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dianforsythe (Anonymous) says…

I don't understand why Mr. Obama would have to choose any ethnic group as he is the product of an American mother and African father - he is simply an American. I would feel better about him if he would not embrace part of his heritage and reject the other - why can't he simply be an American running for president? I want to vote for someone who has America's best interests at heart and not a select group.

jcantspell (Anonymous) says…

R.T race is such a touchy subject
This forum is not big enough to handle
The on going endless debate.
And im pretty sure that your statement will cause some one to call you a racist.
Behavior may be the reason for the treatment “reserved” for blacks?
Do you mean all blacks?

jcantspell (Anonymous) says…

dianforsyth
Even if Mr. Obama did not choose any ethnic group.
The world around him would choose one or him.
Sad but true

I Like to say I’m people colored

just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

No, the genesis of RT's comments are quite simple (or should I say simplistic?)

Pitts is a libral, the topic of his editorial is race, therefore Pitts is a racist.

jcantspell (Anonymous) says…

thats why you should say what you mean

jcantspell (Anonymous) says…

j-a-b-o-t-b
are you saying any one who talks about race is a racist?

jcantspell (Anonymous) says…

Blacks are a platform for Democrats; that's the problem. Now Democrats are jittery about Obama, so let's blame whitey (again).
Separate and divide good one.
Are not most democrats white!
(Blame whitey) racist all ways that when they want to start truble.

jcantspell (Anonymous) says…

this was fun got to go to yoga by
butt
ill be back

stevehow (Anonymous) says…

Obama is simply the best candidate–having listened to several of his speeches through completion on C-span, it is clear to me, a white man, that no other candidate has a more sound understanding of the issues facing the country. I have studied his voting record in the Senate—and again he is the only candidate who has consistently voted on principle. As for “experience”–-look what it has brought America today–the talking head “experienced” politicians have allowed the debacle in Iraq, buried us in debt, destroyed our environment, set in motion the worst anti-american feeling around the world ever, created a climate of complete corruption in Washington, done nothing while our economy is exported to China, allowed our education system to fall to the worst level of any developed nation, cemented our position as having the highest percentage of people in poverty of all but one of the top developed nations in the world…..i am voting for obama because I believe he is the best candidate–all this talk about “race” is irrelevant to what is best in a candidate!!!!!!

Das_Ubermime (Anonymous) says…

jcantspell,

jabotb was actually saying that right-thinker called Leonard Pitts a racist due to right-thinker's pattern of criticism. Since Pitts leans left, right-thinker has to disagree and criticize him. Since Pitts frequently talks about race issues, right-thinker's criticisms involve labeling him a racist.

jvoran (Anonymous) says…

I hadn't thought about the issue until last night when it suddenly hit me how the “racial” factor influences and colors (no pun intended) our social and political actions in this and every country.

Barack Obama is as much “Caucasian” as much as he is “Black.” No homo sapiens on this planet differs from any other by more than about .1% of their genetic composition. Why does Obama's African heritage give him a label? Without the expression of his father's genes through the somewhat darker skin coloring and the expression of those genes in the texture and appearance of his hair would he be separated through verbal and written description from “white America?”

Is John McCain described as the “Irish” or “Scotch-Irish” or “Scots” “White” candidate — given the most probable heritage based on his surname? Giuliani's Italian heritage is mentioned in some articles. First of all, does it matter, and secondly does it carry the same “baggage” as Obama's “African” heritage?

For those who would deny the “racial factor” in social and political issues look at recent events squarely in the face and at your own assumptions and your actions based on those assumptions.

If those of Afro-American heritage — or whatever is the politically correct term of the moment —describe their experiences as racist and form “Black” or “Brown” caucuses, is there perhaps a reason?

Das_Ubermime (Anonymous) says…

Sure, rt, I called you a racist. All except for the part where I actually called you a racist. What, post-generator on the fritz gain? Maybe you need to tweak the formula a bit.

lwt76 (Anonymous) says…

right thinker, Pitts job as an editorial writer is to write about what is relevant within his experience. Therefore, his experience as a black man in a white dominated society. Unfortunately our society has not evolved enough to disregard ethnicity and judge Obama for his political beliefs, voting record (simply the facts). As a society we will judge Obama on his ethnicity and as jcantspell says if he didn't define it, we would for him. Could you imagine if he publicly defined himself as white? The backlash from both african americans and caucausins would be terrible! White people would say - he's not white he looks black; black people would say he was hiding from his identity and a “sell out” etc…

