Let’s talk about race and class!
“Keep Hope Alive” was Jesse Jackson’s campaign slogan in 1988. I still have a t-shirt, which I have nearly worn out because it means so much to me. Barack Obama’s campaign is the first presidential campaign since Jesse’s that has inspired me enough to volunteer, make a contribution and hang a candidacy sign on my house.
But before you assume anything, let’s be clear. The candidate’s racial make-up has little to do with it. I am a working class white voter, albeit the one in my family who has attained a bachelor’s degree. I am here to tell you that every bone in my body, every cell in my bloodstream tells me that Barack is the only candidate who can provide what we need more than anything: hope. He offers us a new way of looking at the world, and at the role of the U.S. Presidency.
I know that when I returned from college with my degree, some of my old friends looked upon me with suspicion. Just what had this smart-aleck gotten himself into? How come he hasn’t been hanging around with the good ‘ol boys since he started reading all those books? And why is he saying all these strange things about getting involved in politics, and being an activist for housing rights and anti-poverty causes?
As I told them then, I am and forever will be working class (one of you), because it’s how I was brought up. We called ourselves “middle class,” but that was before the last two economic cycles. Getting an education has only strengthened us a whole, and if you want to keep living in fear and thinking what you are told to think, instead of what you really think on your own, you are missing out on history. This is a chance to be inspired again; and to inspire the rest of the world, as well.
When I earned my bachelor’s degree, tuition was $1,250 per semester at the state university I attended. If white working class voters really want to vote in their own interest, they ought to vote for a candidate who cares about the cost of higher education. We also ought to examine our own racial prejudices and see why black candidates are often so inspiring. No class of people in American history has suffered under the weight of oppression as much as African Americans have. When we start seeing their struggle as our struggle, the picture comes into focus.
This campaign, and this upcoming general election, is about whose interests will be served by the most powerful branch of our federal government. It’s not black vs. white. It’s really not even rich vs. poor. It’s about keeping the interests of everyone ahead of the interests of a few. As soon as we figure out how much we need the federal government to keep our interests at heart, we will understand why Democrats have always been our party, and why Barack Obama deserves everyone’s vote; Republican, Democrat, and Independent. He’s our best chance for hope.
