Really. That's the question that I'm asking myself right now.
Why? Because I just read that a CNN poll from last week found that 69 percent of blacks in America currently believe that MLK's vision "has been fulfilled." This is quantum levels of optimism beyond a mere majority. Say what? Black people? You mean the very people who for as long as we've been doing opinion polls have been the quintessential pessimists? Yes...those people.
I know you're thinking that if black people are so effusive, then white people must practically unanimously agree that we have reached the promise land. And in this case, you would be wrong...because only 46 percent of them do.
Yes, we have suddenly turned the world upside down.
Let me give you some context. When asked if this country had fulfilled Martin Luther King's vision in March 2008, the poll numbers were as unnewsworthy as they were predictable: 34 percent of black respondents said "yes," compared with 35 percent of white respondents. If we go back several years, before Barack Obama entered the public limelight, those numbers were more like 20 percent for blacks and 40 percent for whites.
This just might be the first time ever in our history that African Americans are more optimistic than white Americans with respect to the position of black people in the United States racial hierarchy.
OK, so what's going on? That's what I want to know. What's this mean?
I have a few thoughts. Black people are riding a spiritual high that crescendoed right after the election when, for the first time ever, a majority said that we would eventually find a solution to our race conundrum. And now on the eve of a (half) black president, the glee is too much to contain. Sure, the enthusiasm will wane, but for the moment how can the world not look rosy and cheerful -- as long as people with brown skin refrain from riding the subway in Oakland. (OK, I'm being cynical here; I'll return to that story in a future posting.)
The white celebrations, by contrast, do not have the momentum of 400 years of mistreatment and second (or third) class citizenship. Maybe white people are feeling a bit nervous about having their racial universe turned on its head. Sure, there are positives to the transformation -- like the prospect of being able to have normalized relationships and straightforward conversations with black and brown people. But on the negative side, there is a visible crack in the foundation of white privilege and I can only imagine that it's weakening the support beams holding up the house of normal -- and white people are feeling the stress.
But really, I feel like I'm shooting plastic ducks floating past at one of those midway stands at a carnival -- and it's highly unlikely that I've tagged the one with the star on the bottom. In other words, I'm at a loss on this one. Someone tell me what these poll numbers mean.
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«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 258 of 258Well to be quite honest I believe that those numbers are higher than they should be. I believe that America as a whole has come a long way, but it has not reached the “Dream” of Martin Luther King Jr. This “Dream” was to someday have everyone look at each other and not judge by the color of a person’s skin but the content of their character. Martin Luther King Jr’s “Dream” stated that "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." I believe that these dreams are still a bit far away and can someday be achieved, but America is not ready for it. Until parents start to raise their children in a way to make them more understanding to other cultures, and to help their children know that we are humans and that we should not judge on skin color. I believe that we still do not treat people as we want to be treated, instead we hurt each other to make us feel better. It is a shame. We as not only Americans but as people from all over the world need to understand that no one is perfect and this is why Martin Luther King Jr’s “Dream” may never be reached. I believe that African Americans are probably in a state of euphoria due to the recent historical events that have taken place. Barack Obama is America’s forty-fourth, we but he is also America’s first African American President (at least half). I believe that President Obama will do many great things for America, I also believe he will lead America into a bright future. A prosperous one as well that will bring many changes to this country. I feel that “Hell has frozen over.” I believe that it has for a good reason. African Americans have someone in a position of power that supersedes any other positions in history for African Americans. President Obama gives minority kids in urban America someone to look up to that is not a rapper, sports athlete, or entertainer. This is huge! This is something that has never happened before in American history. This is an event that I can tell my kids I was around to see, and I can even use youtube to show them the inauguration. “Hell has frozen over” I know that Obama has been in the White House for less than a week, but I can just feel the change already. I believe this event will open the eyes of the country; more specifically the eyes of minorities in America. I believe that this will give them the confidence to know that they can be whatever they want to be and to achieve this it will take hard work that will pay off in the end. I am happy “Hell has frozen over” but I wish it didn’t because we can really use the warmth in State College.
I agree with Dr. Richards – the world has been turned upside down. However, I have no answer to his question about what the polls mean. Judging by the conversations I’ve had regarding the election, I can tell that there is in fact some uneasiness on the part of white people. Some of them are afraid that President Obama will cater to black people only. As ignorant as that may be, it’s sort of understandable, given this nation’s past trends in the presidency. It could also mean that some white people still don’t actually acknowledge that this is a huge step for blacks. Many people have said that this is simply a big sign of progress, not a sign that we have reached the end of the struggle. Or maybe it’s just that white people are beginning to see just how much progress still has to be made until MLK’s dream has been realized.
I have to admit that there is a part of this election that has been bothering me. I come from a white family that has supported Obama’s run and is proud that a black man has been elected into the highest position in the land. I’ve been so happy, seeing how much support that students here on campus have put into the election. It really shows how open-minded my generation is. I was upset, however, by something that happened in one of my sociology classes. My friend sitting next to me, a white kid, had an “Obama for President” button on his backpack. Behind me, I heard a black girl say to her friend, loud enough for the boy to hear, “I am getting so sick of seeing Obama stuff on white kids. A boy in my last class was wearing an Obama t-shirt. Hello, he is a black man!” I was upset and angry when I heard her say this. I’ve heard similar statements made, although none have stuck out to me like this one. Her comment made me feel like this election is something completely different than it should be. I support him to, and I’m white – now I feel like I’m doing something wrong. This girl doesn’t seem to understand that President Obama is going to be everyone’s president. I am so proud to have him representing our country, just like the rest of the students who have followed and supported his campaign. It’s really amazing that this has happened, although in the back of my mind I have the nagging feeling that I shouldn’t really have the right to celebrate.
Maybe a part of the reason that the poll responses turned out like they did has something to do with this. While so many of us are excited, relieved, and proud, we may still be afraid to overstep our boundary. It’s not our place to claim that MLK’s dream has been fulfilled with this inauguration, therefore the results may reflect that some of us feel it is just not for us to say.
Electing Barack Obama may have made a difference in the poles because like the original post said, it gives hope that we can now “find a solution to our race conundrum.” Having a black president introduces a new view at the top of our political system. The idea in and of itself means that change is in the future. A black man is president, a black family is in the white house, and a black face is in the media, for something positive.
It is hard to understand, without experiencing or studying, the extent of “white privilege,” especially for whites. After reading "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" by Peggy McIntosh, I was introduced to how much I don’t see happening in everyday society, solely due to the color of skin. But for those “non-whites,” they probably not only see it, but experience it and encounter it regularly. And finally, the person in charge of the country they live in sees it, experiences it, and encounters it too. The person making the decisions that will trickle down through the government and into our communities, for once actually knows what true inequality is.
So it makes sense that blacks are seeing Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream as being fulfilled, because even though we have so far to go, we are experiencing one of the largest symbols of change, a black president.
As for the white vote in the pole not going up, even going down, that is because not all white’s get it. They experience, usually unknowingly, “white privilege.” “He’s black, what’s the big deal,” I recently heard said during a conversation about the election. This was said during a conversation I, a white woman, had with white men, men of “white privilege.” I am not sure which is worse, that they don’t understand it or that they don’t care to understand it.
But even with all the steps that still need to be taken, this election brings immense hope. I was working at the daycare here on campus during the inauguration. Our young students between the ages of 3 and 5 watched Obama get sworn into presidency. They cheered, probably due to the cheering of the adults and not their own understanding, but it was still moving. Because if they knew, if they did understand, I imagine they would still cheer. They watched the inauguration of a black president. Children don’t see each other as different, they are taught that. We were all raised seeing white person, after white person take office. Now the next generation sees a black man in office, and when they are old enough to vote, maybe, just maybe, the race or gender of the candidate will not even be mentioned.
I believe that these numbers show that African Americans in the United States feel that Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream was for equal opportunity to be provided to people of any color. The fact that 69 percent of African Americans agree that MLK’s vision “has been fulfilled” means that the majority of African Americans believe that they receive equal opportunity as white Americans. It is obvious that race is still an issue in this country, but maybe people do not see MLK’s vision as a country where race is not an issue. It would appear to me that African American people simply want to feel that they have an equal opportunity as white Americans or any other person in this country. By proving that an African American can be elected to the highest office in our country, it shows that while racism and prejudice may still exist in the United States, it does not prevent a person from being able to achieve whatever his or her heart desires. I believe a country completely free from prejudice will probably never exist, but the poll numbers show that African Americans feel that a great amount of progress has been made.
On the other hand, the fact that slightly less than half of the white people surveyed (46 percent) felt that MLK’s vision had been fulfilled is puzzling. These people may still feel that since racism and prejudice exist in our country, so that MLK’s vision has not been fulfilled. I think that this is asking too much. There will always be people who feel that those who are different from themselves are somehow below them and do not deserve equal treatment. I think that this country has made great strides toward providing equality for all people who live here. Barack Obama being elected as president of the United States is a testament to how far we’ve come in such a short time since the assassination of MLK. I do not understand why the majority of white people polled still do not believe that great strides have been made. If these people are waiting for a utopian society, they will be waiting for forever. People in this country should be proud about the steps that have been made thus far. I’m not saying that I necessarily agree that MLK’s vision has been completely fulfilled, but I do think that we have come close. I think the only explanation for the appearance that this may be the first time in our country’s history that black people are more optimistic than white people about the position of black people in this country is that they are waiting for a perfect society. While I think everyone would love to live in a perfect utopian society, I think that we should be thankful for how far our country has come and keep working towards eliminating prejudice in this country.
The present day human race is confounded. There are no lines anymore. At least not to most of us, who have become tolerant enough to marry interracially and raise children, who, like Obama, are of more than one background. I believe there is a growing number of us who don’t know what we are exactly. Sure, there are those who for whatever reason, whether they are racist, ignorant, or religious, are “pure blood” (yes, like in Harry Potter.) However, that number is dwindling, and like Sam’s example of lining us all up in some type of racial order, the amount of colors, shades, and physical differences would be overwhelming.
I’ll admit it myself. I feel confused by the question “What am I?” If I have to answer, I usually say Jewish. It’s what I’m most certain about. Three of my four grandparents were Jewish, both of my parents were considered and raised Jewish, and so am I. But Jewish to most only describes a religion. Ethnically? racially? Well I guess I’m pretty white. Not quite the translucent kind, but close to it. Where are my ancestors from? All over: Italy, Poland, Austria, Russia, and one other I’m not even sure of. Apparently one of my grandmothers is an eighth Spanish. So, again, What am I? Well, I’m a mut.
Identity is not only confusing due to all the multiracial and multiethnic people that exist now, but it is partly how we individually define identity. Back to using myself as an example: I identify myself Jewish more culturally than religiously. I’m not a huge fan of religion. I avoid religion. But I am most definitely Jewish in that I received a Jewish education, follow Jewish customs, celebrate Jewish holidays, and eat Jewish foods. It is an ethnicity. It is a culture. Identifying myself as Jewish describes me way better than Austrian, Spanish, or white does. You can already know a lot about me by knowing I am Jewish if you considered identity the way I do. Alas, our problem: We don’t see eye-to-eye on identity.
Barack Obama was probably just as confused as I was when he was younger and before he was a political figure. And if he wasn’t, then he probably wasn’t too concerned with it because obviously neither were his parents. I think two things influenced his decision to identify himself as black. I agree that one, he probably capitalized on his color since he was representing the democratic party and knew it would get most of, if not all of, the black vote and most minorities. But two, he married a woman who is definitely black, and his family as a whole looks black. While he may have been raised white culturally, it would seem pretty strange to identify himself as white while looking at the same picture of the First Family that we looked at in class. He might even seem like he was in denial. I’m not in his head, but these reasons make sense and are pretty justifiable.
Identity is confusing. It makes us uneasy. We suddenly realize we no longer have a definite place in society if we can no longer be…well…identified, or more importantly, classified. Sam’s more recent article describes what I mean here really well: Whites no longer hold the altars of our country up. Not alone, and many are uncomfortable with it. The more we become integrated, the less everyone has a “place.” The more race walls we knock down such as Obama in the white house, the more everyone becomes equal. We are in a time where people are losing their identities due to these transitions, and I think that’s why the theory of identity is being so intently studied and questioned now. I wonder if years from now we’ll still be pondering it because perhaps identity, like race, will become a theory people start to consider abandoning, too.
So here is a summary of the poll results in question. Several years ago, before Barack Obama was in the public eye, twenty percent of blacks believed that Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision has been fulfilled. At the same time, forty percent of whites felt the same way. In March 2008, 34 percent of blacks participating in the same poll selected yes. Nearly the same, 35 percent of whites agreed. Now just this past week, a day before the swearing in of our new president, 69 percent of blacks believed that what MLK presented to the world in the 1960’s had been realized. Forty percent of whites had the same opinion.
If we look at these polls, statistically, for that is what they really are, statistics, you will see two things. One, that it seems that black’s opinion that MLK’s vision “has been fulfilled” has steadily increased throughout the years. And two, that the white’s opinion, for the most part, has held stagnant.
