Well written and I wish more people felt the way you do. It boggles the mind that I used to work three jobs and some people say can't find one.

I am so proud to have you as a fellow American. Your blog is very informative and well written. Keep up the good work! Semper Fi!

I have spent the last 7.5 years helping and becoming friends with the most wonderful people in our country - the refugee community in Atlanta. I applaud you and your family for your success here. I have never seen a more hard working group and deserving group than the refugees who are now my dear friends and have my utmost respect. They don't make excuses like so many Americans We can be thankful that these people who arrive as refugees surviving horrors you cannot imagine will someday hold the same rights as we do - as citizens of the United States of America.

Wonderful column and it is a great point that you make. Maybe we should start asking minorities if they didn't know that there had been slavery (fill in the blank) in American history, would they still think they are presently oppressed?

Right on, Paul!!

Like I told my husband, Obama said he wanted to create opportunity, but opportunity is already there. It's up to you to go after it.

Thanks for your message. As an American of Mexican descent, it is frustrating to see how many Hispanics tow the democrat line. They have to be shaken up. I have a plan to make that happen. Wish me luck.

In response to your article:

How do you know about Europe? Have you tried living there?

I'm so tired of hearing this nationalist crap. You COULD get a job in Europe. You would even have access to health care, go figure.

You don't have the only country that provides opportunity. And race IS a factor in the U.S., bigger than in European countries, in fact. the average black family's income is 58% of the average white family's income in the U.S., not so in European countries.

Obama's election doesn't solve this things instantly, of course. But there's the symbolism, and there's his agenda to reduce income inequality.

I read an excerpt from your column at Michelle Malkin's site and, promptly, linked to your blog to read the entire piece. I am impressed and inspired by what you have written. Thank you for sharing your insight and experience.

That's exactly how I feel, le combat!

One of your best articles, excellent!

Wow what a super column. I'll be back.
Gene

Paul, a brilliant post. As an American of Colombian descent, I identify with many of the things you've discussed. Thank you again for a wonderful article.

Daniel Ferreira:

You COULD get a job in Europe. You would even have access to health care

Daniel, here in the US, we're not satisfied with just 'getting a job'. We want to EXCEL. We want to keep it as a place where ordinary people can do extraordinary things. We want the government to stay out of the way so that we get things done.

We don't want mere access to health care. We want quality, innovative and responsive health care.

Obama will not help us accomplish any of the above.

Paul:

I echo the earlier posts welcoming you to the Greatest Nation In The History Of Humanity. It's clear you and your family are a boon to this country--as are the millions of other hard-working, legal immigrants who have come here to better themselves; and by doing so, better the nation.

One of The Big Lies told about Conservatives is that we're anti-immigrant. Hogswallop. We're just anti-illegal. (Anti-illegal ANYthing.) We want people to come to America--as long as they want to be Americans. Don't slink over the border, set up little pockets of your own country, and demand that we respect all of the laws and customs that you, supposedly' left behind. That isn't "equal rights". That's blatant narcissism.

Assimilate. Celebrate Thanksgiving. Memorial Day. The Forth of July. Learn what these days and many like them are about, and respect the sacrifices that those who came here before you paid so that you CAN thrive here.

Aside to Mr. Ferreira: It's not Nationalism, sir; it's patriotism. The acknowledgement that America is Best is not a claim that America is flawless. But this nation was started by people who wanted to ESCAPE Europe. Millions more are waiting in line to get into the USA; to escape all the petty socialism, entitlement, bureaucracy, and political correctness that is leading to Europe's withering destruction.

America is not perfect. But no nation in history has shed more blood, paid more money, and worked harder for others--while simultaneously recieving less gratitude--than the United States of America.

We remain the world's best hope. May we always continue to be The Land of Opportunity.

Paul,

I linked to you from Michelle Malkin's site, and I was very impressed with your story. Well written, brother. Keep Up the Fire!

Paul,

Thumbs up, soldier! Life, opportunity, and hope didn't start with Obama. Yours is a story that deserves to be told.

And to Daniel F, the same goes for Europe. At the very least, having "access" to "free healthcare" is one thing, but actually receiving it in Europe is something else entirely. Second, racism and racists are VERY much alive and well in the Old World; Finsbury mosque, Paris riots, or Vlaams Belang, anyone?

