Obama tackles race anger in major speech

[jen0830]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

So someone acknowledging that a minority group that has greater poverty and a long history of discrimination against them has it worse in tough times is only caring about the minority group? Wow, please go move to whichever homogenous ethnic country fits you the best.

If we cannot TALK about race, racism, discrimination, etc. then we will never ever change them. Honestly why is Wright any different than Pat Robertson and his "9/11 happened because of the gays and women working outside the home" line? (And you're just making shit up with Farrakhan).

Oh noes the black guy will be president and he will make us all slaves! It's true I read it on a website! EVERYBODY PANIC.

/ahhhh that's better.

In 1982, the church launched Trumpet Newsmagazine; Wright’s daughters serve as publisher and executive editor, Wright is CEO. Every year, the magazine makes awards in various categories. Last year, it gave the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award to a man it said, “Truly epitomized greatness”. That man is Louis Farrakhan.

Before you dismiss someone's words, may I suggest you check it out and do some research? Maybe you could begin with ALL of Obama's statements about the Nation of Islam and it's leader.

I live in Los Angeles, one of the most multicultural and sexually diverse cities in the country. I have been on the Web, going to the library, and listening to most of the speeches that Wright, and Obama have made. I did not have the patience, or time to listen to all of them. Has anyone? Clinton’s? McCain’s?
Has anyone listened to all of Don Imus' conversations or remembered his good deeds? Most choose to remember his one highly offensive remark. He had the character to apologize and meet with those he offended. Obama was one of the first to condemn Imus. This is why I consider Obama a hypocrite. He is "mouthing a qualified condemnation of Wright, but like many, excusing Wright’s racist speeches. I listened to the entire speech so I am not basing my views on “Fox News” snippets.

There are no excuses for Wright's remarks. After 20 years of hearing these attacks, Obama is still his close friend, claiming he did not know any of this. After 4 years, I knew my sorority sisters pretty well. This makes Obama either incredibly stupid or a liar, or BOTH!

Let’s get real, having Wright and Farrakhan, as your "spiritual advisors" would shape one’s philosophy and attitudes. I think one would get a general idea of their mentor’s opinions and ideologies. Obama described his own grandmother as a "typical white woman". This is racist; the same as if I said someone is a "typical black woman". Dumb Blonde jokes are racist and yet PC. Have you ever had to explain that to a crying 5-year-old blonde niece who doesn’t “get the joke” and thinks she's stupid because of her hair color?

I was in a small store robbery where a Korean merchant was being beaten in the face and head, with a baseball bat, while being called a racial slur, by a Black thug. When this jerk came at me, he called me a c****** bitch, and I don't mean Saltine. I clocked him in the face with a can of soup and kicked him in the groin several times, so he would still be down when the police arrived. Trust me, I am not going to panic over the possibility of a Black President, God willing, it won't be Obama! Several of us, blonde, homogenous, GLO alumnae, as you would lump my group, have had many a racial slur come at us, including "high priced white p*****".

FYI, I don't run away either. I have helped a transvestite get away from some White rednecks, who began beating him because he was a "q****".
And since we are bringing up history of injustices in this thread, does anyone remember the Rodney King riots in LA? I sure do, I was in it.

I remember watching the rioters dragging Reginald Denny from his truck and the glee on their faces as they kicked him on the ground, and smashed a rock on his head? Mr. Denny's only crime was being White.

We could go on and on, including the recent murders of three Southern co-eds, two of who were members of GLO's. What excuse will be given now? Could these murders be the results of hate talk? Who knows? Blacks were lynched in the South as the result of hate talk. I think we can all agree, it doesn't help.

Don't patronize me as ill informed, or lacking life experience. I have friends of many races, religions, and sexual orientations. As a responsible member of society, I SPEAK UP AND TAKE ACTION when I hear ANY racial, religious, gender, sexual orientation, or GLO slur.

Please put your assumptions about me elsewhere.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by jen0830

In 1982, the church launched Trumpet Newsmagazine; Wright’s daughters serve as publisher and executive editor, Wright is CEO. Every year, the magazine makes awards in various categories. Last year, it gave the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award to a man it said, “Truly epitomized greatness”. That man is Louis Farrakhan.

And how does that make Farrakhan Obama's spiritual advisor as you claimed?

Before you dismiss someone's words, may I suggest you check it out and do some research? Maybe you could begin with ALL of Obama's statements about the Nation of Islam and it's leader.

Such as? The only connections I can find between Obama and the NOI is that several of his staffers are members (oh noes, I bet several are Catholic too!), and that his Church's magazine honored Farrakhan.

