If Truth Be Told...or...Not-So-Veiled Racism In America

[b.c.]

NYT: Obama isn't closing racial divide - The New York Times - MSNBC.com

 

[2322]

That article didn't blame racism for the lack of Obama's popularity among white voters. If anything, it highlighted the wide gulf in perceptions about race in the country. It states that most whites believe race relations are much better than they have been while most blacks don't see much, if any, improvement. That's curious to me because it's what I believe. Thinking back in my perceptions of the past, I think race relations have improved greatly compared to when I was young. It surprises and disturbs me, that this particular poll says that my perception, as that of many white people, may be wrong.

The white Republicans I know aren't voting for Obama because he's a Democrat. They almost universally follow that sentiment by stating, "at least he isn't Hillary!" They would much rather have him than another Clinton as these Republicans are pretty much resigned to the opinion that Obama will be the next president even if they will be pulling the lever for McCain. Conversely, most white Republicans I'm familiar with would love to have Colin Powell running. Even in the white country clubs and gated communities, they talk about Powell with a wistful look because they believe he is the one man who could win this race for the GOP. One of my cousin's has a thank you card personally signed by Richard Nixon on the mantle of her fireplace. You don't get more Republican than that and even she goes on and on about Powell. For a white guy like me, living in a fairly white part of a very diverse state, the lack of support for Obama points to ideology far more than racism.

It is interesting to me that both racial groups, according to the article, believe that the time has come for a black person to run as president. That's quite a feat in itself and something I never would have expected in my lifetime just a few years ago. I think his candidacy caught most white people by surprise and they point to it as an example of improved race relations.

 

[marleyisalegend]

It surprises and disturbs me, that this particular poll says that my perception, as that of many white people, may be wrong.

There are a few problems with this kind of poll, who's taking it? I guarantee that some of the poll-tokers are white prople who view blacks as devalued, and blacks who sit in mama's living room playing playstatoin blamin' white people for their problems.

We're assuming that all of the poll-takers are aware and have no chips on their shoulders about the other race. Their perception may be tainted by their experiences, or they may answer what the WISH were true, rather than realistically.

For a white guy like me, living in a fairly white part of a very diverse state, the lack of support for Obama points to ideology far more than racism.

I'm sure that racists are probably a small group, but the people who don't like Obama cuz he's black aren't going to go around proclaiming this, they can justify it with a million other reasons when the true grievance is really his color.

 

[Rikter8]

There are a few problems with this kind of poll, who's taking it? I guarantee that some of the poll-tokers are white prople who view blacks as devalued, and blacks who sit in mama's living room playing playstatoin blamin' white people for their problems.
I'm sure that racists are probably a small group, but the people who don't like Obama cuz he's black aren't going to go around proclaiming this, they can justify it with a million other reasons when the true grievance is really his color.

It's always good to have a variety of people in a poll.
Otherwise, it can get lop sided as you say.

The Race factor is fading away, however it's these Touting rights groups that are wedging a divide and keeping it pryed open for special benefits and funding.

It's becoming more and more clear that certain blacks in this country are always complaining how bad they have it, and want the world to give them what they need. (I.E. King Racist Jessee Jackson).
The more time goes on, and less people care about the Race Card, the more apparent it becomes.

On the other hand, There are the majority of the black population where the race factor is dissappearing. "The world owes me" mentality is dissapearing, where it once lived.
It's now "If I don't put forth effort like the rest of the world, then I won't be successful". - They need to teach this mentality more in school.

If little Jimmy or Peggie Sue doesn't work hard and EARN their way, then Jimmy and Peggie will be SOL. Instead, Jimmy and Peggy learn from parents ways of sucking on the system because they don't have to work.

I work with 500 or so engineers on a daily basis. There's about 150 or so african american engineers, and the rest is a mix from all over the world. In this mix, are some pretty Hillbilly type people, and it VERY RARELY comes up where we identify a person as "That tall black guy" or "That fat asian guy". It's more - "The tall guy that works up in this area".
Race doesn't come into the conversation - and it SHOULDNT.

The only reason I didn't want Obama is because he would only shove a wedge in the ever closing racial divide. And, if you look at his track record so far, with the Reverend and all that.... It's casting a negative light. He puts on his Mask to appease the masses, and then turns and puts on his other mask to appease certain groups.
Every politician does it...just not as blatant as this.

When I'm on a hot project for the customer, I dont care what color or race you are. If you can't back up the resume you were hired under to get the job done...then get the hell out.

 

[uncut1234]

a good way to "close the racial divide" would be first to stop talking about it...
its hard to treat people equally when all they do is whine about being a minority and constantly remind you about it.

 

[mista geechee]

uncut1234 is right, the problem is that no one can do that without detaching theirselves from their ego or putting themselves in someone elses shoes. Both sides are guilty of that. And I say both because when we speak of race in teh US, we automatically think blacks and whites.

Besides, views on "race" are strongly influenced by where you grew up, who you grew up around, how much you are influenced by your surrounding environment, and of course, your own ethnicity.

