Too many Black people have been subconsciously conditioned and continue to perpetuate the notion that "White is right," as now in the case of Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton who are jockeying for the presidency. Maybe it’s the "Willie Lynch" syndrome – whereby blacks from slavery were taught to distrust each other – and only believe in their masters. It was an effective way to control slaves and this has kept blacks divided for generations.

Often times, many African-Americans vote against their own interest. They will shout "Black Power" and "Equal Rights," then when a qualified black man steps up to the plate, they want to pull the rug from under him and say he is either not qualified or not black enough. If Oprah were running for president, they would say "she's not black enough" either.

Martin Luther King, Jr. fought and died in a non-violent struggle to empower and enable Black people from all walks of life to fight for equal rights and opportunity to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, as well as equal representation in the chambers of Congress. Obama is a great achievement and great contribution to African American history. I'm supporting Barack Obama, not because he's black, but because he represents hope, change and a fresh new perspective on politics. By all accounts, he is not a corrupted politician, but a man of principle and integrity and representative of the ethnic fabric that makes up this nation.

Truth be told, many Blacks and Whites are voting for Hillary Clinton because she is a household name based on her husband Bill. Subconsciously, many are voting for Bill Clinton, not Hillary. But people don’t like change unless it jingles their pockets.

Let me ask you these questions:

Is Barack Obama not black enough because he not only listens to Hip Hop, but also afro-Cuban jazz, Salsa, country music, classical music, alternative rock, reggae and calypso?

Is he not black enough because he not only reads Ebony or Vibe magazines, but Harvard Business Review, The Economist, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Newsweek, Vanity Fair, Gentlemen’s Quarterly (GQ)?

Is he not black enough because he is Harvard University educated?

Is he not black enough because he doesn't wear Timberland boots and a ‘hoody’ in winter and a white tee in summer?

And finally: Is he not black enough because you can't stereotype him?

Today, if you ask a 16 year old girl or boy who is their role model, most likely they will say 50 Cent, Lil' Wayne, Britney Spears, Lil' Kim, Beyonce or Paris Hilton. I have nothing against these celebrities, but if these are the only people that come to a child's mind from what they have learned in science or history class, then we as teachers, parents, the media, the business community, and politicians, to say the least, have failed our young people and our goals and values need to be re-evaluated.

If blacks choose not to support Obama, then make a plausible argument, like he needs more experience on Capitol Hill or a track record of accomplishments; but don't say "I don't want to lose my vote," or "Obama is not black enough”, or “America is not ready for a black president”. If not now, then when? Whether you vote for Clinton or Obama, vote for the right reasons. Ask yourself "why am I voting for this person?" or "Does he or she represent my interests?"

But, Black people cannot afford to be afraid to vote for a black person if they agree with his policies.

Falana Fray is a former Presidential Fellow of The Center for the Study of the Presidency in Washington, DC from and a graduate of Hofstra University which will host the final Presidential debate will this fall.