I live in Los Angeles, one of the most multicultural and sexually diverse cities in the country. I have been on the Web, going to the library, and listening to most of the speeches that Wright, and Obama have made. I did not have the patience, or time to listen to all of them. Has anyone? Clinton’s? McCain’s?
Has anyone listened to all of Don Imus' conversations or remembered his good deeds? Most choose to remember his one highly offensive remark. He had the character to apologize and meet with those he offended. Obama was one of the first to condemn Imus. This is why I consider Obama a hypocrite. He is "mouthing a qualified condemnation of Wright, but like many, excusing Wright’s racist speeches. I listened to the entire speech so I am not basing my views on “Fox News” snippets.

Obama's Silence on Imus Alarms Some Blacks

There are no excuses for Wright's remarks. After 20 years of hearing these attacks, Obama is still his close friend, claiming he did not know any of this. After 4 years, I knew my sorority sisters pretty well. This makes Obama either incredibly stupid or a liar, or BOTH!

Because people are either all good or all bad. Obama was actually rather specific in saying that he hadn't heard the specific sermons that people were asking him about, but that he HAD heard controversial things. Wright is a person who, spiritually and socially, means a lot to him. Politicians throw those people under the bus for votes, people do not.

Let’s get real, having Wright and Farrakhan, as your "spiritual advisors" would shape one’s philosophy and attitudes. I think one would get a general idea of their mentor’s opinions and ideologies. Obama described his own grandmother as a "typical white woman". This is racist; the same as if I said someone is a "typical black woman". Dumb Blonde jokes are racist and yet PC. Have you ever had to explain that to a crying 5-year-old blonde niece who doesn’t “get the joke” and thinks she's stupid because of her hair color?

Again, you're making shit up with Farrakhan. He wasn't saying that omg she was racist she was so typical of white people. He was saying she was a normal human being, she was white, and she was a woman. Word choice may not have been the best, but in and of itself it is not racist. Neither is your second example. It's about the intent behind the words.

I was in a small store robbery where a Korean merchant was being beaten in the face and head, with a baseball bat, while being called a racial slur, by a Black thug. When this jerk came at me, he called me a c****** bitch, and I don't mean Saltine. I clocked him in the face with a can of soup and kicked him in the groin several times, so he would still be down when the police arrived. Trust me, I am not going to panic over the possibility of a Black President, God willing, it won't be Obama! Several of us, blonde, homogenous, GLO alumnae, as you would lump my group, have had many a racial slur come at us, including "high priced white p*****".

Bully for you?

FYI, I don't run away either. I have helped a transvestite get away from some White rednecks, who began beating him because he was a "q****".
And since we are bringing up history of injustices in this thread, does anyone remember the Rodney King riots in LA? I sure do, I was in it.

I can't be ____ some of my best friends are ____. I get it.

*snipped even less relevant things*

Don't patronize me as ill informed, or lacking life experience. I have friends of many races, religions, and sexual orientations. As a responsible member of society, I SPEAK UP AND TAKE ACTION when I hear ANY racial, religious, gender, sexual orientation, or GLO slur.

Please put your assumptions about me elsewhere.

Nah, they're fine where they are. Apparently Oprah and Obama only care about black people. That's what you said. THAT is where my assumptions about you come into play. That and the whole post wasn't really about you, it was about everyone like you who gets the tiniest bit of information and instead of looking for more, explodes into an unrealistic set of claims.

Oh and you put "GLO" slur on the same level as racism, sexism, etc?

[shinerbock]

I really don't care anymore, but more on Obama-Imus...

"I understand MSNBC has suspended Mr. Imus," Obama told ABC News, "but I would also say that there's nobody on my staff who would still be working for me if they made a comment like that about anybody of any ethnic group. And I would hope that NBC ends up having that same attitude."

Obama said he appeared once on Imus' show two years ago, and "I have no intention of returning."

[jen0830]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

And how does that make Farrakhan Obama's spiritual advisor as you claimed?


Such as? The only connections I can find between Obama and the NOI is that several of his staffers are members (oh noes, I bet several are Catholic too!), and that his Church's magazine honored Farrakhan.

Obama's Silence on Imus Alarms Some Blacks

Because people are either all good or all bad. Obama was actually rather specific in saying that he hadn't heard the specific sermons that people were asking him about, but that he HAD heard controversial things. Wright is a person who, spiritually and socially, means a lot to him. Politicians throw those people under the bus for votes, people do not.

Again, you're making shit up with Farrakhan. He wasn't saying that omg she was racist she was so typical of white people. He was saying she was a normal human being, she was white, and she was a woman. Word choice may not have been the best, but in and of itself it is not racist. Neither is your second example. It's about the intent behind the words.


Bully for you?
I can't be ____ some of my best friends are ____. I get it.

*snipped even less relevant things*


Nah, they're fine where they are. Apparently Oprah and Obama only care about black people. That's what you said. THAT is where my assumptions about you come into play. That and the whole post wasn't really about you, it was about everyone like you who gets the tiniest bit of information and instead of looking for more, explodes into an unrealistic set of claims.

