I have to say it, and I hope at least some of you will agree

[Colobo]

"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, only ourselves can free our minds." -Bob Marley

I could say a lot of things tonight given how I'm feeling tonight, but I'll just say that, as a young black man from Puerto Rico, I grew up hearing how my white classmates and teachers made jokes about my dreams of becoming a succesful politician in the Island, because "no one would vote for a black person". I grew up hearing how black people were (and still) are constantly ridiculed and seen as "ugly", "dumb" or as "potential criminals". I grew up hearing my friends making openly racist jokes, using me as a reference, and then telling me if I had a problem with being black when I accussed them of racism. I grew up hearing my own family say how it was my duty to "improve" myself when I grew up by "studying hard and marrying a white woman".

I've seen how many blacks in the Island, including many in my family, have learned to see themselves as shit. As pure shit. As undesirable people. They have learned to hate themselves, to not believe in their capacities and abilities, to believe they can't reach for the stars "because we are black and we will never be able to do certain things". I myself was during my teen years, a self-hating black person. I hated being "ugly", not getting the respect I deserved from my peers, always being seen as "the black kid" rather than "a kid".

I know how all of that feels, and I know my African-American brothers and sisters have gone through similar or even worse experiences given the historical violence against blacks in this country. I understand the skepticism most might feel when it comes to not only Barack Obama winning the presidency, but of any black person achieving such thing in our lifetimes, because we have been forced by our life experiences to say: "They won't let us..."

However, if there is anything the African-American community has taught us, the blacks from other parts of the Hemisphere and the world, is that SOCIAL CHANGE, AS DIFFICULT AS IT MIGHT BE, CAN BE ACHIEVED. African-Americans are the greatest example of resiliency the world has seen, and I'm more than sure of that. In 50-something years, and with the help of millions of progressive white Americans who love freedom and equality for their fellow countrymen, the African-American community has advanced to the point of having a viable candidate of its own running for President of this nation. This, along with the social and economic progress the community has experienced in the second half of the 20th century, is something MLK, Thurgood Marshall, Malcom X, Carter Woodson, my fellow Puerto Rican Arthur Schomburg and many other great African-American thinkers and activies would have never imagined, and what a beautiful thing it is.

For instance, I am truly hoping that Barack Obama as a candidate will be evaluated by all Americans as a man with something to offer to his nation. However, I would hate to think some of our brothers and sisters will not even take a serious look at this man's candidacy because of their inner struggles with the society we live in. This is a moment in which the "I don't believe they'll let him", "He can't make it because of his color", etc. has to be fought against.

It is more than fine for any Americans NOT to support Barack Obama for whatever reason or reasons, just as it is fine NOT to support Hillary Clinton for any valid reason or reasons. What is NOT right is NOT to support this candidates because we don't have faith in them because of their race or their gender. We make racists smile and turn our backs on those who fought and died to make things like Obama's candidacy possible by denying a black man a chance of making history because of his color. Same with Hillary's candidacy; so many women gave their lives to give other women "a room of their own" so that they could grow as individuals and as productive citizens of the nations they lived in.

The only way social change can be achieved is by believing that it can be achieved. Let Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama be the symbols of the achieved social change, and the social change that is yet to be achieved.

[AnOhioan]

1. Kick and Rec

I do not support either Hillary or Barack, but that decision has nothing to do with anything else than personal politics. I agree with the OP...if you are not supporting Barack solely because he is black or Hillary solely because she is a woman than your reasons are not valid.

[TheMadMonk]

21. Not entirely because they are black or Y chromosome deficient.

But because they are black or female AND HENCE CAN'T WIN.

[AnOhioan]

25. Both can, and one might, win.

Please do not put words in my mouth, if that was your intention.

[dogfacedboy]

41. BS

While I'm aware that there are those who would not vote for a woman, or a non-white of either sex, I do not believe it can't happen. I believe that many voters will be coming out for Obama or Clinton simply because they are an African-American man, and a woman, respectively. I don't believe that alone is a reason to vote for someone, but that's the way it is.

