Our Un-Enlightenment

The election has taken over the news, the media and the news media, and it has done so for an all-too-unfortunate reason.

It’s controlling our news because, whether or not we like it, this presidential election is inherently tied to race.

As a nation, we’d like to think race wouldn’t be such a big deal, but putting positive emphasis on Sen. Barack Obama’s heritage requires emphasis — and press — on his race.

Recently, it seemed that other issues were beginning to take precedent over the color of Obama’s skin, but, thanks to the happy-go-lucky voice of conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, race was yanked from the political backseat and shoved back to its usual spot in front of our faces.

I know Obama is black. It doesn’t matter to me, though — and it shouldn’t matter to anyone else. If he gets elected, time won’t stand still, the Earth will not open up and swallow the United States and frogs will not start to fall from the sky. The color of his skin is completely irrelevant.

If our nation (or at least a majority of it) decides that he is the man to lead us, then so be it. That’s why we vote.

People shouldn’t be so touchy and sensitive regarding Obama’s race because he isn’t. Considering how easy it would be for him to play the “race card” at any given opportunity, I’m impressed that it has been brought to our attention so few times. I’d say that he has not only declined that option often, but he chooses to downplay it.

Unfortunately, race and racism are still issues in the U.S., but they are not reasonable grounds for swinging a vote or an election. Mr. Limbaugh is trying to get a rise out of his listeners, whether they agree or disagree with him, because he is intimidated as Obama’s lead in the polls slowly grows.