African American, African American

I think Cherea nailed it perfectly when he said that Obama's race and accomplishments are relevant.

Obviously, Obama's character is extremely important. He's going to be the President after all.

The fact that America voted in a non-old-white-male is huge though. We're only 2 generations removed from "separate but equal", and he we are with a new non-white president that was elected by the consensus of All of America. Damn straight people should have a right to celebrate and be proud of this. Look how far this country has come in 2 generations. It's amazing, and to sweep that under the rug like nothing significant just happened is stupid. The president is more than just his office. He's a figurehead, and the main representitive for every one of us Americans. As such, everything that defines him is a factor, from economic policies, to family life, to age, to race.

I know everybody here is enlightened and doesn't even notice race anymore, so therefore his race is insignificant in their minds, but the rest of the world isn't as wise as us Random Thoughters.

For the black man who got pulled over for DWB last week, or the woman who couldn't attend a good school because of her race, or biracial child who had trouble fitting in with his peers, this is a huge acknoledgement that we are really moving forward and it isn't just lip service.

And none of us should try to take that away from them or think less of them for it.

 

It’s not the same and to make such a statement is Ludacris


Hotwater

 

I disagree. It is pretty much the same...







...assuming the white people in question live in Saudi Arabia

 

it is the same. you are putting all your emotional feelings into the equation and all the history. there are always justifications. but look at it logically. im not trying to take away the glory from them. but it is what it is. the whole moving forward thing seems like a contradiction to me. but whatever, it's your country!

 

He’s the first African American president, had he been Native American or Hispanic the cameras would have been focused in on their communities which also would have erupted in celebration.

But he did prove Kevin Garnett’s assertion that Anything is Possible

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r0OLoK0NZk


Hotwater

 

They made a much bigger stink about Kennedy being Catholic and Irish-American when he was elected.

But obviously the term Irish-American doesn't grate on your nerves like the term African-American does.

The bottom line is that people with habitual or disguised prejudice are going to be forced to suck up some changes from here on out- and that is precisely why this presidency is important, symbolically.

I actually think Obama is subdued on the racial issue- of course, that is what he had to do to win the election. But it's because of the omission of his blackness that people like you can pretend immigrants have had it just as tough as African-Americans on average- which is preposterous.

Edit: If you read my statement carefully, you would recognize that you have confirmed my point about slavery having nothing do to with racial nomenclature.

 

First I am an old fuck but was not there for either Kennedy election, and further more TV coverage back then would have not been as it is today 24/7.

Obama the man is not the issue with the racial issue being rammed (unless he paid to have it done) but rather the press, other groups and other people rammed it.

Its comments like this that secure racism and always will. The only clouds about his race or ethnic background was the issue about his birth certificate. And as for other immigrants having as tough, well your far too young and obviously far to passionate to ever know how other groups were treated in this country even before the first slaves of Africa were brought here. Just keep that belief that Africans were the only true victims of the world. It will help ya sleep better.

 

You're satirizing my point, and you know it.

I've read extensively on immigration, I am an immigrant myself- and only 8 years younger than you.

I don't think you'll find many older individuals of African descent who are willing to pretend Africans weren't victims of a special kind of oppression in this country after 3 centuries of chattel slavery (which is much harsher than indentured labor) and another century of Jim Crowism. And certainly no well-respected historian.

Finally, I think it is healthy that I am passionate about an issue that touches me so directly- (my great-grandmother, whom I've met as a child, grew up as a slave)- I can celebrate the fact that I'm not autistic. But that does not mean that I am irrational or incapable of giving alternate viewpoints due consideration.