CONGRATS MR. PRESIDENT
From Bevan Springer
New York Amsterdam News
NEW YORK (November 8, 2012) – Social media erupted as the ballots began to confirm Barack Obama would be re-elected president of the United States.
It was a cliff-hanger with pre-election polls declining to forecast a result but, after a hard fought campaign with Governor Mitt Romney, America elected its first African American leader to a second term.
He was not only the overwhelming choice for president in America, but Obama was the overwhelming choice for billions of people around the world. His popularity has probably increased following the “shellacking” he dished out to his Republican runner-up.
It was a special victory for his supporters, including the African American and Caribbean American communities, who expressed fears about the prospects of a Republican in the White House whose uncompromising positions on immigration and women’s reproductive health, in particular, were seen as punitive and unpalatable.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg echoed the sentiments of many independent voters who were key to the election: “I believe Mitt Romney is a good and decent man, and he would bring valuable business experience to the Oval Office. He understands that America was built on the promise of equal opportunity, not equal results. In the past he has also taken sensible positions on immigration, illegal guns, abortion rights and health care. But he has reversed course on all of them, and is even running against the health-care model he signed into law in Massachusetts. If the 1994 or 2003 version of Mitt Romney were running for president, I may well have voted for him because, like so many other independents, I have found the past four years to be, in a word, disappointing.”
Not all African Americans and Caribbean Americans have supported all of the president’s policies but there is a feeling of pride and euphoria which accompanies the re-election of Barack Obama.
The following social media post speaks to this perspective:
“A white man asked his black friend: ‘Are you going to vote for Barack Obama just because he’s Black?’ The black man responded by saying ‘Why not? In this country men are pulled over by police because they are Black, passed over promotion just because they are Black; considered to be criminals just because they are Black; Thousands of white voters are not voting for him because he’s Black. But you don’t seem to have a problem with any of that. This country was built with the sweat and tears of black slaves and now a black man has a chance to lead the same country where we weren’t even considered as people; where we weren’t even allowed to be educated, drink from the same fountains, eat in the same restaurants, or use the same restrooms or even vote. So yes, I am going to vote for him. But it’s not because he’s black, but because through his leadership several of America’s most elusive enemies were brought to justice, our economy, health and environment have improved; and our good reputation around the world has been restored. He is hope. He is change. He is wise. He is a man of integrity and intelligence. He is a man of faith and perseverance. A man of maturity and good judgment. He is a faithful husband and father. And he allows me to understand when my grandchildren desire to be President when they grow up, it’s not a fairy tale but a short term goal. They now see, understand and know that they can achieve, withstand, and do anything that they can dream for themselves. So no I am not voting for him because he’s black, I’m voting for him because I’m Black.’”
Congratulations Mr. President.
As our scriptures teach us, we now pray for you and your team over the next four years “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”