I just wanted to know if folks feel any way about the possibility of having barak as president, but realizing there won't be a pie-in-the-sky, overnight change for us. for instance, i rememebr someone asking if barak became president, would he offer reparations to black people. it was a trick question because if he said yes, he would probably lose his white supporters who would have voted for him. if he says no, he'll probably lose all of his black support. so he has to be the president that addresses the issues of the country and not just us. we'll all still feel proud, but we won't be getting a reparation check the day after his inauguration. i thought it was kind of a trick question to pin him to the wall, but what are your thoughts on the issues of living the dream of seeing a black man become president, but realizing that the same problems (maybe even worse problems) will still exist? when i was growing up, i was always taught thast thids country woul dnever elect a black man as president. but we are witnessign history in the making as we speak. so are more fired up based on racial pride, or do we really belive that barak is going to end all of our problems? (just remeber, he still has to deal with congress, and all of the other politicians) i love the man, i suport him, and i worked on his campaign. i just want to know how folks feel about the reality of the numerous crisis he will face once he is in office?

if barack wins, and that's a real big if, he will do what he has to do to get things done. unfortunately, black folks are less than 15% of the population. i don't expect for him to prioritize our needs very high just because he's black. we're at war and our economy is a mess. so stuff like racial disparities in sentencing, inner city crime, dropout rates, restoring felons' right to vote - stuff like that - probably won't get much more attention that it has in the past. also, if he wins, he's inheriting an absolute mess. there is so much stuff to set right from how bush messed it up. and he will catch all kinds of blame for it and have a low approval rating even if he's effective in bringing change. life will not be a crystal stair for him or us if he's elected. here's one thing i'm not looking forward to after the election: whether or not he wins, because he's come so far, there will be people talking about how racism doesn't exist or matter anymore, and blacks don't need affirmative action, and blacks need to stop complaining - not that people aren't already saying that but after november, believe me, it will be worse. so much worse. if you think racial tensions are high now, wait 'til racists get a good look at a black man taking the oath. black children playing in the white house. a black woman having the president's ear every night. shoooooot. klan membership is probably already going up. i know i sound like gloom and doom but i'm just calling it as i see it.

i do think he can do what needs to be done to get us through these tough times. he's smart, he won't screw up the supreme court, and i think he can make some changes. i think his good will outweigh his bad. but i think he needs eight full years to really get stuff done. so i'ma keep giving to his campaign and talking up people i know. i just know that even if he wins, times ahead will still be tough. especially after the first time he screws up, 'cause they all do and he won't be an exception.

I think that is so ignorant to set somebody up with questions like that. Its like shooting ourselves in the foot before we get to walking...

"We trust no black leaders" Nas

And even though the people that ask those types of questions might feel like they're on some pro-black stuff, it really has a house-negro affect...of shooting down your own or trying to show everybody why a certain black person can't be trusted.

That might not be their intention when they ask "what are you going to do about reparations" - but that is the side effect.

That's like asking a white president, "What are your plans for interns that want to work closely with you?" Just inappropriate

***I just realized that statement can be taken the wrong way...I am referring to the Clinton incident.

i doubt he will win. as much as i and a whole slew of other folks support him - it ain't gonna happen. if it does, i will be TRUELY amazed. you know something is up when people cross party lines because they refuse to vote for a black man (even if they say that's not the reason.)

i think he would do well, provide out-of-the-box thinking, keep the supreme court in shape, and work hard with members of both parties to set things right. he truely believes in a vision of a better america. but there will be people along every step of the way setting him up for failure. just waiting in the wings so they can stick their foot out and trip him, only to say 'i told you before to watch yuor step.'