Barack Obama wins the South Carolina primary in the States. I am not so much surprised by his win as he is a very bright individual and has class. What surprises me more is the 28 point differential between himself and Clinton. I thought they were a lot closer in the polls and to top it off, it even left many political analysts stunned.

I don’t really want to talk about the results though because what is so frustrating about the U.S. election this year is the media’s persistence in talking about race. After the poll’s closed, and the majority of the ballots counted, they have to go even further into separating everyone into categories again. The media provides statistics such as:

Percentage breakdown for African Americans and how they voted or will likely vote?
Percentage breakdown of women and how they voted or will likely vote?
Percentage breakdown of African American “women” and how they voted or will likely vote?
Percentage breakdown of Caucasian males and how they voted or will likely vote?

I find it really insulting that we have to still discuss race in the dawn of the 21st century. Having lived in the Phoenix for 6 years myself, I saw first hand acts of discrimination and discriminatory conduct. It is hard to believe that people can hold such hostility to one another simply based on the colour of someone’s skin, gender or sexual orientation.

I am hoping that the media can come to their senses and stop stirring up controversies, and let the issues and the candidates proposed solutions take precedence in the election and not let the race card fuel everyone’s emotions. The next President will no doubt inherit a mountain of problems and it is important for people to choose wisely and not select someone just because they are of the same gender, religion or ethnicity as themselves.

Pick the right person because who you pick does affect your neighbours to the North and the world in a significant way.

I think I have said enough and am now curious to find out who will win the Republican Florida Primary followed by Super Tuesday on Feb. 5th.

Paul

P.S. I am approaching the 13th day after ACL surgery and things are going really well. More on that after I head back to the physio-therapist on Wednesday.