share.triangle.com - Is race an issue in this election? - Comments

RE: Obama-mania

The_Dude — Mon, 05 May 2008 11:36:18 -0400

And, it's certainly not because of the first viable female presidential candidate of the "Clintonian" political machine – it’s clearly because of "Obama-mania".

My apologies, but I just don't understand what you are saying. Obama did not initiate the discussion about race, those discussions began when his detractors attempted to equate Reverend Wright's speeches with the integrity of Obama. Obama was forced to respond to this fallacy, and presented an eloquent and persuasive speech on it. After doing it, his detractors said his only skill was speech writing.

Look at who is doing the mud-slinging, it's not Obama. The main stream media makes its money by making you angry. Angry viewers watch more TV, and generate more ad revenue. Illustrating confrontation and discord between Obama and Hillary is profitable, even if that discord does not actually exist. Do not be so easily manipulated. Read for yourself. Collect facts for yourself. Filter out the MSM garbage and drama. Vote for the democratic platform and everything will be just fine.

Have we Americans gone on a trivial pursuit quest?

Visitor — Mon, 05 May 2008 01:12:00 -0400

We all have heard and we all seem to agree with the statement "united we stand, divided we fall" Yet, it appears to me that even though we would publicly say "Amen" to that sentiment, why then do we still relish in trivial pursuits that divide us? Is it possibly because we have become so numb and cynical about any real hope in addressing the real issues that should really matter, or could it be that we just don't care anymore - or does caring require way too much effort? Therefore, we just casually go about our daily lives in a daze welcoming without thinking rationally, questioning or researching whatever the media spoon feeds us. The days of Walter Cronkite professional journalism are long gone. We are mow plagued with these 24/7 viral cable news programs that are more so “Entertainment Tonight” than real substantive news. We have a choice to make America in this presidential 2008 election year. It is indeed a defining moment in changing things for the better for all Americans and generations to come, if we so choose. Or, we can decide to continue on the same old, same old path, while hoping for a different and better result. The choices we make and the consequences of those choices are up to us. As the legend Bob Marley proudly sung..."open your eyes and look within - are you satisfied with the life you're living?" More than 80 percent of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction - the highest such number since the early 1990s, according to a new survey. The CBS News-New York Times poll released in April, 2008 showed 81 percent of respondents said they believed "things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track." That was up from 69 percent a year ago, and 35 percent in early 2002. If you’re so fortunate enough to be a lucky member of the 20 percent whom think otherwise, then no need to continue on reading. However, if you’re like most that crave for positive change, it does take some effort; because any change that's worthwhile starts first with you (“The man / woman in the mirror”). These are serious challenging times in our American history. We're in an economic recession, higher than high gas prices, the price of food is increasing at an alarming rate making it much more difficult for Americans to feed their families, a broken health care system that desperately needs to be reformed, mortgage crisis, failing infrastructure, deterioration of the American family, sub-human senseless crimes on humanity, war in Iraq, war in Afghanistan, the possibility of starting a war with Iran, an over-extended military that's been poorly served and neglected for all of their unwavering and selfless service to this country, environment, education, foreign policy, a free trade system that's broke, immigration, and we have become a nation that's more divided than united. Think about it people - here we are in the year 2008 AD and this presidential election has been reduced to a divisive debate about race, ignorant F.E.A.R (False Expectations Appearing Real) mongering, and political self-serving partisan positioning in deciding who will be our next president - more so than discussing, debating, and solving all of the insurmountable and problematic issues that should really get our attention and matter. The entire world is intensely watching our 2008 presidential election – And, it's certainly not because of the first viable female presidential candidate of the "Clintonian" political machine – it’s clearly because of "Obama-mania". I wonder what the world must be thinking. It saddens me that we're moving backwards in time to a time that was so dark, shameful, and divisive in our history, more so than moving forward towards a brighter and hopeful future for the “United” States of America. Let’s hope and pray that I am wrong!

Too bad Clinton and Cantor are still stuck back in the 50's

Hank — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:35:15 -0400

Who would have thought that in this day and age with all that has passed and with hope for change on the horizon that we will all be back to politics as usual as soon as the supers put their stamp on this thing? Just sad...plain sad.

It is unfortunate that

Caryl S. Foster — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:22:58 -0400

It is unfortunate that people hold people responsible and accountable for what other people say.

Even though one should strive to judge another person on the basis of their character rather than their color, one can still can get it wrong.

The truth is that no matter how well one thinks one knows another person, in the end that person is a stranger because you never know everything there is to know about that person and many times that person himself does not know about himself until placed in a position to find out.

