I hate to be another person commenting on one of the ever prominent issues of this current presidential race, but I just can't help it. Being a woman of color, and a Political Science major, race is an issue that is constantly brought up to me. I do have to admit thoough that I am slightly biased and tend to lean towards issues that affect minorities and women seeing that I fit both categories. In a nutshell this presidential race has been right down my alley. As the race continues on, and is slowly entering into the final hours, I have come to see just how stuck on race this nation is. For one thing, Barack Obama has done a pretty good job of trying to keep his self identity out of the picture. He has worked hard to give us a more holistic view of his background. He pays homage to both sides of his ancestry, speaking fondly on his visits to Africa and on his experince of being raised by his white maternal grandparents. His campaign team has done an even better jpb at making sure to present Mr. Obama as a universal figure; a well-educated, hardworking, family man. And who doesn't like that? It is the media though that has really gone to town with the senator. The media's goal to uplift and break him down is nothing new considering this is race for presidency and not a beauty pagent. There have been many questions by African American leaders if Obama is black enough to represent the black minority. He is the descendent of a Kenyan father and white American mother which warrants as not black enough for many. I can only laugh at those claims...Kenya is in Africa, and Africa is the orginator of black people. Him being a first generation African American does not give him any more kudos in the eyes of rascist and prejudice people (maybe a little granted his white side), but on first sight black is black. What is the man to do? If he started going around claiming that he was white (which he is too) there would be serveral people up in arms. The man is BLACK and WHITE. Don't get me wrong, I am not indenial about the heavy importance that race plays in the presidential candidacy, but I am a full believer of vote for who represents your ideas and values the best, regardless of religion, political affiliation, gender or ethnic background. If you don't like his policy and views don't vote for him, but don't rule him out simply because he is black. All I ask is that people give new ideas a chance. Besides what is the worst that could happen ;-)? I don't think anything can beat these last eight years.
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