Last night, I spoke with a friend about common concerns about Barack Obama. I've decided to post these details here, for anyone who is interested. In no particular order:
1. He is a Muslim.
2. He was sworn in on the Koran.
3. He shares radical, extremist views with Reverend Jeremiah Wright and is racist against white people.
Firstly, Barack Obama is multiracial. He was raised by his white mother and white grandparents. Why would he discriminate against his own family members?
Secondly, Obama has publicly rejected (and denounced) Reverend Wright. He did not reject or denounce sooner because Obama is a person who believes in tolerance and loyalty. Reverend Wright married Barack and Michelle Obama and baptized their two children, so he has played an important role in Senator Obama's life. Obama attempted to give Wright the benefit of the doubt because he had never heard the reverend's radical statements until they received mainstream media attention during this campaign. Trinity United Church of Christ is a very mainstream church which always attracts a long line of people, waiting to get in; it is not known for extremist sermons. When Wright chose to continue making hostile statements, Obama made the difficult decision to reject and denounce Wright.
4. He refuses to wear an American flag lapel pin, so he must be unpatriotic.
It is true that Barack Obama has not always worn an American flag lapel pin. Neither has John McCain or Hillary Clinton. Yet, these three candidates show their patriotism every day by serving their country.
Barack Obama has said that he would prefer to show his patriotism by discussing important issues with the American people. However, he was recently given a gift of a flag lapel pin by a veteran; he promptly thanked the veteran and said that it meant a lot to him, then placed it on his lapel.
5. He refuses to say the Pledge of Allegiance, so he must be unpatriotic.
Barack Obama has led the Senate in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
6. He is an elitist who is out of touch with regular people.
When Barack Obama was born to a black father and a white mother, racial segregation was still enforced in the United States. It wasn't even possible that he could ever become President.
He was raised by a single mother and by his grandparents, who were not wealthy. When he graduated from college with one of the best educations that America has to offer, he could have taken a high-paying job with a major corporation, but instead, he chose to work as a community organizer, helping people in the poor neighborhoods on the south side of Chicago. When he decided to enter politics, he had a hole in his shoe because he could not afford new shoes. He and his wife were only recently able to finish paying their student loan debt.
Barack and Michelle Obama have achieved the American dream; they each came from humble beginnings and through hard work, they have earned a comfortable life for themselves and for their daughters.
He has lived the "regular" life and understands the struggles of regular people. No one else in this race has been so in touch, so recently.
7. He eats arugula instead of regular food, so he must be an elitist.
When asked how he stays healthy, Barack Obama has said that he works out (in fact, he particularly enjoys basketball) and eats healthy foods. (Arugula is a vegetable.) We should all follow this advice! But he indulges every now and then, too; he was recently spotted enjoying a Philly cheese steak while campaigning in Pennsylvania.
8. Obama is less experienced than Clinton.
Barack Obama has more than 11 total years of legislative experience, while Hillary Clinton has just over 7 years. Clinton did not have high level security clearances during her husband's administration, so she cannot claim his presidency as a significant portion of her experiences.
