Today’s video of the day was found on YouTube, and is an ‘offering’ by Sara Haile-Mariam. You’ll get the joke in a moment.

This video, called ‘My Five Bucks’ is a cute, artsy call to action, and part of a movement really, to encourage the youth of America to donate whatever they can to the Obama Campaign. I love this video, because it speaks to those who think that their meager donations can’t make a difference, when nothing is farther from the truth!

As most people know by now, Senator Obama has out-raised every other candidate in the ’08 race, Republican or Democrat! He has raised double what any Republican candidate has managed to, and out-raised Hillary Clinton by millions of dollars. The reason? My five bucks – your five bucks. He has inspired over 250,000 individual donors to quite literally set themselves up on a payment plan for donating to his campaign. (Yikes – my next payment is due today. Better get on it).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCfYRrUeMOg]

The metaphor of the United States ‘stuck’ in a parking space is clever; the little girl is cute and lends a measure of innocence to the video, but in the end, the message is the most powerful part of this video – even a donation as small as five bucks can make a difference.

The Obama campaign’s ability to reach the ordinary Americans who support the Senator, and show them that they can make an impact a little at a time is why they’ve been so financially successful. So ante up! It doesn’t hurt if you do it a little at a time, and un-sticking our great nation is worth the sacrifice. I know on the day when Senator Obama is sworn in as President of the United States, I’ll be sitting on the edge of my seat, overcome by emotion, and proud as I can be that my contributions in some way played a part in helping the nation move in a new and better direction. 

To donate, go to http://www.barackobama.com/donate. It’s quick and easy,  and your donation will ensure your place as part of the coolest movement in the history of modern politics!

By Patricia Wilson-Smith

Today CNN is reporting that the body of Nailah Franklin has been found.

I didn’t know her. I have no idea of the circumstances under which she lost her life, but all around the web, there have been testaments to her beauty, her goodness, and her vitality from the people who knew her best.

There is no honor in having your life cut too short, but there is honor in living the kind of life that causes others great personal sadness when you’re gone, and Nailah clearly led that kind of life. It is a shame that we will never get to know who she was, and will probably never get to know much about why she was taken so soon. The prayers of all the women of Black Women for Obama are with her family.

By Patricia Wilson-Smith

The purpose of erecting this website for Black Women for Obama was to bring important issues to the fore; we knew from the onset that those issues would not always relate directly to the election season, and today’s message to you, Dear Readers, has nothing whatsoever to do with the Election of ’08. Here goes.

Over the weekend, Chicago’s local media began issuing reports regarding a missing young woman by the name of Nailah Franklin. Nailah is a 28-year old drug sales representative from Chicago who was reported missing after sending a vague text message to friends and family.  She had apparently been receiving threatening phone calls from someone she used to date before she disappeared. Nailah Franklin, as you can see from the photo above, is a young black woman.

So I’m sitting in front of my television as I watch the coverage just shaking my head, because I know that like so many other stories involving missing black women, the public outcry for her safe return will never come; the vigils outside her mother’s home, the tearful interviews on Good Morning America begging for any news on her whereabouts – will not happen. And it just pisses me off beyond belief.

I have always been bothered by the way the American media obsesses over non-minority women when they go missing. It says something really disturbing about our society that we put less value on a human life if that life is not wrapped in a package that we think is befitting. I’m bothered because I’m certain that beautiful, intelligent black women are abducted all the time unfortunately, and yet we rarely if ever hear about their stories, except as some passing news item on the network and cable news channels. And maybe even some not-so-beautiful, not-so-educated black women have been lost to their families and loved ones as well - God help them if they live in an inner city. But let a  blonde-haired, blue-eyed Caucasian college student come up missing, and the “cable news earth” stops revolving. Major news events are preempted to get the word out, people appear out of nowhere to assist the family and help garner support from their communities, money for rewards start flowing like a river – it’s amazing!

I want HOURLY updates on the Nailah Franklin case – I want consistent coverage on the progress of the search for her and I want it to go on forever or until she’s found, which ever comes first. In other words, I want her to get the same chance at the oh-so important exposure from the news media that any Natalee Holloway look-a-like would receive. In a nation that prides itself on its multi-culturalism, and that wants to believe it has left the specter of racism behind, why is it seemingly impossible for the media to give fair and equitable coverage to the missing/exploited minorities in this country?