As for your stats Re: income differentials, I can miracle up numbers, too. Eighty-eight percent of Europeans believe they're of above-average intelligence. Even if that's true, we know that at least 78% of them are wrong. LOL that.

And you claim "Obama's election doesn't solve this...But there's the symbolism"? You might as well be saying "style beats substance."

Brother Paul, you're the proof in the pudding: SUBSTANCE WINS!

Thanks for the post.
Unfortunately, there times when we need someone to tell us that we can do anything and that we can rise above our adversities.
Obama serves as an inspiration and an example to follow. I think his message "Yes We Can" refers to the mission that they can bring change to Washington.

Obama of course isn't the only one. Parents, friends, and strangers can be our examples and inspirations.

I still don't understand how Obama's election cheapens the American dream. He worked hard to get into an Ivy league school. He served the people of Chicago and Illinois. He worked hard to convince voters to vote for him.

Now that he is president, I wish him good luck because the US is desperate need.

Your article is PATHETIC... I feel sorry for you. Who brainwashed you? In the future, read your article before publishing so that can identify your contradictions.

Either Obama has accomplished something or he hasn't. Which one is it?

He has no accomplishments but he's above average. Did you measure his efforts and determine that he is accomplished? Is that why you said that he is above average?

Until you've walked a day in the life of a African American man, you cannot comment what is means to be one. . .I't is amazing that some Americans conveniently forget that less than 70 years ago, white men were hanging black men from trees and little or no justice was ever served. When our constitution was written African Americans were considered 3/5ths of a man, not even a whole human being.
And as hard as it may be for you to imagine, many people who lived when it was not even legal for us to vote, are still living today, and they have passed their prejudice beliefs on to their children and grandchildren. So, as hard as it is for you to imagine and/or believe the effects of the oppression of African Americans continue to be present in all areas of our lives, our being, "our" country. This includes work, school and recreation. If you cannot understand the pride and the renewed faith in American and the American dream as it relates to African Americans, then you are not as intelligant as you claim.
You don't have to personally experience something or even believe it, in order for it to be true for others! We finally are beginning to feel that American accepts us and sees us simply as another American, not black, white, hispanic or Asian.
And to be so ridiculous to say that you didn't need President-Elect Obama to tell you "yes you can", if you didn't need to hear that - then that great for you. . . maybe somebody doesn't embody the confidence that you do, maybe some people need to hear that, maybe they needed to be reminded. Does it offend you that he wants to lift others, including you and our entire country?

No, You Can't

@ SCN Michigan

Well said! I completely agree.

No disrespect to the author, but you have no idea what it means to be black in Amerikkka. Yes, every race/immigrant has had their challenges living Amerikkka, but none of those races/immigrants, had to endure cruel injustices, segregations, limited opportunities...suffice to say, Amerikkka is not the land of opportunity..for a black individual.
Let's not forget that it was less than 50 years ago that blacks were given the opportunity to vote. Tell me, did Arabs have a law written giving them the constitutional right to vote? What about, to be able to go to intergrated schools? Please do not presume to think you know or understand what it means to live in Amerikkka, from a black person's perspective.
It is obvious that ignorance is running rampant in this country

Great post and blog. Thank you for posting this. So glad I found you via Michelle Malkin. I'll be back!

Well Paul you have made it!

Looking at the comments that have been written the mean and nasty I am a victim are on full attack mode.

Rest assured everyone knows that what has happened in the past was wrong. But America and I will say it again America is the only country that has corrected it's past imperfections and it was white christians that helped correct this wrong. I believe there was even a movie about this I believe it was called "Amazing Grace"

For the ones that are saying America is not the country of opportunity for the Black person, just like everyone one else if America is not land of opportunity the door is wide open go and find another country that is free and willing to put up with I hate my country.

Those that can not see the greatness in this country by what has just happened and can still only G.D. America don't let the door hit you on the back end on the way out!

Thank you so much for writing this.

Thank you for writng this article. I wish it were required reading for every student in this country.
Your story is truly encouraging and inspiring!

