I have been as aggravated and outspoken as anyone over the remarks made by Geraldine Ferraro and the division and outrage they have spawned. I deeply regret the overdone focus on race and gender as opposed to what we might be able to do TOGETHER to begin to heal this country and move it forward again. Follow me to the jump for an idea that just might free us from the ditch.
The incredible negative effects issuing from the Democratic Primary Campaign for President, as currently being conducted, have been well and amply explored here. The present course verges on the disastrous for both our Party and our Country. As we confront monumental challenges of War and Peace, Economic Insecurity and Inequality, Corruption, Secrecy, Spying, and Torture, we have become fixated on two of the most enduring fault lines in American Society--Gender and Race.
The pride and hopefulness that originally accompanied the history-making presence of two bright, capable candidates--one female and one part African-American--have seemed to fade. Instead, we now seem mired in an endless cycle of charge and countercharge. Here is a proposed speech by Senator Obama that just might begin to dislodge us from this unhappy place:
"When I began this campaign more than a year ago on a cold Saturday in Springfield, Illinois, my soul was warmed by the hope and promise of those who showed up to be with me and my family on that day. Along the long road of this campaign, I have been constantly buoyed by the hopes of millions of Americans that their country can be great again, make them proud again, once again live up to the sacred creed that America offers hope and opportunity for ALL its people.
Those people that responded to our words and our campaign did not fit into little boxes or categories, as some seek to portray. Instead, they came in all colors, shapes, sizes, genders, ages and description imaginable. That, to me, is America. That is the America I seek to lead.
Have African-American Males faced great challenges in this country? Of course. Have Women of all races and ages confronted horrible barriers and difficulties? There is no doubt. Have Latinos and Asians and Native Americans and Gay Folks and Jews and Muslims and folks with disabilities of all kinds had it harder than they should? You bet!
But I have tried to say and to impart from the very beginning that, to me, the Great Hope for ALL of us lies with ALL of us. I do not see the road to Hope and the Change that we all seek in bitter division, harmful recriminations, and the Balkanization of American Society.
Perhaps I have fallen short as a Messenger thus far. In my words and deeds and those of my campaign, if we have strayed from that Path of Promise and let down those looking up to us, then we have failed to accomplish that which we seek to do.
My wife, Michelle, by the way, is not only an African-American, she is also a woman of extraordinary character and accomplishment. As I have said repeatedly, she is my Rock. The only parent I had as a child growing up was a woman from Kansas who confronted great challenges and difficulty. Unfairness and discrimination are wrong wherever they exist and toward whomever they are directed.
In addition to Michelle, my two precious daughters are the most important people to me in Life. I want for them with all my Heart and Soul the chance to grow up in an America that respects them for the people they are and presents them with Opportunity and not artificial barriers of any kind. While I cannot control their future, I want to make sure I do everything in my power to make it one of hope, happiness, and opportunity.
Overlooked in all of the contentious back-and-forth is the fact that we all actually belong to one race---the Human Race!!! I may be idealistic, but, to paraphrase the words of my hero, Dr. King, I fervently look forward to the day when ALL Americans might be judged by what they do and how they act, and not on what they look like.
It pains me to hear folks slice'n'dice both voters and candidates as if we were all nothing more than these sometimes-artificial categories into which they attempt to pigeonhole us. Well, you know what? It doesn't work!!!
As proud as each one of us may be to be Native American, or Female, or Gay, or Latino, or Chinese-American, or Indian-American, or Irish-American (Happy St. Patty's Day!!!), or Catholic or Jewish or Christian or Buddhist or Muslim, we are all MORE THAN THAT!!!
As much as I may sometimes wish to, I learned a long time ago that I cannot control the thoughts, words, or deeds of anyone but myself, but it begins with me!!! While I call today on others of all descriptions to join me in what I consider a noble endeavor, I understand clearly that it begins with ME!!!
It is time--TODAY!--to return strongly and firmly to that original premise. I believe with all my heart and soul that the Promise of America will only be realized if we are able to look past the rather superficial differences that we have permitted to divide us, and return to the proposition, first enunciated by our Founders--that ALL Men--and WOMEN are created equal, that we are ALL partners in that Promise. Way back then, I would not have been considered entitled to that Promise. Neither would Senator Clinton. As we stand on the verge of a new Era in the constantly-unfolding saga of America, of Hope and Opportunity, I say enough--Basta!!!---to negative charges, divisions, and recriminations.
It is time--TODAY!--to talk instead of what we can do TOGETHER to restore the promise and hope that binds us all. I am one Man, one Person, but I cannot rest until we restore economic fairness and opportunity in this country, until we once again become a nation for whom Peace is the hope and War only the last resort. I cannot rest until the barriers and obstacles that confront various Americans become irrelevant, until we see People as People, and recognize that true respect for Human Rights will not only make us better and happier as a Nation, but will also resonate and make us friends and allies around the world.
I truly believe, from everything I have seen and heard, that Americans today crave a future built upon Hope and not Fear. The task before us is daunting, but not undoable. It will take all of us--working together, with Liberty, Justice, and Respect for all--to realize this great Dream--the American Dream. We must listen to one another and respect one another--as people, as individuals, as Americans--to make that happen.
Please join with me as we resume this Journey. Thank-you very much, and God Bless the United States of America!!!!