My cherished “inheritance” from her is just one thing: her fancy laminated plaque, issued in 1963, proclaiming her lifetime membership in the NAACP.
My earliest memories of my mother include marching for civil rights, singing “We Shall Overcome.” I was 5 years old.
Every social and romantic relationship in my mother’s life after she left my father was with black people.
It breaks my heart that she’s not here today to see Obama, to see the man I believe will be the next president of the United States, to see him be a greater leader, a better person, than any candidate for the presidency i have ever known in my lifetime. It would have brought her incredible joy.
It makes me cry with happiness to see Obama, and cry with grief that my mother can’t.
It just seems a shame that these posts are still made. The fact that people still see Obama as a good, black leader instead of just a good leader is shameful. But it just goes to show that the crusade your mother took part in is not over.
The fact that the OP makes purpose mention to his mother being a Civil Rights Campaigner, having an entirely black social network and missing the first (possible) inauguration of a black president.
I don’t think the purpose of Civil Rights was so that we would ignore race entirely. I thought the thrust (setting aside removing institutionalized racism, segregation, Jim Crow etc) was that a person should be judged on “the content of their character” instead of the color of their skin. But nowhere do I see a cry to pretend that differences in skin color do not make for differences in culture or life experiences (good and bad for all shades of skin). I doubt very much that any African-American would want to erase or change their skin color or any “white” American alter theirs, either: it is essential to identity on both personal and social levels. Obama is more than " a good black leader"–he is a good leader, period, but then why can’t we say he is a good black leader? It’s more a statement of fact than a marginalization, IMO. I am a white nurse. Maybe I’m being naive? If elected, he will be the first black president. Is that not to be noted? I guess I’m confused by the issue here. I can see not wanting to put him a box, but I also see a history making situation that should be discussed (and celebrated).
I love Stephen Colbert when he riffs on how he “doesn’t see color (or gender)”. It’s impossible to NOT see color (unless one is truly blind). IMO, whatever color is seen should be included in the “package” that is that person in front of you: color, gender, behavior, choices, character. The judgement of the “package” should not begin and end with race, gender, sexual orientation etc. So, for me, Obama is a presidential candidate who is half black/half white. I don’t see a problem with such a characterization. I also see him as an eloquent speaker, an intelligent and caring man and an excellent prospect for the presidency (I haven’t made up my mind as yet).
It is a history making situation and should be remembered thusly but you make out like I’m trying to be absurdly colour-blind when I’m not. I just wanted to make the point that it’s a shame that race is still a point to be not just mentioned, but highlighted. Obama is a black man campaigning to be president. But because he is the first likely to be successful, he is a black presidential candidate. In 50 or 100 years a black presidential candidate will just be a presidential candidate and I just wanted to comment that it’s a shame that people don’t have the frame of mind yet to see that.
Haven’t we hijacked this tribute to a loved mother enough? Shouldn’t this be argued elsewhere?
I do see your point. Like you said, he’s the first - and people who are the first of “their kind” to do something, unfortunately, often get more attention for who they are than for what they are doing. It’s an unfair extra burden that pioneers face.
Maybe so. I’ve noticed a disturbing lack of Obama-related threads on the Dope.
Seriously though: Stoid, I think you’re expressing a beautiful sentiment, and your mom made the world a better place. I’m glad people your mom and people like her were around and did what they did for civil rights.
Actually, my point was far less “A good black leader” (which phrasing feels like “good for a black”) than “Here is a potentially great leader, certainly so far the best candidate for such leadership that I have ever seen in my 50 years of life. And check it out, mom, he’s black! How cool is that?”
My mom was a helluva broad. She woulda loved this… I should go make myself some buckwheat pancakes for dinner in tribute. Her favorite. I always thought they were probably gross, then I tried 'em about 6 months ago: tasty!
Wow…it just this second dawned on me that buchwheat pancakes are very dark brown…then I though of another favorite food of hers that I never did get behind: black walnut fudge. I see a trend… ;D
Who’s arguing? IMO, he has made a point to NOT campaign as a “black man” nor do I see the media as insisting on portraying him as such. I was quite impressed with his speech re his pastor and thought him spot on about racial issues in this country. I don’t think of him as a black candidate but as a candidate who is black–this could be seen as splitting hairs, but I don’t think I’m alone. I don’t see Hillary as a female candidate, but as one who is female. Subtle difference, but an important one.
I didn’t know the OP’s mother at all, but I think she would be pleased at the turn of events we are all witness to now.
If elected, he will be the first black president. Is that not to be noted? I guess I’m confused by the issue here. I can see not wanting to put him a box, but I also see a history making situation that should be discussed (and celebrated).