You Are Not A Racist For Disagreeing With Obama, But A Racist Is Making You Act Like One!
62Is Race A Factor?
It Appears That Our Initials Aren't The Only Thing We Have In Common
Tim Wise and I have the same initials (TW), and aside from that we also share another thought - you're not racist for disagreeing with Obama, but the tone set by some of the rhetoric being fed into the crowd of protesters have dangerously heavy racial tension intertwined. The word "race", and any form of the word seems to make the opposition ignore every other part of that statement and continually say "I disagree with his policies, it's not about race", or something like that. Please do yourself a favor - shut up and listen. DISAGREEING WITH OBAMA DOES NOT MAKE YOU A RACIST, we agree on that. It is the tone of the highly publicized protests that wreaks of racial tension. Now maybe the "all caps" statement will stick, but then again maybe not.
How are these protesters being exploited and transformed into a combustible unit? Watch the following vids...
Tim Wise On CNN Part 1
Tim Wise On CNN - Part 2
Let's Talk About It...
I want to hear your thoughts. Do you honestly buy that race is a non-issue? Do you think it is time we get to a point where we can be honest with ourselves and each other about race, before this ticking time bomb explodes? If you truly believe that Fox News is giving you unbiased and impartial viewpoints, are you part of the problem? I know one person and have seen another on television (both white) that believe this country needs a race riot...do you agree? Is this the catalyst being used to stimulate one?
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Now this is the real stuff. Home-made racist, play on their own inter hate and fear of the black man.
Thanks for the feedback you two. Rose, he is dropping some real talk right? I've been following Tim Wise for years, he is the real deal.
Tim Wise is awesome. And you are right. Many opponents of Obama are probably not racist. Many probably are - and many who are probably don't even realize it.
The talking heads, Beck and Savage and Limbaugh, are definitely throwing out the racism.
Thanks for the comment William, I think it is blatantly obvious, but good people hate to admit that have the capacity to portray such an ugly trait. They hate to even admit it to themselves, so they find themselves ignoring it. It's the worst case of denial. Then there's the few that simply just aren't good people, who's real issue is that they don't have the freedom, in a free country, to say what they REALLY want to say. So they angrily stand in denial...all they need is a reason to hate him. "He's a muslim" - YEAH, HE'S MUSLIM, I HATE HIM. "He's not a citizen" - YEAH, I HATE HIM! "He's a socialist" (oh they love labels/code words) - YEAH, HE'S A TERRORIST KILL HIM! If it weren't so serious, it would be funny.
I totally agree with telling the truth about blatant hatred against President Obama, my president, and I am proud of it ! Some people say "racism" is not a factor because President Obama won however race is an issue if people resort to name calling Hitler, socialist, non American, etc. We can all agree to disagree agreeably yet when we resort to petty name calling to one of the highest elected officials, Mr President, my prayers are with you.
Thanks for the feedback lisa.williams96@y. You are right, the name-calling and the like, it's bratty. How old are we?
I agree with you, The fact of the matter is racist or not the world itself cannot allow themselves to be wrap up into name calling or anything else that dosent get the job done, what everyone needs to focus on and focus their energy on is getting jobs for people, bringing wealth and end hunger.They have been calling us names for centuries Pickaninny(meaning little Negro children),Negros,Niggas,African Americans,Blacks,Coons,But none of these names describe who we really are ,we are labeled in the Bible as Hamites(which are descendants of Ham Genesis 10:6-20)memebers of various ethnic groups in northern and eastern Africa including Berbers and ancient Egyptians)The first Black empire was built by Ham it was the first Empire ever made.Genisis 9- : shows us how we are all related no matter what they think are decendants names are Shem meaning (Jews), Ham meaning (blacks), and Japheth meaning (caucasian).
Great hub, as per usual, T...
I think that one can look at the base definition of the term "conservative" ("...tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions...")to find the fault in the actions of those in a democracy who embrace conservatism exclusively.
