One Giant step...

[Alaska DogCat]

As a child, I grew up in a community and a household that I can only politely describe as close minded. The 'N' word was often used to describe people of color--without guilt or even thinking. In my community in rural Upper Michigan, we rarely saw a black person, let alone got to know one. I was taught to view people of different races as less human and less deserving than myself. The closed mindedness (or let's call it what it is--racism) extended to people of any ethnicity or religion that my community was not.

As I grew into a man and got to know people of different races and backgrounds, I realized the lie in which I grew up for what it is.

Tonight, I stand as a man who voted for Barack Obama--not based on his race, but rather on what I see as the content of his character. My vote with the millions of others has changed the history of our nation.

I hope that with tonight, the attitudes and beliefs that surrounded me in my childhood are dead. I hope that we have forever turned the corner on that bigotry and that we as a nation can put an ugly chapter of racism behind us. It is a great night--for all of us. We have taken one giant step.

 

[TimeforMe]

Amen! I can totally relate to your post, OP. Thank you for stating this so eloquently.

To me, Barack is like a breath of fresh air with his intelligence, insight and knowledge compared to what we've had the last 8 years. I am honored, proud and very, very happy that he will be our next POTUS

 

[Mikelly1221]

Your post was well said.

I did not vote for Obama, because I disagreed with his policies. I did not vote against him because of his skin color. I have said that if their platforms were reversed, I would have gladly voted for Obama.

I do not disagree that individually, racist acts happen. From all races toward others of all races. I deplore those acts. The perpetrators should be punished.

But, as a whole, America is not racist. As a country, America has elected a black president. I'm tired of being called a racist because I don't rubber stamp what people of races different than mine say. I consider their content and see if I can agree. If I can, I will and if I can't I won't.

The race card should be put away, now, tonight, forever. BY ALL SIDES AND ALL RACES.