Earlier today I had my final in Sociology 102 and thought it would be interesting to discuss here something I analyzed in that class. Sociology is defined as the study of society and/or understanding how humans interact and work together throughout the social world. As a result, sociology is very interested in such topics as race, gender, and class.
One topic that was heavily discussed this semester was the impact of Barack Obama's election on race relations. I won't delve TOO deeply into the issue as I could write about it for hours, but I will go over some of the main things I learned that I think present an interesting argument about the future of race relations in America.
First, some say that the election of Obama will equal the end of racism in America. W.E.B. Dubois famously wrote about the double-consciousness that black Americans experience in their daily lives. Their two souls, one black and one American cannot fuse together to create one as black Americans are continually forced to view their lives through the eyes of their oppressors: whites. However, with the election of Obama, one could argue that Blacks are not longer at the mercy of Whites and that because of Obama everyone has an equal chance to succeed.
However, others argue that the election of Obama is very important in principle but will do nothing to change the amount of racism in the daily lives of millions of black Americans. According to political scientist Andrew Hacker and sociologist Patricia Hill Collins, daily-life racism such as discrimination in residential patterns, legal systems, and health-care will not be impacted by Obama's election. Also, there are controlling images of black Americans, meaning there are certain expectations and stereotypes about black Americans that control the way they are viewed in society that have built up over hundreds of years and will not change over night or even in four years.
In my opinion, both of these opinions are right. Yes, Obama's election is a step in the right direction for black Americans, but at the same time there are years of work left to be done for America to eliminate racism from its system, if that is even possible. For now, I think looking forward to a better future is the best thing we can do.
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Obamamania
As I mentioned in my last post, the marathon that was the 2008 Presidential Campaign has finally come to a close and one thing is official: America has become infused with Obamamania. It was my opinion, in concurrence with millions of other Americans before the election, that America needed an Obama election to bring the country together and begin the collective healing process. Over the past eight years, America's collective psyche both domestically and internationally has taken quite a beating. Between 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the Iraq war, the collapse of the economy and housing market, and much more, I felt Americans needed a sign or glimmer of hope that sent the message all was not lost.
While this type of intangible idea of America being "united" by one man is debatable, after the collective roar of America early in the morning on November 5th, I think there is no question the healing process has begun. Millions of Americans, young and old, black and white, came together on election night (and morning) to celebrate the election of America's first black and certainly most cultured President.
You can debate whether Obama's economic policy will further destroy America. You can debate if Obama's Universal Health Care plan will do more good than bad. However, there is one thing that is absolutely, 100% clear and not debatable: There is a sense of energy and hope reverberating throughout a majority of America that has not been felt in over a decade.
To me, there is an obvious reason that Obama represents change and hope to most of America. Barack Obama's race is not the only reason America has never had a President like him before. I believe Obama, unlike most of the 43 Presidents before him truly earned his spot at the top of the American government.
His parents, Barack Sr. and Stanley Ann, certainly didn't provide him an easy path to success. Obama only saw his father once after the age of two, lived in Indonesia and Hawaii during his childhood, including years he spent with only his grandparents while his mother studied in Indonesia, before working his way from Occidental College to Columbia to Harvard. In spite of all these difficulties, Obama has always come away the victor, staring down pressure and delivering success. Unlike #43, (George W. Bush), who virtually rode his surname to success, Obama did it all on his own and America can't get enough of his success.
Now, for the first time in many of their lives, those that feel they had no hope for success have a new role model: Obama. Now Americans have someone running their country that not only earned his spot at the top, but showed that success could still come via the old fashioned formula: hard work.
WIth many of America's "elite" falling victim to their own greed in recent months, such as the CEO's at Lehman Brothers or Bear Sterns, Americans not at the top of the economic or political food chain know somebody is looking out for them. While those in the upper tax brackets may feel left out by this whole feel good story, they must continue to hope that through the revitalization of America will come a happier and safer America for them too.
Of course, this honeymoon period of good feelings with Obama will inevitably end sometime in the near future. Obama will need to step up and show that he has what it takes not only to boost America spirits but also their economy and international safety too. However, I think that in the back of Americans minds will remain this newfound sense of hope that was brought by the election of a once little boy from Hawaii: Barack Obama.