The goal of the conservative is to maintain that which has been established as a tradition, be it classist, racist, sexist, imperialist, mercenary, or otherwise. Anything that seeks to disrupt that is essentially destroying the illusory and largely idyllic perception so many have of America, it's institutions and many of it's actions-which are typically sanctioned with the notion that whatever is done in the name of America and Americans is so with the intent of protecting the "American way of life," "our freedom," etc. We have all seen that there are many who will fight for just the luxury of that misconception with all they have.
That said, I think that a wholly or exclusively conservative agenda or perspective will eventually evolve (or devolve) into an embrace of xenophobic rhetoric and action. This is what we are seeing now, and the racism we sense is exactly that, with all of the aforementioned, convenient, politically expedient euphemisms attached for ornamentation/distraction.
What's more:
Those who call President Obama a muslim, as a perjorative classification would do well to learn a bit more about the islamic faith, absent of extremist groups who claim to be muslim.
Those who call Obama a socialist would do well to remember something. Socialism is not an evil institution and all who think so should do a few things to protest socialism at work here in this country:
-Burn your social security cards and request a termination of your (current/future) benefits from Social Security.
-Do the same for Medicare.
-While you're at it seek to abolish State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
-Seek to abolish and terminate membership and support for any and every trade or labor union they support.
-Seek an end to the Earned Income Tax Credit because it is a form of income redistribution ("sharing the wealth")...hence socialistic.
-On behalf of every veteran you know, seek to abolish any and all benefits offered by the Veterans Administration-including (and especially) healthcare.
That's just for starters.
Or realize that there are socialist institutions in this country at work that many of us benefit from and that socialism will not destroy the country.
Thanks for the comments!
Itswritten: Our constant reclassification sets us up for name-calling by "code". As a result we tend to be leery of ever label put on us...we interpret it for "code for the n-word".
BP9: The world can learn a lot from your wealth of knowledge! I can say only one word to sum up both of your posts - BRAVO!!!
Thanks for the compliments, T. I typically only commit my opinions and musings to forums where I believe worthwhile subjects are being discussed. You have provided some excellent space in which to do so. Keep it coming, my brother.
This thread brings to mind the Department of Homeland Security report wherein an upsurge was predicted of extremist rhetoric and action fueled by the so-called "right" and conservative movements of the country in light of President Obama being in office.
While this report referred to no group/s by name, language was used that identifies the earmarks of the groups in question.
I think it is becoming far too simple for the average conservative to be lulled into believing that they are not extremist at all, but simply excercizing their rights to express opinions and be involved. They seem to subscribe to the notion that since they do not align themselves directly with a known extremist movement or group that they are somehow immune to their rhetoric and ideology. I think that those of us who have educated ourselves in this society when experiencing direct and overt discrimination while at the same time living through more subtle, sublimated and nuanced discrimination have become finely tuned to detect it where it rears it's head. This radar also extends to situations wherein one sees one is being exploited.
This would be what we refer to in street terms as "the okie doke." (lol)
I say that to call attention to the fact that in "the real America", "small town America" or "Joe The Plumber's" America the predominant grouping has been white, christian, and pretty much adherant to the post-nuclear model since the post nuclear era in terms of income, family makeup, cultural norms, etc. Discimination in this America has not been an issue typically until this "small town" culture had been usurped by...say it with me now...DIVERSITY!!!!
In those areas, (even to this day in many places) you knew exactly who the Black family was down the block, or could muse about the Latino guy where you work or the Asian couple who frequents the store where you buy groceries. There were acceptable levels of diversity because the cultural norms of the predominant (white, christian) grouping were adhered to. When these places saw their more diverse population segments grow more rapidly because of increased prosperity, along with the various cultural expressions (religion, food, music, culturally indentifiable collquialisms), it was akin to an invasion to many whites. Many of them had not been equipped or conditioned to collectively deal with those different from them outside of their own cultural construct and were definitely not tolerant of assimilating to other peoples' (not "American") cultural norms.
