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One Nation Under God
Racism and President Obama
By Snikpooh

November 4, 2008 will forever be a historic date. The United States of America elected Barack Obama to the highest office achievable, President. On January 20, 2009 the first African American in US history will become our President, the key word here being 'our'. We are one nation with one President and yet there are people so unhappy with this election that they refuse to acknowledge that he is their President.

His election was not marginal; he won 364 electoral votes to John McCain's 162. He did not steal the election, cheat, or win by a chad; he won because the majority of U.S. citizens saw a need for change and exercised their right to vote. He won because we are a nation that has matured and learned to accept all people. Or so it seemed.

The Associated Press has reported that since the morning of November 5th, 2008, race crimes and threats against President Elect Obama have been rampant from coast to coast. A native Georgian expressed his belief that the nation was ruined; four students at North Carolina State University admitted writing anti-Obama sentiments on a wall, including "lets shoot that (N-word) in the head"; in Standish, Maine, there is a pool accepting bets on when the President-Elect will be assassinated ("Election spurs hundreds of race threats, crimes" Jesse Washington, AP National). All across the country there are reports of cross burnings and nooses being hung from trees. Office that were a full of chatter about the election are suddenly quieted - if you are an Obama supporter you have learned quickly to remain silent in the face of employers who are not.

Not all of those who are against Mr. Obama as President are racially motivated. Some don't believe he has the experience to be President and some are motivated by their Christian beliefs and the abortion issue is their motivating factor. However, all who are against his Presidency are against it steadfast, with no middle ground. These are the people who will be responsible for a country divided.

When President-Elect Obama takes office in January, he will begin his term with a nation that is in an economic recession, a war that has gone on for too long, an energy crisis and scores of other pressing issues. Now, he will also be the Commander in Chief of a nation divided. We as a nation need to come together and support our President, keep our country united. We are one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Learn more about this author, Sharon Chapman.
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