With Obama's election generating support across racial lines, is a real transformation happening?

[bigtree]

I see evidence everywhere of folks making an effort to express support for Barack Obama with an acknowledgment of his blackness and reflections on their own comfort and enthusiasm about the historic fact of his advancement to the presidency.

I think that if we over-intellectualize the impact we can always discount the support and isolate it's impact to the election, but as we do with most defining experiences, I think Americans are taking the opportunity to draw closer to their racial counterparts using this election as a easily identifiable backdrop.

In the world of employment, I saw, in the'70's and early '80's, doors opening for black applicants which reflected the realities of an expanding work force which needed more qualified workers at the same time that a large percentage of a new generation of black Americans were emerging from a decade or more of increased educational opportunity (resulting from the 'Great Society" advancements) which put a greater number of them in a position to be seriously considered to fill mid-level and upper-level positions in business and industry.

I saw the numbers of blacks in Congress in the early '80's increase as a result of the passage of the Votings Right Act's extension (vetoed 5 times by the first Bush president) enable the creation of dozens of black-majority districts, initially inflating the numbers of blacks in the House from a handful to almost 50.

Now, with that introductory period passed and millions of black Americans now allowed to compete on equal terms in most jobs (as well as an explosion in integration of traditionally segregated communities and other institutions) we have progressed to a point where a majority of Americans (gratefully) take such integration for granted.

I think that this presidency will inevitably have the same effect on those Americans who have not yet shed their suspicions and animosity toward folks of a different race and, perhaps, have not had the opportunity to observe a black American operating in such a high profile, ultimately important position of authority and dominion over their lives.

We're taking a remarkable leap forward this week. As I look back on my own life experience, my cynicism over the prospects for racial conciliation and compatibility in America is beginning to unravel before the example of our no-drama Obama's deliberately inclusive advance to the presidency.

[rocktivity]

1. True--maybe more whites voted for Obama simply because they saw him as the superior candidate

I told a couple of people, "Things MAY NOT get better under Obama, but they WILL NOT get better under McCain."

:headbang:
rocknation

[bigtree]

2. the high visibility of the contest was a boon

. . . and I think the effect of that will inevitably trickle down to folks who may have held negative or indifferent impressions of the ability and motivations of their racial counterparts.

[Hanse]

3. 45.7% of americans voted for the dangerously incompetent white guy.

And I've little doubt it's because he was the white guy.

That's a marginal improvement over the last four years. But only just.

We just had a near race riot after white cops murdered a black man in the Bay Area. Here at DU we had a large number of "progressives" scapegoating black people over prop. 8. Clearly there's a long way to go.

Will Obama help? Some, sure. But ask again in 4 years to see how much.

[bigtree]

4. baby steps

Like I noted above, I've seen the transformation in my lifetime, albeit over the more than 40 years since I actually became aware of the issue of race. In fact, my generation came to age in the sunshine of the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, affirmative action, educational opportunities, housing and financial access and protections . . . I could be as optimistic about the future as my generation could credibly be after decades of Jim Crow and the rest.

I'm increasingly optimistic now.

[rocktivity]

5. Which means Obma got an eight-and-a-half point cheatproof margin of victory.

And I did say "enough" white voters!

:evilgrin:
rocknation

[bigtree]

6. I think he's actually pulling in more support now than the numbers who voted for him

I don't pretend to know the future, but I'm rooting for his 'inclusive' approach to work more than I'm dwelling on my own cynicism that these opposition (and some of the family) politicians need a good ass-whipping.

[AngryAmish]

7. I think we are becoming ready to destroy all Rethuglikkkan vermin

Looking at all those people at the concert yesterday makes one thnk it is possible.

The dream is coming true.