Obama Assassination?

I just read a really good article, which explores how some parts of the African American community feel Obama may fall victim to an assassination attempt. As a Black male, I am really happy to see that a Black man is actually getting a fair shake at the White House. Not only that, he is having unprecidented success [up to this point] in the primaries leading up to the Democratic nomination. While his success makes all of us proud, it also makes many people fear for Obama’s safety. Obama isnt merely another Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton, prominent African Americans who didnt realy have realistic chances of becoming President. Obama`s canadacy represents a grass roots movement toward change whos appeal reaches all races, ages & parties. He has as good a shot of winning the presidency as any of the remaining hopefulls. That being said, I think we must take a look at our nations history and remember that black leaders in America have been targets of assassins in the past.

The post I read was in the NY Times & the general premis was that if you vote for him are you setting Obama up for assasination. I think more than anything there are alot of interests that would be compromised, should Obama be elected President of the United States. For example, right now the Iraq war is making alot of people on the right extremely rich in this counrty. At a recent speech in St Louis, Obama said that if elected he would bring the troops home by the end of 2009. For those that have a vested intrest in continuing the US occupancy in Iraq, this potential loss of war contracts & negative impact to their pocket books, could be enough to illict a violent reaction. Most extremist generally dont need much of a reason to murder someone, but given the fact a black man is trying to bring this type of change at this time, the atmosphere is ripe for an unspeakable tradedy.

"Not all people who consider this possibility - an assassination of Obama - are crazy or needlessly fearful, though. While the very idea of Obama being assassinated is repugnant, it’s certainly not outside the realm of possibilities. Given that we have already seen hostages taken and someone with a knife in a campaign office - and that just the idea of a President Obama is extremely threatening to a certain small subset of the American population - this means that it’s something we should at least talk about, in my opinion. Refusing to even consider the topic isn’t going to do any good at all. When has putting blinders on ever been the right response to a controversial topic?"

So what are you supposed to do if you feel this way? I think the last thing people should do is vote the other way because they want to keep someone out of harms way. If you feel Obama is the best guy for the job, vote for him. That being said, What am I gona do?? I honestly dont know. I try not to let fear run my life, in any aspect, but I am honestly torn on this one. I have 2 fears about the Obama canadacy: 1) in an election [between he and Hilary] this close, there are enough people, like the ones referenced in the Times article, out there that will vote the other way because they dont want to see Obama get assassinated & like the last two election: my vote wont matter. 2) If he is eleceted president, he will be a constant target & will most likely not finish his term [hell be killed]. I dunno, I just have this feeling that all of this hoopla is gonna end tragically & I cant shake it. Call me a cynic, but I just dont think this race driven America that we all know & love, is ready for a Black man to become President of the United States........but well just have to wait and see how this all plays out.

Till next time........