So, when the economy worsens, jobs are lost, the country is at war, AND a Black man is voted into presidential office, the fear mongering starts. Now, those who sew the seeds of fear know exactly what they are doing. They are rousing the longings of middle America with calls to "take America back" and "return to the values of the forefathers" while inciting the revolutionary tradition with "tea parties" and mob tactics at town hall meetings.
They are pimping the fear of those whose ear they have to consolidate their base and sphere of influence-centered mainly around corporations, financial institutions, political strongarm tactics, dogmatic religious assertions, a well-oiled propaganda machine and the subjugation and exploitaion of the working class. Those who subscribe to their manipulation haven't the street sense to know they are getting the "bowling alley con game" gone political: Set them up to knock them down.
A keen sense of true game would dispel a lot of this nonsense from the start. I know that many would debate this point by stating that Pres. Obama is just another politician and he has dirty hands as well. This is the difference between us and them: We already knew that when we voted for him. Let's establish that there is no way any politician (much less The President of The United States) can have clean hands. That isn't his job. Barack Obama did an amazing thing to succesfully survive the primaries, then go the distance and WIN. He will do what he can to survive his presidency. I expect him to accomplish some things along the way, and if he makes headway toward undoing the mess he inherited in a signifigant way without creating a bigger mess, then bravo. But I don't believe the majority of us who support him have any illusions about what his being president means.
I digress...and have written far more than I intended to already. (lol)
Conservative America needs to wake up. They need to understand that extremism is dangerous, whether it be racial extremism, political extremism (be it right or left), religious extremism, or even secular extremism. It defies logic and is typically based in fear. The answer in my opinion is to approach every dillemma from a basic human perspective and do what's right from a basic human perspective. After that, ideologies are pretty much unimportant.
I think that extremism is part of both political parties and i do not believe either side right now can have an honest debate. One thing I believe the President has going for him is that a majority of Americans want him to succeed. Whether you agree or disagree with his politics, he is definitely a good man and is doing what he thinks is best for the country and that is all you can ask for.
Thanks for the feedback drcrischasse!
Short, but straight to the point. It is hard to find middle ground politically because to agree with the other side, only gives momentum to the other side. It's their own fault. I remember when Obama identified common ground with McCain, the next day there was a commercial using those "I agree with McCain" quotes against him. It is a game to them, and we get caught in the crossfire - it's pretty sad when you think about it.
BP9, I might have to lift that ideology from you and coin the term "Republican Extremist"! I love it!
T_Augustus - thanks for the post. In my opinion race is simply the more obvious vehicle to garner attention for ones's cause. During any debate whether political, religious, financial, etc., where the opposing forces vying for power are of a different nationality, race becomes the deciding factor when all other efforts to win fails.
Unfortunately the bias media, whether liberal or conservative will throw more fuel onto the fire for the sake of ratings as any emotional issue among the races is a guarantee of either viewers or readers - and there are no shortage of people who are willing to give their opinion on the subject - such as they are - and most opinions are taken out of context to justify the intent and purpose of the interviewer, survey, research, etc..
There were far more people who dissagreed with George Bush than Obama but race was never an issue.
People need to relax, say what they have to say for their own peace of mind, and move on.
Strong words there jxb, I agree totally! It is not that "everyone who disagrees with Obama is racist", it is the racially charged way they're expressing themselves that is cause for concern. It has been said by many that those are isolated events that the media has blown up to make it look like it's happening everywhere. I'm guilty of falling for that media push. I have since confirmed that it was just that, a media push.
"There were far more people who dissagreed with George Bush than Obama but race was never an issue."
That is true, and in actuality race is not an issue now. It is, as you said, a factor being thrown in to tilt the scales in one side's favor.
Thanks for the feedback!
