| Like most children, when I was a child growing up, I | | | | Here is what I noticed... Non-year long tan (i.e. White) |
| aspired to be something great. My aspiration was that | | | | candidates will and are expected to address the |
| of the President of the United States of America. | | | | issues and concerns of the majority voters as well as |
| Fortunately, my parents supported this level of desired | | | | those that are in the minority (e.g. Black, Hispanic, etc.) |
| leadership during my early formative years. They did | | | | Many view this as just good politics. There generally is |
| not squash my dream. Instead they were supportive! | | | | not a fear or concern that this type of candidate, if |
| It was not until I became a parent myself that I realized | | | | elected, is going to focus primarily on the issues |
| that my parents were truly torn between support and | | | | associated with minorities. Again, it is just good politics |
| nonsupport in my endeavor to become the Leader of | | | | to court minority voters. |
| this Nation. Looking back in my memory, I can see the | | | | However, things seem to change when that candidate |
| expressions on my parents' faces. As a child, I only | | | | is themselves classified as a minority. For example, I |
| saw the encouragement that they had. I did not notice | | | | have heard many majority voters state their concern |
| the worry and concern that was simultaneously behind | | | | that a minority candidate once in the White House |
| the encouragement. Come to think of it, I did notice that | | | | would focus on minority issues which they believe |
| something was not quite right when I reached my | | | | would not be good overall for the Nation. To reduce |
| teenage years and better understood the ways of the | | | | this perception and fear, there is a likelihood that a |
| world. However, it was not until I was a parent that I | | | | minority candidate would focus more on majority |
| truly understood. | | | | issues. One might even argue that by addressing |
| I say this because there has never been a President | | | | many of the majority issues the minority issues are |
| of the United States that has ever had the year long | | | | addressed simultaneously. Needless to say, not |
| tan that I happen to have. In other words, there has | | | | everyone agrees with this. |
| never been a Black/African American or Multi-racial | | | | On the other hand, I have also heard many minority |
| President. (Note: Please forgive me for stating the | | | | voters state their concern that a minority candidate is |
| obvious...) | | | | not focusing on minority issues and therefore will not |
| Now, I do not know if you have noticed or not but I | | | | effectively work to resolve these issues once in the |
| have, to date, not attempted to join the race to | | | | White House. As result, some have said that they are |
| become President. Unfortunately, as much as I strive | | | | voting for a majority candidate. |
| to be the best leader that I can be, I have also come | | | | Catch 22! What is a minority candidate to do? |
| to the harsh reality that I may be a "Big Chicken!" | | | | Answer: Face the challenge head on, address the |
| Like many, I have faced and for the most part | | | | issues, inspire, motivate, and more importantly convince |
| overcome many small and large challenges in life. But | | | | the Nation that he or she can lead it. |
| there is one challenge that always seems difficult to | | | | Copyright © 2008 Knowledge Driven & |
| face. That challenge is "Catch 22" especially as it | | | | Moore LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
| relates to a Presidential Race. | | | | |