I stumbled across this Associated Press article in today’s Minneapolis Star Tribune about how black conservatives are considering voting for Obama, because he is the first serious black candidate for the White House.
Now, I understand their feelings as a black man. I don’t want to vote for someone just because they share the same skin color that I do, and there is a lot I disagree with in Obama’s plans for governing this country. There are a lot of Obama’s policy positions that I just don’t support. John McCain is the GOP candidate that I wanted to be the nominee and I like that he has some values that at times seem lost in our society, themes like honor, sacrifice and independence. He is truly in my view, a “different kind of Republican.”
And yet, as a black man, do I want to pass up the history-making chance to vote for someone who does look like me to become the President, even if he is with the other party?
Black Republicans are “supposed” to not be so race conscious. At least that is the popular perception. But like all other African Americans, we were taught to be proud of our Black Heritage, to see that we had a role in the shaping of the country, that we invented things, led movements for change and were poets, writers and artists. So of course, when one of our own is just a stone’s throw away from becoming President, there is a pull to want to vote for them, ideology be damned.
Does this mean that I am dumping McCain? No. I still like the Senator. But I also know that as an African-American I am faced with a choice, vote for the one that I agree with ideologically or take a chance and vote for history.
I know, I’m not supposed to see color. But I can’t help it.