Good hub! At least an honest open dialogue about race and its' impact in politics, education, and other parts of every day American life is occurring. Maybe we will be a better country after these next 8 years have passed. Love Your brother1
I agree, disagreeing with Obama definitely doesn't make one a Racist. We live in a world where it's natural for people to have different opinions - Like I say to my friends, even if God came down from heaven to rule America, there'd still be people who would be against HIM. lol .
Thanks for the comments!
Brina, I actually there is a lot more healthy conversation regarding race with the current presidential regime in place. Whether or not it will do any good is yet to be seen. Unfortunately, there is more of that unhealthy conversation mixed in as well.
Lady E: If God came down from heaven to rule America he'd be cast out by millions! I think about that often when I'm in church, would Jesus be treated better, worse, or the same as he was back then if he were to walk the earth today? I've seen bums downtown in Detroit walking around claiming to be the Messiah - how many people do you think followed him? I had a passing thought "what if he really is"...then I kept passing.
T,
I have often had that very same thought, my brother.
Regarding Jesus walking the streets today, I like to quote Meshell Ndegeocello:
"...If Jesus were alive today, he'd be incarcerated with the rest of the brothers..."
Edgy...but true. (lol)
But, let us not forget that Jesus (or by his true name Yeshua Ben Yosef) was a revolutionary. He opposed the "mega-church" of the day (The "Scribes and Pharisees" and rabbinical elite) and preached in the streets to those whom the religious elites of the day considered unworthy of religious education. Being that the elites in that era were subsidized by the Roman Empire, Jesus was considered a subversive...or in post Patriot Act American terms reminiscent of COINTELPRO: a "hostile combatant."
Jesus' message of hope was a slap in the face to the social order of the day and a huge liability for those in power.
He was tried and sentenced to death for a POLITICAL crime.
I like to think Jesus' example was prophetic in so many ways in order to give all who pay attention a look at what happens when you truly attempt to speak truth to power.
Wow, T. I always manage to get lost in my posts in your hubs. Kudos my brother.
Further to the point at hand:
I recall recently hearing Prof. Cornel West in an interview speaking of the various "isms" and ideologies that abound in modern discourse and how he understands what fights to fight.
(*Please forgive me whilst I paraphrase, as I cannot begin to effectively orate with the same impact and import as the brilliant Prof. West.)
He basically expressed that any ideology or action which seeks to diminish a person's basic humanity or worth, for whatever the stated reason (racism, sexism, homophobia, religious extremism, secular tyranny, etc) it must be opposed by those of us who consider ourselves capable of intellectual thought, ethical consideration and spiritual growth.
That said:
The various epithets being tossed around by conservatives about Pres. Obama are ostensibly aimed at his policies but seem to degenerate into jabs at him personally. When they claim he's a socialist, they do not explain what socialism is or what it's principles are. They perjoratively hurl it as an insult. They do so likewise with comparisons to Hitler, aiming to evoke the same hatred reserved for someone viewed as one of the most evil men in history. When they called him a muslim, it was accompanied by the fact that his middle name is Hussein and his first name rhymes with "Osama" (shouting out the deceased Iraqi dictator and the head of Al-Qaeda respectively) in order to stir up the hatred many harbor related to such. This in itself has it's own embedded racist subtext, as it blatantly places the onus of islamic extremism and despotism on the term muslim and ties that in with anti-Arab sentiment.
This is all perpetrated to paint him as something else, something other or something lesser. This is a form of dehumanization as well and when you factor it into the very blatant racism involved in the 2008 campaign (*see Palin/McCain campaign rallies), it smells like something familiar to many of us who have experienced racism.
Do I believe that it is racism?
I would love not to. However I seem to think that it is a racist reflex manifesting itself in other ways.
Great feedback BP9! Both post are worthy of hubs themselves. You are very well read and well spoken. Dr. West was on point too. I couldn't agree more.
