Before and after Obama speech, race is tough topic

Both my parents were immigrants, Italian and English/Canadian - they met in this country and had 8 children, I am the oldest - 55 female. My mother was very touched by the racism in the south and talked about it at the dinner table. To address that racism is a deep routed problem, she often exposed my fathers buried racism there at the dinner for our educational experience. Here is one memorable story of my mothers charm and humanitarian gifts: While discussing the daily horrific racial news during dinner, she blurts out "you know kids, your father is a racist!".
My father responses with a grunt "I am not" and continues eating, we look down the table to mother for more information.
She counters with "Well, would you let a black eat out of your plate now, share your dinner?"
All 8 children heads turn to see his response. His body actually jerks, as in disgust at the thought, he drops his fork, and he barks "OF COURSE NOT" (like this is a normal response) Yet half of us children were old enough to know better, but for the others who were still learning RIGHT FROM WRONG...she replied very calmly as always "See kids, your father is a racist...he thinks black people have different germs than him...how ridiculous!"
My mother taught us with examples, to never JUDGE, never HATE, never GENERALIZE. Even if we were done wrong by someone...we could not use the word hate(as in I hate her)...we had to say "I dislike his/her personality". Often, she would make us look for reasons that created that personality...like giving them an excuse as I would debate with her...but she would reply back "No, not an excuse, and understanding WHY they act that way...dont judge.

Until the black comunity stops being allowed to be two faced ,their will not be any progress in racisom

The problem with the Obama race speech is that it came in the midst of the controversy over the explosive comments of Reverend Wright. Obama tried to pivot off that controversy by in part blaming the listeners if they rejected Wright's offensive language. It is hard to gauge what a speech seeking a dialogue on race would have played out if Obama had given it before this controversy and had not started from the flawed premises of Obama's speech.

There is no need for a dialogue between black and white. The dialogue required is between blacks that remain convinced that they MUST depend on white-guilt, with whites, who are addicted to the power that accrues to “being guilty” for perpetuating their own guilt. A majority of people, black and white, watch in dismay as a minority of loudmouthed white liberals arrogantly assume the mantle of apologizing for sins that no one in this century has ever committed, in collusion with a tiny minority of blacks, whom although small in number, our loud and cantankerous in their constant declaration that their unhappiness is rooted in white hegemony and white insensitivity and continuing white prejudice and outright white racism. That this minority of blacks and whites work so well together that they have successfully hijacked reality is the real problem. Let this minority’s sweet-tooth for pathetic drama carry-on to their ironic satisfaction, but the majority should not allow this circus-side-show to continue as if it describes reality for the rest of us, because the rest of us are getting along just fine without the psychological drama of imagined racial problems.

Sorry, not taking the race bait. More concerned at the pathetic environmental record of the endangered chimp president:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2008/03/23/GR2008032300097.html?hpid=topnews

Thank goodness this primary election is taking so long. Otherwise, we might not have realized that Obama is a racist and a liar. The more I learn about him, the less I care for him

I have been very moved to hear Obama's speeches, especially when recently speaking of Race.

I am a Caucasian female of mixed descent: I'm German, Native American, Irish, English, French... and probably some others I don't even know about. My heritage comes from different countries and a different continent than I currently live on. It doesn't make me European, it doesn't make me a Native American, or even Irish or German -- the two most prominent portions of my heritage on both sides of my family. It makes me wholly American. It makes me a fair-medium complected, slightly freckled, dark auburn haired woman with hazel green-brown eyes. My skin turns red-gold in the summer when I've been in the sun and I get strawberry-blond highlights through my hair. I'm top-heavy and have naturally well-defined musculature that is heavier than most women, and I am stronger than every woman I know -- these are simply my natural gifts from my heritage. Things over which I have no control -- some of them I like better than others, but they all make me who I am, physically. DO they really matter in the grand scheme of things? Are any of those qualities going to make me a better or worse person? No. They simply appear when I look in the mirror or people look at me with their own eye -- whatever color they happen to be.

Everyone in America has different ancestry that makes them look the way they do. Some people know more about theirs than others. It doesn't make them better or worse, just different. It is our own personal actions, not the actions of our ancestors which carry the most weight with others. We are all different here and respecting and celebrating those differences is what can and will make our nation great. It's not about pointing those differences out, saying that McCain is white or Hillary is a woman or Obama is black (or partially black or partially white or any of that). We have eyes, we can see the cover of the book, but until we read it, we can't make any judgments or draw conclusions or make assumptions about what that person stands for or has been through.

We all have identities -- it is important to acknowledge the importance of identity without making it about the shade of skin tone. To continue to stress the importance of race, even by including check boxes to identify race by in questionaires, we are perpetuating thinking that is antiquated and unimportant. Being of one heritage doesn't make you better than the person next to you any more than it makes you lower quality or worse or less intelligent. It's about your culture and socialization and education and values and how you choose to behave on a daily basis. The importance lies in those factors which you can control and change.

The Obama scandal was more about right vs wrong than race. Regardless of race it is wrong to speak hatefully against anyone and to sit there in the church for 20 years whiloe hate is being spewed shows both a lack of courage and completey condoning that hate. Sorry but a 30 min speech given only to save your own political hide doesnt change the fact that for 20 years Obama CHOSE to be involved in a hate mongers flock. If Obama were white his campaign would be over. The double standard is what bothers me the most. Many pols careers have been ruined over much less yet Obama is given a free pass from his minions in the press. I would just like one memeber of the swamp writers to explain why Obama gets a free pass. Why is he afforded a 3rd and 4th chance while no politician in recent memory has even been given a 2nd chance?

RACE ??how about antisemitism and supporting terrorist .. would that be difficult to discuss?? The Irreverent Wright also sent out an antisemetic HAMAS manifesto in the church newsletter this past July , yes July 2007 !

