Are We Doomed?

I think so.

I just opened an email from a dear friend upset because he'd been called a racist for opposing Obama. This friend is biracial (Native American/White) and is one of the most non-racist people I know. Others I know who supported McCain, like me, are biracial or multiracial or have mixed race families. Are we racist?

Obama and his supporters have used race as a weapon for nearly two years and I believe, endangered our progress in race relations. They have wielded the race card against people like the Clintons, like my friends, like me, who have spent a great deal of our lives fighting for racial equality. They have set Obama up as THE standard bearer for the entire African-American community, as THE test of racial enlightenment and with that, diminished the struggle. No one person, no one politician should ever be the litmus test for enlightened views on anything.

I understand the great pride and hope expressed by so many African-Americans today. I think I'd feel the same if it weren't this politician at this time, if it were Cornel West up there or Colin Powell or Harold Ford, Jr. I may feel the same if it were a woman or a Native American or a Jew, though probably not if that woman or Native American or Jew had the same negatives as Obama. And definitely not if that person were presenting themselves as the saving grace for all women, all Native Americans, all Jews. Not if that person were presenting themselves as THE test for people's attitudes on gender, race or religion.

So, I worry for the future of a country led by a man who has presented himself as one who cannot be opposed without the opponent being a racist, a man who pretends that he is so beyond fault that race is the only problem anyone could have with him. How about you?