Dear Editor,
I wish to refer to Geralda Dennison’s letter titled “Some way to go before America accepts ‘person of colour’ as President.” Which America is Ms. Dennison talking about? It sure can’t be the America that just elected Barack Obama the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party.
Why didn’t this theory that the US is not ready for a black president manifest itself during the Democratic primaries? Why did all those white Americans vote for Obama over the past couple of months?
Was it some conspiracy by white Americans (if it were, they were certainly stealthy about it) to give a coloured person a chance at the Presidential contest, but then somehow abandon him come November because they are not ready for such a revolutionary development?
Obama won primarily because Americans of all types were inspired by his optimism and promise of a better America (and world) tomorrow. He won also because of his superior on-the-ground campaign organization; which saw him raking in unprecedented campaign funds and attracting larger voter turnout than years past.
Or was this just a conspiracy or mirage for who knows whatever reason?
I remember when Obama had won twelve straight contests, Ms. Dennison wrote that Hillary had an ace up her sleeve and that she (Ms.Dennison) was still cynical of an Obama victory.
Now that he has won the primaries, her cynicism has been transferred to the general election. This is totally understandable. This is uncharted territory.
However, the America of the past is changing at a rapid pace and a lot has to do with cultural influences and the proliferation and advancement of technology.
When you look at the landscape of cultural icons and role models for all young Americans, whether it is music, sports, politics, television, military, etc.. you see most of it being dominated and led by persons of colour. This has had a huge impact on reversing racism in America. You cannot ask a young white American to be racist when most of his heroes are black.
Oprah Winfrey should have raised red flags that Americans are willing to follow the lead of a black person.
Her show has consistently been the highest rated among white females and anything Oprah endorses or recommends instantly becomes a best-seller. Another sign that things were changing is the domination of hip hop/rap music on the Billboard charts (whose strength is determined by sales figures).
There are many more examples that space doesn’t permit me to mention.
Those warnings that were on the wall, coupled with Obama’s personality and soaring oratory, convinced me in December 2007 that he was going to become the next President of the US.
Yours faithfully,
Clinton Urling