In his July 22, 2007, church newsletter, Wright reprinted an article by Mousa Abu Marzook, identified in the publication as a "deputy of the political bureau of Hamas."

Anyone want to bet Obama "didnt read it" "missed that issue " "Doesnt subscribe to the newsletter?" 'wasnt there for that" ???
I wonder how much this church has contributed to a known terrorist organisation ? Shuoldn't someone in the "media" ( o wait I said the media )be investigating this?? I wonder what percentage of Obamas contributions were in the contribution ? and Just FYI it is against the law for U.S. Senator to support a known terrorist organisation …
And if he didnt know his ignorance is no excuse actually it is one of the absolutey worst excuses ever ………..

I have been most interested in this campaign and trust that I am not the only one that is learning from this experience. I find myself in much the same situation as Obama, there are qualities about him that I admire, but there deep rooted things there that cause for concern.
I understood the point that he was trying to make when he compared the private comments of a grandmother to a grandson and the racially motivated rants of a spiritual leader to a congregation, but the follow-up when he referred to his grandmother as a “typical” white person, made it seem clear that there is an established stereotype here. I almost expected Obama to introduce Gen. Creech the other day as a “typical” white person… I mean, why not?

Obama's supporters will forgive him for anything.

If Obama was found in bed with a dead girl, they'd say she died of happiness.

If Obama was found in bed with a live boy they'd say Obama cured his leprosy.

They're in love.

Never fall in love with a politician.

They'll break your heart every time.

Very well said Shawniqua (1:22pm)! Also, this story is race bating (especially the last comment about your eagerness to read the blogs!) If we realy want to air all of America's dirty laundry to the world during this election, there are many topics not being discussed like HRC's women and Mexican support base, etc., etc., which I really do not think ANY of it matters when selecting the next president. Let's elect a Black president, then a Woman president, and then a Mexican one, so that we can put all of this crap behind us and talk about the direction this country is heading in, and how to effectively get out of the war, etc. etc.

I am not American, but I follow the campaign great interest . There is a lot to learn about America, the Americans and the world´s potential leaders of the near future. From all the speeches I have heard up to now by different candidates (typical campaign speeches) I find Mr. Obamas speech on the race issue worthy of a presidential candidate. It is daring, but unavoidable. To me, Mr. Obama´s handling of this explosive topic is an indication of his level and class. The whole discussion about "experience" becomes a non issue after such a display of leadership.

Sonny Volkerts

Note to supporters of any candidate except Obama: You may already know this, but there are numerous media outlets which are in the bag for Obama, and will not allow any, or many criticisms of him on their blogs. Some of them are: The Baltimore Sun, Huffington Post, CNN, MSNBC, and the Los Angeles Times. There are probably many more, but these are the ones I've noticed so far. Obviously, there are some very powerful people who are trying to sway this election towards Obama. It reminds me very much of the way the media helped George Bush so much in his early years. Very scary.

While I certainly agree with the spirit of your comment, Vichesse, and while I agree with others that it is counterproductive to be mired in white guilt about slavery, we simply cannot ignore the fact that as recently as 50 years ago blacks were systematically treated as lesser human beings in this country. Yes, things in this country have improved enormously since then. But let's not kid ourselves into thinking that there aren't still people in this country who think of blacks as inferior, or that there aren't people of both races who carry fresh resentments. It is also certainly true that most people in America, of both races, haven't had alot of practice in talking across race about race. Instead, we tend to tiptoe around it or pretend it's not there. Obama is right - it won't be a quick fix, but now is the time to start moving on to the next level.

I am a 57 year old white female. I grew up in an all white community. My father and mother were born in the early 1900's (I was a very late baby). My father was from the south and he was a racist. My mother was raised in southern IL and Canada. She had no problem throwing around the "n" word - it was what she grew up with, but she was not a racist. She felt every person should be judged on the merits of their character rather than the color of their skin or where they came from.

Thankfully, my mother's influence was what took.

We are all products of the history of our families. How we feel about things (until we learn differently) is as much a part of us as the color of our eyes and our skin.

I have for several years spent much time doing the genalogical research of my family. Much of the history of this country I have learned from this research. It certainly wasn't taught in my white schools. And what I have learned about our treatment of blacks is that it has been deporable. No I had nothing to do with it, but my ancestors were slave owners.

My first view of the black world was a trip we made to FL during the late 50's. As we were traveling through the south, I saw shanty after shanty with black people sitting on their porches with dirt (not grass) for yards and who were obviously "dirt poor." It was my first understanding of the phrase.

My first real contact with blacks was after I graduated high school and made friends with black co-workers. In 1968 I went with a male black co-worker for coffee. The looks we got when we entered the restaurant were searing.

A couple of years ago, I learned from an aunt that my father's mother had once turned away a black man during a blizzard who had knocked on the door and asked to sleep in her barn. He was found the next morning frozen to death.

Do you think attitudes have changed? Yes, somewhat, but not completely.

Following the Katrina storm, I was on my way to Mississippi to work on Katrina claims. At a layover in Houston, I went outside and overheard a conversation involving a female Texan who was discussing the storm and New Orleans. Her statement was that she was "so tired of taking care of THOSE people!"

I, too, have been the "victim" of the affirmative action program. I was passed over for a promotion in order to give it to a black and when I complained, I was further victimized by my employer.

But, I get it.

Our government programs were not designed to alieviate the problems of the black community, they were simply an effort to throw money at the problem and nothing more. That money would have been better spent helping the black community create businesses, jobs, training and increasing education. Instead we got affirmative action which made the tensions between whites and black worsen.

We brought blacks to this country in the 1600's, we "freed" them during the Civil War, and then walked away from them, giving them no support whatsoever. The south installed Jim Crow laws that prevented them from owning property, voting, going to white schools, riding on the bus (except in the back), drinking from the same fountains, going to the same bathrooms. And on and on and on. Finally, these laws where changed again with the Civil Rights Act, but again, we walked away. Here's your freedom but do with it what you will. Red-linning was not stopped until several years later.

