forget progressive politics, how about progress in politics?

by Matthew Smock

Published: June 12, 2008

Now that Obama is officially the unofficial Democratic presidential nominee, it is time for all Americans, black or white, Democratic or Republican, to celebrate. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying this because I’m an Obama supporter; I’m saying this because Obama’s presumptive nomination is truly unprecedented. In a nation whose history books are full of stories of racial tragedies and in a nation where the political profession (if you’re optimistic enough to call it a profession) remains very elitist, Obama has made history by becoming the leader of America’s largest political party, comprised of 41.7% of the American electorate. Yes, Mrs. Pelosi, Obama has taken your seat as the party leader, at least until November, and even if it only lasts until November, Obama has made his mark.

After witnessing Obama’s victory, I can’t help but turn back the pages to note how much racial progress we have made. Slavery wasn’t abolished until 143 years ago, and while it may seem long ago, it lasted longer and in greater magnitude here than in the rest of the Western world. It wasn’t until forty years ago that racial segregation of all forms was declared unconstitutional. And it wasn’t until about ten years ago when states like Alabama and South Carolina finally removed their already nullified interracial marriage bans from the books.

Lists of racial injustices can go on and expand to include other ethnic minorities, but I’ll stop talking history and start talking politics. Despite all of the racial progress we’ve made, national politics remains a very backwards field, especially in regards to race, which is why Obama’s victory is all the more impressive. Consider these facts. Since Reconstruction, there have only been three black US senators out of who knows how many! Right now, there’s only one, and that’s Barack himself! There have only been three governors, only two of which were popularly elected. The House seems to be more integrated and representative of the racial breakdown of the US, but many black members of Congress represent predominantly black populations.

It could certainly be argued that these numbers simply reflect unwillingness among voters to elect people outside their race. Perhaps racial progress has not occurred in the hearts of Americans in the same way it has in our law books. While in the past there may have been some truth to such a claim, I think Obama’s nomination points to a definite shift in America’s race relations. Despite Bill and Hillary pulling out the race card and using party machinery during the primary, Democratic voters overcame these obstacles and made the correct choice in their nominee. Even though I won’t be voting for Obama, I can say with confidence that he’s more competent and deserving than Hilary.

But before I get carried away with an attempt to reach across the aisle, I think it’s important to note that it has taken several generations for the party of affirmative action to apply its own sermons to national politics. It’s a little more than ironic that though the DNC has the freedom and resources to back whichever candidate it wants, it has waited until 2008 to give the presidential nod to a minority. Even though the DNC has finally done so, voters are primarily responsible because six months ago, Hilary was supposed to be the Democratic nominee. In addition, the current breakdown in the Senate, the House and among governors suggests that the DNC is not playing the role it should in bringing diversity to the party’s leadership. At least the Republicans can shield themselves from claims of hypocrisy by correctly pointing out that their platform does not include an affirmative action plank.

So congratulations, Obama. Despite incongruous sentiments among Democrats, Republicans and the unaffiliated, you’ve come out, at least for now, on top.

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