by G.L.F. Gammey

Created on: November 15, 2008

The Turning Point in Our Nation's History

November 4, 2008 and we just elected our first black president. While I did not vote for Barack Obama, I can recognize the huge step America took in electing the man, representing a race that has long been trampled on. The blacks in this country have suffered greatly and are now able to kick off the last of the shackles that once bound them to slavery.

This world has been full of injustice and cruelty toward many different races or ethnic groups. The Jews had the holocaust; the Native Americans had the trail of tears; and the blacks had slavery. No one can judge who suffered greater atrocities nor should any one question the historical evidence surrounding these events.

While many acknowledge that Obama's race was not a factor that kept him from reaching his ultimate goal to become the first black president, I believe that this country is still riddled with racism. When we have to say that we just elected a black president rather than stating that we elected a man that has the qualifications to run this country, we allow racism to live on. Skin color, sex, or ethnic differences should not influence the election in any way.

That being said, I am Cuban on my father's side and Jewish on my mother's side. Therefore, I could not consciously vote for a man that espouses the socialistic view point of taking money from those who earned their wealth and dispersing it to those who did not earn it; the associations he kept with men who preached hatred towards Americans and Jews did not prove to me that the man was worthy of my vote. I know he claimed that these were just associates but he was unclear as to whether he shared their views. It is not impossible to form an acquaintance with some one of a questionable or hate-filled background. However, it is also not impossible to eradicate these associations. For example, I had actually broke off a friendship with some people that were extremely prejudiced against blacks and were involved in some questionable and illegal activities so I know it can be done.

Having had two beautiful daughters, I find it difficult to believe that any one would partake in activities that are immoral, unethical, and based in hatred. The moment you decide to have children, their upbringing should be the most important role a parent plays. How can you tell your children not to hate when those you associate with are full of hateful speech and actions? My great grandmother on my dad's side was black and my great

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