"Today I was walking home and saw a white man wearing a Barack pin and this black man was calling after him asking him about it and the white man was trying to scurry away and was like it's a Barack pin. And the black guy was like 'Hold on ur goin to fast I'm trying to read it' and then finally the scared white man decided to stop and tell the black man where he got it.Food for thought.
Even the barack supporters only want to see their ideal black candidate in office...a good wholesome Kenyan raised by whites."
UPDATE: The ole' GOP is about to bring em out bring em out...
4 comments:
The interesting thing is that white supporters would think that way about any black person that was educated, articulate and raised in a good home. They key is to be more than they expect. I feel like Barack has already done that. Let's face it, they never expected him to make it this far. This race was supposed to already be over with and the Clinton machine was to be already in place. This is why they are going so hard with this whole Rev. Wright thing. It's nothing but a last ditch effort to try and deter people from voting for him.
Also, I am proud of the fact that Obama hasn't made his campaign about race. Honestly that is what white conservatives (and black conservatives) expected. Who knew a brotha could run for president without having to play the race card?? So forcing this issue has only given him the opportunity to say that this is an issue we need to admit to and then work on. The fact of the matter is while I would like for Obama to indeed do things to better the community, especially the community of his people. I want America improved. The country is on its way to hell in a hand basket, the economy has gone to the dogs and the last thing we need to do is JUST FOCUS on RACE, THEY want is to do that! A black man in the White House who just so happens to be incredibly qualified, getting things done, making positive changes globally and nationally is probably the best example of how Americans will begin to look at our race differently!
Thanks for leaving your comment.
"The key is to be more than they expect". I agree.
I guess what I got from that particular story is that people walk around acting like their support for Barack means that all is well along racial lines in this country and he is crossing racial lines and bringing whites and blacks together in support of a larger cause. That may be true, but it still doesn't appear to be doing all that much to break down the dumb-azz racial stereotypes people have about Black folks.
Just because both blacks and white support him in droves doesn't mean that there aren't still divisive (since that seems to be a buzzword right now) racial stereotypes that exist subconsciously in the minds of those who support him. In this particular case, it's the stereotype that Black men are "scary" or intimidating if you don't already know that they're articulate, charismatic, and physically non-threatening.
I agree that his campaign should not be about race and I am glad that up to this point he's done a great job of handling/explaining the race issue when it comes up. But because he is Black in this country and running for the presidency, race will always play a part overtly or covertly.
Another example. One of my co-workers (he's white) mentioned the other day (he probably didn't know I was listening, LOL) that his aunt has not voted in years but that she is registering to vote this year just so she can vote for Hillary. Now if people think decisions like this are made solely because she is a woman and Hillary is a woman, then I'll just let them look cool in their rose-colored glasses and I'll keep steppin.
"So forcing this issue has only given him the opportunity to say that this is an issue we need to admit to and then work on." I agree with that mindset. However, how can (or why would) people admit to things that were wrong when we're (read: Barack) saying that some of "their" resentment of the successes and changes that have benefited those who were oppressed is warranted and valid? How can you admit that what happened was wrong and in the same breath say "but I resent that you're given these opportunities now even though the playing field has never been level to begin with".
That's like saying "My bad for killing your father [or putting drugs in your community or giving you shiddy schools in urban areas or...] and taking away the provider for your family, but if it's between me and you getting this welfare money, I want mine and you gotta find your own. You shouldn't get to eat before me." Get the you-know-what outta here.
So while his speech was good, I think he straddled the fence very well in order to appease the feelings of white folks and also the feelings black folks. Strategic... YES! True to self, who knows?
And last but not least, how does improving things for the Black/poor communities in this country NOT coincide with improving America overall?
"A black man in the White House who just so happens to be incredibly qualified, getting things done, making positive changes globally and nationally is probably the best example of how Americans will begin to look at our race differently!"
I agree. BUT, I would be hesitant to say "incredibly qualified" in regard to Barack. Of all the candidates still left on both sides, I'd say the most qualified for the job are probably McCain, Clinton, and then Barack if you're basing it on experience. If you're basing it on who your beliefs align with or who makes you feel like you're a part of something larger than just a single person, then that would be Barack.
McCain's qualifications are to me make me DISLIKE him even more. Yes he was a War veteren, yes he has been in the Senate for a long time. But would any of us think he made much of a difference. I would think a POW in a war very much like this senseless one in Iraq would stand for more than McCain does. I think McCain is smarter than Bush (not that that is difficult) but I do not think his policies differ enough for the country to benefit.
Mrs. Clinton's experience is HIGHLY questionable. I do not count her 8 years in the White House. Her schedule shows her role in policy was MINIMAL at best. Her Senate resume is not very impressive and I think McCain will eat her for breakfast head to head. Check the Library of congress and compare Obama and Hillary's Senatorial body of work. Obama has been doing his thing.
True. But I think my point about whether or not your beliefs agree with Obama's or not come into play here. If you don't believe in Obama and what he's saying but you believe in McCain, then you probably think McCain is EXTREMELLY qualified. But if your beliefs align with Obama's then ...
"McCain's qualifications are to me make me DISLIKE him even more. Yes he was a War veteren, yes he has been in the Senate for a long time. But would any of us think he made much of a difference."
"Check the Library of congress and compare Obama and Hillary's Senatorial body of work. Obama has been doing his thing." Will do. Now you got me doing all this InterWeb legwork and shyt, NEGRO!
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