The Political RACE

This current democratic election has been quite interesting to follow. Though this isn't the first time that a female or a black male have run for president, I think it's the first time a female and black male have run against each other, and have been the top two contenders. Therefore, there have been a lot of new and controversial discussions about the democratic election. People say race and gender should not be an issue or topic of discussion in this campaign, but how can it not be? Race is continuously talked about during election time. For instance, which candidate will get the black vote, the hispanic vote, the womens vote, etc. The voting system is divided into race and gender and even the candidates campaign towards those specific demographics to get that vote.
What I find to be the most interesting aspect of this election, is the question of whether or not Barack Obama will get the African American vote. Apparently, Bill Clinton has been coined as the "first black president," which has in some ways challenged Barack's role in this election. In 1998, the term was used by Toni Morrison, the author of such famous novels as Beloved and The Bluest Eyes. She said, "Clinton displays almost every trope of blackness: single-parent household, born poor, working-class, saxophone-playing, McDonald's-and-junk-food-loving boy from Arkansas," and comparing Clinton's sex life, scrutinized despite his career accomplishments, to the stereotyping and double standards that blacks typically endure. (Wikipedia)

In 2001, Clinton was honored as the nation's "first black president" at the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Annual Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C. So it's a real deal, not a just nickname like I originally thought. Obama's blackness has continuously been discussed, saying that he is not black enough and does not represent his community. He hasn't been fully supported by other politically active black men like Rev. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, which has probably hurt his campaign a bit. But how can a white man like Bill Clinton, be more black than a black man like Barack Obama?
What I hadn't really thought about was Blackness not being so much about color, but as a mind-set and an attitude. Bill Clinton is considered the "first black president" because he cares about the African American community and did a lot during his term to initiate equality. I guess Barack Obama had not yet shown his dedication to the black community and was questioned to prove himself.