Blacks are riding high on a wave of positivity. Several months ago, just the thought that a multi-racial senator from Illinois could even be seriously considered as our future president would be enough to increase their optimism. As the primaries past and Barack officially won the democratic nomination, another serge of optimism continued to increase their belief the MLK’s vision was being fulfilled. Now, after the election and just this past week, his inauguration, these statistics don’t seem so crazy.
Yes, blacks have long been the pessimistic type, but how could they stay that way after such a HUGE momentous event in the history of our country? It doesn’t seem to me that that is so far off base. Many believed that they “would never see the day.” But maybe that day has finally come. A multi-racial, self-identified African American man is holding one of the most influential leadership positions in the world. It has given the black population big boost of self-confidence.
It does however, seem to be a little off to say, that because the white’s percentages haven’t dramatically increased, like those of the blacks, is due to their white guilt, or because there is now a “visible crack in the foundation of white privilege.” Unlike the black and multi-racial peoples, the whites haven’t challenged any historic norms in this past year. We have remained mostly the same, thus our stationary poll results. To say that the whites are scared that by electing Obama, they will lose some of their “power” is ludicrous.
As a nation, by electing Barack we have moved closer to MLK’s dream. Whether or not each individual race believes so, is up to them to decide. But it is easy to say that, knowing where we have came from and where we are now, our world is a different world.
I believe that these numbers make sense. This is what I would expect them to be. If you watch the ceremonies and celebrations on TV, or if you’ve simply been outside over the past few months, you cant help but notice the overwhelming support for Obama and America in general from the black population. And why shouldn’t they be excited? After being oppressed for centuries, there is a black president of the United States. Black Americans who have felt outcast cannot feel this way anymore. One of their own is running the country. This should be exciting for everyone. Maybe because of this, we will not look at Obama as one of THEIR own, but one of OUR own. Someday soon, that will hopefully be how the world sees it. This is America isn’t it? Aren’t we all Americans? You can’t help but be inspired by Barack Obama. This moment is so historic that it’ not about democratic or republican or right or left. It is so much bigger than that. I think a lot of people have lost sight of that and it makes me sad. I think a lot of people are forgetting that we all play for the same team. It’s going to be hard to forget now. White Americans and other Americans should be extremely happy at these poll results as well. There is plenty of reverse racism that goes on between blacks towards whites, but maybe now since most of them seem to be getting past that, America can truly begin to put a very dark chapter of its past behind it. Maybe Barack doesn’t have the experience. Maybe the economy won’t rebound. But change is coming and its change that this country desperately needed. These poll results are definitely inflated. Black Americans are coming off of a high right now that many thought they would never reach, so its hard not to be so optimistic. I am from Illinois and after the last election, I made a bold prediction to my father. I told him Barack Obama would be our next president. I’m not trying to pat myself on the back on this one, as there was a strong following in the state of Illinois for Obama to make a run. Also, did I really believe it, or was I trying to make a bold prediction to spark a discussion with my father? In all honesty, I didn’t see this coming, no matter how many times my dad will tell me I called it. It was kind of a shot in the dark. But the more and more I watch it, the more I can’t help but be excited with the possibilities that lay ahead. I am officially on the bandwagon.
I feel these poles represent optimism in the black community. I say black community because the CNN pole was about blacks in America believing in Martin Luther King’s vision, not because I actually believe that only blacks feel optimism. The morning after Obama became president, I saw that in the Daily Collegian an article on the front page was titled “Blacks rejoice in D.C..” I’m not going against the writer of the article, I just feel that she should have considered the Whites, Latinos, Asians, and the other differing races that rejoiced as well. Whether they be black or white, all different races have been affected by Obama’s presidency, and I have witnessed many differing races that feel MLK’s vision has been fulfilled as well. By being optimistic and thinking positively about the change America has just witnessed, who does it hurt? One hundred percent of people are not all going to feel positively, because yes many are still going to feel inequality and racism. However, this presidency is a start of change and improvement in America, and the many who were scared of change are beginning to see the benefits of an optimistic outlook.
So Barack Obama just got sworn into office on Tuesday and, yes, this is a huge achievement for the nation. This is the first black president this country has ever seen. I like to think that this is taking a huge step for the country, as a whole, and not only just for the African Americans. Don’t get me wrong, this is a huge step for African Americans and the progress they have made is incredible. But I am also saying that this is a huge step for the country as a whole, no matter what color you are. This is a huge victory for the younger generations. The voter turnout was more than what it has been in the past. The younger generations are ready for a change, and that is a reason to celebrate the victory with Obama being elected. It is almost saying that we (as in the younger generation) is ready to look past what color the skin is and what is on the inside. We are ready to express a different form of values and beliefs that is far beyond outside coloration.
On a really random side note, my roommates found a radio podcast addressing the concerns that the African American community was voting for Barack Obama just on the basis that he was black, and for no other reason. A reporter went around asking African Americans if they were voting for Obama, and if they said yes the reporter questioned them even further. Now the podcast got interesting, because the reporter switched the different agendas of the two presidential hopefuls, and proceeded to ask the interviewee if they agreed with the policies. For example, the reporter asked one interviewee if he/she agreed with the fact that Obama was going to leave the troops in Iraq during his term as president (this is a policy of John McCain). The interviewee said that the troops should stay in Iraq and he agreed with everything in Obama’s campaign. The reporter went around to different people and the generally same response came about. Most of the people agreed with McCain’s opinions, but were voting for Obama. Are they voting for what the president believes in, or on the skin color.
I, personally, do not believe that MLK’s dream came true. Sure, there is an African American president in office, but I believe that the dream that Martin Luther King Jr. was talking about entailed so much more than having the presidential office. I believe this dream was suppose to reach to the streets and be spread to the common public person. This is a big step towards his dream, but not the complete package of his dream. His dream is meant for so much more – to be bigger and better.
Beth Kopay
Section 15
We have a black president!
Now what?
Do we just coast from here? What, with a recession on our hands that looks like it isn’t going to improve anytime soon and America’s image at a low point. Not to mention a brewing energy crisis and global warming. The inauguration of the first black president was great but it is what is done from this point forward that will shape Obama’s legacy, the legacy of the first black president.
I like Barack Obama. Not because he is half black, half white, or this race or that race. I like him because he has made me believe that he can turn this nation in the right direction. I totally agree that this is a huge event in the course of history especially for this country. Racism has been around far too long and a black man being elected president shows we have come a long way. With that said though, Obama now actually needs to do a good job as the 44th President of the United States. Let’s be honest. He is being put in a spot as tough as any President I can remember, and if he doesn’t do a good job then all hell could break loose. To think racism is all of a sudden gone because Obama was elected President would be foolish and naive. Maybe I’m just cynical, but I’m sure there are plenty of people in this country just waiting for him to fail so they can attack Obama and African Americans. I truly believe that these next 4 years are going to shape the long-term future of this country in a big big way. Personally I hope we see a time of great growth and prosperity with further advances in equality among all peoples. In addition, I really am interested to see if Obama’s ideas and leadership are up to par with his charisma and public speaking.
As far as Sam’s question at the end of his post: What do these statistics mean? I think they mean first off that black people are still for good reason celebrating the first black president and as a result are extremely optimistic. Obama is a symbol. A symbol that African Americans can rise to highest of heights in a country that has a history of judging them on their skin color. It makes sense that they would be feeling optimistic. Realistically though I am sure after the elation wears off the numbers will start to creep down a bit. We obviously don’t live in a perfect society yet. As far as the low numbers go from the white people; I think it has do with white people not feeling that same sort of elation. Not because they are racist or don’t want Obama to be President but because they can’t understand what it is like to be discriminated against.
I find this blog about the poll by CNN very interesting. I am surprised that the numbers show that more black people then white people think that MLK’s dream had being reached. I think most of the black people that took this poll were very happy and cheerful at the time that they were asked. This may have leaded some of them to give responses without thinking about it at all. Moved by the happiness, that they felt because of
I find this blog about the poll by CNN very interesting. I am surprised that the numbers show that more black people then white people think that MLK’s dream had being reached. I think most of the black people that took this poll were very happy and cheerful at the time that they were asked. This may have leaded some of them to give responses without thinking about it at all. Moved by the happiness, that they felt because of the huge step that Obama took for the black community, they were in celebration mode and didn’t care.
I myself do not think that MLK’s dreams and goals have been accomplished. Even though I am not black or white I think that what MLK had in mind was not just having a black president. I believe that in order for that dream to be fully reached we have to live in a country free of racism and free of discrimination not only against blacks but other minorities. I would agree that maybe these numbers where so high due to that spiritual train that black people must be on at this time. Maybe the numbers will go down after things settle down a little bit and all the excitement of this huge change calms down. Another reason why the white people may have said no is probably because they were afraid to say yes and then be considered as racist or as undermining the dreams of MLK. I think that white people are usually very careful about the things that they say and specialy when it involves race. So for this reason I think a lot of them held back their answers and just decided to say no to look good or friendly to the black community.
People may think that this is going to bring a huge change in the relations between blacks and whites but I have my doubts. I believe that once the emotions start to calm down people will go back to normal. Just because we are now lead by a black president I do not think people will change their ways. Sure some people may become more excepting of other cultures, but I think for the most part things will stay the same when it comes to the relations we have. I am grateful that I got to witness this great moment in history, but we still have a long way to go before we can truly say that we have reached the goals and dreams of MLK. This is a huge step and hopefully the first of many that will lead us to a completely free country where no one is hated against or discriminated against. Although that day may not come during my lifetime there is hope that one day all will be equal in America and all over the world.
In some ways, it must be natural to obtain a positive outlook upon the election of a black man to the Presidency. At the very least, it stands as a representation for the painfully slow movement towards a changing view of race. Nonetheless, to assume that Martin Luther King’s dream has been realized is rather naïve, no?
It is not enough to just simply rejoice for the changing of race in such a high-powered position. Of course, it is a great step in overcoming certain racial hurdles and will certainly stand to change society in substantial ways. Obama’s election, therefore, does not substantiate a realization of any dream at all. But rather, it shows that black people pay more attention to race than do whites. I am sure that many voted against Obama for the pure reason of his being black, but many blacks voted for Obama for that exact same reason. The election of Obama to the presidency, then, seems (almost) to be an issue of ignorance displayed by both “sides” of the racial divide. And in this case, Martin Luther King’s dream has, most undoubtedly, been realized. I suppose one could even make the case in acknowledging this as a step backwards. This is not really an advancement of race primarily for the reason that many people did not really take into account both race and the societal issues presented in the election. Thus, it stands to reason that race has not really entered the minds of people in such a way to be completely constructive to society; it has only been an issue in and of itself.
To be clear, this is not something for which blacks are to be blamed, but rather (in some ways) the problem lies within those who are white. Many have become complacent in our place of “power” and therefore saw no desire to contemplate racial issues except to take the part of the “guilty white man”. Obama drew many to the polls. He is inspirational and knows how to speak quite well. But one must question whether or not his vote denotes one of extreme popularity and whether, at times, Obama represented an almost celebrity type vote.
Moreover, race will most likely never cease to be an issue in the greater majority of societal constructs. People are, and always will be, at their core selfish. Few actually and completely desire change as far as race goes. Change demands difficulty and a complete reconstruction of society’s standards – starting with the individual. Everything must change, and to be honest, this is beginning to take place; the election of President Obama represents society’s steps in the right direction. To say that MLK’s dream has been realized, however, is presumptuous. The journey will be a long and hard one and we as a society are just beginning.
These poll numbers are particularly intriguing. While anyone who has taken a statistics class knows that a 34 to 35 percent difference is not statistically significant, their closeness does fit into the bigger picture. A significant portion of blacks ultimately changed their mind about things just before Obama’s inauguration. While my suggestion may be slightly controversial, it does ride along the lines of Dr. Richards notion.
Black people are particularly excited about the racial background of the new president. I feel as though this is the underlying difference here. Dr. Richards said in class that white people tend not to publicly notice race as much. Black people, on the other hand, do. This could potentially explain the low numbers in the white people’s poll response. In regards to the surge in black people deciding that Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, I agree totally with Dr. Richards. There is a certain sense right now in the black community that this victory, be it large or small depending on who you ask, will result in another victory shortly down the road. When thinking about it, everyone needs small victories to keep morale up, be it in the army or be it in any organization. Black people haven’t really had a victory in awhile that furthered their equality. This election though is new. It is new ground that has been broken. African Americans now have a renewed sense to fight for their equality. They feel as though this new president will be on their side to aid them in their fight. They ride this so called “spiritual wave” as Dr. Richards says in his blog.
Another thing that is particularly interesting is that when you ask many white people (not all by any stretch of the means), they see President Obama as just another president. To them he is not the first black president; he is merely the forty fourth president of the United States. Simply put, this helps demonstrate the earlier argument. This is a victory for African American people in the eyes of African American people. White people however, see it as just another president.
In addition, I feel though these numbers will eventually stabilize. Once Barack Obama enters the White House and begins delving into the multitudes of required work the president needs to do, people will see he is human, that he is fallible, and that he can make mistakes. Once he is then taken off is verbal pedestal that he has placed himself on then he will be less of a symbol and more of a man.
While we are closer to Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, we are not there yet. Many things still need to happen. This is a step in the right direction, but it is no where close to the final step in a very long journey.
