We see things differently...

I've never thought of Barack Obama as a strictly African American candidate, but rather bi-racial, a perspective that reflects my own M-R experiences. Even though my family identifies as Caucasian, I think of myself as M-R, as I'm part Native American on both sides (my own great-grandmother would have nothing to do with my grandmother and her siblings because they were too dark---their father was half Cherokee). My husband's family is biracial- he's an amalgamation of his Caucasian working class Mississippi family on his mother's side, as well as his Japanese family on his father's side, a family interned during WW2 (his own father entered the camps when he was four-- they lost everything)...

So throughout this election, when I thought about Obama, I thought of him not as African-American, but as biracial, albeit a biracial man who has sought to integrate himself within the AA community (marrying an AA, attending an AA church, etc.).

Yesterday I stayed after work and had a celebratory conversation with an African American colleague, who was thrilled because as she said, "now I can tell my students that they really can grow up to do anything, even become President," a sentiment I don't necessarily agree with, but certainly celebrate.

One thing my colleague said though piqued my curiosity about how an African American would view a candidate different than me.  She said, "Those girls (referring to his daughters)---I just wonder if he is paying too big of a price," referring to the fact that he might be assasinated.  

Instantly black and white stills of Malcolm X's assassination and photos of the grieving King family flashed in my mind, the first time since the election.  

Don't get me wrong, I've considered the possibility of assasination, but early in the campaign.  These fears have gradually evaporated over the past few months, though I did jolt when I heard the first bursts of firecrackers after that amazing speech at the DNC.  Apparently, given our country's well-documented legacy of killing African American leaders, this fear is still at the forefront of my colleagues mind.  I can't help but wonder if it is stronger in the African American community, than say in the liberal mostly Caucasian crowd I tend to hang with (who granted are a gloomy bunch who do worry about Obama's safety).  

For now though, I'm going to brush aside my baroque fears, hope that the Obama team has shadow security in addition to the Secret Service, and continue singing my variation on the Oklahoma tune that I woke up with in my head..."Oh what a beautiful morning/ Oh what a beautiful day/ I got a beautiful feeling/ because Obama's our President today!"