Barack Obama and the Issue of Race

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/us/politics/18text-obama.html?pagewanted=1&_r=3

Race. In no past presidential election has there ever been so much controversy to the topic of race as there is today. Barack Obama, being an African American man running for President, has the opportunity to rise above the prejudices of many Americans. In his speech on race, given on March 18, 2008, in Philadelphia, Obama proved to the American nation that he truly believe that it is our job as a unified society and as Americans, to come together as one in this nation in order to see any positive change. Because Barack Obama was born into a mixed family consisting of a white mother and a father from Kenya, he knows well too much of the negative effects discrimination and prejudices can have, not only on a single person or a family, but on an entire society. I believe we, as the American people, are very fortunate to have a man running for our Presidency who has the aspirations of overcoming race everywhere. Barack Obama does not fight the issue of race because of himself and his own fears of discrimination. Barack Obama does not fight the issue of race because he is afraid of losing this election. Barack Obama does not fight the issue of race because he feels that as an African American, it is his job. Barack Obama fights the issue of race because he knows that if we cannot overcome a simple issue and if we continue to be a separated nation, our own society will fail. Obama is fighting for the people. For us.
Also, in this speech on race, Obama brought forth the controversies that have been taking place with Reverand Jeremiah Wright. A few Clinton supporters and I’m sure several right wingers, are going to continue to dig up any information they can that will make Barack Obama look bad; the issue with Reverend Wright being a perfect example. If what these people are trying to do is make Barack Obama look bad in his push for presidency then they have failed. Any reasonable person can understand that the controversial statements presented by Reverend Wright in no way reflect the thoughts or inspirations Obama has now or those he will have if he becomes our next President. If anything, the American people should take into account how Obama responded to this issue. He did fight back with fiery fists, he did not pound the name of Reverend Jeremiah Wright into the ground. Instead, Barack Obama kept his cool. In his speech, he even praised Reverend Wright and mentioned how he was thankful for knowing such an inspiring man. Reverend Wright deserved all thanks for Barack Obama becoming the Christian man he is today. The strongest statement Obama could have possibly said when dealing with the issue of Reverend Jeremiah Wright was, “I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community.”
How can a nation turn away from a man who stands for better healthcare, better schools, better jobs, and in entirety, a better America? Obama said, “It requires all Americans to realize that your dreams do not have to come at the expense of my dreams; that investing in the health, welfare, and education of black and brown and white children will ultimately help all of America prosper.” Barack Obama stands among us, fighting for a change. As Americans, we could make no greater mistake then to turn our backs on this man. We all want a better America. We all want to see change. We all have hope for the future. “But I have asserted a firm conviction – a conviction rooted in my faith in God and my faith in the American people – that working together we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact we have no choice if we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union.