I do not think race is a factor in the opposition to Barack Obama. I attended the Orlando Tea Party (and wrote a Hub with that title) and it was not at all what I had been hearing on CNN that it was. The fact is millions of people are upset about the nationalization of industries, the billions of taxpayer dollars shuffled off to "Community Organizations" that are decidedly partisan, the printing of $400B extra dollars that leads to inflation and a devaluing of the dollar, and mostly the biographies of the people the President surrounds himself with—most of whom are white.
Except for a handful of rednecks, I don't think people even see Obama as a black guy. They see him as the most radical Leftist President in the history of this nation—which he assuredly is. If he where an albino, the reaction would be exactly the same.
Thanks for the feedback James. Don't attach "CNN" with that, all the networks showed the ugly demonstrations...because they make news, not because they were commonplace. They made it appear a lot more commonplace that it actually is because more people watch the news, than show up at the tea parties. So while I agree that opposition is not about race, the point of Tim Wise's commentary is that there are powerful people race baiting that small percentage of people that ARE hung up on his race. I think people do see him as a Black guy, and there's nothing wrong with that...I mean, he is. I never realized that I was leftist until now, because to me, he seems to be the most radically fair President, and now I'm learning that fairness is leftist or liberal or socialist or communist or muslim or whatever label is going to be tagged onto him next...of course, anything but Black. It's not race, it's one of those other things. I really want to believe you, and I stand firm that it's more partisan politics than race...but I don't know how many more labels he can stand before he's wearing a body tattoo.
Why is it that he's the first president to have so many labels attached? I don't remember any president having to carry so many different titles. I struggle with that.
It is because he and more than he, his staff, are so radical. He and his people make FDR look like Goldwater. What do you consider "fairness"?
Equal consideration for the have-nots. I am not used to having a president that actually understands and cares to do something that will help the less fortunate Americans. It's refreshing. I understand that you have to be from or close to that world to care, or even get it, and that's why most presidents ignore it...because to them it doesn't exist. I understand that many speaking out against Health Insurance Reform don't experience the death of family and friends due to the absence of health insurance. So they don't get it, they hate it, they call it socialism, I've even heard it called reparations. But if Americans really care about America, why don't they care that fellow Americans are dying because the haves don't care to pay an extra dollar to save the life of a have-not? Ironically, many of the haves make their money off of the have-nots they are allowing to die. A similar theory killed the American automotive industry. Greed is one of the 7 deadly sins, and there's a lot of fighting to protect the greed of already rich Americans. Some people have the nerve to call that a "moral majority".
What does equal consideration mean?
I think every president has cared about the have-nots. Every president has enacted laws for the have-nots. Bush's prescription drug bill and AIDS initiative for Africa were for the have-nots. LBJ's Great Society, FDR's New Deal—I can't think of any administration that is an exception to that rule since the 1930s. Before that, it was generally accepted that it was the job of private charity to care for the have-nots.
I have been poor in my lifetime. I know a lot of poor people right now. I'm all for reforming health care, but by tort reform (against rich lawyers), opening competition nationwide for insurance companies (guaranteed to drive down costs), privatizing the two Medis ($100,000,000,000 per year of fraud) and other measures. Socialized medicine is a nightmare for many people. No one in America is denied medical care, including those here illegally.
The Health Care reform proposed is not about the poor. It is about control of the people by the government. It is about power. About unionizing the medical field to gain power for SEIU and the Democratic party. About taxpayer paid abortion.
If you take money from people to give to someone else that is legalized theft. I am from Michigan. If you want to know what killed the car industry, try this little Hub of mine.
Thanks for the comment James. I will check out the hub, I too am from Michigan and have my own opinions regarding the fall of the American auto-industry. I am a victim of the fall of the American auto-industry so the topic is an extremely personal one to me.
Maybe every president has cared, but they've never been - so they don't understand how to help. You're not helping that struggling family in Milwaukee by signing a bill to help poor people Africa. I think that's the difference. Obama seems to have a better understanding about what is actually plaguing the lower-income areas, but is having a hard time selling the solution to those that don't.
