Soledad, so you think that 80% of blacks voting for Obama is “normal” but if 80% of whites do not vote for Obama is racist?

You cannot have it both ways people!

I want Change! Not only or the USA but for the world.

‘If Hilary Wins..’ it will change the world significantly. The president of the most powerful nation on earth - A WOMAN! would change the psyche of women all over. We know women is the key to change in the world.

“when a mom says to a child, all can grow up to be prseident it would now be true”

The men who now keep women in servitrude throughout the world must now take stock for the most ‘powerful being’ is a woman. They must deal with her. This fact alone would change their system, - more than the attempt to democratize. Woman power is the most powerful weapon against poverty & for democracy.

The whole world may simply change for the better, or at least how women are treated in mid & east, Africa, eastern europe and here in the west, the USA. Now that would be change!

If Obama wins …. I would be very happy, fantsatically proud, as a black man and I believe he would be wonderful at building the political scene of the USA - a very good president, The black race would be very proud, and the folks who want to keep women in their place would be relieved. The impact on the world would be so so. He still has time .. VP and President in 8 years.

The world would change with Hilary as president. Women hopefully will see this & endorse her. Western and American men has sure made a mess of the world to date.

I think right now a woman president may be more important than a first Black President.

Hillary this time.

Charles,

I want to thank you for your comments. I totally agree and I don’t know why we are not talking about this more. You hear a lot more about the first black president versus the first woman president. 50% of the population is female and you would think in this day and time we would have had a woman president by now. I think it would be so important to girls growing up to feel that they are equal and capable and able to do anything. This campaign has really brought out the fact that there are still prejudices, still a ways to go. Go Hillary!

I’ll give you a comment!!!
how would people like it if someone in the audience yelled at Obama
“hey come pick my cotton”!
I am sick and tired of the elite white male misogynists and their ignorance. Even young white women. They don’t recall what a struggle it was to be treated like a human being. And besides the blacks being killed for being black. How many women are still murdered, murdered while pregnant, raped, and paid less and snide remarks about “That time of the month:” Around the world women are treated less Even in this great U.S.A..
Gee if you are not for Obama you are a racist; I have heard that!
So if you are not for Hilary you are a misogynist
If you are not for McCain you are either a heathen or a communist.

I myself am a white female, 61 years of age and because i did not believe in the draft I joined the Navy and am a Vietnam Veteran.

And personally no one running at this moment is someone I want to vote for.

How about covering the Right wing Christian women that call C-span
in the morning and say they are Republicans but if they had to they would vote for Obama before Hilary because a women would not be listened to. Because they are too emotional. Because the UN is so multi racial mostly dark and men that they too would not listen to her.

They sicken me the most!!!!!

I don’t think it’s racial. I too am Puerto Rican and I’m a Hillary supporter. Recently, I’m spending most of my evenings on the UNIVISION Spanish language blog trying to keep her ahead of Obama (in prep for the debate which CNN is hosting jointly with UNIVISION). I’m finding that a lot of the comments posted are VERY heavly charged but very rarely racial.

Hi
There is NO OTHER GROUP voted 85% to one candidate except blacks for Obama.When Latinos want to vote for Hillary( with appresiation only 50 some %)It is questioned.Whites are giving their votes to Obama in a better % than what Black vote for HIllary(inspite of the first black president’s wife).
I wonder who is racist here.

Barack Obama made the comment today and said in a patronizing way that Clinton was “down” and therefore has to attack. It was said in such a dismissive way and clearly implied that she was depressed and/or emotional and should be seen as rather a pathetic woman who was desperate, thus discounting any truth. Apparently a woman cannot take a challenging, assertive position. Clinton clearly can’t call into question anything about Obama without being seeing as a rascist or as a pathetic emotional woman. I, for one, who had really liked Obama have been turned off by his statements such as this one or that Clinton is “likable enough”.

We talk as a society about being politically correct. We talk about equality for all and that ones gender or race should not be a detriment to that individuals opportunities.

Yet, there is so much discussion and exit poll analysis done on the Black vote, the Latino vote, women over 60 vote, the latte what???

One of the most significant elections is here, due to the damage that has been done over the last 8 years plus a growing understanding of the effects of global warming, just to name a few.

Now is the time that we need the BEST person for the job. How does gender and race even equate with that question?

It should be about the BEST person. The BEST person who can, with team work, try to undue the excessive damage to the US reputation, the BEST person who can unite the country and the world to address terrorism, the BEST person to unite the world to address climate change….. and the list goes on.

Obama embodies change, he stirs people, he unites people.
Clinton is a run-on sentence of the Bush/Clinton leadership of this country.

It really is time for change

As the debate on gender and race continues to heat up.. and the bright lights of the media shine squarley on Sen. Obama perhaps the time has come to ask a more important question regarding his campaign of change ..That is ..who are the young lions who have stepped from either the dem and rep parties to take up Obamas mantra and make it a reality…(and possibly turn there backs on both their party and constituants in the process)??And what of the old guard that Obama wants to change??? Will theses career politicians change their collective minds as well?? As the white hot light on Obama dims and the reality of his presidency emerges I would say ..Good night and good luck

Racism has a way of cutting people down to the lowest possible denominator. It is destructive, and does not respect anything that a person of color considers important to them.

It is sad that No matter what level of achievement a person who is African American attains, when racism is in the mix, it tends to place them in a category of someone who needs to stay in the place reserved for them, or either does not deserve certain considerations. or to be on equal footingit or was given preferential treatment.

I am in my early 60’s and everytime I think I can move on in regard to racism, I am jolted back into reality that racism is alive and well. It is similar to a sore that you have applied all kinds of remedies to, and it finally begins to heal, and you see the scab, and think it is healing, and boom, something or someone abruptly pulls the scab off. It starts the hurt all over again.
The cure for racism is so simple. We want the same thing for ourselves and our families, and that is to live a decent life, be able to take care of our families, and enjoy all that this country affords us. What’s so hard about that. If we put forth as much effort into realizing this that we do in hating each other, we would be just fine.

What about the “Traitor” factor? What I mean is; do some African-Americans feel they’d be betraying Obama if they don’t support? As a Latino, I didn’t vote for Richardson because I believe Hillary is more suited for the Presidency. Still, there was a small level of guilt about not supporting a fellow Latino. The only solace I found was knowing that Richardson, at least in my eyes, had no chance at being nominated and therefore made my choice easier. But supporters of Obama may feel more obligated given his newly established “electability”.

Do you think the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution would be any more likely to pass today than when it failed in the 70’s and early 80’s?

Last night on a major cable network I heard a so-called pundit make a very unfunny reference to the size of Hillary Clinton’s derriere. No one in the audience booed and the host of the show did not challenge him. This kind of stuff just makes me sick and I wish I knew how to make it stop.

I am basing my vote on REAL qualifications and I am proud to be a Hillary supporter. In order to dig ourselves out of the pit the Republicans have placed us in will take a strong street fighter and I believe that Hillary has been tested and will make the strongest case for change. Barack would do well to join forces with her as her VP, and take the reins in 8 years. It will take that long to really do the job that needs doing.