Let me begin by saying that I believe the statistic saying 69% of blacks now believe that Martin Luther King’s dream is fulfilled is an extremely positive thing. There’s no doubt that African Americans have been subjected and marginalized for most of their existence in the United States, and as a whole blacks are viewed as a generally pessimistic race (and for good reason). So ultimately, when it comes down to it, the fact that now more than two thirds of the black population believe they have reached the “dream” Martin Luther King imposed for their culture is an encouraging one. However, I believe reaching this “dream” has very little impact on the general pessimism of blacks as a race. As history has told us, for a while now blacks have been subjected to racism and mistreatment. And now, with Barack Obama entering the White House as the country’s first African American president in history, statistics like these show that blacks will react euphorically immediately after progress has been made. Perhaps you would see similar results if blacks were polled after the Voting Rights Act was passed. Unfortunately, in the years after the Voting Rights Act, pessimism kicked back in for African Americans. I still feel that racism exists in our country, especially towards African Americans.
After contemplating this posting and reflecting on my own thoughts and opinions regarding the election and inauguration of President Obama, I agree with Dr. Richards, and the fact that these events have turned our world upside down. For the first time ever a black man will enter the white house and lead this country. Traditionally, I am not into politics and I do not have an answer to the questions Dr. Richards posted about the polls. However, I do have some opinions on President Obama and what his presidency truly means to this country.
With the inauguration of President Obama our country can finally take a breath and be happy knowing that we have at last taken a step in the right direction. As I mentioned above politics have never been a great interest in my life, but as a student on a college campus I could not help but follow this race - Obama’s run in particular. He appeals to me as a person, not only because he is intelligent and well-spoken, but also because he can relate to young people like no other politician I have seen before. Thinking about race and what President Obama means for it, it is obvious what a big step this is for our nation. However, being here on campus, surrounded by many of my peers who have worked so hard on his campaign, it seems to me that President Obama transcends the issue of race. I have seen people from my generation focus on his policies rather than the color of his skin. I think that this is due in large part to the fact that people my age never dealt with the kind of racial conflict that older generations lived through. I feel like some of the older people in our country may have problems with Obama’s skin color, but I certainly don’t feel like younger people have made race much of an issue in this election.
In regards to the question of whether MLK’s dream was realized, I feel that in some ways it has been, and in some ways it hasn’t. There are still a lot of prejudices that need to be overcome and opinions that need to be adjusted in order for everyone to be completely equal. Although the races may be equal in the eyes of the courts and the law, it is presumptuous to claim that equality has been achieved. MLK’s dream was for the world to be colorblind and completely look past physical differences. If this were the case, President Obama’s race would have had no bearing on his campaign, and the media would not have focused on it. The fact that being a black man played such a significant role in this election just goes to show that we are certainly not colorblind at this point. Fortunately, his inauguration is a gigantic step in the right direction.
Did Just Hell Freeze Over? I received a text on the day of the inauguration in response to that very question. It read as follows… “It was cold today because white people said it would be a cold day in hell before a black man was the president. So bundle up.” I feel that this text message was very close minded because it is assuming that all white people were not supportive of Obama. In reality, the reason Obama was elected was because a large majority of the white population voted for Obama. Blacks only make up 13% of the United States population. African-Americans are a minority in this country, not the majority.
Although I feel proud as a black person to see the progress we as a race are making, I would not have fell into the 69% of polled blacks. I do not believe we have reached Martin Luther King’s goal to the promise land. Yes I agree that it is good that blacks are finally being optimistic about something, I honestly have to admit that Obama is only one man. Many blacks are putting him on a pedestal and expecting him to conquer all of their racial inequality problems. Do not get me wrong, Obama’s presidency is bringing King’s dream one step closer to what he envisioned as far as racial equality, but there is still so much work to still be done.
Let’s take a look at reality; the government is still a majority white. Barack can not simply over-ride any issues that the black community feels have been improperly dealt with. The president’s job is not to uplift a certain group of people but instead to run an entire country. Obama presidential term has just began, we are not sure exactly what he will do or how his term will turn out. The country merely has ideas of what Obama will accomplish as president based on the various points of his presidential platform.
Just because we have a black president, I do not think that means that King’s dream has come true. King never stated in any of his famous speeches that a black president would be the ultimate answer to our problem as a racial group. That is only how some have interpreted the dream today. King only hoped for blacks be successful, and to be afforded the same opportunities that whites are, and for the most part we have already accomplished that.
If the inauguration was not the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day would this idea of the dream being fulfilled even be in question? The optimistic blacks need to look at the picture on a national level. White and blacks are not equal and people are still judged by the color of their skin. If we were truly pass race relations and color complexes, the fact that Barack Obama has been elected as the first black president would not be the huge deal that it has become. Barack would be simply explained as the best candidate for the job, not the one with the most unusual skin color.
Amanda Fedorchak
Did Hell Just Freeze Over?
The idea that MLK’s dream has been reached is lacking support. While I agree that electing President Obama was one huge historical step for African Americans, it is no way equating them to whites in every American’s eyes. In the sad truth, white supremacy is imbedded deeper than most realize. I was raised as a child in an area that white was better than black. That, somehow, the color of the skin could completely define a person- obviously white is higher in the social latter. It is in the back of everyone’s mind, lingering there, unknowing to the human. It is difficult to even begin to judge what it would take to get that out of deep corners of the mind. How do you erase years, upon years of teachings? How do you reverse over a hundred years of oppression?
MLK Jr. dreamed that all men would be equal. Not just that they could sit at the same counters, go to the same school, drink from the same water fountain. His dream was much deeper than that. He spoke to the soul of the black human; you are equal. His dream was the he was could speak to the soul of the white person, tell them that he too is equal, and have them truly believe it. He wanted everyone to feel love for each other. He did not want the war, bloodshed, or violence. Instead, he wanted freedom. Freedom to be who he was; A man, a father, a husband- not just a black preacher raising hell in the South. So does Obama erase years of black oppression and raise blacks to the level they should be at? No.
I am a white woman. I am a very tall, blonde, white, woman. What do I know about being black? I have always felt comfortable being white. It has never been a problem for me. I have never thought to myself- wow, I wish I were black. Now, I’ve had much insecurity, wishing to be thinner, smarter, prettier, etc. But they do not compare to feeling inferior to another race based off skin color. The idea that another human is better because the skin color is lighter is ludicrous; yet, the whole American history is based off that single idea. Just electing Obama is not good enough. More needs to be done. My grandparent’s generation needs to fade, my father’s generation needs to fade, and my generation needs to be the grandparents. Racism can only fade if the people who still believe fade with it. I believe Obama got elected because he is a smart man. A smart, half white man. Society accepted him because he isn’t “all” black. That’s the sad truth. I do believe that my generation is the first step in equality. We may never be able to each true equality; maybe once black equality is reached, it will be another races’ turn for oppression.
President Obama is a symbol. He is a symbol of the future and it is looking promising. I think that MLK Jr. would say that President Obama was the first step in all of us being brothers. I do not believe that MLK Jr.’s dream has been reached but I voted for Obama. I am a white, blonde, woman and I am proud to have voted for my black president. I think that says a lot.
Why is everyone making a huge deal about having a half black President in office? I’m astonished at the amount of both black and white people who believe that Martin Luther King’s dream has been fulfilled simply by the election of President Obama. I support him, don’t get me wrong, but isn’t the definition of racism the discrimination against a set group of people… I’m thrilled he won, but the fact that everyone made such a huge deal about it is like saying, “We are truly amazed that you got elected as our 44th President” and everyone knows that its this huge deal because he’s half black, he would just be another President if he wasn’t. I also realize that this is the beginning of a new era for black people but it makes me curious as to what their idea of acceptance is.
The real question is, when votes were being tallied for this poll how educated were the people, did they know how he stands on health care, the war, as well as all of his other policies? Or did they just feel this way because a strong black man not just black but a strong human being born just like every other person in our world, was named President? Obviously most of us are going to feel compassion for the hardships his father and forefathers had to overcome and I personally find it amazing how far our culture has progressed throughout the last few generations, our new President being an excellent demonstration of that. I suppose that having a half black President is they cherry on top, but I believe that Martin Luther King’s vision was that one day we would all look at each other as equals, which a vast majority of people already feel that way, especially young people. It seems as if Obama may have possibly exceeded any and all expectations King had by getting as far as he did, and I congratulate him. However, I don’t think that King’s dream is completely fulfilled, nor do I believe it is going to be in the near future, there are still people who are racist and narrow-minded. On a more positive not, I think that our nation is just happy to see change, and accepting it with open arms. There’s also a good possibility that the results of the polls were so low because people are still questioning if it’s all “too good to be true.” The last thing people want to do is put faith into someone and have them not live up to their expectations. Obama’s success is going to play a large role in determining whether or not more people believe that he is in the process of fulfilling Martin Luther King’s vision, and with success I believe that more people will be open and their arms and be accepting of “The Dream.”
I believe that the idea of Martin Luther King Jr’s vision “has been fulfilled” is slighty off base. I strongly think and hope that the views of most American’s have changed but to say that his dream is coming true is incorrect. From my understanding MLK wanted to see change in America’s people thoughts against other races and see more compassion/acceptance towards all people. Just because Obama was voted into office has not shown great effects or change in all of America. Although I don’t see change in all American people, I do see a change around campus. I notice that all different races are integrating with each other and even many biracial relationships.
In our most recent class Professor Richards brought up a great question towards a picture of our nation’s first family. We were asked if we saw a black family or just another family. Although I think of myself open to other cultures and races and the least bit racial, I caught myself saying I saw a black family. This idea of seeing race before seeing what people really are was eye opening. I hate that people are so focused on Obama’s race first and his views second. I first was skeptical about having an African American for a president but after reading further into his background and political standings, I was all for him. If I was him or Michelle Obama I would be insulted with all the press about him being the first BLACK president, instead of being a great change for our suffering country.
On behalf of CNN’s poll I think it is ridiculous because of their question and the time it was taken. I understand the hope that African Americans have towards a “black” president, but I don’t see how they feel so great because they don’t even know if he is going to do an amazing job. Just because he is black doesn’t not give anyone the right to believe a change is ahead. MLK was for complete compassion between all and right now I see no difference within a whole. My stepdad, boyfriend, and many other close family and friends have nothing good to say and have no hope for Barack, and only see our future going to hell.
I fear that Americans will not give him enough time to fix something before they start to doubt his ability and when that happens, crap will hit the fan… Our country is suffering so much that we will need more then just a few months for things to change, but as we all know Americans are all about getting things done fast and wanting things directing to the point. I fear for Obama’s safety still (which also shows MLK’s dream is NOT fulfilled) and that sad to think. All I can hope for is open minds and open hearts in our future.
Brittany Seigle
I believe that the idea of Martin Luther King Jr’s vision “has been fulfilled” is slighty off base. I strongly think and hope that the views of most American’s have changed but to say that his dream is coming true is incorrect. From my understanding MLK wanted to see change in America’s people thoughts against other races and see more compassion/acceptance towards all people. Just because Obama was voted into office has not shown great effects or change in all of America. Although I don’t see change in all American people, I do see a change around campus. I notice that all different races are integrating with each other and even many biracial relationships.
In our most recent class Professor Richards brought up a great question towards a picture of our nation’s first family. We were asked if we saw a black family or just another family. Although I think of myself open to other cultures and races and the least bit racial, I caught myself saying I saw a black family. This idea of seeing race before seeing what people really are was eye opening. I hate that people are so focused on Obama’s race first and his views second. I first was skeptical about having an African American for a president but after reading further into his background and political standings, I was all for him. If I was him or Michelle Obama I would be insulted with all the press about him being the first BLACK president, instead of being a great change for our suffering country.
On behalf of CNN’s poll I think it is ridiculous because of their question and the time it was taken. I understand the hope that African Americans have towards a “black” president, but I don’t see how they feel so great because they don’t even know if he is going to do an amazing job. Just because he is black doesn’t not give anyone the right to believe a change is ahead. MLK was for complete compassion between all and right now I see no difference within a whole. My stepdad, boyfriend, and many other close family and friends have nothing good to say and have no hope for Barack, and only see our future going to hell.
I fear that Americans will not give him enough time to fix something before they start to doubt his ability and when that happens, crap will hit the fan… Our country is suffering so much that we will need more then just a few months for things to change, but as we all know Americans are all about getting things done fast and wanting things directing to the point. I fear for Obama’s safety still (which also shows MLK’s dream is NOT fulfilled) and that sad to think. All I can hope for is open minds and open hearts in our future.
Brittany Seigle
I think these poll numbers can be seen in many different ways. I believe the optimism of the African American people is a result of the amazing feat they have overcome as a people by Barack Obama being elected as the 44th President of the United States. Although this is definitely a step in the right direction, it is very obvious to me that we still have a ways to go before Martin Luther King’s dream is truly realized and fulfilled. It is not a bad thing that a lot of black people are much more optimistic because for them, this whole situation is completely different than it is for white people. The election of a black man (even if he is only half African) is a HUGE step toward Martin Luther King’s dream. I think it helps give hope to the colored people of our country. To see a man that is more like them preparing to make the great and necessary changes in our government that no one before him could is phenomenal.