As a professional black woman, with a family who loves me, and with a gaggle of female nieces, young cousins, and friends that I cherish dearly, it pains me to know that if one of them were suddenly gone without a trace, the only hope my family would have of garnering any attention to their story would be a blurb on the local news channel for a night. Meanwhile, the young, white, and attractive that disappear (no matter what the circumstances) end up captivating the ENTIRE world for months and sometimes years on end. Where is the equity in that?

I can ask this question because it’s obvious that the spectacle that some of these stories become is COMPLETELY media-driven. We live in a society where we are conditioned to care about, talk about, and believe in whatever the media sends our way. As a sad result, the message that our society is being force-fed is that the value of a black woman’s life, or the value of a Latino woman’s life is not as important as that of an Anglo-Saxon, and their subsequent abduction or murder is hardly worth reporting.

Of course, it doesn’t end there. Missing or abducted younger women are more often reported on than are older women, and most certainly, the more attractive the woman the more coverage she gets. 

This is irresponsible on so many levels. How are we as a society going to let the legions of young Black and Hispanic women and girls in this country know that we value them, and that their existence means anything to the future of this nation if we allow such a glaring disparity to continue? I am a college instructor, technology professional, author, mother, daughter and friend to many people who love me dearly. It is so disheartening to know that if I were to ever disappear, the exact same effort that is expended to find young, attractive, white women would not be expended to locate my big,  black butt and bring me back to my loved ones.

Remember Latoyia Figueroa? Latoyia was a beautiful young woman who like Nailah was of African-American descent. Latoyia disappeared on July 18, 2005. She was five months pregnant at the time, and was reported missing after she failed to show up to work. At the time, her disappearance did spark some controversy, because all of the major news outlets completely ignored her story, despite the obvious similarities to the Laci Petersen case, and because of their unending fascination with the hot case of the time, Natalee Holloway. However, the controversy was short-lived, and as far as I can tell, no media outlet has been brave enough to lead the charge towards change since. We’ve successfully integrated the work place, schools, and public restrooms – what’s the deal with media coverage?

As a point of illustration, try this. Go to Google (or any other search engine) and search on “Latoyia Figueroa”. You should get somewhere in the area of 22,000 hits. Now – type in “Natalie Holloway” (an intentional misspelling of her name) and search. You get more than double the hits, about 47,000, even with her name misspelled! Finally, type in “Natalee Holloway”, and do a search. You’ll find well over six-hundred THOUSAND references to her, many of them media references, or sites and blurbs that are a direct result of the mountainous amount of coverage her case has received. The inequality is appalling, shocking really, and I submit that it must change before this country can ever really consider itself racially progressive.

I should state emphatically that it is a tragedy whenever anyone is abducted – black, white, green, or fuschia. But it is equally tragic when a nation like this one so openly devalues one segment of its population so blatantly. I plan to watch the coverage of this story VERY closely, and hold the media accountable for not giving this young woman the same chance to be found, and for not giving her family the same chance at closure that Natalee Holloway’s and Laci Petersen’s families got. It’s only fair, and if the media can’t be fair about something like this, then hell, what can they be fair about?

Today’s video of the day comes from an attendee of the “Countdown to Change Rally” held here in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georga World Congress Center on September 20th!

The rally was amazing. Hundreds and hundreds of Obama supporters, the media, campaign workers, and of course the Secret Service all crammed into one of the open meeting arenas at the GWCC to see the man himself, and he did not disappoint!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O34TZtJB3f4]

Thanks to the magic of YouTube, cell phone video, teeny-tiny hand-held camcorders and the Internet, we can attend any of the Senator’s stump speeches anywhere in the country. I had seen several of the Senator’s speeches in different towns and cities around the country before he came to Atlanta, but I was thrilled to see him in person nonetheless.

His message was familiar; he doesn’t vary very much in his speeches from town to town, but he has a manner of delivery that says “everyone in this audience came here to get to know me on a more personal level, and so get to know me they will”.

I was floored by his easy manner and sense of humor, and utterly overwhelmed by the passion with which he outlined his stance on important issues like the War in Iraq, education for our children, and healthcare. And I giggled my head off as he recounted yet again the story of traveling for miles in inclement weather with a backache and a bad attitude only to find 20 people in attendance at a town hall meeting. He’d promised the congresswoman representing the area that he would attend if he could gain her endorsement.

