The current election has bought up many issues. One that people will try to avoid is racism for obvious reasons. Now, I have have some personal experience with the subject unfortunately. I am an African American and have experienced what I would categorize as mild racism during my life. I have lived in predominately white areas with mostly white friends and acquaintances.

With that being said, I want to address racism in America. Now I've heard people say that racism doesn't exist anymore I don't know how people can say anything like this. Racism isn't as evident as it may have been in the 50's and 60's but it is still here. It is just more subtle these days. Now maybe things are different in the rest of America but I know that in the south racism is still very evident. It isn't necessarily the actions of people but their comments and demeanor. I am aware when racial jokes or comments are in jest and when they are meant as a tool of disrespect.

I also think that there is a common misconception that all blacks are lazy and uneducated. This is one that I hear all the time. Some people would have you to believe that many blacks reside in poor urban areas because they can't motivate themselves to do work or don't want to do anything to improve their situation. What is different from the people that live in suburban middle class areas who do the same. Many of them have settled for lives of mediocrity and are as lazy as some blacks.

People seem not to understand that poverty is a reoccurring cycle. What I mean by this is that many blacks have been born into poverty and don't always have the means to rise above it in their lifetime. Now I don't condone giving any excuses for underachieving. I just wish there was more understanding of certain situations. The same is true for many whites who live in poverty. They have a difficult time transcending the limitations that have been set before them.

There are certain exceptions to this observation. The exceptional few are able to transcend these limitations. Now I know that my father used to live in a two bedroom shack with his thirteen brothers and sisters. He never went to college but did go into the military. He was able to move up into the middle class and while he still has his struggles he has accomplished a great amount in his lifetime. It has been one of the many factors that has inspired me to push myself beyond my limitations.

One of the many problems I do see with African Americans these days is that they seem to encourage the stereotypes that many people perpetrate. I know that when I was in high school many blacks would say I was too white because I spoke differently and didn't act like other blacks. Now this is unacceptable. We need to work towards improving ourselves each day and rising above the challenges of everyday life.

We as African Americans can't keep blaming white people for our problems and assert ourselves. We need to stop putting each other down when we achieve a goal. If there is anything we can take away from the Democratic nominee is that an African American can achieve greatness if they are willing to work hard... and have a little bit of luck because luck does play a pretty big role in the grand scheme.

Well there are only two weeks before America will choose the next president. I thought it would only be appropriate to do a blog. Let me start off by saying I don't affiliate myself with any political party. My ideals typically fall under the left wing. I'm still undecided about how I will cast my vote. Well maybe not undecided. I do no who I am not voting for.

The main reason I am blogging is to say I am sick of all the negativity that is going on. I mean I know that is politics but this election isn't about who did what. The race should be run on who can lead the country to prosperity and right now we need a leader. It's obvious by looking around today that the country is in bad shape. We are in the worst economic situation since the Great Depression. The Democrats and Republicans are constantly at each other's throats. Not to mention we are fighting a never ending war.

Well even though all this is going on all you can see is finger pointing and blame. To be fair it isn't all the candidate's faults. Much of this is because of the media. I mean some of the things they have reported have been absolutly outrageous. Most of the negativity has been directed at the Democratic nominee, Barack Obama. Now I don't know if everything reported is true but shouldn't the voters vote on the policies of politicians and not on their personal relationships or religion.

One of the most idiotic claims that I keep hearing out of people's mouths is that Obama is a Muslim. These same people are outraged by a particular sermon by Jerimiah Wright. This is a problem because Obama has attended his church for nearly 20 years... Wait isn't that a contradiction. A muslim that attends a Christian church for twenty years? How about the claim that Obama is associated with a former terrorist. I can't fully comment on this because I don't know the facts.

On the other hand you have McCain who people claim left his former wife and married his new wife. Let me explain a little more clearly. McCain was married before but his wife became an invalid during his marriage. He allegedly married another woman while he was still legally married to his former wife. Now this is also a horrible claim. But why are we voting on their past. Shouldn't we vote on what they can do.

Now these things do speak volumes about the candidate's characters but I have a hard time believing what the media wants to report. The media companies have agendas just like the politicians.

The main point I want to get across here is that people need to look past what the media reports and listen to what the CANDIDATES are SAYING. Right now we need someone who will create jobs, stimulate the economy, protect our nation, and UNITE this nation. In November we need to vote for the candidate that can get this country going in the right direction.

Now I may have many ideals that are considered left wing but I do have a mind of my own. I don't agree with everything my candidates say but since when do you ever agree completly with your choices. And for people who want to vote based on who is backing a certain candidate just remember that Louis Farrakan endorses Obama and the KKK endorses McCain. Why should that make a difference.

MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND AND STOP DEPENDING ON OTHERS TO DO IT FOR YOU.

So as I write this there are only 14 more days until my waiting is over. In 14 days I will finally get my hands on the sole reason I bought a PS3 and an HDTV. Well maybe that is a bit over exagerated but not by very much. During the delay of the PS3 I began to think about getting a Xbox 360. They had some good games. The graphics were pretty good and I trust Microsoft's GUI.

I'm glad I held out. Even through all the talk about MGS4 going multi platform(knock on wood). My PS3 has been one of my best investments. But I'm getting away from my main point. I'm so amped for this game. Ever since I played the first game in the Solid franchise I've been hooked. I love social studies so the political overtones are very welcome. The stories while sometimes confusing(MGS2) are always interesting. This may be the best 3rd person shooter of all time. It is definitely the best tactical espionage game out there. Sorry Splinter Cell fans but I've played those and don't see what all the fuss is about. But then again people probably say the same thing about MGS.

So I just thought I'd share my thoughts. I put another 20 dollars on the game today and only need to pay another 25 for the LE.