The fact that the number of white people that believe Martin Luther King’s dream has been realized is so low is because in general you could say that white people are not having the same experience in excitement that the African American’s are. Yes, the hope of great change is still on their minds but just electing the man to do it is not the end of the journey. As President Obama has said numerous times during his campaign and then at his inauguration, it is up to us, the people, to forward the process of change. I think that white people just see the election of Barack Obama as a stepping stone toward the fulfillment of Martin Luther King’s dream.
Another reason why the white numbers were so low could depend on who was responding to the poll. If a majority of voters in the poll were older and more conservative American’s they may have just voted against the fact that Martin Luther King’s dream is in the process of being realized just because of their political and racial views.
I, myself, do not believe that MLK’s dream has been truly recognized yet. I don’t believe thinking it has been fulfilled is healthy for our minds only because there is so much more to do to fulfill Martin Luther King’s goals. And if we get too excited about this change that is to come, we may never get focused on the jobs we all need to do to make it possible.
But for now, the incredible amount of optimism can be used as a morale boost to help America as a whole become a more equal and peaceful place. When this has been accomplished, that is when I truly believe that MLK’s dream will be fulfilled.
No one can say that if it wasn’t for the last 18 months, these poll results would be the same as they were five or ten years ago. The mere fact that a (half) black man has risen to become the most powerful man in-what many would say-the most powerful country in the world has allowed many people to believe that the MLK’s dream has been fulfilled. However, I feel that many people, especially Blacks, are very ignorant about the subject and feel that just because Obama is president that things will change. Sure, it is a memorable step in history of Blacks and America, but there is still a lot to be done. As a Black man myself, I saw many other African Americans voting for Obama simply because he was Black. Yes, Obama was clearly the more qualified candidate but some people just voted for him because of the color of his skin. Now that he has become President, some feel that the dream is fulfilled, but if this nation allows that to happen, then what else is left for us to achieve. Blacks are still segregated today as they were 40 years ago, even though laws prevent from such. Not to mention that there are still many minority groups, such as the LGBT community, who are fighting the same oppression and segregation that Blacks were receiving in the Civil Rights Movement. To say that the dream was fulfilled just because one man was elected President is complete ignorance in my opinion. These poll results do however show that America has moved on the road of progression. To hear my grandmother, who grew up in segregated Virginia, break down in tears because of Obama’s victory was something that touched me in a way I never thought could happen. Especially for black men of my generation, seeing Obama win lets us know that we really overcome any tumultuous situation and become whatever we want. People-both Black and white-may like to believe that there is no more racism, but those are people living with rose-colored glasses on because it does still exist and many people of all ethnicities are being held behind because of it.
The remarkable thing that I see from the results is that white people are in generally more optimistic about such topics and although it may be because of guilt, but I feel it is because some Blacks are still trying to hold on to the past. Yes, we did endure discrimination for over 100 years, but if we continue to hold on to that fact, then nothing can be accomplished because any little negative event is sometimes blamed on “racism”.
Throughout the election process, my peers and I have discussed as to whether or not race is an issue and whether or not it even should be an issue in voting for this country’s president. I have always been torn with this matter. A part of me wants to say no, race should have nothing to do with one’s decision on who to vote for. One must be able to look at the candidates’ ideas, beliefs, structure, their ability to lead and the United States’ well being. The color of skin shouldn’t matter, because it’s not who a person is and does not dictate their actions. But then of course, another part of me wants to be like, yes – race matters. We have to recognize that at this moment in time we are able to vote and elect someone who is not, well, an old white man. A few months ago, just the fact that Obama is running for presidency gave many people the hope that they have been looking for; that African Americans and other minorities have been looking for. If Obama is able to attain this great achievement, then certainly doors will open for everyone else.
So for the most part, how can 69% of blacks in America not be optimistic now that Obama has taken the presidency and has officially started his term. This is a great time in history wherein change is happening right before our eyes and we are able to witness this event.
Going back to the post, I do recognize that black people are “riding a spiritual high that crescendoed right after the election when, for the first time ever, a majority said that we would eventually find a solution to our race conundrum”. It’s a very valid argument, and as stated, the enthusiasm will eventually wane. But this doesn’t mean that there has not been progress in our society. Albeit little, as minorities would argue – but it’s progress nonetheless. Let’s look at it this way: after all the hype is over and everyone goes back to their daily lives, the fact that this country now has a black president is going to affect people’s attitudes towards race. Whether these attitudes are good or bad is up in the air, but being aware of it and being able to recognize how our society classifies race in our lives is already something. After all, sociological mindfulness is what all of us should gear towards.
The difference of then and now is, today, black people of America, (or even of any minority in America), are now able to tell their children, with honest faith and conviction, that they can be whatever they want to be – even grow up to be the President of the United States. Though absolute equality is certainly not present yet, the hope that it will be, the hope that Obama’s victory has brought, is enough to keep people’s optimism high and dreams more tangible.
Rules: It's harder than it looks! Copy to your own note, erase my answers, enter yours, and tag 10 people. Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions. They have to be real. . .nothing made up! If the person before you had the same first initial, you must use different answers. You cannot use any word twice and you can't use your name for the boy/girl name question.
Have Fun!!
1. What is your name: Tiffany
2. A four Letter Word: that
3. A boy's Name: Teresa
4. A girl's Name: Tyler
5. An occupation: therapist
6. A color: teal
7. Something you wear: t-shirt
8. A food: tacos
9. Something found in the bathroom: towels
10. A place: Tennessee
11. A reason for being late: talking too much, haha
12. Something you shout: This sucks!
13. A movie title: Titanic
14. Something you drink: tea
15. A musical group: Toto
16. An animal: tiger
17. A street name: tenth street
18. A type of car: Thunderbird
19. The title of a song: The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide is Press Coverage - Panic! at the Disco
I think these are some really interesting numbers, and I also think that the results have a lot to do with…you guessed it: Barack Obama. Obama. The People’s Leader, The Messiah, the great all-powerful orator who has turned this country on its head. “Yes we can” has become the tagline for people’s political and economical lives all over the country – especially black people’s. Obama has done something great for our nation (at least the majority of the nation that voted for him) before ever stepping into office: he has inspired hope.
Hope is a funny thing. Hope or lack thereof can make or break a lot of people. Hope can make people do things that they never dreamed they could do. Hope can even inspire an underdog minority culture to be inspirational about the direction of their country. Obama is someone who allows us all to be proud of our country and what we’re doing, and the hope that he gives the citizens of this country is probably a huge reason why people are so optimistic about the fulfillment of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream.
The thing about thinking that that dream is “fulfilled” is that of course black people are going to be optimistic about it. It’s the sad truth that most white people could give a rat’s ass about the equality of blacks and whites. Ok, ok, that’s not quite fair. A lot of white people are really nice and of course they want everyone treated equally and all that. But if you have the white advantage, and if white supremacy works in your favor, it’s not exactly in your very best interests to be ultra-proactive about equality for all. However, if you’re the victim of white supremacy, you have a lot more vested in rising to the top. Of course black people are going to be more optimistic regarding Martin Luther King’s dream. White people think, “Hey, black president, cool.” Black people say, “Our first black president! We have a black president! When Dr. King talked about his dream, they were talking about this moment in time! Yay Obama!”
I would be interested in seeing the statistics of people from different races who were asked that same question. What would an Arab person say, or a Jewish person or a Latino/Latina or an Asian person? Would they care? Would someone from another race think twice about Martin Luther King’s “dream” of all our children playing together without prejudice or judgment? I think they would. I think that someone from another race who was another “color” would understand the importance of everyone getting along and a world without racism.
That’s not to say that I think racism is gone; not by any means. But by electing a black president, we are well on our way. And I think that the numbers of the poll simply reflect that black people understand that more than white people do. And good for them.
Although so many blacks feel that MLK's dream has finally come, i don't really agree. I do think that what is happening in America is very important and will have a huge impact on us and the future, I don't think that it should be made into the huge deal it currently is. I agree with a lot that President Obama says, however I feel that even if he wasn't black he would still have won the election. What he stands for is new and I think thats what our country needs. He is looking at America from a new point of view and want to "change" how things have been being run.
I can see where the numbers in the polls are coming from because even though he is only half black, it is such a big deal in general. If you look at this past election, history was going to made with each canidate. we would either be having a half black president or a woman vice. I think that both of these circumstances are amazing and it is great to see that our country ismoving forward.
I think that having a black president really says that our country is changing and becoming a better place. As I talk to my grandparents about the new president, they could never imagine this happening when they were ny age, but to me, I think that it is amazing. I don;t look at Presdent Obama as being a black man in the white house, I think of him as being a great thinker ready to take on our country to make it a better place.
When reading the statistics posted above, I really thought there was a typo and it was supposed to say 69 percent of white people and 46 percent of black people believed Martin Luther King’s vision has been fulfilled. That is what I would think the number would normally look like. And then I read further and realized that just several months ago, the numbers did look normal. It’s kind of crazy that just because Obama became president-elect and then, now, president, black people believe the dream has been fulfilled. I, personally, do not believe we have reached the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yes, the leader of one of the most powerful nations in the world is black and that is HUGE and historical. But, that does not mean job well done, you can stop fighting for equality and your rights. I feel the 69 percent of black people were really trying to say that Martin Luther King’s vision is clearer today than ever before. If the question was worded differently then I think the numbers would make more sense. So now I start to really wonder why the numbers have gone in this direction. Is it just because of Obama? Do black people really believe what these numbers say they believe? I talked about this with some of my friends whom are people of color, including black. Their reaction was mostly shock. Their personal belief was that although we, as a nation, have come a long way but the struggle is not over yet. And I do have to agree with their sentiments. Then again, we have to take a look at how the numbers in those statistics were reached. Did they ask specific people in a specific social or economic class? Did they just post it on their website and let anyone answer it? Most of the time, number can be swayed by who you ask the question to. Believe or not, this I learned in my BB H class this semester. My professor gives us numbers and statistics but makes sure we always know where they came from and who the people were that were surveyed. So this is another factor I think we need to all consider when hearing these numbers. In order to reach equality every person of color, president or not, needs to be treated the same. When the first family can be seen as just another other family and not a black family, then the vision has been realized. When a black person gets into school and the white person doesn’t and it’s not blamed because of the other person’s color, then the vision has been realized. Only when our whole society changes is when MLK’s dream is fulfilled.
After reading the numbers from the poll indicating that 69% of black people now believe that Martin Luther King’s dream has been realized, I had to take a step back. I think it is amazing how this election of Barack Obama has inspired so many people of color. They obviously have high hopes of equality for the future and it was a little surprising to me to find that not as many white people shared this enthusiasm for the first time in history. There could be many different explanations for this switch, but I believe it is because white people are a little unsure of the future.
White people have always considered themselves to have the upper hand, especially because the past forty three presidents have been white as well. Now that we have a black president, even though the reality is he is only half black, I think white people feel a little uneasy about what this means. Even talking to some people in my family, I see this uncertainty that definitely would not have been present had a white president been elected. Even my dad who I find to be a very rational person did not watch the inauguration because he is not in any way excited about Barack Obama’s upcoming term as our president. I find this to be a very thrilling time in our country and I am ecstatic that finally black people feel they have something to celebrate for as well.
I was also surprised that the number of white Americans who believed Martin Luther King’s dream had been realized only increased 11% since last March 2008. I would have thought that numbers would have skyrocketed after electing a black president for the first time in American history. Meanwhile the number of black people increased 35% since that same March 2008 poll. White people definitely feel the pressure of a changing country.
Our very own country elected this new president so it surprises me that not as many white people are optimistic about the growing equality within our very own society. I understand that people did not simply vote for him because he was black, although some did. Many voted for him because of his hope, his political standpoint, his policies, among other aspects. But there is no way it can be ignored that if Barack Obama had run for president twenty or so years ago, he would not have been elected. Despite all of his redeeming qualities, people most likely would have never gotten over the fact that he is a person of color. I am excited for what the future holds, and we will see how much Obama can further the recognition of MLK’s dream.
When I read this blog entry I was absolutely stunned by the statistics. I think it is fantastic that today’s black community is so optimistic about MLK’s vision, as opposed to the “quintessential pessimists” they allegedly used to be. It is fascinating that one man could change the opinion of millions by entering the running for the Presidency. In a sense, Barack is like Martin Luther King. He entered the public limelight and, over time, changed the views of hundreds of millions of people. While I do not think the vision has completely been fulfilled, Barack Obama is definitely a major step in the plan of MLK. The fact that today’s percentage of white Americans who think we’ve reached the promise land has gone down, and the black’s percentage when up is shocking. Or is it? I thought so at first, but upon a deeper thought I came to the conclusion that it is perfectly reasonable. See here is how I look at it. For black people this new President has brought on a sort of high, like I saw written in another blog response. Sam stated it perfectly in that the white celebration does not have the momentum of 400 years of mistreatment. But I don’t think it’s the fact that white people aren’t as excited that made the percentage fall. At least for me, it seems like America has turned another page and has opened up another chapter of history, which means there is so much more room for improvement. Don’t get me wrong; this is a huge step up to the promise land. But I think with this Presidency comes many more opportunities to eliminate racism. Obama is in an extremely tough situation right now, coming in as the first half black President this country has ever seen. He has what many people refer to as balls. I am excited to see what he can do with this country. It doesn’t help that the economy is terrible right now. America has the tendency to hate on the President because of the awful situation the country is in at that present time. I hope that is not what happens to Obama. He’s being given a lemon.
