by Will D. Curl

Created on: May 03, 2008

Here is the question. Are we at the point in our Nations history where we can look at Barack Obama as a Man running for President of the United States? The answer is NO. When we see
Barack Obama we see a Black Man. Rather we wish to admit it or not our Great Nation is still
haunted by feelings of Racism and Prejudice. It waits eager beneath the surface, ready to

cast its shameful shadow.
When I first watched in doubt as Senator Obama announced his Candidacy I knew he would have
a long road to hoe. First, he is a Black Man. Thats the first thing we see. Second, his
name is Barack Obama. Osama...Obama...give me a break. This guy didn't have a chance. I
counted him out from the start. I was wrong.
I don't think anyone gave Barack much of a chance. Hillary Clinton was the sure favorite.
Obama had other plans. He came out of his corner slugging. He spoke with charm and inspired
the youth of a Nation with a Message of Change. He began to win state after state. Then
it happened. America woke up. This was not a joke anymore. This Black Man was a serious
threat to be our next President. How could this be?
Very quickly it became evident that Barack would not only have to compete against Hillary
Clinton but much, much more. The rumors began to surface. He has a Muslim name, therefore,
he must be so and in conclusion he must be a terrorist. No one came out and said that, of
course not, but they were proposing it. Because after all, are not all Muslims terrorists?
Although most Americans expressed positive anticipation to the possibility of a Black President, the shadow of prejudice was in motion.
Just when it looked like there was nothing that could slow Obama's momentum along came
Rev. Wright. Rev. Wright, Obama's Minister for over twenty years, carried many wounds.
Wounds from a time not so long ago, when prejudice did not stay beneath the surface.
Rev. Wright allowed these wounds to over shadow the person he could have been. He became
a man full of anger and prejudice himself. His sermons were tainted by remarks of hatred.
This radical behavior, if tied to Obama, would cause many of Obama's opposition to foam at the
mouth. It was just what the opposition and the media needed. A Black Man, named Barack
Obama, with a radical minister, he had to be a radical too. Our worse fears were coming
true. The opposition swore their concern was only that he continued to attend the church.
The truth of course is that they wanted him to come out looking like a radical. The media
played it to the hilt. The media by the way, claims Barack did this to himself. They
do not have the power to keep such trash in front of the viewers, even if it does boost ratings. Anyone in the media, including myself, who thinks that the power of the written
word, or the exploitation of an issue constantly in the news, does not affect our viewers
thought pattern, has no right to be in the media.
Hillary Clinton outright lied when she said she was under gun fire during a visit to Bosnia
while First Lady. Period, she lied. Within a few days it was gone. Why, because the media
let it go. Even if the people in America let it go, what does that say. Our concerns about
a Black Man are more vital in our minds. No one wants to play the R-word. I want to believe
we are past that. The reality is, however, it still exists. The world is watching this
election. We stand at a crossroads in our history. If we are to truly call ourselves
Americans, Leaders of the Free World, then we must shed our prejudice and step into the
future. Judge Barack Obama, not on his color, not on his name, but honestly on his content.
Only then can we proclaim Freedom for all.

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