What whites have expected to take place has not happened. It has taken the white community over 200 years to collect wealth as free and independent persons. We have expected blacks to attain that wealth in 50 years.

Both communities have at one time or another blamed each other. But the problem does not lie with we worker bees. The problem lies within the government. Where good intentions or not, they're actions made the problem worse, not better.

What was done was to take away the hope of these communities. Why do students drop out of school? Why should they work hard when they have little hope of going to college? When jobs are low paying (because of the lack of education), what alterative is their than to turn to crime to survive? Or to have the "things" they want that are advertised daily on TV?

A few manage to break free of the chains they are still burdened by. But only a few.

Rather than provide education and jobs and hope, we have built more prisons. We've spent enough money fighting the unending War on Drugs (that has made little difference) that we could have built new schools for everyone in this country with the best paid teachers and the best equipment.

By failing the black community, our government has also failed the white community. The end game of their efforts (whether intentional or not) has put us at odds with each other.

We haven't done any better with the American Indians. But since their group is smaller, they get less attention.

As for Rev. Wright, before condeming him, I suggest you actually listen to the complete sermon: http://liberaljournal.blogspot.com/2008/03/rev-wrights-statements-in-context.html

The comment regarding the "chickens coming home to roost" was a quote from Edward Peck, the Ambassador to Iraq and a white guy. Would you like to call him a white racist?

I fear the media (owned by those rich white guys, not us poor white or black folks) are manipulating the system. Edwards was too populous for them and no one thought Obama would have a chance. Now that he does, they had to discredit him. What other explanation is there for why they promoted this story without providing the entire truth of the story?

Both Clinton and McCain are tied to the corporate teat.

We are already losing our Republic to facisim. (If you think not, I suggest you read "The Shock Doctrine" by Naomi Kline.) Either one, Clinton or McCain, will seal the deal.

Fred, don't you think the Clinton's have beaten the Conpiracy thing to death? I guess not. Maybe there is another mile to be had from that old excuse.

Sonny from above is another example of how I have yet to read a foreign blog post that endorses a worldly view of HRC. By my assumptions, I am guessing that the rest of the world is equally pulling for Obama. Sonny, if you could: What is your opinion on that topic? Do you also feel that many in your home country are for Obama? And what country do you hail from?

Sometimes during my lunch time I read various news articles and the accompanying "Comments". The comments range from insightful, through perceptive, across ignorance, to stupidity. This is the first time that I will waste my time offering a comment, and probably my last. However, after reading this article and some of the comments, I will offer this. People with racist feelings will not change; people who take a critically positive attitude to Obama's speech will think about each point that he made (or attempted to make) prior to forming an opinion, and may or may not change their opinion. And, those who are unable to make prudent use of their brain, presuming that they have one, will continue to spew hatred and bigotry. So, why don't we give ourselves time to digest this speech, consider the pros and cons of it, and after careful consideration, see where we stand. I would be interested in reading the reactions after a period of two or three weeks have passed. However, don't expect me to offer a reaction or further comment.

Obama has made a mistake in judgment in every area.Jeremiah Wright, indicted Tony Rezko, Auchi,Weather Underground William Ayres thinking he and Dickie Durbin are Abraham Lincoln his big sppech here in Springfield, drawing thousands to think he was a change agent.The problem is he ic Charlie McCarthy and Dickie Durbin is Edgar Bergen from the ventriloquist days.
The sad fact is he is anti-white just like Wright and he is ensnared in corrupt Chicago politics with a paper thin resume 10 years in Springfield and two and one-half in Washington. He is 42, arrogant and condescending, just like his mentors Wright and Durbin.
His hope speeches and his book Audacity of Hope and Dreams from my Father have stolen Wrights anti-White rhetoric.
By the way he wrote a childrens book any idiot could write a children's book. His sold only because of his campaign and notoriety.
He and Durbin have grandiose plans as socialists for an America ruined by higher taxes and not drilling for oil or building much needed refineries. They are the Sierra Club rooters waiting to destroy our nation. Tax and spend is their motto.
One nice thing about the Wright debacle Obama is losing his Obamamania or messianic status. Jerry White, Springfield, IL

Obama's "heal" speech was the work of selfishness and cunning distraction.

Selfishness because Obama only dreamed up this lofty speech because he is in BIG trouble of everyone finding out what his true character is. During the whole speech, he never said sorry once to anyone, instead he redirected blame onto everyone else. He basically told us that he will continue to hold onto the racial-hate message himself but that everyone else should not think him lesser for it. Obama even had the arrogance to try and sell his own book in the speech by coining the title during the speech. Obama also showed us how he is such a hypocrite by dropping some political negativity towards Hillary(by mentioning her supporters) during the speech - so much for NOT using the same old politics. A true leader would not try to displace blame onto everyone else but himself, a true would not be coining book titles to increase sales, a true leader does not run a self-serving political attack on the other candidate from his own party during such a lofty do-good speech.

Distraction because Obama is reacting with yet another "look at me" speech in response to very serious findings in terms of issues with his character. Obama wants us all to imagine some "evil" United States, one that requires such a devastating and completely uncontrolled "change", and that he is the new messiah that will bring it to use and be all of our saviors. How dare Obama chop the words "United States" out of our Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America. Obama has plagiarized "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense and ensure liberty and justice for all" and slaughtered it into "We the people in order to form a more perfect union". Obama did this on purpose, it's another attempt to create this imaginary beast in our minds and make us think we are not the UNITED STATES. Obama believes that he is the only one that can UNITE us, and does not give credit to our history and the people who have worked so hard and have paid so much for this to be the USA. Obama is trying to distract us from being the United States and for that, he should be removed from the candidacy.

