Thread: 'Tis A Good Week To Be Black

It has been a long battle for alot of people who, by no fault of their own have been mistreated in too many ways to enumerate. My girlfriend is a black woman. Last night she was so emotional it had me crying too. It is impossible to understand what someone of color feels when a situation is clearly unfair due to racist behavior. But I know now there is a true light, a new hope for those who may have always believed the better things in life have been intentionally placed out of reach of the black man.

Hey, now that this wall has been broken down and an African-American has been elected President, perhaps there is hope for us Italian-Americans.

Originally Posted by icedog

It has been a long battle for alot of people who, by no fault of their own have been mistreated in too many ways to enumerate. My girlfriend is a black woman. Last night she was so emotional it had me crying too. It is impossible to understand what someone of color feels when a situation is clearly unfair due to racist behavior. But I know now there is a true light, a new hope for those who may have always believed the better things in life have been intentionally placed out of reach of the black man.

Hey, now that this wall has been broken down and an African-American has been elected President, perhaps there is hope for us Italian-Americans.

I agree that many black people have been mistreated for a long time. However it seems by what you are saying is that it okay for black people to vote for a black president based upon his color. If so could that act be considered a form of racism, by voting simply for the non white guy? This is a serious question. I would really like to know what you think. And yes I know that many white people voted for the white guy for the same reason.

I hope Mr. Obama does well and wish him all the best.

Oh and congratulations to Mr. Hamilton as well. He almost had it last year but didn't get much help from his teammate. If i remember right he had a pretty bad reception in Spain. It really is sad that some people can't see beyond color.

Originally Posted by roughneck

I agree that many black people have been mistreated for a long time. However it seems by what you are saying is that it okay for black people to vote for a black president based upon his color. If so could that act be considered a form of racism, by voting simply for the non white guy? This is a serious question. I would really like to know what you think. And yes I know that many white people voted for the white guy for the same reason.

I hope Mr. Obama does well and wish him all the best.

It would be extremely short sighted to attribute Obama's victory simply to the color of his skin. He is a great orator and a brilliant man. He filled people with hope that perhaps this country can rise again from the depths into which she has sunk. Naturally, the black Americans, especially the ones old enough to remember segregation have finally reached that elusive mark. The cookie jar on the highest shelf. They can now look into the eyes of a black youth and say with all honesty that they can one day grow up to be President of the United States of America. Shame on anyone who would deny this opportunity to people who have worked and suffered so long for, to people who have been taught that "white is better". Yes Jockeys, collectivism does suck, especially when you denied admission into the bigger collective of your own country. I suggest we look at history and remember all the people whose blood has been spilled on this road Barack Obama has just travelled. This is a great day. Not just for Blacks but for Americans of all sizes, shapes and colors.

Originally Posted by icedog

It would be extremely short sighted to attribute Obama's victory simply to the color of his skin. He is a great orator and a brilliant man. He filled people with hope that perhaps this country can rise again from the depths into which she has sunk. Naturally, the black Americans, especially the ones old enough to remember segregation have finally reached that elusive mark. The cookie jar on the highest shelf. They can now look into the eyes of a black youth and say with all honesty that they can one day grow up to be President of the United States of America. Shame on anyone who would deny this opportunity to people who have worked and suffered so long for, to people who have been taught that "white is better". Yes Jockeys, collectivism does suck, especially when you denied admission into the bigger collective of your own country. I suggest we look at history and remember all the people whose blood has been spilled on this road Barack Obama has just travelled. This is a great day. Not just for Blacks but for Americans of all sizes, shapes and colors.

That didn't really answer the question.

Okay, I'll break it down for you. Yes, it most certainly is okay for people to vote for those who are similar, in race or political view or religion or whatever group you'd like to reduce the decision to. Why not? If Kennedy won because of the Catholic vote, what difference would it make? Naturally people who have seen themselves marginalized by the old white guy in the White House for their history in this country would jump at the chance to elect someone who may consider them in any decision at all, be it the sending of emergency aid into a flood stricken black district in New Orleans or sending the poor and uneducated into two war zones. Yes, it can be considered racist or perhaps it may be better to call it hope.

What has upset me is the concentration that European press has made of the issue. All over the radio, TV and newspapers are headlines of 'Americas first black president'. Suddenly it seems that everything else is forgotten. Forgive me for bringing this up Silver but it is something that makes me ashamed to be associated with a country where the press would focus on this. Perhaps it was always going to be an issue, but that doesnt make it any more excusable.

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

What has upset me is the concentration that European press has made of the issue. All over the radio, TV and newspapers are headlines of 'Americas first black president'. Suddenly it seems that everything else is forgotten. Forgive me for bringing this up Silver but it is something that makes me ashamed to be associated with a country where the press would focus on this. Perhaps it was always going to be an issue, but that doesnt make it any more excusable.

What you folks seem to be missing is that for the first time in the history of this great nation, someone other than a white man has been elected to our highest office. The fact that he is half white would not allow him to eat at a whites only lunch counter in the Jim Crow south. The fact that he is half white did not and will not stop the white supremists from plotting his assasination. Regardless of how good a leader Mr. Obama is, first he will be seen as a black man by both the people who hate him and the people who identify with him.

Originally Posted by roughneck

That didn't really answer the question.

I think to qualify as racism it has to be an exclusionary act. Meaning that folks who voted would have to say

"I am purposefully not voting for this candidate because of his/her race" Rather than "I am voting for this candidate For his race"

The difference is subtle but sure to me. In one act, the act itself is directly and intentionally against some one. In the other it is indirectly against someone and lacks the pejorative feel of the first.

But you can argue definitions all day long and twice on Sunday. So, you know...

racism |ˈrāˌsizəm|
noun
the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, esp. so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.
• prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on such a belief.


-Rob

Originally Posted by sicboater

But you can argue definitions all day long and twice on Sunday. So, you know...


-Rob

Thanks Rob, we'll probably do that!

I am sure you guys will!

*buries his head back in a book*

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Thanks Rob, we'll probably do that!