 

[uncut1234]

i know alot of people who dont give a shit about minorities being minorities, its just another person to us... but when that person constantly reminds you about them being a minority, all the struggles that their "ancestors" may or may have not went through (they ususally have no fuckin clue what trhey are talkin about) they start to get a little anoying..

i dont care if a person is black,(this isnt directed at anyone) but please, stop fucking reminding me you are black and that there used to be black slaves.... we get it..

the day the majorty of minorities stops acting like everyone owes them something, is the day they will be equal, if they themselves can do nothing but dwell on the past, look for handouts, and sympathy over something that had nothing to do with them, no one is ever gona respect them or treat them equally, as long as al sharpton and jesse jackson are on tv sayign they represent black america, you arnt goin anywhere...they do nothing but give good hard working, honest african americans a bad name

 

[marleyisalegend]

and it VERY RARELY comes up where we identify a person as "That tall black guy" or "That fat asian guy". It's more - "The tall guy that works up in this area". Race doesn't come into the conversation - and it SHOULDNT.

A place where race isn't differentiated? Are you talking about work or heaven??

When I'm on a hot project for the customer, I dont care what color or race you are. If you can't back up the resume you were hired under to get the job done...then get the hell out.

People like you need to bottle your tolerance and sell it to the masses. I agree 100% that there are many blacks who sit around waiting for salvation. That shouldn't come at the expense of discrediting those who really do suffer because of the system that's kept many of us in the lower class.

 

[transformer_99]

Oh well, guess it's come full circle ?

The Killing Of Whites In South Africa...And America's Silence
Farmers found bloodied, beaten: Africa: Zimbabwe: News24
allAfrica.com: Namibia: Zim Farmer Beaten Over Land Challenge (Page 1 of 1)
Battered but not beaten, Zimbabwe farmers seek justice - CNN.com

I don't know how far we've come from where we've been. Guess this just happens to really fall under a bunch of @ssh*les killing others for something they feel they can get away with, which might include/be as heinous as murder. Nobody should take it personal, skin color has nothing to do with it. They just happen to have something the other party wants bad enough to kill someone over/for it ? A few bad apples ?

 

[FRE]

Just what would be wrong with refering to someone as "that tall black guy?" If it's just done to identify someone so that the secretary can give him a document that he's requested via telephone, I see nothing wrong with it. It's nothing more than a convenient way to identify someone and not negative in any way. It all depends on context.

Those of us who know history are well aware that racial relations have greatly improved since 1950. Back then, a black person could not even eat in many restaurants or even find a hotel in which to stay. On the other hand, we still have a considerable distance to go before things are as they should be.

 

[uncut1234]

just give it a couple thousand years, white people will be the minority, we will all be fighting for land, and white man will be used for slaves to fight for the mexicans and blacks armies against eachother.
racism will never go away
as long as people are different, there will be racism, sorry

 

[FRE]

Racism will go away when there has been enough inter-marriage that racial distinctions no longer exist. Actually that could be a good thing if hybrid vigor applies to people.

 

[b.c.]

That article didn't blame racism for the lack of Obama's popularity among white voters. If anything, it highlighted the wide gulf in perceptions about race in the country. It states that most whites believe race relations are much better than they have been while most blacks don't see much, if any, improvement. That's curious to me because it's what I believe. Thinking back in my perceptions of the past, I think race relations have improved greatly compared to when I was young. It surprises and disturbs me, that this particular poll says that my perception, as that of many white people, may be wrong.

The white Republicans I know aren't voting for Obama because he's a Democrat. They almost universally follow that sentiment by stating, "at least he isn't Hillary!" They would much rather have him than another Clinton as these Republicans are pretty much resigned to the opinion that Obama will be the next president even if they will be pulling the lever for McCain. Conversely, most white Republicans I'm familiar with would love to have Colin Powell running. Even in the white country clubs and gated communities, they talk about Powell with a wistful look because they believe he is the one man who could win this race for the GOP. One of my cousin's has a thank you card personally signed by Richard Nixon on the mantle of her fireplace. You don't get more Republican than that and even she goes on and on about Powell. For a white guy like me, living in a fairly white part of a very diverse state, the lack of support for Obama points to ideology far more than racism.

It is interesting to me that both racial groups, according to the article, believe that the time has come for a black person to run as president. That's quite a feat in itself and something I never would have expected in my lifetime just a few years ago. I think his candidacy caught most white people by surprise and they point to it as an example of improved race relations.

No, the article doesn't blame racism for the lack of Obama's popularity though it undoubtedly is a factor, and one on which his detractors have played upon and made wholesale use of.

What the article does highlight is a racial divide in our perceptions of America. That some would characterize it as a "card" or merely the whining of a disenchanted few who are forever looking for a handout while blaming others for their misfortune cheaply dismisses the real underlying issues and reasons why that divide still persists.

the day the majorty of minorities stops acting like everyone owes them something, is the day they will be equal, if they themselves can do nothing but dwell on the past, look for handouts, and sympathy over something that had nothing to do with them, no one is ever gona respect them or treat them equally, as long as al sharpton and jesse jackson are on tv sayign they represent black america, you arnt goin anywhere...they do nothing but give good hard working, honest african americans a bad name

Are you suggesting that the mere acknowledging of the divide creates the divide? Ridiculous. (Sort of like saying, "If we ignore the roaches in the cupboard they'll just go away.")