No one in America is denied emergency care or urgent care, but they ARE denied "medical care". If you show up for a physical without an insurance card, you will likely not get attended to. Just show up to the doctor's office for a check up, you'll likely be turned away. Why? Because if you can't afford to have insurance, you likely can't afford that doctor's bill. I shared a story in another hub (I'll spare you the details), but the bottom line is in the end, I was charged $67 for a cup of water by urgent care. At least we are in agreement there needs to be a change in the Health Insurance industry, but I DO believe that what's being proposed is about helping people that can't otherwise insure themselves. Americans need to stop being too greedy to help their fellow Americans. Everyone seems so "me" oriented when it comes to this subject, in my opinion. It's not about stealing from the rich to give to the poor, it is about Americans helping Americans - you call that theft, I call it teamwork.
T_Augustus
First, as far as race is concerned, it is a red herring. It is meaningless for most of the issues in this country. It is like abortion, it is debated and discussed from decade to decade without resolve. Using the term is a catalyst and it is used most often by the media.
The fact, that the public thinks that Obama is black and yet over half the voting population put him into the Presidency says something different, than what we hear about race issues today.
On the other hand, you are more French than Obama is black according to your hubpage about your heritage.
Anyway, the real issue as I see it is the total failure of the government, and it didn't improve during the last 11 months that Obama has been president. It didn't improve when the Democrats and Obama were in control of Congress.
It didn't happen during the past fifty years or more.
Two Congresses and Two Presidents broke the economy, lost jobs, lost homes, businesses and so much more, at the same time rewarding the financial industry for their meltdown and punishing the auto industry.
The government not satisfied with those disasters now wants to blow up healthcare with their same expertise in business.
The government has failed at every non government venture they have taken over or forced over to their domain. They forced non government employee taxpayers to contribute to SS and Medicare, while at the same time Congress and the federal workers have their own Retirement System and health benefits. Any national healthcare system passed should include Congress and federal workers, but it won't. Why not, because Congress wants better than what they give the rest of us.
The quality of healthcare in this country is subpar for a number of reasons. One of them is tort law and ruthless and greedy lawyers, as James Watkins mentioned.
Another is the drug industry charging for expensive long term treatments instead of finding a cure. The last medical cure I can think of was the Salk Vaccine for Polio in the mid 1950s. That was before the FDA got authorization by Congress to run roughshod over the Drug Industry.
The FDA has increased the overhead for the drug industry causing the highest prices for drug treatments, while at the same time approving many drugs that had to be taken off the market. This is followed by the legal creeps suing their assets off. This bites the patients in the butt with higher medical costs.
The health insurance companies practice medicine without a license by determining which medical procedures they will or will not pay for. This translates to no treatment or sub par treatment for their insured.
The age of medical specialists has also increased the cost and lowered the effectiveness of medical treatment. Clearly specialties can be beneficial once the area of specialty is the cause of the patients malady, but to find that malady it is like finding Waldo.
I am going to stop here because the larger issue is an obese and incompetent government powered by the two party system.
The two party system is like a family of siblings that are competing for their parents attention. They don't get along with each other and they are not effective when one party is in control and even less effective when they are not the party in control. It doesn't matter which party is in control as they serve their lobbyists rather than their party supporters or the people in general. They talk the talk but they crawl instead of walk the talk. This is where Obama is the slick talker, but it is tough to walk on something this slick.
Finally, I challenge any hubber to write a hub extolling all of the accomplishments of Congress and the Presidents for the past 100 years and tally it by party.
Another challenge would be to write a hub on all of the medical cures! since the Salk Vaccine.
This is not meant to be disrespectful, as it is a serious challenge to my opinions stated in my comment here.
T_Augustus thank you for allowing me to make these comments on your hub. The Opinion Duck.
No problem TOD - your comments are ALWAYS welcome in the world according to T. Augustus.
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creativeone59 Level 4 Commenter 2 years ago
I agree, but a good hub, thanks for sharing. creativeone59