Will You Allow A Black Man
To Save Your Country?

A Racism Test For Americans

by Roland Kriewaldt

Dear citizens of the United States of America: please vote for the candidate whom you can believe in and trust. Whatever you do, don't fall into the trap of voting for a white guy just because you're afraid that a black man might do unto white society what it has done unto him. But Barack Obama is no victim of "the system". He is a symbol of a healthy, functioning democracy. Let us not enslave him with our fear as we all prepare for a great and historical shift in our worldview.

Know this: the US economic and social ship has run aground with largely the same old white men at the helm. And with each passing year since 2000, the precious cargo of global influence is spilling away. You may not like breaking with old social habits, but your country needs you to change, too. The heart of America is ready to move forward into the future. Are you?

If you vote in trust of what you know and see, then you are releasing your own power. You will move with the tide of this great transitional moment in your country's history. If you vote in fear, then you are not truly free in your heart and mind. You will be voting as a slave to your imagination, not the reality that stands before you.

So "White American," when the best candidate in decades comes along, don't walk away from his helping hand because you're afraid of his skin or where its been. You cannot judge him for the actions of other black men anymore than you can be judged for the actions of Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dallmer or Timothy McVie. You did, however, vote for the current administration, and we know that they have blood on their hands. American blood.

The American Dream, In The Flesh

Barack Obama is an educated and caring family man. His success story of rising from simple means to becoming a presidential candidate embodies the realization of the American Dream. His life stands as a testament to the ideology of freedom your troops, both black and white, are fighting to defend. He is an embodiment of the constitution of human rights and equality. Barack Obama defied incredible odds, socially, economically and statistically, to become the first presidential candidate in decades who deserves both our trust and respect. Don't blow this one, America, just because he's black. There may not be a second chance to get it right.

Barack Obama is the political equivalent of America's iconic movie hero, "Rocky", a symbol of hope that all have an equal chance and a shot at "the title". He is the kind of person that parents hope their children to be one day. Wise and intelligent, he is also a caring and responsible family man. He has created his own success story through hard work and study. He is highly educated, a published writer, a formidable politician, and a person motivated to make a difference. Best of all, he's one of us, not some outsider peering at you like some demographic or statistic that needs to be baited into voting for a decoy.

I trust Barack Obama to make good on his promises. He may encounter opposition, but if he fails, then at least you know that you voted for someone who actually gave it a legitimate shot and wasn't faking his desire for "change" just to steal your vote. And open and honest attempt to improve American life would be a profound and refreshing change from the last 8 years wherein George W. Bush proved through his actions that his presidency was about seizing more power for himself and his friends.

Like you, I've witnessed so much government abuse that I've come to distrust and even detest politicians in general. But I love Obama, the man, the idea, and the grace which he continues to show in an arena known to harbour far too many sociopaths, psychotics, hypocrites, and generic power hungry fanatics. I don't worry about Obama stuffing his pockets with tax money, or seeking to become part of some social elite who rule the countries they live in from behind the scenes. I think he wants to deliver on a promise he made to himself as a young man growing up. I think he wants to be that superhero that a free society can create. And he's right on time, because the United States needs someone with that kind of ambition to fix this great fracture between nations and between the American people. Its time to unite, America, and Barack Obama is the man to heal old wounds. Don't settle for four more tortured years of fear of social isolation. The heart of America needs to come out from the shadow of fear to shine the light of love back into everyday life. That is the tradition you must defend with your vote. America has had its goodness and greatness suppressed for too long. Now is the time to shine. Now is your time.

Vote Based Upon The Evidence

We would find few in the political arena who speak negatively about Barack Obama. And I would suggest that there are many Republicans who secretly wish that they had an Obama on their side.

Beyond the court-side insults you might hear during any competition, Barack Obama is openly respected by many republicans because he has earned his way to the top without taking their flame. The path he has chosen and his acknowledged record of soliciting Republican assistance to pass bills shows a willingness to share power and influence with Republicans rather than hoard it as has been done these past eight years by Bush and his administration. Such actions speak to the character and the diplomacy Barack Obama will bring to domestic and foreign policy. I don't expect him to press any buttons and start new wars just because there's good money in it for industry, but I expect him to listen to reason because that's what he wants you to do.

