Commentary: Before We Get All Jaded About Obama’s Chances, Can’t We Just Be Happy He Won Iowa?
Date: Monday, January 07, 2008
By: Deborah Mathis, BlackAmericaWeb.com
Obama won Iowa.
In the old days, the black community would be in full celebratory mode -- parties, parades, prayer services, the whole shebang.
But, Friday came and went like any other day, save for the gasps and chatter between friends and among workmates, even though, just hours before, a black man had gone where no black American had before been: The winner’s circle in the first electoral event of a presidential election year.
Maybe we’re still in shock, for Obama not only accomplished the once-upon-a-time inconceivable, but he set precedence in one of the whitest states in the union.
It is clear, however, that some of us are not merely speechless, it’s just that we have nothing nice to say. True to the crab mentality for which we have often been self-accused, the successful black man is being met not with pride, open arms and encouragement, but rather with boiling suspicion and conspiratorial claims.
Some cynics are even saying Obama has been bought off -- paid to run and to win in order to divide and weaken Democrats, allowing the Republicans to sashay back into the White House.
And just how would that work, pray tell? I guess it means the secret godfather behind this scheme must have paid at least 36 percent of Iowa caucus-goers to choose Obama, right, because the whole thing falls apart unless Obama wins.
I know, I know. The pollsters and the media were paid off too, right? They were bribed to be Obama’s booster club and psyched people into supporting him -- is that how it went?
Whoever came up with that one doesn’t understand even the basics of U.S. politics, or economic realities for that matter. More than that, the conspiracy monger belittles a proud and distinguished brother who is nothing if not serious.
There may be black folks who will put all their energy, time, peace of mind and other resources on the line for a year or two in the name of a charade, but there is nothing in the world to suggest that Barack and Michelle Obama are folks like that. He’s in it to win it, he says, and no matter what you think about the wisdom of his candidacy or his chances for winning, you’ve got to at least believe that he sincerely wants to win.
Where the conspiracy buffs may be right is in what they see as the objective of such a game. Indeed there are forces that would love to see Democrats sabotage themselves at the intramural level. About the only thing they’d love more is to see Democrats pull out of the process altogether and just cede the White House to them.
But in what mind-warped world is using the black man to divide the vote drawing more energy than keeping the black man out of the Oval Office?
Yes, of course, you bet; it’s hard to believe that something’s not up when something this phenomenal happens to a black person for the first time in more than 200 years of history. However, every now and then, lightning strikes. Last Thursday night in Iowa was one of those times.
I’m just saying: Before we get all jaded and bored and all, can we just shout one Halleluljah? For old times’ sake?
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jshgrnpa says:
I have read your books, promoted your comments to friends, and always try to listen to your commentaries. Recent
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jshgrnpa says:
for quite some time we have a love afair with the Clintons, and they us. Now we have the audassity
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rubinisk says:
a reference to the episode of "Desigining Women",about Hillary nees to FEMINIZE herself, and then she CRIES on national
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