The story of the old woman he met there, and the chant she used to get the crowd “fired up” got Atlanta fired up as well, and me along with them. Watching the Senator speak to so many of the people that I see and work with on a daily basis on different campaign activities, watching the genuine admiration for him on the faces of the crowd was like the shot in the arm I needed to kick it up a notch – Senator Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States, if Black Women for Obama has anything to do with it, and have something to do with it, we will!

Join the revolution – let’s go change the world! 

By Patricia Wilson-Smith 

If by now, you still need a reason for why I started BWFO, you need look no further than  the man who was once considered one of the most important black leaders in this country – Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Earlier this week, Reverend Jackson, a self-proclaimed Obama supporter, let slip during a 45-minute one on one interview with a reporter from South Carolina’s “The State” newspaper, that in not responding more strongly to the now well known “Jena 6″ case in Lousiana, Senator Obama was “acting like he’s white”. 

I shuddered when I heard this too. I’ll take a moment and let your shudder die down – it’ll be tough though, because it comes in waves doesn’t it?

Yes it does. So as a proud member of Black Women for Obama, and a sworn defender of the Senator, I have to respond. The problem is, when I think about Jesse Jackson’s latest shenanigans, the only thing that comes to my mind is – why? Why is it so easy for a man like Jesse Jackson to let such toxic words fall from his mouth about a man who is our first real hope for a President who, well, isn’t white, and who has done more than what’s necessarily required of him to denounce the horrible situation in Jena, Lousiana?

I’m tempted to end my musings here with a “beats the heck outta me”, and a “thank you and goodnite”, but I can’t, because I’m genuinely puzzled. I’m confused, and yet strangely fascinated by what could have possibly motivated Jesse Jackson to say such a thing. So I am here tonight to offer up some possible theories. I welcome yours (clear throat).

Theory # 1: Jesse Jackson is the king of the political “player haters”; perhaps he simply can’t stand to see another African American man get so close to something that was so unattainable for him. Sounds plausible,  but then the man did endorse Senator Obama back in March of this year, so though it’s theory number one, it’s not the strongest.

Theory # 2: He’s a secret agent and under-cover attack dog for the Clintons. This theory has legs, my friends. Jesse Jackson has been a close personal friend of the Clinton’s for years. What if – just work with me for a moment – the Clinton campaign secretly hired Reverend Jackson to pretend to be an endorser of Senator Obama’s, in order to get information about the inner workings of his campaign? And worse yet, what if he was really engaged by the Clintons to spout off at the mouth about the slightest gaffe the Senator might make, in order to bolster support for the Clintons with blacks? I mean THINK ABOUT IT – there are still dyed-in-the-wool Jackson supporters out there who think the man’s mouth is a prayer book. I’m just sayin’.

Theory # 3: The real Jesse Jackson was abducted years ago by alien life forms, who cruelly left us stuck with a talking and remarkably human-like Jesse Jackson doll with a bad micro-chip. Hmmmm. 

Theory # 4: (And the more likely theory) Foot-in-Mouth-Syndrome. The glare of the national spotlight, and a tendency to deal with all issues in a trigger-happy, speak-then-think way has once again cast a gloomy cloud over Jesse Jackson’s presumably well-intentioned rainbow.

I mean, are we really surprised? Has Jesse Jackson exactly shown himself to be careful in speech, thought, or action in the past? [Insert resounding 'hell no' here]. This is the same man who made the ‘Hymietown’ remark during a time when he himself was actively campaigning for President. The same man who carried on an extramarital affair while at the same time serving as ‘spiritual counselor’ to President Clinton during the Monica Lewinski debacle. The same man who once said he was ‘sick and tired of hearing about the Holocaust’. Geesh - Jesse Jackson is a member of the foot-in-mouth Hall of Fame.

Don’t get me wrong, peeps. Jesse Jackson has also done plenty of good work, and has been a tireless stalwart for the black community since the days of the Civil Rights Movement, though it’s been hard to miss the fact that some of his actions over the last several years have seemed more like opportunities to increase his personal visibility and net worth than genuine attempts at working to change the black condition in this country.

That’s what’s so dangerous about his careless remarks – when a man who in almost all other ways, claims to have the best interests of the down-trodden minorities in this country at heart, goes and spouts off at the mouth about anything anytime he wants, it lends credence to the idea that many have that he’s really only ever trying to draw more attention to himself. And in taking his little jab at the Senator, he unknowingly crossed the line from plain old diarrhea of the mouth, to committing what in my mind will go down in history as one of the classic goofs of all time.

