Was talking with somebody yesterday about Obama and the birthers — and how it’s simply racism without using the language of racism.
“He should be a hero, somebody young people should look up to,” said my friend. “After all, he’s a self-made man. He came from a modest background, a mixed-race family, and worked his way to the top. Instead of making millions, he chose to be a community organizer and help low-income people work their way up.
“He talks about ‘hope.”
It occurs to me that a number of great leaders who have talked about hope have paid a heavy price. MLK. JFK. RFK. JC. Ghandi.
The birthers are practicing a form of assassination. It’s verbal, but the thoughts and goals are the same.
Why is it that cynics (birthers) are so inspired to battle by the idea of hope?