It is instructive to observe the keen interest that so many Bahamians have in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. And it does not take long to see that the vast majority of Bahamians support President Barack Obama, just as they did in 2008 when he ran for office the first time.
Knowing that Obama’s liberal values (like his support for abortion and homosexual marriage) are opposed by the vast majority of Bahamians, I regularly make it a point to ask black Bahamian pro-Obama supporters to tell me why they support him.
Without fail, here is the reason I’ve been given: because he is black.
Although I have heard this racial reason given time and time again, it never ceases to amaze me. It amazes me because these individuals (some of whom profess to be Christians) don’t seem to realize or care that they are being racist by supporting Obama simply because he is black.
However, if white Bahamians were to say they are supporting Mitt Romney “because he is white,” the “because he is black” supporters of Obama would be among the first to cry racism.
The fact that Mitt Romney finds little support among black Bahamians, even though his conservative values are shared by the vast majority of them (and the fact he is highly qualified), is indicative of a kind of reverse racism that we need to be rid of.
It also points to our need to truly embrace and live out the words of the late Dr. Martin Luther King who gave his life to bring about a time when people are not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
As we prepare to celebrate 40 years of national independence, I pray that renouncing racism in all of its shapes and forms will be high among the lofty goals that we set for our increasingly diverse nation.
As Bahamians, we cannot vote in the U.S. presidential election, but it represents a wonderful opportunity for us to vote mentally and practise supporting candidates based on the values they espouse and the competence they possess. If we do, Mitt Romney, not Barack Obama, would enjoy overwhelming support in our nation. And imagine the message that would send to our racially divided world.
Cedric Moss