See, what-had-happened-was, after Jesse made his little remark, the Obama Campaign disclosed that the Reverend’s very own son, Jesse Jackson Jr., had actually advised the Senator (in part) on what his official response to the Jena 6 case and the trial should be  (no – you understood correctly, but go back and read it again if you need to). Yes! It’s true! Our friend Reverend Jackson:

• Inserted himself into the limelight surrounding the Jena 6 case, once again squeezing out a spot in the national spotlight for himself while…
• The Obama Campaign looked to the Jr. Jesse Jackson to help Senator Obama craft an official stance on the Jena 6 case, just in time for…
• Big Daddy Jackson to carelessly tell a reporter that in delivering the very same response that his son helped come up with, Senator Obama was ‘acting too white’.

Too funny. So in essence, Jesse Jackson Sr. thinks Jesse Jackson Jr. acts too white, and what we really have here is a private family matter between a father disillusioned by his son’s sense of his own racial identity, and a son who clearly doesn’t call his Dad on the weekends to tell him how he spends his work week.

My suggestion to Mr. Jackson is that he lay down his weapon (his big mouth), take a deep breath, and figure out how he can keep from destroying any legacy he might have left from his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. He would do well to start by not attacking the one man who in all his actions and deeds has proven that he has the best interest of all people at heart, especially African Americans and those who are disenfranchised, or have been forgotten by modern day politicians and their heartless brand of politics.  He would do well to end by somehow choking back the urge now and forever more to belittle anyone’s actions by saying they’re acting ‘too white’. What the hell does that mean, anyway?

Finally, my fervent wish for Jesse Jackson is that he find a clue at the end of one of his rainbows and drag his politically, socially dated butt into the new millenium and find a way to help deal with this nation’s problems in the context of the new realities in which we find ourselves – one where people no longer refer to others as ‘too black’ or ‘too white’, and one where a black man can really become President of these United States, and is not relegated to just running on a national platform aimed at bolstering his street cred and eliciting the blind faith of black men, women and children in communities nationwide who deserve better. I’m just sayin’.

“I’m starting with the [m]an in the mirror”
 ~ Michael Jackson ~

“It’s to make the world of opera popular. I think it’s the certain way to give back what God gave to me — the only way [to] please as many people as possible.”�
 ~ Luciano Pavarotti ~

 By Talibah Modupe 

When the chair of my newly-formed writing group suggested that we think of ways to make the world a better place, I immediately thought of Michael Jackson’s song, “Man in the Mirror” and more recently, after the passing of one of my favorite opera singers, Luciano Pavarotti’s statement above.  Both used their God-given talents to help spread joy through completely different musical forms.  While it’s true, I cannot carry a tune, I began thinking of various ways that I could lend my talents for the betterment of society.

I have generously contributed moneys to Save Darfur, Susan B Komen Cure for Breast Cancer, NAACP, Senator Barack Obama’s Campaign, Representative John Lewis, UNICEF, Amnesty International, Habitat for Humanities, Samaritan House, Hosea Feed the Hungry, Save the Children, Women to Women, American Red Cross, Hurricane Katrina Fund and UNCF.  You name it; I’ve just about given to that organization.  Not only that, I’ve solicited my immediate family in helping to build several houses for Habitat for Humanities and planted trees and flowers, painted boys and girls restrooms all over the city through Hands on Atlanta.  While residing in Dallas, I tutored children through the I Have A Dream Program.  This is not bragging  this is commitment to causes I truly believe in.

For the past two years, I have participated with “Everybody Wins” at Cook Elementary.  And yes, it feels good knowing that I’ve made a difference in someone’s life.  Nevertheless, I can’t rest on past activities.  I’m constantly searching for new ways to assist others and strongly encourage others to give of their money and time.

Three weeks ago, I met an interesting White, proud lesbian female at an Obama get-together.  She stated that she lived in Acworth and since displaying her Obama bumper sticker, her car had been repeatedly keyed and her tires flattened.  At first, I found it hard to believe that folks would actually go to such measures, but the next day, while attending a 6-year-old’s football game in Loganville, my rear left tire was slashed.  It later dawned on me the conversation I’d had with this remarkable and brave woman.  Someone even suggested that I might remove the bumper sticker for safety’s sake.  Not!  I strongly believe that both Senator Obama and I are committed to a greater cause and that criminal behavior will not impede our ability to continue our efforts in getting the best person elected as our next president!  Fortunately, there have not been more incidences.

