The Scores are Even

With a win in South Carolina on Saturday, January 26, 2008, the Obama and Clinton camp enter into Super Tuesday on a two and two tie. African American’s were the group to pull during their trail throughout the state, especially African American women. Although both fought hard to rally votes, Senator Obama came out on top. In most reports the Senator of Illinois collected 80% overall of the African American vote with Senator Clinton picking up 18%. As the trail moves forward I feel that we will continue to see gender and racial line divides. Obama wins South Carolina, but will he win Florida? As an African American, I often wonder if blacks can have an affect on who becomes the next president? We vote, but not always in large numbers. Will Obama’s skin color bring us out to the polls? Time and time again I have heard from all of my friends and neighbors that I too should vote for Barak, because “ he looks and thinks like me.” He does? Setting aside our “tanner skin”, I don’t see much resemblance between the senator and I. His hair is shorter, legs taller, and age, well lets just say he was not born in the 80’s. As the battle gets tighter, and by now I guess you can tell that I am a Democratic, I find it harder and harder to set aside what the media reports and what I truly feel. My schoolwork is tougher, graduation is nearer, and my concentration on the daily move of the candidates is becoming slim. Like most people, I only have time to read what the news decides to report. Gone are the days of rallying behind the candidates, when all we really needed was picture and a smile.