I couldn’t agree more with what ‘King’ had to say. Young blacks had often looked to examples of ‘who’ they could be simply from what was available to them- the example of the entertainer and the athlete. Clearly, there are black CEOs, doctors, professionals that are wealthy outside of entertaining, but now this option of ‘who’ and ‘what’ you can become is made more clear.
Don’t get me wrong, I want Obama to win, but I also understand what this will hopefully continue to do to a generation of neglected aspirations.
MC
Most of this I have been screaming since Obama began to run. Its not about him winning, its about him giving young african-americans some more to aspire for. More than the next Micheal Jordan or Lil Wayne how bout the next man to beat John McCain. Many of my family and friends who are black have fallen victim to the one thing Barack has put an end to, and that is “who can i be.” African-Americans children look at the television and on it they see blacks in entertainment venues, and whites in the business. So what do they grow up wanting to be? Entertainment. And what happens when fails? You have a child who focused on fame and not education. So college or any type of non-crime related occupation is out of the question. Obama has made it cool to educate, and because of him i pray i see a day when the possibility of going to college is higher than going to jail. When african-americans will get to work 500 more hours a year, and get paid 15 thousand less because of lower education. Its time for my race to stop waiting for the hand out, and hold their hand out for that college degree.
KING
This is a great article! I couldn’t agree more about this being the time for everyone-especially Black men-to recognize the amazing standard that has been reinforced by Barack Obama!! This is certainly the time fir people to change their “what ifs” to “can and WILL do”
Not only is Obama’s example timely as the sub headline states, but also is the message in this article. This article needs to be published in publications world wide – No excuses!
That’s the truth we have no more excuses yeah we have it hard big deal. We live and deal with it that what makes us so great I work for a company where I’am the only black guy who works here so what this is what we do we take over everthing. 2bless2stress