If Barack Obama Wins it All

These words are from the unchecked mouth of one of my coworkers, a white woman, who obviously can be counted among the white people who will be furious if Obama wins, furious because of his race. The issue is certainly not his limited Washington experience or admitted past drug use. Lack of Washington experience and alleged cocaine use certainly did not prevent George Bush from being elected--twice. Likewise lack of Washington experience and admitted past drug use didn't prevent Bill Clinton being elected twice--and many would say that , unlike Bush, he was a good president.

Of course the woman quoted would probably vehemently deny being racist, as many racist white people do. I expect that if Obama wins then her racial ire and that of many white people will affect their everyday interactions with black people. With a black man at last in The White House we the people of these United States can reasonably expect ...

• It to be, of course, a defining moment in black history. Obama's name would have historical relevance for ages to come. Many people generations from now will know more about Obama than they will about, say, George Washington.
• The United States to experience some serious growing pangs. For many seeing a black man in the top spot will take getting used to. Also the racist white people who deny being racist or don't realize they are may be forced to confront their own racism, and grow from the experience.
• Some people to wonder whether "soul food" will be served in The White House.
• Awkward meetings in the Oval Office and with military brass, awkward moments on Capitol Hill.
• Increased racial tension and conflict. That includes blatantly racist speech and behavior as well as the subtler forms. Black people regardless of whether they actually voted for Obama can expect more icy stares, coldness, rudeness, indifference or discourtesy from service workers, and racial jeers, speech, graffiti, screeds, art, pictures, etc.
• White supremacist groups to amp up their recruitment drives.They will argue that a black man winning the presidency is proof that America's in decline.
• That Obama will be held to a higher standard and be under closer scrutiny than his white predecessors. He must have not only a successful presidency. He must have a PHENOMENALLY SUCCESSFUL presidency. In his presidency he must turn water into wine and cubic zirconia into diamonds, end famine and all strife and rid the world of all disease. Of course, I'm exaggerating here, but the point is he cannot screw up and still be re-elected as the incumbent president did. Failure is not an option for America's first black president. If he fails, then not only has he failed. In many white people's minds, BLACK AMERICA has failed.
• Some people hesitating to criticize Obama's decisions, speeches or positions for fear of being seen as racist or "Uncle Toms."
• A less Eurocentric foreign policy and a greater focus on Africa or at least an equal focus on Europe and Africa.
• A greater interest in and knowledge of African cultures, music, art, clothing, literature, etc, especially Kenya's since Obama's father was Kenyan. This might mean more colleges and universities offering African studies. It also might affect popular music as more people discover one of Africa's many great treasures, its music: soukous (or "African rumba"), ju ju, Afro beat, jit jive, mbacanga (or "township jive"), marrabenta, bikutsi, mbalanx, high life, palm wine, Madagascaran music, etc. So, you might hear more stateside music with a greater variation of exotic African beats, instruments or melodies.
• Black Americans to have greater political and economic clout. An Obama presidential win would put the mostly white Congress on notice and give black Americans much greater influence on Capitol Hill.
• That a successful Obama presidency will mentally and emotionally uplift black America and dispel notions of white racial superiority. If successful he would prove that a black U.S. president actually CAN deliver.
• That some will make the hasty conclusion that his presidency means racism in America is now dead and that black Americans can no longer justify accusations of racism. This beast we call "racism" refuses to die.
• To be a sign that making race an issue as Republicans have long done and as Hillary and Bill Clinton did in the primaries no longer garners white people's votes in political campaigns.
• At last a genuine dialogue about the prickly subject of racial relations in America.
• A greater recognition of the commonality between black and white people and respect for their differences. The enthusiasm that many black, white and brown people share for Obama show that maybe many of us are getting there. Comments like the one quoted at the beginning of this article show that some in America may never get there.