Just how black do you need to be to be black?

[TwistedCopper]

Copied from Drudge, this stuff makes me want to put my own head through a wall. Mr Obama's comments on being treated black, and his wifes comments are appauling:

It didn't take long for the focus of these campaigns to "Go there"



OBAMA: IF YOU LOOK AFRICAN-AMERICAN, YOU ARE TREATED LIKE ONE
Fri Feb 9 2007 15:51:32 ET

Acknowledging that his presidential campaign has opened a racial debate, Sen. Barack Obama, who has a white mother and an African father, says if you look African-American, you are treated like one. Obama and his wife, Michelle, who also addresses the race issue, appear in an interview with Steve Kroft to be broadcast on 60 MINUTES, Sunday Feb. 11 (7:00-8:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS television Network. If, as expected, Obama declares his formal candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination tomorrow, it will be his first interview to be broadcast after that event.

When asked by Kroft if growing up in a white household had caused him to make a decision to be black, Obama replies, "I'm not sure I decided it. I think... if you look African American in this society, you're treated as an African-American.Ó "It's interesting though, that now I feel very comfortable and confident in terms of who I am and where I stake my ground. But I notice that... I've become a focal point for a racial debate," says Obama.

Obama's wife also addresses the race issue when asked by Kroft whether she fears for her husband's life as a black candidate. "I don't lose sleep over it because the realities are that... as a black man... Barack can get shot going to the gas station," says Michelle Obama. "You can't make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen."

Will being African-American hold him back as a candidate? "No.... If I don't win this race it will be because of other factors --[that] I have not shown to the American people a vision for where the country needs to goÉthat they can embrace," Obama tells Kroft.[/quote]

[OutOfStep]

There was a lady last night on the Colbert Report that said he wasn't black, so the jury is still out

[currupt4130]

I played the race card on Pirate tonight, got banned. One of the mods took my use of the n word out of context.

[90Xjay]

Originally Posted by currupt4130

I played the race card on Pirate tonight, got banned. One of the mods took my use of the n word out of context.

yeah, the "n" word..... "Nitto"
that one got me in trouble once also...

You gotta watch who you talk tires in front of these days, everyone is on edge.

[mingez]

So, what am I missing here? What was so "appalling" about what Mrs. Obama said? She said she doesn't lose sleep over the fact that her black husband is at greater risk for violence than a non-black candidate. Doesn't sound appalling to me.
:?

Am I reading that wrong?

[TwistedCopper]

Originally Posted by Michelle Obama

the realities are that... as a black man... Barack can get shot going to the gas station,"

Please... black people are at a higher risk than anyone else of being shot, at gas stations or anywhere else, when they make a run for the presidency? That is just plain bull ****

And Barack's comments about being treated black because he "looks" black... what the hell is that all about. "Treated black"???? Gimme a break. Yeah that guy has got it real rough...

I'm thinking they just blew any chance of getting elected.

[mud4feet]

Originally Posted by TwistedCopper

.........says Michelle Obama. "You can't make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen."......

I don't find that very "appalling", either. Makes perfect sense to me.

[TwistedCopper]

Originally Posted by OutOfStep

There was a lady last night on the Colbert Report that said he wasn't black, so the jury is still out

I heard that whacko on the radio yesterday. She was being made a mockery of the host of the show she was on, I think it might have been John Stewart. It was all over the talk radio shows and Stewart (if that is in fact who it was interviewing her) was having a field day with her.

[OutOfStep]

It may have been Colbert, he juxtaposed her position against excerpts of the "I have a dream" speech; she was shocked, you could tell that she had never really contemplated what her position really meant.

[JeepMonkey]

I wish not to offend anyone with the next statement. If you're easily offended please do not continue reading this post.

Obama's wife also addresses the race issue when asked by Kroft whether she fears for her husband's life as a black candidate. "I don't lose sleep over it because the realities are that... as a black man... Barack can get shot going to the gas station," says Michelle Obama. "You can't make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen."

