First, let me say congratulations to president-elect Barack Obama. Subsequently, I would like to applaud John McCain for his efforts as well as his heartfelt concession speech.
That said, I would like to address the large elephant in the room: the race issue. I have recently heard some disheartening statements said in reference to Obama. I think it is very childish and ignorant to use racial slurs when about Obama considering how historic this election has been in terms of our progress as a nation. Regardless of where you stand on the issues, I think it is necessary to acknowledge the accomplishment this is for our nation.
At the same time, I hope that this will be the time when we can finally place the issue of race behind us. I am not writing a new article this week (sorry all, I promise I’ll continue next week), but I definitely want to write one with the emphasis on race and how it is no longer (and debatably never was) an aspect of a person’s personality. All race ever refers to is the way other people perceive your nationality, ethnicity, or culture based on skin color. One cannot define one’s own race, nor can one be born a certain race. Like beauty, race is in the eye of the beholder.
As a nation, I believe we should focus on more important issues like education, socio-economic status, and immigration. These not only address all of the issues commonly associated to race, but they would also be more accurate focuses.
Let’s move forward as a nation and promote the very values we were always supposed to stand for: feedom and justice for all.
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