Thank you for having the courage to love America out loud. You improved this country the day you arrived here to become one of us.

What is this??? An Obmama HATE Blog?? The author of this blog is extremely BIASED!!

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"You people" (yes I said it) are sore losers! Get over it! McLame/Failing lost and that's how it goes in this DEMOCRACY we call AMERICA!! We had to sit through dumb ass George W. Bush for eight years and we didn't want those same policies from old ass McLame.
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PRESIDENT Obama is here for AT LEAST four years so get used to it and stop throwing a tantrum like a two year old you fricking baby!
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GO OBAMA!!

In case you haven't noticed the election is over and he WON. So your self-righteous tirade is just a little silly at this point.Not to mention the fact that being lebanese (and looking white) hardly puts you at a disadvantage in this country. Try being black and part of a legacy of racial injustice,oppression and genocide. You were able to leave your past behind, we are reminded of ours everyday in the country that was built on the backs of our ancestors that were tortured and oppressed until just a few decades ago.

I am completely disgusted by some of you so called Americans who think that you own the corner market on being a minority and/or suffering in the United States. Do you know what happened to the Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor? Do you have any idea what happened to the Irish when they came off the boat? Do you actually believe that being black gives you an exclusive understanding of oppression in these United States? Please do not flatter yourself or make your experience elite to those of us who live our lives in the face of harsh suffering, terrible injustice and the realization that though things may be imperfect in the country it is the best one in the world and people here desire to be better. If you have lost faith in America then you need to visit places that have true oppression, go to Ethiopia, take a month long visit to our neighbor, Mexico where they don't have near the same freedoms that you take for granted on a daily basis and then tell me that you suffer. You have no idea what true suffering is. When people are being killed in other countries simply because they are from a different CLAN, I will say this you have no idea what it is to be oppressed. Do not preach just because your ancestors were slaves. My ancestors were thrown out of Europe, not sold into slavery by my OWN PEOPLE or haven't you forgotten that the slave trade in large part involved one clan overpowering another and then selling them to the white man. Take full responsibility for what has happened instead of sitting around like a 2 year old who's babysitter said no.

Very inspirational Mr. Ibrahim. Thank you! As for those posters that are bothering to type the same old hashed over words of "victimhood"...WHEN are you ever going to get over it?! 200-plus years have gone by since the Civil War. Black men were free land-owners before that time. Irish people were indentured servants before that time (and discriminated against many years afterwards). Man alive, yes, you did WIN this election but you're still coming to sites like this and whining. You are nothing but "millkers". Milking victimhood for all it's worth with NO pride whatsoever in yourselves. You just don't get it. You're LAZY.

We are so lazy yet your ancestors wanted US to do the work of building this country while they sat around and did nothing, except savagely rape innocent women and children in their spare time (thomas jefferson sound familiar?).

Are you so ignorant of US history that you think oppression ended after the civil war?? Bwahahahahha. Most racists are not well educated so I don't expect much from you but I do hope you aren't passing such ignorance of basic history on to your children. Oh well, it won't matter your kind will soon be obsolete, as evidenced by this election...racists like you will soon be completely gone from our society. Minorities will be the majority in a few decades so you better find a new home! Germany would be a good place for ya, you betcha!

Don't forget, he also began filtering the media...is that part of the American Dream?!!?

Yeah, "Bwaaahaha" (man that's obnoxious). You sound so well educated yourself. Sigh. I sure hope for the sake of all you victimhood-loving losers, that there are some "producers" left to feed off of when your minority utopia comes to be. Don't forget the premise of Mr. Ibrahim's post: He is a minority who overcame ACTUAL oppression to live and forge a life in this country (a country millions strive to become a part of and dream of living in). Black Africans come here and do not have the problems native-born blacks do. I admire them to no end. You? Not so much. Care to explain? Care to explain the Vietnamese, Koreans, most Hispanics all of which can work circles around American blacks? All of which can hold their heads high like Mr Ibrahim and say "I did it. Myself. For my family. Because I have it in me and I am in the land of opportunity". Obama will do nothing but give you more excuses to act out. The posts on this site from you Obama cultists show that. You WON. Get on with your lives! And brush up on grammar and spelling while you're at it. Sheesh.

