Here are the responses I received from list members:
“Karen, Thank you for seeing it that way, which is also the way I see it to; Barack is all the colors wrapped up in one, and if the American people doesn’t see that its only because they are still looking at color, and are not color blind. You could not have said this better. In this day and time no one should be homeless, hungry, or need medical attention. I pray that saying “ United We Stand and Divided We Fall.” It’s more of the common people than not, and it is time to take a stand for what’s right. Oh what a wonderful world this would be.”—Valerie
“Thank you for putting so many of my thoughts into words so eloquently. I do believe we are on the brink of breaking down all of the barriers that prevent us from realizing we are really all ONE! This is an exciting time to be alive and true change is happening. Change for the better.” —Diane, Land O’ Lakes, Florida.
“I just wanted to take a moment and briefly respond to your comments. My background is similar to yours, and I hear your frustration on necessity for most Americans to place an individual in a specific box - and only one box! As you say, Barack is half white and half black, but unfortunately the long history of institutional racism continues classifying anyone with African American ancestors as black. It’s not right! If I was to say I am only of Irish descent, I would ignore my English and German ancestors. I pray that under an Obama eight year administration we can make great strides to stop this mainly racist and prejudiced behavior! Thanks for sharing your story and your insights!”—Cathleen (Walden University PhD candidate)
“Thank you for this eloquent tribute. I’m a sixty-five-year-old version of you, but a lifelong Democrat. And this is the man I’ve been waiting for. Your take on race and culture is only slightly different than mine. I appreciate all that you’ve said. Please share your faith and enthusiasm with as many friends and neighbors as you can.”—Dianne, Brooksville, FL
Not surprising, you might say. These women are all Obama supporters or they wouldn’t be joining a discussion list supporting the man let alone visiting his Web site. Their responses bolstered my sense of hope, inflated my ego, and sparked my enthusiasm. All well and good, certainly, but I was preaching to the choir. Basking in a warm glow, I scrolled to the next message from the list and there it was; the atypical response, the one that wouldn’t let me just relax into more feel-good cozy comfort and then click “ delete” . It revealed that the chink in our American armor is just the visible part of a gaping hole – no, many gaping holes. What follows is the email message in its entirety, editing only for spelling:
