Obamatized: When "Fairy Tale" Dust Gets in Your Eyes

When it comes to the Clinton legacy and black people, I would strongly suggest, as Public Enemy said, "Don't believe the hype," at least not anymore.

Jessica Ingram-Bellamy is co-director of Better World Advertising.

I was totally blindsided by the frenzy created when former President Bill Clinton characterized Senator Barack Obama's position on the war in Iraq as "the biggest fairy tale he'd ever seen."  Though he was, supposedly, talking about Obama's war stance, for some reason I, and some of my peers, believe he was saying "something more." 

Let's not forget that Clinton was once--and still is--the master of "double talk."  Because of this, I find myself lying in bed at night wondering and pondering exactly what President Clinton was getting at with his "fairy tale" comment, especially now that he is Hillary's silent mouthpiece. Yes, you read that correctly, her silent mouthpiece.  I am going to assume--rightly or wrongly--that Clinton was saying exactly what I think he was saying, "If Barack thinks he has a chance at winning the presidency, he might as well wait until hell freezes over."  With that said, fairy tale connotes that the possibility of Senator Obama winning is a figment of his (and some of our) imagination; nothing more than a flight of fancy, a childish game of dress up, or make believe; an incredulous notion. It indicates that clearly he thinks Senator Obama is either out of his league, or out of his mind, to set his sights on the White House.

Once upon a time, I greatly admired Bill Clinton, and Hillary, too, by association.  After all, Bill was elected president the fall after I graduated from college; I even voted for him.  At the time, America viewed him as a long shot presidential candidate, but his winning combination of a fresh face and dashing demeanor, is what, many would agree, America desperately needed. Ironically, it seems as though both he and Hillary have forgotten about his modest background, yet meteoric rise to the top of the heap.  Bill was an underdog and an outcast, let's be clear about that from the outset. 

In her earlier days, and mine, too, I admired Hillary Clinton a great deal, not because she was the first lady, but because, in 1992, with my freshly minted Ivy League degree, I unmistakably recognized myself in her: an unapologetically brainy, high-achieving, ambitious woman.  She was the ultimate "alpha female." However, fast forward to 2008, with a contentious presidential election on our heels, and I can tell you that my mood has changed as it relates to my blind admiration of Bill and Hillary Clinton.  The fairy tale for me has abruptly ended, brought to a close by more than a few ill-fated remarks by the Clintons, seemingly directed at my presidential candidate of choice, Senator Barack Obama, but, upon second inspection, maybe at me, too.  

When it comes to the Clinton legacy and black people, I would strongly suggest that we, as Public Enemy said, "Don't believe the hype," at least not anymore.  Was President Clinton really saying, with his backhanded comment aimed at Senator Obama, that some of us black people have wasted our time pursuing the requisite credentials often associated with an American presidency (i.e., the Ivy-League education, plum political internships and assignments, international volunteerism, and a concern for the common good, feigned or otherwise), because, at the end of the day, we're still missing one key trait--that even his wife (a woman) has--and needs--to been seen as a serious contender--whiteness?   Now even though he and others still believe that he was our "first black president," perhaps, with that little comment, he has just informed us that he is as close as we as a people will ever come to seeing that "fairy tale" realized. 

Sadly, even some black people continue to assert that Senator Obama is not ready to be the nation's next president.  Some even feel that America will never be ready for a black president, no matter who it is.  While conducting voter registration for Senator Obama's campaign in Harlem, I have had the opportunity to engage in some long-winded conversations with well-meaning people about Senator Obama's odds of winning.  The predominant theme throughout my conversations,with these well meaning and supportive people was a deep-seated concern for Senator Obama's safety should he indeed capture the White House.  "He is still a black man in America," a beautiful, 76-year old Queen Mother said to me, one blistery Saturday morning on 138th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue.  She wasn't alone in her sentiments either.  A few young adults also shared that though they hope Senator Obama wins, they are afraid that he'll also die in office at the hands of some white supremacist.  NOTE TO THE CLINTONS:  This is the reality of being black in America, and it is not a fairy tale.  

Although a few may be overly preoccupied with this reality, this has been our experience America.  With the loss of Martin, Malcolm, and Medgar--cut down in their prime, leaving so much promise unrealized--we cannot afford to let that scare Senator Obama away from embracing his rightful destiny.  Given the legacy of our ancestors--who built America--we owe Senator Obama the assurance of a happy ending.  Win or lose,  his campaign has been magical for a lot of us.  

It has been magical for our youth because they are starting to realize that they can aspire to become the nation's, even the world's, top leader, and not just America's number one NBA draft pick, or the number one rapper/mogul on the billboard music charts.   Sure, it was nice to aspire to "be like Mike," when he was really all we had, but I would say given the political, economic, social, and judicial climate that we will be facing in the not so distant future, it is much more prudent for a black child to aspire to "be like Obama," well educated, logical, savvy, poised, intelligent, impeccable, unflappable.  

Though Senator Obama is definitely the right candidate at the right time, other  black political leaders continue to offer up reasons, too, for why this is not the "right" time for his presidential run.  It has something to do with him being too young, having inadequate political experience, or simply not waiting his turn at the water fountain.  Do these black leaders, who have joined the fray of detractors, have some stealth candidate waiting in the wings who is better prepared than Senator Obama for this journey?   If so, why have we been kept in the dark so long?  Why hasn't this person been offered up?  To all of this gas bagging I say, if not now to deal Senator Obama on the national casino gambling table, then when?  He is our best hand.  He is white America's best hand, too.  And even some of them know that now.  If not Obama, then who?  How long should we wait for this person to materialize?  Dr. King so eloquently delineated, some forty-years ago, why we can't wait, yet some black community leaders have yet to heed his message.

I have always thought that one of the perks of holding a national office, especially senator, was the ease with which to transition into a higher office--the American presidency, also known as the Holy Grail; the last political office any ambitious politician hopes to see before he or she goes to heaven.  (I mean, that's what the office is there for, right?)  So, what is Senator Obama doing wrong?  As far as I see it, just like Hillary, he is taking the logical path towards his political destiny.  Why should he stop short of glory?   Absolutely I have the audacity to expect Senator Obama to become America's next great president, and so should you.  We've come this far by faith.  We can't turn around now, because of fear or anything else.

While I may have misinterpreted President Clinton's "biggest fairy tale" remark, one thing that's crystal clear is we must not allow Senator Obama's very tangible dream to morph into a fairy tale and be relegated to the land of make believe.  His lofty pursuit--for all our sake--must not be allowed to dry up like a raisin in the sun.  It cannot become a dream deferred, for if it does, we may never sleep well (or dream) as a people ever again in this nation.....Not even on Hillary's watch.