Soledad - It is sad to think that in 2008 the color of one’s skin, gender or ethnicity should play a part in the most important election this country has faced in a long time. The issues should be front and center. The world is watching and this should not be the debate they see.

I agree with Chinnu Sree. It seems to me for one race to only vote so strongly for their same race is racist in itself. Its like black people are more concerned with Barack Obama being black than whats really at stake or the differences in the two candidates. The elections support this theory. White people are voting based on who they believe can help us more, which is why a lot of the time their vote is split. But black voters have NEVER given a majority to Hillary which really suggest that their voting for Barack soley because he’s black. And it seems all the major news channels are trying to be so unracist that their being biased towards Obama.

Soledad, I think that the National News media has made this primary about race more than any group or voting block. It is the media, that does not question any of Baracks ambiguous policy speaches. Maybe it is fear of some backlash from watchdog groups, that allows him a free ride. It shouldn’t matter whether a candidate is Black, White, man or woman, but has the candidate proven him or herself capable of the position of President. Now you don’t have to like Sen Clinton, or Sen Mccain, but you have 30 years of shaping policy to look over, and get a real sense of what they represent. And nobody has embodied change in this country more than the Clintons. Right now there is another segment on CNN about who Blacks are voting for and who Latinos are voting for. Nothing about the issues in the country that people today are facing, and what any of the candidates plan to do about it.
You no, as Vice President you hold the position of President of the Senate. It seems to me , if you really wanted to change things , that’s where you would make the biggest impression. As V.P., Barack could shape and direct policy, and change, and prove himself as a policy maker, not just a preacher
And maybe he can start with his pal, Ted “Mr Change” Kennedy, and kick him to the curb.

As an outsider observing the US Presidential race, I can only say be true to yourself whether you are Black or White,Cuban, Hispanic, Latino, Asian, and like me an Islander. Too many times we put on this facade and when tested our true self emerges. If we look at the candidates through the mirror as mere humans, then race is like a faded shadow and we would have faced our angels or demons on the matter and realise that the thing that divides us can infact bind us, if we can get to the mental state of just being… as diverse as we are. We are only passerbys in this life, since we ourselves cannot determine our next breath. Being true to your self does not negate the fact the race issues are not real, it is part of the true self that so many times are covered under a mask of many faces.

Hi. I am confused about all of the blacks and latinos don’t like each other rhetoric. I have been black my whole life and I have as many latina sisters as I do black. I also have a lot of white friends who are less likely to have interpersonal close friends that are hispanic. We are all “minorities to them” to them. Are hispanics racists who don’t like black people? What about the black hispanics? Is that Hillary’s hope?

I just hope latino voters notice how quickly Hillary dropped blacks as being important to her campaign when she saw her numbers going down. Whens the last time she was at a black church? She used to frequent them. Now she is such an amiga to latinos. I don’t think I heard one mention of latinos in South Carolina or Iowa. Now she needs them. Will she still be a supporter of latino issues after Texas?

You know I am not a latina, but I feel like I am all of the time. I work with, speak with, love and support so many latinos. I find this whole thing absurd. It seems like an attempt to create a divide where there is not one.

Dear Soledad,
After decades of fighting for black rights and pushing black agendas, to her own detriment, I might add. The black community as a whole has turned their backs on Hillary. A loyal lot they have turned out to be!
The moment a black candidate appears for president! En masse, they abandon her! Shame on them!
Blacks will be hard pressed in the future to find whites to champion their causes. They appear to be fickle friends at best.
Does anybody truly believe that a “One-half term Senator” has enough experience to become president just because he makes grand promises? Silly, silly, silly them!

whatever happened to voting for who will do the best job for the country? Why is it expected to vote for or against a man because he is black and not what we think he stands for and can accomplish? Or a woman because we are women too? Those reasons should be on the very bottom of the list (if on it at all) and those of us who are thinking of voting one way because of color, sex and or social standing need to take a hard look at themselves and find out why.

I do not think this is a good time to talk about race, when our country is in bad shape. One reason for this is because of people talking about skin color instead of getting our country back to the way it should be. It does not matter what the skin color is for the person that will put our country back together, and tell the people the truth for once. Our country should not be based on race but on honesty and trust. We do not need another dishonest person to get into the whitehouse the way the last person did. We need a change, and no matter what race that person is, I am all about change and honesty. I believe we all should be that way. I am a white female, I believe our country needs a honest person. I vote from the heart not by color of skin.

Janice From Virginia

Being African American and Caucasian I feel that naming Obama as the “Black” candidate is a bit misleading and offensive. What is wrong with being a bi-racial person? I am no less or more one of my parent’s child than the other. Who makes these stupid rules?

Charles and Sherry I couldn’t agree more!……. Hillary Clinton is our best choice

I am born of Irish immigrants’ children and feel like I should feel guilyy because Obama is my third choice in this race. My parents were the generation to work 60 hours and then have to give up part of their pay for welfare. I lost friends because I forbid the “n” word in my home. I have been questioning myself “Am I a racist?” My answer is no. I think that one candidate is given many breaks and advantages because of his/her race/gender. I also just assume now that every African American I see will be either switching their vote to Obama or voting for Obama. The media says-it is a African American state so it will go to Obama. Hmmm what would you think. I kind of see this as a reverse of racism. As I’ve said all along, I am voting for experience.

I think Obama’s greatist power is his ability to speak motivationally. It resonates in a way that growing up, for me, Dr. King’s words resonated. I think in that way race is connected. If he were white maybe it would harken back to JFK, I don’t know. But his power of speech I think is a big part of why he has become a movement that, to me, feels more based on feeling than issues.

I do think that press coverages skews campaigns. I also think that the way the primarys are structured gives too much power to the far right in republican campaigns. I would like to see a more balence in the primary process.

And I truly hope that Clinton gets the Dem Nomination.

Go Hilary!

since when is it okay to vote for a presidential candidate based on his or her race OR gender? maybe i’m crazy, but i thought we were supposed to vote based on who we honestly think would be better at the job, regardless of the gender or race. or have we changed that?

I only hear about the Clintons making racist remarks, never Obama, how come? I heard Michelle Obama make the comment that if he were elected how proud we would all be. meaning because he is black. Also, a barber in either South Carolina or one of the southern states said he was voting for Obama because he is black and he wants to be a part of history. well how come they can say that but if I said I would vote for a women I would be playing the gender card. Please report all, not select only what you want.

Thanks

Uhh..If history was re-written in the last century I’d like to know about it. The Irish and Scotts that first came here were bond slaves and there were also some Chinese slaves too. BEFORE Africans…Where in the world do these talking heads get their history from.

I see where you are coming from, experience does not mean that our country is going to be better, everybody thoght Bush was experienced, look at our country, people that we think have experience, they talk alot, but put them in a position, look where it got us. I am for truth and honesty, a change. I am tired of listening to talk, now we someone that can actually do something to help our Nation. Obama is my choice. My choice is from the heart not about skin color. We need a change and that is what I am voting for.