Stay on the ball,Mister Ibrahim, you are going to have your pen running red-hot in the coming future.
Don't let the 'oblimblamers' get you down. Lets refuse to call him
"His-O-liness" except in jest!
I knew your country 40 years ago when it was called the Switzerland of the Middle East, a place of peace and tranquility, a place where everyone got on with each other, whatever the religion or ethnic mix.

It is sad how many blacks keep hanging onto the past. I can only hope that Obama will inspire them to contribute to American greatness instead of feeding at the trough of handouts.

To SCN-Michigan, Tiara, and others who wear their skin color like a huge neon sign flashing "Victim":

Can you tell us all, please, about the last time you were denied service in a restaurant because of your race?

How about the last time you were denied a job because of your skin color? Denied an education? A place to live? Made to use a different store entrance, or water cooler?

And when, pray tell, was the last time someone tried to hang you or one of your family members from a tree?

For that matter, can you match Mr.Ibrahim's experience of huddling in the basement while your family was being shelled?

My family was systematically hunted down and massacred in the Scottish highlands--at roughly the same time as black Africans were selling your ancestors into the slave trade. Pardon me for not resenting the English as you obviously do American society.

Let's deal with what's happening TODAY. Today you have the opportunity to do anything you want, and to make of yourself what you will.

Please don't go around whining about how bad you have it. Clarence Thomas seemed to make it OK. So did Condoleeza Rice, Thomas Sowell, Colin Powell, and Governors Paterson of New York and Devall of Massachusetts.

And let's not forget our new President-Elect.

Our nation guarantees Equal Opportunity--NOT equal results.

Paul's point was simply that he didn't NEED the inspiration of a successful black man to know he could make it in America--elsewhere in the world our reputation is inspiration enough.

Poor old 'Lisa P'at 5.06pm.

So no one but no one can have a opinion that does not coincide with the drivel you believe in?

Just remember ducky,'he' didn't even get 30% of the vote in real terms of population.

This has been a bigger FRAUD than even Lenin, Stalin or Mao pulled on their peoples.

Like a previous writer I ain't calling him "His-O-liness" either.

Go right ahead Lisa,kiss his Ring!

But you gonna have to stand in line for long time!

I'm not sure what you mean by "acting out" or the success of Africans as opposed to American born blacks. Both groups have stories of success and failure. My great grandmother was an educator in "negro" schools and all 10 of her children (my grandmother included) went on to get graduate degrees. My great aunt had to travel out of state for her masters because she lived down south and none of the universities allowed blacks to attend. She went on to become a principle in the school district after obtaining her PhD. My mother and her siblings are attorneys,professors and doctors. I graduated with honors and am a nurse administrator. My husband on 12 years is a successful IT analyst and we live in lovely home with our 3 beautiful children. So what was that crap you were spewing about us not being successful? All of my friends are successful BLACK AMERICANS and we still acknowledge the history of this countrywhich is racial injustice,rape,murder,and decades of oppression. Deal with your history, own up to it.

I was just watching Obama going into the White House on CNN, the structure itself built by slaves and I thought of you and your little ignorant pitiful self and smiled at the irony. Ahhh, these next four years are just going to be so much fun:):)!!

So Casey, you're saying that no matter what, no matter how successful your family has been (and it sounds like they have been-I commend them!) you will still sit around and vilify white Americans and bitch about how oppressive this country is and DWELL on past injustices? To what end? And how on earth did they accomplish all that if this country is so bad? It makes no sense. You want to be a victim because it pays. It's a ready excuse to have at hand for whatever life throws your way (and life throws things at all colors of people).

