Judgment of a Man

Whilst having a look to see what was going on in the world, I stumbled across this on the BBC's website.

For those that cannot be bothered to read it, it centers on the question of Barack Obama and whether he is really black or not. To say I felt disappointed, even if not surprised that this was going on, would be an understatement.

Imagine for a moment if you will, that instead of talking about the President of the United States Elect, we were talking about an armed bank robber, do you honestly believe that we would be discussing this? The media wouldn't be talking about this. The black academics that they have spoken to would not be commenting on this. The BBC wouldn't care about this either. Maybe I am being cynical by viewing this as an attempt by many to make the idea of a black man in a position of global influence and power, more palatable to large sections of society by 'de-blacking' him, but its truly hard to see any other reason behind such a debate.

If Barack Obama was walking down the street, I would see him as a black man; but perhaps more telling is that when Barack Obama looks at himself in the mirror, he himself sees a black man staring back at him.

It is undeniable that his mother is white, or that he was brought up in a multicultural environment, but what is also undeniable is that he has also had to endure the preconceived judgments and stereotypes that are held by some people in his everyday life. He has had to overcome barriers, and he has had to struggle to achieve the success and position that he currently holds twice as hard as most Caucasians, just as much as any other black person has had to in order to achieve their goals, or to be taken seriously.

The fact that some of us as black people cannot celebrate and be happy in his success, is just a further example of why as communities we struggle. Instead of building each other up, we seek to tear each other down, instead of edifying we belittle; instead of growing we are decaying.

I for one, am sceptical but hopeful that Obama can live up to the promise and expectations that we have, but until he proves me wrong I shall judge him not on the colour of his skin, nor by his upbringing, nor by his childhood influences, but by his actions.

After all, is that not real test and judgment of a man?