Jan Shehata

During the 2008 democratic primary I have heard the media interview both women and men about how they would feel about a women being president. I have heard so many comments from individuals saying they don’t think a woman should be president that it might make our country look weak. I have not heard anyone say that having an african american president would be bad for the country. Women still have a way to go before they will be accepted in high jobs in the good ole USA. Its funny how we preach equality to the rest of the world but we do not practice it fairly in own country. I have even heard other countries as when is America going to have a female president.

One thing I wish you would discuss are the differences between West Coast Hispanics and East Coast Hispanics.
We are two very different creatures. The east is more afro-carribean the west is more native and mestizo.
The mentalities are different, the culture very different and the race realtions very different. West coast hispanics have a very different view of black people thant the easterners and that could hurt Obama in the southwestern states.

Bill Clinton (and Hillary) have helped blacks come to higher position in politics. Suddenly, they are betraying Hillary for Obama. But for Bill they would not be in a position where thay are now. I am not white but an Asian. I can see how the blacks take the race to their advantage and play politics. It is not the Clintons. Bu the media is playign along with Obama in this spin and does not want to say anything as they would be alleged as being racists. I wish media woud see the truth and ask tough questions to Obama.

As a woman who worked in minority programs for over 10 yrs. I’ve watched African Americans abandon the Clintons who worked so diligently for them in pursuit of a candidate with no experience lining up to elect Obama, because of his race. It makes me consider that I’ve given 10 yrs of my life that I once thought was valued, not only of myself but the people that I served tirelessly is now totally unappreciated. I’m looking for a career change.

Okay. Luis Jimenez says “between a white woman and a black man, I think Latinos would vote for the white woman…” to paraphase him in your report around 10:15pm ET…..

Mr. Jimenez has just insulted his listeners and millions of Latinos in general. Whatever happened to looking at the two PEOPLE running for office and vote for the one that they agree with on little things like ISSUES, or change, or experience?

C’mon CNN, that comment should have challenged from the moment he said it. What a racist and sexist comment!

I am an 18 year old, and will be a first time voter. I also am a support of Barack Obama. I think our generation has looked above and beyond race and gender. People tend to focus on young voters, like myself, but forget to acknowledge the fact that when we choose a canidate we aren’t looking at the color of their skin or the sex, but simply what they offer to this country and how it could help our country.
Look at the racial and gender vote in my age group, and I bet it isn’t that important.
Maybe race and gender is an issue in today’s elections. But twenty years from now, when my generation is in the majority, perhaps we will see a change in the vote and the views of our people.
A person’s character, and ability to lead this country, should not be based on their race or gender.
And I say this- If Barack Obama was a white 60-year old man, I still would support him. If Hillary Clinton was back, she would still have the same abilities and skills. and if John McCain was a Latino, he would still be firm in his GOP views, and would still be a US Vetern of war. Character and leadership should and can’t be judged on race and gender.
-
Sarah Tucker (Ohio)

I believe that the media is having a field day with the issue of race and gender which continues to keep the people of this country distracted and divided. I could not vote for Hillary based on principle alone. This country has seen her sort of politics for too long. I for one refused to be used just for a vote. I will take the time to look at the character of the person that I chose to vote for. If Hillary had displayed more balance and character, she would have had my vote. She didn’t so she doesn’t.

Charles, change is good but i don’t think the world is ready for woman to rule the world since America is the capital of the the world. Obama for president and H. Clinton for Vice.

I just don’t get it. It’s 2008, there are so many pressing issues to deal with in the world, and Americans are still making decisions based on race and gender.

What ever happened to the great “melting pot” called The United States of America? I think it would best serve the media, and the country, if the discussion was on healing, instead of fanning the flames of what seems to be a terminal disease in the United States.

Why does Ms Faye Wattelton(spelling?) refer to Hillary Clinton as “Senator Clinton” and Barack Obama as “Mr. Obama” and not as “Senator Obama” on your show tonigjht???? Interested.

I’m white 32 Soccer MOM and Mr. Barack Obama Has My Vote

I don’t understand why CNN seems to be so absorbed in racial issues during this election campaign. I haven’t found any of the other competing news channel spending near as much time holding as many discussions on race as does CNN.

The only people I can see being interested in the racial breakdown of voters would be the candidates. This information can help them determine who they are reaching or not with their message.

This information is not useful for anyone else. Why CNN has this need to keep talking about what color voters are and who they did or did not vote for, is totally beyond me.

I actually believe HRC really can not lead America at this time. It is not her gender but her “solutions” that will not give her the advantage in this election.

While watching the Your panel on Race and Gender I noticed Faye Wattleton is refering to the tow candidates differently. Clinton is Senitor Clinton. Obama is Mr. Obama. They are both Senitors why is he being denied his title. Well it’s only thirty minutes into the show, maybe that will change?

Greetings from the Lac Courte Orielles Indian Reservation in NW WI.
Is this going to be another debate/discussion about non white Americans and the words “American Indian” will AGAIN not be a part of the dialogue? This Reservation has a poverty rate of +25%. To date in all discussions of any candidate or either party, it’s as if this Nation’s First People are of little or no consequence and do no even merit a mention. Certain Indian Nations in this country have elected women as their tribal leaders.

Anderson, I think race and gender are key in this presidential race because both candidates are going head to head. As one of your panellist mentioned I think man and woman from an ethnic minority race wouldn’t have caused this much of an issue.

I agree with Whoopi Goldberg in that, generally everyone will look for the issues and candidate’s capability before looking at their race. However, when these issues are similar or perceived to be then they will go with the race as proven in this presidential race. Otherwise you cannot justify nine out of ten African Americans voting for Senator Obama, the African American women chose race over gender, this may be because they still feel oppressed and needed vindication.

As a woman I feel the order is, men from any race before gender thus reinterating the glass ceiling

I was excited to hear the topic of gender was going to be aired. It is disappointing to see that this program is focused on the sensational verses the turn facts that are issues in America. For example pitting Latino and Black (a race problem) compared to providing a significant amount of air time to the documented facts related to gender stereotypes.

I am a black female and distraught that the media started the race issue when Obama and the other candidates did not bring race into the election. The point related to exist polls and the gender of those collecting the data was a significant one but is buried in the program. A larger conversation about these types of issues would help bring issues of gender and race to light. As long as these issues exist, we can’t say we are a color blind or gender neutral society.

We should not be suprised at the sensationalism. Reporting which candidates won which states instead of delegates is an example of bias.

I want to know why in the 360 show is Ms Wattleton referring to Clinto and Senator Clinto but referring to Obama as Mr Obama ? He is a Senator and should be ginven the same acknowledgement

Interms of the Latino vote, everyone needs to acknowledge that it is a diverse group of cultures and that they cannot be grouped together. Each cultural group has specific cultureal interest.,

Folks;

Here’s a question for you all….

