Just over two years ago, President Barack Obama stepped into the political forefront as the senator of Illinois who soon after began his campaign for presidency, representing the Democratic Party. As the first bi-racial, African-American presidential candidate, Obama challenged the norms of years past in which minority government officials, though few and far between, were largely ignored by mainstream media outlets.
His motivation to create a more equal union by creating policy reforms that will ultimately “change” America forever is what resonated most with his supporters and influenced those who opposed to his notions of universal health care, tax breaks for the middle class and stimulus funding to revamp our dwindling economy. Although some compare his rhetorical strategies to that of the late Martin Luther King Jr., Obama’s poise, inclusivism and dynamic personality ultimately reached the hearts of Americans across the nation, even non-democratic voters, and gave hope to a generation that had never enforced their rights as voters, until November 2008.
68 percent of new voters, 66 percent of voters under age 30 and 95 percent of the black vote favored Obama’s campaign for change. For African-Americans, this milestone was exactly what years of succumbing to racial and social injustice in America have created, a nation that is no longer segregated by color lines but rather unified by our diversity.
Obama’s campaign was instrumental in showing that change has no color, and only great actions build hope in one another and work together to create change for future generations. His patriotism for America withstood the harsh critics, naysayers and non-believers, even during his inaugural address. After accepting the nomination for presidency, his speech was inclusive of all people no matter what creed, socioeconomic status or skin color. He confirmed that even if he didn’t receive the support of some, he affirmed the statement, “I’ll be your president.”
Michael Steele has a similar claim to fame, however, on the opposing side of the aisle.
Steele, an avid republican from his youth, was one of the first in his family to attend college. He earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations and a law degree. Soon after attending a seminary school, Steele then decided to pursue a career in civil service by using his law practices at a prestigious firm in Washington and then founding, the Steele Group, a consulting firm.
Most know Steele as the first African-American elected to office in Maryland as lieutenant governor in 2003. Reagan and Bush were two driving forces behind Steele’s campaign for Maryland’s senate seat after Sen. Paul Sarbanes would not seek re-election. Although he lost the election to Democrat Ben Cardin in November 2006, Steele pressed forward and became the chairman of the Grand Old Political Action Committee, GOPAC, Feb. 1, 2007, which strives to commit Republicans to office.
Both of these prominent African-American men have made great strides in the political arena as well as within their own communities. Obama and Steele are examples that color has no boundaries in American culture anymore.
As a nation, both have set the precedence for future leaders of color to embrace challenge and face adversity. For hard work cannot go unnoticed, and the efforts of many have laid the groundwork for them in America.
In the past, many minorities viewed their options as limited or confined to certain job fields or settling for work that others wouldn’t bear, but these two men of esteem have encouraged people of all colors, especially minorities, to aspire to achieve greatness.
As role models, children and young people of color can identify with success now that they have witnessed the endless possibilities for Obama and Steele.
