Why we should have a Black President - Essay Example

The United s should have an African, or Black President, because it's the only way to demonstrate principles of equal human rights in actual fact. All the history of the United States has never been anything but a chain of white male presidents. Oddly, little has been said about this embarrassing subject. Of course, America probably has to break a few more social barriers before a black president could be elected. To be frank, a lot of people are not ready to have a black man or woman as President. On the other hand, there are a lot of progressive people, black and white, concerned that democratic principles should be implemented in the real life indeed. Electing of African President in 2008 will help to attract an attention of publicity to the problems of black community, such as educational, health, social, political and other issues. According to the recent Gallup Survey on "Black-White Relations" cited in Cronc, seven out of ten whites believe that blacks are treated equally in their communities: an optimism with which only 40 percent of blacks agree. Eight in ten whites say blacks receive equal educational opportunities, and 83 percent say blacks receive equal housing opportunities in their communities. Only a third of whites believe blacks face racial bias from police in their areas. If a Black President is elected in the United States in 2008, these problems will more likely to be solved. (1999) I think that the main benefit of Black President is providing the United States with the real equality in all areas of life. Also it will show to every black person that there is nothing impossible for him or her in self-development. Self-confidence of colored people will serve as a powerful tool for further development of democracy in the United States. Also, Black President will stimulate black people to get involved in the political process. If we have a black woman as a President, feminist's movement will also become more politically active and more significant. The idea of America having its first Black president has resonated with many African-Americans over the years, especially with the emergence of Illinois Senator Barack Obama. Obama is the third African American since the Reconstruction Era to serve in the United States Senate. He is also the only African American currently serving in the Senate. Obama showed he had national appeal last year, when he delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. Though he was not even elected into office yet, dreams of a black President popped into the heads of many African Americans who watched as Obama electrified an audience of all races. Obama is not the first African American to show national appeal as a potential presidential candidate. The Rev. Jesse Jackson ran twice in the 1980s, and though he did not win the White House Jackson showed that he had enormous appeal outside of the African-American community. Jackson managed to attract 6.9 million votes from Urban Blacks, Hispanics, poor rural whites, farmers, factory workers, feminists, homosexuals and white progressives. One more step to an African President is Bill Clinton, who often is referred to as the "black president" because he was so receptive to the needs of African Americans and because he worked to include them in the political process more than any other president. Reasons cited here for Clinton's popularity among blacks include his poor Southern upbringing and underdog status, the fact that he appointed more blacks to his cabinet and other federal posts than any other president, and good timing (he came into office after three consecutive Republican administrations). But perhaps the biggest factor discussed is the genuine ease with which Clinton relates to black Americans. Blacks trust him to consider their perspective and do not view him as just another white politician who appears only during election years. This is not to say that Clinton always did their bidding; he often disappointed them. But they also shared common enemies and a common outlook that brought them together. (Clinton, 2003) America's first black female secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, is doing in public what she has always done in private - speaking frankly about America's priorities and the realities of the post-Cold War world. As she jokes with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, loosening up his dogmatic anti-American policies, lectures Russia about freedom and warns Israel of tough decisions ahead. Traveling without the entourage customary for secretaries of state, on time, mapping out in advance her first six months of travel, Rice is a new force in American politics. As the Republican Party casts about for a viable presidential candidate in 2008 to keep Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton out of the White House, attention will inevitably focus on Rice, the woman who may stand between Clinton and the presidency. Since Bush's success in Iraq has laid the basis for negotiation in the Middle East, there is every prospect that Rice may preside over a diplomatic triumph in catalyzing the discussions between Sharon and Abbas. The firm American stand in Iraq will also make more likely success in Korea and Iran, all of which would add to the prestige of Rice. The political fact is that a Rice candidacy would destroy the electoral chances of the Democratic Party by undermining its