You be happy with Obama in the White House-I don't know what you're expecting to happen, but I have a feeling you're going to be mighty disappointed. I would have been happy to vote for a black man for the office of President. Unfortunately, this black Marxist was not one one of the black men I agree with on vital issues at all. You assume the worst (and remember only the "history" that paints you as constant victims) about all white people and then think it's unfair if whites think all blacks are criminal thugs or welfare queens. You seem to want it all ways. Everything whites have done and will continue to do is wrong and oppressive, and everything blacks did do and still do is saintly. We know better. Keep on hauling out your litany of "racial injustice,rape,murder,and decades of oppression". We know better. I call it rather oppressive to be afraid to take the wrong exit for gas driving by Kansas City because of being warned to seriously watch where you get off the interstate or else. To be rightly "concerned" that there are whole swaths of American cities that are unsafe for people just to drive through let alone live in.

wow you are really a Mccainiac! Barack obama has many political accomplishments He lobbied for many resourceful programs that eased the housing crisis in the Chicagoland area after they torn many of the housing projects down. People had no jobs and no housing! He made a seamless transition for thousands of people.

So what constitutes a accomplishment?! A war hero record! Or holding people back by limiting resources and making the only way to pay for college is join the
military!?

The least accomplished player in this election was Sarah palin she has no knowledge of political science and McCain picked her so who is really the stupid unaccomplished one?

And who is the minority? That label no longer fits people of color whoever they maybe. We are the Majority and we proved that with this election.

And no Barack is not a socialist! He has studied and applied political science and he has created Obamaism!

And classism is the new racism! Trying to hold people back by not giving equal opportunities and resources and imposing unfair tax burdens on people! Some might say I am wrong, but the fact is a share of stock is the only thing that you can buy tax free! Very unfair! Thank god that old geezer and the trick bitch didn't win!

Before bashing Obama let's talk about our qualified President GWB who drove this country to an overwhelming financial crisis? Can we touch that topic, please?

I almost wept when I read this post! I am so grateful to people like you who are able to see past the nonsense and tell it like it is.

With kind regards,

H.

Oh yes, Obama worked wonders in S Chicago! Like this:
Death Rate '08: 447 in Chicago / 286 in Iraq

Or how about education and drop-out rates? How's the jobs thing going in Southside Chicago? They tore the housing projects down because "somebody" turned them into roach infested hells. Who would that have been? And how have blacks had unfair tax burdens imposed on them? Quite a large percentage pay no taxes because they don't earn enough to pay any or they earn nothing, Those of us in the working class pay the bill for an underclass of bums and criminals. And if you think that Obama will somehow keep you from paying taxes on goods you're as gullible as a person can get. None of Missmimi's post makes a lick of sense actually. Foolish.

Great post! And your blog looks very informative. I'm bookmarking this, and adding it to my blog roll.

It is so refreshing to hear words like yours, such a welcome relief from all the "I need this", "I deserve that" victim mentality surrounding us. There are still many of us who are self-reliant and believe in personal accountability, treasure our liberty, and know, that without a doubt, the more freebies the government gives, the more liberty they take away.

Thanks for so eloquently and articulately helping to spread these truths.

Great Post! Latin conservative here, 31 years old. Im part of the demographic that was suppose to vote Obama.. Let me say this, Hate and Reverse racism will just get whites/latins against voting for another African American. Take this opportunity to show leadership and craft good ideas. IF you truly care about this country as a whole (not race). Barack won because Latins and whites put him there, be respectful and plan for future elections.

I am proud to be married to someone who immigrated to America, who's whole life has been nothing but hard work followed (astonishingly!) by success. My wife loves this country fiercely and takes pride in every vote she casts. Having gone back with her to Malaysia and seen what she came from, its understandable. But its also wonderful to have people like her, and you, as citizens.

We have work to do, there will be much damage and danger ahead. But its nothing compared to those obstacles this country has overcome before.

Thank you for this wonderful column. And we know we will be seeing you in our future.

Here are some tidbits of history that are often overlooked in schools today. Let's get the truth out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7KmtezWVGU

Here's a couple of quotes to remember:

"In 1911 Booker T. Washington wrote in My Larger Education, Being Chapters from My Experience the following:
'There is another class of coloured people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs — partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose his grievances, because they do do not want to lose their jobs.'"

"Frederick Douglass [6], in an 1852 speech, intoned:
'Fellow-citizens! there is no matter in respect to which, the people of the North have allowed themselves to be so ruinously imposed upon, as that of the pro-slavery character of the Constitution. In that instrument I hold there is neither warrant, license, nor sanction of the hateful thing; but, interpreted as it ought to be interpreted, the Constitution is a GLORIOUS LIBERTY DOCUMENT. Read its preamble, consider its purposes. Is slavery among them? Is it at the gateway? or is it in the temple? It is neither.'
And later he told his audience:
'Now, take the Constitution according to its plain reading, and I defy the presentation of a single pro-slavery clause in it. On the other hand it will be found to contain principles and purposes, entirely hostile to the existence of slavery.'"

