When Obama got elected to be our next president, I had a cousin in Italy write me to congratulate my country on such a bold and updated result. Mixed feelings came with the realization that our new president had many controversial ideas and beliefs. I will not get into a political match here. But I will make an observation many must talk about but is never heard about in the media. Obama is black.Call his ethnicity what you want--his skin is darker than all the other presidents. Why does that matter?
It makes a difference for me. I am so worn out from discrimination due to ethnic background and color of one's skin. What a moronic race we are from the beginning of time to assume that appearance is an indicator of a person's worth or abilities.
In the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel, chapter 16, Samuel makes a judgment on appearances:
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Matthew Henry's Consise Commentary on the Bible says this:
"It was strange that Samuel, who had been so disappointed in Saul, whose countenance and stature recommended him, should judge of another man by that rule. We can tell how men look, but God can tell what they are. He judges of men by the heart. We often form a mistaken judgment of characters; but the Lord values only the faith, fear, and love, which are planted in the heart, beyond human discernment. And God does not favour our children according to our fond partiality, but often most honours and blesses those who have been least regarded."
I live in a city where African-American residents are scarce. It bothers me. I don't want to be a partaker in any kind of discrimination. I hate that my area is deemed "white." I have written several commentaries in our local newspaper regarding the presence of Aryan Nation groups and praised the runners in our popular race, Bloomsday--winners always being from Africa. They cross the finish lines, sleek, dark, tall bodies with arms raised high.
When Obama got elected, I proclaimed that television and media would take on a more balanced appearance--more black people appearing in commercials and TV shows. It is happening. I am so glad to see the ratio of peoples in the spotlight coming to a more even keeled percentage.
Modern America? How modern can we be and intelligent when discrimination still permeates every city.
Argue what you want about our president. Takes sides. Hate his policy. Fight to have him rid of. But I am glad to see his color skin reflecting out to the world. America the beautiful...
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