Watch the news channels on any given day and you will soon discover that at the top of the news is crime.  In particular, senseless black-on-black crime.  In the morning when you turn on the television, the reporter (on any given channel) will start with, “Over night shooting,” or “Breaking news. . . teenage killing!”  And, it’s not getting any better.  Just today while riding the elevator to a meeting, one of the building security guards sadly informed me that he was robbed at gunpoint while wearing his uniform.  Talk about reckless disregard!  No one is safe!

I could go on and on about the various ills in our community, but I would like to focus my attention on solutions.  Money is only one cure.  We have to get out of our comfort zones and get involved in our communities.  We have to devote at least a few hours each week going to schools in various neighborhoods and assisting teachers.  They can only do so much.  Some of us might not be parents but our nation’s youth are all our children.  If you do not like being around children, why not stop by local nursing homes or hospitals and offer your services?  I promise you, you will feel differently in the end. 

Lastly, let’s register to vote and hold politicians accountable.  Yes, Bush stole the last two elections but we do not have to let it happen again.  In speaking with others, it is evident that we’ve become so departed and detached from politics; however, I have gained a clearer perspective of my role in making this a better world and encourage others to get involved.  The Internet is a powerful tool!  Check out where each candidate stands on various issues.  Don’t just vote for a particular party or decide that you like Hilary because of Bill.  Her rationale and views could be very different.

My six-year-old grandson and other children are counting on us to make a positive difference in their lives.  We owe it to them.  Who knows, he just might be the president of his generation.  Let’s all get involved in some form or another.

Today’s video of the day is fairly unremarkable, until you look closely.

This past weekend  in Iowa, about 500 supporters of the Senators were captured marching and chanting “O-o-o-Obama, O-o-Barack Obama!” as they entered the Harkin Steak Fry grounds in Indianola, Iowa:

 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOWCZhYCPvM]

If you can get pass the less than stellar attempts at rhythm from some of the crowd, and the fuzzy images, you see something really beautiful – a crowd of excited, fired up Americans of all ages and races, wildy waving signs, and chanting their support of the man who is destined to make a change in our nation.

It’s the sheer voracity of the ordinary citizen for the kind of change that Senator Obama promises that forms the very foundation of his push towards the White House. Everyday, I speak to someone new who like me, has never had enough of an interest in the outcome of an election to become actively involved; like me, they sat on the sidelines, honestly feeling as though their voice had no reach, and that the political process was so far outside the realm of their every day lives that it was pointless to even consider getting involved.

But the movement that is the Obama campaign has taught me and many others differently. It’s taught me that even my small voice can make a booming sound, as evidenced by the fact that today, Black Women for Obama formed its 11th formal chapter in the state of Washington. A fire ball by the name of Tameka Bellard stepped up to take charge of sparking the movement for change in the name of BWFO in Washington State, ready to roll up her sleeves and dive into the fray absent any formal knowledge or background in politics. She’s the bomb!

And so, what is most remarkable about today’s video is that it shows ordinary people, marching and yelling, and dancing in celebration of the joy of believing enough in a leader for once to be willing to, well, march, yell, and dance! Me, I’ll do that and then some -I’ll spread the word to everyone that’ll listen, because the thought of an administration free of the shackles of catastrophic policy mistakes, past scandals, and politics as usual is a message worth spreading. O-o-o-Obama!

Wow.

Every once in a while, something I write actually gets someone’s attention; occassionally, I even hear from someone who either totally agrees with me, or thinks I’m a raving lunatic. Some people agree with me but still think I’m a lunatic.

I have to say, however, that I was not prepared for the response I received to the “The Bill Factor” piece that appeared on the site a few days ago. So, in the spirit of fair play, and pausing for thought, I decided to share some of those responses with you, my faithful readers. So here it is, unedited, for your enjoyment!

