Why I Voted For Barack Obama!

I'm a Chicago gal, and we have a saying here; "Vote early, vote often!". Well, I won't vote often. However, I did vote early! My former home was in DuPage County, which is Republican country, and I voted Sunday afternoon because I am not going to be in the county come election day. That's a good thing, too, as I am not feeling very welcome there anyway! However, I will save that story for another day.



I cast my vote for Barack Obama. And I did so for more reasons than simply his politics. I have had a very good feel about Obama for quite some time. I like his firm and gentle demeener, his pleasant smile, and the twinkle in his eye. And although some may disagree that this is any way to select a President, I base my decisions regarding elected officials on far more than statistics and their track records.



There is much more to this election than just voting for a President. In addition to the usual white male candidates, we also have a woman and a black man running for office. And while I am a woman and support women and their right to enter politics, I don't vote for a candidate simply because they are my gender or color. Although, I believe that the U.S. is long overdue for having other than another white male in the Oval Office!



Although the U.S. has made great strides in the past 50 years or so regarding racial issues, racism continues to be prominent in many more ways than most white folks realize. The impact of racism reverberates throughout the entire country, and in ways that most white people fail to understand. Racism is not simply an issue impacting minorities. It profoundly effects each and every one of us!



The U.S. is still a country where KKK rallies are held in public parks, and where tremendous amounts of tax dollars are spent to arm the police force in order to prevent any rioting. I was at such a rally in 2003, and was aghast at the sheer number of uniformed officers; in full riot geer, and with snipers perched on family roof tops! And while I fully support anyones freedom of speech and assembly, I personally believe that the hard-earned money of every tax payer could certainly be better spent than protecting a bunch of white men in sheets!



I have very recently spent time in a psychiatric facility, and also in a couple of homeless shelters. And it is very clear that the majority of severely mentally dis-eased patients and indigent people are black, and especially male. The majority of those diagnosed with schizophrenia, and in homeless shelters, and in the prison population are black males. This is most definitely not a coincidence! Rather, this is the reflection of the incredible amount of suffering that the black people have endured throughout history. And it is time that each and every one of us do our part to bring about healing!

Tweet