Refuting an opinion on Obama-- (Fighting Racism) Baguio Midland Courier, Baguio City, Philippines.

Refuting an opinion on Obama- Baguio Midland Courier

I WANT TO REFUTE BENNY CARANTES’ labeling of Barack Obama, in his column in a previous issue of the Baguio Midland Courier, as a “Kenyan carpetbagger” – quite strong words with an aura of racism.

Obama lived in Chicago, Illinois since June 1985. Hillary Clinton never lived in New York but being a first lady, New Yorkers were gracious enough to give her a seat in the Senate despite her “carpetbagger” status. So, who is the true carpetbagger? He said Obama is a copycat mimicking John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther king Jr. the media likened him to John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., Obama never said he was either of them and he was never accused of plagiarism. I’m unsure what Mr. Carantes’ problem is on that issue. If Benny was told he looks like Fernando Poe Jr., I surmise he won’t be whining.

Mr. Carantes said “he will take a reckless driver [over] an inexperienced one.” I am sure Benny you’ve heard of “the turtle and the hare.” Don’t kid yourself, most of us will climb on that amphibian any time. We’ll get there safe and sound. You seemed to infer Obama lacks the skills to become the next United States President.

In college, Obama majored in Political Science specializing in International Relations and went on to become magna cum laude at Harvard Law School, professor of Constitutional Law for 12 years, and Civil Rights litigation lawyer for several years. He spent seven years in the Illinois State legislature and four years as the Junior Senator of Illinois. He bested all the best the Democrats had to offer in the recent democratic convention including Hillary, so that alone was monumental, let along he was a “Kenyan carpetbagger.”

Mr. Carantes also said “I never understood what these people see in Obama?” What I can impart with you Benny is that, Obama is a genius, very bright and more brilliant than you, and I don’t mean that in a derisive manner. But I can guarantee you though, that you are more educated and a lot smarter than me, and I mean that.

Lastly you boldly, predicted and said this, “One thing I can promise you, women voters will win it for McCain.” You are correct in one thing, white women will go all out for McCain from the red states. Recently, women in general are now for Obama 54/37 percent. The National Organization of Women endorsed Obama. Obama will only lose the White House if race becomes the overriding issue as majority of the whites cannot accept the realization that a “Black person” is occupying their house and ruling over them.

To the millions of people all over the world, this is once in a lifetime and the allegories of slavery, oppression, and bigotry he now carries on his shoulders will slide off with a gigantic victory. Mr. Carantes, this is the second time in memory you made a snide remark of Obama in your column. Your disparaging remarks of a minority, let alone a very decent person, have no place in our Ibaloi or Igorot Customs as it’s counter-productive to our culture, which values serenity and humility. Your comments were not a mistake or an oversight. They were deliberate. Most, if not all, of the minorities around this globe continue to struggle to gain human dignity and equal rights, yet your intolerance about race itself, is quite glaring against what we are fighting for as indigenous people.

Let me leave this note for Mr. Carantes: During your days as a prosecutor, I trust that you never sent one to jail based on his ethnicity or being a carpetbagger. – TRUBLUE, Bremerton, Washington State