Response #1

Patricia–

Yours is a well-expressed summation of the “Bill” factor in our community.  Sure, I, too, voted for Bill–twice.  I appreciated his closeness to our community, his comfort level with our people.  We would hope that all presidents would be able to comfortably form relationships with people regardless of their race, culture, religion.  We need leaders who can claim friends from all socio-economic groups.  But you are right in pointing out that voting decisions must consider other factors.  After all, Bush also has a lot of friends who are black, Hispanic, female, etc.  Charisma aside, there are many things President Clinton did–as the leader of the Democratic Party–that I, as a progressive, did not appreciate.  For examples–1.  He took the party to the CENTER in an attempt to appear more REPUBLICAN fiscally.  By doing so, he alienated the heart and soul, the pulse, the lifeblood of the Democratic Party–the Progressives–those frequently unkempt activists, labor organizers, blue-collar working people–many of whom fled to the Green Party & became unavailable when Gore’s time to bat appeared.  Welfare reform would have been a better idea if Clinton had had a plan for employing all the people who lost benefits so abruptly.  But at the time, it was more important for him to be seen destroying the program so as not to be accused of being a tax&spend LIBERAL.  He regrets this now–he has publicly admitted the error of this tactic–but the damage was done, and because of it George Dubya Bush won the White House.

2.  In this same vein, he “cleansed” the party of the left/progressives and brought in his Hollywood “Golden Girls” buddies to produce & script the convention so that it looked like the Academy Awards instead of our beloved, customarily rowdy Democratic Convention.  Everybody had to stay on message, and no one could admit being a Liberal.  (Remember? They were so afraid Jesse Jackson was going to say something radical like “We Shall Overcome.”) This was definitely not cool.

3.  Personally, I liked Jocelyn Elders, his first surgeon general, whom Billary coldly dumped after she advised young people to use birth control if they were having sex.  I also liked Lani Guinier–the first black woman to achieve tenure in Harvard’s Law School.  Billary dumped her from the nomination to Attorney General for Civil Rights after Republicans derided her  as the “quota queen.”  Remember that?  A scholar, she had researched how political districts are formed in this country and how redistricting more times than not disenfranchised minority voters.  She had developed a correction for this imbalance, which infuriated the likes of Jesse Helms.  Puh-lease!  This is a post that Clarence Thomas, our current Supreme Court Justice (aka Anita Hill dog) held for years.  Billary caved.

But, as Marshall Ganz reminded us, people vote on an emotional level most of the time.  I’ve often tried to remind people of these facts, only to be told–”well, I liked the way she stood by her man.” 

As we begin engaging voters on behalf of Barack Obama, I would follow his lead and show them he is not taking their votes granted, or expecting them to vote for him because he is cute or black or white or Christian or male or female.  He wants to know how he, as President, can help them improve the quality of their lives and he wants everyone who is working on his behalf to ask the voter for his or her support. 

I don’t know what you are finding, but I’m finding that Obama supporters are the first ones out of the gate and on the neighbor’s front porch, ringing the bell.  I don’t see any Billary workers anywhere in the communities asking voters for anything.  Come election day, they may remember that.

Right on!

T. McDonald

P.S. And yes, if all else fails, I, too, suggest that we can’t bring back the past by electing relatives or family members to the same office; job skills are not transferable based on family or marital ties.  What better example of this than Dubya?  I mean, geez, folks, would you ask the spouse of your surgeon to operate on you if that surgeon died? 

Response #2

Bravo for your letter-as far as I am concerned, Hillary is just not skeptical enough-namely that she she failed to question two really important statements -the first being ‘I did not have sex with that woman’, that secured the presidency for the Republicans and, of course, failing to even read the documents and question the Bush administration’s push for war against Iraq-plunging us into a disastrous and costly war. To say nothing of the mess she made of the health care reform issue. Having dealt with insurance issues related to my son’s cancer and his relapse for the past five years, I can only say, if this is the wonk solution, it is ill-conceived and not humane.I believe that Senator Obama is the only candidate who can heal this country and bring us together. Hillary does not have a prayer of doing that-not a prayer! Thanks for speaking out and helping develop a dialogue for the rest of us to respond to those who prefer Billary!

Sharon

Response #3

I enjoyed reading this very interesting article and concur that Sen. Barack Obama is the best candidate to be president of the United States at this juncture in Amercan history.  Clearly, his victory would be a defining bench mark for the future.However, there are some lacunae in the analysis.  First of all, as the author mentioned, Sen. Hillary Clinton is also presidential timber.  In my view, to evaluate her candidacy through the prism of her husband Bill is to give her unwarranted short shrift.It may come as a surprise to some that winning the presidency requires more that getting the black vote.   First of all, the black community is by no way monolithic in spite of its propensity to vote for Democratic candididates, as it should given Republican virtual disdain for the black population.