I don't expect him to ignore Republican views just because they come from Republicans, so don't ignore Obama just because he's a Democrat. Or worse, because he's black. Barack Obama is not a destroyer but a builder of nations. Whatever you do, please don't make John McCain or Sarah Palin out to be something that they're not just because you're afraid of voting for "the black guy", okay?

Barack Obama is now poised to become the next President of the United States. He is educated and someone in a position of power who actually knows and remembers what it is like to struggle, a theme which is becoming all too common even among middle class Americans. Barack Obama shows the traits of a true leader, and a refreshing calm amidst a backdrop of almost constant and paralyzing social fear since the attacks of 9/11. I think he realizes that we can't do anything positive while we're motivated by fear. He is the only candidate who has shown an interest in moving beyond America's current emotional suffering to heal the wounds and move on into the promise of a bright new future.

Barack Obama makes no claim to have killed foreigners in battle or to have been tortured in a prison camp. It is doubtful that either of those would have made him better qualified to lead a nation back on its feet. He would likely also have fewer emotional scars and no residual anger toward foreigners who won't dance to the beat of an American drum. Instead, Barack Obama is as graceful and compassionate under pressure as one would expect of a prophet or a holy man, but certainly not a politician. That alone, is change worth noting.

John McCain, on the other hand, has a history of being short tempered. And his involvement with shady dealings within the "Keating Five" scandal adds to the mystery of why this man is running for office. McCain walked away from that ordeal after a lengthy investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee who criticized him for having exercised "poor judgment". That's not what you want in a president. And when John continues to change his position daily according to the weather and the income bracket of his audience, it shows us what style of leadership he will execute in the White House - slippery, non-committal and as untrustworthy as his predecessors. In other words, a replay of the Bush years, but this time with a 6 year old war ongoing and a deeply endebted nation struggling to find the bottom. In fact it shows that he is being led behind the scenes like a puppet on a string. Who are the puppetmasters? The same people behind Bush?

Barack Obama does not need to be briefed on what Americans are thinking because he is truly one of the people. He does not pander because he knows what is needed. He is an "issues" candidate. He does not ask that you vote for him because he is the first black nominee, or to vote against John McCain for being white. His social record is an open book. He works with and for all people. Barack is not using voters as a vehicle to gain power. He is not willing to say anything that you want to hear in some vain attempt to win the top US popularity contest. I believe that John McCain will do and say anything to win this time. And he has proven it with ads that not only question Barack's integrity, but his tolerance for white people.

Racism Is Natural

Unfortunately, Barack Obama's fate may be decided by white people whose only experience with blacks comes by way of television newscasts. Nightly they are treated to a display of angry or apathetic black faces of young criminals fighting street level wars that rich white people wage with stocks and bonds - or young American soldiers. And it is this constant barrage of negative programming that imprisons all American minds from living in that truly free nation where all are equal in their right to succeed, even as President of the United States.

Racism comes from nature. It is not an embarrassing, evil secret that only spills out in the midst of uncontrollable fear and anger. Racism is how both animals and humans identify potential threats to their own survival. In order to know a predator, you must know your own species. And just as the North American "Indians" knew something was up when a boatload of cream colored folks came smiling, so too are white people suspicious of anyone who doesn't share their skin color. The presence of a different color or way of dress can signal many things including differences in food intake or social customs. Racism is a way to help societies identify those who may share their favored rituals. Perhaps some people think that voting for Obama will end with them having to listen to Rap Music and watch basketball. Racism - the fear of those who don't look like us - may have been helpful when humankind was separated and uncivilization. The truth is that many black americans have been living in the country for much longer than the white immigrants who followed. There is little to fear when everyone is growing up inside the same culture. You cannot say that there is a legitimate difference between a white American and a black American. You can, however, see a great difference between a wealthy and a poor American, and of the latter, they can be of any race. The biggest problem is that this ever-present fear of differences has never been openly addressed by the country as being a simple product of nature, rather than some conspiracy concocted in the backrooms of the mythical white and black supremacy movements. Just because animals use color and features to discern their own species from others doesn't mean we have to turn it into a competition. Let this coming presidential election reflect only our highest spiritual and social aspirations, not the lowest common denominator of the animal kingdom - the fear of predators in our struggle to survive.