Why is it SO prominent in the U.S. and specifically in the U.S. that African Americans are referred to as African Americans versus AMERICANS? They are after all just Americans. I see and hear this terminology used by the American Media and Americans in general, more often then any place in the World I visited. More often then not most Countries referred to the folks as a British National or citizen or a French versus a French African national, etc., Why is that??

I want to chime in on the race issue, if you listen to the chief complaint of employers with respect to the ilegal mexican situaton it is that they cannot find anyone to do the jobs that ilegals do. Bottom line is the belief that blacks and latinos are competing for jobs is baseless.

Let’s not forget that “Hispanics” or “Latinos” are a very diverse community. There are Black Latinos, White Latinos, Indigenous Latinos…there are Chinese-Latinos, Jewish-Latinos, and we are not all the same. The only thing that is common amongst most Latinos, besides language, is the fact that most Latin countries are very socially and religiously conservative. I think the GOP is missing this point. Democrats have been able to court Latinos because the GOP has failed to look at the real issues that matter to Latinos and have shifted the focus to the immigration issue. Immigration is a broder problem involving more that Latino communities.

Thank you,

Sergio

NEVERMIND SKIN COLOR!!!. If you were an employer interviewing both canidates. What would you look for? EXPERIENCE. Hillary has a plan. She knows it, she has done it. I could not care less if Obama was purple, he lacks so much and is unseasoned. He needs time to bloom. If you vote for him, you might as well call it a crap shoot. NO WAY !!! He will not have my vote if he wins! Hillary 2008

Of course this competition is about gender, not race. It’s been 236 years of males in the White House, regardless of skin color. Let’s not forget that women had to wait 50 years to vote after black males were allowed to do so. Let’s not forget that women right activist such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Stanton not only fought for women’s rights but also fought slavary, and at the end had to sit in the back of the bus (so to speak) leaving their own dreams and aspirations.
If Obama wins the democratic nomination, this will only perpetuate the male dominance, It will be more of the same.

This election will come down to running mates. John McCain will pick a VP rest assured it will not be a white man. If he picks a hispanic or a black man, the people will have a difficult choice. Obama/Clinton will have to choose the right race as well. This will be the first time in history where the choice for VP will be the most important decision of their political careers. Mark my words!

Soledad,

Blacks don’t have a problems with latinos. We have a problem with illegal immigrants who work for little money and keep the minimum wage low because they cannot demand a living wage. Therefore all unskilled workers have a hard time finding good paying jobs.

I am Irish, Scottish and Cherokee. The African American Panel member who said that no one else came to America the same way as African Americans did is not totally correct. Many peoples, the before mentioned, and others such as Chinese were brought into this country as slaves, bond slaves from everything including field hands, labors, miners or white slavery to work in houses of ill repute. I realize what my ancestors went through it took generations (my parents) to have the first children who went to college. But even though I know this, many Americans of all races forget it. I do not see myself as anything but what I am, an American. An American woman who wants to see her business grow. Since my store is very tied to women’s studies and a powerful womens base, I get to hear women talking about how demoralized Hillary has been made in the Press, how Media only shows her as weak or to run negative stories on her yet they do not take the same aggressive stance on Obama as a candidate. I feel many African Americana are racist. Bill Clinton, with all both Clinton’s have done for them, to say, Bill was being racist, is stating Jesse Jackson beat him in South Carolina was a racial comment is insane. Jesse Jackson did beat him, it’s a fact, no one else beat him. But no one points that out how racist it is to react negatively to it. Reverse racism is alive and well along with sexism.

This is for Anderson Cooper and the CNN Producer…to read for tonites news Feb 15th, 2008

What the problem in the world today is what we do not understand is ourselves. We begin not to think about who we are. Take for instance, “Black and Latino.” The question we ask, what is it we know about these two? There is so much confusion, in who we know and what we know. Luis Jimenez in my opinion what I just saw does not understand what he is saying. The word “Latino” and “Hispanic” are African words that are orinagted from Africa itself. Lets not forget these “Latin, Hispanic people are a mixture. They are mixed partly of European, (Polish, and many other), African, and the Native people.

Question though if this can be aired..Solendad where are you from? Your background?

The tension and the problem in America is the mindset and mentality of what race is supposed to be plagued against each other to keep the economy on a balance.

Latino’s are not brown, because I am a African and I have brown skin, so we should stop this division in saying brown, and black. It is either if they are black of white. There are black Latin people and white latin people.

Everything starts with our history, because everything in what we do whether we buy anything is our history, where it comes from, who makes it and that clothing has been just “upgraded” from the modern times 50-100 years ago or more. Our history is who we are. Our own history is a story of ourselves, but it is up to us to discover it.

Women today are beginning to take the world in orderly fashion where they are implementing themselves back into the system creating this equality again between men and women. Remember we are born from women.

In order to get through this race issue is knowing our history, that is what makes us understand ourselves and we would be able to talk to one another very easily and not make obscene gestures or words that will offened one another. In other words we need to talk (in the sense) with our race first to learn our history and then take the second step to learn other races history, because what creates this chaos in this world is not understanding one’s ourself.

I would love to come on the show and would like to say my input on cnn, to not just bring more viewers but to speak truth and have topics of interest that will be more educational to the young people from any race.

Remember in the United States Constitution has “The one Drop Rule!” Where as anyone who has a drop of African in them is considered African American. Lets do more deep thinking on this topic.

Remember, if we keep saying we do not see color, we are not dogs, because dogs are one of the animals that do not see color.

If you people at CNN would like to talk, I would Love to keep in touch, I enjoy your show from time to time. Keep it up. E-mail me.

Soledad – I watched your segment earlier on Anderson’s special on Race, Gender and Politics (10-11PM EST 15 February 2008). While speaking of African Americans over whelming support of Barrack and Latinos over-whelming support for Hillary, you asked whether Latinos were voting for Hillary or essentially against Barrack. The questions can make Latinos appear one dimensional since you did not ask the same question in reverse of African Americans. As a 39 year old African American male, I am a Hillary supporter because I’ve did what most people have not… I’m compared the two candidates objectively relative to what I think is best for our country first, and my community second. How quickly we (African Americans) have forgotten how the Clintons have always supported agendas that worked towards making our community and other minority communities stronger and better situated to enjoy the American dream. Perhaps Latinos, simply have a better memory.

Everything in this country takes race into consideration because we can’t get pass the notions of our preconceptions. The facts are that Hillary is just as qualified to be President as Obama and vise versa. The difference is that Hillary is more “beatible” than Obama. What the republicans love is that we vote against our best interest. Hillary, along with Bill brings too much baggage to the table. There are alot more Hillary supporters that are willing to vote for Obama than there are Obama supporters willing to vote for Hillary. We have to stop the republicans. I had respect for McCain before he switched his views on water-boarding after meeting with the republican heirchy. He will have to sell his soul to those people to become president. Are we willing to have 4 more years of the same? Are we, again, willing to lose the war to win a battle!