While this type of intangible idea of America being "united" by one man is debatable, after the collective roar of America early in the morning on November 5th, I think there is no question the healing process has begun. Millions of Americans, young and old, black and white, came together on election night (and morning) to celebrate the election of America's first black and certainly most cultured President.
You can debate whether Obama's economic policy will further destroy America. You can debate if Obama's Universal Health Care plan will do more good than bad. However, there is one thing that is absolutely, 100% clear and not debatable: There is a sense of energy and hope reverberating throughout a majority of America that has not been felt in over a decade.
To me, there is an obvious reason that Obama represents change and hope to most of America. Barack Obama's race is not the only reason America has never had a President like him before. I believe Obama, unlike most of the 43 Presidents before him truly earned his spot at the top of the American government.
His parents, Barack Sr. and Stanley Ann, certainly didn't provide him an easy path to success. Obama only saw his father once after the age of two, lived in Indonesia and Hawaii during his childhood, including years he spent with only his grandparents while his mother studied in Indonesia, before working his way from Occidental College to Columbia to Harvard. In spite of all these difficulties, Obama has always come away the victor, staring down pressure and delivering success. Unlike #43, (George W. Bush), who virtually rode his surname to success, Obama did it all on his own and America can't get enough of his success.
Now, for the first time in many of their lives, those that feel they had no hope for success have a new role model: Obama. Now Americans have someone running their country that not only earned his spot at the top, but showed that success could still come via the old fashioned formula: hard work.
WIth many of America's "elite" falling victim to their own greed in recent months, such as the CEO's at Lehman Brothers or Bear Sterns, Americans not at the top of the economic or political food chain know somebody is looking out for them. While those in the upper tax brackets may feel left out by this whole feel good story, they must continue to hope that through the revitalization of America will come a happier and safer America for them too.
Of course, this honeymoon period of good feelings with Obama will inevitably end sometime in the near future. Obama will need to step up and show that he has what it takes not only to boost America spirits but also their economy and international safety too. However, I think that in the back of Americans minds will remain this newfound sense of hope that was brought by the election of a once little boy from Hawaii: Barack Obama.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Obama the Terrorist?
How much more of this can America take?
“Who is the real Barack Obama?”
Today's latest attack on Presidential candidate Barack Obama by Senator John McCain focused on this question posed to the American public. Who is the real Barack Obama? Is he a terrorist supporter with no idea what American politics are or entail that if elected would certainly spell the further demise of the American people? If you ask John McCain then the answer to all these questions is yes.
In reality, these questions seem preposterous. Even if you do not support Obama or his politics, do you really believe that he is that mysterious and terrible a person?
A New York Times story today focused on how the Campaigns were "shifting to attack mode" on the eve of the second presidential debate. Despite the fact that both candidates denied their interest in these petty, childish attacks on each others characters over the summer, BOTH find themselves within a mudslinging war.
Several weeks ago, I wrote about how presidential ads were reaching a new low, turning off young voters like myself. I'd rather hear about these candidates views on important policies rather than listen to them attack each other mercilessly. I don't want my President to be a gutless man with no respect for his fellow American.
Campbell Brown of CNN explained the situation well, saying, "Here's a purely practical reason: The negativity you are spewing now will only make your job harder after Election Day. Bipartisanship is really tough to achieve when everyone on both sides is left with a bad bad taste in their mouths...Don't you want to be able to walk into the White House with your dignity intact and your head held high?" (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/06/campbell.brown.campaign/index.html?iref=mpstoryview)
I hope that the candidates will somehow find it within themselves to focus on their own political strengths and weaknesses over the final 4 weeks before the election rather than trying to make the other look like an anti-American hooligan. I doubt this will happen, but it sure would be nice. Right?
“Who is the real Barack Obama?”
Today's latest attack on Presidential candidate Barack Obama by Senator John McCain focused on this question posed to the American public. Who is the real Barack Obama? Is he a terrorist supporter with no idea what American politics are or entail that if elected would certainly spell the further demise of the American people? If you ask John McCain then the answer to all these questions is yes.
In reality, these questions seem preposterous. Even if you do not support Obama or his politics, do you really believe that he is that mysterious and terrible a person?