Barack Obama has survived an incredible amount of right and left wing manufactured bad publicity. But despite those attacks and the fallout from Hilary Clinton's defeat in the primaries, Barack has held strong and his resolve is ever clear and decisive. Americans have proven themselves ready to move past the shadows of previous generations and are now able to choose between a quality black candidate and a business as usual white Republican male whose claim to fame is being tortured in Vietnam. It's not clear whether he wants voters sympathy or whether this is considered one of his credentials. Regardless, it is obvious that he and his running mate, Sarah Palin, are going the Bush/Cheney route with their lies and masquerades already documented well in advance of the election. No one can say they didn't see it coming if they're too afraid to vote for the better man, who just happens to be black.

I think that Barack Obama has demonstrated his conscience clearly in his vote against an invasion of Iraq. While nearly every politician, left or right, was falling for the lies or bowing down to peer pressure, it was Barack Obama who dared to defy a largely white majority by questioning the Right Wing Neoconservative wisdom of the day, which turned out to be shameless and calculated lies to deceive the American public. If others knew, why was Barack Obama one of the few politicians brave enough to call for clear thinking rather than a mad dash into a seemingly endless war? It reminds of of the current push for a hasty decision from Bush and friends; another impulsive act of fear to bail out greedy, larcenous loan companies with tax dollars while offering the Federal Reserve unlimited powers to spend your money without questions, reviews or even a hint of democratic thinking. Are you going to vote for more of the same? With all the lies and decoying going on, you could well be setting yourself up for a downfall courtesy of "All Pain, No Gain McCain".

I'm tired of watching Americans being misled and I want to do something to help. I'm a Canadian who has spend much time in the red states talking to the kinds of folks who vote for traditional ways and views. Let's face it, Barack Obama can't pretend to be white, but if he was, would you vote for him? If you said "yes" then vote with your conscience, not your prejudice.

A US Election Reality Checklist:

1. Barack Obama is well-educated, a published writer, charming, charmismatic and extremely confident. As a politician he is the embodiment of a true leader. He is also black.
2. Wall Street is in crisis because of corporate greed and larceny. The same companies who decry "Big Government" involvement are now bleeding the government coffers dry so that they may survive. Meanwhile, those in desperate need of health care or a boost out of poverty are still being ignored. Is this the America that you want standing behind you in case you fall?
3. George W. Bush and the Republicans have been in the White House for 8 years, directing the course of the country's future and deciding who receives government funding. Most of the national dept has been incurred through warfare, not through helping the American people to improve their standard of living. America is no more secure today than it was before 9/11 and with criminals in the White House, who needs to worry about enemies abroad? Hurricane Ike has proven that some people will die clinging to their false sense of security when they had a choice to live. This election could see that happening too if people cling to their false notions about John McCain's ability to lead the country out of crisis.
4. John McCain has proven that he is a Republican hand puppet. He projects whatever image of the day is needed because he just wants to be president. He doesn't care how he looks getting there, otherwise he would have fired the people who threw Sarah Palin at him. And he wouldn't be flip flopping and contradicting himself without shame, remorse or a sense of consequence. As for his choice of Sarah Palin: sure she bought a few pro-Hilary type votes, but is winning all that matters? Apparently so. But what good is a leader who seeks only the title, not the responsibility that goes with it?
5. If Republicans win, Americans will continue on a path of "pro-industrial" politics, leaving people to fend for themselves and be herded by fear messages to do as they're told. There is NO indication that John McCain has a plan to do anything "Maverick" or progressive. He will simply tend the fires that George Bush has started while ignoring the social issues that are slowly disintegrating his country.
6. President Obama will begin the process of ensuring that your grandchildren and US citizens of the future can live without smog-induced asthma and the legacy of our industrial and environmental ignorance. He will work toward cleaning up industry, rivers and streams and creating millions of new jobs in the alternative energy sector. Barack Obama will make America great again. He is America's only true hope for change.