Comments on: Race Relations and the President Elect http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2008/11/06/race-relations-and-the-president-elect/ Let these stones be a witness to what we have done here this day. Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:54:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: art rogers http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2008/11/06/race-relations-and-the-president-elect/#comment-15507 art rogers Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:30:00 +0000 http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/?p=1243#comment-15507 I, too, am glad the race barrier is finally broken. I never thought it would happen. I'm concerned about the future. I would have been just as concerned if John McCain had been elected - just in different areas. As Rob said, the real problem will be with unrealistic expectations. I think Obama is spinning this already though. In his acceptance speech he said, "we may not see it in one year, or <b>even one term</b>..." Already running for his second term on election night... Now that's a smooth operator. I, too, am glad the race barrier is finally broken. I never thought it would happen.

I’m concerned about the future. I would have been just as concerned if John McCain had been elected – just in different areas.

As Rob said, the real problem will be with unrealistic expectations. I think Obama is spinning this already though. In his acceptance speech he said, “we may not see it in one year, or even one term…”

Already running for his second term on election night… Now that’s a smooth operator.

]]> By: Rob Westbrook http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2008/11/06/race-relations-and-the-president-elect/#comment-15506 Rob Westbrook Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:40:09 +0000 http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/?p=1243#comment-15506 Yes, they will and they are already changing. As the pastor of my church, I told them that there will be NO politics talked, from the pulpit, in meetings, none. So I'm finally using this as my forum to go political. I'm proud of myself, our country, and Obama. I'm proud of myself, a lifelong resident of the Old South, primarily Mississippi. I did not vote for Obama, but his race never was an issue with me. It was not because I disliked him. It was all on principles. I'm proud of myself that I've been able to eliminate race completely. I'm proud of our country because they used the system to bring about change. Tomorrow I'll begin two weeks on another continent where change only comes by brute force and the guys with the biggest guns. Most of the world still marvels at how we can change leaders, wake up the next morning, and continue to be the greatest country God has yet raised up. And I'm proud of Obama. On the issues, he and I would probably agree on less than 1%. But he handled himself exceptionally well. Considering all things, he has had to probably accomplish more to get to his position that almost any other person who's ever reached the presidency. My initial reaction to his acceptance speech is reconciliation. Not only race, but the also red/blue thing. I'm ready to give him a chance. I have many African-American friends, and for them this is monumental. For them, Obama's election validates their race as American. They now feel part of the process. My one concern is that Obama will receive tremendous pressure from those groups that worked to get him elected. We've seen what pressure can do to white presidents. I feel Obama will receive much more. That's where my prayers are targeted. I pray that Obama will not succumb to pressure that could potentially reverse any racial gains we see right now. <abbr><em>Rob Westbrooks last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/robwestbrookcom/~3/443423408/" rel="nofollow">Gearing Up</a></abbr></em> Yes, they will and they are already changing. As the pastor of my church, I told them that there will be NO politics talked, from the pulpit, in meetings, none. So I’m finally using this as my forum to go political.

I’m proud of myself, our country, and Obama. I’m proud of myself, a lifelong resident of the Old South, primarily Mississippi. I did not vote for Obama, but his race never was an issue with me. It was not because I disliked him. It was all on principles. I’m proud of myself that I’ve been able to eliminate race completely.

I’m proud of our country because they used the system to bring about change. Tomorrow I’ll begin two weeks on another continent where change only comes by brute force and the guys with the biggest guns. Most of the world still marvels at how we can change leaders, wake up the next morning, and continue to be the greatest country God has yet raised up.

And I’m proud of Obama. On the issues, he and I would probably agree on less than 1%. But he handled himself exceptionally well. Considering all things, he has had to probably accomplish more to get to his position that almost any other person who’s ever reached the presidency. My initial reaction to his acceptance speech is reconciliation. Not only race, but the also red/blue thing.

I’m ready to give him a chance. I have many African-American friends, and for them this is monumental. For them, Obama’s election validates their race as American. They now feel part of the process.

My one concern is that Obama will receive tremendous pressure from those groups that worked to get him elected. We’ve seen what pressure can do to white presidents. I feel Obama will receive much more. That’s where my prayers are targeted. I pray that Obama will not succumb to pressure that could potentially reverse any racial gains we see right now.

Rob Westbrooks last blog post..Gearing Up

]]> By: Joe Kennedy http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/2008/11/06/race-relations-and-the-president-elect/#comment-15505 Joe Kennedy Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:21:59 +0000 http://www.twelvewitnesses.com/?p=1243#comment-15505 I think the relationship will take the direction the church leads it toward. For too long evangelicalism has reflected its political counterpart: fat, white, with a penchant for abusing power. This I write knowing it's a broad generalization, but one based on truth. <abbr><em>Joe Kennedys last blog post..<a href="http://blog.wordsarenotenough.com/2008/11/05/a-prayer-for-the-president/" rel="nofollow">A Prayer for the President…</a></abbr></em> I think the relationship will take the direction the church leads it toward. For too long evangelicalism has reflected its political counterpart: fat, white, with a penchant for abusing power. This I write knowing it’s a broad generalization, but one based on truth.

Joe Kennedys last blog post..A Prayer for the President…

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