"The Audacity Of Hope" could not have been a better title for the book written by the only black senator in the United States. The word audacity had to be coupled with hope explains the length of the journey this country still has to go. Let there be no doubt that important strides have been made in this country with respect to the problems posed by race and class. Racism is a social cancer that has permeated important fabrics of societY. Why does it have to be an "audacity" for any person whether black, white or poor to have hope for good things in life. It almost feels as if you have to be from a certain social class to have good things or hope for good things. I take that back, you practically have to be from a certain social class to be in a position to wish and hope for certain things.
For some who read this book and consequently gained a more personal knowledge of him, they think of him as a highly respectable individul with a lot to offer the United States and its people.
Without a shred of doubt he would make a fine president needed at this time in the history of the United States and the world than ever before. He is the real symbol of unity among black and white people in the United States in a lot of ways. Not just by virtue for his birth as a child of two people from different races but there is this thing about him that you really couldn't put your finger on but do know that he was trained for this position.
The racism which has pervaded this country and continue to fester among states and communities makes it important that a black president is elected to the white house. I know this argument can easily be attacked by asking the question; does his presidency stop racism? It certainly does not but it will add to the racial healing needed to forge a common ground for reconciliation in this country. The previous sentence does beg the questing, is reconciliation really needed. Who needs to reconcile what? This is in fact a new conversation altogether.
This country is very racially sensitive mainly because of its history and the consequent degree of diversity in every State.It is high time some of the tensions existing between black and white, majority and majority, minority and minority folks scraped off to make way for reconciliation. It stands to reason that this nation has not completely healed its wounds inflicted by some historical events. Some of these issues include Slavery, the massacre of Native Americans, the Japanese intentment camps, discriminatory immigration acts, among others which have had very dire consequences on the mindset of this nation.
Everyone may have varied views on race and racism but we can all agree on one thing, that it is very immoral and divisive. Barack Obama has proved to be a disciplined person by the way he has responded to both white and black audiences. He has shown extraordinary restraint in the way he has been slandered in the media by all kinds of opponents.
In a leader every reasonable person wants to see contructive restraint, acceptance of faults, indifference to color, appeal to middleclass values, moral aptitude and political expedience. Many people will agree with me that Barack Obama has shown this by dint of his character.
Blurring the lenses of racism will be a perfect recipe for true healing. Judging by the content of the character and not the color of the eyes or skin. What a utopia this would be. It is quite unrealistic to think that racism can be eradicated but it can play much less role in the conduct of society's business whether in popular culure, social lift, economic or political life. All one can wish for at this point is for everyone in the United States to look at Barack Obama not as black or white but as the Senator of Illinois. The result will be a whole lot of difference that will be made in the lives of those whe live and those yet to grace our world with their presence.
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