Recently I've been hearing and seeing a lot of talk about racism. I've heard Obama supporters accuse McCain supporters, unfairly, of being racist, and I've seen some McCain supporters say the same of Obama supporters. I'd like to explain a little about racism, and my thoughts on it. First off, let us begin with a definition of racism provided by dictionary.com.
rac·ism /ˈreɪsɪzəm/ [rey-siz-uhm] –noun
1.a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2.a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3.hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
So, according to this definition, racism is the intolerance of any other race because you feel that your race is superior. As far as I can see, according to this definition, not supporting a man who isn't even entirely black because you don't agree with his views is not racism. However, voting for someone solely because he's partially black and for no reason otherwise can be considered racism, not towards him, but towards every other race.
Trust me when I say this, there are some prejudiced people out there who will most likely not be voting for one candidate over the other only because of the color of their skin. But also trust me when I say this, based on those people, do not judge everyone else. There are many people who refuse to vote for Obama because they feel as I do. They feel he is just wrong for the country, not ready for the task of the presidency and not ready to lead our country through tough times, or easy times. The presidency is like marriage in my eyes, you need to stick with the United States in sickness and in health, for better and for worse, no matter what people think of you or your country, because the only thing that matters is that your people are happy. The rest of the world is irrelevant. I don't think Obama is ready for this marriage of himself and his country. I don't think his political ideas are all that great either, but right now that's not what I'm focusing on.
Remember, just because someone does not support someone who's skin tone is different than their own, it does not make them a racist. Usually it just means they just don't agree. We don't live in the 1800s, the 1900s, or the 1950s anymore. There are no slaves, no segregation laws, and there should be no more racism. Unfortunately some people, of all races, cannot bring themselves to see this. That, and that alone, depresses me more than anything else I've seen in this election. I've seen people who want to vote for Obama because he is black and they feel America needs a president who isn't white. Please, think before you act. A black president in America would be great, it would show that our country is diverse and willing to accept anyone, but if the man isn't right for the country his race shouldn't be a factor.
Now, with that out of the way let's make something clear. Race is a classification. As far as I can see, people going around trying to stop racism against black skinned people, white skinned people, yellow skinned people, etc, are all misguided. In this country there is no black, white, yellow, red, or anything else, or at least there shouldn't be. There should only be one race. The American race. Not African-American, Caucasian-American, Italian-American, Asian-American, just American. We are all one race of people, and we should start acting like it. When I look at the United States I want to see a melting pot of different skin colors and ethnicities, not a broken up mosaic of people trying to separate themselves because they look different or come from a different heritage. The only way to truly end racism is not to get one group of people to accept another group, it's to get every single group of people to accept that they are the same. That they are all American. And that bond, that one, singular race, should overpower any other race that may exist in this country.
So remember; this November, do not think black or white, think American. Do not think color or heritage, think what's best for the country. We may be black, white, brown, yellow, red, purple, green, blue and orange, but above all of that we are American. Think about who is the best American for the job. Think about who is best for the American race as a whole. Do not worry how the world will judge the U.S, just how YOU will judge the U.S, because in the end that is all that matters. In the end there is no race, there is no color, there is just American.
