between barack and a hard place ~ wise

refection

i'd just like to start off by bragging about me going to the convention center and watching the motorcade drive through providence, i saw obama and it was sooo cool. =] please notice the protestors in the background, with their politically incorrect signs and ideas.

now back to the work at hand. the video on wise's book almost upset me. i mean, i completely understand the points he makes, and they are ones to be taken seriously. he was right in saying that we're not out of the woods yet in relation to racism. but who is he to be the one to judge where america stands? i like to also believe that racism "1.0" is no longer a problem, but 2.0? are we ever going to not be racist?

i really enjoyed the statement he made on the white males mediocrity and how that, in comparison to a black mans, is still not on the same level. in order for a black male to be taken seriously he cannot be mediocre. and as sad as that is, with barrack as president it almost enforces those ideas. but then i came to another question, if hilary clinton was to of won the office, would we still be focusing on racism? or would it shift to sexism, which is equality if not more important (at least in my eyes).  so then factoring in both racism and sexism, how hard must it be for black women to be taken seriously? condoleezza rice was the 66th secretary of state under the bush administration, and to be honest, one of bush's more significant mistakes. she was put up on this pedestal for being a black woman in office, but in the same token, not nearly as intelligent as someone would hope her to be. the american public did not take her seriously. again setting a standard that keeps the status quo in place. making it difficult for women of color to be heard, incredible women such as oprah, or even beyonce cannot and will not be seen as the intelligent women they are, not only because of their race, but also their sex.

in connection to the website, i really enjoy the brown vs. board of education trails. they were such a mark in history and incredibly fascinating. and i agree with wise when he said barrack obama's presidency is right up there with these significant moments, but we can’t just take it with stride. we must use it as yet another stepping stool to improve america and not just settle into believing there is no more racism.

i'd really like to discuss all of the questions i've raised in class, this was by far one of my favorite topics. and it’s also incredibly relatable to our lives. plus, i <3 obama. and if anyone is interested in the recent politics in ri, i've been trying to keep up with the elections and the recent "scandal" of frank caprio telling obama to "shove it" for not endorsing him there’s a great article on it on msnbc. i also found it really interesting that obama was in ri endorsing the openly gay david cicilline for congress, this might just be more well needed change.

O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath--
America will be!
 -Langston Huges

song of the moment my president is black