In poll, African-Americans say election a 'dream come true'

[BigMike619]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/11/obama.poll/index.html

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- For most African-Americans, the election of Barack Obama as president was a dream come true that they didn't think they would see in their lifetime, a national poll released Tuesday suggests.

Eighty percent of African-Americans questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey said that Obama's election was a dream come true, and 71 percent said they never thought a black candidate for president would get elected in their lifetime.

The poll reflects anecdotal evidence that surfaced across the country last week as soon as Obama's projected win was announced.

The survey suggests that Obama's victory may have some effect on race relations in this country.

"A majority of blacks now believe that a solution to the country's racial problems will eventually be found," Holland said. "In every previous poll on this topic dating back to 1993, black respondents had always said that racial problems were a permanent part of the American landscape."

"Even in polls taken earlier this year, a majority of African-Americans said that a solution to the country's racial problems would never be found; now blacks and whites agree that racial tensions may end."

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I think this is interesting. Is it that older black people who are cynical or just that white people were so open and spoke up more?

Either way this seems like a good thing to me..:2cents:

[Burgold]

I'd suspect it's cynicism. I sometimes feel it too. I think all of us have some deeply rooted fears based on being beaten up. I think it's akin to a phobia. History is a bully that pounds you into the ground and makes you eat dirt. Even when you grow up there are lingering risiduals of that memory that people mean and rotten and hurtful and they want to do it again. That's at the heart of my reaction to the swaztika or various hate language, because I know that humans are very capable of reverting to being monsters and though I believe in the best of us I also fear the worst in us.

[Koolblue13]

That's great. It really is. Let's just hope that when things don't go as planned, the "black president" doesn't turn into the "half white guy, raised by white people, who went to private white schools" type of black guy and then the blacks go back to losing faith again.

[BigMike619]

That's great. It really is. Let's just hope that when things don't go as planned, the "black president" doesn't turn into the "half white guy, raised by white people, who went to private white schools" type of black guy and then the blacks go back to losing faith again.

thats a thought I didnt even think of. I hope not either but honestly I dont know if that will happen. His wife isnt half white (that I know of) and she is very influential on his life just like most first ladies are.

But I do get what youre saying here; I just hope it doesnt happen that way.

[DCMONEY]

Is it a beginning? Yes. I've said many times over my life that my kids, kids, kids would never see a black President. Its just something that I never thought was possible. That being said, I don't think everything is Okey Dokey now. Obama isn't gonna heal eveything overnight. Its bigger than him.

[greenspandan]

obama's election is a positive thing, but it doesn't "solve" the race problems in this country, nor does it signal that racial tension is in the past. Obama himself will probably not bring it up, but the fact that he is black will guarantee that a conversation about race continues to take place, and that, more than his election victory, has potential for real progress againt our racial divides.

[BigMike619]

wont conversation taking place be a good thing though?

[Koolblue13]

wont conversation taking place be a good thing though?

Unless it's Jimmy Carter doing it.