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Can anyone cite any single instance of racism by Obama--or even possible racist leanings? Anything?
voted interesting: jasoncalacanis M$1.00, mithrandir M$1.00, rondata M$1.00, buddawiggi M$0.76
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If Murdoch is correct about Obama's so-called racial animosity it is very, very deep-seated; because I can't recall a single instance that Obama has shown or made this hatred public. In my own personal opinion, I think every time that Obama has had any instances of racism (that people mislabel as racism) is taken out of context. Unfortunately when you become an important figure, such as Obama has become, your every move and every word is scrutinized and studied further. Everyone of these excerpts that I have read as answers here, or quotations on google; don't cite certain personal animosity towards any race. Everyone of these "racial" quotations, are seemingly misconstrued and only a part of each speech. And even if he was a racist, why would he make this public given the position that he is in now? It doesn't make any sense. Obama is no Mark Fuhrman.
The point I'm trying to make is that the media digs for the bad in everyone, even if that bad isnt factual.
The point I'm trying to make is that the media digs for the bad in everyone, even if that bad isnt factual.
voted helpful: buddawiggi, defolts, rondata, eatthatpopcorn, lrig, lilyloretta, doubleminaz
Voted as best: bbrookin, buddawiggi
I don't know if you'd consider this racism, (I woudn't) but he once made a snarky comment about Special Needs kids, that irritated me. To his credit he apologized, but I think it was cruel and insensitive calling his bowling skills like the "Special Olympics". What he doesn't realize is that's an awesome competition and special needs kids, would prob bowl BETTER than him :) heh
Re: His 'hatred for white people' I've never seen that in my life.
ETA: now you made me google. I think it's RM who has the issue, and people at fox news. I can't find a single thing to back up their claims!
Although Snopes has this: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/ownwords.asp
Re: His 'hatred for white people' I've never seen that in my life.
ETA: now you made me google. I think it's RM who has the issue, and people at fox news. I can't find a single thing to back up their claims!
Although Snopes has this: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/ownwords.asp
voted helpful: silvos1988, lilyloretta
how does that have anything to do with racism? that's how people talk.
I said that in my initial statement. I also noted some things on SNOPES that people consider racist. I don't consider those racist either, I consider that sharing his experiences. So my answer in the end was no, I couldn't find anything credible that backed up the claim. sorry for the worst answer :P
From Dreams of My Father: 'I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother's race.' This is the most clearly racist one, there are many others form the included source.
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voted unhelpful: jeffhoard, silvos1988, eatthatpopcorn, lilyloretta
Yes.
-Obama described his grandmother as a "typical white person" who fears blacks.
-The Sergeant James Crowley incident (read more about it in the first link I posted). here's an excerpt:
"By deliberately shading the facts to side with Gates, Obama showed that there was indeed a reason why he selected the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., as his mentor for 20 years.
The man that Obama described as being like an uncle blamed America and whites for starting the AIDS virus to kill off blacks, training professional killers, importing drugs, and creating a racist society to oppress blacks.
“The government gives them drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law, and then wants to sing ‘God Bless America.’ No, no, no, not ‘God Bless America’ — God damn America,” Wright has said."
-Obama refused to prosecute Black Panthers who wielded weapons, hurled racial insults at voters and blocked the entrance at a Philadelphia polling place during the 2008 Election. (second link)
There's much more, but these are, IMO, the big ones. Between the relationship with Rev. Wright and the Crowley incident it's clear which side of the fence Obama is on.
-Obama described his grandmother as a "typical white person" who fears blacks.
-The Sergeant James Crowley incident (read more about it in the first link I posted). here's an excerpt:
"By deliberately shading the facts to side with Gates, Obama showed that there was indeed a reason why he selected the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., as his mentor for 20 years.
The man that Obama described as being like an uncle blamed America and whites for starting the AIDS virus to kill off blacks, training professional killers, importing drugs, and creating a racist society to oppress blacks.
“The government gives them drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law, and then wants to sing ‘God Bless America.’ No, no, no, not ‘God Bless America’ — God damn America,” Wright has said."
-Obama refused to prosecute Black Panthers who wielded weapons, hurled racial insults at voters and blocked the entrance at a Philadelphia polling place during the 2008 Election. (second link)
There's much more, but these are, IMO, the big ones. Between the relationship with Rev. Wright and the Crowley incident it's clear which side of the fence Obama is on.
source(s):
http://www.newsmax.com/kessler/obama_race_gates/2009/07/23/239408.html
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/29/protecting-black-panthers/
http://www.newsmax.com/kessler/obama_race_gates/2009/07/23/239408.html
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/29/protecting-black-panthers/
voted helpful: elcookiemonster, srgothard
Voted as best: twinpairs
Describing his grandmother thusly may have been stereotyping, but not demonstrating racism on his part.
Crowley/Gates/Beer Summit showed the opposite of racism, even if you think his initial remarks showed "leanings."
Obama did not "refuse to prosecute", the Justice Department reviewed the weak evidence, decided not to take action against two of the defendants, and did prosecute the person with the night stick. You cite an old editorial - there is still a hearing in the works on what happened that day (and the actions of the DOJ): http://www.mainjustice.com/2009/10/21/panthers-vs-kangaroos/
Crowley/Gates/Beer Summit showed the opposite of racism, even if you think his initial remarks showed "leanings."
Obama did not "refuse to prosecute", the Justice Department reviewed the weak evidence, decided not to take action against two of the defendants, and did prosecute the person with the night stick. You cite an old editorial - there is still a hearing in the works on what happened that day (and the actions of the DOJ): http://www.mainjustice.com/2009/10/21/panthers-vs-kangaroos/
In Dreams From My Father as well as The Audacity of Hope, both written by Obama, here are a few:
"I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites."