I have to agree with Pitts when “you can be as “biracial” as you want; so long as your features show any hint of Africa, that world is going to give you the treatment it reserves for “black.” “.
We live in a society where we are very ethnically divided and therefore judged by this.

lwt76 (Anonymous) says…

Randal_Davis… if only they were baseless racial suspicions…. the tone and content of your comment only proves his point. It is about perception and unfortunately for many perception is reality. There is nothing I can write to show you how biased and ignorant your statements are. I'm not saying that only the “white” population is guilty of this divide - it is a two way street. Unfortunately though power is held by the white majority and therefore we wield the power to make the changes, yet we don't, instead we continue to denegrate those that speak out and simply expose what is going on and calling it as they see it. Ignorance is bliss… but doesn't help anyone to make changes and evolve our society.

just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

Did you even read the editorial, Randall, or did you just go straight to your stock strawman argument to cover up your own insecurities about your own latent racism?

KWCoyote (Anonymous) says…

I had the impression that what Biden was getting at was that Sen. Obama has an upper-middleclass professional demeanor and in every respect sounds like a ruling-class guy instead of a brutha from the hood. Yet he just got to the Senate and most people aren't familiar with where he stands on the national issues of the day. Obama has a track record in the Illinois legislature, and he got a book published recently that from what I've seen is inspiring. Another guy with a stint in the Illinois legislature and little national experience won the Presidency and did pretty good–Honest Abe. Still, the press has been fawning over Obama as if he's Christ and the Buddha.

This flap is much ado about nothing, except for how touchy many Americans are about race. Biden is a top-quality candidate for the Presidency, and if Obama goes for it and gets it, he'll do fine too. There are many outstanding Democrats who have declared or are considering it, so let's just give the campaigns some time to get their views and concerns expressed in a collegial way.

yourworstnightmare (Anonymous) says…

Some of these comments (r.t.'s in particular) remind me of Stephen Colbert's “I don't see race” schtick.

“People tell me I'm white, and I take their word for it because I don't see race”.

JumporFall (Anonymous) says…

Why?

Godot (Anonymous) says…

As one of the mutiracials to which Pitts refers, let me offer him, and Obama, some advice: when it comes time to complete the “race” section of any document, be it an employment application, or a resume, leave it blank. It just doesn't matter.

Godot (Anonymous) says…

and, Pitts, and Obama, if you would quit talking about it, so would everyone else.

Mkh (Anonymous) says…

Society sees Obama as black, I don't think most people make the distinction that he is bi-racial.

The classification comes from the history of slavery and the “one-drop” rule. That being if you had any African blood in you, Afro-Am/Black was your race.

Many times this is carried into today, even through the uncounscious. For example, Tiger Woods is considered a black golfer, Derek Jeiter accepted the Hank Aaron award, Hally Berry is often refered to as a sucessful “black actress”, etc, etc. And If Obama happened to become President, he would undoubtably be called the “first black President” (except by those who consider that to be Bill Clinton's title).

just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

Just as I suspected, Randall— you're just being defensive about your own not-so-latent racism.

You don't have to stay that way, if you desire to progress beyond your present neandertal level. It's your choice.

couranna1 (Anonymous) says…

What difference does it make if he is white or black. Hillary is our next prez Republican'ts want to stir up any thing they feel is right wing which is generally racist and bigoted in nature while trying tom state they are only speaking economically

Godot (Anonymous) says…

Regarding the “one drop rule,” it appears that it was Obama who chose to identify with the “black” side of his lineage, even though his black father was absent, and he was raised with his white mother and her parents as a child, neither white nor black. It also appears that Barack did not decide he was “black” until his teen years….;

Godot (Anonymous) says…

Why does it matter?

Godot (Anonymous) says…

And, if we have lots of drops, what does that make us?

Godot (Anonymous) says…

Does one “round up,” “round down,” divide, or multiply?

Godot (Anonymous) says…

Division is wrong; definitely, no dividing.

Mkh (Anonymous) says…

Godot, I'm not sure you grasp what I'm saying. It did not matter what Obama “chose” his race to be , society had already decided for him that he was black. This thinking (which I'm not saying is morally correct) goes back to the “one drop” rule, meaning if you have any African blood you were considered all Black. It didn't matter how many other “drops” you had, you were still considered black. I think this same mentality exists in society today.

Godot (Anonymous) says…

The only people who recognize, or even remember, the “one drop rule” are the ones who take the time to research it and revive it, thus undoing a generation of societal work meant to overcome such racism. Give it up. It just doesn't matter now.

