Elections in Black and White

I am glad to follow the preliminary results of the American presidential election. I live in the US for almost 6 years; I came here in the era post 9/11; and it is really the recent first time discussions are not only about how to react against other people or be afraid of terrorists.

Economics is always the main point of any political discussion; however, this election represents a real opportunity to America recognizes its mission as a multi cultural-ethnical nation; where Black, White, Hispanic, Asians, Catholics, Muslins or Agnostic people live together, and respect each other. More important it is time to share goodness with the world. I am not talking only about fair trade or better immigration laws; the real important thing is to share technology, knowledge, to teach other people “how to fish” is always more productive than, once in a while, give fish prepared on the plate.

For historical or economical reasons; this multi ethnical nation is segmented; it is still unusual you see mixed groups or families; those are considered almost “exotic” in several places along the country. Someone recently told me “try to stay on the borders: east or west”. Well; obviously this is not all true; but it makes sense from a general, not detailed standpoint.

I am from another multi cultural nation. Brazil has received the largest number of slaves in the southern hemisphere; nevertheless, our divisions are mostly economical divisions. Our racist society is easily identified by the division of jobs and poor education among blacks; however, Brazilians families are multi-colored, and we are not Whites, Blacks or Asians anymore. Brazilians are learning how to translate these mixed races in a more equal society, hopefully not only by color.

The presidential election in the US, this year, is raising the most important mission of the world, which is to respect the difference. Americans have a real chance to start respecting the difference. This respect could be showed by trusting your leadership in someone that doesn’t look like you superficially; but is the leadership that US needs at this moment; someone to unite all people and help US to make a real difference helping the world.
Maybe, after all this time here, I will be proud to be an American (Southern or Northern)
God Bless we all.

Ricardo Sales dos Santos MD
As a surgeon, also specialized in Lung Transplant; I can tell you; underneath the skin surface, we are all the same...and we can exchange organs and votes between distinct races....

“yes ….we can!!”