Barack Obama Didn't Raise the Bar For Blacks - He Shattered a Cornerstone of Racism
Posted: Friday, November 14, 2008
by Roschelle Nelson
You know it really gets old after a while. Everytime a black person in a leadership role who is articulate, intelligent, and successful hits the scene...the masses start proclaiming that blacks finally have a reason to be proud again, excel again, rise above their circumstances again, dream again. What's up with that?
Does it truly take a "phenom" arriving on the scene to be the catalyst for self-improvement? Are we as a group of people that lost until we need an external stimulus to facilitate an internal change in behavior?
Obama didn't raise the bar; Obama crushed a sentiment as old as our republic. The notion that a black man could never be the leader of the free world. Many of the reasons people once felt this way are what Obama's victory shattered. We weren't as smart, not as articulate, not as intellectual, incapable of being true leaders.
Obama didn't have a positive black male role model in his life to "pattern" himself after - yet, he persevered. He didn't require a surrogate "phenom" to help him realize his worth and ability to make a difference in this world - yet, he challenged himself and won.
If people take anything from his decisive victory, it should be that you can achieve anything you want in life in spite of your circumstances; in spite of not having a father in the home; in spite of the subjugation perpetuated by racism and years of feeling inferior because you weren't the "right" color.
Your desire to achieve success is something that must be an integral part of your character. Unfortunately, that's not something that can be willed to you like your grandmother's fine china. It's a conscious decision at some point that must be made by the individual. We should not be dependent on anyone or anything to help us realize our worth.
Change begins within.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Roschelle,I was hoping you were going to respond to this nonsense. I hate it when people demean their own culture and race as a way of separating themselves from their roots. My mother was from West Virgina, and she used elitism as a way of dis-identifying from her culture. In my opinion, Bill Cosby is a master at the game of making disparaging comments toward African-American people. I think all of this bar-raising, role modeling crap is really about the process of disowning who you really are. It is a form of self-betrayal. It is like a gay person pretending they are not who there are. Enough rambling. Thanks for your reponse.Please log in to respond to this comment.James,
How can using someone as an example to emulate if you find he/she is the one who gives you the desire to be all you want to be for yourself, family and the world - be crap? For me, it was my parents and now Jesus.
Bill Cosby speaks truth and it's not always pretty. He was raised during a time that other blacks can identify with that would require all blacks to set higher standards for themselves. I relate to that. And it doesn't apply to blacks alone for me. I desire it for everyone.Please log in to respond to this comment.Avis,I was not referring to role models in general. I have had my share of positive one's just like you. I was talking about Bill Cosby's speeches, which in my opinion have bordered on being demeaning to the African-American community. Unlike the story of Brown vs. the Board of Education, Cosby suggested, "this was not about what white people are doing to us; it was about what black people are failing to do for themselves. His remarks chastised low-income black people for their failure to actively raise their children, to teach "knuckleheads" proper English and for spending hundreds of dollars for sneakers while refusing to spend $200 for the educational package "Hooked on Phonics." Cosby also spoke of "people getting shot in the back of the head [for stealing] a piece of poundcake, and then we run out and we are outraged." And he wondered why more people from these communities were not incarcerated. "God is tired of you," he quipped, "and so am I."What I am saying is that there is a delicate balance between being constructive and being demeaning. Michael Eric Dyson has written a book about Cosbyism entitled, "Is Bill Cosby Right?" I happen to think Cosby is like many folks who have forgotten from wince they came. But I certainly respect your right to disagree.Please log in to respond to this comment.I'm in agreement with Cosby. I honestly do not feel he's forgotten from whence he cometh, either. Since I live in black skin and hear the excuses given that I could use myself, I am tired of hearing lame excuses from my people. I have empathy. I work in the "hood" to give back and out of the "hood" to give back and could and would never forget being black and proud of it. But there are times when I'm not proud because of the excuses I hear and outrageous purchases (decisions made) that I see. One of my sisters is guilty of it, even. She waited hours in line to buy an X-box for her son but sought help from us to pay the tuition at Sylvan Learning Center for this child, who is a slow reader, the next month. She spent $500 on him for games, toys and clothes but not his reading. She's not alone. It's done and I am tired of it too!
Thank you for explaining the role model statement. And we'll just have to agree to disagree, with mutual respect, James.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Roschelle, I believe he raised the bar and shattered a cornerstone of racism. For some people, motivation is external before the change takes places internally. There have been countless unseen role models before Obama who have raised the bar for someone. Overall, prayerfully, this change will be good for all people not just a race of people. I've spoken to nonblacks who stated he has raised the bar for them, as well. You can be a mutt and achieve greatness, but we know many have done that before Obama. His story is history that shattered the good old boys club.
I like reading your point of view. I feel your passion and applaud your strength. Thank you!Please log in to respond to this comment.
hi Roschelle,i am only one in 6 billion people, but my wish is that race, coler, origin, would be erased completely. i've always believed it to be stupid, since i was a little girl. many adults grew up in violent, father less or mother less homes.the desire to improve their surroundings is what pushes them forward, no matter what color, race, or creed they are. unfortunately, my ideas may conflict with others who range in that 6 billion. i had a very angry, demonstrative father i fought with every day until i moved out at 23. did it affect me? you bet. but, i have learned to heal myself with the right information, and move on to be happy and healthy. we are all here for the same reasons, why not accept and move forward together? hopefully, this election will help guide us towards that end.thanks for writing,my best to you.suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Amen, Roschelle. Well said! Forget race. Forget color. Forget minority. Most of us are there, one way or another. It's all about being your best, doing your best, and rolling with the punches! Obama has done what he has done because of what he envisions for our country--not what color, or what religion. Thanks for a great article. And keep up the good work.SandraPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Everyone needs a hero. If this is considered 'raising the bar', then so be it.I certainly agree with the points you make, then again, I also agree with the points of the other author who said that Obama raised the bar. Perhaps we can all benefit from his victory, no matter what our colour or background.Please log in to respond to this comment."Everyone needs a hero. If this is considered 'raising the bar', then so be it." You've said very simply what I tried yet failed to say, David. I feel as you do about this. Thanks! -Avis :)Please log in to respond to this comment.
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