This Tuesday we may see something that I for sure never thought possible. We may have a black President. Seven years ago a show premiered with a premise that seemed outlandish and almost silly at first. 24 came on the air mere weeks after 9/11, even editing one of the opening sequences of a plane exploding, trying not to offend it's still mourning viewers. The job that season that my love, Jack Bauer had, was to thwart an assassination attempt on the first black candidate in history who actually had a chance of becoming the nation's President.
I'll never forget, during every episode, the opening in that first season... "The following takes place between 6pm and 7pm, on the day of the California Presidential Primary". This year, on the day of the California Presidential primary, as I cast my vote for Barack Obama, I was struck with how life was imitating art, and it got me to thinking about how much art may just influence life.
David Palmer, 24's President, rest his fictional soul, was by far, the most confident, smart, educated, humane, likable, and strong President that I can remember on any TV show. West Wing's President Bartlett of course wasn't too shabby, but President Palmer exuded something that at the time, and still, our real President was sorely lacking. I wanted him to be our President, in real life.
I think watching him as President for the few seasons he was on, and even as a former President before his horrible assassination a few seasons back, gave fans of the show a glimpse of what would, or I guess more accurately, what wouldn't, happen if the President happened to be black. Millions of people watched and hoped that my Jack would save soon to be President Palmer's life, which of course he did, and admired the President on his life saving decisions for our country. 24 didn't depict a man who tried to start a race war, who only helped his fellow black man, who ignored foreign policy or domestic terrorism. We saw a man who loved his country, who fought hard to keep it safe.
I truly hope that on Tuesday this country thinks about the issues we face and chooses someone whom they think is right for the job, whoever it may be. Whatever the outcome, I do think that Fox's breakout 2001 hit helped some Americans see that there's nothing scary about a black President. Maybe this year they'll also see having a woman in the White House is pretty damn cool too.
I'll never forget, during every episode, the opening in that first season... "The following takes place between 6pm and 7pm, on the day of the California Presidential Primary". This year, on the day of the California Presidential primary, as I cast my vote for Barack Obama, I was struck with how life was imitating art, and it got me to thinking about how much art may just influence life.
David Palmer, 24's President, rest his fictional soul, was by far, the most confident, smart, educated, humane, likable, and strong President that I can remember on any TV show. West Wing's President Bartlett of course wasn't too shabby, but President Palmer exuded something that at the time, and still, our real President was sorely lacking. I wanted him to be our President, in real life.
I think watching him as President for the few seasons he was on, and even as a former President before his horrible assassination a few seasons back, gave fans of the show a glimpse of what would, or I guess more accurately, what wouldn't, happen if the President happened to be black. Millions of people watched and hoped that my Jack would save soon to be President Palmer's life, which of course he did, and admired the President on his life saving decisions for our country. 24 didn't depict a man who tried to start a race war, who only helped his fellow black man, who ignored foreign policy or domestic terrorism. We saw a man who loved his country, who fought hard to keep it safe.
I truly hope that on Tuesday this country thinks about the issues we face and chooses someone whom they think is right for the job, whoever it may be. Whatever the outcome, I do think that Fox's breakout 2001 hit helped some Americans see that there's nothing scary about a black President. Maybe this year they'll also see having a woman in the White House is pretty damn cool too.