A New York Times story today focused on how the Campaigns were "shifting to attack mode" on the eve of the second presidential debate. Despite the fact that both candidates denied their interest in these petty, childish attacks on each others characters over the summer, BOTH find themselves within a mudslinging war.
Several weeks ago, I wrote about how presidential ads were reaching a new low, turning off young voters like myself. I'd rather hear about these candidates views on important policies rather than listen to them attack each other mercilessly. I don't want my President to be a gutless man with no respect for his fellow American.
Campbell Brown of CNN explained the situation well, saying, "Here's a purely practical reason: The negativity you are spewing now will only make your job harder after Election Day. Bipartisanship is really tough to achieve when everyone on both sides is left with a bad bad taste in their mouths...Don't you want to be able to walk into the White House with your dignity intact and your head held high?" (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/06/campbell.brown.campaign/index.html?iref=mpstoryview)
I hope that the candidates will somehow find it within themselves to focus on their own political strengths and weaknesses over the final 4 weeks before the election rather than trying to make the other look like an anti-American hooligan. I doubt this will happen, but it sure would be nice. Right?
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Dumbing Down the Debates
The debate last Friday between John McCain and Barack Obama was hyped so highly in the days preceding that I felt the debate was going to not only determine the next President but also help end poverty, find a cure for cancer, and eliminate America's 12 trillion dollar debt. Unfortunately, the 98 minutes of debate past and all of these issues were left unsettled. While this ending was truthfully not that unpredictable, I think there is a larger issue surrounding the debate that NEEDS to be settled both before the election in November and in the forseeable future.
First, I was very confused by much of what went on in the debate. While that fact can pretty easily be dismissed as I really do not know that much about politics and my attention was not in full gear late on a Friday night after a long week. However, the problem is, how much am I representative of a normal American in that sense? How much of America truly understands the issues that the Presidential candidates are debating? Even if 65 million Americans watched the debates, many of those millions likely lost focus or did not understand much of the debate? That leaves around 250 million Americans without the necessary information needed to form an opinion on their potential presidents. I know not all of America votes, but how much of that is a result of a lack of education and lack of an ability to understand the confusing and tricky political process.
America needs to find a way to convey the gigantic importance of these debates and eventually the presidential election. It is our duty in the democracy we live in to vote. Unfortunately, this message often falls on deaf ears in America. If each campaign somehow found a way to "dumb down" the debates or their campaigns for less politically educated or knowledable Americans, maybe this problem could be remedied to an extent. Maybe instead of consistently ripping on the opposing party as a means of gaining votes, Obama and McCain could explain their goals and promises to America in more simple terms. Wouldn't this show that the candidates truly wanted to reach out to blue-collar Americans as opposed to letting people know that Palin hunts Moose? Think about that before this Thursday's vice-presidential debate, which I'm sure will turn into Palin-fest.
Go Cubs!!! Game 1-Wednesday
First, I was very confused by much of what went on in the debate. While that fact can pretty easily be dismissed as I really do not know that much about politics and my attention was not in full gear late on a Friday night after a long week. However, the problem is, how much am I representative of a normal American in that sense? How much of America truly understands the issues that the Presidential candidates are debating? Even if 65 million Americans watched the debates, many of those millions likely lost focus or did not understand much of the debate? That leaves around 250 million Americans without the necessary information needed to form an opinion on their potential presidents. I know not all of America votes, but how much of that is a result of a lack of education and lack of an ability to understand the confusing and tricky political process.
America needs to find a way to convey the gigantic importance of these debates and eventually the presidential election. It is our duty in the democracy we live in to vote. Unfortunately, this message often falls on deaf ears in America. If each campaign somehow found a way to "dumb down" the debates or their campaigns for less politically educated or knowledable Americans, maybe this problem could be remedied to an extent. Maybe instead of consistently ripping on the opposing party as a means of gaining votes, Obama and McCain could explain their goals and promises to America in more simple terms. Wouldn't this show that the candidates truly wanted to reach out to blue-collar Americans as opposed to letting people know that Palin hunts Moose? Think about that before this Thursday's vice-presidential debate, which I'm sure will turn into Palin-fest.