Interesting watching AC” panel discuss race and gender. They talk about Latinos and black females. Look at the other gender–males. Both white and black males are voting for Obama.Doesn’t that tell you that Men black or white are still discriminating against women.

I watched the 360 special on Race and Gender and as an African American female I felt the whole piece failed to include the perspective of a common African American like myself. Whoopi Goldberg doesn’t speak for me and neither does that Black woman who stated she was in a dllemma when she went into the voting booth of who to vote for because she was socialized as a women before being socialized as an African American.
You all need to get to the streets of Chicago and get some common peoples perspective because most of us are on the same page and I have yet to hear this perspective represented on CNN.
Most African Americans like me are very proud of Barak Obama. He is the hope of the slaves and the many generation before him who prayed for a brighter future for their children
I don’t support Hillary Clinton for three reasons: She is demanding of African Americans that we surrender the hopes and dreams of our ancestors to support hers. Its not for sale. Second I don’t relate to her as a woman. I believe you can be effeminate, affectionate, smart, well educated and effective. She wants to be a man. She hasn’t worn a skirt since she started her campaign (and it would be more flattering to her pearness). I think she is a very nasty, thin skinned person who will do anything and say anything to get elected. She is very disenguinuine. And finally as a feminist she is not the embodiment of an empowered. capable woman. She is well educated but she can’t stand on her own. She needs her husband’s ideas and everything else. Isn’t this what women strived to get away from. Isn’t this wny they strived to have careers. She makes me think of those 1950’s housewives who needed their husbands name to live. They needed their husbands charge card to shop. She reinforces that 50’s narrative of the dependent housewife. When she talks of experience, how hypocritical-she knows she referring to her husbands experience.
Hillary Clinton isn’t anything that I aspire to be. There have been some great women world leaders and they didn’t have to leave behind their manners and their feminity to have power. I think HIllary Clinton has a lot to learn about what it means to be a woman.

Catrina

I wish more people would acknowledge what a diverse group Latinos are. People make distinctions between voters of different states, and even different regions whithin a state, but put all of us Latinos, that come from so many different countries with different histories, into a single category. And then pretend to be able to predict how we’ll vote- good luck with that!

There’s no denying that some Latinos have issues with race, just like some Americans do. But it’s unfair to equal the not voting for Obama with racism. I hear the question of why are “black and brown” divided in their vote, and I ask why shouldn’t they be? Isn’t that prejudice on its own, to assume that because we’re minorities we think the same, act the same, vote the same…? It all goes back to the same thing, not all African Americans vote the same, not all Latinos vote the same, so what makes us think African Americans and Latinos should vote the same?

I like them both, and will be happy with either one. Honestly.

I feel that over 80% of Black Americans vote for Obama just because he is black, not because they think he will make a good president. They supported Hillary before but since Obama wom in Iowa, they all switched and I don’t think that’s fair. I feel the media gives too much attention to Obama and they helped keep the momentum going. There is not one time I turn on the news that they are talking about Obama, that is why I will support and vote for Hillary!

Anderson,
I am an Asian American and Woman. Even though I am highly educated I am not voting for Obama. Go Hillary!
Obama is very divisive with race and tries to attract only African American. As i am listening to your show, I am going to vote for Hillary.

What does race have to do with it? Why do people keep putting that in their chose. What happened to the best person that can do the job. Obama can get the job done! He has the Leadership quality that we need . I’m a white woman who is retired and can remember John F. Kennedy being President. Barack has a lot of the leadership quality. Remember Caroline and Ted Kennedy said the same thing. I have done a lot of research on Barack . He can lead our country to greatness. We need that badly. He is the new Senator in Congress and has no bad habits. Of course the General Election may get a little rough because McCain is from the old school. Do what ever it takes to Win. Lie! Lie! Some one might believe it. Like all the horrible e-mails going around about Barack which are lies. He will have to keep sending his message to people who have the smarts to keep checking things out.

Blacks overwhemlingly supporting Obama for president simply cannot be seen as them being racist. An honest critique would always take into consideration the unfortunate history of racial discrimination in the U.S. which continues to affect the way blacks percieve and live in our society. For many, if not most, blacks, overcoming racial oppression is as much a part of their everyday battles as is providing for their families or getting healthcare. Many blacks therefore see an Obama presidency is a major victory in their everyday battles. When we ignore the unfortunate history of racial oppression in the U.S. and accuse blacks, who support the first African American with a real chance of becoming president, as being racist, we are either dishonest about or oblivious to the realities of our society.

I am a woman who has worked 10 years diligently in African American programs. I worked tirelessly with children from inner city schools; I gave 14-16 hours a day. After watching the majority of the African American population abandon those who have worked so hard for them such as the Clintons, I have come to the sad realization, that I would be thrown out with dishwater also. I don’t want to give my life to those who devalue the work I do simply because I am not the same race as them, I thought I was there because race or gender should not matter and all students deserve the same education and opportunities no matter what their race or economic income. I have put my back, my head and heart into my work but I am now looking for a new career. P.S. CNN, there are two women in our household, we are sisters, I would appreciate it if you valued both our opinions and stop taking down one post for the other.

I am Irish, Scottish and Cherokee. The African American Panel member who said that no one else came to America the same way as African Americans did is not totally correct. Many peoples, the before mentioned, and others such as Chinese were brought into this country as slaves, bond slaves from everything including field hands, labors, miners or white slavery to work in houses of ill repute. I realize what my ancestors went through it took generations (my parents) to have the first children who went to college. But even though I know this, many Americans of all races forget it. I do not see myself as anything but what I am, an American. An American woman who wants to see her business grow. Since my store is very tied to women’s studies and a powerful womens base, I get to hear women talking about how demoralized Hillary has been made in the Press, how Media only shows her as weak or to run negative stories on her yet they do not take the same aggressive stance on Obama as a candidate. I feel many African Americana are racist. Bill Clinton, with all both Clinton’s have done for them, to say, Bill was being racist, is stating Jesse Jackson beat him in South Carolina was a racial comment is insane. Jesse Jackson did beat him, it’s a fact, no one else beat him. But no one points that out how racist it is to react negatively to it. Reverse racism is alive and well along with sexism.

Hola Soledad,
I am watching the CNN program of Race, Gender and Politics on Anderson Cooper 360 and share the views your speakers.

I am a hispanic, born and raised along the Arizona border, where we had a microcosym of different nationalities, including Jew, Greeks, Spaniards, Mexicans and, of course, a few gringos, in which we all grew up bi-cultural and bi-lingual. The latter group became so much a part of the hispanic community that when we went to University of Arizona, their peers jokingly called them half-breeds.

My father being a good Mason always voted republican; I’ve always voted republican; I like McCain and what he stands for; but quite frankly, I am disappointed with everything the Bush administration and the republican party has done during his tenure.

I am considering Obama because of his passion and conviction for change. The issue for me is not immigration, its about the economy and, especially, the future for all our children.

Saludos cordiales!