Obama saw the Constitution as flawed. I wonder why he disagrees with an ex-slave as Mr. Douglass.

It seems the author and Obama share very similary viewpoints about opportunity and achievement in the United States. As evidence, I cite Obama's July 4th, 2008 speech about patriotism. In the speech, Obama clearly argues that America guarantees equality of opportunity and NOT equality of results. He talks about being grateful for this country's ideals and values, and how they allowed his story to be possible. He acknowledges that the principles of this nation and its constitution are a beacon to the world, even while correctly recognizing their flawed application throughout our history (see the Supreme Court's Plessy ruling and the strict constructionist defense argument in the Brown cases).

I am surprised, however, at the author's simulaneous embrace of meritocracy and Sarah Palin's candidacy. The author spends much time patting himself on the back for his own academic achievement, then derides Obama as a man of zero accomplishment, despite Obama's magna cum laude graduation from Harvard Law School (which significantly outranks the author's law school). How does the author trumpet his own grades and admission to a "top tier" law school as evidence of "accomplishment in the land of opportunity" then deride someone who has outperformed him by his own standards as "unaccomplished"? Clearly, the author feels he has "accomplished" a great deal by virtue of his admission to the George Mason Law School. Why can he not, using the same standard, concede that Obama has "accomplished" as much, if not more, by virtue of graduating in the top 10 percent at Harvard Law and being president of its Law Review? This is especially curious given the author's persuasive views on Affirmative Action and academic standards.

Even more troubling are the author's previous views extolling the virtues of Sarah Palin relative to Obama. Gov. Palin certainly has not achieved the same academic standards as the author. It took her 6 years and 5 different colleges to receive a BA in journalism, without honors. This pales in comparison to the author's standout academic record, to say nothing of Obama's. If academic standards are such accurate indicators of innate ability, how does Palin match up against Obama in terms of measuring their ability to excel in one of the most intellectually challenging jobs on earth?

The author has also described Palin as an "accomplished" governor even after 18 months in office. As evidence of her "accomplishments", the author incorrectly cites: (1) her sale of a state-owned jet for a profit on e-bay (it did not sell on e-bay, and when it WAS sold, it was sold at a loss) and (2) her rejection of federal funds for the "bridge to nowhere" (she initially was a strong advocate for the project; she did not change positions until the project became politically unpopular; and she ulitmately KEPT THE FEDERAL MONEY and allocated it to other projects).

Without even going into her complete lack of grasp on any significant policy issues (as evidenced by her interviews) I'm curious as to why the author views Obama as someone who lacks accomplishment, yet feels that Palin is qualified to be the leader of the free world?

I would think that, given the author's obvious disdain for race hustlers like the Reverends Al and Jesse, Obama's election IS evidence that the American dream can be achieved REGARDLESS of color.

The author should feel pride in his ability to survive a civil war, come to america despite all odds, learn a third langauage while achieving the grades to earn admission into the elite educational institutes of a foreign country. It seems, however, that given the author's relatively recent arrival to the United States, he underestimates the power that this nation's racial history holds over its collective psyche. Despite the obvious strides that have been made in race relations, our nation still remains socially segregated. Whites, by and large, still associate with whites, and the same with blacks and other ethnicities. If racial attitudes no longer existed, what accounts for the obvious segregation in our neighborhoods, churches and social institutions? Even our entertainment (which is supposed to reflect how our society sees itself) is segregated.

It was somewhat newsworthy when the TV show 24 had a fictional black president. Surely Obama's election will have a positive impact on how blacks see themselves. Perhaps now, with the example of a President who did not make excuses for himself, who worked hard and who valued education and opportunity, blacks will be less suceptible to the race baiting antics of sharpton and jackson. I thought the author would think that was a good thing...It seems as if the author is too blinded by partisan politics to recognize a positive development for the country.