| Opinion; To the White House through Walla Walla |
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There is no question that Barack Obama is a force to reckon with. After Obama’s visit to Kenya a couple of years ago, Alfred Mutua, Kenya’s government spokesman, sought to downplay Obama’s significance by calling him a “junior Senator from Illinois.” I responded in this newspaper by questioning the judgment of Kibaki’s administration in failing to recognize Obama’s potential. It turns out now that Mutua is the “junior spokesman” in this case and should apologize. Obama has been nominated to represent the Democratic Party as the candidate for United States presidency in the November Ballot.
My view of Obama has two parts. First, I am impressed by his charisma and accomplishments in America. This is a very complicated country and for a son of a Kenyan scholar to be nominated for the U.S. presidency speaks not about America, but about Obama and his upbringing, especially the influence of his white parents. Second is my understanding of the historical development of Americanism, which acts as a guide for the vote of many Americans. Because of his non-Civil Rights “inheritance”—having not been born of a black American mother and father, most black Americans early on said of him that he was “not black enough.” It wasn’t until the black churches and pastors, such as his former spiritual mentor Rev. Wright’s pulpit campaign, that the black community began to support him.
Recently during a working vacation, we drove from Florida through the mid-Western states to a small community town on the Southeastern border of Washington state and Oregon, called Walla Walla, Washington. We stopped in small towns in Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, Idaho, and Oregon. I made an effort to engage several white Anglo-Saxons Protestants and/or Catholics in these small towns. In Walla Walla, I had lunch with the Vice President of a renowned publishing company, Coffey Communications. He did not know much about Obama’s heritage and when I told him that Obama’s father was from Kenya, he answered, “I bet folks over there are very glad.” I answered to the positive then asked, “Where does Walla Walla stand on Obama?” He non-equivocally said, “He does not stand a chance here.” This is a town that is 70 to 90 percent white. The others are Hispanics and Native Americans.
In San Luis Obispo, California, my young man, Justin, and I were having ice cream at a café downtown in this beautiful, wealthy white neighborhood. Having gone to Kenya for the last two years of high school in Rift Valley Academy, Justin is a Kenyan at heart and knows that Kenyans enjoy discussing two things--religion and politics. We got into a heated debate; I mean a Kenyan-style debate. “I and my friends, and I mean most of the young collage students I know are for Obama,” he said. Justin is an American citizen with a right to vote, herefore I listened. “Why are the young people going with Obama?” I asked. “We do not know! Change maybe. We are like Kenyans, they do not have any debates on issues, they just like a guy and vote for him because he is for ‘Change” Two middle-aged white women sitting near our table having smoothies overheard our debate. I told my young white Kenyan-American, “Obama does not stand a chance.” Justin almost jumped out his seat. But before he could emphatically disagree, one of the women said, “I would like to know why you say that.” She could not believe that a black guy debating with a white kid was the one doubting Obama’s chances. Well, I gave her the short version as to the foundations of my doubt and when I was done, she stood up to leave. She looked at Justin and said. “I agree with him—he does not stand a chance.” And this dialogue happened in California, the so-called ‘liberal’ state!
I have spoken to a number of white and Latino voters. First of all, there is a supremacy war between the Black community and the Latinos. Obama, though not black as black but a Kenyan-American is viewed by many Latinos as a black man representing the black agenda. However, my gauge of how Latinos are going to vote is Puerto Rico, which gave Hilary 68 percent of their vote. Obama will not command a great percentage vote from the Latino community. Second, there are very many small communities such as Walla Walla that will not vote for Obama. Why? Because many view him as a black man with a black Civil Rights agenda, not a Kenyan-American with no preconceived agendas.
In Austin Texas, I spoke to a white American woman who owns and operates a small metal sales company. When the Obama issue came up, she responded, “I did not even think he would make it this far! I don’t think people here will vote for him,” was her response.
Then there are many Evangelical Christians, such as my friends with whom I had dinner in Titusville, Florida, recently. They believe that Obama is Muslim, and they will not have a Moslem leading this nation. Of course there are others like a friend of mine who retired from NASA who thinks Obama has no experience in anything but Civil Rights law. Also, Obama will not win the American military vote! Then there are people like my friend’s father-in-law who called his house to say, “I have not voted for years and will vote this time, not because I like John McCain, everybody, even John McCain knows that he is boring. My vote will be to make sure that Obama does not become my president.” Many people will not vote for McCain, but will vote against Obama. Therefore, John McCain will win by default. I have not yet even spoken about Obama’s wife, Michelle, and the view many white people have about her. Even the young people have issues with her over her emphasis on past Civil Rights battles.
Obama is the most charismatic leader to walk the political road in America towards the White House in a long time. But he has to drive through Walla Walla; and the road to the White House has to go through a lot of small white and Latino towns. That’s a very rough road! If Obama becomes the next president of the United States, I will take a six-months’ leave of absence from Kim Media Group editorial in shame for doubting. But don’t count on it.
Users' Comments (7) |
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07-22-2008 00:09, , Guest Walla Walla is more than one persons opinion. Too bad you didn't talk with more people. There are a lot of Democrats in Walla Walla and more now that the Bush administration has made a mess of our country and standing in the world. Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States. I moved to Walla Walla when I as four. Like Obama, I am half African American and half white. I think this town was a great place to grow up in, but it is much more open and tolerant today. I experienced more racism in large cities than I did in Walla Walla. Get ready for your 6 month leave. » Reply to this comment...
07-14-2008 12:41, , Guest I honestly thought that every african in America is for Barack Obama! It is good to see that there are republicans among the African immigrants. The black american vote has always been for the democratic party. I have long held that if Osama Bin Laden run for office in the deomcratic ticket, he would get the black vote. » Reply to this comment...
07-12-2008 19:13, , Guest Daktari! if you are overdue for a vacation, take one and don't wait for the impending Obama ascendancy to send you on one. Take one and make sure that you are in Washington D.C come march of 09. There, not only will you witness history -the triumph of Barack Hussein Obama, but there will you also behold a sight that many will leave to talk about: Mama Obama from Nyalulunga/Nyakach at 1600 Pennsylvania ave there to grace the elevation of her grandson to the 44th Presidency of the United States of America. Any Kenyan that can contemplate that scene must surely smile. "Ya mungu ni mengi!" » Reply to this comment...
07-12-2008 16:24, , Guest Although my quotes used in this article were paraphrased, the sentiment I hold was accurate. -I am not for Obama, rather for change. This change in politics as usual will not be brought about by McCain. He needs the politics of division to win. Lets face it, McCain is a follower. Playing the same old GOP tricks such as: hiding behind the Evangelical vote, manipulating conservatives without conscience, and seducing moderates with his 'ethics'. Many are not aware of Cindy McCains previous CEO position at Anheuser-busch, well- John is going to need a cold one come November. » Reply to this comment...
07-12-2008 16:14, , Guest I never knew there was a town like Walla Walla. . . Sounds like a place for all of us republicans! » Reply to this comment... |
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