Media Pressure and Race

I hope that people will finally come to realize that there is only one 'race' - the human race - and that we are all members of it. -Margaret Atwood

The concept that was part of the presidential race has returned again; race. If you say that race played no part in the presidential election you are either an idiot or naïve unfortunately. As much as it hurts to say that race was part of “the race” it was because we made it part of the race. News made it about the possibility of the first black president, which I thought did not need to be said because everyone knew that and so making a big deal about it made it become a deal with race. People were accused of being racist if they did not vote for him; others just wanted to make history, and then finally the people who actually agreed with his topics. It puts to thought the possibility that if Obama and McCain were of the same race that we might now have a different president. It is hard to type because I wish that is was not true but inevitably it is the truth for some people. Now the issue has come up again as recent reports start to question if the criticism that Obama is receiving is from the basis of his race. COME ON PEOPLE? This brings up the issue of people feeling pressured into voting for Obama because otherwise they would be perceived as racist all over again. Saying that people are complaining about his presidency because of his race is once again media and public pressure that tells people that complaining about Obama’s plans is a route to being called racist. I am glad to hear that Obama has said that he believes this to be false but now that the idea has been placed in the minds of some people it will be hard to get out. It is frustrating because no one wants to be labeled a racist but they still feel that they should be able to voice their opinions about Obama’s ideas, which are very controversial. Obama has added over two billion dollars to our national debt, wants to pass a bill for government funded health care, and has other plans which will possibly add to our national debt even more, which is all very controversial. His plans for his next four years and our next four years is likely to be cause a lot of talk, be it good or bad. People should be allowed to feel however they so choose to about our president without the fear of being attacked and labeled as a racist. I mean is that not our first amendment right?