It blows my mind how far America as come. Like we saw in class on Thursday when we looked at a picture of a black slave who had been badly whipped, then another slave, then the picture of the first family. I was so taken back by that. It’s almost chilling. Just think of how much further we could get if that is where we started. I very strongly believe that there will be a day when racism is a thing of the past.
I feel these poles represent an increased sense of optimism in the black community. I say black community because the CNN pole was about the high percentage of blacks in America who believe that Martin Luther King's vision was fulfilled, not because I actually believe that only blacks feel optimism. The morning after Obama became president, I saw that in the Daily Collegian an article on the front page was titled "Blacks rejoice in D.C.." I'm not going against the writer of the article, I just feel that she should have considered the Whites, Latinos, Asians, and the other differing races that rejoiced as well. Whether they be black or white, all different races have been affected by Obama's presidency, and I have witnessed many different types of people that feel MLK's vision has been fulfilled as well. By being optimistic and thinking positively about the change America has just witnessed, who does it hurt? Yes, a lower percentage of whites felt that Martin Luther King's dream was fulfilled, but one hundred percent of people are not all going to see things positively. Many are still going to feel inequality and racism. Martin Luther King discussed in his "I Have a Dream" speech that he wanted to see a day when people didn't judge others by the look of their skin. However, there are many people whose judgemental beliefs have never and will never change. These ideas have then been passed down to their offspring, thus leading to a continuous unchanged cycle. That isn't to say that improvement towards racial descrimination has not been seen. Obama becoming president proves this. A black president would have never been imaginable back when slavery was accepted, and when racial descrimination was at an all time high. Although there are differences in opinions as to whether or not Martin Luther Kings dream was fulfilled, I personally believe that it was not fulfilled, but improved upon. Obama becoming president has not shown a change in racial discrimination, it has just made the improvements towards discrimination more visible to the eyes of the public. Obviously if we as Americans voted for Obama, the improvements have been there. We have come a long way. Soon, we will move forward even further. This presidency has shown great things and expressed improvement in America, and the many who were once scared of change are beginning to see the benefits of having a new optimistic outlook.
(Edited)
Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream of racial equality has not completely been fulfilled, but progress definitely has been made. A lot of Black people may believe that the dream has come true because Barack Obama is president, but just because one Black man is now the leader of this nation it doesn’t mean that everything is gravy for minorities in the United States. Besides what the media portrays, society is not often politically correct. Minorities and ethnicities are still being discriminated against. Barack Obama’s success comes from his support system. He had his family’s support through his whole life, and once he decided to run for president, he inspired not only Black people but also all kinds of minorities in America to keep working towards a time when nobody sees skin color. The day when stereotypes no longer exist is still a while away, but for now this country has taken a huge leap forward. He looks like the people of the world who have to struggle to live, work, and provide for their families on a daily basis. He looks like the people who’ve had to work their way up from nothing to have a little more than nothing except he has taken his work and progress to a whole other level. For so long this country has been run by people who don’t really know what it’s like to be lower middle class or in single parent-multiple sibling families. Barack Obama has worked with people who have faced these obstacles and has himself had to go through things that Real America not just Black people go through everyday. Obama has achieved things that general stereotypes about people of minority backgrounds would normally not have allowed.
I agree that this whole situation is like an optimistic high. People are so caught in the fact that our president is black and that they sincerely believe race issues are seemingly solved. I can’t help but feel like this is foolish. I mean sure MLK did have a huge and long lasting impact on the civil rights for African Americans but when people heard who he was did the immediately think that he was going to solve all the problems for blacks? I would hope not. I think the reasonable thought of those wanting to further civil rights would not to look at one person and say they have solved everything but instead join in his fight and in his cause. Yes I do think it is amazing that after years and years of oppression the American public had enough faith in a black person to elect them as president of this country we live in. But I don’t see Obama as an answer to my prayers of the result of decades of struggle. I see him as one more step.
Also another thought what if Obama after two terms as president leaves the White House with the same level of approval from the U.S. public as George W. Bush did? I feel like if Obama fails to uphold his principles and promises to Americans this whole event will turn immediately into a step backwards. People will immediately attack Obama not as a president but as an African American. This would give so much fuel to a “racist” fire. People will be quick to point out his flaws and mistakes and quick to couple them with the fact that he is black. This furthers my point that this whole believing that MLK’s dream is fulfilled is a temporary high. It seems like it is so easily taken away and ruined even though it took so much to get this far. If Obama fails or disappoints the public I think if polled African Americans agreement that MLK’s dream is not fulfilled will be lower than before Obama stepped into the lime light. This is both stressful and disappointing.
Lastly I do believe it is exciting that traditionally pessimistic black Americans finally feel that they are equal to whites. To me this is very inspiring and enlightening. I hope that these numbers do rise until the point where these types of polls aren’t necessary. I sincerely hope that Obama prevails and doesn’t leave the office with that taste Bush left in Americans’ mouths. I hope he proves many people wrong and proves much for his fellow African Americans. I enjoy the feeling that many people think we are approaching racial equality in my lifetime.
I personally think we are far from the promise land that Martin Luther King Jr. prophesized of. Yes Black people have a higher percentage of optimism than ever before right now, but I think that is all it is, optimism. I feel this country has a veil over its head and it will fall off soon. I say this and I am brown.
Do not get me wrong, I voted for Barak Obama, and while I do not think he is the greatest presidential candidate ever, I feel he will get this country and maybe even the world, moving in the right direction. I chose him for his political innocence. Obama is like a kid asking “why not” questions. When people say that the world cannot change, he will ask them, “why not?” That may be a reason why people voted for him. But I think people are forgetting that Obama only won by just over half of the popular vote. I believe the election was fifty-six percent to forty-two percent. That means that just under half of the country did not vote for him. This does not mean that half the country is racist, but I would wager that a large portion of the McCain votes were purely based of race, creed, religion, or some other bias. It’s just the way it is. When I voted in the democratic primary this past year, you would have thought I had just killed a man. Being brown probably did not help the situation either. I voted in a farm town in Eastern Pennsylvania, and they were as far right as I had seen. Driving back, I saw a huge Ron Paul support sign on the side of a mountain. Mind you this is months after Ron Paul had formally withdrawn from the race. Anti Obama sentiment was high, and I heard people that were there talking about Obama; the main topic of conversation, his skin colour.
But I do feel that the white pillar is slowly being eroded, faster and farther than ever before. Personally I see race, I am not racist person, but I definitely recognize race. It becomes ingrained in you after you have followed in stores so many times. And I can see that people are interacting with people outside their racial and ancestral circle more than ever before. I also see a large amount of mixed people now, a sign of broken barriers. I love this and I definitely think it will continue to happen. But I do not think we will get to the point of absolute acceptance, ever. In my opinion, I just think there will always be people who just do not want anything to do with a certain group. There has always been separation and animosity between different groups. And while it will dwindle, I think it will always remain. It is too much a part of society to ever leave.
With the recent inauguration of Barack Obama there has been a lot of talk about Martin Luther King’s dream, especially since the inauguration of the new president fell on the day after we remembered and paid tribute to Martin Luther King. MLK’s dream was that one day all of society would be equal, and man could live in a world without racism. Does having a half black man in the highest seat of power in the country make Martin Luther King’s dream a reality? In my opinion, I think the inauguration of President Barack Obama in a HUGE step in the right direction, but it is by no means the fulfillment of a beautiful dream. I think it is a gigantic step for this nation because it has opened our eyes to see that the fulfillment of Martin Luther King’s dream is a real possibility in the future. It also shows how far this nation has come. However, so many issues still plague the African American society and so many people still carry the racist views of the past, which makes me realize that his dream has definitely not been fulfilled. Someone in the Soc119 class put it best when she said that the dream will be fulfilled when there is a president of any other race than white and the color of his skin is not a point of discussion and we just look at him as our president not as our white, black, Asian, or Mexican president. If I am saying that the dream has not been fulfilled, then how can I explain the 69% belief by African Americans that say that the dream has been achieved?
I believe that in today’s society there are more optimistic blacks than whites about Martin Luther King’s dream due to the fact of whom each race may have voted for. I feel that the majority of the black community voted for Barack Obama. Therefore, giving them the feeling that the dream has been realized. However, I think many more whites did not vote for Barack Obama and some may not have because of his skin color. Therefore making whites have the more pessimistic output because they more likely knew individuals who did not vote for Barack in part because of his skin color. I am not saying that all whites thought about his skin color, but many more whites did not vote for him because of his skin color than African Americans, which may be the reason for this poll result.
Another reason I believe more African Americans said that the dream has been realized is because the election of President Obama is a drastic CHANGE. During the time of Martin Luther King, the thought of a black president would be unheard of so the fact that their finally is one has made the African American community feel more like his dream has been realized because such a great change has occurred.
Therefore, although I think our country has taken an ENOURMUS step in the right direction, I still believe MLK envisioned far more! I believe if he were alive today he would say we have made great strides but there is still much to be accomplished! However, the fact that 69% of African Americans believe the dream has been accomplished shows how far we have come and how a bright future lies ahead!
I found this really interesting that with the election of Barack Obama, many more citizens believe Martin Luther King’s vision had been fulfilled. I’m not surprised that polls of this nature exist but I have never come across one in my time, and I think it’s pretty neat to look at how the numbers have changed across different races. It is very surprising to me that the number of people who believe MLK’s dream has been reached has increased among black people. I would have expected it to increase some due to Obama’s election, but I would not have guessed the number to be greater than the white peoples’ vote. I think it is really awesome how influential Barack Obama is in our nation. For a poll to increase from 34% to 69% is remarkable. Although there are still many people who believe a black president is not enough to call a dream finally fulfilled, others believe it is substantial. I think the election of Barack Obama is a huge change in our nation and history. Being white, I would feel uncomfortable to say that MLK’s dream has been reached through having an African American president. I don’t think his dream is complete until people are finally past race and skin colors and all of the uneasiness that is entailed. A black president may be hope for many but I agree that it is not enough.
Being somewhat ignorant, I am not knowledgeable of Martin Luther King’s entire speech or aspirations so I looked up some information online to be able to decide if I agree or disagree that his vision has been fulfilled. I wanted to know what I would have polled, but realized I needed a little bit more information and read over his speech to refresh my mind. MLK said: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." I think that the election of a black man for president shows that the nation was able to get past skin color and just vote for someone. At the same time, I’m sure there are many people, white and black, that voted for Obama because of his skin color. But all the same, Obama won and many black people believe strongly that is a great new change for race history.
However, I do find it surprising that African Americans polled higher than whites for MLK’s dream fulfillment because I would think that for everything in the past, African American people would not agree so easily that a black president is enough. Obviously there have been other changes throughout time and Obama is a new big change, but I still expect much more.
Although it is interesting how drastically the beliefs of the African American people have shifted because of Barack Obama’s election and then inauguration to the presidency, it is equally fascinating how the beliefs of white Americans have barely changed at all. The African American population is extremely optimistic about Obama’s election, and for the first time they believe that Martin Luther Kings dream is coming true. White Americans, on the other hand, appear to have no change in opinion at all, almost as if they are unaffected by this amazing accomplishment in the history of the United States.
With only 46% of white American’s thinking that Martin Luther King’s dream has been realized one must wonder why this is. One possible (and more pessimistic) explanation is that the white population is refusing to admit that African Americans are accomplishing the same things as they are. Another explanation is that white Americans realize and appreciate Barack Obama’s success, yet understand that there is still work to be done until the entirety of white America can fathom and support the fact that an African American man is now the President of the United States. I like to think that the latter explanation is the more popular of the two.
I disagree that white people were polled as being more pessimistic on this issue because they feel threatened by the success of the African American community. If this was the case Barack Obama would never have been elected in the first place. Many whites helped to elect Obama back in November, and the people who voted for him did so because of his ideals and his stand on the issues, and the majority of whites who did not vote for him did not do so because of his race, but because they disagreed with what he had to say.
Barack Obama is a man who accomplished everything because of his merit, and not because of his race. The explanation for why the members of the African American community were so much more optimistic about this subject then whites is because they more fully understand the obstacles that he had to overcome to accomplish all that he has. After the hundreds of years being thought of as inferior by whites, the fact that so many white and African Americans could elect Obama together is a more vivid accomplishment for African Americans than it ever could be for white Americans.
Also, the struggle that African Americans had to accomplish this is more engrained in the memories of African Americans than it is for white Americans. White Americans learn about slavery, segregation and race riots in history class, but it is not a topic frequently, if ever, spoken about in the home, we do not have ancestors that endured so much. For African Americans, however the story of their ancestors struggle is one that has been told to them for as long as they can remember, and this is why the election of an African American president affects them so much more profoundly.
First of all, let me say that the idea that the election of Barack Obama represents the fulfillment of Dr. King's Dream is naive at best, insulting at worst. But thats the subject for another post.
I think that part of the discrepancy between the before the poll numbers and after the poll numbers may have had to do with 2 related factors.
