by Anita Gillespie

Created on: November 05, 2008

Am I proud to have an African American President Elect? Not near as proud as I would be to have an AMERICAN President that happens to have ancestry from Africa. If race was not an issue in this election, I believe things would have turned out very differently. This is the first time that a non-Caucasian male had made it so far in the elections. This automatically brought attention from people that never really concerned themselves with the election process. This is a good thing. However, the novelty of this position automatically placed Obama in the forefront of everyone's attention. People wanted to hear what this man had to say. Even the staunchest bi-partisan media sources seemed to have difficulty applying equal time to the main contenders for the presidency.

What if their races had been reversed? How many of the financial backers that supported Obama would have instead been buffing and polishing McCain? Many people do not seem to be aware of the real issues that have been supported by these contenders. For example, when I talk to people at the grocery store, I do not find people who are strong proponents for third trimester abortion. Yet, a majority of these people apparently voted for Obama. The only phrase many heard was one of "change", a phrase that was used by McCain first. Unfortunately, more people were already listening to the media storm created around Obama. When Obama picked up the phrase and sugar coated it with a young, winning smile, the combination carried the day.

All of these questions are now moot. What happens next is what scares me more than anything. When it comes to his race, Obama does not frighten me. It is the American Media that has me holding tight to my family. There have already been attempts on Obama. Unfortunately, it is not surprising. I am certain that every one of our previous forty three presidents have had some radical group that did not want them in office. However, how will the media react if their golden boy is assassinated? The golden boy that just happens to be racially different than any of the previous presidents. No matter who or how it transpires, if someone even injures the President Elect, I am afraid that the American Media will exploit any taint of racial motivation possible. During this delicate time of financial unrest and economic instability, a racial cinder could create a firestorm that may very well destroy the few foundations we have left.

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