by Brittany Jones
Race and politics
have always been to correlated topics in the United States in my
opinion. If it isn't the outcry for more people of color to be in
office, it is the constant want and need for representation for
people of color at a higher level. Even when a person of color
obtains a office within politics most times that person is criticized
in a variety of different ways. The prime example of this is the
obvious presidency of President Barack Obama. For starters I have
come across the ever pressing debate of whether or not he is the
“first Black President” many would argue no. This is due to the
fact that he is in fact a biracial person. When President Obama was
elected I came across multiple reactions, and the same is with his
presidency itself and what has taken part within his presidency. In
terms of his election I had a flurry of people who were only
concerned with is race on both ends, either in or not in support.
Those in support voting clearing based off the fact that he would be
considered the first Black President, and those not voting for the
exact reason as well. Then I have heard people question some of his
actions like “Obamacare” because he is half black saying that he
is using this to favor those of color. I think both mindsets are
absolutely ridiculous but not something new.
This has been the mentality of our people from the very beginning of
the US. For this to change we will have to refer back to some of the
suggestions Eduardo Bonilla-Silva gave in Racism Without Racist.
He gave us 5 points in how to
remain “color-blind” in a “post-Obamerica” my favorite, and
one I have believed to be the key, is the idea of moving away from
mainstream ideas of Democracy and questioning things. Don t just go
for what is given to you, question, and progress. The second half I
think of with race and politics in representation, I found an article
in USAToday titled 'Obama
effect' on race in politics: Hope, little change
that
speaks candidly of the rise in people of color post the Obama
Presidency. Its says “Obama's
election has inspired more black candidates to run, but it hasn't
resulted in more African Americans actually winning election to the
Senate, the House and the nation's governorships.” This again to
me goes into affect of people needing to question, why is that there
is a surge in runners, but no winners? I'm sure the answer to
question lies within the question. I found another article called
which kind of gives the opposing side saying that with an upcoming
election this year, 2014, that Democrats are basically pulling the
race card, and throwing racism out there as a way to push voters from
the Republican side. Immigration just so happens to be a perfect
platform to implement this idea. I feel like this is another one of
those issues within race and politics that is arguable and focuses
far too much on race. The article is called Democrats
hark back to the politics of race though
the article is supposed to be in support of Republicans not being
racist, it all falls under racism in my book simply because race is
again the focal point. Which is completely irrelevant to the fact that every day issues go unnoticed, Americans of EVERY color are homeless, sick, unemployed, etc and all our supposed leaders can focus on is each others skin color and how that affects decisions.
http://www.mikhaela.net/2009/03/toon-transcendental.html
http://news.yahoo.com/democrats-hark-back-to-the-politics-of-race-020141291.html
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/01/20/obama-effect/1566482/
No comments:
Post a Comment