Foolish Cat March 5th, 2008

Is it possible, just for the sake of argument now, don’t everyone get excited, that race relations in this country are not quite as bad as we have been led to believe? I, like everybody, see the news reports of nooses at schools, and I know about Don Imus and that whole overblown fiasco, so I am as inclined to goosestep to the “America has a long way to go as far as race relations are concerned” spiel as the next person.

But then I watch the primary elections and I question this premise. When Barack Obama is not dominating the votes in states from every part of the country, he’s losing by narrow margins. In the end, a black man almost certainly will be the Democratic nominee for president. If race relations are so poor in America, this possibility seems ludicrous.

And the phenomenon of Obama cannot be attributed to his opponent being a woman, John Edwards is about as white as they come and he got obliterated. Nor can it be attributed to experience, Edwards and Clinton both have more political experience than Obama.

The fact is, Obama is charming and believable, and when it comes down to it, people want what is best for themselves, regardless of color. And that, in my opinion, really sums up the difference between a racist and a non-racist. A racist sees color as an automatic disqualifier in his decisions, regardless of the consequences. They simply dislike or dismiss a person because of skin color or ethnicity.

Prejudices - now that’s different. Everyone prejudges people. That’s simply human nature. If we see a couple in their sixties walking down the street holding hands, we don’t consider that they might steal our wallet; if we see a group of teenagers with shaved heads wearing leather coming towards us, however, our guard goes up. Those prejudgements are based on stereotypes; we know nothing about the individuals in the two scenarios.

But the great thing about prejudices is that they are easily overcome. Assumptions are no match for what people see and hear. Great people rise above suspicion and fear and incorporate the ones projecting those emotions into their own army. Great people see those emotions as an opportunity to throw stereotypes and prejudices into question for all. In essence, great people lift everyone a little higher.

And for those that hold tight to their beliefs, regardless of what reality shows as truth, they will continue to live alone in the corners, awaiting to be unearthed by those who benefit through their existence. You know who you are.

So go on Barack. Whether you get the nomination or not, and whether or not I vote for you (I’m still undecided), you have thrown a long-standing, unhealthy American archetype into doubt, and for that, you are recognized here.

Blunder on.

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