I was one of the many people at the Homewood Coliseum listening to the acceptance speech by Barack Obama for the historic nomination for president by the Democratic Party. The day before, a local newspaper reporter had called me and asked me to comment about the speech being made 45 years to the day that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
The media said, in effect, that racism was dead, because King’s dream had become a reality because a Black man was the candidate for president of United States. The writer received an earful from me and I knew they would not quote me and they didn’t.
A friend of mine asked was my enthusiasm somewhat subdued? My answer was that I have witnessed political hypocrisy for more than 50 years, because the overwhelming majority of those in attendance would have been just as gleeful if Sen. Hillary Clinton was running.
Throughout the campaign there were Blacks— particularly politicians—who vilified the Clintons, especially Bill, but they think that you and I have forgotten that these same people referred to Bill as the first Black president.
I have been asking people why they are voting for Obama and have gotten various answers. The most frequent response is because he is Black, well-educated, bright and eloquent and a Democrat. But if those are the reasons please explain why large numbers of Blacks rejected other Blacks who possessed the same qualifications— presidential candidates such as Shirley Chisholm, Jesse Jackson, Ron Daniels and local candidate for mayor, attorney Byrd Brown. It is my personal conviction that the everyday voter has a deep genuine sense of pride and concern about the election of Obama, but I have reservations about those political panderers who are only concerned about what’s in it for them when it’s over. I have heard them speak about the personal contacts they make and win or lose they will be able to call them. There was dancing, cheering, high fives, the kind of interest that I wish we would demonstrate as it relates to our schools, local government, violence and unemployment.
In 2008 I am astounded at those, who with a real sense of what they perceive as pride say they would vote for any Democrat and would never vote for any Republican. Then there are those Whites who brag they would not vote for a Black. Both statements reflect a deep sense of ignorance and definite lack of understanding of what they are saying. It is stupid and does a great deal of harm when people base everything on being Black or White.
Blacks do not hate with the intensity of some Whites, because in almost every election Blacks have overwhelmingly voted for White candidates over a Black. One election I will always remember was the mayoral race between Byrd Brown and Sophia Masloff. At the conclusion Sophia remarked how surprised she was to have received the number of votes out of the predominantly Black wards against a person with Byrd’s qualifications.
I pray that when the presidential race is over that the Black community will remain energized for the upcoming Pittsburgh City Council, Allegheny County Judges and Pittsburgh School Board races, because all political priorities should be local.
The Kingsley Association is still seeking your financial contribution.
(Louis “Hop” Kendrick can be heard on WAMO 860 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.)