What is amazing to me is that after reading Obama's speech, I am reminded yet AGAIN that Obama seems to have some deep seated hate towards the United States of America. If Obama is put into power, we are going to see a change alright, but it's not a good thing.

Am I the only one who noticed that, during the debates, almost every time John Edwards began to speak about one of his central campaign themes, corporate power and corruption in Washington, Wolf Blitzer would begin to interrupt him? Brain Williams at NBC did it too. Edwards could ramble on all day long, but as soon as he mentioned corruption, he was suddenly out of time.

Then, after Edwards dropped out, the eulogies for his campaign, at least in the corporate media, reduced his message to fighting poverty. How quaint. No message of corporate power or corruption in Washington. Suddenly Edwards's whole campaign was about poverty. You would think he had been running for president of the Salvation Army.

We're seeing the same thing with the Obama speech. In today's New York Times, plastered all over the front page of their 'Week in Review', are African American lips. Seriously, you really have to see it. African American lips. Suddenly, with all that's at stake, from war to the economy to global warming, and yes, corporate power, this election is all about race. Of course, the Times is not alone. While Obama himself has never made race a campaign issue, the corporate media has done it for him.

We can attribute the sensationalization of Reverend Wright, or the propping up of Hillary's faltering chances as keeping the race alive for ratings. Maybe that's all it is. But the systemic pattern of occluding our candidates messages every time the message involves corporate power, or anything that even resembles populism, is not about ratings. General Electric didn't buy a TV network to provide a platform for the common folk to redress their grievances. GE and Time Warner are direct beneficiaries of the very corruption in Washington CNN and NBC don't want to talk about.

We saw this same phenomenon at work after Jim Webb spoke the unspeakable during his Democratic response to the State of the Union address last year. I wrote a diary about it. What were the unspeakable words? "Corporate influence." The corporate media's response? It never happened.

Are they really this stupid?

A freshman writing student could identify the dramatic climax of Obama's speech. "Not this time." In fact, if you had to title the speech, that would be it. But in the corporate media, that part of the speech doesn't even exist. Because if they acknowledged that part of the speech, then that would mean the candidate was getting to set the terms of the debate. This cannot be allowed. Let's revisit that part of the speech. It's really good.

Or, at this moment, in this election, we can come together and say, "Not this time." This time we want to talk about the crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children and Asian children and Hispanic children and Native American children.

This time we want to reject the cynicism that tells us that these kids can't learn; that those kids who don't look like us are somebody else's problem. The children of America are not those kids, they are our kids, and we will not let them fall behind in a 21st Century economy. Not this time.

This time we want to talk about how the lines in the emergency room are filled with whites and blacks and Hispanics who do not have health care, who don't have the power on their own to overcome the special interests in Washington, but who can take them on if we do it together.

This time we want to talk about the shuttered mills that once provided a decent life for men and women of every race, and the homes for sale that once belonged to Americans from every religion, every region, every walk of life.

This time we want to talk about the fact that the real problem is not that someone who doesn't look like you might take your job; it's that the corporation you work for will ship it overseas for nothing more than a profit.

This time we want to talk about the men and women of every color and creed who serve together, and fight together, and bleed together under the same proud flag.

We want to talk about how to bring them home from a war that never should've been authorized and never should've been waged, and we want to talk about how we'll show our patriotism by caring for them, and their families, and giving them the benefits they have earned.

This was nothing less than Obama reasserting what this election is about. Issues that affect all races, all Americans. I'm sure Obama understands that hardship breeds contempt. And that one of the best ways to heal class and racial divisions is for everyone to get a piece of the pie.

But the corporate media doesn't want an election about crumbling schools, jobs, or special interests. And they sure don't want to talk about this, also from Obama's speech:

Just as black anger often proved counterproductive, so have these white resentments distracted attention from the real culprits of the middle-class squeeze -- a corporate culture rife with inside dealing, questionable accounting practices and short-term greed; a Washington dominated by lobbyists and special interests; economic policies that favor the few over the many.

Now, when we compare the actual message of Obama's speech with the way it's been covered, we have only two possibilities: the corporate media are so incredibly stupid that they can't even comprehend a fairly straightforward narrative, or they are at it again, manipulating the national debate to their advantage - they are all millionaires you know, beneficiaries of the very corporate power Obama, Edwards and Jim Webb have spoken of.

Not this time! We aren't going to let the Repubs "swift boat" their way to stealing another election, it isn't going to happen for them this time, they know it and that is exactly why they're screaming so loud, it's all of their pent up self-hate boiling to the surface for everyone to see.
The establishment media is trying to hijack this election. We have to fight back. "Not this time" should become our mantra, right up there with "Yes, we can." Even if the corporate media refuses to acknowledge what the people and the Barack Obama want this election to be about, at least we can.

Obama's grandmother, born l922, became the vice-president of a bank in Hawaii. She was exceptional, not "typical" and he's brazen to speak so dismissively of her.

I'm not sure if the country can discuss race with Obama as the leader knowing where he attended church the past twenty years.

It's funny to see so many come out with feigned surprise that racisim exists. It's above all of them. Sure! Lou Dobbs last night said in a rant over Obamas words that 99% of Americans aren't racist. Are you kidding me?????? Nothing like throwing a little politics in with an open and honest discussion on race to get it to where we are today.

I'm not sure if the country can discuss race with Obama as the leader knowing where he attended church the past twenty years.

Posted by: DixieCrat | March 23, 2008 4:22 PM

I guess that means the south can't discuss race knowing where they have lived for the past twenty years.

