Mr. President-Elect, Barak Obama

Today was an important day in America and many would argue, throughout the world.  For the first time in U.S. history, the American citizenry (at least those that cast their ballot) elected its first multiracial president.  I don’t like to say black or white because Mr. Obama is both; having a white mother and and a black father.  And so we will use “multiracial.”  Irregardless, it has been a momentous day.

Because we are outside of the U.S. in a timezone far, far away, I was able to watch the final election results midday.  On the projection screen behind my desk, whilst my students worked on revising their essays, we watched as this state turned red and many others turned blue on the election map provided by CNN.com.  And so, it was teaching day; not about English (some, of course) but about the American system.

We talked of the electoral process, the ‘college, and the difference between those that sit astride a donkey or an elephant.  I laid out for them how each candidate felt about issues most of us find important: abortion, gay rights, socialized medicine, the distribution of wealth. And of course, I respectfully shared my views on each.  The students posed quality questions and we all gained a little more knowledge of how an election is won.

We did not vote in this election because we did not get our overseas registration completed in time.  It was a sad realization that our voice would not be heard.  We like having a voice as to how our government is operated.  Yet, throughout the day I received the same question over and over: “Did you vote for Obama?”

Most of my students, if they weren’t staring at the electoral map, probably could not tell you before today who Mr. Obama’s opponent in this election was.  But nearly all of them were very excited to see him winning and to finally win the 270+ electoral votes he needed.  And so I asked them why they were so excited.  However, their responses were less then thrilling, “Because he opposes the war in Iraq,” “Because he’ll be the first black president,” or my least favorite, “Because he lived in Indonesia.”

I addressed each of them in turn, explaining that it was the U.S. Congress, or in other words 535 democratically elected Senators and Representatives that sent the U.S. to war, not the president and that anytime they wanted to end the war, all they had to do was to stop funding it.  I reasoned with them that voting for someone because they are a certain skin color is just as racist as not voting for someone for the same reason.  And I generally educated them that the one good reason to vote for someone is that you agree with that person’s stance on issues that are important to you.

I would not have voted for Mr. Obama should I have registered in time.  I do not agree with him.  And that’s it.  I don’t care even a little bit that he is multiracial.  Whatever a candidate’s race is doesn’t matter to me.  I will support him or her only if I agree with their positions.  What makes me sad is that all over the media the pundits are spouting that we have grown from a racist society in the 50’s and 60’s to where we will now elect a “black” president.  Unfortunately I believe that many of the people of America voted for Mr. Obama BECAUSE he is multiracial.  And that shows that we are still plagued with racism.

I’ve heard Dr. King, that great Christian that fought for justice, quoted on the news, that finally we have arrived where one is not “judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”  And yet, it is the opposite that I think has happened.  Unfortunately, most American’s do not inform themselves very well about the candidates before voting for them.  I believe if everyone looked at the “content” of Mr. Obama’s character based off of his voting record in the Senate and also the things he has said and claimed to believe, and judged him solely on that, he would not be our president.

Personally, I don’t desire the “change” that Mr. Obama wants to bring.  I don’t want the “third world” ideology of the distribution of wealth brought into a capitalist society that works. If we are all citizens of the same nation, with but one vote – meaning one voice – each, then why should one citizen be taxed to a greater extent then another.  We all consume government services, so we should each pay our equal share, but no one should be forced to pay more just because they are successful financially.

I don’t want the few limits on abortion that are protecting lives now to be lifted.  I don’t want that kind of change.

I don’t think we can hold people that do not follow God to a godly standard, for God will do that Himself on that final day, but I don’t want homosexuals to be treated as special citizens.  And I want to keep my right to say just that.  I don’t want the change that will take away my freedom to say whatever I desire.  I don’t want Mr. Obama’s change.

However, in Roman’s 13, the apostle Paul reminded the Christians of Rome, who were suffering under the terrible and cruel dictator Nero who was persecuting and killing Christians left and right, to submit to all authority because all authority comes from God.  Mr. Obama is the next president of the United States and his authority is ordained by God.  Whether I agree with him or not, I will submit to his authority. I will pray that God will give him wisdom on how to lead the American people.  I will ask that he would find a godly success as president.  And in four years, I will do my best to oust him with the voice that I possess: my vote.

Related posts:

1. Loving America: An Insider’s View from the Outside
2. What Do You Want to Read?
3. An Unexpected Evening, Part One
4. Talking with a Personal Voice
5. A Tip of the Hat – Trees of Lyres