Black and White and Read All Over

Call me naive, but why does it have to be about race at all? Why is Barak Obama called a black man? Isn't he equally a white man?

One of the things I find so motivating about Obama is the fact that he is every man. He is a smart man. He is inspiring, and what I find appealing about him has less to do with the color of his skin and more about his message of uniting us.

We hold him to a different standard in regards to tolerance of friends and family. I don't know about you, but I have plenty of friends and relatives who I would consider either racist or clueless.... Sometimes I speak up, and sometimes I say nothing.

Hear/read what Obama has to say about race in his own words.

Is it Change?

Watching this video literally brought tears to my eyes. First off, its Oprah. Even if you don't like her politics, her show, her hair do, or whatever, you have got to respect her as a business woman. Seriously. She produces and distributes her own show, rather than just being on-air talent-- which means she maintains full artistic control. There's also her magazine... and her angel network and her reading club. OK so now you know, even though I never watch her show, and I don't even tape it, I am a fan. She's awe-some and inspiring. And I am a sap.

Then you have Barak Obama. He's pretty inspiring too. Watch for yourself.


But all this made me think. Did you know that only 56% of Americans who are eligible vote? That is an embarassing statistic. I realize it is a right, not an obligation, but how disrespectful is it to let our troops fight for us, to encourage our government to preach democracy, and then not even exercise or own rights?

We have free and fair elections (usually, unless you're in Chicago, in the old neighborhood, where your landlord's son is the block captain....) Polls are usually conveniently located in your own neighborhood, open from 7 am until 7 pm or so. Plenty of time before or after work to drop in and cast a vote. And there's even mail in voting. Yes, I realize it takes some time to study up on the issues. And believe you me, here in California there are plenty of issues! But in my opinion, that is part of the deal. If you don't like it... well there plenty of countries out there where the government makes all the decisions for you. I won't suggest you move, rather I would suggest you take a minute to think about that, and get thee to a voter registration booth!