How can we say Obama is a UNITER after the crap Michelle pulled Hilary (Cant' run the white house if you can't 'run' your own house) that seems like a page from the Phyllis Schafly playbook. This is a woman who comes from REZKO (rape the urban poor in the same old same old democratic housing shakedown scam) money for her mansion, from a 200 g pork barrel scheme from her husband for da daley chair at u of c.. (note how dishonest he was about admitting that).
And then Obama throws the grandma banker who RAISED HIM AS THE MOST PRIVILEGED OF WHITE KIDS under the bus rather than condemn a 'we hate whitey' church.
A great speech?
The media's been on Obama's side for far far far too long.
The media hatred of a powerful, competent woman is so obvious and disgusting. Shame on Obama for trying to run like Sharpton and Jackson while pretending to be something else.

I remember thinking in 1988 that race relations was the most important issue in America. That was AFTER the Civil Rights Act (1965) and after Affirmative Action legislation (1972).

Here we are 20 years later and it's still the hottest topic in America.

What strikes me most about all of this is the irony.

Words, suddenly, are more important than action to those who once decried Sen. Obama's act as mere words.

This time, the words of a pastor are more important than the hundreds of years of slavery, Jim Crow and racial discrimination.

It's amazing how that happens. One day, words are not important. The next day, words mean the world.

But any honest reading of Obama's words would lead one to realize that the student (Obama) has surpassed his teacher (Wright). But since they are Obama's words, once again they're "just words."

To quote Bill Clinton, "Give me a break."

"How should we talk about race in America?"

I think we should follow the Tribune's lead in talking about race. The Trib does one of these race dialogs each year, which inevitably feature some racist Black Liberal playing the race card, and some White Liberal reporter feeling anguished over his/her guilt feelings over race.

Those are the only two points of view to this issue, right?

Is America really going to let Obama set us back to such a racial
time? We are better than that. Our successes for all these years are
worth more than that. America should be appalled at Obama's attempt to
send us all back 50 years.

There are so many problems in our country and we need a color-blind
president to work on them. We don't need to invent new problems based on
race(as Obama says), America is better than that. The real question
is, "Do poor people get treated differently than more affluent
people?". And the answer is YES they do. We should fix that. Being
American should mean that I am very happy about what my country does
for me, and what I can do to make my country better.

Here are the more important issues that America must focus on(rather
than some racial phantom created by Barack):
+universal healthcare for every American, period
+Increasing the Quality of living for all Americans
+Reducing the gap in pay between CEO/Worker
+Having labor laws that give us 2 months of vacation(yes they already
do this in Europe)
+Making Americans focus more on their families and communities
+Making our environmental impact less(this way the "have nots" quit
trying to take us out with terrorists)
+Raising the level of our children's and adult's education everywhere
+Increasing our part as a nation in the Global economy and relations

Don't pick a candidate that is trying to lie to make up for his
mistakes. One that is taking our country back into the pits of HELL to
cover up his own misjudgments in who he should follow. What I'm saying
is don't buy the America-bashing baloney that Obama is spewing.

We are better than Obama America. And we deserve someone who cares
about real issues instead of making up new ones.

Vote Professional. Vote against Barack.

Anybody but Obama

re: Marguerite de Valois

Don't take that COMMENT OUT OF CONTEXT!!!

What Mr. Obama said was that his grandmothers views about the races was typical of her day.

I challenge you to name one black woman who became the vice-president of a bank during the time his grandmother became president.

It is hoped that the typical person's attitudes about race have become atypical.

THIS HAS NOT HAS NOT HAPPENED AND THIS IS WHY WE ARE WHERE WE ARE.

In about 12 years it will be 400 years since black slavery came to America. It took approximately 350 years before opportunities began to be meaningful to African Americans. It has taken nearly 400 years for White Americans to amass America's wealth. It is going to taken a lot longer than 50 for African Americans to be on par!!!

All White Americans are not to be blamed for this inequity, just those in the seat of power. Our government has failed both Black and White America in this regard.

Sure there are special interest groups, however, government doesn't have to give into them.

Just give someone who you know to be DIFFERENT just FOUR YEARS the opportunity to lead this great country of ours.

Despite our past, I have faith in our future.

re: Marguerite de Valois

Don't take that COMMENT OUT OF CONTEXT!!!

What Mr. Obama said was that his grandmothers views about the races was typical of her day.

I challenge you to name one black woman who became the vice-president of a bank during the time his grandmother became president.

It is hoped that the typical person's attitudes about race have become atypical.

THIS HAS NOT HAS NOT HAPPENED AND THIS IS WHY WE ARE WHERE WE ARE.

In about 12 years it will be 400 years since black slavery came to America. It took approximately 350 years before opportunities began to be meaningful to African Americans. It has taken nearly 400 years for White Americans to amass America's wealth. It is going to taken a lot longer than 50 for African Americans to be on par!!!

All White Americans are not to be blamed for this inequity, just those in the seat of power. Our government has failed both Black and White America in this regard.

Sure there are special interest groups, however, government doesn't have to give into them.

Just give someone who you know to be DIFFERENT just FOUR YEARS the opportunity to lead this great country of ours.

Despite our past, I have faith in our future.

Black people have been in this country for quite a long time. All along the Democratic and Republican party has swapped periods of power -even switching ideologies at one point. All this time, there has not been a single moment of peace and prosperity for black people. It does not matter if Obama wins, Clinton or McCain...black people must begin the process of building a nation of our own. we must begin the process of taking our skill and expertise back to our native Africa. As long as we try to make the American system work for us and as ong as we try to fit in, there will be resistance from conservatives and liberals alike. This is not our home. The sooner we realize this, the better.

Betsy: I LOVE your topics that we should be focusing on here, but your packaging could use a little work dear. Obama has never played the race card here. He has only had to talk about it after the card has been played. That is a fact.

Obama, ten fold out classes HRC. He's honest. He addresses issues head on. He reprimands his followers for acts that break his message. He stays on track with issues. And with this racial card being played against him, he has only tried to unite everyone and talk rationally about a subject the HRC wouldn't have the guts to address.

