(BiM)–The Chronicles

Even though Obama has lost New Hampsire his win in Iowa has opened my eyes. As a liberal African American woman I was torn between Obama and Clinton. My young hip, civil right advocate self wants Obama to win the Democratic nomination. The safer, cautious side of me wishes that Clinton would get the nomination. Though I like Obama more, I still am afraid that if nominated, Obama will not win the presidential election. This fear is echoed with in many members of the African American community.

There’s a reason that Black American view Obama more pessimistically than other White Americans. Many find him inspiring and admirable, but these same people believe he is destined for ultimate failure. Polls, like those taken in Newsweek Magazine, show that majority of Black Americans believe that America is not ready for a black president. However, more white American were more optimistic. This might be counter intuitive to many people reading this article but to me it makes sense. One thing I’ve consistently noticed is that Black Americans, as a group, think American is still rather racist when White Americans, as a group, think American are more likely to think America is not very racist at all. This difference in thinking is due to a difference in life experience. These life experience leads many African Americans to believes that though Obama is an awesome inspiring person, Obama can’t win the election.

There are other things that lead me to believe that Obama is fighting an uphill battle. One of these things include the Bradly Effect. Basically when black candidate runs against white candidate, citizens will poll one way but vote another way. Leading up to the election black political candidate might have the lead. However, a percentage of white voters that said they supported the black candidate in the poll will vote the other way. This effect happens to many Black political leaders and it is devastating. It make running as a black candidate difficult. In many case it’s so difficult that black candidate can not over come it. For these reasons and more many black Americans are Obama fans but not necessarily Obama voters.

There’s also the debate of whether Obama is black enough. I think news reporter pay more attention to this aspect than is warranted. Many Black people I have talked admit the Obama grew up in an environment and mind set not typical to most African Americans (as in those that are descended of enslaved Africans). However none, I’ve talked to, have said this is reason they will not vote for him. Many fear that Obama will not win because he’s too black, not the other way around.

Plus, the fact that Obama is African American and has a name that sounds like Iraq Hussien Osama isn’t the best recipe for electoral success.

Because many Black American think Obama can’t win they are afraid to vote for him. This is the mid set I’ve heard the most. Though several Black voters will vote for him, I do come across more pessimism than optimism.

As for me, I’ve become more optimistic, but still afraid to vote for him. As the presidential races as progress, I’ve grown to like Obama more and more and Clinton less and less. However I’d prefer that Clinton win than any of the other candidates.