Obama: Can he win?

It's funny. Most black people I talk to don't think Obama has a chance of winning. But I think their reasons are a little biased. Is it that black people in America have difficulty letting go of a struggle that they've identified with for so long? I'll hear things like, "they won't elect a black man president." But he's of mixed blood(believe or not it helps) and he's gotten this far. I definately understand the viewpoint, but I'm curious where it really comes from. Are black people in america ready for change? Being from West Indian background, I always had a different perspective on race in this country. Some of the oppression is self-inflicted. Do we not think Obama can win and why?

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Permalink Reply by BlaqJeff on June 11, 2008 at 10:29pm

You stated that Obama being of mixed blood is going to help him. If that's true, isn't that proof that this is a racist country? Why would it matter what he is? So, some of this oppression is not self inflicted.

I think most Black folks have a hard time believing Obama can win is because we just don't trust white Amerikka. We don't trust the power in this country. We have seen our leaders gunned down a few times. We've seen how the Gov't handled Katrina. We've seen how the Black vote has been suppressed.There's a pattern to how Black folks have been treated in this country and to say that some oppression is self inflicted is being ignorant of this country's history.

That being said, I do believe he has a good a chance as any, despite the fact that maybe 20% of white folks would never ever under any circumstances vote for a Black man(mixed or not). And keep in mind that he has received secret service protection earlier than any candidate ever.
Self inflicted oppression?
I think not!

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Permalink Reply by void on June 11, 2008 at 11:20pm

I think there's a strong possibility Obama might win. He made it this far against the odds.

I'm leery of those Clinton supporters for McCain. Even though most won't say they are for McCain because they don't want a black president. It's pretty obvious that's why. Hillary and Obama had a similar platform. Jumping from Clinton to McCain is a huge leap.

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Permalink Reply by MER on June 12, 2008 at 12:30am

I dunno if he'll win, but I'll definitely vote for him. I just hope he wins and not another republican.

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Permalink Reply by GodsavetheQueer on June 12, 2008 at 1:24am

I honestly have no idea if he'll win. He's got my vote, though. I've only been around since the end of '83, and since 88 we've been back and forth between Bushes and Clintons. McCain doesn't seem much different so i'm ready for something new.

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Permalink Reply by Janus Spills on June 12, 2008 at 11:49am

Of course this is a rascist country. Anybody can see that. But all oppressed minorities tend to indoctrinate oppression into their identity. That's my point. Now is the time when we can change the idea of what Amerikkka and what being black really means. I've actually heard friends of mine state things like," we're supposed to be poor. we're black." This perception bothers me. Although, we are victims of oppression we must rise above that and take over. This is still a very rascist country.(West Virginia primary said it all)But let's take some responsibility for who we are. The oppression was set up for us to destroy ourselves and we're aware of it, yet, why are we still destroying ourselves. The issue of race in Amerikkka has been swept under the rug so many times. Now, Obama forces them to deal with the issue. I'm truly curious to find out the outcome. Bottom line is this: nothing comes free. We want something we gotta take it. Period. That's what white people did, they took everything. They didn't ask for it, so why should we? I'm tired of complaining personally. Let's make moves. That's what I'm saying.

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Permalink Reply by Janus Spills on June 12, 2008 at 11:57am

You're right. Their supporting Mcain for those exact reasons. In my opinion, this is battle for the past vs. the future. Those that will vote for McCain want things to go on as they always have. White male dominance. He'll be the oldest first term president if elected. He's white america's grand daddy.

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Permalink Reply by Janus Spills on June 12, 2008 at 2:04pm

I get what you're saying and in a way you're right. Earlier in the race most black people were supporting Hilary because of the black prosperity during the Clinton years. They didn't think Obama could win, then, once they saw him winning states like Iowa, and getting all this white support, they thought differently.

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Permalink Reply by Ghettopunkrocker on June 12, 2008 at 3:03pm

Nah, from the looks of it Barack has the right following. Aside from the polls, a lot of white voters are diggin Barack.

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Permalink Reply by something else on June 12, 2008 at 8:03pm

I could be wrong, but from the language in your post, it sounds like your operating under the assumption that a potential Obama win would mean the end of the "struggle." See: Clarence Thomas (I know he's a "conservative, strict constructionist" as opposed to Obama being a supposedly being a "liberal radical")

I think you are correct in assuming your West indian background might give you a different perspective on racial issues in America compared to some skeptical African-Americans. I know many older African-Americans who passed down a sort of cynical realist viewpoint on matters like this, e.g. the Bradley Effect might have something to do with the mentality of "they won't really elect a black man to the highest office in the nation."

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Permalink Reply by kifaru on June 13, 2008 at 12:51pm

I'm sorry Jerkzilla. Unless you have done a poll of most white people you don't know one way or the other about what most white people think about his ethnicity.

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Permalink Reply by Janus Spills on June 13, 2008 at 6:58pm

It wouldn't be the end of the struggle, but it would be a great leap forward. You made a good point about the Bradley Effect. I'm afraid it may reach a point of self-fulfilling prophecy that he doesn't get elected because black people don't think he has a chance. We should try to avoid that.