I believe that either Hilary Clinton or Barack Obama will be the next President. I believe that one of those two will win the Dem primaries, and go on to defeat any other Presidential candidate. I also believe that there will be a big shift in the electorate. I believe that the army of so-called "values voters" that the Republicans were able to mobilize in '00 and '04 will evaporate a bit. I also see the swing vote going to the Dems. People are going to be gun-shy about putting a Republican back into the WH in '08 lest another GWB-type got in. I think that the R's know this as well, and we're going to see a whole new low in Republican campaigning. The cheerleaders like Limbaugh, et al, have never have sounded so desperate as they will leading up to Nov '08. They know the house of cards is crumbling, and they're going to go on a smear campaign against the Dems like we've never seen. It won't work this time. Sen. Obama, or Sen. Clinton, WILL be the next President of the United States.

[Withywindle]

2. Fantastic post, recommended.

I don't like to hear people saying "a black man can't win" or a "a woman can't win"--whether it comes out of actual racism/sexism or "realpolitik," the effect is the same.

[Just-plain-Kathy]

34. At the same time,

African-Americans shouldn't vote for Obama based on his race....and women shouldn't vote for Hillary because they want to see a woman in the White House.

...(great OP piece Katzenkavalier.)

[Dhalgren]

3. K&R!

Each one of us is only who we are. That's it. No more, no less. We have to stand and fight. The winning doesn't matter, the losing doesn't matter. It's the standing and the fighting - that's what matters.

Viva to you, brother...

[Colobo]

4. Thanks for the kind words.

[Adelante]

5. Lovely and so sensibly presented

:hug:

[Bucky]

6. I know you say this a lot, but you really say it well. And it bears repeating.

I keep going back and forth on Obama. The lack of experience still bothers me. The time he spent as a social activist, a successful lawyer deeply involved with strengthening his community excites me. We need a leader who has lots of organizational experience in improving our troubled neighborhoods. Then again I get troubled at his vagueness... until I remember how vague and "safe" FDR and JFK both played it before their elections. I worry about how cozy he is to Nafta and fat corporations, but of course I can't name a viable candidate who isn't.

He's not my first or second choice, but my first or second aren't running. He's a good man, even if he needs a little seasoning. And you're right about that bogus "we can't risk nominating a black man with a part Muslim background" argument. It's just as stupid and nearly as insulting as the "it's about time we elected a black man president" argument for his candidacy. I won't vote for a symbol for president, but Obama is very much looking like the person for the job.

[Colobo]

8. I understand your position

and it's exactly my point. You are doing the right thing by judging Obama and Hillary based on what they bring to the table, not by their "chances" based on their race or gender; you are not "denying" them a chance because of those factors, like some over here, as well as a considerable number of Americans, are doing.

[Der Blaue Engel]

7. Kicked, recommended, and loudly applauded

:applause: :yourock:

[TwilightGardener]

9. Inspiring and well-written--K&R!

[Solly Mack]

10. Well said

You can't break a barrier by listening to the status quo

[Catherine Vincent]

11. Very good post!

:kick:

[Schema Thing]

12. Kicked & R'd. Hey, what's the story behind the pic

in your post?

[omega minimo]

13. Beautiful

"In 50-something years, and with the help of millions of progressive white Americans who love freedom and equality for their fellow countrymen, the African-American community has advanced to the point of having a viable candidate of its own running for President of this nation."

Your post identifies that internalized pain and self-hatred that cripples, while leaving plenty of space for the light to shine through, for the promise of MLK "Free at last, free at last................."


:applause:

[bonito]

14. Great post n/t

[ProSense]

15. Wow! It's too bad you weren't thinking like this when you voted for Bush in 2004! n/t

[Colobo]

17. You know what? I was. I voted for Bush

against my own will... I forced myself to do it... long story...

[A-Schwarzenegger]

19. Do tell.

[tkmorris]

20. You voted for Bush against your will?

I cannot imagine the circumstances which would bring that about.

