Geanette Jackson of Chicago and Malice Dasila of Miami
are inseparable in Washington DC on the eve of the historic
inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. Jackson, an African
American and Dasila, a Brazilian native, met on the campaign trail when
Jackson quit a lucrative gig to perform the hard labor of love of
door-to-door campaigning for Obama in South Florida. Dasila returned to
Miami from Brazil, where her father resides, because, as she shared,
she could almost see North America crumbling from her South American
vantage point. Their passion for their country, their shared desire for
improved race relations, and their devotion to Barack Obama helped
forge a sisterhood that will last a lifetime.
What is your perception of race relations in America?
Jackson:
Today, I think that with Obama it has been a huge victory. It seems
like people from all over the country – and not just all over the
country – but all over the globe and all ethnic backgrounds are coming
together in celebration of Obama’s victory. Today, relations are good.
Maybe three months from now, there may be a lot of tension. Right now I
feel that it is good.
Dasila:
I think that Obama’s victory is a great one for people of color,
whether you are African American, part of a tribe or whatever. But it’s
bringing a new face to educated people. Anyone who has a negative view
of people of color, this will show them that there are positive things
going on with people of color.
How does an Obama presidency improve race relations?
Jackson:
Does an Obama presidency help race relations? Definitely, definitely. I
think just to have an African American in the highest office in the
land sends a signal to African Americans that there are possibilities
available that didn’t seem available to them before. For non-African
Americans, they can see the possibilities in other ethnicities
Dasila:
Definitely an improvement. Like she said, he had a successful campaign.
People who did not fit the stereotype of supporting a black president
or a Democratic leader did so. And it’s not only going to improve in
the country, but around the world. Unfortunately, those who are not
ready won’t be open. But those who are will take us forward in race
relations.
What do you think race relations will be four years from now?
Jackson:
I don’t know, that’ll depend on how Obama does in his first term. Right
now, judging from what his campaign was about and what he said on the
campaign, I believe he will be successful. We can only go forward in
race relations.
Dasila: Things will definitely improve. We all
know martin Luther King’s speech and look where we are today.
Unfortunately, there is still tension from among people who I think are
very afraid. Obama has gotten support from people who would have
normally would not have voted for him. So I think we need to get
closer, because we need to stop what’s going on in the Middle East, [as
well as] in our neighborhoods.
What do you think of interracial relationships?
Jackson:
“I don’t see color when dating personally. And I don’t have a problem
with interracial relationships. And it is an individual thing. I try
not to judge people by their color, but by the content of their
character, so as long as there is mutual respect there is no problem.
In some societies and even in this country, there is intolerance. Some
people have a problem with it, but I don’t have a problem because I
don’t see color. I’m colorblind.”
Dasila: I can speak firsthand.
I can’t believe I’m putting myself out there. I’ve been in interracial
relationships. I don’t think it matters. I doesn’t even matter. It
comes from education in the home, what you’re exposed to, where you are
in your community, what images you see. But I think as long as you know
who you are and preserve who you are, then you can share and learn
about someone else. Obama is a product of one [interracial
relationship]. And America is a product of it. – terry shropshire
Geanette Jackson, Chicago:
you don’t want to know my story, you don’t want to know my story. I was
supposed to drive here with my mom and she decided that she wasn’t
going to go. So at the last minute I purchased a ticket the day of for
$256 on Southwest, Greyound of the sky. I don’t have a roundtrip
ticket. I’m learving Thursday.
We met on the campaign trail. We met in Miami.
Malice Dasila, Miami: On Nov. 5, I knew I was going to fly, last week, I got a round trip ticket for $179, Leaving next Saturday.
From a little girl, I admired Martin Luther King. It’s kind of
suprising and overwhelming. So it’s interesting how things have come
full circle. I admired Martin Luther King as a little girl, and now I
got ot work on the presidential campaign for Barack Obama
