Wake Up Black People!

I remember Spike Lee screaming “Wake Up!” at the end of his movie, “Do the Right Thing” when I was a child. I did not understand it then, but I do now and I think we need to wake up now as we move into this election season. The fight for the White House is too important and the stakes too high to blindly check a box at the ballot booth. No longer can we vote one way because it is what we have been conditioned to do or have been taught to do. Look at these candidates; look past their color and look into their message. It is time for us not to be racist. It is time for us to see white people as equal.

THE ALURE OF OBAMA

In 2007, I have to admit, I was intrigued with the thought of having a black president. Not for myself so much, but for the world. At the time I was not sure of my perception of government, but I knew McCain would not be a good fit for President. My thought was a black president would do much for easing relations with the world and we would be seen as a progressive society to elect a minority as a leader in our short history.

It was amazing when he won; as if oppression was abolished and equality rang out from his swearing in. But this should have also been a call to action for black people because now there were no more obstacles. We could not hide behind the “white man holding us back” excuse. A black man was president; there was no higher position in America.

It was quickly evident President Obama would not be able to keep many of the promises he communicated during his campaign. Spending and taxes have both increased along with the size of government. Is this the America we were promised? Is this the American envisioned when it was established? What is more alarming is the silence of Black people when it comes to Barak Obama’s failure as President and the continued support of his failed administration.

WE ARE THE TWELVE PERCENT

Pride, I feel, keeps more black people from voicing their true opinion of President Obama. He has no sense of humility to say he is wrong. He would rather lead this country off of a cliff while promising salvation at the bottom. Why do we continue to follow him? Because he is Black? Because we elected him? News Flash: Black people only make up twelve percent of the population in the United States. To date, no president has EVER won an election with twelve percent of the vote.

The Democrats also know we are the twelve percent. Latinos make up sixteen percent of Americans. Pretty soon it won’t be the “Black Vote” you hear tossed around in political circles; it will be the “Brown vote.” Soon, issues that affect blacks will take a back seat to Latino issues. The Democrats that claim they love you and are looking out for you will drop you like a day old newspaper. The ONLY reason it has not happened already is Latinos and illegal aliens are other political hot topics. Once there is a resolution universally accepted to the issue of illegal immigrants; black people will no longer be the twinkle in a Democrat’s eye. There will be a bigger, cheaper, better people that will have a larger voice and want less in return.

HOW WE WILL BE REMEMBERED

 This election can send a message to Democrats and Republicans that we are more than one voice; more than one vote. We cannot all be pooled into one category. We are individuals. We are independent Black Americans and we can be Democrat, Republican or Independent. We can no longer vote “Just Cuz.” Just because he is a Democrat. Just because he is black. Just because I am black. No more….. WAKE UP!

References

US Census Bureau (2012). State and County Quick Facts. Retrieved from,

                http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html