Obama's influence declines as racial overtones increase

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Chitranjan Sawant

18 September, 2009

Barack Obama should steer clear of any racial controversy involving a black person and a white person so that the nation knows that the President is impartial and that he is the President of the entire United States.

OBAMA TOUCHES people’s hearts no more. The President of the United States of America was called a liar in the joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives by a white Congressman during a presidential address on the new health scheme for American citizens.

This had never happened before and everyone present was taken aback. Although reports from Capitol Hill say that the white Congressman from deep South had apologised for not controlling his emotions and giving such an unprecedented outburst, President Obama has gone on record to say that he has not received an apology. Former President Jimmy Carter has said that the incident reeked of racism.

Racism is an ugly word. Some claim that the President is himself fanning the fire of racism. The incident to back this charge, is that of a black professor of the Harvard University who was arrested by a white police sergeant the former for unruly behaviour and disorderly conduct. Obama had then jumped into the fray, backing the black professor when the white sergeant was seemingly right in his action. The incident snowballed into a case of a white man versus a black man.

At that time, Obama backtracked from the issue, inviting the two to the White House for a tankard of beer with him. The good beer had doused the accusations of racism before much damage could be done. It seems however, that smouldering embers have remained.

Many situations seem to make the conjecture that by and large, white Americans have not come to terms with Obama's presidency, due to his race. Even now many a humorist on a TV show here or there, refers to a contrast in colours as a black man lives in the White House. The racists and the moderates both do not miss a chance in cracking a joke at Obama’s expense. Even his wife, First lady Michelle Obama, receives more than her share of racial puns.

Nowadays, it is Obama's birthplace which has come under the scanner. Though, Obama claims that he was born in Hawaii, those who profess of knowing the facts say it is not true and that he was born in Kenya.

If this is the case, then he cannot be the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. The President will have to marshal all facts and figures to prove the point in his favour.

He should steer clear of any racial controversy involving a black person and a white person so that the nation knows that the President is impartial and that he is the President of the entire United States. All said and done, controversies of racial nature that have been allegedly kicked up by him or his camp have indeed cost him dearly in popularity rating. Unless the graph goes up, Obama may have a problem in seeking a second term for the black man in the White House.