Oh and you put "GLO" slur on the same level as racism, sexism, etc?

Regarding the politics, we could go on and on, getting articles to support our points of view. You and I can illustrate the other’s “fallacies” in this Debate 101 endlessly. I want to spend my time doing something else, instead of engaging in a lose/lose argument. You have your facts and opinions and I have my facts and opinions, which support our point of view.

Regarding Obama, "Let's agree to disagree". We each get to vote.

Since this is Greekchat, I mentioned GLO’s because they also are the targets of attacks. There is bigotry and hatred against GLO members as a group. I have experienced the sexism against sorority women and witnessed the racism (racial slurs were used) in the beatings of White fraternity men. Yes, I will continue to speak out, even if GLO’s aren’t considered “important” to others.

I will also say that I don't appreciate your "bully for you" sarcasm and lack of compassion when innocent people are attacked, but we are who we are.

That Korean man has permanent physical injuries, he is lucky to be alive. None of us left that store without some “scar”. Hopefully, the memory of the experience for everyone, will fade over time.

Have you ever heard the different sounds that come when a bat hits the head, chest, and face, while listening to the screams and pleas of the victim?

Have you ever seen a person's face instantly disfigured, with blood and teeth flying in the air?

Have you ever felt, really felt! the hatred, and violence of an attacker coming at you with a bloody baseball bat?

Have you ever felt the absolute terror of looking into the eyes of someone who wants to kill you?

I hope you never do. Good Night and Good Luck.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

Originally Posted by jen0830

Obama is a fool, playing to the black racists he associates with, his "spiritual advisors" Wright and Farrakhan. My grandmother said, "The Devil comes dressed as a gentleman." I don't trust this guy; personally, I think he's evil. He is a member of a "church" that preaches hate and racism and is the pawn of several black supremacists. His self-absorbed wife maybe now has a second " to finally be proud of her country". In Iowa, he said, "When America gets a cold, Black America gets pneumonia". He's like Oprah, they have a no interest beyond their own race. They all betray their self-serving agenda of bigotry.

Farrakhan offered his endorsement and Obama turned it down immediately. At that time, everyone that was uneducated on his background or willing to believe was accusing him of being Muslim (as if that were something negative). So obviously he's not Obama's spiritual advisor. Obama's a CHRISTIAN.

As far as Obama's "Black Agenda" let me tell you that I personally haven't noticed any. He's too busy catering to the needs of those whom he needs to get elected (and they don't look like me). Apparently the majority of black people are voting for him, but I have yet to hear him say anything relevant or concrete pledging to address serious issues affecting the black community or women. I honestly am not holding my breath to hear anything from him regarding that. I guess on one hand I understand, but on the other that bothers me to no end because it's possibly just a waste of their interest.

(People just love making things up! Next week, they'll just be saying that he's Muslim again...)

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

Farrakhan offered his endorsement and Obama turned it down immediately. At that time, everyone that was uneducated on his background or willing to believe was accusing him of being Muslim (as if that were something negative). So obviously he's not Obama's spiritual advisor. Obama's a CHRISTIAN.

As far as Obama's "Black Agenda" let me tell you that I personally haven't noticed any. He's too busy catering to the needs of those whom he needs to get elected (and they don't look like me). Apparently the majority of black people are voting for him, but I have yet to hear him say anything relevant or concrete pledging to address serious issues affecting the black community or women. I honestly am not holding my breath to hear anything from him regarding that. I guess on one hand I understand, but on the other that bothers me to no end because it's possibly just a waste of their interest.

(People just love making things up! Next week, they'll just be saying that he's Muslim again...)

I'm trying to figure out how a black guy with the name Barack Hussein Obama (omg I said it) is the best choice for a "terrorist sleeper agent." Wouldn't you pick some guy named John Smith or something? And he can't be the anti-Christ, he came from the West (Hawaii) not the East.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I'm trying to figure out how a black guy with the name Barack Hussein Obama (omg I said it) is the best choice for a "terrorist sleeper agent." Wouldn't you pick some guy named John Smith or something? And he can't be the anti-Christ, he came from the West (Hawaii) not the East.

I have to go back and watch season 4 and 5 of 24...there is a conspiracy in there somewhere that addresses this....heh

[AKA_Monet]

Y'all know that this little girl is probably Black and it is interesting how the young people who have yet understand YabYum position and truly enjoy the greater and important things in life and so eagerly get indoctrinated and control by folks who will never have the Dharma required to love one another...

[skylark]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

but I have yet to hear him say anything relevant or concrete pledging to address serious issues affecting the black community or women. I honestly am not holding my breath to hear anything from him regarding that. I guess on one hand I understand, but on the other that bothers me to no end because it's possibly just a waste of their interest.

