Why Did African- Americans Vote For President Obama?

The general consensus amongst those both inside and outside of the Black community is that the majority of African-Americans voted for President Obama and continue to support him simply because he is Black. This is only partially rooted in the truth. To say that the only reason African-Americans voted for the President is because he is Black, underestimates, and marginalizes all of us. It reduces us to mere sheep incapable of cognitive reasoning, and it implies that we are not equipped to make educated political choices. Besides, it's not as if African-Americans would have come out in support Flava Flav or Michael Jordan had either one of them decided to run for President. Well maybe Michael Jordan. But the fact is, most of us are far more politically astute than society believes we are.
President Obama was the best qualified candidate for the job. An extremely well educated Senator, community activist, and former president of the Harvard Law Review who just happened to be African- American. Then candidate Obama represented a refreshing alternative to the old Republican boys club. A fresh faced enthusiastic politician who was both relatable and affable at the same time. An every man born with no advantages, yet he was able to succeed within a system designed to put him at a disadvantage. He is squeaky clean example of the American dream being realized without the slightest inkling of a skeleton hiding deep inside of his closet, Did African-Americans vote for Obama because he he is Black? No, but it definitely didn't hurt. His being Black was not only an added bonus, but it symbolized where we've been, where we've come from and where we are. His being Black was a huge reason for getting 95% of the African-American vote but far from the only reason.

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