Ignorance, Racism and Politics
I understand that we are all Democrats and because of that we should “get along” especially when it comes to making sure a Democrat is voted into office as our next President. However, the experience that many have felt here in El Paso during and after the precinct conventions is proof that not much has changed with some people over the years. Its no secret that the local Democratic Party officials were in support of hillary clinton. Some wonder why. I say, its obvious. The implication that she has much more experience than Obama is STUPID so that leaves only one other reason. clinton and Obama agree on many of the same issues and its possible they could run on the same ticket for November. Local Clinton supporters seem to think Obama isn’t ready to be in the White House…what are they going to think if he is on the same ticket as clinton? Are they going to change their mind and say yes, we support Obama now? Wouldn’t that mean they are double-minded. And we know what the Bible states about a double-minded man/woman…he/she is UNSTABLE in all their way. Hint: Watch who you vote for in your local elections.
I understand the local officials will state that African Americans are “disgruntled” because Hillary won El Paso; this is far from the truth. As long as a Democrat gets into office, we’re fine. The problem comes when locally, the racial tension is evident due to racial slurs and the treatment we as African Americans receive at public events such as the recent conventions. “SOME” of us would like to witness the day a Black Man or Woman becomes President. Our ancestors fought and some died to make sure we could see a time such as this. It’s disheartening to know that some El Pasoans who are not Black are upset that we are so proud of this feat. It’s like they expect us to show our appreciation of Obama in silence.
Some say we deserve an apology locally…please, no one has yet to apologize for slavery so if you think that’s going to happen…jump back to reality.
Not all local Black El Pasoans voted for Obama; but those who did, I am surely proud of for doing so. If you look beyond Obama’s face and instead look deep into his soul through his eyes, you will see people like Martin Luther King Jr., Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Joe, Cousin Mack and even the Caucasian men and women who helped fight for civil rights saying, “Lift Your Brother.” How dare some El Pasoans try to deny us the right to be proud that a Black man has made it this far to have top billing as our possible next leader?!
Ignorance comes in many forms and Tuesday night, we saw that take place. If ever there was a question does racism still exist in El Paso…the answer is blatantly yes. Some of “my” fellow Black brothers and sisters were called niggers, monkeys, etc. I personally have blood brothers and sisters who are of mixed race including Caucasian and Mexican. Racism calls for blood relatives to choose sides as to which race they claim. If some of them would really dig deep into their history, they would be surprised to find that their great great great grandmother could have been black. Quick to call somebody a nigger because they are black and they may be black themselves.
Has anything changed since the Kerner Report…not much. The Kerner report was right. 40 years later we’re still dealing with ignorance. Racism is alive and well and until we as a people start educating our own people about not falling into the stereotype that others expect us to, it will stay this way.
I contacted the state and local Democratic Party Headquarters and I have yet to get an answer pertaining to my question as to why the election judge purposefully did not assure we had the proper paperwork to caucus in my precinct. If the election judge was there when I asked the question “What about our precinct convention” as they were packing up to leave; why did she continue to leave anyway?
The only answer I get is: “There is nothing we can do about that now.” So does this mean my precinct doesn’t matter? Of course in my precinct, military spouses and soldiers are the majority. We were in attendance for the convention and no one showed up to give us the proper paperwork. I guess our vote doesn’t count.
Is El Paso a Melting Pot?