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Is A Black President Racisms Cure? By Anthony Coleman Oct 2009
Many were led to believe that electing a black President would signal an end to racism in America. It certainly gave America a moment to celebrate possibilities, however can it be said that a leaders governing philosophy regardless of his or her ethnic origin has far more impact on society? Now that fascism and socialism is in full bloom what does it matter that the leader in charge is black or mixed? Keep in mind that virtually all critical evaluation of our current President will be viewed as an attack against a "black man." In this kind of climate racism is not diminished but heightened. Freedom loving citizens who are white now have to bare the undeserving accusation of racism and it could spur consequences that ethnic groups will be alarmed by. For instance, commentator Pat Buchanan, in a recent article went as far as to suggest that diversity itself is detrimental. He looks at California as an experiment in diversity that has failed. I disagree adamantly. I don’t accept his premise that diversity is the source of failures there. Diversity has provided this nation with a unique opportunity. One that demonstrates how a society can function as a nation yet have diverse expressions. To think that there wouldn’t be any challenges to such undertaking is naive. If Christianity has communicated through America anything to the world, it is the picture of a nation of diverse people defying the natural urge to discriminate. Where properly implemented we are evidence of divine influence. However, when expressed through liberal and secular ideology the result is California 2009. The liberal and secular expression in California is the reason for the demise, not the diversity. Diversity is strength when embraced from the proper spirit. That being said, my question is, how did diversity become the culprit? Pat may be one of the early voices of white retribution to the unfair political accusations of racism. How we proceed from this moment in history will be determined not by skin color but by either a commitment to redefine the republic or to recommit ourselves to the principles and faith that made it the greatest beacon of freedom in the world.
With People Of Color Faith Is Often Set Aside In Politics Sacrificing Values Means Sacrificing InfluenceBy Anthony Coleman
As I write these thoughts, I am reminded that people are sometimes motivated to do a thing they would not want to own up to later. There are moments when the irresistible pull to be part of something historic brings people out of their neighborhoods and into to polling centers to join the throng. Very few ever stop to really think about what they may be getting. Or the course they have willingly put our nation on. Christian Post reporter Ethan Cole, in an March 28, 2008 article titled, Face Of Christianity Will Soon Be Black, quotes Dr. Kwok Pui Lan, “..by 2025, Africa is projected to shoot up to 634.6 million Christians, followed closely by Latin America at 634.1 million, while Europe will fall to 531 million Christians. The United States had 223 million Christians mid-2007 and is predicted to grow slightly to 252 million by 2025.” At present in America, black people make up the segment of our society that has the highest level of commitment to their churches. Black people are among the most vocal about faith yet, when it comes to values that descend from ones faith, at the ballot box when it comes to their presidential candidate, Christians who are black do not distinguish themselves from other blacks. Why? Is this evidence that Christians of color are void of genuine faith? Or, are there historical streams working against one another? According to exit polling black people make up approximately 7% of the California population but they were the largest non-religious, non-political demographic in support of Prop 8. It appears that most black people in California do not buy into the notion that same sex marriage is equivalent to civil rights. Here is what one citizen said in response to a blog accusing blacks of homophobia; “A lot of Obama voters, like blacks, may be liberals in other respects but when it comes to family, they still vote their values.” I have a question. Is there something out of focus with this statement? According to exit poll data, this view is the overwhelming view of black Americans, including those who say their Christians. Is it wise to be selective about which values you will vote for? Which ones will be sacrificed? Can you even do such a thing in good conscience? Historically black Americans have often sat waiting for white Christians to hold true to the values they profess and bring those values to the public square in order to improve the conditions of ethnic Americans. We watched as white Christians compromised, coward in the face of intimidation. We desperately wanted to see a genuine example of what our constitution set in motion. Then we see great abolitionists who were willing to put their values into action. They were willing to challenge their fellow white Christians who were selective about the values they stood for. We have benefited from their courage. Rather than look at history with gratitude for the positive changes that have occurred, most black people live in fear that one day there will be a return to the dark days of our past. When they should be doing things that affirm the positive changes, too many politicians feed this fear in order gain the support of black Americans. I want to point out how effective this is. It has been suggested that you cannot get black people to come together and agree on anything. However, you can when it comes to voting for a President. If the exit polling data is correct, according to the Associated Press a stunning 96 percent of black voters supported Obama. This didn’t begin with Obama. In America, values or not, if you are black you don’t even consider alternatives to a democratic presidential nominee. I would venture to say that a large percentage of that 96 percent call themselves Christians. And based on their values, they would agree with very few of the positions Obama advocates. So then comes the obvious; why vote for someone you will disagree with the majority of the time and particularly on key issues. Why vote for someone who has told you that he will make decisions so detrimental that you will eventually have to ask God to change. Christians of color are guilty of the same cowardice attitude that gripped many of the white brothers and sisters during the period of slavery. It is clear that with white people a page has turned. Now a page must be turned with black Americans. We can no longer view our citizenship through the lens of cynicism. Even in a time when a black man has been elected by 43 percent of white voters and 67 percent of Hispanic voters, politicians will continue captious tactics to feed the fear. How will we respond?
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