I am surprised that the American Print and electronic media (and this includes CNN journalist, etc.) continuously fail to note and rectify the gross mistake of labelling/calling African Americans - ‘blacks.’ In fact it is very incorrect to refer to people of Aferican decent who are American citizens - African American. The very correct names are: Keneyaian-American, Gambia-American, Liberian-American, etc., just like you refer to Irish-American, Italian-American, etc. Another issue I find very offensive and strange is the fact that people of mixed race: whose origins are Caucacian (’white’) and African, or any other race for that matter are also refered to as ‘black.’ Why is it that a person whose father/mother is ‘black’ and whose father/mother is ‘white’ is always rregarded as or refered to as ‘black. Why not ‘white.’ Even CNN consistently engages in perpetuating this practice/prejudice. You owe it to your globla auduence to get this very sensitive issue(s) right….

this whole blog is interesting because as I read each and everyone’s blog it speaks their on hypocrisy. We try to speak with some sense and dignity but fall into their own word of web. They will speak against each canidate and go for the other because one is bias in their own way. This is the systemic racism, that plagues the world. This is why teh presdiency is about black and white, because WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND OURSELVES! I don’t speak against or for anyone I juts read what I see on these blogs. The only one I can agree with who speaks sense and dignity, and is very constructive in everyway is what Catrina wrote at 10:51pm.

Just Read it..

But just because I vote for that person does not mean he is black or she is a woman.

When all the presidential candidates were white, it was not about race?

This is our own racism we are creating in this blog, these are the problems we have to look at what has transpired America into what it is.

We should acknowledge Obama is a black man trying to make a difference, and Hillary is a white woman making a difference but I would vote for the candidate that makes sense, and brings truth.

I am not against any, but have my comments and views on what I think about it.

Obama yes needs to learn, but as he takes this path in his step to run for president, he is learning to have and gain this experience, therefore I think he will be the next president.

I agree what Catrina said about Hillary but also I remeber she was for the war, and tehn against it. How can we have a president who cannot make up their mind? In my opinion the mistaek Hillary Clinton made was going for then against the war. There is no trust there when I would see her as a president. She has my life in her hands as a presidential Candidate.

I am an Asian American. All these years I voted Democrat. This year I may vote Republican. I am very disgusted that the non-black candidate cannot scrutinize Sen. Obama’s political positions without being labelled as racist. Why should the opponents of Sen. Obama be walking on eggshell just to avoid being called racist? All of the 3 remaining white candidates are subject for deep scrutiny, why should Sen. Obama be exempted from such rule?
Former Sen. Edwards takes pride in talking as a son of a mill worker. America has not heard yet from Obama who exactly he is, such as his childhood, his parents and family origin.

Anderson,

I am an African-American, Military Veteran, Business Owning, Married man, and Father of 3 daughters. Could you not find one African-American man to add perspective to your conversation on Race and Gender in this political campaign? Two white males and the rest female? What’s up with that?

I think you and other media “talking-heads” are making much more of this race/gender voting patterns thing than it really should be. No ethnic group, or gender group is monolithic. Our interest vary by geographic region. More balance in your selected panel would perhaps have displayed this fact of American life. Why not give real diversity a chance? Really, it’s not that bad. Why keep focusing on the negative?

Don’t blame Obama or Clinton for these perceived divides; blame the media. Frankly, the American Voters are demonstrating that all of us have had enough of this sick “divide-and-conquer-George Bush” approach.

How disappointing that CNN would continue to play this distructive game.

America can do better; We must do better! Yes We Can!

Soledad, I am black … but like a significant segment of the african american community ‘black’ does not adequately reflect my heritage, as my name might suggest. Consequently at a time when interracial marriage is occurring at such an accelerated rate… black, white, yellow descriptors from a racist time past, continue to strain the reality of race. I don’t have a solution to this dilemma but I do think a positive first step would be to recognize the limitations of this unfit terminology.
PS: To amplify what I’m trying to get a respectfully… you with labor describe your friend as “black and Puerto Rican” and she adds american. What would you call a Puerto Rican who is ” beige”… beige and Puerto Rican? Also what does “black and latino” mean? As you know there are black cubans which possibiy could make you black and black latino or rather black cuban. Hopefully you get my point. Thanks in advance

February 15th, 2008 7:05 pm ET

I want Change! Not only or the USA but for the world.

‘If Hilary Wins..’ it will change the world significantly. The president of the most powerful nation on earth - A WOMAN! would change the psyche of women all over. We know women is the key to change in the world.

“when a mom says to a child, all can grow up to be prseident it would now be true”

The men who now keep women in servitrude throughout the world must now take stock for the most ‘powerful being’ is a woman. They must deal with her. This fact alone would change their system, - more than the attempt to democratize. Woman power is the most powerful weapon against poverty & for democracy.

The whole world may simply change for the better, or at least how women are treated in mid & east, Africa, eastern europe and here in the west, the USA. Now that would be change!

If Obama wins …. I would be very happy, fantsatically proud, as a black man and I believe he would be wonderful at building the political scene of the USA - a very good president, The black race would be very proud, and the folks who want to keep women in their place would be relieved. The impact on the world would be so so. He still has time .. VP and President in 8 years.

The world would change with Hilary as president. Women hopefully will see this & endorse her. Western and American men has sure made a mess of the world to date.

I think right now a woman president may be more important than a first Black President.

Hillary this time.

Wow Charles! I 100% in agreement with what you feel about this Obama and Hillary scenarious. Obama need some more seasoning compared to Hillary. Running American is not just going to be an On the Job Training. It need enough experience, maturity and know how. Hillary got that! Let Hillary be the next U.S. President.

I would love to suggest to Soledad and Cooper to expand the experts on their panels…I would like to suggest Henry Der, a Chinese American , who helped founded Chinese for Affirmative Action in San Francisco. Mr. Der no longer heads the group, but is still involved. I would love to hear Henry’s take on Asian voting trends and the other rescource that Soledad and Cooper should seek out is Professor Troy Duster, a well known sociologist and author of several books that discuss Race in this country. Professor Duster teaches at UC Berkeley and New York University.

Soledad, I always had a hunch about your being something spanish. Something inside. Now I am glad to know you are. I also face the dilemma between supporting Hillary and not feel racist or backing Obama and not really sure if he is the best candidate for a spanish voter. I like both and I think either one will be good as a president. Toward this season, late in the primary, I feel more comfortable with Hillay. Not only the Clinton have been good to our cause as spanish (They are quite loved back in our countries, just like asian american love them for same reason) but I feel the cause of supporting Clinton now because she suported me before. Lately, Obama is becoming too much talk and Rev. Luther King Jr. playrole (I don’t think is becoming natural but exploiting the style. I don’t blame him for that, is a smart move). He delivers very little in specifics rather turns passionate and the crow get crazy. excellent for a rock star like Oprah, I don’t think is the right quality (or the strongest quality) for a president. Obama due to his lack of experience can easily become prisoner of intercircles around the presidency, not so Hillary. I feel the immediate future of USA is more secure with Hillary and I will be more rested, not tormenting myself with the idea of an apprentice in the oval office surrounded by vulptures just like any presidency.

