An Open Letter to Senator Obama

Dear Senator Obama,

I declared my support of your candidacy early, and proudly counted myself among those who lifted you to the top of the first fundraising tally. Having witnessed your keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, I could only be impressed by your brilliance. When your wife joined you on stage, I was impressed even further that she bore no physical resemblance to a trophy wife, and I sensed the prize was hidden inside of her. When you announced you planned to enter the 2008 presidential race, I was ecstatic. Reading your best-selling published works confirmed your intellect.

As a child of the 1960s and a pioneer, I applaud you. I am a graduate of Vassar College, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Yale University Orthopaedic Surgery residency training program. During those years, I participated in the take-over of Vassar’s Main Administration Building in 1969, and in 1980 became the first woman to complete orthopaedic surgery training at Yale and the first African American female orthopaedic surgeon in the United States.

Coming of age during that civil rights era taught me to use the necessary means to crash through barricades and open doors. The obstacles I faced due to my hue were far greater than those due to my gender.

I know what it took for you to succeed in climbing the Ivy League ladder, and to become the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review. There are those who would have us believe that, as it relates to people of color, these honors are handed out to the undeserving. But from one pioneer to another, I know that you had to be better than the competition then, and you still have to be better now. The civil rights struggle continues.

As a person of color, I have been deeply disturbed by the political statements of those who seem to be under the illusion that the fight for civil rights is obsolete. Commentary from the media, including “Black” talk radio, has echoed the phrase, “Don’t vote for someone just because of the color of their skin.” Well, Hell, don’t vote against them for that reason either.

It’s amazing that 99.9% of this type of commentary comes from people who have colored skin, and it’s unfortunate that, included in these numbers, are those who have name recognition and are influential in the African American community.

Have we “progressed” so far that we now have the luxury of beating down our own in the interest of being “fair,” or have we regressed so far that the bottom of the crab barrel is as far as we can see? Have we lost our vision because we can not envision ourselves as presidential candidates, and therefore can not embrace you?  Are we envious because you have trod the road that we dare not? If the answer is no, then how can we bring ourselves to repeatedly sound that discordant trumpet?

The voters in South Carolina seem to be an exception. You are strongly supported by that African American community, and you seem to be Black enough for them. May the voters in the South Carolina primary raise the consciousness of the nation and set an example of the power that unity can bring.

Claudia Thomas, M.D.

Comments

[Tom Collins]

It's great to see enthusiastic support for from Senator Obama from my generation! Like you, I grew up amid the 60s fights for civil rights, women's rights, and ending "the war" (isn't there always one that needs opposing?).

Like you, I've been surprised by some criticism of younger leaders like Senator Obama for supposedly forgetting who got them to this point. I saw a more reasoned statement of this non-issue on TV by one of the pioneers who marched with Dr. King at Selma (I've forgotten who it was). He noted that friends and family can have disagreements without breaking their bonds and that all that was meant was that the younger generation should not forget "the bridge that got them here."

Governor Deval Patrick was then asked about such statements and (I wish I could quote him), said in effect, yes, but now that those bridges are in place, new leaders need to keep us moving down that road.

[Yvonne DiVita]

Claudia, well written and well-thought out. I am disappointed in Hillary (she was never my first choice) for the aggressive stance she's been taking. I know it's hard running for this political seat as a woman...but, it doesn't mean you have to go into attack mode.

I do not see Senator Obama doing that. I like his ideals, I believe he is the most sincere candidate out there, and I think his wife is an outstanding partner in whatever he does. His daughters are fortunate to have such talented parents.

[Steven]

This is the first election where I feel that I can be fully satisfied with either Democratic candidate. How things have changed in our nation (and still need to change): Either a mixed-race President or a woman President. Now we're moving in the right direction.

[Sydni Louise Schiavone]

Wow, that is such a terrifying story. Personally, I would be balling on the floor. It's awsome that you kept your cool like that just by rehearsing a song. I love your story.
Great job, keep up the good work!
Truly,
Sydni Louise Schiavone