Racism and the election

[drmomentum[$]]

We just got an email from Maggie's cousin. She describes a friend, an Obama supporter, driving in Pennsylvania with an Obama sticker on her car. A guy in a pickup pulled up next to her and yelled "Nigger-lover!" at her out his window. Then, just to make sure he had been understood, he pulled next to her again and repeated the exclamation.

Do you know anyone who would refuse to vote for Obama solely on his race? I do, even in liberal Massachusetts. In my case, these people tend to be conservative voters, so I can't be certain they'd not overcome that bias if he were on their side of the aisle. But I'd not be surprised if left-leaning racists are also out there, choosing not to vote for a black president. It's tough to measure the impact on the election, but I have not heard any convincing denials of the role race plays in politics.

I can say this saddens me as much as if we were talking about Colin Powell running on the right.

Obama Waffles? Interesting to note, that with all the race-driven copy on the box, the supposed meaning of "waffles" has no supporting copy, as far as I can tell. No example of Obama changing an opinion. It's a description of convenience.

This sort of thing has enough traction and comfort level that it can happen in the open at Republican events.

-JP

[mjfrombuffalo[$]]

My friend's daughter is in a union in Michigan where she heard men (it's a mostly male membership) saying a) Palin is hot and b) I know I'm supposed to vote Democrat, but I just can't bring myself to vote for a nigger.

BBC did radio interviews in California. One exchange went like this:

California Guy: "...and forget about Obama because he's the wrong color, I hate to be honest, but that's the truth."

BBC: "That's why you won't vote for him, because he's black."

California Guy: "No, because of the issues he's going to bring because of that."

Oh, the follow-up questions I would have love to have ask that man about exactly what he meant by that, since there are so many directions in which it could have gone...

We all knew there would be pockets of this, but I have to say, I'm disappointed when it's popping up in places I didn't expect. My husband, however, says I am rather naive. As late as 10 years ago people were happy to talk to him about jobs when they hadn't seen him yet, but gave him remarkably short interviews (ending with, "well, I think the job's filled already") when he showed up in person, and this in the NYC area. :-/

[hadassahchana[$]]

I am past stunned! I just don't know what to say, but I obviously lead a very sheltered life. That makes me want to cry.

[hadassahchana[$]]

OMFG- those two dumb fucks! I am embarrassed to live on the same planet as those two mouthbreathers. I can't believe they said that, designed that box....good lordy!

And, Qadafi calls him a Muslim, so....he's a frickin' Muslim?


And btw, for those two "freelance writers"/asshats, that is NOT satire. That is racism, nothing ironic or funny or satirical about it.

[magenta321]

Yes, I'm hearing a lot of it.

Woman next to me calls Obama a Muslim. She thinks "all those people are the same."

Woman who sits across from her, also calls Obama a Muslim. Not only does she think that "all those people are the same" she also thinks that all Muslims are terrorists.

Woman in the next row thinks you gotta vote for the "right" choice. I think "right" means white, but she doesn't say that.

At one time I pointed out that since none of them are making more than $250,000, they would all save money on taxes under Obama, and it became a discussion of "where the hell were you, Margaret, when 9/11 happened?" The basis of the discussion was that Muslims were responsible for that day, and this Muslim possibly becoming president would mean more attacks.

These are all upper middle class white women, aged 47-60 living in Fairfield County CT and Putnam County NY.

It disgusts me. What disgusts me even more was I was the only person who stuck up for Obama. I wouldn't care if all of them were voting Republican because they thought there was some reason that McCain is better (I would agree to disagree), but I do care that it's based on his religion and his skin tone. No one will say the skin tone thing, but something did happen after 9/11 that gave some people the sense that it's ok to say you hate Muslims.

I would not be surprised if none of these people have ever met a Muslim, however.

Very sad. I'm very discouraged.

[thinkerlady[$]]

There are pockets of this racist thought patterns in the Philadelphia suburbs. I had a difference of opinion with my own cousin over this. He is adamantly against Obama, because he is black. I tried my best to get my cousin to see beyond his way of thinking, but I don't think I succeeded. I finally had to ask him not to send me the trash emails. I don't find them funny and I don't want to receive them. He stopped sending me the emails, and I suppose he is mad at me, but I really don't care.

[mjfrombuffalo[$]]

Ya know, I spent an hour this morning talking with members of my church about using our religious principles and values to examine the candidates and make informed choices, and this is what they're selling at the Values Voters Summit?

[theworm[$]]

I don't know anyone who would openly admit to not voting for Obama because of race. I'm sure that there is that sort of racism around, but if its immediately around me, people are smart enough to hide it.

Of course I live a half hour from a town that is best known for it's Klan presence - so I'm guessing the viewpoints there might be different.

[wivabef]

I remember listening to NPR last fall and someone who called himself a southern democrat said point blank that he and "his friends" would not vote for him because he is black.

However, I am willing to bet that there are a number of people who would vote for him because he is black.

I don't think it's a wash, though.

[jgibson2[$]]

I've heard more than a few people say they'd vote for Obama because he is black. They're Democrats anyway, so not really a shift in voting there.

I don't personally know anyone who would say OUT LOUD that they won't vote for Obama because he's black, but I know several people who say they have relatives who have never voted Republican in their lives (not even for Reagan) who will not be voting for Obama because he's black. While this attitude saddens me, it isn't in the least surprising. I've been in Maryland too long.

I was shocked by the degree of racism here as compared to NC when I first moved here, but not any more. What really shocked me when I moved here was how hypocritical many people are. I have co-workers who would act like they enjoyed the company of many of our babies' parents, then tell "nigger" jokes as soon as they were out the door. That and the "I'd never have an abortion, but I'd rather pay for them for welfare families (meaning non-white) than pay for welfare."