I don’t see Hillary as a typical woman running for President. She is a former First Lady. We have yet to see a woman run for President who’s husband has no claim to fame. That’s why so many women are not identifying with her solely on the basis of gender. Imagine if Michelle Obama decided to run for President after her husband’s eight years as President. To me she would be lowering herself and disrespecting her husband’s legacy. I don’t identify with Hillary at all. One day a real woman will run for president and make us all proud, but right now it wouldn’t hurt to put a little touch of color in White House.

Pepay, I don’t think you know what you are talking about?

What do you mean about Obama needs more seasoning, could you elaborate on that?

Soledad

I am so happy to hear you say you black and latino, that is more than Obama has said, he is after all half black and half white, not african american. He is bi racial.
By the way I agree with Brian about Hillary this time and Obama as VP, and him in 8 years.

I would also like to say that CNN has been a disappointment to me this political season, they are very partial to Obama, so much so it is so obvious. I find myself muting the tv alot.

Peace
Sabrina

After watching your show tonight it became very apparent who the real racists in America are. 90% of black people are voting for Obama but all other so-called “groups” are diverse in their voting. That shows me that everyone else is voting on issues , but not black people they are basically only voting for the Black candidate. Thanks CNN for pointing all of this out to me. Also, thank you to Fay Wattleton who also spoke the true thoughts of African Americans who according to her, were the only people to come to America as slaves. Apparently the only history she ever was taught was black history, NOT AMERICAN HIstory. And how about the smerk on her face when she said that non-white hispanics were the minority. I am glad Anderson went to break after she said that. I am now 100% sure that Barack Obama is the one who started the race issue to create a reverse discrimination, and it was working, until now. After your show tonight, I think his campaign will take a direct hit. He played on the sympathy of ALL Americans ..smart move. But now he has been exposed. I know I will not be voting for him.

The show focused more on race than gender. Not a surprise. That is the easier “ism” to openly discuss. Nobody feels comfortable naming what the root issue really is. Patriarchy. A form of social organization on which male control is based. This is the system by which our society and the world at large has been ruled for at least the last 5000 years, regardless of race. It is time for a systemic change. We have a woman candidate who is qualified and capable of leading our country. She also has the experience to back up her words with action. Yes, she has used the political power she has to get into a position to run for President of the United States. No candidate has a monopoly on political power plays in this election. Yes, she has had to play by the “good old boys” rules to get this far and she has. This is a political campaign and no one gets to this stage without the support of the powers that be. In a patriarchal system, the powers that be are mostly a male dominated ruling class. A woman in position to be elected President of the United States is a threat to patriarchal power . A woman in charge could change the core perception of the system we live in and power might be shared more equally between all of us. We have the choice, right here, right now to make a real change. This is also known as a paradigm shift. A change in the model we use to organize our way of relating to each other and the world. So, if we the people, want to signal a desire for REAL change, for ourselves and to the rest of the world, who look to us for guidance and direction, we will elect a woman as the next President of the United States.

There is something out on the blogs that I find very disturbing. It is all these bloggers saying that Barak Obama is a Muslim. Are they insinuating that he is a Terrorist or that he is UnAmerican. I find this very disturbing. Is this just meant as harmless name calling, or are they scared of him because of his race but can not politically say so, or are they trying to scare the people into not voting for him but for Hillary. What ever it is, it isn’t right, and speaks to religious intolerance. Would he be less acceptable if he were a Muslim, or a Jew, or a Catholic? I do wish it would stop.

Interesting Solodad, hmmm first off immigration: if I was hispanic and most have family in Mexico, I would want any future president who will continue(continue), to give hispanics rights.
But I am a black woman, my mix is like most blacks, all of Indian, Hispanic, White and Black; I choose to say I am Black ,as the bulk of my genes are too. smile.
Puerto Rico people side mostly with whites, like some Chinese. Much like the ‘light is right’, ‘black get back’. Those of us who know their history, took Black History, before the slave trade; know we are a strong people and our race is the foundation of all people.
So I say all that to say this, I am proud of Obama, a black man, a intelligent and successful man, with a brown skinned wife, strong and supportive. I am a Obama supporter and unlike many, I read his issues and know what he proposes, once in office. I believe if some knew the history of blacks, they could vote and support Obama without any fear. Black people are known for peace and uniting people together. We need a new wave of ideas and policies in the White House. I can tell by reading his proposals he took great thought about the poor and middle class. When working in the grass roots, as a Civil Rights Attorney he found what issues plague are society. He is going to help, young single mothers get care for their newborns, offenders with having skills and a job, over worked Americans, with x-tra sick days, tax breaks, health care. Some comment on Obama-rama’s that they don’t know why they like Obama, I know why. Some one who believes in ‘doing the right thing’!, myself I am tired of the Clintons. I use to have respect for them over the yrs, but frankly with the ongoing prejudice remarks, childish attitudes, I lost all respect, greatly.
I wonder and have pondered the idea, if Hillary Clinton would do anything to win this election. She already cried 2x on the spot, at her convience, used Bill to ruffle features and do her dirty work, her daughter to call Super Delegates and speak in her behalf. Like McCain, her daughter speeches were with out heart…….I truelly think Hillary Clinton would cheat, pay big bucks, stomp, bully and too,promise anyone who made a difference anything. No I pray she don’t get this and Bill probley does too…….

It’s sad, but on the Democratic side, no one can say this election is not about race. Now, no matter who wins the election, someone will say it was ultimately about race. That’s unfortunate; it shouldn’t have been that way.

History have been against Blacks for years. When slavery was around the white women was not in the fields, before civil rights african americans had to sit in the back of the bus. Our people was killed trying to get the right to vote, That was in the 1950’s and 1960’s. I have travel the world and african americans get look at different than white men and women. Blacks have been suppress for years, if Obama wins this may open doors for other race. Some people do look at race and some do not. I feel that the young generation have a chance to look pass race. they is proving that in this election.

Pepay
I too….think that the very best thing to happen would be…Hillary for President…..Obama VP and President in “8″!!!!!! I believe in the experience- one must have to run this great country. Hillary has the experience and Obama does NOT! Forget Gender, Race or what ever, bringing this country together is certainly more important, bringing our troops home with minimal harm to those in Iraq is and will be a very big issue. I believe Hillary listens to those who have the experience and the know how to get the job done but, I also believe she has the guts to explore all options…….with the ability and experience to ask all the right questions.
I’m a 60 year old white mother of 2, grandmother of 10 and I “do” remember the years of segragation…..the years of being treated unequal in the work place as a young female. I didn’t like either of these scenrios then and because things haven’t changed as much as one would hope, the feelings are still with me today. I was raised in Alabama and now live in Georgia. People talk over these problems but believe me they “all” still very much exist……I say that with a very heavy heart. Dr. King died trying to help, the Kennedy’s died trying to help. I honestly don’t know how to help make the world change…..however I do think that it could become a little closer if we had both Hillary and Obama working together.

