What is the definition of America?

Since race isn’t an issue perhaps you are able to provide some answers to the questions I have regarding an issue that continues to be rise during this campaign season by everyone except the “Black guy”.

I know that it’s not the en vogue thing to openly confess or profess to be racist, prejudice or demonstrate a bias you have however; it’s alright to do it in private or amongst individuals that hold the same opinions.

No one wants to address the issues that surrounds race. We just pretend that it doesn’t exist or hope that it just goes away. Some tries to avoid it all together.

There’s nothing wrong with being proud of who you are and the great contributions to society your race has made. By the same measure and enthusiasm you must apply that to the unfavorable contributions too.

During this campaign we have consistently listened to individuals in the media and most the candidates themselves inject race into every aspect of the campaign. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But you must be fair about it. Address the whole issue not just part of the issue. Senator Barack Obama, Senator John Edwards and Governor Bill Richardson are the only politicians who seem to address the whole issue of race with confidence.

We normally see a group of White men on television speaking about race, most of the time addressing single issues and providing little diversity of views. All claiming to be neutral, unbiased and/or making sure they use politically correct language in efforts not to offend anyone.

Upon every half hour leading up and on Election Day we hear some type of message about how Barack Obama is having difficulties with White Working-Class Voters without a college degree. What difference does that make? They are Americans, but let’s go with that scenario for a minute. When this point is raised it offers two questions with it. (1) Is there anything that Senator Obama can say or do, that would make these voters vote for him? (2) Doesn’t that suggest that the voter holds a bias, a prejudice or perhaps racist feelings?

Listen, I’m raising the question.

If you’re a Democrat and you voted for Hillary Clinton, why wouldn’t you vote for Barack Obama if it’s between him and John McCain?

Be honest with yourself. What is it about being Black is so wrong or taboo?

To be fair I’ll ask the same question to Black readers. What is it about being White is so wrong? Let’s go further, what is it about being Hispanic, Asian or any race, religion or culture is so wrong?

The actions and the passed down traditions of a few shouldn’t corrupt the entire group.

For those who claim to be Christian, I ask this of you. In Genesis 1:26, 27 God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Perhaps you may agree with Deuteronomy 10:17. But if the Old Testament isn’t sufficient, maybe Acts 10:34 Peter said, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons”. Or even Romans 2:11 would work for you. But that’s only if you claim to be a Christian.

It’s interesting that no one has said anything about the difficulties Hillary Clinton is having with Black voters. To provide more emphasis of which segments of that voter block allow me to say, those Working-Class Voters without College Degrees. I could go further, the Middle and Upper-Class Black voters with College Degrees. Why is she having such a hard time with those voters? Is it because of race? Of course, in this case some would say its race. Now if that’s true, how is that different than the Blue-Collar White Voters that Hillary claims as her base now? By-the-way, what ever happened to the love affair between Bill Clinton and Black America? Hey, don’t stone me, I voted for Bill in ’93 & ’96. It’s just a question.

We see the Republicans using racial overtures in almost every ad or interview they’ve put out against Barack Obama. If the Republican Party is the Party of Lincoln that you proudly profess whenever it comes to Black people, but fail to mention the racist activities or lack of concern by other Republicans at all levels past and present, why do you use these tactics?

Now the Democrats don’t get a pass either, because you have been the perpetrators of the same tactics. If it wasn’t for the social consciousness of a few beginning with Kennedy you wouldn’t have the overwhelmingly support for Blacks that you enjoy now, but don’t get complacent and take this for granted.

Just as there are some for example in Kentucky, West Virginia and Indiana that say they would vote for John McCain or not at all if or when Barack Obama is the nominee there are Black, Brown and even the White voters who would do the same.

My question is what does that say about America?

It says that the works of Barack Obama, John Edwards, Bill Richardson and so many others who openly and fully address the issues of race were in vain and the cynics of all races were correct. Perhaps Jeremiah Wright was right. Perhaps John Hagee was right.

Now is the time for change. Today is the day and this is the year. Change is not just a slogan, but a reality that we all must prepare for and embrace. It can’t happen if we continue to blindly follow the piped pipers of division in either political party, of any race, religion or gender.

The longer we continue the pattern we all have walk, the only thing that will change is the conditions from bad to worse and then deplorable.

Do you vote your fears, bias, prejudices and/or anger? Or do you vote your ambitions, dreams and future?

What is the definition of America?