I think its a mistake to think that because he hasn't spent the majority of his time talking about race to assume that he doesn't think it is a major issue. If he did focus too much of his candidacy on race, he'd have ended up as no more a viable candidate than Jesse Jackson. I assume based on smaller more nuanced comments (as well as the recent speech on race) that he is highly attuned to the issues, but it just isn't practical for him to get too detailed about his plans because it is such a volatile issue that it would make him unelectable.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Am I the only one who doesn't think this is at all a big deal? The race stuff, the pastor's comments, etc?

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Am I the only one who doesn't think this is at all a big deal? The race stuff, the pastor's comments, etc?

peppy...what do you think about Bill Richardson's endorsement ?

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Am I the only one who doesn't think this is at all a big deal? The race stuff, the pastor's comments, etc?

I don't think it should be a primary focal point, but I do think it goes towards questionable judgment. Also, while I think the speech had some strong points, I think it was politically motivated and therefore shouldn't be celebrated either (some of the ideas and dialogue should be, perhaps).

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Am I the only one who doesn't think this is at all a big deal? The race stuff, the pastor's comments, etc?

In reality it is not a big deal. I also agree with Shinerbock that it affects Obama's better judgment. Why the media would make a big deal out of this lunacy is very interest.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Am I the only one who doesn't think this is at all a big deal? The race stuff, the pastor's comments, etc?

No.

[EE-BO]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Am I the only one who doesn't think this is at all a big deal? The race stuff, the pastor's comments, etc?

I have already posted a lot on this thread, but have been giving it much thought as well in recent days and your question gets to what has been foremost in my mind.

I think it is a very big deal, but not in the context of Obama.

In practical terms, I think this hurts him very much in a general election- but unfairly to an extent as I think my posts have indicated- but the fact it might hurt him gets to why I think Rev. Wright's comments are a very big deal.

The big deal is that Wright's comments are not all that rare and they expose an anger and sense of injustice in the African-American community that the rest of us rarely see and find hard to understand.

Obama is not guilty of a moral lack of judgement here. He is instead guilty of a strategic error in making his alignment with his church a huge part of how he expressed who he was. It was the same mistake Kerrey made when shrouding himself in the flag as a Vietnam veteran- though I would argue Kerrey did make poor moral decisions as well.

How many of you can tell me who Hillary or John McCain's pastors are? Doing things like this ties you to third parties and everything they may have said. It actually worked to Obama's favor, and I believe it was sincere on his part, but now it is coming back to haunt him.

But back to Wright- it is hard for people of my generation to understand the very real and justified feelings Wright was getting to with those comments of his. We were not around for Jim Crow. While the inequalities today are hard to miss, they are also not as starkly obvious plus many people- myself included- know a great many African-Americans who are financially and professionally successful and face just as much hatred from their bretheren for being "Toms" as they face from some white people whose brains stopped working in the 1950s.

I have tried to understand a lot of Wright's perspective- and I find the best place to look is recordings of old comedy routines. Sounds silly I know- but Redd Fox, Richard Pryor, LaWanda Page and Moms Mabley are 4 people whose words recorded in a different time have informed much of my attempt to understand why someone like Wright can be so incredibly divisive but also so right in certain ways.

The venue helps. A comedy show is there to make you laugh and so it is easier to listen to, laugh at- and then think about afterwards. Once someone makes you laugh, they can make you think.

But for people like me in my general background and age- to see a pastor express that same injustice in angry words is not only hard to comprehend, but it is downright frightening.

It is frightening because it is a rawer and purer form of the sheer anger that still lingers.

Worse still, one wonders how to deal with the underlying cause of the anger.

America's greatness is based on the notion that anyone can come here and excel. The American Dream is there for all.

It was there for the Chinese, Irish and Italians when they came over in the late 1800s to early 1900s. It was there for the Jews who came here in the first half of the twentieth century. And it is there for the many Mexican, Central American, South American, Asian and Middle Eastern people who come here today.

But it has NEVER been there in full spirit for native Americans or for African-Americans.

I think much of this has to do with how the collective general masses of "Americans" at given points interacted with these 2 groups. Native Americans were our fatal enemies, and African-Americans were our slaves.

And given how many other general ethnic groups have come here and eventually been able to assimilate- I have to think those initial interactions are the real key to what is wrong.

As much as I dislike what Wright had to say, the more I think about it- the more I think his words are important. And as someone who likes shock value more than most people, I have to appreciate his methods intellectually.

I still think Obama is caught in a bad strategic decision, but I have to admit that with regards to Reverend Wright my mind has been changed thank to this thread.

And yet the scary question still exists- where do we go from here?

I don't know the answer to that, but it is safe to say that guys like Sean Hannity talking about "Barack HUSSEIN Obama and his racist preacher" gets an A+ for ratings, but an F- for being of any real use whatsoever.