Clearly, Senator Obama has never given anyone any reason, through his words or his actions, to actually believe that he embraces all of the views of Reverend Wright.

If one does not understand these basic truths, then the truth is that everyone of us can be found to be guilty by association.

Race/ Gender

Visitor — Sun, 04 May 2008 23:36:15 -0400

You have to remember that every one of Rev. Wright's messages were different. What you saw and heard were probably 2 of the most racist ones. So it's not like Rev. Wright came in every Sunday preaching down on America. I must say to you that I have been a member at the same church for over 17 years. My pastor has said some things that I don't egree with. Just because I didn't leave the church does not mean that I agree with him 100%. I have my own mind and do know right from wrong.
Obama is a man of integrity. He handled that situation the same way that I may have if I were in his shoes. That powerful speach said a lot. Even though he didn't want to disown his pastor, he eventually had to because it was obvious that the Rev. was so caught up in his own pride that he didn't care about to Obama and nobody else. Unfortunatly, a lot of us find out who our true friends are the hard way.

race

moonpie — Sun, 04 May 2008 20:50:36 -0400

Rece appears to definitely be a factor. Obama has received 92% of the black vote nationwide if I am not mistaken. I find it hard to believe that only 8% think Clinton is a better candidate.

race

TB — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:14:00 -0400

I grew up in the old south. The man across the street from me was the grand dragon of the KKK of my county. If a black person stepped foot in my neighborhood without invitation, they were asking for a beating. The GD blamed the blacks and Jew bankers for his problems. He blamed the government for keeping him down and giving stuff away to those N*****! He was a angry man and the world was out to get him and people like him. I heard the same words come out of Rev. Wright's sermons...the man was keeping you down, the government was lying, you can be blamed for your problems because others have caused them. The only difference is the KKK member is viewed as a racist and evil, Rev. Wright is justified because he is black and angry...we must understand that anger. Folks, Hate is Hate...black or white. If we give hate an open door then it will spread. That man across the street from me found Jesus before he died and changed. I think Rev. Wright needs to reopen that bible and find the love of Christ and stop blaming others for his condition.

race an issue

Visitor — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:47:04 -0400

yes race is still an issue because we still cant get past the old black and white mentality. segregation and separtisim is very hurtful and most people dont like to talk about hurtful things. it has just been less that a generation ago (40 years) that we were separate and not equal. so we now have a lot to catch up on. the younger generation has no clue of what it is to be discriminated against and i am glad that in this election the younger generations are making us see again (they fueled the civil rights movement) that we need to move beyond the race/gender issue. our world is global with different races, colors, creeds and languages. we must embrace our differences and move beyond pettiness and make our nation a nation TRULY to be proud of. the world is watching us right now!!

I want all people who know someone who attacked Civil Rights Wor

cdelliott9 — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:56:44 -0400

To me, race relations were set back when John McCain, not his pastor voted against the Martin Luther King holiday; for me they are set back everytime the voting rights act has to be reauthorized instead of it being made a standing law; for me, race relations are set back everytime police officers shoot unarmed minority men and women. It is delusional to think that race relations in the United States are in a good place...just ask the family of James Byrd.

This is such hypocrisy. I

cdelliott9 — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:50:45 -0400

This is such hypocrisy. I wonder what would be found out if there were an investigation of everyone you've ever been associated with. If you are a White American, there's a strong possibility that you know/are related to/have worked or attended church with someone who was heavily involved in attacking persons just like Rev. Wright as they marched nonviolently for Civil Rights; someone you know was probably one of the biggest hatemongers back then but today they are forgiven because after all, that was just against African Americans.
One of things must 'Americans' want to forget is that America HAS done some really terrible things at home and abroad. The weapons of mass destruction that our government was searching for in Iraq, were biological agents that we provided to them for their use against others. I could go on but (according to your post) there is no way that you'd see things differently because your mind is closed.

RE: I was going to vote for Obama

The_Dude — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:38:52 -0400

Will, many of the greatest, most altruistic leaders of the world have earned the support of some very evil men.

I've listened carefully to the words of Reverend Wright, Malcolm X, Louis Farrakan. When the media puts these men in the limelight, it doesn't pay to portray them as great orators who connect with and inspire people, even though they did. Instead, it makes the media money to showcase the nastiest, and most easily misinterpreted, things they ever said, and reduce these men to those tiny expressions. Usually, this is done out of context, so as to maximize our revulsion to it. The media knows its money is made by exciting anger in its audience, because that makes audiences thirsty for more.

Most human beings would seem utterly repulsive, extreme, perhaps evil, if the only thing that was provided to represent us to the world were the nastiest moments of our lives. We all need to take a step back and ask ourselves if that is a fair way to look upon each other. It isn't.