Go Cubs!!! Game 1-Wednesday
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The Great Debate
In one of my earlier blog posts, I wrote about the importance of not "judging a book by its cover." Unfortunately, while many people, including myself, know this is wrong, this judging an entity based on appearance happens more than we can imagine. The kairos for this cliche will reach its peak on Friday night, as presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama will debate each other, for the first time, on live television.
Since the first presidential debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in 1858, presidential debates have often been crucial in determining a candidates political fate. This was most evident in 1960, when presidential hopefuls John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon took part in the first televised debate. Nixon, suffering from the flu and a knee injury never recovered in the 1960 election after this fateful debate, "...Nixon looked pale and sweaty--an image that stuck with viewers far longer than his words did." (Time Magazine) Basically, Nixon looked physically unfit before America while Kennedy looked strong. The debate swayed the public away from the uninspiring Nixon, perhaps beginning America's obsession with appearance over substance.
After that debate, candidates feared the fatal live debate, as neither candidate wanted to lose their chances in a few minutes on national television. McCain and Obama have both campaigned hard over the past several months and years, but both know that a strong or poor showing this Friday could make or break their campaign. They also know that their physical appearances, perhaps above their actual opinions, could sway thousands to millions of voters.
Does this make sense for America, to have their future leader potentially be determined on his appearance? I think that debate is a great way to see each candidate perform under stress in front of a live audience, but I also think more attention should be paid to each candidate's actual opinions and potential future policies. What does this say about America that many of our citizen's care more about brawn than brains? Think about this over the next week, because it will all come into play live, on Friday night.
Go Cubs!!!! Congrats on the divison
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Fear
About one month ago I was watching my favorite television program, Sportscenter, and saw an interesting feature. The feature was on the legendary NFL quarterback Brett Favre. Favre owns nearly every meaningful NFL record for quarterbacks, including an unthinkable iron-man streak, in which he has started every game for his teams (the Green Bay Packers and now the New York Jets) since 1992 (254 games). The Sportscenter feature on Favre was chronicling his transition to the New York Jets after 16 years with the Packers, and highlighted something interesting that has driven Favre for his career: fear. According to Favre, fear of failure
has driven him throughout his hall-of-fame career.
"What drives me is fear of failure...That goes for each season and each game. As much success as I've had in my career, I've never gone into the next game or the next season and say, 'Whew. I've been playing well. That will continue.'" (Brett Favre)
I found this statement to be fascinating, as generally fear is associated with "wimps" or "sissies," and not the toughest quarterback in NFL history. However, this made me start thinking about the connection between fear and life in general. In reality, fear, whether it be fear of failure, loss, embarassment, injury, or anything else, drives every individual throughout daily life. Now, I am not saying all humans live in constant fear and hold no other motivation for life's daily chores, but I have no doubt that fear plays at least some role in everyone's daily life.
Why do some do their homework? Fear of a bad grade or not learning the material.
Why do some people brush their teeth? Fear of bad teeth or bad breath.
Why do some people diet? Fear of health problems or poor appearance.
Why do some not speed? Fear of a ticket or accident.
I recognize that this argument does not apply to everyone in every circumstance. Some people do their homework because they enjoy it or want to learn. Some brush their teeth because they enjoy the feeling of being clean. Some diet because they enjoy nutrition and health, or do not like unhealthful foods anyway. However, if you think about your own life, how often does fear drive your actions? I believe if you are truthful in your introspection, you will be able to find many fear-driven actions within your life.
Fear also plays a strong role in the shaping of our political system, specifically the presidential race. If you watch any presidential advertisement on television, the main message behind the advertisement is often not what that candidate can bring to the American people. Rather, the candidates, in this case McCain and Obama, engage themselves in a high-stakes game of fear mongering. Who can do the better job of scaring the American public out of voting for the opposing candidate. Unfortunately, this fear mongering has become the main focus of both the Democratic and Republican campaigns.
McCain Political Ad: Obama=Celebrity or Leader?
Meanwhile, John McCain portrays Obama as an inexperienced, celebrity running for President. In his estimation, Americans still reeling from the devastation of 9/11 and the Iraq war want a President with foreign policy experience, like himself, as opposed to a young, inexperienced President like Obama. He tries to make Americans fear Obama's youth and popularity with the media, making Americans fear that worse times will strike with Obama in charge.