But, you are right, let's stick to REAL TOPICS that REALLY matter in this world.

I think we should follow the Tribune's lead in talking about race. The Trib does one of these race dialogs each year, which inevitably feature some racist Black Liberal playing the race card, and some White Liberal reporter feeling anguished over his/her guilt feelings over race.
Those are the only two points of view to this issue, right?

Posted by: Garvey | March 23, 2008 4:48 PM

Don't pick a candidate that is trying to lie to make up for his
mistakes. One that is taking our country back into the pits of HELL to
cover up his own misjudgments in who he should follow. What I'm saying
is don't buy the America-bashing baloney that Obama is spewing.
We are better than Obama America. And we deserve someone who cares
about real issues instead of making up new ones.
Vote Professional. Vote against Barack.
Anybody but Obama

Posted by: Betsy | March 23, 2008 4:58 PM
------------------------

Nothing says S T U P I D better than these racist Republicants who think they're going to steal themselves another election, this time by calling the Dem candidate who is half white and half black, an anti-American racist etc etc blah blah blah..

What's wrong you whackjobs, did the "Obama is a Muslim" thing not work out for ya as well as you thought it would?
These people call themselves "Professional"?!?! If they're getting a paycheck from the KKK then I guess that would make them a "Professional"...hater,

HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They remind me of aging athletes who hang on to long because they think they're going to somehow magically regain their past glory days.

Wow...I love how these questions often bring answers like "it's this groups fault". The reality is it's this countries fault. You can't even blame a race. As a black man I know the main reason I can be singled out is because of how I look...it's easy to identify me...despite the mix that is my heritage. I still can't ignore the fact that every group to come to these shores has faced hatred and discrimination. Some of the same things said about illegal Mexican immigrants were said about legal Irish immigrants. Once knowledge of the Mafia became common how many Italian-Americans were suspected "thugs"? I won't even get into the socially accepted hatred towards those of middle eastern heritage after 9/11...no matter what country they (or their) parents came from. Despite any progress made, issues still exist. Those who deny this are ignoring the entire history of America.

I don't understand how Barack Obama could sit in the same church for twenty years listening to the most vile racist ranting and not be a racist himself. How could he subject his daughters to this hatred? Is Pastor Wright the reason that his wife has never been proud to be an American? If my pastor every said anything like this, the whole congregation would get up and walk out. How can we talk about racism to Obama when he equates Ms Ferraro's truthful comment to Wright's "God Damn American"? For my money, Obama has blown his chances and should quit and give another Democrat a chance.

Sometimes I get down on myself for being a jerk or insensitive. Then I read some of the comments here and get over it. I thank God that I'm not that angry.

I try not to be a racist but I've always lived in mostly white communities and know very little of the lives lived, and the English language spoken in other cultures.

I am now realizing that I am unwillingly a racist by ignorance. I think that lack of intent is a good excuse. But it's not all that's required to avoid being a racist. I lack the necessary life experiences.

So, unwilling, I realize that through lack of experience, I am in fact, a racist.

This poor white working man is neither proud nor happy about it. I will vote for Barak.

I think the black/white debate is a good discussion, but it seems like we did this after the Rodney King beating also. I don't see that much difference since then. As a white person who has studied African American history, I think the main deficit overall is that people of many races don't show enough respect to African Americans, not bothering to learn the details of their history, the racism still faced today, and the contributions to our society. I also think one day we will have to have this dialog between us and Native Americans, because their culture is so different than what took it's place. We can benefit from change - don't be afraid of change. Obama doesn't want to take us back to a previous time or make one group suffer for past mistakes. The more we fight for and defend others freedoms and opportunities the more freedom and opportunity we all have.

It's really tuff if your a liar and a disinformation artist like the many Obama haters. Trying to make this guy ouyt to be a racist is a futile task.

p.s. Steve Salo don't fret. I'm not at all phased by remarks made by a some nutty preacher who actually said allot of stuff that was true, and some that was dumb. None of it was scary like these bed-wetters make them out to be.

Wow. This just blows my mind. I don't see how anyone could read or listen to that speech and think it was about hate. Well, maybe in an indirect way, because it was telling us that we should NOT hate. We should recognize and accept our differences and move forward in spite of them. I guess some people will hear only what they want to hear. I will try to accept that, but it saddens me.

Well, obviously from the tone of many of these comments, having a constructive discussion on race, is tough. Obama laid it out honestly and unflinchingly in his speech, and presented us with a clear choice. We can let the Fox News loop stand in for the truth and point fingers in righteous indignation and move, not an inch as a result, or we could do the hard work of recognizing our common dreams and work together on the mountainous challenges that face all of us in this country. Seems clear to me - it may well be tough, but it's the only way forward.

The last thing a Tribune reporter would want is a frank discussion on race.

The Trib reporter would like the Trib's usual managed discussion on race (like the one printed in today's paper), though, where everyone agrees that present-day Whites are at fault for things done 150 years ago, and if you disagree, they call you a "racist".

Everyday I think people can't get any stupider

AND

Everyday I'm proven horribly wrong

Even if Obama's speech is eloquent, it still earns an F if it does not answer the assignment's questions. It is an F because the assignment questions are:

1. why do you stay for 20 years?
2. why do you still appoint Wright your adviser even though you remove him from the big event of announcing your candidacy?
3. why do you still let your children go to the church to hear Wright's anti-white and anti-american preaching?
4. why do you not wear an American flag pin any more more?
5. why do you pick a new pastor who also believes in Wright teaching?
6. why do you do throw your grandma under the bus with a 'typical white person'
7. why do you incite the Blacks and throw them under the bus by making it sound like all Blacks believe in Wright teaching?

Please feel free to add three more to make this list a top 10 reasons or 93 more to make it top 100 reasons why Obama's speech gets an F.