If we think for ourselves a bit, which means shutting out the media which spoon feeds us for a just a while, and maybe do a little reading, we'll quickly discover that these men had insight into some wrongs in modern human behavior. These men delivered a perspective that was fresh, unique, and felt within the hearts of their audience, because their work was real, sincere, and brutally honest. But they first had to earn respect, and you'll not hear the main stream media talk about how they earned that respect.

The fact is, that America has a lot to be proud of, and a lot to be ashamed of too. There aren't many people who risk the persecution of criticizing America when it deserves to be criticized. But levelling that criticism doesn't mean that one hates America, or hates anyone. Often, as with our children, we get angry, because we want to protect and secure what we love.

But, I've never heard Obama speak as these men do. Instead, I've seen some of the most poignant and poetic speeches of my life, regarding what it is to be American, what it takes to bring us together, to bridge the gap between the Farrakan's and you. It takes a perceptive and sympathetic man to conquer those cultural divisions.

If you think there is a logical reasons to believe that Obama is a man of hate, then present those facts.

Three reasons race is a factor in this election

Visitor — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:38:23 -0400

1) It has always been the unspoken norm in American politics that only white men rule. Regardless of the lack of character of the person or his inexperience, white men are given a free pass to elected positions; There is the tacit assumption that white men (and women) possess some super intelligence not granted to others by God. Why do you think you can still count on one hand the number of African American Senators in U.S. history
2) Relative to my first point, Senator Obama is being asked to explain any relationship with anyone who might share views that are deemed questionable by white Americans even though there has been no evidence that he shares these views. Yet, the Bush family has been known to have strong ties with terrorists around the world and there was no attempt to protect the American people from these extremists. There was no extensive 'vetting' of him because it was accepted that he was 'good' by virtue of his skin. Hillary Clinton has a laundry list of lies, questionable business transactions and associates yet she is portrayed as some type of fighter for the little guy. However, where I come from she is considered a liar and opportunist; which leads me to my next reason. Contrary to popular belief, she hasn't been truly vetted...she may have been embarrassed by her husbands philandering, but there was never the focus on uncovering her associations or dealings.
3) Throughout this election, where I come from and the values and opinions held by those like me don't matter. We constantly here about the "American voter" and it almost always means they are talking about white Americans. It is painfully honest that in this day and age, African Americans are still considered 3/5th of a person. Our votes are only important in those places where we are heavily concentrated which I believe diminishes our value across the board.
Yes, race matters in this presidential election. Unfortunately folks would rather focus on someone who is not running then the content of the character of the person who is.

How can you say Wright spoke

Will — Thu, 01 May 2008 02:09:56 -0400

How can you say Wright spoke the truth? I cannot fathom how one can believe Jews and whites are evil, that black people are superior because they are "sun people." I do not think for a second that whites created AIDS to murder blacks.

Every nation, every race, and every culture on this planet has committed atrocities against each other. These atrocities will continue unless people stand up against ignorance and hate. Rev. Wright represents everything that is wrong with this country and he has done nothing but perpetuate hate.

We must all stand up against ignorance and hate - no matter what our color.

I was going to vote for Obama

Will — Thu, 01 May 2008 02:06:14 -0400

Obama really concerns me. Every radical is supporting him. He preaches hope but he has associated himself with hate his entire life. People say Wright is not speaking for him but how can he have such a close relationship with someone and have Nation of Islam of members on his staff and play ignorant? I wish the press would have exposed this earlier. Our party has been cheated and they have handed the election to the Republicans.

Yes, but it is a positive

The_Dude — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:50:14 -0400

Yes, but it is a positive issue, not a negative one. If Obama becomes leader of the most powerful nation in the world, it will be a terrible blow to race baiters everywhere.

Never again will a self-deprecating black man be able to say with conviction that his dreams and aspirations are unrealizable because whitey is holding him down. Is not the burder to empower the black man then placed squarely on his own shoulders, as it should be? Is he not then completely responsible for his own destiny?

If Obama takes the cake, and I hope he does, I look forward to the self empowerment of black Americans, I look forward to an end of the endless search for the best excuse not to go to work or school, and end to sophistry on why some man is justified in a life of crime.

For a black man to be leader of the free world, is to liberate more minds in a single step, than has ever been done in the history of humankind. Its inspiring if you think about it.

Is race an issue in this election?

mwilliam — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:01:45 -0400

Is race an issue in this election? If so, why?

Click here to discuss who should drop out of the race.

Is race an issue in this election? If so, why? Click here to discuss who should drop out of the race.