Mkh (Anonymous) says…

I disagree Godot, I think the “one-drop” rule is still prevalent in the subcounscious of the American mind, note my examples above.

“It just doesn't matter now”

Are you saying that race doesn't matter in America anymore? That's just funny.

just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

“It just doesn't matter now.”

Are you serious? Do you really think that no one will take note of Obama's (apparent) race if he becomes the first African-American (or choose your favored descriptor) major-party nominee? Do you honestly believe it will have no effect on who a large percentage of voters choose to vote for?

cuchulain9 (Anonymous) says…

“people should be allowed to define themselves as they please.”

Ok, all my ancestry is from Ireland, but I'm now defining myself as Swedish :) (with apologies to Woody Allen).

Obama IS biracial, now matter how others might define him. (I have this thing about 'reality', not popular in certain political circles, but true nonetheless.)

Jarhead (Anonymous) says…

……Why does it matter?

just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

“Why does it matter?”

You'll have to ask people like dambudzo, but he/she won't give you an honest answer.

just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

Powell and Rice are now unelectable for their disgraceful performance in BushCo, helping push the nation into the most ill-advised and poorly planned and executed war in US history.

logicsound04 (Anonymous) says…

“You ever considered maybe behavior may be the reason for the treatment “reserved” for blacks?”

then…

“Maybe I mean the person rendering the treatment….ever thought about that? No, because we're all conditioned to say 'racism'.”

––––

RT, I expect better than this from you. There is no way that your first comment makes any sense if you were actually refering to the behavior of the person rendering the treatment. That would essentially be saying a person treats blacks a certain way because of their own behavior. While I can't necessarily deny the truth of that fact, I do wonder how insightful it is—how many people do you know whose actions AREN'T a result of their own behavior?

No, I think your original comment was meant (or at least came off in a certain way) to point out that the reason blacks are treated a certain way is because of the behavior of blacks—a very racist thing to say, as blacks do not have a collection of shared behaviors.

========================================

“Pitts is the one talking about it constantly, like Dems…..he is a racist. I am not a racist, I merely point out the obvious.”

–––––-

Maybe the problem is your understanding of the word “racism”. It is not racist to talk about skin color, as it is a very real factor in how people are treated in our society. Don't believe me? Go to the deep South and watch how much racial division remains in the 21st Century.

It IS, however, racist to make claims that a group of people share behaviors because they have African heritage somewhere in their family tree.
========================================

“And when whites return to a destroyed neighborhood and fix it up blacks don’t want them and call it gentrification.”

–––––

Actually, gentrification is when a city planning results in the decision to eliminate low-cost housing (some call it the slums) and replace it with expensive condos and apartments, forcing the occupants to leave the neighborhood and move to another ghetto. It's not that bblacks don't want whites in their neighborhood, it's that they don't appreciate being forced into exodus because city government wants a certain part of the city to project a better image.

logicsound04 (Anonymous) says…

RT,

I'm not saying there is no such thing as blacks being racist, I'm saying that:

1) that isn't an excuse for continued prejudicial stereotyping and racism on the part of whites

2) racism is still VERY alive in this country—far more that people want to admit, and the fact that Biden, an intelligent, open-minded man, would say such a derogatory thing (albeit inadvertently) is the perfect example.

I am not familiar with Memphis per se, try Atlanta…

jonas (Anonymous) says…

“Posted by right_thinker (anonymous) on February 3, 2007 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Das,
Pitts is the one talking about it constantly, like Dems…..he is a racist. I am not a racist, I merely point out the obvious.
As far as left leaning, yes I disagree with all left leaning ideology.”

Paraphrase: Why can't he just shut up about the reality of an unfair world, and let me enjoy my birth heritage as the powerful majority?!

Mkh (Anonymous) says…

OMG Marion what a find! Gee that just says it all.

I can't believe that America was racist in 1858, can anybody else? You must be a history professor with insight like that Marion.

Ha Ha HA!

Mkh (Anonymous) says…

Posted by Randal_Davis (anonymous) on February 4, 2007 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So what if “society labels” Barack Osama black? So what?
–––––––-

So Everything Randal, that is the entire point of the editorial. Society sees Obama as black. This alienates him from certain sections of white voters. However, if he tries to pander to his white heritage who could lose support from black voters. He is in an unusual situation.

logicsound04 (Anonymous) says…

“What's to explain? Liberal tag is as explainatory as calling someone a racist or a hayseed. Although both could be a subset of the liberal tag.”