To all the Obama bashers:

Aligning him with Wright even after he condemned him is not only hypocritical, it's just plain dishonest. As dishonest with yourselves for feeling hatred towards the pastor who triggered feelings of collective guilt when you don't have to own collective guilt. (It's not his fault that his words may have cut you to the quick). As dishonest for interpreting Wright's accusations of historical racial oppression as some form of victimization of whites by blacks. As hypocritical to yourselves by saying that the knowledge Obama's association with Wright over the past 20 years has altered your view of him for the worse. You know damn well that you would never ever vote for Obama because of his color, for the same reasons a leopard cant change his/her spots.

OBAMA IS UNELECTABLE IN GENERAL ELECTION
Easy to see already see Republican attack ads against Obama. First open with videos of racist wife, Michelle, saying she was proud of America "for the first time" because of her husband's presidential candidacy, next Obama explaining that he doesn't wear an American flag lapel pin or hold his hands to his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance because it is a "substitute for true patriotism." Then flash a clip of Obama explaining that his Caucasian grandmother was a "typical white person" because she uttered racial epithets and was afraid of black people. Finally, the coup de grace, pictures of Obama's angry, arm-waving preacher blaming the United States for 9/11 and shouting "God Damn America" to the rafters of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ and preaching the U.S. government formulated the HIV AIDS virus to commit genocide against blacks. Even though Obama supposedly condemning Wright's shocking verbal assaults against the U.S and White Americans, even last year; Obama was the first to public ally demand Don Imus ouster for making a racially insensitive remark, and Obama continues to support Wrights racism and remains at the church for more than 20 years, he and Michelle obviously feels it’s a good environment to expose his young daughters too. His opinions and issues change with the weather, he is too UNSTABLE and proven he cannot make a decision or stay with one. If that’s not enough, then you start showing his terrible senate voting record, Obama when faced with tough choices always gave in to pressure from the Bush administration or corporate lobbyists, Obama dealings with one of his largest contributors, Exelon, a big nuclear power company and the deals he cut behind closed doors to protect them from full disclosure in the nuclear industry. Obamas record shows he infact did support the war when he got to the senate, voted twice against bringing America's troops back home. He voted for war appropriations giving our money to Halliburton and Blackwater where Texas woman, was gang-raped by her co-workers at a Halliburton/KBR camp in Baghdad, His latest bit of posturing S 433 allows the Bush Administration to suspend any troop withdrawal, if not suspended, keeps the troops in Iraq for a long time to come, but in his camp stumps touts he wants to bring troops home, but as we have witnessed his recent lies to voters like Canada he cannot be trusted on his word and lastly ALL the corrupt indicted financial backers, like Rezko…Get out of the race Obama you are destroying the democratic party!

CNN-Passport exec is Obama adviser, CEO of the company whose employees accused of improperly looking at the passport files of presidential candidates is consultant on foreign policy to the Barack Obama campaign

Barak Obama's Anger

Until now, Senator Obama has deftly and smartly avoided the issue of race in this campaign. His organization has been wise enough to let Senator ‘Billary’ Clinton step in the racial minefield. He has used what I refer to as the ‘Tiger Woods’ approach-- which is to act as if nobody will notice your race.

I was pleasantly surprised, then, that Senator Barak Obama addressed many of the same issues in his speech "A More Perfect Union" delivered on March 18, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that I address in my book, "The Angry Black Man's Guide to Success," where I discuss many issues that burden the African-American Community and give solutions to overcome these obstacles.

I was surprised that the Senator and I--an Angry Black Man and a registered Republican-- understand and address the very same issues: inferior schools in black communities, a lack of economic opportunity for black men, denial of homestead property rights, and the fact that black families could not amass any meaningful wealth to bequeath to future generations due to blatant and open discrimination. Not only does Obama understand that blacks must pull themselves up by their bootstraps, but that sometimes you have to help people acquire the boots.

Obama’s other excellent point is that whites believe that if blacks advance educationally and financially, it will come at the expense of whites, because even though the most conservative whites deny being racist, they truly know that their children are not very bright and could not compete with more blacks like Barak. What a fearful thought for whites! Electing Senator Obama President may actually help lower and middle class blacks become excellent students, get advance degrees, and take the few remaining well-paying jobs left in America.

This is the smoking gun. If Barak shows too close an affinity with average blacks, then he risks alienating his white supporters, who believe he is a different, articulate and special, Princeton and Harvard-educated black. So now Obama finds himself in the racial minefield of politics. His speech was brilliant but too advanced for the untrained politico. Notice that ‘Billary’ is staying very quiet. Obama now has to find a path back to appease white independents without blowing himself up. If he can walk through this dangerous minefield of race, then he is qualified to lead America.

One day after Easter, the holiest day on the Christian calendar, the fangs of the citizens of this self-proclaimed "Christian nation" come out.

Beautiful.

Forgiveness, people. It's all about forgiveness - from EVERYONE.

To BillforObama and others inclined to use uppercase letter to help make their point. Here is the context.

“The point I was making was not that 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, you know, there's a reaction that's been bred in 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.” – Sen. Obama

When you harbor (and nurture) some deep seated belief or stereotype it is easy to transfer this on a large group of people as “typical”. We should not be afraid to examine our politicians and hold them responsible for their “words”, deeds and affiliations. We will all be better for it.

Please take a few minutes to see Rev. Jeremiah's complete thought, not just the sound bite broadcast by the media. You will see that it is not racist nor is it ranting. Rev. Wright is not a fringe kook nor is he a racist hate monger. See for yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ&feature=related

Do some of you people listen to ur parents when u where growing up in chicago in the 60;s.At the kithcen table when great old dad made the racist statements about blacks, hispanics, the civil rights movement. I know u all remember. Do u still believe those words r u following great old dad footsteps, I think the majority of u are.