It took a while for me to convince them that not only weren't the jokes funny, but that I wasn't going to tolerate them. I'm pretty sure they're still racists, but I don't have to listen to the crap any more.

[realtraveller]

I have heard callers to radio talk shows say that they are voting for Obama because he is black 'just because it's time for a black president'. And some conservative black columnists have said they are torn. They want to vote for him because he is black. So I think it will be a wash.

[drmomentum[$]]

I've heard people calling in to radio shows to intentionally say inflammatory things.

Locally, we had Hillary supporters calling in to say all sorts of things before the primary was over, but they've changed their tune now. I know the voices of all the locals, and they are easily identifiable.

Sometimes, when people call into a show they think they're saying something they wish was true, or they misrepresent themselves. We had Republicans calling in as Hillary voters for a while there as well. People think they're being clever.

-JP

[cristina1]

I'm living out in a major red area of Pennsylvania right now and some of the comments are not only shocking, but completely ignorant.

The claims that Obama is a Muslim terrorist who is going to destroy America is always tossed around. They hold firm to the "fact" that his mother forged a Hawaiian birth certificate and he isn't even a citizen. They also say that he is rallying up the blacks and will be responsible for a major racial war within the US. Of course religion pops up all the time as well. His mother was an atheist and shoved those views to him. His father was a Muslim and he took his dad's religion. He is a radical Christian racist. (Is it possible to be all three? According to the locals here, it is.)

Palin's credentials cannot be questioned without being accused of sexism. I've been accused of ageism by showing concern that she could end up taking over the presidency of anything happened to McCain. When I point out that I have a will and provisions for my kids because anyone can die at any time, they ignore that. I guess they have no arguement for it.

Of course, around here, people are either citizens or illegal immigrants. I guess they don't seem to realize that there are a lot of non-citizens here legally. And of course, 9/11 is used as a political ploy. They claim that there have been no terrosim on our soil since that date. I guess the DC snipers and the anthrax in our mail doesn't count.

I have been dubbed a wacked out, nazi liberal for opposing Palin on the ticket. No one wants to discuss issues or prior policies. Palin hunts, is "hot" and is shown in pictures on a motorcyle, so she is the perfect candidate. They're already yelling for Palin in '12! And THAT is what I find scary!

[thinkerlady[$]]

I don't miss central PA politics and logic Tina. I fully understand what you are going through.

[nc10]

drmomentum said

I've heard people calling in to radio shows to intentionally say inflammatory things. ........................


Do you know anyone who would refuse to vote for Obama solely on his race? I do, even in liberal Massachusetts.

This statement bothers me. I believe that the rest of the country is as fair and open minded, as Massachusetts is, when it comes to deciding who to vote for.

[drmomentum[$]]

nc10 said

This statement bothers me. I believe that the rest of the country is as fair and open minded, as Massachusetts is, when it comes to deciding who to vote for.

You may have misunderstood my meaning. When I wrote that I didn't mean that people are less racist in Massachusetts or more open minded. Just more likely to vote for Democrats, and so their racism would have that hurdle to get over in Massachusetts. So perhaps they would be more racist in that case, if they were Democrats. Or maybe just more obviously racist than staunch Republicans who might have a larger laundry lists of reasons not to vote for him. On reflection, the statement makes little sense when applied to individuals. When I talk about Massachusetts's liberal tendencies, I should only talk in the collective.

Since we have an African American governor, we are unlikely (as a group) to reject an African American president out of hand. That doesn't mean it's certain that we'd give him our electoral votes, but I think the chances are good. Does it mean we are less racist and more open minded? I don't know.

In any case, I'm sorry I bothered you whether or not it was a misunderstanding.

-JP

[eris esoteric]

realtraveller said

I have heard callers to radio talk shows say that they are voting for Obama because he is black 'just because it's time for a black president'. And some conservative black columnists have said they are torn. They want to vote for him because he is black. So I think it will be a wash.

Mark your calendars, I'm agreeing with Kathy that there is probably some of this going on.

And I had a customer at the awful little store I was working at tell me that if we voted a "n-word I refuse to type" into the white house, the whole country would go to hell. I was torn between asking him to go repeat that statement to my (black) supervisor, and asking him HOW the country could possibly get any further into hell. Sometimes it's a good thing when my common sense wakes up and chokes me into silence.

[drmomentum[$]]

[quote=eris esoteric;615083]Mark your calendars, I'm agreeing with Kathy that there is probably some of this going on.[quote]

This is undeniable. It's unclear that it's a wash, though. For or against, I don't think it's a good reason to vote for a candidate. I know it will be historic, and I will honestly think it will be a good thing for the country if it happens, but I think it's a better thing if it happens if people make the comparison without considering race.

And I had a customer at the awful little store I was working at tell me that if we voted a "n-word I refuse to type" into the white house, the whole country would go to hell.

I hope you sent her to the clue store.

-JP

[drmomentum[$]]

Here's a question:

Colin Powell remains undecided - First Read - msnbc.com

Colin Powell has said he has not decided who to vote for yet. He is explicit that he will not vote for Obama just on race and will not vote for McCain just on their friendship. He is an American first.

If Colin Powell decides to vote for Obama would you chalk it up to race? Would the majority of Americans take him at his word?

-JP

[mjfrombuffalo[$]]

People will read into a Colin Powell endorsement anything they want, be it "them blacks stick together" or "them military guys stick together."

[jgibson2[$]]

What MJ said. I am inclined to believe that he is an intelligent, thoughtful man who is very unlikely to endorse either candidate although he will eventually have to decide which one to vote for.