demographic base. John Kerry got 54 percent of his vote from three groups that, together, account for about a third of the American electorate: African-Americans, Hispanics and single white women. Rice would cut deeply into any Democrat's margin among these three groups and would, most especially, deny Clinton the strong support she would otherwise receive from each of them. Rice's credentials for a candidacy are extensive and will grow throughout her tenure at the State Department. As former chancellor of Stanford University, she would have much in common with the pre-political careers of Woodrow Wilson and Dwight Eisenhower, presidents of Princeton and Columbia universities. Her service as national security adviser during a war and her current efforts as secretary of state demonstrate her ability to handle crises and to conduct herself with dignity and impact on the world stage. As a social conservative and deeply religious person, she would face no bar in winning the votes of the Christian right, so crucial to winning the Republican nomination. Unlike former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani and Senator John McCain - both of whom could probably win in November - she would be very attractive to the pro-life, anti-gun-control, anti-affirmative-action base of the Republicans. America longs to put the period on the disgraceful chapter in the nation's history that began when the first slave arrived at Jamestown, Va., more than 400 years ago. Also it's necessary to show to every colored person, that there is no ceiling and that you can rise as far as your ability will carry you. The day Condoleezza Rice is sworn in as president, regardless of the fate of her administration, that message and the punctuation of history of racism will be obvious. Of course, she isn't running - nor is there any indication that she is harboring thoughts of a candidacy. But as her visibility increases, so will her viability. It may just be possible to draft Condi into the race. A real presidential draft movement hasn't happened since 1952, when Republicans urged Eisenhower to get into the race. A draft-Condi movement seems almost antiquated in this era of ambitious and self-promoting candidates, but it may well fill a deep need in the electorate to vote for someone who is running in response to a genuine call of the people. Reverend Al Sharpton is a civil rights activist and community organizer from New York who is probably the most exciting and entertaining speakers of the Democratic contenders. In terms of his campaign, Sharpton has fallen somewhat flat. But then again, his goal seems to be to reinvigorate the party and get black voters out to the polls. "We are in the midst of forces that are trying to bring us back to a time period where Americans were separate, unequal and clearly not enjoying the wealth of this nation," said Sharpton at a candidate's forum in Chicago. "We must this year make it clear that we won't be mugged by those that mugged us in Florida, by those that mug us with tax cuts, by those that take away our right to an education." "I not only want to challenge the nation, I want to challenge this party. We have too many elephants running around with donkey jackets on," said Sharpton. "We need Democrats to be Democrats and stand up for what Democrats stood up for." (BBC News, 2004) He says as president he would enshrine education as a constitutional right and would fully fund the No Child Left Behind Act which requires schools to make progress. He also supports legislation calling for funding to improve neglected inner city and rural school buildings. Even his supporters say they do not expect him to win but they do think he will raise issues of concern to black Americans which they feel many in the party are ignoring. Powell was one of the most popular figures in the Bush's administration internationally and among Americans. Throughout the Bush administration's first term in office, Colin Powell was regarded as a moderate voice on several issues, notably on Iraq. As the administration expressed alarm over Baghdad's arsenal in 2002, the secretary of state urged caution and at times seemed at odds with his cabinet colleagues. Mr. Cheney and Mr. Rumsfeld argued for early military intervention, but Mr. Powell called for United Nations weapons inspections as a "first step", to assess Iraq's weapons industry. When he became secretary of state in 2001, Mr. Powell became the highest-ranking African-American in any US administration. He said he wanted to inspire other African-Americans and seems to have succeeded, admired by many for his warmth and geniality as well as his military and political career. In conclusion I want to notice that Condoleezza Rice has the best chances to win the elections in 2008, because she gets support of the black community and women. Black woman President will show to the entire world that United States is the most politically progressive country giving everybody equal opportunities, in spite of race and gender. Works cited 1. BBC News. 2004-2005. 17 June 2005 2. Cronk, Lee. That Complex Whole: Culture and the Evolution of Human Behavior. Westview Pr, 1999 3. Clinton, Hillary Rodham. Living History. Simon & Schuster, 2003 4. Davies, Philip John. US Elections Today : New Edition of Elections USA (Politics Today). Manchester University Press. 2000 5. Obama, Barack. Dreams from My Father : A Story of Race and Inheritance. Three Rivers Press. 2004 Read More