Now, candidates need to appeal to a cross section of voters beyond sectariam, religious, gender, and racial lines. This approach is sensible and practical.  Failure to do so will lead to disaster for Obama at the polls.  Frankly, Obama’s mettle will not be assessed by his affinity to black voters but more on his ability to promote and effectuate change from which the entire citizenry will benefit.

  This notion of a zero-sum game is antiquated and not useful in the times in which we now live.   Further, America’s prestige abroad will not necessarily be enhanced by the fact of him being a black president.  Obama must show that he’s capable of handling domestic issues as well and international schisms which if left unresolved can threaten the interests and security of the United States.

Obama ‘s negritude is a given.  However, he must demonstate that he’s sufficiently attuned to the difficulties facing some segments of the black community.  But as president, his preoccupation should be focused across the national spectrum and be pragmatic. Symbolism is not enough.  If he engages in gender and racial politics his chances of winning the presidency will be diminished.

 This outcome would be a disaster for an eminently qualified candidate.  As president Obama has to become a statesman and less of a parochial political figure in the trenches.  Leadership and vision are key attributes, and he has them.  He need not resort to divisiveness to garner votes.  He should follow his natural instincts born of his unique experience and promote inclusiveness.

 Earle

AkinScribe 5 does it again!

Today’s ‘Obama Video of the Day’ comes from that talented YouTube-r ‘AkinScribe5′, and it came to BWFO just in time…

Just this week, I had a conversation with three of my very intelligent, very enlightened colleagues – they shall go nameless of course.

It was really more of a friendly debate, two against two – two arguing that Senator Obama is electable and worthy of the presidency, and  two arguing that the Hillster is the better candidate. I’m fairly certain I don’t have to tell you which side I fell on (stupid grin).

The real fireworks started when one of the ladies remarked that one of the ‘real’ reasons she didn’t want to see the Senator elected is because ‘they gon’ kill him, and I just couldn’t stand to see that!’ Sigh.

I cannot begin to tell you how many times I’ve heard that from black women and a few men as I’ve worked with BWFO. Obviously, in light of our history in this country and what we’ve had to endure at the hands of racists, their concerns are understandable; I’ve allowed myself to think the same thoughts at times, and undoubtedly, Michelle Obama has had the thought run through her mind a time or two. Ironically, the very next day after my conversation with my colleagues, I stumbled upon AkinScribe5′s latest Obama video – watch it for yourself:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZPm0jyBeEU]

An amazing coincidence? Maybe not. Maybe the Lord God at work. Out of Michelle Obama’s own mouth - she refuses to allow thoughts of losing her husband sway her from doing what she knows in her heart is best for the country. She gave her consent to the Senator to throw his hat in the ring for the presidency because as she put it, she was ‘tired of living in fear’.

There is no better way to say it – my job is done here, except to say that we could and should learn a lot from this strong black woman. It is so easy for us in our lives in general to let fear prevent us from taking the steps to do more, be more, and give more. Michelle Obama is making the ultimate sacrifice of her time, her family’s quality of life, and yes, her peace of mind, in light of the fact that there is a very real danger that some lunatic will try and hurt her husband. But as I watched her in this video, I saw visions of Coretta Scott-King, the wife of Medgar Evars, Winnie Mandella, and the host of other remarkable black women around the world who knew with out doubt, even if not without fear, that the cause to which their husbands were called was greater than that fear, greater than their hopes, and greater even than their simple dreams of a long life with their spouses. And because she has given so much to the cause of moving this nation in a better direction, it means that no matter what happens this next election year, Michelle Obama is my hero for life, and another shining example for the young black women in this nation to live by.

So to my colleagues I say, suggesting that we should allow fear to prevent us from doing everything in our power to elect Senator Obama, is like saying that we would some how undo the entire civil rights movement itself if we could only get Martin Luther King Jr. back. The idea is ludicrous and counter-productive; I don’t believe either man would even entertain the thought, and most remarkably, neither would their wives. So as black women, it is time for us to beat down our fears like they owe us child support, and wrap ourselves in the hope of a better future for our families, our communities, and our nation. It’s the only way that change will come, and isn’t that what it’s all about?