That's BS! Maybe back in the 50's - 70's,! To quote one of my favorite black entertainers - "It doesn't matter if your black or white" (M. Jackson :? ) you've got just about as good a chance at getting shot going anywhere these days no matter what color you are! I'm not trying to start a race war here, but I really wish some people could get over their beliefs that they're still being prejudged against based on their race. Am I prejudist? YOU BET!!!! I'm predjudist agains anyone that thinks the color of their skin or their social upbringing is the reason something bad happened to them. You wanna know why a person gets shot on the way to the gas station? He was in front of the shooter when he pulled the trigger! Let's blame the shooter and not the shot!

[mingez]

Originally Posted by TwistedCopper

Please... black people are at a higher risk than anyone else of being shot, at gas stations or anywhere else, when they make a run for the presidency? That is just plain bull ****

And Barack's comments about being treated black because he "looks" black... what the hell is that all about. "Treated black"???? Gimme a break. Yeah that guy has got it real rough...

I'm thinking they just blew any chance of getting elected.

It doesn't read like you are quoting it. I took it like this. Your spin on it is the part where you added "When they make a run for the presidency."

She's just pointing out that in general, "Black men (day to day) are at greater risk for violence." In other words, she's simply used to the risks, and people should let that sway their day to day decisions.

As far as being "Treated black", that's true. He didn't say that he's "Got it tough." He's saying that people treat you as if you're black because you look black. That's true. What does that mean? It means everyone has biases to some degree, and they aren't necessarily bad people, but it's not something anyone can help. There are certain preconceptions everyone has of races. Obama himself has those same biases toward white people, Hispanics, Asians, and other black people.

Originally Posted by JeepMonkey

I wish not to offend anyone with the next statement. If you're easily offended please do not continue reading this post.

Obama's wife also addresses the race issue when asked by Kroft whether she fears for her husband's life as a black candidate. "I don't lose sleep over it because the realities are that... as a black man... Barack can get shot going to the gas station," says Michelle Obama. "You can't make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen."

That's BS! Maybe back in the 50's - 70's,! To quote one of my favorite black entertainers - "It doesn't matter if your black or white" (M. Jackson :? ) you've got just about as good a chance at getting shot going anywhere these days no matter what color you are! I'm not trying to start a race war here, but I really wish some people could get over their beliefs that they're still being prejudged against based on their race. Am I prejudist? YOU BET!!!! I'm predjudist agains anyone that thinks the color of their skin or their social upbringing is the reason something bad happened to them. You wanna know why a person gets shot on the way to the gas station? He was in front of the shooter when he pulled the trigger! Let's blame the shooter and not the shot!

There's a difference between racism and predjudice. The first is a conscious decision, the last is not. Prejudice is an inherent subconscious thing that nobody has any control over. EVERYONE has prejudice. About everyone. You have prejudices about Asians, Blacks and Whites whether you like it or not. So do I, and everyone on this board. It doesn't make you racist, but it makes you human. We all suffer from the same imperfections.

If you think that people don't have subconscious uncontrollable preconceptions about other people based on appearances, racially or otherwise, then your living in a very sterilized version of reality. (I know you personally don't believe that, I mean it in the broader sense.) Otherwise, why would one support racial profiling for security reasons? These are preconceptions based on race, appearance, and culture.

The reality is, people assume a black man running for president isn't going to be as articulate, or as smart...just look up the thread posted about Biden and his stupid slip up.

[TwistedCopper]

Originally Posted by mud4feet

I don't find that very "appalling", either. Makes perfect sense to me.

This is the part I was referring to, not the quote you pasted:

Originally Posted by TwistedCopper

when asked by Kroft whether she fears for her husband's life as a black candidate. "I don't lose sleep over it because the realities are that... as a black man... Barack can get shot going to the gas station,"

**********

Originally Posted by mingez

It doesn't read like you are quoting it. I took it like this. Your spin on it is the part where you added "When they make a run for the presidency."

She's just pointing out that in general, "Black men (day to day) are at greater risk for violence." In other words, she's simply used to the risks, and people should let that sway their day to day decisions.

On the contrary... her statement was in response to, and applied to him being a candidate (see above quote used in response to Mud4Feet). Nothing more, nothing less. No generalization. It was a response to a specific question. It was ridiculous and the only spin on it in this thread is trying to alter the context in which she responded (by you).