I'm a white Jewish woman, married to a white Jewish man. Neither of us had any relatives who had or knew slave owners or traders. Both of us had grandparents born in Europe, parents born here. Our parents came from Russia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, married in the States. Our grand parents learned to speak English as did their siblings, our parents and siblings went to American schools, getting their religious training from the community. We were taught US was a wonder and hate was not part of the experience. Hearing hate taught in a place of worship, was hurtful and shocking. Volunteering in poor neighborhoods was part of my education, whether these neighborhoods were black, white, Christian, German, Jewish, Buddhist or
whatever was part of what I did and so did my children.
Trying to save money, going to school, getting an education was important. My dad couldn't go to a "big" school, he was Jewish and the quota was filled. My son could, quotas were lifted. When we heard there were black quotas we pushed for equality but it ended in affirmative action which meant some whites who were good, didn't get equality. We shut up about it. Now to hear all this white hate, we say WHY? We hear this Jewish hate from blacks, we say it is enough? I am close to saying me first.

We should take the money we are going to waste in the general election and pay down the federal deficit....democrats have all but escorted John and Cindy McCain to the white house, thanks Obama.

I am not American, I'm Irish but I am very interested in this race. Years ago when I was growing up everybody liked America more or less. I don't know if American's realise this but it's respect in the world has fallen sharply in the past 5-10 years. America has shown extreme arrogance in recent history with it's' big brother' dealings around the world. All of a sudden you have a GODSEND candidate. Any country would be proud to have such an intelligent and good person running in the race as Obama. He breaks all ugly political moulds. He stands out like no other. He will save not only America but the world. America has a chance again.

In 2000, i was waiting to exit a parking lot near Nordstrom in Redondo Beach California, and was called the "N" word by a young white male, who was just passing by with his friend....(i am a black female)

(in the 50's my father was a grown man and called boy and the N word in Alabama-

I have worked at UCLA for almost 20 years, and have had 2 co-workers that I befriended (in a work sort of way), tell me that they had a close relative that didnt like black people........one 23 year old girl said her grandmother didnt like blacks, and the other was a 50 something white woman who admitted her dad didnt like blacks......she also gave me the impression that her dad didnt like a few other races as well.

The young woman sounded almost proud of what she told me, while the older woman was sort of "flushed face" when she told me this.....they happened about 10 years apart, in 2 different ends of the campus.........

Also at UCLA, about the year 2002 or 2003, a young black freshman, a female, was knocked to the ground by a white male, who called her the N word, and told her to "go back to Africa, we dont want your kind around here".
The young black woman was quoted was as saying, "i am not going to let this deter me from going to school here" Even though she was knocked to the ground physically, i am sure her feelings and emotions were hurting more than anything....she was also in shock, for this happened in broad daylight.

While it made the campus newspaper, it just went away quietly like that was a normal event or something.

I have more race stories from my workplace, but time does not permit...........

Events and coversations like I just mentioned dont just happen- they are rooted and grounded in families and communities.......when are people gonna be honest and say, yes i have racists in my family and my community, at least admit it to yourself in private if you cant admit it in public

Eimhin from Ireland: Thanks for posting. Those of us American's that are intellectual really do care what's going on in the world. I have probably read 100 blog threads in this last year, and I have yet to read ONE that supports HRC or McCain. I wish more foreigners actually got involoved and posted, as the typical HRC and McCain supporter has no clue about anything outside of their appartment.

"He will save not only America but the world. America has a chance again."

Posted by: Eimhin O'Shea | March 24, 2008 2:54 PM

Wow. Savior of not only America, but the entire world. What a heavy burden that would seem to be for anyone to bear. I'm so thankful that I am not called to fulfill that purpose.

After the great Obama saves the world, and America too, America will then have a chance at what, exactly? Will everyone, then love us? Will France have a reason to love us after that WWII Liberation thing? Will anyone in Africa have a reason to love us after all the $$$ that the current president has sent for HIV assistance? Will anyone in East Germany remember the Berlin Air Lift? How about the earthquake that struck Iran within the last 4 years when tensions were very high and strangely there was aid from Evil America? Ah yes, can't wait to fire up the Love Train and get the Kumbya verses going.

Well, as Xcellentform would probably agree, it is always good, and so very necessary, to give us uninformed McCain / Republicans the truly enlightened world view. Maybe someday, if we are lucky, someone somewhere will start loving us racist Americans again.

We just need to crown the Great Obama and get this love thing rolling. Already giving him the credit for solving the Racism Thing, like Bill Clinton did with his Commission on Racial Relations in 1997. Bill Clinton, 42nd president, and the first black president, you may or may not recall.

Since most of us who are willing to admit it are not smart enough to deal with complexities, and too lazy to do so as we prioritize for less demanding effort, why not sign up for the utter simplicity of the honest test from the Obama speech? No doubt few listened that long, or read (Heaven forbid!) that far, and surely none of the sound bites chose it for YOUR NEWS that evening. Here's another chance to find that truism you secretly believe in that was the bottom line of Obama's plea for understanding: DO UNTO OTHERS ... Yep, that simple. Would you have others judge you by third-party-provided sound bites out of context? How about the deflection of your message by concentration on your skin color or class? More examples are not needed, and these are puny. It simply comes down to whether or not you subscribe to the notion that you have a right to enjoy the privilege of having YOUR position be above that of your fellow human for any reason. If you can rationalize that into your truth, then go with it ... while remembering that you just accorded the "other guy" that same inalienable right to get back into his corner with no discussion. You really want that? That's what misusing the Golden Rule gets you. Why not choose to come out and play the game fairly and simply? I'm waiting so that we can be friends.

Let us all admit to it...we all have made racist comments. Shame on those who realize it and make no effort to promote tolerance.

Let us all admit to it...we all have made racist comments. Shame on those who realize it and make no effort to promote tolerance.

Race? We have a problem with Race? Really? Were have a been?