Our Next President: Is America Ready?

.... For her first Mormon President? Maybe. For her first female president? Maybe. For her first black president? I seriously DOUBT that.

I am NOT a political writer. I am an astute observer of people and their behaviors, my own included. I pay close attention to societal and individual trends, motivations, innuendos, needs, and other human conduct. And I write it all down.

That said, if you came here to find out about my politics, you are in for a disappointment. But if you are interested in knowing MY truth about America’s locale in her evolutionary spectrum of equality and objectivity, tune in. You’re in the right place.

Let’s begin with a look at the possibility of American voters choosing a Mormon for her next president. Could it happen in 2008? It certainly can. The question for voters has never been exclusively based on whether or not a candidate’s religion matches their own. For most voters, it has been a question of values: God, family, work ethic, love of country.

Of course there are places in history where we can cite religion as a matter of serious contention and the eventual basis for the voters’ choice. That is in line with the natural unfolding and evolving of any society. But when we take a closer look, the chasm of division was not very wide to begin with. It was simply a matter of understanding that while we were worshipping within separate parameters, we were sharing the same core values.

Historically our presidents were representatives, in majority, of the Episcopalian and Presbyterian religions. It should be noted, however, that Dwight Eisenhower, the 31st president, was of the Jehovah’s Witness sect. Herbert Hoover and Richard Nixon were of the Quaker sect. John F. Kennedy, as we know, was the nation’s first Catholic president. Therefore, it should be understood that non-traditional religious representation in the White House has established precedents.

What’s not been done as yet in American politics is voting a woman or a black man into presidential office.

Would you like to know what my response was to learning in early 2007 that Barack and Hilary would make a bid for the 2008 presidential elections? I rolled my eyes, sighed and said, “I guess we’re in for four more years of a republican presidency.” Why that reaction? Because we are NOT there yet. We are NOT ready.

A woman for president? Maybe. Eventually. But for now Hillary Clinton is NOT the one. Most of America sees Hillary as simply an extension of her husband Bill. And let’s not forget that a LOT of voters HATE her for numerous, legitimate reasons. Voting Hillary into the White House, as far as most people are concerned, would be tantamount to giving Bill four more years on top of the eight years he already spent as president.

A black man for president? I’m not going to say, never. But it’s NOT going to happen in 2008. Why? Race is too STICKY an ISSUE in America. It’s still a TABOO topic. Case in point: several hundred a month read this blog. On average twelve individuals will leave a comment for each article posted.

Barack Obama is one of a kind in American history, the FIRST black leader to stand on a UNIFYING agenda for change. His primary agenda does NOT focus on issues concerning the black community. But unfortunately for Barack and his supporters, what will overshadow his chances are the divisive platforms of his predecessors, the likes of Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Shirley Chisolm, and Carol Mosley-Braun.

Whether or not they were running for political office, historically the primary interests of black leaders have been issues in the black community. I’m not saying that was a wrong position. It was necessary for the socio/political climate at the time.

Whites in America have justifiably bristled in response to the leaders of the black community. On both sides of the racial divide there have been reasons for suspicion of motives. White leaders in American history, past and recent, have not consistently tried to advance the interest of black Americans. By the same token, black leaders of America’s past and recent history, have taken an approach that suggests there will always be an outstanding debt owed by America to the black community. Neither approach can work to advance us as a societal whole. Barack Obama, in his wisdom, recognizes this, thus his unifying change agenda.

The reality is this: typically, precedents are set AFTER unprecedents FAIL. Also, if we are too afraid to TALK about RACE/BLACK/WHITE issues, then we are NOT brave enough to vote objectively, in private, for its representatives. It is only societal ills left unaddressed that run rampant in the dark and undercover: i.e., human trafficking, incest, media black-outs, for a few examples.

Where we stand as an America on our racial divide is still a sore spot that we’re not all ready to talk about… yet. Know why? The road to functional family living begins with a mirror that must be held in front of each family member. Are you really ready to take an HONEST look at yourself? You might want to do that before you head out to the polls.

Eyes wide open, icanseeclearlynow