President Obama and the Racial Mess

It has been a long time since the US had a black president. In fact, the first ever president of the United States is also considered the first black president of the nation. During the early days where Pres. Obama received the throne of the presidency, many where quite delighted by the fact that racism will finally be erased in the culture of America. Racism or racial discrimination has long been a major source of violence and conflict. With the appointment of a black president, all are hoping to put an end to this miserable discipline.

But as we know it, almost two years after being elected as president, racism has again gained its ground and is terrorizing again the minds of people. It has created barriers which hinder communication between groups of people. It is considered a major obstacle for peace and unity. Today, black voters are sticking their support to Pres. Obama while disappointed white voters are withdrawing support for the president.

Perhaps what influences the decisions of these people are the things Pres. Obama has done for the country. The economic crisis, the never-ending war in Iraq, the increasing budget deficit and the controversial health care reform bill are just some of the recent events that have divided the opinions of the people. Race has again become a powerful influential factor in justifying these social issues of the nation. The racial mess is in fact escalating into a bigger and worst one.

It is good to take notice that the image portrayed by Pres. Obama as a social healer was only a creation or spoof by the media. In fact, there were several instances during the campaign where racial discrimination was practiced. Pres. Obama was never a social healer and will never be. He himself indulged in racial stereotyping when he when he indicated that the white lower-middle class of Pennsylvania are clueless zealots clinging to their guns, religion, and xenophobia.

Isn’t it very ironic that we are now living in a post-racial time and yet racial tensions are still very evident? The bleeding will only continue if no one is responsible enough to fix this mess. The more the president appeals to his base in racial terms, the more his appointees and supporters tag themselves as members of a particular race, and the more political conflicts are framed by racial divisions and differences. Without proper cleansing of the system, the stain will always remain hunting down the innocent and the unknowing.