Originally Posted by mingez

As far as being "Treated black", that's true. He didn't say that he's "Got it tough." He's saying that people treat you as if you're black because you look black. That's true. What does that mean? It means everyone has biases to some degree, and they aren't necessarily bad people, but it's not something anyone can help. There are certain preconceptions everyone has of races. Obama himself has those same biases toward white people, Hispanics, Asians, and other black people.

Well he certainly didn't imply that "treated black" means being treated better

Obama is clearly saying he is "treated black" because he looks black (whatever the heck that means . He is saying he is treated in a sub-standard manner for the color of his skin. That's bull****. That claim is more racist than anything that goes on in the US this day and age.

Everyone has a fair shake in this country. This is of course, except straight white males, who seem to be the only group that can be legally discriminated against anymore.

[TwistedCopper]

The guy is already playing the race card and it will cost him any good chance for the election. It's pathetic really...

Why bring it up?

A good response to those questions would be...

"What's it matter? I would not think my skin color would be a factor when the people vote."

"No, it doesn't worry me. We've come a long way in this country."


I thought this guy was a uniter not a divider... apparently not. The "Uniter" title for him stemmed from all the hype I heard and read about him bringing the country together just got flushed down the toilet.

[90Xjay]

prej·u·dice:
preconceived judgment or opinion



MY Opinion:

Prejudices can often be formed out of bad experiences.


If I keep getting bad service at a Burger King, I can become prejudice against all Burger Kings, even though they may offer better service.

[mud4feet]

Originally Posted by TwistedCopper

I thought this guy was a uniter not a divider... apparently not. The "Uniter" title for him stemmed from all the hype I heard and read about him bringing the country together just got flushed down the toilet.

Originally Posted by TwistedCopper

..............Will being African-American hold him back as a candidate? "No.... If I don't win this race it will be because of other factors --[that] I have not shown to the American people a vision for where the country needs to goÉthat they can embrace," Obama tells Kroft.

Don't really know for sure, I'm just a stupid hillbilly, but it sounds to me like he's not playing the race card..........but the "media" definitely is/will. And if you believe that black people (or those "appearing" black) are treated the same in this country as us white folk, then you're fooling yourself.......must be living in a different world than the one I'm living in. The prejudice is there!!....it's gettin' better but it's still there. We've got a long way to go, but we had a big mountain to climb (re: the recent filing of charges against the 70 year old ex-KKK member that killed two black kids in Mississippi). We have a very ugly history, but the great thing about this country is that we can change that and constanty improve..........as long as we keep an open mind. We need to forget about the black/white b.s. and move on..............

Dungy said it well after the Superbowl........said, yeah, it was great that he was the first African-American to win, but it mattered to him more that there were two Christian coaches in the Superbowl. A real tribute to both him and Lovvy (sp?) and a tribute to Dungy as a man. I think we need to think for ourselves and not depend on "Drudge" or others to think for us.

[mud4feet]

And I probably shouldn't drink before I post............I'll learn one of these days......

[TwistedCopper]

Originally Posted by mud4feet

We need to forget about the black/white b.s. and move on..............

One side of his mouth he says it won't hold him back, out of the other he whines about being treated "black". Give me a break. Typical politician

As for prejudice in the US, sure there was a time where the black folks were discriminated against, but that is no longer the case. If anything they have special privilege in many things. You can mention the KKK, but truth is any given group of people in our country has another group that doesn't like them. I work with an Italian that hates Greeks. There's a homosexual woman at work who has a strong hatred for Christians. I have met people who don't like blacks, but no more than I have met blacks who don't like whites. Prejudice can and will be anywhere and everywhere, but there is no standard. There is no one group who suffers from it in any significant way anymore.

For any one single person or group to claim they have it any easier or harder in the USA is either fooling themselves or trying to "get over" on the rest of us.


For a Presidential candidate to do it is inexcusable. It is playing on something ugly from the past when we were truly divided and not moving forward.

[90Xjay]

Originally Posted by mud4feet