1. Many Blacks didn't fully consider the meaning of the election until after the election. Many Blacks(myself included) didn't allow themselves to fully accept the possibility that Barack Obama might actually win this election until election day. Even many of those who were shoulder to shoulder with whites campaigning for Obama still had within themselves deep down, unconscious skepticism about America's true ability to live up to its rhetoric. I'm not talking about conscious thoughts here. I'm talking about the kind of subtle doubt that gently eats away at you even as you work for, hope for, and discuss racial harmony. The kind of doubt that had my mother (who lived through the realities of segregation) watching the election with fear long after all the networks had called it for Obama. This kind of doubt could only be erased by the seeing the image of the first family. Consequently, despite the fact that we've lived with this possibility for a long time many(not all) didn't fully embrace the possible meanings of it until it was inevitable for fear of having our hearts crushed yet again.
2. Related to this, I think the actual experience of election night was a powerful and influential commentary. It certainly was for me. Watching the overwhelming numbers come in, hearing Barack Obamas acceptance speech(as well as John McCains concession speech), seeing the images of the new brown skinned first family, and perhaps most importantly the seeing and hearing and feeling the euphoric reactions of millions of people all over the world deepened my understanding of the symbolic power and potential of the moment.
As I mentioned earlier, I also think emphatically that anyone who sees this election asthe fulfillment of Dr. Kings dream, doesn't really understand Dr. Kings dream. Most Americans are only literate with a vague, simplified, surface, kumbaya version of Dr. Kings dream. This is similar to how Bob Marley's rich political messages became reduced to peace love and pot(and how Marley eventually became a patron saint or white fraternity kids?!).
On the other hand if you had asked me about my feelings about the significance of the election before and after..my answers would have also been different quite different. I'm glad nobody asked. Now I can just give the right answer..:) Just Joking.
Has MLK’s dream truly been fulfilled? Honestly, no I do not believe it has been. How can we say it has when there is still so much racism and animosity lingering? Yes, Obama being elected as the 44th president of the United States is an enormous step in the right direction. However, can we please look back on all of the negative comments and hatred that has been thrown his way? True, Bush did receive a lot of nasty comments, but not to this degree.
Can we honestly say that Obama is in the White House because everyone who voted for him actually wanted him to be there? I do not believe that this is the case. In fact, had someone else other than McCain been running against him, I do not believe that the situation would be the same as it is. McCain was not qualified for the position. Is Obama? Well his is definitely more qualified than McCain.
One thing that upsets me is that majority of Americans voted based on race alone. Where were all of the African American voters before? Why all of a sudden are they interested in being a registered voter? Because there was a black man running for president. How many white people voted for McCain on the sheer basis that he was white and that Obama was black? Too many!! So thinking back to the original question, was MLK’s dream truly fulfilled? Not in the least bit.
Will MLK’s dream ever truly be fulfilled? Well in my opinion it cannot be when people are constantly retreating back to the times of slavery. Yes, your ancestors were affected by slavery. However, how can we blame the ancestors of white people for what happened to our ancestors? It was not them who directly enslaved us and it is not us who are directly affected by the enslaving of our ancestors. How are we supposed to move forward when we cannot get past history? Sure, history is a large part of our world; however, if we really want MLK’s dream to be fulfilled we have to move past the past. We have to realize that times have changed. Look at our new president… TIMES HAVE CHANGED! Since times have changed, why can’t we change? When we will ever be able to move forward in life and make peace between the races when we keep dwelling on elements of the past that we have absolutely no control over? Sure I would love to go back in time and prevent slavery from happening. But can we? No. How would the world be today if it were white people who had been enslaved? Sure people say that they would have never happened. But can we just imagine how different things would be? Would white people react the same way that blacks did to the election? “We did it!” How did we do it? Obama did it. Obama… not we. We cannot claim to be apart of his success just because we share the same racial qualities. Sure, it is a success for everyone of the race, but it Obama who actually did it. That may sound contradictory but I really mean that.
No.. hell did not freeze over. We have just taken one much needed step towards somewhat normalcy. However, we are still a long way off from fulfilling the dream.
Has MLK’s vision truly been realized? I do not think this is a question that can be given a simple yes or no answer. This is a complex question, a question that goes beyond the stark contrast of black and white and into a rather indistinct shade of gray. And a complex question deserves a complex answer.
The statistics provided by CNN are facts. Before President Barack Obama left his law practice to enter the political world, only twenty percent of blacks thought MLK’s dream had been reached. By March 2008, when Obama had emerged as the front-runner in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, that statistic had risen to thirty-four percent. A week before Obama was sworn in as president of the United States, the percentage of blacks who believe MLK’s dream rose to sixty-nine percent, a clear majority.
The correlation between the rise of Obama’s political career and the rise of the aforementioned statistic is no simple coincidence. Obama is a symbol of success for the black community. He is a living, breathing example of the endless possibility our country has to offer. A former lawyer and senator, Obama now sits in the Oval Office as the most important man in America. If a (half) black man can become president of the United State of America, essentially obtaining the most powerful political position in the world, then surely MLK’s dream of equality among all men has been reached. Or so it would seem.
However, I tend to think that this belief, that this sudden surge in black optimism, is both premature and misguided. Obama has been able to rise through the political circles and gain fame, success, and respect. But he is no typical black man. Obama was born to a Kenyan father and a white American mother, but he was raised by his maternal grandparents in Honolulu, Hawaii. He did not grow up on the streets of Harlem, of North Philadelphia, of Chicago or of Detroit. He was not born to a teenage mother, and he did not grow up in a family led by a single parent. Barack Obama did not have to struggle to graduate high school; he did not have to avoid the violence of street gangs, as many young, black men must do. I don’t mean to stereotype or generalize in any way, for studies have shown that the aforementioned difficulties are shared by many young black people. In many ways Barack Obama was born a member of the privileged elite, graduating from both Columbia University and Harvard Law School. As a member of the middle class, he has been able to move through some very elite circles, circles where political correctness and a façade of tolerance reign supreme. Political ideology, theory, and practice often change much before the general opinion of the population at large. While the figureheads in the Washington circles are ready to accept a black president, many Americans are not.
Barack Obama won both the Electoral College and the popular vote. He was elected by a majority of American citizens, and rightfully so. But with his ascendance to power, it seems that the American people, blacks especially, are forgetting how far this nation has to go in the area of racial equality. The ghettos and slums of our the cities of our nation are still populated by a majority of blacks. Blacks have a higher incidence of incarceration and a lower incidence of graduation. They are underrepresented in the government. Barack Obama is a sign of the beginning of a new trend, not a sign of the end of an old.
As most of the responses have probably said, I also think that this is not exactly the solution to Martin Luther King's dream but it is definitely heading in the right direction. I can honestly say I was a little concerned with Obama and some of his history that was brought up, but I feel that the media tore him up simply for his color. It was almost as if something had to be wrong. After hearing Obama in his own words and getting to know him for the last year I am now happy with the nation's decision in our president. I think he can do great things and I think he will create a good change for our country as a whole. As for the polls, it does not really surprise me that much that the numbers have changed so drastically for Black Americans. After watching the video in class and seeing the various pictures of the slaves of the year Obama was born, it is evident we have come so far and things are only getting better. Now, having elected the first colored president, the dream is only becoming clearer. But it is still obvious that much more can be done. We talk about the comfort levels of students in class and how white people become embarrassed or ashamed when slavery is brought up. We talk about how people feel about buying things from stores that somewhere down the line were supplied by slaves. This shows that there are still issues that can be fixed. The past is the past and it was a horrible thing, and sure people do not like talking about it because of how belittling it was to so many people, but we need to look forward to the bright future we have with our newly elected president. I do not mean forget the past, because we need to learn from such a horrible mistake, but instead of reminiscing on it, take what we learned from it and use it to move in a positive direction.
I agree strongly with the statement of color and how now that a colored American is president, he is seen as half black but also half white. It did not strike me until that was brought up in class how true it was. It just more strongly proves the work than can still be done to make the country a better and more unified place. I am very proud of the decision made when our president was elected and I think Obama will do great things. I think that although this is not the answer to MLK's dreams, it is definitely a step in the right direction.
Dr. King’s dream has been realized, not fulfilled. I think that’s what many people have confused, not just black people. Once the idea of having a black president has truly settled in, I believe people will go back to living and thinking the way they originally have. If not originally, minimal change in their perspective has occurred. Honestly, I’m excited to see that our new President of the United States is not only of mostly African American descent, but one of the most qualified individuals I’ve seen so far. President Barack Obama is almost similar to the Dr. King of our time. Not only is he our president, he’s an important black figure in our time to promote change in the world, not just race.
I think the reason some black people have opted to believe that the “dream” Dr. King once spoke about is fulfilled is because it was almost impossible to envision having a man of color run our country. And because President Obama won by such a significant number of votes shows that is wasn’t just black people voting for him. I found it funny that a number of people voting for McCain were upset at the fact that black people were voting for Obama, especially the chick on my floor that made it a public announcement. I don’t think they realize that only 12% of black people populate the US. So there’s another 88% they’re obviously forgetting about.
Racism is still an ongoing dilemma the US will face for many years to come. Honestly, racism won’t be completely obliterated before I die. With that said I can only see it getting better. Having President Obama in office will hopefully open the eyes of older generations and influence the eyes of younger ones to come. This may sounds kind of off-centered but I believe as long as the older generations keep getting older and eventually non-existent, newer generations will hopefully take on a more liberal stance on race. Race doesn’t seem to affect my generation as much as it does older ones. The American culture is so diverse; it’s hard to define it with a single word. I do believe that we should all be able to agree that race shouldn’t be an issue anymore.
With all of that said, I believe that each “race” should help each other out with our new President. I’ve heard too many times people saying “Obama will fix it, he’ll solve that problem”. Along with Obama working to resolve some issues, we as a people need to continue to help ourselves. People need to look to be more punctual and have a more open perspective to other people. Particular with the group of people I identify with, the stereotype of black people not being punctual or uneducated should be cleared away. Everyone needs to better themselves in order to make a better America.
In response to the blog “Did Hell Just Freeze Over?”, I would like to discuss why I think blacks are more optimistic than whites for the first time in history. This is quite surprising, I must admit, but I can definitely see why this happened. The black people of this country are so excited to have the first “black” President, that they feel an exaggerated sense of security. We have come a long way since Jim Crow and legislation permitting blacks to vote. Not only can they vote now, but they are largely responsible for Barack Obama’s recent victory. Whites, on the other hand, probably feel somewhat unsure about what this historical election means. Many are excited, and many are probably scared. Just think of how politicians used to refuse rights to blacks. What if Barack Obama decided it was time to refuse whites their rights. Obviously, I do not think this would really happen, but the fact that whites have historically been cruel to blacks probably has some people nervous.
I also think blacks are on a high, because they finally have seen that it is possible for someone of their race to succeed. Everyday black men become lawyers, businessmen, doctors, and professors. But never, in the history of our country, has a black man held the most powerful office in the country, the Presidency. This gives black people a newfound hope for their future generations. For instance, I saw one person’s facebook status the day of the inauguration. It said “I just saw a picture of my two-year-old watching Obama, and it brought tears to my eyes.” Whether this person thought their child would grow up in a racially peaceful environment or they were just moved by the moment, parents all over the country are reacting to this election. People see their children growing up in a world where their race is less significant than their qualifications. In this sense, I understand why blacks think that MLK’s vision has been reached. Maybe kids will grow up in a country where they are not judged by the color of their skin. I personally feel that this is not entirely true, but black kids will have more opportunities than they have in the past.
MLK’s dream will not have been reached, in my opinion, until we stop making a big deal out of our President’s race. When we have a black President, and everyone just sees him or her as a good politician, not as a black person, then we will have reached MLK’s dream. This election was historic, and I don’t blame people for celebrating the first black President. Even so, it is time to move on from the race issue and focus on the job he does in office. We have come a long way on the race issue in this country, but we are far from where we need to be.
Barack Obama has projected himself as a symbol of hope and change for the citizens of the United States as well as the world as a whole. The economy is down, we are at war with the world; we need change. Coming off eight years of, let’s face it, a bit of a setback, Obama has proven himself to be someone that we can trust. With his charisma, charm and eloquence, he is a man that the world can look to for guidance and support in the world we live in today.
In terms of the current optimism that black Americans feel now as opposed to this time last year, I think that is all due to the skepticism most people felt that Barack Obama would actually be elected President of the United States. When he announced that he would be running for president, sure people were happy and elated. This was a chance for the change. However, to think that he would actually be elected—that was another thing entirely. He has now been elected, and change is now a reality, not just a dream that seems out of reach. Black people have the courage to now lose the skepticism and believe that the future of our country will be different and promising for people of all color.
It is a different story with white people. They never felt the effects of segregation and racism that affected so many people since the creation of this country. A Black president promising change has a different effect on them that it does for all those people that have felt the effects of prejudice and racism on a daily basis. Perhaps that is why a big percentage of them do not feel that this country has fulfilled Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision. Perhaps it will take a bigger act. A black person has been elected president, but nothing he has done is concrete just yet. I am confident that he will prove himself as a president, but until he does, I don’t know if I believe those poll numbers will go up.
Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream of equality. The citizens of the United State are not equal just yet. We have come miles and miles from the state of the country during the civil war and the fight for civil rights, however equality is not something that is felt from the Bible belt to the sunshine state. We need more time and more people like Barack Obama to make that happen. Throughout his (hopefully) eight years as president, Barack Obama will prove himself to this country and help us reach the milestone of equality. I believe we are in great hands.
-Emily Kanoff
After reading the blog, “Did Hell Just Freeze Over?” I had to re-read the poll numbers to let them fully sink in to what was being contemplated upon. What the poll numbers mean to me as a White citizen, is that the black community is finally feeling that they are being recognized in a positive light in this country. For decades upon decades, I feel as if blacks constantly felt that there was no respect for them and it would be a long time until they would be fully respected. Now that there is a half-black president in office, I feel that they have a sense of security that change is going to come to America; that they indeed are finally reaching equality with those who once looked down upon them as slaves. As a person who has never agreed with discrimination or slavery, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but America still has a long way to go before full equality can be reached. Yes, we do have an African American in office currently, but that does not mean that every white person in America respects him, they technically do not have to like him personally. I feel as if African Americans polled that the dream of MLK has finally been reached because they have someone in leadership of a minority. True, Obama captured the minds and hearts of many on his campaign trail, but there are still going to be many people out there who do not respect people belonging to the African American race. I know this is a huge step for people of color and it is something that I will never fully understand because there have been presidents of my color for hundreds and hundreds of years. I will not ever feel what they felt on inauguration day, or what they felt on election night when what was once a dream was finally becoming a reality. But what has become a reality must not ground African Americans too greatly. They need to realize that there are still going to be people holding prejudices (unfortunately) and there are still going to be African American hate groups that now have another person to place threats upon and place blame for our countries faults. I believe what the polls were saying is that they finally reached a landmark that they can hold in their hearts as a HUGE step forward. But they also need to take a step back and look at the big picture. Our country has a lot of changing to do, and maybe MLK’s dreams have been fulfilled, but there are still so many things that need to take place in our country before MLK can look down upon this earth and really see that he made a difference.
I think that 69 percent of black people in America currently believe that MLK’s vision “has been fulfilled” because of the election of President Barack Obama. Arguably, holding the position of Commander in Chief of the United States of America makes Obama the most powerful man in the world giving him a prestige most people only dream about. Up until this past year, only a few African Americans have held higher-ranking government titles such as Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice. Now, there is a new inspiration and role model for the black community. Obama’s charisma and high-spirits are so palpable that it may be his own qualities that are sparking the optimism of African Americans.
Ever since the racial war in the 1960s, new laws have been sprouting up left and right enforcing equal rights, and anti-discrimination, and affirmative action. However, the beliefs of America have never truly been perceived. Just because a person follows a law doesn’t mean that they believe in the law (drinking age 21? honestly? who thought of that?). This time, there were no laws stating that we had to give Barack Obama an equal chance just because of his race, we gave Barack Obama an equal chance because he was the most qualified and the general population supported that.
Which also explains why the white population had a 12 percent increase in agreeing that MLK’s dream “has been fulfilled”. Who cares if the black population has a more optimistic view? At least the white population’s response didn’t decrease. African Americans should be excited and proud. Even as a white woman in today’s society, I can appreciate that we have a minority holding our most respected office.
Although we as a country have made great advances in the growth and development of minorities, MLK’s vision has not been exercised to it’s fullest... yet. We are not living in a racial Utopia just yet. Unfortunately, there are still many ignorant people who discriminate and hold prejudices purely based on the color of a person’s skin. There are still many ignorant people who didn’t/don’t think that President Obama is capable of holding such a position because he is half black. There are still many ignorant people who don’t allow their children to date a person of the opposite color.
However I believe that the election of President Barack Obama has given this country hope. All it takes is one person (as shown by Martin Luther King Jr.) to inspire an entire group of people. All it takes is one person to get people up off their feet and start doing something to change the minds of others. And I believe that President Barack Obama can be that leader.
Change has truly come in this country. There’s no question about it. We still have a long way to go, but from how its looking, there’s no where to go but up. This generation is a lot more open-minded then previous generations. Obama spoke to young people in a way that they could relate to him. Many of the young people voted on the fact that Obama had the better credentials than John McCain. The race factors in later. Obama’s presidency sends a message to the older generation that change has come. The polls showing the number of black and white people that believed that this country had fulfilled Martin Luther Kings’s vision shows a little of how much America has changed. The polls that I’m interested in are the polls that show the number of young black and whites against older blacks and whites. The generation gap is extremely different. The people that are deeply affected by Obama’s presidency are the people who actually lived back in the days where times for blacks were horrible. They are the ones that have truly seen the change.
Through out my life, my parents always told me that life as a black man in America is extreme tough. They kept on preaching to me that America is plain racist and that I had to work three times as hard as a white person. My parents were telling me this because they have encountered racism many times. They carried that with them for a long time and constantly reminded me that racism is real in the United States. My father and mother started following Obama from the very beginning. They told me that there’s something about him that touched them. It was the fact that this man, a black man, was willing to run for office despite all of the racism that lives in America. That is the very type of attitude that my parents want me to have. They told me that he spoke in a way that my parents and other people could relate to him. All the struggles that my parents went through, Obama has gone through it as well. When Obama won the elections, my parents started to cry. Even though I knew that this was one of the biggest historical moments that has happened in America, I didn’t cry. I was extremely happy, but I wasn’t as emotional as my parents. If I had lived in the times of my parents and I saw Obama win, I would probably cry as well because I would have seen and experienced the hard times in which my parents lived through.
As big as this event was, the older generation is mored touched about Obama winning then this current generation.
First off I want address the people that call my President Barack Obama half white. This term half white points out that Obama has white blood so that makes it okay for him to be in office. This makes the white people more comfortable to have him as president of the United States. They makes it seem like it is not a true breakthrough for African Americans. I’m telling all the people that refer to the president as half white, that you are looking at the glass half empty. Let me ask you if this was the time of slavery and there were plantations. Would Obama be considered half white then? Would Obama have any rights? Any ounce of African American blood in someone they would be considered a “nigger”. Obama might have had the right to be a house slave because of him being bi-racial but he would not have the rights of human beings, which include voting. Now to address the poll difference, things are different for blacks now than before. Blacks are seen as being pessimistic based on previous polls. We were given our rights we have our little positions of power in the world. But do you think racism is really over. To say yes to the question would be naïve. Racism still lives today in our society. It may not be out in the open but people still have racist thoughts about other races and because of today’s society are not brought out. So blacks never really believed that this was the promise land MLK spoke of. America had to show us African Americans that the time has been changed. It has been shown. An African American that would not have been able to vote, live free, or take any position of power is now president of the United States. Another reason that blacks show so much enthusiasm could be the fact that it happened sooner than we thought. No one thought it would happen so soon. It sparked a sort of pride in all African Americans and why should anyone say that we cannot be happy and prideful for what happened. This is not the first time whites have given someone credit through white influence. For Obama his influence was his white mother. Not knowing that his father is straight from Africa. Whites will talk about how a black person had something to do with whites to be successful. If you have African in the office and he won the candidacy, it would pointed out that he was raised by whites or taught by whites or was influenced by someone. I feel it is wrong to point out that he is bi-racial because it would not be pointed out in those job interviews for black people who are unable to obtain a job due to the racial barrier. It was a milestone that Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and Jesse Jackson have been fighting for. The poll change is from the fact that our commander and chief is black.
Despite being a United States citizen and over the age of 18, I was somewhat indifferent throughout the entire election process. I never felt a strong connection to Obama, like someone who had been heavily involved with the civil rights movement. If anything, I was leaning my support towards McCain simply because it would have meant a much needed tax break for my family, and I agreed with his healthcare reform policies. Now, being indifferent raises concern. Even most artists would prefer a person to absolutely hate his/her work than to have no reaction at all. Without any emotional response, the work is seen as a failure. Only recently have I started to feel something, and that change came about after being in class and actually learning some of the history behind what made the inauguration of Obama a big deal.
Maybe I can blame my lack of a response on my upbringing. I grew up in a rural area, a rather conservative environment with its share of racists. Even after being on campus, witnessing the excitement of the other students around me involved with Obama’s campaign, I kept thinking in the back of my head only of how disappointed they were all going to be when people, like those from my home town, couldn’t put differences aside to actually elect Obama. After all, it’s not easy to step out of one’s comfort zone, to take a chance and actually step outside the box. As you can imagine, I was surprised when he actually won, and even more surprised by how much he won by. It was a wake-up call that change was occurring. Basically, I had been stuck in the bubble.
Obama won fair and square because of his qualifications, so now it’s time for me to give him my support. So far I’ve been wrong about his chances of winning, and I don’t want to continue my negativity by saying he’s sure to disappoint us by not keeping his promises. I don’t want to be one of the white pessimists represented by the CNN poll, but I do think we have a long way before we can say MLK’s dream has been fulfilled, but change is occurring faster than I thought. Now I feel like his winning has been long overdue.
I think the CNN poll shows that the endorphins are still running high from the election, but there definitely has been progress thus far. It would be nice to see just as many optimistic white people instead of the see-saw effect, but who knows what the future holds. Will there be a woman president next? Will same sex marriages become the norm? Now we should focus on the near future and see what Obama does during his term because white, Asian, African American, etc… it doesn’t matter now as long as the leader we elected fulfills the goals he/she set out to accomplish and leads our country in the right direction. I can’t exactly say what the CNN poll means, but Obama’s election has caused me to start thinking for myself and giving the people of our nation more credit.
The most obvious explanation for the newfound optimism in the country’s black population is the election of Barack Obama. In 40 years, to go from widespread prejudice against blacks and other ethnic minorities to the election of a minority, is a gigantic accomplishment, and easily momentous enough to change any group’s outlook. That Barack Obama is “half-black” is inconsequential; as has been discussed during the lecture, much less was needed in earlier times to deem a person black, and to subsequently withhold social mobility from that person. For that optimistic 69 percent of the American black population, the dream was realized when outdated social prejudices were given up by more than half the country.
Differences between the black outlook and the white outlook can be linked to two things. The first is the wording of the actual poll. To say that Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision has been fulfilled may mean different things to different groups. Taking his words literally the vision would only be complete when racist or prejudiced thought is eradicated from the mind of every American. A less radical and more realistic approach would be to see the vision as the ability of every person in America to pursue their lives without intervention. This goal, then, could easily be viewed as fulfilled; a man who, less than one hundred years ago, would have been considered sub-human by a startling majority of Americans, was elected by the people to the country’s most visible seat of power. Obama’s victory, then, would account for the raised optimism in both groups.
America’s white population, despite an increase of 11 percent in favor of the realization of MLK’s vision, still does not share in the new buoyancy of the American blacks. It can be assumed that the 11 percent who changed did so because of the election of Barack Obama. How, then, can the 23 percent difference between the groups be explained? The most rational explanation would be that white people have something else impacting their idea of what King’s dream is, or, further, something to alter whether or not they believe that equality is as widespread as it might appear in the culture of the United States. Again, this perception would have to be primarily reflective of an ethnic or cultural difference, as only about 30 percent of blacks share the outlook with 54 percent, a majority, of whites.
Glaringly, the explanation is, in all likeliness, feelings of white guilt. However, this guilt must not be confused with the traditional form, in which white people feel the collective guilt of their ancestors for enslaving and de-humanizing an entire ethnic group. Rather, the guilt reflects the discrimination and stereotypical preconceptions that are still harbored in the white mind, a flaw which is not necessarily acted upon but which still exists. When asked whether or not blacks are as free to be as successful as whites, then, this hidden notion of prejudice presents itself, and the white population has to, in all honesty, say no, because they know such prejudice still exists.
As a republican who has grown up in a conservative household, the following is going to be very hard to say. However, President Obama deserves much praise for his selection of Rick Warren to deliver the opening prayer at the inauguration. It is a well known fact that Warren is a firm believer that marriage should always be between a man and a woman. For the most part, members of the gay and lesbian community vote for more liberal ideas. This past election showed that only 24% of the voters voted for Republican nominee John McCain. So, in choosing Rick Warren to give the opening prayer, some critics are saying that President Obama has essentially turned his back on some of the people that helped to get him elected.
However, the other side of the argument shows that President Obama is sticking to his plan of having a bipartisan government. Maybe there was some actual truth to his words when he was calling for “change” during the campaign. By inviting Rick Warren to give the opening prayer, President Obama proved that he is willing to look at both sides of the issue. Who knows what his reasoning was? Whether if it was a move to get some republicans on his side or whether he was just making amends on a friendship, Obama should be commended for this choice.
This was a big first step in showing that Obama will cross lines to get things done. However, it remains to be seen if this will continue to happen throughout his Presidency. Obama has stated that he will incorporate republicans in the process of trying to get this country out of the recession. However, a recent vote on the new stimulus package in the House of Representatives showed that we are far off from having a bipartisan government. Every single Republican and even a couple of Democrats rejected the vote. However, it was still not enough to overcome the rest of the Democrats, as the package still passed through the house. I don’t know about you, but this does not sound like a plan that was thoroughly thought out from representatives from both sides.
