Barack Obama: My First Politican Man-Crush

A friend of mine helped me come to terms with what she called a "man crush" I have on Senator Obama. It never registered with me before but now in hindsight all the signs were there. I was just too smitten to take notice.

Everyday, for the past month and a half, I consciously spent at least 30 minutes reading articles on CNN.com, the NY Times.com and Reuters.com and listening to commentary about Barack Obama (his primary wins, endorsements from high profile Americans and campaign fund raising, strengths, weaknesses, appeal, etc.) and I can't help but get excited. Right now I'm flipping through a slideshow of the Obama campaign South Carolina primary win and its amazing to see the make-up of the crowd. Diverse in every way: age, gender and especially race. Its true that this man has managed to tap into the core of our generation and its beyond remarkable. I say all of this to say that Barack Obama is one of those majestic black men that we've heard about but never really seen in the public eye.

In the midst of "ambitious drug dealer turned music star", "the tragic hero ex-con", 'the marching civil rights celebrity", "angry brother man", "keeping it real dude", "black when it suites me" guy, "the professional athlete", the "I got mine so you get yours" black millionaire, "post millennium pimp" and other "characters" of black manhood I am ecstatic that Barack has elevated beyond the stereotyped limits of what a black man is "supposed" to be and has affixed himself (and those around him) to the blessing of what a black man may become. He's the manifestation of activated positive potential. This brother is bad.

Like Toni Morrison said, "In addition to keen intelligence, integrity and a rare authenticity, you exhibit something that has nothing to do with age, experience, race or gender and something I don't see in other candidates. That something is a creative imagination which, coupled with brilliance, equals wisdom."

Do your thing B.

-elbj

Okay enough pole riding. To see how B has managed to blanket pop culture to become the poster child of change agents, no pun intended, {you'll get it when you scroll down} check out what's below.

Roy Powell, 19, a first-time voter, called Barack Obama "humble and approachable."

Photo: Damon Winter/The New York Times

One of two Shepard Fairey designed posters of Barack Obama.
















Barack Obama designed Air Force Ones by Van Taylor Monroe. This kat seriously needs a store.









A Barack valentine card. Its sold out already so don't even think about trying to order any. Check out the Chicagoist for more Barack art or... "Barart".

Come on, you know it was coming.

One of many Barack themed tshirts over at Cafepress.com. No, I'm serious. There are over 13,000 designs and they're reasonably priced. Pick one up.

Shout out to Michelle O!