Saturday, January 17, 2009

Black Like Who?


Presidential Inauguration Party!

NKU will host an inauguration viewing party on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 in the Student Union Multipurpose Room from 11 am to 2:30pm.  Light refreshments will be served.  All students are welcome to attend! This event is sponsored by the Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement, and the Offices of African American Student Affairs, Latino Student Affairs, and Student Life.

Kent comments:

The above is the annoucement that came to me recently.  It is typical of what is happening with the inauguration of B. H. Obama.  I have to ask, "Why, exactly, is this event considered 'historic'?"

It is because he is an 'African-American' comes the reply.  Really?

His father was an African.  But even that doesn't make Obama half African-American.  It just makes him have slightly darker skin than most 'European-Americans.'

Those who are so ready to celebrate Obama as 'the first African-American President' are often not even consistent.

Something happened just a few years ago at the above-mentioned university that shows this. My son was at that time part of student government.  At one point the officers were all 'European-Americans' and were urged by the powers that be to add some 'diversity' to their group.  When the occasion arose, an international student from Africa was appointed to a position in the group.

But according to the powers that be, this was not true 'diversity' because he was not a real 'African-American.'

So in what sense will B. H. Obama be the first 'African-American' President?  According to some advocates for 'diversity' he will not be anything more than a President with slightly dark skin.

This, of course, will never be mentioned at all those inauguration celebrations.  But who is surprised?

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