Do You Need an Obama To Believe?
by Larry Elder
"Does Obama's victory, as a black man, make you feel that you can do anything?" Someone asked me that on election night.
It is a caricature of America that, pre-Obama, major obstacles blocked achievement. It is equally a caricature that Obama's win suddenly creates opportunity that did not exist before.
Hard work wins, my dad always told me. My Republican father, who disdained Democrats who "give people something for nothing," taught my brothers and me to wor ...
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Posted by: wade mathias
Comment: #1
Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:38 PM
I have a tremendous appreciation for the attitude of people like Larry Elder who refuse to claim victimization as a crutch. I hope, however, that he won't take offense at my recognition of his father as by far the greater man. Assuming the story Larry related is anywhere close to accurate his father is truly an amazing individual. Randolf Elder is a man I would really love to meet as I would consider him to be the prototypical American.
A fortunate white boy
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Posted by: liz
Comment: #2
Thu Nov 6, 2008 2:48 PM
Yes, I need an Obama to believe! Congratulations to you and your family, your story had a happy ending! There are far more stories of people and families who strived, set great examples for their children, but they did not have the happy ending. The reality is you and your family were fortunate, even during hard times, and to deny that is to deny everyone else who was not so fortunate. I read your articles and see, just like so many other's, you have fractured yourself from your race and their struggle. The facts are, Barak Obama was not a descendent of slaves. The facts are he had a greater obstacle to overcome being half African and half Caucasian. He wasn't black enough to be fully integrated into the black community and he wasn't white enough to be fully integrated into the white community. You don't seem to recognize the struggles of anyone other than yourself, and don't recognize "the struggle" is not only as a race of people, but that each person, individually had to overcome whatever obstacles in their personal lives. Your story might not have had such a happy ending if the struggles your father had to overcome were also poor health, unjust imprisonment, death of his son. You don't seem to know or care what obstacles other's have had to overcome just to walk upright, so no, I am not impressed by your hard work story. President elect Obama knows it takes more than just hard work, it also takes a series of fortunate events. If I thought you were a praying man I would suggest you pray that this country and our next President are recipients of a series of fortunate events, without which, no matter how much work and effort is put forth, our story won't have a happy ending. May the passing years endow you with some much needed wisdom so you can truly appreciate the worth of other's.
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Posted by: David Scott
Comment: #3
Thu Nov 6, 2008 4:24 AM
Thank you Mr. Elder, and please thank your father for a very inspirational story. You point is a very good one, in that Obama's success shows that the opportunities had to exist prior to Obama's success - otherwise, he would not have achieved what he did. Your father faced tremendous odds, and overcame them. I find his story much more inspirational than Obama's, for it is men like your father who showed the character and determination that ultimately changed society by virtue of their steady resolve and through the dignity of their beings and pursuits. Thanks again.
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