Comments on: In which I’m no prophet

By: Adrienne

Adrienne — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:19:40 +0000

So happy he won. It felt amazing to color in the circle next to his name on the ticket. Good post!

By: HeatherC

HeatherC — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:03:25 +0000

Great post, Eric. Ever since Tuesday night I haven’t been able to stop smiling

By: Cassie

Cassie — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:32:25 +0000

It disturbs me that so many are ready to signal the end of racism in America simply because Obama was elected. Racism is not dead. While Obama�s election as our next President transcended race and will itself will help to heal some deep-seated racial wounds, we still have so far to go. We are all right to feel inspired and proud of America (and to pat ourselves on the back for looking beyond the race of an extremely talented, poised and intelligent candidate), but we should also guard against complacency. Obama made it easy for us to love him. He is special. But subtle forms of racism still affect regular folks, who are not nearly as golden-tongued, compelling and visible as President-elect Obama.

Dave Hill said it better than I:

“Hopes that Barack Obama’s win means defeat for racism are both legitimate and na�ve. Their legitimacy derives from the most basic observation of history: no “brown-eyed handsome man” of the type Chuck Berry described could have occupied the White House in the age when he wrote that piece of rock ‘n’ roll code. Their naivety lies in the exaggerated significance invested in stars – of politics or anything else � and assigned to the slow rise of a black middle class. But while Obama’s win doesn’t mean that race is as dead issue as deniers of racism would like us to think, he’s already helped us imagine what a post-racist society might be like. ”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/nov/08/race-usa

By: Savvy Veteran

Savvy Veteran — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 05:47:47 +0000

Asur, I indeed saw that and felt that it was one of the best episodes of the last three seasons.

By: Asur

Asur — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:01:25 +0000

I voted for McCain, I think a little Arizona pride played into my choice, but in the end I’m not disappointed. For about the past 3 years (that’s about how long campaigning was going on for right?) I’ve always been of the mind set that no matter who wins there isn’t going to be some trageic, sudden, paradigm shift for better or worse.

While we’re on the topic did anyone catch the South Park that showed Obama and McCain as Ocean 11-ish diamond theives who only ran so they could steal the Hope Diamond? HILARIOUS!

By: mommy

mommy — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:22:32 +0000

I wish it meant racism was dead. I hope it helps in that respect and it is another reason to be happy with an Obama presidency.

I think it does indicate our country is not racist as a whole.

I’m afraid there are still too many stupd racist idiots.

By: Conservative GUy

Conservative GUy — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:01:58 +0000

And if there was any justice in the world, the Jesse Jacksons and Al Sharptons of the country will fade into obscurity in the face of such overwhelming evidence that America is not a racist nation.

I, like many, disagree with Obama on many things, but I think he is a good man who will try to do what he thinks is best for the United States. Difficult to begrudge him that.

By: E

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:32:00 +0000

Amen, Eric. I differ from Barack Obama poticially so much that I would never vote for him, but I just can’t help feeling happy about his election anyway, and it’s entirely because he’s a black man named Barack Hussein Obama, and he has that beautiful family, and he seems to be a genuinely decent (albeit sadly misguided, LOL) person. I wish him the best.

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:47:26 +0000

I had the privilege of going to Obama’s last rally before Election Day in Manassas, Virginia, and I was struck by how much the crowd reflected Obama’s statement: “All of us � black, white, Hispanic, Asian, native American, Democrat, Republican, young, old, rich, poor, gay, straight, disabled, non-disabled � all of us are in this together.” You could really see Americans, all Americans, coming together there and it was beautiful.

By: Adrianne

Adrianne — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:24:39 +0000

I didn’t vote for Obama, but it was hard to remain unmoved by the outpouring of joy I saw all over the country, and by his acceptance speech. If nothing else, he’ll be a much more pleasant president to hear speak–I am sick of 8 years of Bush’s twang.

I have my doubts about his abilities and many of his policies but I can’t deny his optimism & zeal. It’s refreshing & not a little inspiring (even for this mostly-Republican). I hope he will be a great president. I hope he will be able to unite the country (I’m talking some bipartisan work, here).

And, for what it’s worth, I though McCain’s concession speech was very gracious (too bad not everyone in his crowd was!), & reminded me of the McCain I used to like. Here’s hoping we’ll see him again, working with our new president as an ally this time!