I understand why political campaigns focus so strongly on fear mongering tactics today, especially since 9/11, as they are effective in achieving their goals. However I believe this is a cowardly tactic. I view this tactic as presidential candidates further reinforcing the presence of fear in America's daily life. However, unlike some fear, like Brett Favre's fear of failure, which I view to be good as it leads to positive results or change: this fear is unnecessary fear. Why make Americans fear the future when we have more resources and tools to succeed than any other country in the world? Instead of focusing their campaigns on the negatives of their opponents, I would love to see politicians instead focus their advertisements on their own strengths and potential to lead America to a better tomorrow.
The day of peaceful political campaigns will likely never arrive, but you can certainly count on the presence of fear in campaigns and the rest of daily life, forever.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Barack Obama meets....Machiavelli??
"A wise ruler, therefore, cannot and should not keep his word when such an observance of faith would be to his disadvantage and when the reasons which made him promise are removed. And if men were all good, this rule would not be good; but since men are a sorry lot and will not keep their promises to you, you likewise need not keep yours to them." (Machiavelli: The Qualities of the Prince)
Now, what if I were to tell you that this quote were from Barack Obama and not Niccolo Machiavelli? While imagining these controversial words coming from a 2008 politician as opposed to one from the 15th century is odd and difficult, I believe it is an important exercise. Why? Because imagining Obama saying these words today helps show just how much times and politics have changed in the last several hundred years.
Both Obama and Machiavelli will be remembered as important and influential political leaders of their respective times, however, both have faced very different challenges and obstacles in their rises to the top of their professions. With due respect to Machiavelli, I believe that finding success in politics in the media-driven 21st century is more difficult than the challenges he faced in the 15th century.
Unlike Machiavelli, Obama lacks the ability to speak freely and truly about his views on America. With every speech he delivers, Barack must fear that he will slip or utter a politically incorrect phrase leading to his own political defrocking via the media. This is why imagining Obama preaching that men are a sorry lot and will not keep their promises is so difficult. While Machiavelli is hailed by many for his startling and still relevant (at least some parts) analysis of what a Prince (leader) needed to thrive and survive, Obama would be destroyed in the media for his controversial views and negative opinion of man. This is essentially a punishment for truthful insight.
Instead, Obama needs to focus nearly all of his attention on a different principle outlined by Machiavelli, the ability to appear to have all qualities {all mercy, all faithfulness, all integrity, all kindness and all religion} that the common man desires in his leader. Machiavelli was centuries ahead of his time when accurately describing the shallowness of most men, explaining how men in general "...judge more by their eyes than their hands." (Machiavelli: The Qualities of the Prince)
What this means is people want their leader to appear to be perfect, regardless of his or her true qualities or beliefs. Politicans today, much more so than hundreds of years ago, need to spend unfathomable amounts of time grooming their public images, as the prescense of 24/7 media over the past several decades has completely altered necessary campaign approaches by political hopefuls. As a result, instead of spending valuable time displaying his true beliefs and rhetoric to the American public, Obama needs to spend time explaining shaky or non-politically correct issues from his past.
The message I want you, my reader, to take away from this is that political times have changed, drastically since 1478. If Machiavelli led his country to prosperity, his past did not matter regardless of actions he had undertaken, even if that included murder. Now, some are unsure of Obama as a leader because he may have used an illegal substance decades before taking public office, or because his ex-pastor is crazy. While I understand how you can draw conclusions about Obama's character through his past, I think judging him on his political decisions and opinions are much more relevant and important than what he did in college 30 years prior.
In the end, there is little doubt in my mind that gaining and maintaining political power, the main topic of Machiavelli's magnum opus, is much more difficult in this challenged time than ever before in world history. One cannot simply take political power in America through brute force or numbers. Rather, they need strong rhetoric, political cunning, and a lot of luck. Think about this when you judge our current presidential candidates. I ask you not to focus on their minor flaws or irrelevancies (such as the number of homes McCain owns). Instead, focus on their strengths and potential. What can they do for America? All you can do for America right now is ponder this very question and vote on November 4.
Go Blue!!!
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