[Mister Ed]

32. katzenkavalier describes his personal and political journey in this post from last February:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=111926

[Cabcere]

16. Excellent post. K&R. (n/t)

[Laurab]

18. Very nice post. K&R

I'm leaning toward Obama myself, although it's far too early to decide, and am just finishing his second book. His first was very good, his second is, too, although I never liked history that much, and at times it reads like a history book, while his first read a little bit more like a novel.

It goes deeper, though, and any fears I may have had about his lack of experience are gone. This is one intelligent, open-minded, fair, and most importantly to me, THOUGHTFUL, man, who studies every side of an issue. He also taught constitutional law, and chose to work for little money and social change, when he could have worked for big money. He's extremely viable IMO.

Nonetheless, knowing the world today, I was happy to see he's received Secret Service protection, albeit sad to live in a country in which a black candidate has to be the first to request it. I'm glad Hillary has it, and hope Edwards gets it, as well, but I was worried about Obama more because of the size of the crowds, and the way the people gravitate to him, and he to them.

I think we're seeing social change being achieved right now, he and Hillary are already the symbols of achieved social change, and there's no going back.
My reasons for not wanting Hillary to win have nothing to do with her being a woman, and mostly to do with my belief she can't win the general, but I'd support her before I'd support any republic.

It will be really interesting to see what happens as time goes on, but my feeling is that Obama breaks down barriers, and he CAN do it.

[TheMadMonk]

22. Excellent.

You want to back a winner go bet on the neddies. This is about choosing the best possible president (and in a wider sense) government for the USA.

Vote for the guy you want to win or at least against the bloke you want to lose.

[fancydancy]

23. I would vote for obama

and I would vote for hillary, but only if they are in the
general election, I am for Edwards, and I would say I would
love to see a female president, I would love to see a black
president, and I even wonder deep down am I prejudice, for
lack of a  better word, but I don't think I am, I believe
Hillary is too middle of the road, and Barack just needs a bit
more time, and in other circumstances I might vote for them
because of their race and color, because I want to break that
barrier, but right now I think it is Edwards who speaks
closest to my beliefs, and Gore too, but he isn't running.
AND RIGHT NOW WE NEED THE RIGHT PERSON< ONE THING I DO KNOW
FOR SURE< IT ain't any republican candidate.

[coznfx]

31. About now, I'd vote for practically anyone capable of

uttering five sentences in a row without weaseling, lying about something or trying to cover his ass. That said, I do vote in accordance with some firmly held principles:

I don't much care about that candidate's hue and/or tint, so long as s/he has 'em and is therefore not invisible (or would that be a function of saturation level??)

Whether their sexual apparatus is built-in or exterior is immaterial, so long (but not x-long (har!)) as it's not an add-on. And, in the sense of 'givin' the dog a bone', I'd have no problem with full functionality. Then again, some dogs just don't get bones ...

Seriously, though, my vote will NOT go to anyone who is not human. I insist on that and will not compromise my principles for any reason whatsoever.

Well ... maybe if the odds are even or better that the alien is physiologically incapable of being a vile, lying, treasonous, despicable, sorry-ass, soulless, undeserving waste of calories and oxygen ....

[CGrantt57]

24. Remember your Gandhi...

"Be the change that you want to see in the world."

Shine on, my friend. Shine on.

Regards,

[madokie]

26. I guess I have one thing to be very thankful for and that is I am color blind

not seeing out through my eyes but seeing with my heart. There is only two things I care about for my next President and that is they be a good honest person and be a Democrat, nothing more. experience means didly squat to me on this one, in fact no experience sometimes can be a huge advantage because one can see without knowing it can't be done. Seems as most great discoveries happen that way.

[The Lost Patriot]

27. There is no way I would vote for Hillary...

not because she is a woman, but because I didn't like the job she did while Bill was getting romped in the Oral Office. Barrack has my total support, I like his ideas, I like his aggression, and I would love to see a TOTAL Change for once. The problem is this, you and I know that if Barrack is elected, someone will assasinate him. Just as Kennedy was assasinated for trying to change things.