"I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own. It was into my father's image, the black man, son of Africa, that I'd packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, DuBois and Mandela."
Here's a verbal one:
"The point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn't. But she is a typical white person who, if she sees somebody on the street that she doesn't know, there's a reaction that's been bred into our experiences that don't go away, and that sometimes come out in the wrong way, and that's just the nature of race in our society."~ Barack Obama, on radio station WIP (610-AM), in Philadelphia.
Here it is here on Youtube @ around 2:30:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg5xdRmV8Kg
"I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites."
"I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own. It was into my father's image, the black man, son of Africa, that I'd packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, DuBois and Mandela."
Here's a verbal one:
"The point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn't. But she is a typical white person who, if she sees somebody on the street that she doesn't know, there's a reaction that's been bred into our experiences that don't go away, and that sometimes come out in the wrong way, and that's just the nature of race in our society."~ Barack Obama, on radio station WIP (610-AM), in Philadelphia.
Here it is here on Youtube @ around 2:30:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg5xdRmV8Kg
source(s):
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/ownwords.asp
http://www.mediabistro.com/bbs/cache/t38289_1.asp
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/ownwords.asp
http://www.mediabistro.com/bbs/cache/t38289_1.asp
voted helpful: defolts, elcookiemonster, srgothard
voted unhelpful: eatthatpopcorn
Voted as best: unwirklich
gina, I fail to see how you can cite these as instances of racism or racist leanings. Sure, they show that he writes about and discusses issues pertaining to race, but none of them show any leanings on his part.
At worst, the "typical white person" comment is stereo-typing to point out that many Whites do have some fear of Black people. It doesn't show that he is racist; he is talking frankly about racial attitudes.
The two quotes from his book are taken out of context. If you read the book, you know that it proves him to be the opposite of a racist - someone who has the personal background, intelligence and personality to help reduce (continue reducing) the amount of racism in our country. For context on these two quotes - short of reading the entire book - check out this: http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2008/jun/10/dreams-my-father-quotes-require-context/
At worst, the "typical white person" comment is stereo-typing to point out that many Whites do have some fear of Black people. It doesn't show that he is racist; he is talking frankly about racial attitudes.
The two quotes from his book are taken out of context. If you read the book, you know that it proves him to be the opposite of a racist - someone who has the personal background, intelligence and personality to help reduce (continue reducing) the amount of racism in our country. For context on these two quotes - short of reading the entire book - check out this: http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2008/jun/10/dreams-my-father-quotes-require-context/
doubleminaz, what is a "typical" white person? That's rolling every white person into one big "white" ball....I'm not scared of every person that I don't know, and I'm white...so to a point it is very sterotypical...(no pun intended.)
@ginafur, sometimes, when the person being talked about has so much hope, possibility, aspirations, dreams and desires for change and a better future, comments that cast a wide stereotypical net should be ignored. It is for the best, for surely the person has good intentions and probably knows better than us humble folk.
Heck, even former grand wizards of the Ku Klux Klan should be embraced and be third in line to the presidency of the United States. (Sen. Robert Byrd, Democrat West Virginia) Provided that they are now functioning as a pocket vote for change, and the dreams and aspirations for a better future for our children.
Now, if someone were to say the phrase "typical black person", or even casually use the phrase "in Detroit", or the "typical DC resident", oh well then we should open the gates of hell and release a fury of insults and silence them immediately; for that, is obviously, blatantly and grotesquely racist.
Heck, even former grand wizards of the Ku Klux Klan should be embraced and be third in line to the presidency of the United States. (Sen. Robert Byrd, Democrat West Virginia) Provided that they are now functioning as a pocket vote for change, and the dreams and aspirations for a better future for our children.
Now, if someone were to say the phrase "typical black person", or even casually use the phrase "in Detroit", or the "typical DC resident", oh well then we should open the gates of hell and release a fury of insults and silence them immediately; for that, is obviously, blatantly and grotesquely racist.
gina, I acknowledged that it is, at worst, stereotyping, although by adding the word "typical" he is at least noting that not every White person has fear. And, yes, I believe that it is not appropriate for Obama to stereotype, either.
Cookie, your sarcasm is noted for the record. Not appreciated, but noted. I don't think many people think that Obama (or others) should get a pass if they have good intentions. Although, yes, you DO factor intentions into your impressions of the comment/action. But, no, it doesn't make it all right.
BTW, Re: Byrd, he wasn't a grand wizard he renounced his membership back in 1952 and has renounced it multiple times since. Do I believe he held and probably still holds racist beliefs? Yeah, I do. But, is he relevant to this discussion? No, he isn't. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/18/AR2005061801105_pf.html
Cookie, your sarcasm is noted for the record. Not appreciated, but noted. I don't think many people think that Obama (or others) should get a pass if they have good intentions. Although, yes, you DO factor intentions into your impressions of the comment/action. But, no, it doesn't make it all right.
BTW, Re: Byrd, he wasn't a grand wizard he renounced his membership back in 1952 and has renounced it multiple times since. Do I believe he held and probably still holds racist beliefs? Yeah, I do. But, is he relevant to this discussion? No, he isn't. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/18/AR2005061801105_pf.html
Voted "No best answer": psionandy,
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Of course the media is aggressive and probing, it's their job!
Perhaps we will begin to see that if Reid cannot pull off a miracle now that the health care reform bill is in the Senate. It might come after 2010 mid-term elections, especially if there were to be a significant loss of Democratic seats.
Bush definitely received it from the press, so did Clinton. Obama has yet to receive that sharp end of the press blade yet, but like I said, I know it will come.