The Obama Gap

I don't know if this is a generational gap, a cultural gap, or a regional gap, but each of my parents has their own unique take on Barack Obama.

My father, a white, 90 year old career Marine, veteran of 3 wars, born and raised in Jacksonville Florida, and a lifelong Democrat could not bring himself to vote for Obama. "Look at all those countries in Africa," he pointed out, "What chaos, what a mess. Blacks can't govern."

Since the election, my father has said, "So, all the Blacks are happy about Obama being elected. I hope they remember that he is also half-white."

I don't discuss politics with my father anymore. I mean, what do you say? How can you respond (politely and respectfully to one's father) to those two ideas?


My mother, a white, 80 year old career woman, raised in abject poverty, the daughter of a sharecropper in Depression era East Texas, and a life long Democrat watched the inaugural balls with interest. "Did you see Mrs. Obama's dress?" she asked me. "It wasn't pretty. Plain old white thing. She's a beautiful woman, she should have lots of sequins and sparkles. And did you see them dance? They can't dance. But maybe they dance differently in Africa."

I covered the phone so I could laugh.