In case you missed it, Barak Obama is black. But then how could you miss it? Whenever there is a discussion about his possible run for the Presidency, it’s always discussed. What is not discussed is that he is equally white. It is an interesting paradox that if you are any part black, you are usually considered black. If whites are supposed to be the superior race, why doesn’t being partially white rule the day in determining one’s race? I think it has to do with fear. Let me explain.

First, I must confess that I am a recovered closet racial bigot. While being raised in New Orleans during the 50’s provided a uniquely rich experience, it did have some drawbacks. One was that I assimilated racial prejudice from my peers. I could not admit it, though; as my northern bred parents were active in civil rights movements to desegregate the south. In fact, my father was even branded a communist for testifying for desegregation at the state legislature. I tell you that with pride now, but must confess that at the time it was not what I felt. Intellectually I knew racial prejudice was wrong, but my personal emotions were not in tune.

In college I intellectually supported the increasingly active civil rights fights for desegregation in the 60’s. My idealism led me to apply to the Peace Corps after graduation. I selected Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands for my preferred area of assignment, as I had studied Southeast Asian history. I was assigned to Fiji. When I learned Fijians were blacker than the average black American, my enthusiasm for going waned. One does not write the Peace Corps, however, to ask for assignment someplace without black people. Besides it was morally wrong to feel that way and I could not give into my weaker emotions.

So there I was living in a village in Fiji in which I was the only white person for miles, riding busses jammed between large Fijian women who did not have the same sense of physical space to which I was accustomed. What a shock to suddenly be a minority! While I was aware of my feelings, what amazed me was that when gathering with other PCV’s on weekends, I found I was not alone. These were the same genre of people undertaking freedom marches on the south. Yet, it turns out we were almost all closet bigots!

The Peace Corps was the hardest but best job I have ever had. There are many reasons for this, but probably the most important one is that it forced me to face down the demon of prejudice that was hidden inside me. It took time, but Fiji did kill that demon. What I learned about that demon, though, was that its primary source was fear. What I also learned was that losing that demon was incredibly liberating!

When Hitler started bombing London, the British responded with courage. When 9/11 happened to us, Bush encouraged us to be afraid. In fact, he used fear to garnish votes for his re-election. Fear made us do some terrible things. I believe we, as a nation, are increasingly ashamed of that. Fear is not an emotion to be proud of and it does not garner admiration from others. Is the one remaining “Super Power” simply a nation of cowards? While there are many reasons the Republicans did so poorly in the last election, I think that the need to start showing backbone was what motivated many voters this time.

So what does this have to do with Barak Obama? I think that subconsciously the country has a need to demonstrate that we are not governed by fear. We have a need to start feeling good about ourselves and our country again. In fact, I think it is becoming a ravishing hunger. Obama has many qualities that are admirable and show the possibility of sound sane intelligent leadership. There are others that may have much the same to offer, though. What is different about Obama? What do all the analysts focus on, as if it might be a detriment, despite the fact that his popularity seems to grow every day? He is black! If we could finally face down that demon in our society and get over the fear that feeds our subconscious prejudices, could we not prove to ourselves and the rest of the world that we are worthy of being a true Super Power?