Whether one is a card-carrying Republican, Democrat, independent voter or “other,” one thing is for certain about November 4, 2008, the day that American voters elected Barack Obama president, and that is…that nothing happened.
The sky didn’t fall, and the sun rose and set without incident. No one who threatened to actually left the country. For all of the fears of a black man taking up residency in the White House, the people’s house, there were never any broken-down cars parked with their hoods up on the White House lawn, and no Friday night fish-fries or Saturday afternoon barbecues took place.
All of the ill that some people expected and anticipated with a black man emerging to become the nation’s chief executive somehow failed to surface, and in the end, it was all pretty straightforward and anti-climactic: Obama was nominated, expertly campaigned, won election, took office and ran the country.
The first family was a model, and stubbornly defied every possible black family stereotype.
Though he was pilloried in the press as “unpatriotic” for several news cycles for failing to wear a flag lapel pin during his first debate, for fist-bumping his wife, allegedly lacking leadership qualities and even the middle name he was given from birth, Mr. Obama got up every day and did the job.
Yet, like him or not, self-proclaimed “star” and reality TV show host, Donald J. Trump, was strangely given a pass on by most of the public and the mainstream media—unconscionable things that Obama would have been crucified and hung out to dry for. Imagine the national outcry had Obama done many of the things Trump did.
Yes, we know this is all what ifs? Inside though, we all also know very well what the answers would be.
I mean, just imagine if a very black, male Barack H. Obama had:
- Bragged during his campaign for this nation’s highest office about “grabbing” women’s genitalia?
- Gotten caught paying off adult film stars and other mistresses—notably with campaign funds—after being exposed for trysts with them while his wife was pregnant?
- Steadfastly refused to release his income tax returns…ever…owing to an endless IRS audit?
- Disparaged Gold Star families, notably the grieving mother and father of a dead soldier?
- Exaggerated his inauguration audience size, and forced his press secretary and others to repeatedly do the same on national television?
- Given his children White House security clearances?
- Claimed publicly that we had air superiority and took over enemy airports during in the American Revolutionary War?
- Said that late scholar, orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass was someone who is “increasingly being recognized for doing an amazing job?”
- Praised himself as a “stable genius?”
- Constantly took credit for an economy that he inherited, and then gave tax breaks to the wealthy?
- Constantly used the term, “the most ever,” and “the greatest ever in American history,” but almost always being incorrect after fact-checking because he truly doesn’t know American history?
- Partied with Jeffrey Epstein?
- Been accused by at least 26 women of sexual assault?
- Called the American media and journalists the “enemy of the people?”
- Lied about the path of a hurricane?
- Tossed paper towels to Puerto Ricans who were in need of millions of dollars in disaster aid?
- Physically shoved aside another world leader to appear on the front row of a photo opp?
- Successfully alienated or insulted nearly all of our nation’s allies around the world, damaging America’s international reputation, respect and hard-earned prestige?
- Boasted about possibly dating his own daughter—were she not his daughter?
- Talked about there being “good people” among white supremacist hate groups, and never willingly disavowing them?
- Fired, demoted, denied promotion to or forced the retirement of numerous career public servants and government officials for being truthful and publicly disagreeing with him?
- Embraced dictators and avowed enemies of the United States, saying “we’re friends, and we love each other?”
- Labeled American soldiers who died in service to the country “losers, and cowards?”
- Accepted the word of a Russian president—while dissing and dismissing the assessment of the entire U.S. intelligence community?
- Verbally insulted every race of people who make up the diverse mosaic that is America, except his own?
- Dismissed learned scientists’ assessments and environmental crises such as global warming as a “hoax?”
- Intentionally directed years of disinformation, and deliberate misinformation on numerous topics at the American public?
- Denied Americans early, daily knowledge of the severity of the coronavirus threat so as not to “panic” anyone?
- Used presidential executive orders to govern instead of legislating—after accusing his predecessor of doing the same and therefore not being a leader?
- Gotten himself impeached, maybe?
- Used the White House as a political campaign backdrop?
- Ignored, downplayed and minimized the threat of a deadly pandemic to the American public?
- Told an unprecedented over 25,000 lies or exaggerations while in office since 2016, for an average of 50 per day?
Of course, this is just a small sampling. Again, what if? What would have been Barack Obama’s fate, image and legacy if he had done any of these things—any single one of them? And, why do you suppose there’s such a stark double standard?
