Does Obama’s race matter in this election?

With the presidential election only a few days away, patrons across the United States are scrutinizing each candidate well beyond their issues. America has watched the debates, been bombarded by the media through biased news networks, and sorted through countless campaign strategies to pick the best candidate for president. This so called “landmark” election is paving new frontiers into the social spectrum. The end result of this election will either place the first black man as leader of the free world, or the first woman as vice president.

Tuesday night, students of all ethnicities turned out to discuss racism’s role in the coming election for “Just Because He’s Black,” hosted by the Mu Gamma Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Neither candidate has campaigned based on race; in today’s society would most like to think racism does not play a role in the presidency.

“We should vote for who will advance the nation as a whole,” said freshman SGA senator Evan Karanovich. “You can’t rush the first minority or female into the white house, it has to happen when the country is ready. Only then will our country become stronger.”

Still, racism is apparent in everyday occurrences whether on a personal or political plane. On some level, people still acknowledge the differences of race based on family origins. The most influential factor in young voters is family influence, which leaves students to reevaluate their political opinions.

“Some still view people by color. Even in politics they find a candidate that makes them feel comfortable rather than spending the time to understand the candidates as a person,” said Ned Adkins, senior and moderator for the debate.

Political scientists Mike Digby and Jerry Herbel opened the debate by explaining the demographics of the election and the importance of party lines. Polls are running close and the margin of error is razor thin posing the distracters of the elections, like race and gender may be effective enough to sway voters.

“Racism does have an impact on voters,” said Digby, head of the political science department, “but party majority is the most defining factor.”

Students throughout GCSU are voting early and absentee ballot because they are eager to have their voices heard despite racial and party lines. For the attentive public, party lines and issues are most influential on votes, but much of the inattentive public votes based on media spin, race, and regional bias.

“Party affiliation will win out over racism,” said freshman Lucia Caltabiano. “I think that in the end, there is a desire for one’s beliefs to win out over differences between the races.”

Aside from party association, are the social pressures to vote for your own race. The results of this election will no doubt be scrutinized based on partisan and racial perspectives. As the election reflects the growth of the nation through equality as a whole, it reflects more on an individual level. Other cultures and countries view the United States as a major superpower. While the election may divide us into parties, Americans can agree on equal opportunity despite race or gender.

“How do you say he [Obama] is black?” said a student from Nepal in GCSU’s international program. “It is the content of the brain and heart that gives greatness to a man. The color black and white is in your eyes.”

In a matter of weeks, America will have a new president, and the public will choose a new leader to advance the country through equality of all people to strengthen the nation.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 31 2008. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry