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They’re back to doubting that a black man can represent a white nation (don’t get it twisted-America is still 69% white). America was poised to default on Obama. The default position is, of course, that only a white can represent all the people. Well, name me one President in the history of America who has represented “all the people?”

Only two, Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon Johnson, sought to eliminate the legalized race caste systems (of slavery and segregation), though both tolerated and participated in societal norms that affirmed racial inequality and separateness (while they were President).

The thought here is, “White people know he’s black, no need to throw it up in their face” and never blame anything on race - even the obvious racial attacks or the codified ones. As authentic a person as Barack is, it’s his authenticity that has most come under attack from Whites and Blacks. From Whites - in no Black could possibly be this perfect (so hopeful yet non-critical); from Blacks, that no Black could really be “black” and not talk about race. Well, Obama showed how authentic he really is last week, in not running from race and not running from his own. The media could neither “blackball” nor “whitewash” Barack Obama after last week’s speech (and trust me, they were trying to do both). Barack pulled it off.

For a country that always has something to say, most of it (except for the ideologues and the racial extremists) stood speechless and/or complimentary on the nation’s first publicly televised race speech by a Presidential candidate. There was nothing empty about the speech.

We just needed someone “black enough” (and honest enough) to talk about it. In trying to castigate one man, the door to America’s race closet was opened by another. The man who would be President, if he would have just remained “post-racial.” Now, he’s black and America’s new race conscience. If America is willing to face up to its past and grow up in the race reality of its future (multi-racial nation), Barack Obama still might be elected President of the United States.

Billy Jack says, "Far too many white people are filled with hatred and bitterness toward people of other races. Far too many black people find their identity, personality and even careers in their blackness..."

When I was kid there was this committee of Congress called the "House Un-American Activities Committee". To be an "American" you had to believe in certain things and not believe in other things. The things you couldn't believe in included socialism or self-determination for people in other countries where American corporations had business investments or, sometimes, just being against Jim Crow segregation

you need to wake up

There is no denying the atrocities that took place against black folks in those days. There is also no denying that discrimination still exists to some extent today. I admit all of those things, and I am sorry about them. I wonder if you are just as willing to admit that things are much better for black people today?

let's get on with solving race problems that exist today. Remembering the past is fine. We can learn from it. But dwelling exclusively on the past is not productive of any useful solutions. Rather, it stirs up more hatred and resentment and the negative cycle continues into the next generation. Someone has to stop the insanity. I am willing to do my part. Are you???