To African-American and Undecided Voters in South Carolina and Around the U.S.

When I first heard about doubts coming from some voters in the U.S. on whether a black man can become President of the United States it made me wonder why some members of the black community especially have these doubts of a black man like Barack Obama, who has dedicated his life to the betterment of all the people of the United States and yes the entire World, becoming President.

As a case in point I was 15 in 1959 when J.F.K. was running and I was a member of a Bible Church in Ohio. The Church was almost cult-like in the manner in which they told you what to do and when to do it. One Sunday after Kennedy had announced his candidacy I saw pamphlets on the front table. When I read the pamphlet it stated that a vote for Kennedy would open the opportunity for the Pope to take over the United States and that under no circumstances would it be permitted for any of the congregation to vote for him. It went on to give very destructive language about Catholics and the way Kennedy would be a determent to the United States. My family came to the U.S. in the 1770's to get away from religious tyranny so this did not resonant well with me. I also had been brought up to believe in Jesus teaching of keeping to Caesar what is Caesar's and what is God's to God (Luke 20:20-26).

That next Sunday I wore a Kennedy badge into the church and was immediately reprimanded by my Sunday School teacher. Now remember the Minister had already opened up the Church to political rhetoric by handing out the pamphlets, but I as a member was not allowed to give my viewpoint. The Sunday School teacher called my Mother over and told her she couldn't believe my mother had allowed me to do this. My mother replied I was my own person and if I chose to do this she didn't see anything wrong with it. At that the Sunday School teacher turned to me and said I was out of the lead for the Christmas singing performance, which made the rest of my Sunday School class gasp, and I would be banned if I ever came back to the church with the badge on again. At that I walked out of the church and never was to return to a formally run congregation again.

The day came when J.F.K. was elected in 1960 and it made me think that there was true democracy in the country. Even though he was assassinated in the 1963 I believe that his dream does live on. The Peace Corp and speeches he made resonant his dedication and beliefs. So I am asking some of you that have doubts to step up and make the dream continue with a man and yes his wonderful wife who have again stepped up to those who would drown us with disbelief and give our next generation a reason to hold their heads up high to the belief that the United States of America, where we are all equal, can gain the treasure of knowing that a man named Barack Obama will have a place in history no matter what!

Here is something I have passed on to my friends and family and I hope you will consider it if you are not sure whom to vote for:

He (Obama) graduated from Columbia University, where he majored in political science and specialized in international relations. He then attended Harvard Law School, graduated magna cum laude, and served as the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. After law school, he worked as a community organizer and a civil rights lawyer in Chicago. He also taught at the University of Chicago Law School as a senior lecturer specializing in constitutional law and is now a United States Senator.

For this and other reasons, like his fight against lobbyists, and his vote against the Iraq War, he has my vote. Now it is up to the U.S. voters like you to consider who is the best person to continue the legacy that we can make a difference.

I loved reading your story about JFK and that resonates with me. I think however we approach this, we should pick our best candidate and perhaps our second best candidate based on positives in themselves and ourselves, not in negatives. Times will prove very tough over the next few years of recession. We have to keep our spirits up and have hope.

but the message to vote for a man just because he is black is wrong. The vote should go, this time, to the person who can do the most for this country. Obama, has a nice personality, but he has no substance and the know how and the pull to bring us back from the mess bush put us in. He jumped the starting gun, and if he doesn't prove he knows what the hell he is doing, people will be wrong to vote for him. Why doesn't he tell the country what his plans are, like HIllary and Edwards. Cause he doesn't have any and he doesn't know any. And besides only 25% of this country are black and a lot of them have enough sense to choose a candidate what what they can do FOR THIS COUNTRY. AND NOT WHAT THEIR COUNTRY IS GOING TO DO FOR THEM. Remember that phrase.

I am only asking for people who are not decided to take a look and not let prejudice of any kind get in their way.

I am totally supportive of anyone's views in this country of ours and hope we have a HUGE turn out in Nov. 2008 for whomever is running.

Thats on target:Racial disparities persist in U.S. cancer treatment

I appreciate hearing your story. I've heard something similar in my days from my own mother. I'm glad that your mother supported you. It is that installation from our parent(s) of being one's self and thinking about things on our own that makes us support the type of candidates we do - and why support candidates of hope and not the GOP's flock of fear-peddlers.

GO JOHN!

Yes I think every generation needs its own inspirational leader. Barack Obama's time is now.

BTW, he did not vote against the IWR, he spoke out strongly against it when he was campaigning for the Democratic primary for Illinois Senate.