There is much being said about the Senate seat once held by the President Elect Barack Obama.  Since November 4th we have seen many politicians jockey for it; we have allegations of someone attempting to sell it; and recently we have people trying to place some kind of racial constraint on it. 
 
I think I speak for many when I say this behavior must stop.
 
No one is entitled to be the United States Senator from Illinois.  Individuals and groups need to stop looking at the Senate seat as a position of power, and realize it as a position of service; service to people of Illinois.  Being chosen as United States Senator is an honor and an opportunity for service, and it is unfortunate that this opportunity is being discussed in terms of race.
 
Because this seat was once held by President Elect Obama does not mean that the appointed Senator must be African American.  It is unfortunate that there are no African Americans in the United States Senate. Nevertheless, it is the job of the appointer to choose someone that is best for all of the people of Illinois.  The decision should be based on their qualifications, their integrity, and their commitment to doing what is best for people not just in Chicago and Cook County, but in the Quad City's, Carbondale, Central Illinois, and Southern Illinois.
 
But, keep in mind that just because being African American does not entitle one to the Senate seat - it also should not be an instant disqualifier.  To dismiss many qualified candidates because of their perceived "statewide electability" is just as disheartening as choosing someone solely on the basis of race.  Let us not forget it was the people of Illinois that have twice sent African Americans to the United States Senate, and have elected African Americans to statewide offices.  The people of Illinois have shown themselves as people who will not be limited by race; and politicians and pundits should follow this example. 
 
When the people of the United States mandated Barack Obama to be the 44th President of the United States, they were focused on the work that needs to be done to keep this country moving forward. They were focused on our faltering economy; on our infrastructure that is so badly in need of repair; and on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Locally they focused not on race, but on who would best deal with the unemployment epidemic; who would help make and keep college affordable; and who can best deal with the healthcare affordability crisis.
 
Whenever all the dust settles from the selection process and final confirmation, the next Senator from this great state must be focused on the work that needs to be done to get this country and our state back on the right track.  If that choice is an African American, it should be just as coincidental as our 44th president, Barack Obama.
 
It is a disservice to the people of Illinois, and to the people of this country, if we allow the selection of a Senator to be about race and not about service.