2008 Presidential Election: What if Obama Wins?
Categories: Earnest Gates, Featured, Politics and Elections
Written By: Earnest
By Earnest Gates
This is a question that I never hear anyone talk about, but it is a question that needs to be asked. Often times we prepare for failure but don’t do a good job preparing for success.
If Obama wins the election, on January 20, 2009, he will be sworn in as the first African-American President of the United States. Many people all over the world will be overjoyed at this milestone and there will be tears flowing as far as the eye can see.
But…the next day he will take on the burdens of the ENTIRE Black community if we do not begin to talk about what we should do if he wins. The problems that affect the Black community will not go away by using a magic wand.
Poverty will still be an issue. Low academics will still be an issue. Racism and discrimination will still be an issue. We will still need advocates and advocacy organizations. Barack Obama will only be able to do so much, especially if he wants to get re-elected.
So let’s begin to have an open dialogue about what needs to happen now to prepare for an Obama Presidency. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:07 am
Earnest, this presidential election is going to bring forth a whole new electorate. You are right Obama is only going to be able to do so much and to be honest I don’t see him as the change needed in the Black community but I do see his wife being much more of an advocate as potential First Lady. What Black folks need to do this election is pay attention to who is running on the local level. These are going to be the people directly responsible for your day to day life in your area.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:24 am
I am not one who is waiting for Obama to save the black race, it’s not his fight alone he has to fight for all. But if he does become President their are some things people do need to prepare for. I will use myself as an example.
1. File taxes for 08′ and be prepared to file 09′
2. Look into new grants allowing adults to go back to school
3. Hold off on large purchases until his second year to see how interest rates are affected.
4. TRAVEL- Americans won’t be looked at with such disgust because if he is elected no one can say it was because he’s black. Their has been such opposition to his nomination that “they” can’t use affirmative action to sweep this moment under the rug. And people around the world will see progress in the “idea” that black males don’t contain the same mental capacity as whites is changing.
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I’m not sure how to really feel about this election, other than fear. I am not black, but I see what this would do for me if I were. I don’t think that, just because Obama is our first black man to run for presidency, should he be voted for. We need to look at the whole picture and remove all colors. McCain and Obama are not my first choice in a President. Who deserves the position? I only feel McCain should be our next president because of his history and experience. Obama has too many shady parts to his background. I wish there was more time to explore all of his “skeletons”. Either way, we are all part of this country, and hopefully if Obama wins, whites will have their own colleges and organizations that won’t be viewed as being prejudice. It is very hard being white, believe it or not. We don’t receive many benefits and can’t fight it.