Throughout his campaign, Obama chanted “Yes we Can” and “Change Will Come”. However, so far he has failed to live up to this change. In Washington, we still have a completely divided House and Senate. The only difference now is that there is a Democrat in the office rather than a Republican. With a Democratic President, House, and Senate, there are no checks-and-balances in Washington at the moment. Now, more than ever, we need Obama to stick to his goal of seeing both sides of an issue. It was a good start with the selection of Warren as the giver of the opening prayer of the inauguration. However, what is next for President Obama?
Journal 2
“Did Hell Just Freeze Over?”
The poll numbers, blacks becoming more optimistic while white people are becoming less optimistic… it all has to do with the fact that our new president is “half” black. In the past, I feel that there was really no reason why the black community should have felt so pessimistic towards where the world was going. Granted we all have our opinions and I am sure some white people have felt the same way, but I think the reason that black people are much more pessimistic when it come to politics is because up until now, our presidents, and the people running for president, have all been white. Meaning I simply think the reason most black people were so negative was due to the race of our president, they did not think a white man can do it. However, now that there is a man I office that is now “half” black, the black community feels more optimistic. Is this simply based on race? I think so. Guaranteed Obama was more suited for the job, but would he have gotten as many voted from the black community if he were white? I honestly do not think so, I think most just jumped on the band wagon when they found out that the United Stated can have it first black president, even before they really got to know the other candidates and what both stood for. Do not get me wrong, I voted for Obama too because he was the more qualified for the job, I just feel that most of his success from the black community was due to his race. A friend once said to me, “I think Obama got the most support form both sides because he is the perfect color. He is not too black to scare off the white community, but he is black enough to get the support of the black community.” This statement is very true, and once again, it just relates back to race.
When it comes to the question whether or not Martin Luther King Jr. vision “has been fulfilled,” I partially agree with 69 percent of the back community. I feel that it somewhat has. Martin Luther King wished that one day we could all live in a peaceful world that was equal, and were race was not an issue. There is still race in the world which is why his dream is not fully fulfilled and which is why it probably never will be. However, due to the fact that there is a “half” black man as president proves just how far we have come. Years ago, no one would think such a thing would happen, but it has. And to tell you the truth, I am happy it has. It is about time that people stop looking as soon as they see ones color, and keep looking until they see one’s true self.
Journal 2
“Did Hell Just Freeze Over?”
The poll numbers, blacks becoming more optimistic while white people are becoming less optimistic… it all has to do with the fact that our new president is “half” black. In the past, I feel that there was really no reason why the black community should have felt so pessimistic towards where the world was going. Granted we all have our opinions and I am sure some white people have felt the same way, but I think the reason that black people are much more pessimistic when it come to politics is because up until now, our presidents, and the people running for president, have all been white. Meaning I simply think the reason most black people were so negative was due to the race of our president, they did not think a white man can do it. However, now that there is a man I office that is now “half” black, the black community feels more optimistic. Is this simply based on race? I think so. Guaranteed Obama was more suited for the job, but would he have gotten as many voted from the black community if he were white? I honestly do not think so, I think most just jumped on the band wagon when they found out that the United Stated can have it first black president, even before they really got to know the other candidates and what both stood for. Do not get me wrong, I voted for Obama too because he was the more qualified for the job, I just feel that most of his success from the black community was due to his race. A friend once said to me, “I think Obama got the most support form both sides because he is the perfect color. He is not too black to scare off the white community, but he is black enough to get the support of the black community.” This statement is very true, and once again, it just relates back to race.
When it comes to the question whether or not Martin Luther King Jr. vision “has been fulfilled,” I partially agree with 69 percent of the back community. I feel that it somewhat has. Martin Luther King wished that one day we could all live in a peaceful world that was equal, and were race was not an issue. There is still race in the world which is why his dream is not fully fulfilled and which is why it probably never will be. However, due to the fact that there is a “half” black man as president proves just how far we have come. Years ago, no one would think such a thing would happen, but it has. And to tell you the truth, I am happy it has. It is about time that people stop looking as soon as they see ones color, and keep looking until they see one’s true self.
I was recently watching The Patriot, you know, that wonderful movie with Mel Gibson about the American Revolution. As I was watching this very long movie I couldn’t help but notice how stupid their fighting style was. The Red Coats and the Americans would both stand in this huge, open field facing each other. The drums of war would be beating on both sides and men would be waving flags to help remind each other what they were fighting for. The rest of the men would be caring one shot bayonets and preparing themselves to take a life. The Patriot does a great job of depicting how much all these men want to shit there pants because they know someone on the other line is aiming a gun at them. I can only imagine what it would really be like to be in there position. To hear the drums stop and know its time to be a man and kill someone who is the same age as me. To kill someone who has a family that loves them and is waiting for them to return home. So many lives would have been saved had everyone just tucked their tails and run, but obviously that didn’t happen. They killed each other from long range by blowing huge holes in each other with their massive bayonet bullets. My thought is that maybe if we still fought this way, out in the open starring out opponent down and seeing all the fear and life in their face, wars would be fought a little less. In today’s world, you can kill someone from miles away, never seeing their face, never hearing their screams of pain. Today, killing has become so removed. The person who is pressing the button to drop the bomb from the plane above a family’s house will never know who they actually killed.
I know its unrealistic to think that just because you are standing in front of someone and can see their face and all the fear in their eyes that killing would stop. As much as we all hate it, it’s a kill or be killed world when conflict arrives. However, the reality is that the people who actually suffer the most from the fighting are the innocents who get caught in the cross fire, like Doctor Abuelaish’s young daughters and niece who were tragically killed by a bomb. Why can’t we all just make love not war! The only pain in the world would be broken hearts, not lost limbs and dead bodies. I hope one day that conflict can be resolved in a peaceful way and we can make amends for all the lives that have been killed in the quest for power.
Christine McMeekin
Do I think that Obama’s campaign has been widely successful in bringing “everyone to the table”? Yes, I would say so. This does not mean, however, that Obama will be successful at keeping the peace or appeasing everyone, or even following through on everything that he has promised throughout his campaign. Nonetheless, it is a step in the right direction. Already, he has proven that he is willing to at least try to follow through on his promises. That, I believe is something that this country is in desperate need of and something that will definitely change how America is perceived (both by her own citizens and by others throughout the world).
That being said, and in light of the differing of opinion on marriage, I pose a different view, when it comes to the questioning of its past morality of the previous 5000 years. Of course many of us today would agree with the fact that we think it immoral that an older man should marry a young child, yet “back in the day,” young girls were often married off by the age of ten. And, to be honest, that was culturally acceptable at the time and is only a minor detail to the overall aura of marriage. That did not threaten, nonetheless, the very essence of marriage (and thus, families): they consist of a covenant between a man and woman and their offspring.
This nuclear societal construct, then builds upon itself to create our societies, our nations, our culture, etc. The homosexual movement to consecrate same-sex marriages changes this, does it not? A family, then, would no longer be constituted as a man and a woman who come together to raise children. It stands to reason that changing this simple view of marriage would thus change society in drastic ways. Our entire understanding would have to be molded again into something new.
Unfortunately, the homosexual debate generates much controversy and has witnessed a mishandling of the subject from both the purporting and opposing sides of the argument. Just because someone does not agree with the sanctioning of homosexuality, does not make him or her a homophobe. I do think that the church has widely mishandled the issue though. It is much simpler to just fear something and condemn things than to show someone, that although you may not agree with what they are doing (or how they are living), you still care for them and are willing to witness God’s love to them. There are misconceptions on both sides of the fence and there are many people who have misrepresented both Christians and homosexuals. Regardless, someone must seriously contemplate and question the societal implications of such a radical change on the construct of marriage and not just simply on the war between the opposing sides.
Since the election, the up rise of enthusiasm in the black community has been tremendous. There has been celebration, after all the history there has been between blacks and whites, we are finally equal. I personally do not see it that way. Though this is an extremely historic time in our country, I do not believe that there is equilibrium in our society.
I believe that the poll results are promising, and exciting for our country. We are in uncharted territory for our nation, and after 8 years dealing with something that’s broken and unfixable we are now allowed to feel hope for our country. The black populace has made a giant step forward in our society as a whole; they broke though a wall that many thought would never fall. They did it with a man who is intelligent beyond all reaches of the word. President Obama has a plan of action for this country and is giving us all hope.
There are many areas in this country where black people are not welcome what so ever. I’m from a small town on the east side of Pennsylvania, and go line dancing on a pretty regular basis when I am home, I went to a tavern on a night they had line dancing while I was in high school. That is when saw a group of people kick a black person out of the tavern because they were black and were quote “Not welcomed here”. I could not believe my eyes when I had seen this. Many people may say they know that there is ‘backwoods racists’ in America, but when you actually see someone get kicked out of an establishment just because they are black, it helps force the point that there are many people who are ignorant to the fact that we are all the same and everyone should be treated equally.
The poll results are promising, and we can only move up from here. Yes a black man has reached the highest level in our government, but when I look at it, I see a man who was the most qualified for the position. MLK, though he would be ecstatic over the forward progress our country has just taken, would see that we as a people, still need to move forward. We still see President Obama as a black man; MLK would want us to see him an American, a man with no color, a man that is the same as you and I. We need to stop the narrow mindedness of those “backwoods racists”, prove to them that we are all the same, and that our society is moving forward with or without them. The future is extremely promising for me and my generation and even my own children, and hopefully our first black president, Obama will allow us to live in a country with no color barriers, a nation of one.
Mike Sands
Hell is still warm. Dr. King’s dream of racial equality hasn’t been fulfilled. Some 40 years ago when Martin Luther King Jr. gave that now famous “I Have a Dream” speech he was looking for something more. First, things first, the fact that we finally have an African-American President now in the Oval Office is great. Mind you that Barack Obama is half-black and half-white, the time for change could only happen now. We’re living in a time where the racial divide is almost nowhere to be found. Let’s take a closer look at the world at large. The majority of top stars in Hollywood are still white but that is slowly changing. The top athletes in the NBA and NFL are black but even that is changing. I grew up in an all-black neighborhood. For most of my life, went to all-black schools but there were times where I had to experience life in different aspects. When I was in the fourth grade, I went to an all-white school. I’ll be honest. It sucked. At such a young age I had to experience something totally different from my normal life. For the first time, I was a minority. For the first time I was out of place but that didn’t stop me. I made some really close friends but I hated the teacher. In the eighth grade I attended an all Latino school and things really changed for me. I really fell in love with everything around me at the time and it was a great experience. My family has pretty much expected that if I do get married than it probably will be outside of my race mainly because I love my mamacitas. Now I’m here at Penn State where once again I’m a minority and this time I was prepared for it. The campus is 83 percent white and five percent Caucasian. My roommate freshman year was Asian and this year he’s white. Dr. King’s dream is coming true. People are friendlier and are really breaking barriers everyday. The fact that we now live in a nation racism really won’t be tolerated is a great thing. To think that with Barack Obama being in the White House is what Dr. King was striving for and looking for is ridiculous. It’s a step in the right direction but we can always strive to do bigger and better things. Our lives are changing on a daily basis. I think a big step was Bill Clinton becoming President. I’ve never seen a white man become so embraced by many people of different colors. He was nicknamed the first black president. I call him that all of the time. Dr. King’s dream is still alive and kicking. It’s still out there, but I’ll tell you one thing; it’s far from being a nightmare.
For the United States and its entire people, the 2008 Presidential Election is a monumental event that will stand beside George Washington, the Constitution, and the Civil War, in history books. This event has dawned a new day in terms of equality and open-mindedness for not only America, but for the world. To say the least, having the first African American president in the White House is a groundbreaking occasion in the history of the world, which undoubtedly stirs emotion in everyone. Whether one is happy or sad, excited or mad, emotion is pumping and influencing thoughts and ideas. The CNN pole stating that 69 percent of blacks in America believe that Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream "has been fulfilled", is a perfect example of emotions influencing judgment. Although everyone is being affected by emotion right now, blacks are especially susceptible to their emotions. It is something that whites can only begin to understand. Going from a segregated and oppressive country to having a black president in less than forty years is astonishing, and blacks particularly must be beside themselves. It is very silly to have a poll asking if King’s dream “has been fulfilled”, so soon after the election, since people’s minds are clearly clouded by emotion. If this same pole were given a year later, the results would most likely differ by a significant amount. Although it is rather surprising that the percentage of white’s who feel King’s dream "has been fulfilled", was nowhere near as inflated, with 46 percent agreeing. Especially when before the elections the percentages agreeing with the statement were 34 percent of blacks and 35 percent for whites. This could be explained by an exuberant amount of positive emotion being expressed by blacks, or possibly that blacks and whites feel very different regarding the association between a black president and King’s dream. Either way, it will be interesting to see the same pole a year from now. It would be especially interesting if the percentage of blacks that feel King’s dream “has been fulfilled” remained the same. A strong majority of the population did obviously vote for Barack Obama, which doesn’t necessarily mean racism is extinct, but it means a whole lot of white people are comfortable voting for a black man. An excerpt from Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech "I Have a Dream" reads, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character”. The 2008 Presidential election shows that Barack Obama was clearly not “judged by the color of their skin but by the content of” his character. So what does this mean? If King’s dream hasn’t been fulfilled it is undoubtedly well on its way and nearing completion.
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