Huffington Post – ‘Is it Because He’s Black?’
The Huffington Post recently did an article questioning whether racial bias fuels Obama’s foes and how to tell. Back in 2008, President Obama’s race was the not-so-subtle elephant in the room that would often manifest itself explicitly during discussions on almost every issue. One of the reasons for this was that back then, Candidate Obama, was running to be the first African American President in American history. Fast forward four years to 2012 where the Republicans and Democrats seem to be on complete opposite ends on every issue, whether it be jobs, the economy, education, environment, religious issues etc. The one issue that seems to be creeping back into the discussion is race. And while this time around the signs may not be as obvious, some would argue that they are still there, albeit a bit more implicit.
The question of whether race fuels opposition to President Barack Obama has become one of the most divisive topics of the election. It is sowing anger and frustration among conservatives who are labeled racist simply for opposing Obama’s policies and liberals who see no other explanation for such deep dislike of the president.…Four years after an election that inspired hopes of a post-racial future, there are signs that political passions are dragging us backward.“We’re at a tipping point,” said Susan Glisson, director of the Institute for Racial Reconciliation at the University of Mississippi. “But I don’t know which way we’re going to tip.”Glisson knows that many conservatives disagree with Obama solely because of his policies. “But I am also quite certain that there are others who object to the president because of his race, because they have a fear of blacks that is embedded in our culture,” she said.Her conclusion is based on something called “implicit bias”_ prejudices that people don’t realize they have.…“You recognize it when every time the Republicans with their own convention refer to him by his first name, Barack Obama. He’s President Barack Obama,” said Patt Sanders, a delegate from Englewood, Calif., who is black.…The actor Alec Baldwin simply tweeted: “If Obama was white, he’d be up by 17 points.”
- Debbie Jensen · Top CommenterFunny you should say that everything isn't black and white..As President Obama happens to be mulatto..his mother was white and people seem to forget this conveniently. Too bad his skin was not a little lighter so you could all say he is white. as for not doing his job. You are ill informed..the President has done more good in his 4 years than Bush did in 8. Bush left him with the worst mess any incoming President has ever had to deal with and with all the opposition from the right there is so much more he could have done The only agenda the Republicans have is to stop him from getting back in for another 4 years.The really sad part is that they admit it..I am shocked that so many American women are so ignorant of the facts..Perhaps many of you should do some research and make you own decision as to what is best for you, and why would anyone care what color his skin is..on the inside he is just like you or I..At least if the President has not accomplished everything he set out to do he admits it, he doesn't lie about it. I have trouble accepting anything Mitt Romney and his team of liars say..
- MaryHelen Witt Cuellar · Top CommenterThank you for bringing up that President Obama is half whilte although I don't think that will matter to the people who are racist; brown skins or black or yellow or red are the same to them. i believed that Bible school song I sang as a child: "Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world." Also I am a caucasian who married an hispanic man in 1970 so I am well aware of discrimination.
- Terry E. Christian · Memphis, TennesseeWhen North Carolina recently passed an amendment to its state constitution, the originator of that amendment confessed that he felt an anxiety that (white) gay people were gay and not making babies, thus perpetuating the "white race." Fear of the "browning of America," the supposed usurpation of "white" culture and dominance in America, is driving much of the anti-immigrant, anti-gay, and anti-Obama sentiment in this country. The civilized adults of this country need to drive out those people who would reduce discussion to xenophobic attacks. If you think that gay people choose their orientation, or that poor or unemployed people deserve their lot in life, or that Obama is a Muslim and a Socialist, you should be summarily escorted from the proverbial room until you can discuss the issues like an informed adult.
- Arlene A LeBeauf · Top CommenterYes it is All About Race and Caring for ones that are left behind ANDS HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND FOR YEARS. President Obama Cares about everyone no matter what race, creed, color and disability. He cares about the poor. All Republicans have ever cared about is being the TOP DOG and How Fat They can Keep their pockets and bank accounts..AS LONG AS THEY ARE ABLE TO GET THEIRS, FORGET EVERYONE ELSE.
- Angela Edwards · Kaplan University School of BusinessI believe that this is te reason ths election is so heated. Slavery and segregation happened not that long ago and for me being a young african american woman and a fairly new voter I have never seen so much disdain and so much anger in a campaigbn as I have seen in this election cycle coming from the Repub tward the Demos and I think it is primarily because President Obama is black. I thought I was the only one who noticed how much the media and certain individuals have always seed to not want to refer to him as President Obabm its always the Obama Admnistration. I'm really happy HP put it out there like that!
- Terry E. Christian · Memphis, TennesseeWhat President ever does do everything he's promised? Considering that the Republicans have attempted to block him at every turn, he's achieved surprisingly much. The economy is up, the bank and automotive bailouts worked and are mostly paid back, Osama bin Laden is dead, Iraq is over and Afghanistan nearly is, DADT is repealed and DOMA has been left on the side of the road to die, and the provisions of the Affordable Care Act that have gone into effect have already improved the lives of millions of Americans. And that's right off the top of my head; I'm sure there's much more I could add. (Yes, the economy and the national debt still aren't in terrific shape, but we didn't get this way overnight -- though largely due to GWB's unfounded wars and the Republicans' bad fiscal policies -- and the recession has been global, not just confined to the U.S.) So the choice remains: vote for someone whose party partially caused these problems, or for someone who has a proven track history in getting at least some results in correcting them?
No comments:
Post a Comment