Undoubtedly, you have seen lots of news coverage in the media regarding Barack Obama, in his run to become the first Interracial President of the United States of America.

I have found it very interesting that most of the media outlets and commentators refer to Obama as potentially being the first "Black" or "African-American" President in the history of the United States. Despite contacting the Associated Press (AP), CNN, and other news agencies, they have not corrected their reporting or the inaccurate comments by their guest commentators.

The fact is that Barack Obama is Interracial, half-White and half-Black (technically, half Caucasian-American and half Kenyan), and should be identified as such. To classify Obama as only Black is to deny his true heritage and the existence of his mother, who had a tremendous impact on Obama's life. It is interesting to note that I have yet to hear anyone refer to Obama as (only) "White" (since he is half White), but that everyone seems to accept references to him as being (only) "Black", even though he is only half Black.

It is important to correctly recognize and report Obama's racial and cultural identity, as he represents a bridge of unity between different races and cultures, particularly between Whites and Blacks in America. Obama represents the healing process between races that America so desperately needs, so that we can all move past race as an issue and see each other not only as unified Americans, but as unified human beings.

If you encounter people or organizations that refer to Obama as only Black, please inform them of the fact that is he Interracial (half-White, half-Black) and represents the diversity that makes America so unique and one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, a point on which America should pride itself.

Hopefully, there will be a day when we all look past race, see each other as human beings, and treat each with kindness and respect regardless of background.

Thank you.

International Interracial Association