No, but I think it's bad art! It doesn't look a thing like him.
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No. But, with racism, the opinion of a single sane person means nothing.

I have to agree with tracebooks ... it's bad art. I cant decide if the clay figure looks more like Bill Clinton or George W Bush.

My daughter bought me a chia head for my birthday a few years ago. It was fun to grow.
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No, I don't think so. I think we have gotten pretty far from the concept of racism, or bigotry for that matter. Dictionary definition of racism:

1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

What I think people reacted to is that the Chia is growing in a fashion that is stereotypical of black people. If they were openly mocking the president for having such hair, I understand that it would be rude, unfair, offensive, and possibly racist to suggest there was something wrong with that. But this is merely a representation of the president that makes no statement about hair types or lesser or greater superiority.

For instance, I'm a girl and I'm short. If people were to mock me for being short and imply that that made me a lesser person, that would be rude, unfair, and offensive, although I'm not sure if I would consider it sexist. However, if someone were to say, "Hey, you're short. Is it hard to find clothes that fit?" I wouldn't feel like they were implying that being short was inferior. I think some people have a complex of thinking themselves lesser in various ways, and if someone were to point it out, they assume it's an insult instead of a statement of fact: "You're blond, you're tall, you thin, your hair is curly." These are not signs of bigotry but of awareness.
Source(s):
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racist

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I do not feel it is racist.. just corny and opportunistic.
You would hope that the makers of this would donate some of the money to a charity that is a favorite of the President's (or something).. since they are capitalizing on Obama's notoriety.

It really should have been called Chia Barry..
because it looks more like a younger Obama with more "hair".

Chia Pets are kinda funny tho.. with so any people out of work, Chia herb gardens are probably a good way to grow some food at home (even if you don't have a garden). Pot garden. You can make a meal out of basil (pesto).
Source(s):
Window sill gardener

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No. The novelty item's hair is green. It's also a plant. Any resemblance to actual hair is pretty coincidental, and not negative anyway. The same plant is used to represent fur, feathers, scales, etc on other versions. They also do Homer Simpson and Elmer Fudd. Did Elmer even have hair? Or Homer? There was a Mr T chia, and he is black and has a shaved head to boot. It looks like they are wearing a Mardi Gras or St Patricks Day wig. Come to think of it, that makes the President's one even better, he likes to play up his Irish heritage. Buy your O'Bama chia now and be ready for next St Patrick's day.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chia_Pet

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No, just silly.
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I don't think its racist. I feel it is just some person from Chia trying to show their undying love for the new god. And I'm sorry if that is offensive but everyone is treating him like he is holy.
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