When this U.S. presidential campaign began, there was a lot of discussion about race. Could Obama win despite his darker than average skin? The assumption in many news articles was that white voters were prejudiced against blacks and would prefer a white candidate. My personal theory was that voters would ignore skin color. My experience with Americans is that they often have opinions about a racial or religious group but that they are nearly always willing to put those opinions aside and consider an individual. I’m wondering now if maybe both opinions are wrong. Perhaps being black is a big advantage with the average American voter.
Consider the average white guy who has been accustomed to seeing white medical doctors. In his experience, all of the doctors who have treated him have been extremely competent and qualified and all of those doctors were white. Should you present a black doctor to this patient, he might wonder “Is this guy going to be as competent as the white doctors I’m accustomed to? Did he get into med school because he was black, not because he was as smart as other students?” (see this British Medical Association article). Maybe it would be safer to stick with white doctors.
Ask the same white guy who has liked his white doctors what he thinks about the politicians who represent him or govern him. The answers would probably range from “Uninspiring, plodding, mediocre, wasteful” to “Incompetent, corrupt, embarrassing.” What color are these politicians? Almost always white. The less that a candidate physically resembles incumbent politicians, the better he or she should do, all other factors being equal.
Interesting, except that all other things are never equal.
As long as we’re throwing out theories, here’s mine. Race won’t matter if Obama is nominated, because the race will be more about defeating the opposing the Republican nominee. In that sense, even Democratic voters who would openly admit bias against black people will still vote for Obama. Not because they love him, but because they’re opposed to the Republican nominee (presumably McCain)
I am not psychologist, so I cannot say much about this theory, however I do live in “The Land Of Enchantment”/New Mexico where many if not most of our politicians are Hispanic. I can say that politicians are politicians no matter their skin color or cultural origins. I am not saying they are bad or corrupt, but if given the Pepsi challenge you would have trouble determining the difference.
Take this thinking a little further and you have to wonder if people will curb their criticisms of Obama out of fear they will be called racists.
That being said, I will still vote for Obama given the chance.
Anthony: That was precisely my point! All politicians are destined to disappoint. Voters who haven’t experienced a black politician, however, may be hopeful that somehow skin color will make the difference.
This is an interesting argument. His color may in fact help him, but I am not convinced that its for the reasons you state. I suspect America is seeking self-redemption. Most Americans are disgusted with the current state of affairs. We never thought that we of all nations would be debating torture – what’s there to debate? We have in effect become ashamed at what we have become. Obama has tapped effectively into this sense and offered hope. He represents all that is wonderful and good about the United States and her principles. In comes Obama with his message of hope and change bringing brilliant political skill with charisma and killer campaign management to save the day. He is by any standard smart and a remarkable candidate – all the better that he is black. Even better is his multi-cultural roots that is the very essence of America. What better way to regain our sense of good in who we are!
People aren’t voting for Obama because they subconsciously associate white with corrupt. They are voting for Obama because they are looking for redemption.