In light of the recent debates and the upcoming presidential election, we’ve seen across the board the support and backlash our first African-American president has received since being elected. I read a story that inspired this post on Clutch Magazine titled, “The Separation of Race and State: Will Black America Stay Engaged in Politics Post-Obama?” and it made me wonder simply, ‘Will they?” It is estimated, two million more African-Americans voted from the 2004 to the 2008 presidential election and the black voter turnout rate increased 4.9 percentage points.

Actress, Stacey Dash recently endorsed Republican candidate Mitt Romney, supporting her decision with the following statement, “I chose him not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character.” Sound familiar? She once again drew upon inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King when asked about her support for President Obama in 2008, “I don’t vote because of race or skin color…. at that time he was the best candidate, It’s different this time.” She’s received incessant backlash from many individuals of color in regards to her decision, but the strongest argument yet has come from those not upset about her political affiliation, but her support of a man opposed to women and specifically the caucasian candidate.

I wrote this post not to criticize but to acknowledge, President Obama is not an automatic endorser of the black agenda and neither should his supporters be. His presidency has improved political astuteness amongst minorities, disparities that directly affect the lower-class and work equality for individuals of color. But it is the sole responsibility of those citizens to maintain this wealth of knowledge and fervor regardless of whose in office. Don’t just Barack the Vote, VOTE period!