African-Americans for a Better Society Endorse Barack Obama
| African-Americans for a Better Society Endorse Barack Obama |
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| Written by Lyle Russworm / Founder of AAFABS ID4159 |
| Saturday, 02 February 2008 06:02 |
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Peace and blessing from the members of African-Americans for a Better Society (AAFABS). We hope that this letter finds each of you in good health.
During this year, I have been asked several times to list and justify my reasons for supporting Barack Obama. Kindly allow this to serve not only as the answer to those questions, but also my official endorsement.
Not to undermine other Black candidates in the past, but Barack Obama is the first serious Black candidate our nation has seen - a political insider. He is optimistic, charismatic and has the personal ability to influence others while outlining his vision of hope and unity. This is the cornerstone message that all Americans can relate to. Unlike other Black leaders, he has deliberately elected not to speak about racism and the effects it has on minorities in the United States not because it does not exist, but because when elected his focus will be upon the good of the entire nation, not a select few. Understandably so, he is running for Presidency of United States not interviewing for a CEO or board member position of an independent, partisan organization.
Therefore, it came as no surprise to me when I learned that several Black leaders such as John Lewis, Andy Young and Charles Rangel are openly endorsing Hillary Clinton. However, what really inflames me is the notion that these Civil Rights leaders and others do not believe that an African American can be elected to the White House. This mindset in particular affords me the opportunity to ask three questions: (1) What happened to the dream of Reverend Martin L. King Jr.? (2) What does the dream mean to them? and lastly (3) What happened to John F. Kennedy's message of hope and unity?
Former President Bill Clinton exhibited his true colors during the South Carolina primary. A thought provoking question comes to mind. I submit for your consideration, if Hillary Clinton wins, who will truly be our president?
Obama, has articulated the wisdom and understands the importance of changing the perception that the world has about America, which resulted from seven years of President Bush's neo-conservative foreign policy agenda. Barack Obama may not be able to undo all the damage that President Bush has done, however; he can begin to rebuild while laying the foundation for the world's renewed, positive opinion about America . Accordingly so, Obama has the ability to see America not only as a super power but also a passionate and moral leader in the world.
Obama inspires hope. He is the epitome of the American Dream and as such can unify our Nation by building bridges between conservatives and liberals to address health care needs for all Americans, balance the budgets, provide educational reform, and create new jobs and opportunities for all Americans. He has demonstrated that he has the ability to lead from the inner-city of Chicago to the campus of Harvard, from the state house of Illinois and presently to the Chamber of Congress.
Therefore on Super Tuesday, I will cast my vote for Barack Obama not because he is Black man but because he is the hope for America. Moreover, he is perpetuating the dream of Reverend Martin L. King Jr. and has embraced John F. Kennedy's vision of unity and equality.
Will you join me in this historic election?
Lyle G. Russworm Founder of AAFABS
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