–––––—

You really don't see the irony in this statement, do you Dambudzo?

You are condemning all liberals for being racists while simultaneously engaging in your own judgemental, bigoted buffoonery.

I feel sorry for all the idiots that have forgotten what liberal actually means, and what great things liberal thought has bestowed upon our country—hell, it was founded by liberals.

Simple-minded people use terms like Democrat and liberal interchangeably, demonstrating their ignorance.

========================================

“So what if “society labels” Barack Osama black? So what? Blacks act like it’s some indictment of the guy –the implication of course being that whites are all a bunch racists for noticing the guy’s race. Why does it matter? Because blacks want it to matter…”

–––––-

It seems you missed Pitts' point. He notes that society assumes that Obama is not black because he does not fit the stereotypical mold for a black person. The problem is that there is no such thing as “Black Everyman”. Pitts is upset because white people aren't noting his race, not because they are latching onto it. He sees the fact that so many people can't understand Obama's race as a sign that people have a hard time viewing black people as intelligent, well-spoken, etc. (much like Sen. Biden). They therefore assume that Obama must have some heritage besided his black heritage—after all, where did his ability to articulate with out using words like “bitches”, “fo shizzle” and “aiight” come from? **

*sarcasm*

Godot (Anonymous) says…

Yes, MKH, race is not supposed to matter anymore. Some of us work very hard at not making race an issue in the way we interact with others, in the way we raise our children and teach them to interact, and in the way we view the future; others base their lives and careers on the opposite.

When the topic is politics, and fitness for public office, the only things that should matter are the issues, and the mind and the heart of the candidate.

Godot (Anonymous) says…

Regarding Condi Rice, there is a person who would make a good presidential candidate.

Mkh (Anonymous) says…

True Godot, that idealism is what Utopia must be like. But unfortunately that is not the real world, the one most of us live in.

I would love it if we were all holding hands and singing Kumbaya, but it's not happening.

“race is not supposed to matter anymore”

Yeah it's not politically correct anymore, but that didn't stop it. Just look back at some of the comments from your fellow Lawrence citizens in this thread, or many other threads…racism exists.

In the Northern Georgia town where my father was raised the Klu Klux Klan STILL holds parades on Main St….tell them that “race is not supposed to matter anymore”, I'm sure they will recieve your ideas with open liberal minds.

Mkh (Anonymous) says…

Randal, I get it. Your the typical adult white male who is very threatened by the rise of the black man in modern society. Your fear is showing and it's really rather sad. I'm sure you felt much more comfortable in the good ole boy system.

Godot (Anonymous) says…

MKH:

And in the Kansas town where I was raised, there are still celebrations of maleness, subsidized by taxpayer dollars, otherwise known as college football and basketball, where women are subjugated to the roles of cheerleaders, or Bling on the arms of the men in power.

Lots of those men are black, some are white.

So, life sucks.

Get over it.

Mkh (Anonymous) says…

“Get over it”
–––––—

Get over what Godot? I'm not crying, just trying to bring you back to reality.

Mkh (Anonymous) says…

I'm sure that those males who are subjugating women to various roles are also discrimitory of powerful women like Hillary. Just like racist whites are to Obama, and racists blacks are to every powerful white male.

Thanks for proving my point.

jonas (Anonymous) says…

“I can't be a racist, my kids have black friends!!”

aaaahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

hahahahahahaha Thanks, I needed that.

jonas (Anonymous) says…

“And I even let them into my house!”

heeheeheeheehee

coughcough

tony88 (Anonymous) says…

excellent article… stupid discussion

00jester (Anonymous) says…

Am I the only one who caught the Blackie comment, or is that not considered racist anymore?

As a “half-breed” myself, I identify with black; or consider myself that. And it's funny, beacuse when people say i'm half, so i'm just as much white, I tell them I use the KKK rule. If a truck load of KKK members pull up, what would they be more apt to assume I am. Black or White.
Most of the time it gets an akward smirk, not knowing whether to laugh or not, but it plays on what the article writter said. It's all a perception. No one would consider Obama white. Period.
To argue why can't he be, is usually a platform for people who just want to argue against what is black. And if they are well spoken, liked, and smart, then they can't be.

As far as Randall and RT: You act as though blacks and other minorites don't still suffer. As though having a month of trivia and a couple of grants solves all the problems. The reason people “complain” is beacuse they have a legitimate complaint/concern, that hasn't oviously been fully answered.

And if complaining about being a political pawn, blatent racial profiling, and in many instances, being a second class citizen…still, makes one a racist, then count me in.

It's people with your outlook that continue to drag on something that should be beneath us by now, but until you and any other subsequent thinkers like you die out, it will continue to be a battle that we could better put our efforts elsewhere.

jonas (Anonymous) says…

That article says nothing of value, just so you know. Nor does it sustain a point, admittedly, a hard thing to do since it doesn't come to the point until the last few paragraphs.

Would you admit that it's possible that these interpretations are solely your own? By “your” I must add, I refer to yours and the people who's articles you linked.

Maybe it's that “hate crime” sells more than “crime.” Who knows? Not I.

And not you.

jonas (Anonymous) says…

Oh yeah, and a google search led to several articles about the Carr's on the national stage, inluding a spot on CNN that would have required a pre-printed article as well, since they assumed some foreknowledge, within a few hits, so your writer is also lazy or a liar. Just an FYI.

crazyks (Anonymous) says…

So somebody noticed that Obama is black? Or would be considered black?

Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Well, it doesn't matter to me, but considering that we've never had a president who was black before (or even just considered black), the odds are probably against him.

Hey, did anyone notice that Hillary was female? They did? Why should that make any difference?

Yet it does. Whether it should or not, everyone here knows that it will make a difference on her chances of winning. Just as everyone knows that being considered black will make a difference in Obama's chances.

Should it be that way? No. But you're not going to change all of society by election time.

Just because racism, or sexism, is technically against the law, and not PC anymore, doesn't mean they don't still exist in America.

00jester (Anonymous) says…

“Most visitors to Free Republic are attracted to our very popular (and, warning: addictive) conservative news and discussion ”

That sounds to be unbiased.

00jester (Anonymous) says…

Haha Randal, that is simply fantastic!

It must be nice to live such a life where racism and equallity are normal parts of your society. Now if you would like to join us back in the real world.

How ignorant to think all is well, and it's just blacks complaining to do so. That's the conservative thought process of everyone wants something for nothing and all minorities do is complain about something that happened a long time ago, bearing no resemblence to the actual present where your thoughts are the ones that only prolong the racism.

You're probably one of those guys who say the white male is the most discriminated against person in the country….lol

You share more with neo-nazis then you do the basis of what this country SHOULD stand for.

Oh, and I like the link. So, it's to be understood that blacks never invented anything, and given your thought process, probably good for nothing but cheap labor, but now that slavery is over…..what are we good for.

00jester (Anonymous) says…

Laughing stock would be that the conservatives shot themselves in the foot, then ther stomach, then the arm, and then the face.

Do dems pander to ethnic groups, sure, but is it better then sonservatives just not caring, you bet.

And Randal, that was a very valid point comparing you to a NEO-nazi. The fact that you feel like your being attacked beacuse your white, and all your power is dwindling, so you hold on to your racist sentiments and blame other peoples problems on the fact that they are lazy, inept, you fill in the blank, and you as a dominant white male should, and will be the eventual victor in your battle against self pity.

By the way you talk, it wouldn't surprise me if you didn't believe the holocost happened, you blame all muslims for terrorism, blacks for crime, mexicans for tarnishing this country. You should take your self imposed elitism and jump in traffic. Probably the most productive thing a righty could do for betterment of all.

jonas (Anonymous) says…

Right-thinker: Errrr, wha?

Sometimes, I swear, it's like you stop actually talking and just start leaking words. They're coming out, but they don't actually connect to anything.

Windlass (Anonymous) says…

Now, I am white, but my heart is not black and my brain is not dead. So to the white race I say this much. You have always been the evil race on earth that the rest of mankind must carry as its burden. I know a great deal about history, and you know, too, that the whites slaughtered Indians who wanted nothing more than peace and to be left alone on their land. Whites were not asked to come here. They were asked many times to please, leave. Brown or black, it doesn't matter. The white race has the history of genocide squarely against them, and for this they can get no peace.

Another thing are the Holocausts. Plural? More than one? Yeah, more than one. The Black Holocaust. Except we only get our shoulders cried on by the Jews. We never get to hear the men and women of color tell of their Holocaust, and we are already waiting far too long to listen.

I am really sorry that some here still cannot evolve in ways that the Democrat Party has, but vote for whomever makes your life better! I vote for candidates from both parties if I see they're potentially good for this “diverse” country. Realize what you have America - the most magnificient population of folks from every continent in the world.

But if I were a person of color I would give up now on the white race ever evolving into anything civilized.