Inequities in society, whether based on race, gender, or even sexual preference does not exist merely because people perceive themselves as "unequal" or "imagine" themselves discriminated against.

 

[uncut1234]

did u just call black people roaches? lol

 

[b.c.]

did u just call black people roaches? lol

I'm sure you would view the analogy that way.

 

[uncut1234]

lol , simma da naaaaw

 

[D_Bob_Crotchitch]

This reminds me of the media manipulation of the public in the 1960 election. It was put out that if you didn't vote for Kennedy, it was because you are prejudiced against Catholics. A whole bunch of boobs bought that nonsense. The man was a mobster, womanizer, and a socialist. That's why a lot of peeps didn't vote for him.

A lot of peeps won't vote for Obama because he is a socialist, he is wishy washy on religion, and he is pro-abortion and gay rights. Like it or not those qualities are going to out weigh race.

 

[b.c.]

lol , simma da naaaaw

Do you mean simmer down?? ...I'm not angry.

After all, I wasn't the one who showed his complete ignorance here for all to see. lol

 

[transformer_99]

just give it a couple thousand years, white people will be the minority, we will all be fighting for land, and white man will be used for slaves to fight for the mexicans and blacks armies against each other.
racism will never go away as long as people are different, there will be racism, sorry

This reality is already here, when real estate tripled and quadrupled in markets, that was a money and property shell game. People that could no more afford that mortgage, property taxes and insurance costs were destined to play a role. The mortgage lending industry was after government money, they wind up with all the payments that those poor suckers could throw down and then when they defaulted, they kept the property to resell, wrote off the bad mortgages, get bailed out and kicked those people to the curb with their dicks in their hands. This is Bush II, Bush I was junk bonds and S&L bailout of the late 80's & early 90's. Housing has turned into the "buy here, pay here car lots of the poorer sections of town", where the first default results in repossession and damaged credit ratings. The world is full of shell games. Car leases are the same foolishness. Dealerships require a down pay, they lure you in with get a better car than you could actually buy for a payment towards actual ownership. Bottom line, they want you to be able to make the payment, because in 3 years, you have nothing in terms of ownership. You'll need another lease that day, but this time instead of having wheels to get off the lot, you're at their mercy, standing there with your "dick in your hand". It's a common theme in America. So you won't lease from them, too bad, get on the bus or take a cab over to the next dealership. You'll have the same leverage over there too.

Local governments are already finding loopholes to turn I-95 into toll roads. Break those special set of rules and you get points on your license and fines. Yes, Al Qaeda isn't your biggest enemy, it's your greedy @ssh*le neighbor. Since they are turning I-95 into a toll road, why don't they just put toll booths on all the streets in our neighborhoods while they're at it ? They already have speed traps/zones to catch the locals going slightly over the posted speed. Here's another great idea that I'm surprised they haven't come up with yet, apartment dwellers, make them rent a parking space. Up until a couple of year's ago, refuse & waste, along with city water & sewage was covered in rent, rents have gone up and those other services are now an additional surcharge on top of rent. My complex has a workout room with some old broken down equipment. They charge additionally for the key to use that. Yes, the more it continues, even renting is turning into more of home ownership without the owner's equity. And when they can't rent, they turn an old delapidated apartment complex into a rundown slum of a condo, completewith association dues and then you'll have to foot the bill for maintenance beyond renting. Wait until that 20 year old refrigerator and a/c unit die, they got the profits from renting it, then sold you worn out, run down sh*t that you have to replace. Your neighbor gets a leak, and let's face it, the plumbing and electrical in these places aren't to code any more, that'll also come out of your pocket. But you'll pay over $ 100K in some markets for these old dives. Old hotels & motels get converted that way too.

 

[transformer_99]

The media is doing all kinds of mad stupid sh*t too:

YouTube - People who annoy you
Excite News - Fox: Jackson used N-word in crude off-air remarks

And let's not forget about Don Imus playing out his about face from Rutger's women's basketvball team as "nappy headed hoes" to "Pac Man Jones is a wonderful kid that shouldn't be arrested 1/2 a dozen times, because of racial profiling ?" Yep, people bending the rules, getting away with what they measure the bounds of racism to be. From the African Americans I know, the biggest joke of the election year they shared with me was: "When Obama beats Hillary Clinton, it'll be a historic event in our American history, it'll mark the first time a black man beat a white woman and didn't go to jail for it." I have a sense of humor about it, I laughed too, but you know something, the joke goes a different way, told by an outsider to the race and it's racism, borderline a hate crime. And the other night, I'm watching Mad TV, the whole skit is about a black woman who is the counter girl at a fast food restaurant. Here's a black actress ripping and ridiculing her own race for a buck, fame & fortune. Is it any wonder racism abounds in our societies ? And when I say societies, this happens globally, The Euros aren't exempt any more than the rural Appalachian Americans of the USA.