On Sacrifice

According to Merriam-Webster, the simple definition of "sacrifice" is "the act of giving up something that you want to keep especially in order to get or do something else or to help someone." Many sacrifices have been made by all of our ancestors for the benefit of their future generations — us. These sacrifices were for life, liberty and freedom, and have been made by people of all races, colors and creeds. Much of that sacrifice involved loss of life and mistreatment based on arbitrary and even hateful notions. And all of it was painful, even if for some more than others — and to varying degrees.

As an African American woman, I know my ancestors sacrificed an incredible amount — their lives, their livelihoods, their souls, even. But they did those things so I could have a better life than they did — so I wouldn't have to have those same painful experiences. And I don't. So why am I constantly being told to celebrate their sacrifices and at the same time behave as though none of it ever happened?

With the election of President Obama, many (not all), cheered that a Black man was finally in the White House as the leader of the free world and not just a servant. We had come a long way, right? Well, yes, we had. But the bigger question is, did we really believe that? And I think the answer is no.

While I know for sure that racism in this country and elsewhere continues to exist (and always will on some level — that's the nature of humanity), I have a very hard time believing that it still exists to the degree that it did even 60 years ago. And this is an important point to make and to understand. Think of it this way: If last week 9 out of 10 people hated me because of the color of my skin, and this week 1 out of those same 10 people still hate me because of the color of my skin, I would consider that tremendous progress. So why would I continue to look at the 9 who progressed as though they are the same as the 1 who has not? This is what has happened in the U.S.

Many of President Obama's supporters are ignoring the fact that an overwhelming majority of people do not care that he is Black. Why don't we care? Because we've been taught, and have learned, that race doesn't matter — it's the content of his character that does. And yet, every criticism of him that is based on his political views or his actions (which, surely, are based on his character) is met with the assertion that the reason for the criticism is because he is Black.

There is a double standard here by well-meaning people that does a great disservice to President Obama and all people of color. To claim that we've overcome racism enough for a Black man to be President, and yet that he is still subject to the exact same level of racism of generations past is absurd. It simply cannot be possible. And it places the same stereotype of previous generations directly on him — that any poor decisions he makes are because he's Black. I would say that's a big slap in the face — not only to President Obama, but to all the men, women and children who sacrificed their lives, their livelihoods and their souls in order for him to become the leader of the free world.

If you believe a Black man is capable of leading the nation regardless of his skin color, yet assume any and all criticism of his flaws is based only on race, you are essentially saying that Blacks still aren't good enough — not even to be flawed.