By Earle Scarlett 

In Selma last Sunday, the bishop of the historic Brown Chapel: African Methodist Episcopal Church  exhorted from the pulpit – “show me a JFK and I’ll show you a Barack Obama.”  Here, the bishop asserted, is a man of  “character, courage, competence, and compassion”.  The church was bursting at the seams, the audience was energized, and his words resonated.

Can the zestful Senator Obama live up to this billing and translate his vision of the “audacity of hope” into political victory?   Can he transform the “possible” into the “probable”, and ultimately into reality?  The answer is simply, yes.

The caveat, of course, is he must remember that the road to the White House is full of obstacles, — some natural, and some fabricated and stealthily placed to trip him up.  And he is already aware that it is a marathon race that requires grit and tenacity to successfully traverse the politically rocky and sometimes virgin terrain.  

I am confident that Obama’s core values will undergird his perspectives on domestic, national security and foreign policy issues.  Intrepid and compassionate, one can reasonably expect that he will wisely examine contending views on important policy issues.  In handling them analytically, he will exhibit a refreshing and flexible leadership style grounded in integrity and competence.

Obama’s detractors on both sides of the political aisle contend that he is inexperienced, saying “this is not the time for on-the-job training”.  This facile commentary is either due to  ignorance of historical examples or inelegant political maneuvering. 

History is replete with individuals who possessed leadership skills that propelled them to success as stewards of organizations in all sectors of society.  Frankly, what we need urgently is a President with a keen mind, vision, and an unswerving commitment to deliver.  In these uncertain times, we deserve a decision-maker who can synthesize verifiable empirical evidence and sound advice, and has foresight.  

At a minimum, timely policy implementation requires a capable and energetic cabinet, and an executive that respects constitutional principles and legislative and judicial prerogatives and poised to consult with leaders of all sectors and regions of the country.  An understanding of the needs of the American people and compassion for the less fortunate are imperative.

Obama’s record gives us hope.  It displays energy, initiative, and foresight, — key elements of his biblical metaphor of “Joshua”.   As he aptly put it in Selma, the civil rights leaders, on whose shoulders he stands, were the Moses of the time parting the waters to escape bondage.  Now the “Joshua” generation must carry the torch for a brighter future for America.  This will help eradicate the vestiges of antediluvian thinking in American society.  And the denouement will be a stronger America with the fabric of society knitted in a  common cause to confront unprecedented challeges to our national security.  In essence, this biblical reference is a clarion call for unity.

Some say Obama’s knowledge of foreign policy issues is scant.  So far, his pronouncements and voting record on key issues, for example the Middle East and the Iraq imbroglio and on humanitatrian issues in Africa, are on the mark.  True, he is yet to be tested on broader foreign affairs matters.  However, he won’t be President for almost another two years so undoubtedly by then he will have become substantially conversant with them.

Allegations that he does not understand the African American experience are preposterous.  The rapport and enthusiasm bestowed on him in Selma on Sunday reassured me that the assertions revealed a profound misunderstanding of the African American voter.  For the majority of that community he is certainly on the right side of most political issues that affect them directly, as are some of the other Democratic candidates.   Obama further endeared himself to the civil rights community, when he stated forthrightly that he stood on their shoulders.  His call for moral clarity and purpose was universal.  His earnest appeal that American youth be encouraged to pursue excellence struck a resonant chord. 

Obama exudes the inspirational qualities and promise of JFK.  Obama’s chances of success are growing and it will be good for America.  It will be a palpable example of the American promise realized.  And under his leadership the country will be revitalized and the international community will readily accept a refreshing approach to the conduct of international relations.  Clearly, our adversaries overseas will recognize he is a problem- solver with a firm hand, especially on national security.

Obama’s victory will augur well for the US and the world.  And then the US we will have made the irrevocable step crossing the proverbial Rubicon, (in this case the Alabama River), and by extension the country and world will benefit.  (Irish Nobel Prize winner John Hume told me he drew inspiration from the 1965  “Bloody Sunday” incident in Selma).  All things are possible, Oh Sweet O’Bama.

Earle Scarlett is a retired US Foreign Service Officer who lives in Atlanta and teaches part-time international affairs and diplomacy at the University of Bologna, Italy.  He was present in Selma on Sunday and with his wife joined the march across the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge.