Bigger than him.

Some people may call Obama an "empty suit". Some may dislike him because he was not raised by an African-American, or in an African-American neighborhood. Some think that his ego needs to be put in check, while others think that he is all talk. I don't care what people think of Obama, his presidency could change the way People of Color, are perceived by their fellow citizens, and across the globe. Black people are not the only group to find encouragement and inspiration in an Obama presidency.

My son is who I want to benefit from an Obama presidency. I want people to stop being so surprised by our intelligent children, as if they are an exception. As if they are breaking some kind of rule. I want the possibility of my son being harassed by law enforcement to decrease. I want the expectations of my son and his peers to skyrocket. I want for regular decency and respect to be restored to the Black male, and Black family.

I have a lot of wants, and there are a lot of things I will not hesitate to fight for. I feel that my son is just as valuable as any other kid. He deserves to feel a sense of hope. He deserves to see a Black kid with an "peculiar" name be the leader of the "free world". A nickname largely earned by the struggle of Black people in the first place.

I know that none of this may be accomplished by an Obama presidency. I know that Barack might not win, or may worsen our reputation. I know that there must be radical changes is the way that some people think. True, I have lived through Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and W. Bush presidencies, but I am still here, and so is my son. We are determined regardless, but there is hope.

You can be the Butler...

Okay...

In an extremely nice neighborhood of a loved one is where I chose to allow my son to swim. All was well. Kids were playing. My son kept to himself as he is prone to do, whatever. Or is it really whatever, because the only kids in the pool at the time were 4 White kids who basically ignored him until they warmed up to him a while later.

Too late!

My son played along with the kids for a while, but it was only to decide whether or not he liked their little activity. He liked the activity, then left them and proceeded to do it on his own. He finally catches back up with the kids who feel like playing with him some more. They plan what they are going to do and the group of White kids begin to delegate which "job" my son is going to do...

"Butler!"

"Elevator guy!"

Loved one: "No! He will NOT be the Butler! YOU can be the Butler! He will be your DOCTOR!"

"Ordinary guy on the side of the road!"

"DJ!"

These kids completely ignore the recommendation of "Doctor" nor do they consider another job similar to it. Instead they like the "blue-collar service worker" type for my son, because he is Black of course. I hate that my son was subjected to such BS. I hate that this wont be the last time. My kid is worth just as much as any kid, so it really pisses me off that the next generation still can't get it right. It's okay though, because God-willing, my son will blow those kids out of the water (pardon the pun) when he is an adult. They can rest on their laurels and complain how he only got his 3 degrees and million dollar salary through Affirmative Action or Welfare or something.

Whatever helps them sleep at night. Sing children...

On the subject of "Passing"

Brother Tariq Nelson ("Reality Broker" extraordinaire) touches on the idea of "passing", particularly in the Muslim world. As an African American female, I have some strong opinions about this concept. My thoughts are to share and not to offend. I wrote this pretty quickly so please excuse all errors. If I have not expressed my thoughts fully, my apologies. I am interested in what readers think about this. You opinions(dissenting or concurring) are appreciated.

I think that marrying for the purpose of whitening up the family, is the opposite of intelligent. I think that doing such a thing does nothing but perpetuate the abuse and discrimination against those of darker skin, who may not have such an option.

In my opinion, to marry for such a purpose would be a slap in the face to those who survived the Middle Passage. I think it would be a sign of impatience, ignorance, and self-hatred. It would undoubtedly be a sign of weakness. I am sorry, but I don't even want to go to "Muslim" countries due to their innate racist ways, and I don't see a reason why African Americans should go backwards, rather than forward.

Several Muslim countries were/are negatively affected by European influences . Many of those who endure such influences exhibit signs of the colonial mentality , equating beauty and worth with whatever the Europeans considered to be beautiful and worthy. This means that it is not really the beauty of the natives, but the beauty of the European which is admired. I can't possibly see why such an idea would benefit anyone but those who are European. This is not to slight those of European ancestry either. I could cite several Europeans who I find attractive, but they really don't need my reinforcement! One could argue that Europeans already have a confident view of themselves as a whole. Why do all other groups, not deserve the same? What does it mean to submit to the idea that a race of humans is inferior, when we all are supposed to submit to this:

"O Mankind, We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is he who is the most righteous of you" (Quran 49:13)

I know that this has been cited by various Muslims , but it is the word of Allah. It does not matter how people are treating you, as a Muslim you have to put Allah first. Were it not for my skin, I might not have the sympathy for those who are oppressed around the world. My skin is a blessing to me, and it affords me perspective that many others lack. To rob my progeny of such perspective would be to put them in an Islamic disadvantage. To release my children among those who think superiority is within the melanin content of the skin, would be faulty. My family has done well against all odds, without blending or passing. Allah is with the believers, and does not prefer one hue over the other. The proof lies within Islamic History as well as today, whether we acknowledge it or not.

Another thing my skin affords me, is something the hijab(and other Islamic dress) affords me, weeding out. My dark hue is something that some people don't particularly like. If they have racist ways or bigoted tendencies, please tell me why I should ignore it, and invite them into my life? This is the same for hijab. If people don't accept me as a Muslim woman, they can go to Hell. Why do I want to be associated with such people?

Also, who is to say that those who attempt to white-out the family won't have a child or grandchild with features which aren't exactly "acceptable"? I have seen two very dark people produce a child with hazel eyes and sandy blond hair. My child is particularly light considering the complexion of his parents. I have seen a dark-skinned man and a light-skinned woman produce a beautiful Crayola-Brown child.

It is my belief that attempting to create a "passing" family, does little in the way of Islam. Furthermore, even outside of Islam, the harm of it outweighs the benefit. How could one maintain the belief that all people are equal, when they are demonstrating the exact opposite? Such actions only adds fuel to the fire of oppression and color-based superiority.

I think it is cool that people want to mix it up and see beyond race, but marrying solely to make your children lighter is a practice which is and always will be flawed.