peanut butter and jelly: america’s favorite

Posted on January 21st, 2009 by mountain girl  |  1 Comment »

Do you remember Bama jelly? I don’t even know if it’s still around, it’s been so long since I’ve bought jelly. But even now, after all these years, I can’t help but think of that jelly when I see Obama’s name. I think, “Ohhh…Bama! and smack my lips. Yeah, that’s corny. But true.

So we have a hip new presidente, America. We Americans should be proud of ourselves: we have chosen a black president to lead this great nation. We have demonstrated democracy and plundered prejudice, and we’ve become a stellar example for the whole world to follow.

And oh America, I do hate to burst your bubble, but he’s not black. We are so proud of our democratic spirit and commitment to equality for all, but if Obama were truly a black man, would he have the presidency right now? He’s very white. He talks white, sounds white, acts white, he even looks white. Well, maybe peanut butter-color. But if he were elected president of Kenya, they would very decidedly say they have a white president.

So, he’s black enough to make the white folks feel proud for electing him, and black enough to appease the black folks, BUT…white enough to fit in a very white world of politics and be respected as a white man. Have we really come that far since the days of MLK? Our nation has taken on the form of moving toward acceptance, equality, enlightenment, etc., etc…but at the core, I think we are not really very different.

Having said all that, I really don’t mean to be terribly negative. I really do appreciate the decline of outward racism, and I appreciate the fact that someone who’s not completely white has been elected president. (I also appreciate having a president with some rhythm.) It’s just a shame it’s taken so long, and it’s a shame we’re so proud of such a small gesture toward a people group we’ve so oppressed, and it’s a shame he’s not really black.

That’s all; just some random rants on the state of the union.

One Response to “peanut butter and jelly: america’s favorite”

  1. Your Lion says on :

    Bravo Bravo! Very well said!