My fascinating interaction in class yesterday: Race, The Campaigns, and The Youth Vote

[bicentennial_baby]

(This was my post from Yardwork's thread, slightly lengthened, figured it would be a good OP)

I was in Econometrics lab (I'm almost done getting my BA in Economics, for context), and I was wearing my Obama sweatshirt and t-shirt.

One of my fellow majors, who is a black male, is well known for viewing many things through a strictly racial lens. By that I mean, he analyzes every issue in class in terms of race. There's nothing wrong with that, but some of my other black classmates do think he takes it over the top at times(more context). Anyway, he noticed my sweatshirt, and with wide eyes said:

"You are supporting Barack Obama?!".

I said "Of course." and smiled. He then proceeded to grill me, all the while completely incredulous that this lil' white girl was supporting Obama over Hillary. And he figured that my friend next to me, who is a white male, would be supporting McCain. My friend is also an Obama supporter. As is my other friend who was sitting on my other side, except he's an Asian male. :)

So he was asking me to explain in detail why I support Obama over Clinton or McCain, and I did so, detailing the pros and cons I see in both candidates, discussing policy differences and stances on issues, and how I came to support Obama after DK dropped out. It turned into a really awesome discussion where most of the class stopped working and gathered around, and we all discussed the issues surrounding the primaries and GE in depth, like delegates, convention, VP possibilities for both sides, etc.

I think I blew his mind, and maybe changed his perspective just a little bit. It was a good day. :)

And it proved to me, once again, that the college students, at least here in Boston, are engaged, informed, and really want in on the political process, contrary to "the conventional wisdom", as Galbraith would say. ;)

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. This is the silver lining in an otherwise catastrophic primary.

I think that americans ability to see the issues of the day through lenses other than those of race and gender has been improved.

It's kind of like aversion therapy - when dad catches you smoking, he forces you to smoke an entire pack in an hour. :puke:

[bicentennial_baby]

5. I really hope you're correct about that

And hey, thanks for reading and posting on my thread, Clinton supporter! :hi:

[roguevalley]

7. reminds me of Malcom X after he went on hajj and saw people of

all colors worshipping and living and talking together in brotherhood. sometimes you need some other voice in your head but your own. the world is a better place than most of us know.

[peace13]

2. Good story!

Thanks for posting this! Peace, Kim

[redqueen]

3. Sweet... I love moments like that.

:)

[bicentennial_baby]

6. Me too! One of those "teachable moments" or

something like that ;)

[sniffa]

4. K&R for slacker youth

Though I enjoyed your telling of it in person. :D