[newyawker99]

40. Hi The Lost Patriot!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[frustrated_lefty]

28. A few thoughts...

I'm not hyped about Obama. His race never occurred to me, though, I just think he hasn't got a strong position on any issue. I hail from Louisiana and, after 40 years, really don't give a fig what color a person's skin is when it comes to leadership. Between Edwards and Morial, hell, who can gripe about a person's skin color?

Virginia Wolf aside, I don't think highly of Hillary. In feminist lingo, she's bought into the "patriarchy." I think she doesn't believe too highly in any issue and would change her position at a moment's notice if it bought her votes.

Back to race, I guess I do have an issue. Call me a racist, but a lot of black kids need a smack on their asses. Too many of them choose to act threateningly, too many of them show poor manners and too many of them disrespect themselves. Too damned many of them seem incapable of wearing a pair of pants. I have other gripes about most white kids. Maybe that means I'm just a grumpy bastard? But, I think social change begins at home, with what you teach your children.

Hillary and Barack are symbols of change. But there is so much more to be accomplished.

[psychopomp]

29. Yes, it can happen

I am going slightly off topic but isn't it a little strange how everyone seems to want to portray Sen. Obama as an African American man or a black man when, in fact, he is just as much a white man. He is the child of not just one, but two peoples, just as Bob Marley was.

I might add that Sen. Obama also faces rejection by many black Americans because he is not seen as being from the same background (due to his father being from the continent). This does not diminish the need, as you say, to realize the need to remove the shackles from our brains.

[mmonk]

30. I'm continuing to look at Obama.

I can say right now, I don't plan to support Hillary Clinton at the present time because of the company she keeps. I will say also that my support goes to candidates that mirror my positions and/or opinions enough to my satisfaction and race and/or gender does not play into it.

[loyalsister]

33. Exactly my thoughts

but so much more eloquence than I could have applied as a person who does not have that shared experience.

But at the same time I have felt the same way.

I have higher expectations of people. I am ready to start from a different angle.

Rather than assuming that "according" to the polls this many people will approach the ballot as a racist, as a misogynist, as a plain stupid person, etc. assume the dems and other all voters with their respective partisan biases approach the ballot with an open mind.

Talk to people as if that is what they are going to do and see what kind of results you get.....

It's kind of a peace love understanding experiment. But someone posted something about the hippies being right recently.

It's something I've been working on lately and I have seen my typically GOP dad start to return the attitude.

[Triana]

35. Wow, Katzen...

...VERY WELL written!

AND not least, CONGRATULATIONS for not remaining part of the Psychopath party (the predatory ones with no conscience). You clearly have a conscience. Thus, you didn't feel you fit in with them.

Welcome to America (the REAL one, not the pretentious, conscienceless, predatory, ignorant one espoused by US Republicans).

And thank you. For...well...being YOU, and not trying to be something or someone you're not.

[Lost-in-FL]

36. K&R

:patriot:

An a big WEEEEEPA!!

[happydreams]

37. A most important quote from your topic:

In 50-something years, and with the help of millions of progressive white Americans who love freedom and equality for their fellow countrymen, the African-American community has advanced to the point of having a viable candidate of its own running for President of this nation.

It is good to see an acknowledgement of progressive white Americans.
Thank You.

[greiner3]

38. If Barack wins the nomination;

I will do everything I can to ensure his election of the POTUS. That said, I saw what happened to Blackwell here in OH. I thought it funny that the republicans would run him for governor. What I saw was that the party that has 100% of all KKK'ers and neo-Nazis would not elect an African American to such a high office. He also had a large majority of the fundy vote, but Strickland more than made up for that by his announcements of being an ordained minister.
I'm proud to say that I voted for Wilder in VA, that many years ago. Personally, I hope Gore would run and if so get the nomination and become President again. However, if that man happens to be Obama, then that would be very nice also! I am sure that a large majority of Democrats would vote for Barack, given the chance.

[Blue_Tires]

39. ttt nt

[BornagainDUer]

42. My friends son.

They are white, came home recently complaining about black kids cutting in the lunch line. Is this commonplace or am I making something out of nothing?