New Look

I’ve overheard several people ask, “Is America ready for a black family in the White House?” With one of today’s most popular articles referring to Michelle Obama’s presence as ‘the angry black woman,’ seemingly rehearsed smiles, and past relating to some sort of lingering racial tension, it seems as though we cannot be so sure of the answer to this question.

In the article, “Michelle Obama Looks for a New Introduction,” Michael Powell and Jodi Kantor highlight many of Mrs. Obama’s ‘faults.’ In addition, the authors give Michelle’s responses to some past backlash. The authors also cite her husband’s run at the White House as an impetus for her recent image makeover and in how she conveys her thoughts and relates to the American public.

I for one am astonished, but not surprised, to see this kind of article as a top story on so many highly regarded news sites. Instead of reading material that is pertinent to the true cause and purpose of the presidential campaign, many Americans are reading this. Still, it is not unexpected with most Americans not truly educated on politics and of the forerunners for the presidency. Americans turn to articles they can relate to and understand.

American citizens should be more concerned with quality of the candidate and the future they promise rather than the candidates’ racial affiliation; however, most are not. This is highly due to the increase of ignorant Americans. Many have simply not educated themselves on the candidates’ platform or current and proposed legislation. Obama’s seemingly biggest assest is his ethnicity and the change it signifies to many Americans. While Obama's stark contrast to all past presidential nominees has helped many citizens become more interested in politics, that in itself is not enough when many voters can neither pinpoint differences in the candidates nor state some candidate's platform. I wish others would realize this.

Until we, as good upstanding American citizens, do our part to make decisions based on facts and not simply vote blindly based on a candidate’s ethnicity, religious affiliation, or past condemnations we will find ourselves absorbed with articles like this- mustered with fluff, paranoia, and skewed opinions that can sway votes and ultimately shift the future of the United States.

Is America ready for a black family in the White House? Is that what Americans are truly concerned about? My friends, I hope not. For the sake of America’s future, I hope not.