Obama For President, Ya Digg?

Posted 04/03/08 by Ryan MorrisTotal Comments:12

Yesterday, while surfing the blogosphere, I visited one of my favorite news crowd-sourcing sites, Digg.com. I entered the term "Obama" and was surprised to see that almost three weeks later, folks are still ranting on (yes, ranting) about Rev. Jeremiah Wright's sermon which contained several remarks some members of the media have labeled as "anti-american," "racist," and "pro-terrorist." [For those of you not familar with him, Rev. Wright was pastor of the church Senator Barack Obama (D - IL) attended when not in Washington, D.C.]

In another Digg search, I entered the term, "race" and reviewed links ranging from the full text of Barack's March 18 speech in Philadelphia to a CBS poll surveying the success of Mr. Obama's oratory genius. Ahh, the power of the Internet: it leaves no opinion or angle unturned ...

Watch: Obama's "A More Perfect Union" Speech

Yep, everywhere I surf on the Net someone's got an opinion about Rev. Wright or the speech Barack gave shortly after the controversial tape of his pastor was released. What to do? Jump in and give my two cents of course ...

Defending My Hero

People vote for candidates for a variety of reasons. Policy-wise, Obama and Hillary Clinton are almost identical. The deciding factor on who I plan to vote for has more to do with life experience and how it relates to the future generation of America. Most Americans aren't wealthy for the majority of their life. Most haven't been the First Lady, or had a childhood filled with upper-crust privilege. Nope, most American's work long hours for a wage that doesn't justify the amount of effort they put in -- or the results their employer will gain from it. Many young Americans come from a divorced or single parent home. An increasing number of young American's are offspring of a bi-racial or multi-racial union. None of these experiences line up with the life of Mrs. Clinton or Senator McCain (R-AZ), and after reviewing the side-by-side comparison sheet of all three candidate views, life experience rules.

When November comes around, you can bet your tax rebate that I'll be voting for Mr. Obama. It's not without hesitation however. You see, when I first learned that the senator from Illinois was making a go for prez, I was happy and saddened at the same time. Ever since I was about eight or nine years old, I became aware of the implications skin color can have on social circles, economic status and social standing. There is a unique social learning curve you endure as a bi-racial child, so being told I "look like a nigger" in the sixth grade by one of my peers had a profound effect on what friends I would keep, colleges I would attend, employers I would seek out and organizations I would support.

As a result of several incidents like the one above throughout my adolescent years, I was always keen to an open dialogue of race and progress with my friends and family. When I was in high school, I remember having this optimistic view that racism would be eradicated in my lifetime. In one particular conversation with my school mate Vic, I vividly remember asking him if we would see racism's downfall in America before we die. He looked up from his cardboard-tasting cafeteria pizza very confidently and replied, "No."

Vic's reply would stay with me for several years, drive me to read as many books on race, ethnicity, and social economic theory, and ultimately help me come into agreement with him. I guess I can chalk up my hope to demolish hate before I die to a youthfully optimistic --yet, naive-- outlook on life. Don't get me wrong though --I still have great hope the hate we experience in this country will be eradicated one day-- it just won't be when Vic or I are around.

This leads to the aforementioned "hesitation" I experience when I mention that I plan on voting for Senator Obama. More directly, I'm scared he'll be assassinated.

You see, there is still an entire group of Americans who carry the baggage, grief and pain of the United States, pre-desegregation. These Americans are on both sides of the racial fence (hence, some of Rev. Wright's remarks). It is these same American's who give birth to younger Americans, instill the same backwards and apathetic moral compass and ultimately allow hate to fester in the fabric of this nation.

I want to see someone who represents the experience of the majority of young America win the presidency and run this nation. Almost equally, I'm fearful of what tragedy could result in trying to elect the most qualified person for the job.

Am I just living in a cloud of fear, or are my feelings justified?

**Note: The views/opinions expressed in this article are the views/opinions of the author, not Razoo.com.

Bill Clinton keeps on Giving

Posted 09/26/07 by Rebecca CarpenterTotal Comments:0

We recently wrote about Bill Clinton's foray into the world of giving, with the launch of his book, Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World. I guess that just wasn't enough giving for him.

Today, at the opening of the third annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) conference, he announced the launch of his new initiative, MyCommitment.org. The site aims to "help improve the world, one action at a time," by encouraging people to pledge how they will make the world a better place. They are seeking to: 1) inspire change, 2) build community, 3) facilitate action, and 4) strengthen engagement.

From the site: "This site is inspired by the idea that as global citizens, we all have the unprecedented ability to help others achieve their dreams and realize a better future. Anyone -- regardless of age, income, education or where you live -- can do something that has a lasting impact and makes a difference in the lives of others, both down the street and around the world."

Clinton began his media tour this morning with a stint on The Martha Stewart Show, and continues this evening with an interview on Anderson Cooper 360.

For a taste of how to get started making a difference the CGI way, check out their 50 Ways to Change the World.

Giving and Serving go Mainstream

Posted 09/05/07 by Rebecca CarpenterTotal Comments:0

Giving and serving are near and dear to Razoo's heart. So we're positively giddy this week with all the press these two amigos are getting.

First, Time Magazine's September 10th issue hit the stands with a cover story on Service. They devoted eight pages of editorial space to volunteerism and provided their take on a plan for universal national service. They also shared insights about how other countries serve, and featured well-known service organizations like the Peace Corps. Finally, the article shared a number of ways that we can each get involved with service.

Then came Bill Clinton on Oprah (September 4), pitching his new book about Giving. Clinton opened up about how he's giving, including the work he does with his foundation, and his partnership with the American Heart Association to promote healthy eating habits for children.

Andre Agassi also joined Bill and Oprah, and shared how Giving plays a role in his life. "Tennis was an opportunity for me to affect people for two hours, you know? But what I care about now is the chance of affecting somebody for a lifetime," Agassi said. His commitment to Giving is reflected in the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a school he founded in 2001 (and also featured in Clinton's book).

Not one to sit on the sidelines, Oprah joined the conversation about Giving, and promoted her new series coming this fall to ABC: Oprah's Big Give. On the show, people are handed a bundle of cash, and have to decide how to give it away. From Oprah.com: "People from across the country are challenged to help total strangers so that they can feel the high of giving. Over eight weeks, we follow their every move, and in the end, the biggest giver wins!"

Oprah also promoted Kiva.org, one of Razoo's favorite compadres in the online giving and serving world. Kiva focuses on microloans, and has raised $10 million in loans to support social entrepreneurs around the world.

Clinton summed it up nicely for us: "One of the things we know is that intelligence, ability and dreams and the willingness to work hard, they're evenly distributed throughout the world and throughout the neighborhoods of America. But systems, opportunity and investment aren't. So insofar as the rest of us can provide that, that's what we ought to do." Well said.

We can all start making a differnece today! Check out Razoo's Take Action page for ideas on how you can get involved with giving and serving right now.

Join in the conversation and share your thoughts: How are giving and serving a part of your life?