Last week's election has me seeing red By Professor Locs – November 9, 2010

I got up early on election day and did my research on certain candidates. Like many of you, I was excited to exercise my right to vote.

I still had memories of the incredible energy this country experienced when President Obama was elected. So imagine my surprise when I arrived to my polling center and found what looked like the lobby of a Vanilla Ice concert. (Insert cricket noise).

My usual neighbors were all there volunteering. I caught the morning rush of all the elderly folks, slowly but proudly casting their ballots. I was disappointed to see only one African-American in line. (More on that later).

I cast my vote and left feeling triumphant that I had done my part for democracy. I got to the door and this elderly white man said, "Congratulations."

I responded: "Congratulations to you, too."

He then proceeds to tell me that the whole voting thing was all for nothing since our country was being ruled by several hundred "ass holes,' including the President.

My first inclination was to bum rush this crazy old fool, but since I was raised right, I had to take in the situation. Then it hit me: This was one of those Tea Party people I had heard about.

It was like an episode of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, and I had come nose-to-nose with a great white Kodiak Tea Party member in his own habitat.

I resisted the urge to shoot, drug, weigh him and tag his ear for future scientific research. I responded only by saying: "Well, to continue your metaphor, everyone has an asshole and an opinion, I guess. Have a good day."

I got through my day and went home to watch election results, and I was beginning to see red, and not entirely because of the electoral map. The rhetoric of the Tea Party folks and the other more extreme organizations that align themselves with the movement was working my nerves. Showing up to rallies and painting the president as Hitler. Shouting slogans about how they wanted to take the country back.

Let's break that down, shall we.

Who are they taking back the country back from? And what are they taking back? And if they want it, they have to take it all -- the war effort, high unemployment, an economy in recession, bank foreclosures, unaffordable healthcare, another season of “Dancing With the Stars.” The list could go on.

The President apologized the next day for the election results, but he was not to blame. The lack of community support is what turned that tide.
Where were all the people who got him elected? For Tuesday’s poor showing, that demographic needed a virtual open-hand slap to the mouth, circa 70’s The Mack style.

I walked away from the polls that day seeing only one other African-American. This was in stark contrast to the sea of faces, young and old, that I saw for the 2008 election. Maybe if we offered free Lil Wayne concert tickets, a discount weave or Red Lobster coupons, maybe we could get a better turnout.

We have got to get away from the Messiah ideology of politics. We cannot think that one man can do it all. We have an African-American president and an African-American mayor, yet the local school board is closing minority schools.

Our leaders need our help. Working to accomplish an historical moment is not enough, especially when history can be impacted daily.