I am amazed at the lack of media coverage on the racial/gender issues, other than the media turning Obama into the new messiah. However, I believe this entire liberal fascination with Obama is due to one reason only: the liberal swing towards Obama is because he is the first viable African-American presidential candidate. Most of the white liberals backing him during this primary process is their attempt of apologizing for so many years of slavery and black disenfranchisement.

Hillary and McCain are afraid to go negative on him because they may appear to be racist. If Hillary was running against a white man, the tone of this political season would be extremely different and I have no doubt that Hillary would be the front runner.

Of this I am certain, if Obama receives the Democratic nomination, the American Jewish community will line behind John McCain en masse. The majority of American Jews, who usually vote democrat - will never support Obama. Although the Jewish community probably supports Obama on most social issues, they will fear for the safety of Israel’s future and security. Presently, the Jewish community, as small as it might be in this country, still supports Hillary. But if Hillary loses the party nomination, McCain will receive the support of the small but very powerful American Jewish lobby. McCain will also have the very powerful evangelical Christian Zionist lobby supporting him, especially those Christians who are followers of the very popular Pastor, John Hagee.

This is reverse discrimination. No one in the African-American community is voting on the issues facing this country, especially our foreign policy issues, which Obama knows nothing about. They are voting for him because he is black. He does not get asked the tough questions by the media, while Hillary gets grilled. Should he get elected, his eloquence and preaches will no longer matter, since words are very cheap. He will not be able to keep all his promises - which I’m not sure what they even are. At least Hillary lays out her plans.

Obama - an agent of change??? Change what - an inexperienced black politician in the Oval Office? It will be like having Bush there again - he sounded great on the stump, everyone wanted to have a beer with him - now everyone wants to drink a latte with Obama and that is why they will vote for him. How unfortunate and how pathetic, and it will be too late to rectify the mistake.

My prediction: if Obama wins, he will only have a 4-year term and the GOP’s will retake the White House.

hey texas joe. she said nothing of the sort! are you a politician? Because you’re putting words in people’s “mouths”.

All of you who said that blacks made this election about race are absolutely right on target. They are milking the media about the issue of race from the beginning with the support of the GOP who wants Obama to win the nomination. If you noticed, in all the RED States Obama won by large margins when we know that those states won’t matter in the general because the DNC is not getting any electoral votesfrom those States, and he lost all the major States that do matter for the DNC; NY, NJ, FL, CA, AZ, etc. ITCHEL said in her comment earlier that it was the media that raised the issue of race; WRONG!!! It was Obama’s camp that immediatelly got on the air to complained about Bill Clinton making racist statements. University professors were on the media panel for days crying foul about this. Lets be honest, everytime Obama attacked Hillary it was a good point for him but if Hillary responded it was an unfair and destructive attack against Obama. Even Senator Kennedy called the DNC to complaint because he said these kind of attacks were going to destroy Obama. This is a campaign and not a game of polo against the Kings son were the King’s son had to always be right and the other guy wrong. I am totally turned off by Obama, so much so that if the GOP and the Media get him nominated I am quitting the DNC and voting for McCain, at least with him I know what to expect.

I really don’t care what sex or color my President is. I do care about where they stand on the issues and if they have a vision for our future.

I don’t care who blacks, whites, Asians or Latinos voted for or will vote for. I do care about how I will vote.

I don’t get any useful information on discussing why females or males voted as they did. It is irrelevant to me. I only know why I voted and why I will vote.

I don’t remember when Bush was running for President if the media cared how many white men or women were going to vote for him nor do I remember them caring how those of different faiths were going to vote. I don’t recall seeing any breakdown on how Irish Americans or German Americans were going to vote. Maybe I missed it.

It’s time for the Media to join the citizens and start discussing more important issues. There’s a lot out here that needs to be fixed. We have very urgent issues on our national plate.

Knowing why different races voted is certainly not one of them!

I feel that Black Americans vote for Obama just because he is black, not because they think he will make a good president.

They supported Hillary before there was a black nominee, they all switched and I don’t think that’s fair.

I feel the media gives too much attention to Obama acting as his campaign manager.

Now that McCain can attack Obama let’s see what happens.

The coverage on CNN has been so unfair. Many Hillary supporters are now watching other programs.

This is so muchj about race. We hardly know Barack Hussein Obama. It’s sad to think that we still have such a racial divide but it’s ever so apparent.

Blacks that loved the Clinton’s for years have completly dropped her for their race.

We know very little about Mr. Barack Osama. He’s yelling and screaming about change. He is not being investigated about his ties with a criminal in Chicago and he still hasn’t clarified whether he has Muslim relatives in his family.

Why is that hard for him to explain?

I would want to know if Clinton has ties with Muslims or if she had ties with criminals.

Nothing to do about being a racist. I’m an American and would like to know where this man came from. After 911 things have changed and we really need to be more careful about everyone.

This isn’t a laughing matter, I just don’t trust the world like I use to.

“Our loyalties must transcend our race, our class and our nation., and that means we must develop a world perspective” MLK.

If 80% of African Americans vote for Barack Obama how could that statement be true?

If Hillary Clinton did not do all she did (and does) for African Americans, one would possibly understand the statistics, but otherwise how could it be anything but racism or ignorance?

As a world watcher with a worldview ,many questions arise in watching CNN which is aired here too since we also in the Americas.

If experience is so sadly dismissed by the Obama supporters, is he going to write a whole new rulebook? Who will he look to? Kennedy, is he new? Rezko, who he has known for 17 years but conveniently chooses to distance when it is to his advantage?

And the young women who are so strongly and blindly supporting Obama, who worked to get you to where you are in your position to-day? Are you not aware of your clear minority (except for AC360 in this particular segment) in the debate on CNN? Who will work to change this? Or were you only chosen based on your looks?

I am a South African mixed race Canadian but am a person first. I left South Africa for its racist policies in the early 1970’s. I have absolutely no bias but realize now that in Africa and elsewhere in the world, we understand the lessons taught by the African based world leaders including MLK much more than do African Americans.

Cassandra,
Mixed Race and Proud.

I don’t think it’s fair to hold the “black vote” over Obama’s head. Let’s be honest. Where would President Clinton have been without the black vote. He caused that same frenzy, if you recall. It’s not fair. Everyone has struggled but Blacks and Women have struggled more. Personally I like the idea of change. a fresh face. As far as experience…JFK and Weren’t all that experienced either. They turned out pretty well.how about MLK? How much experience did he need before he changed the world? experience is overrated.

So I rarely turn to CNN and watch any updates on the election because I have problems with the big race v. gender debate. I honestly believe when we put the 2 against each other, we will get no where. It’s ironic how critical theories on race and gender talk about how collaboration and cooperation are needed for change to occur, so obviously race and gender hold the same ideals. This race v. gender debate is just another way for the dominant discourse to stir the pot and create an emotional distraction for the rest of us. The dominant discourse keeps throwing race and gender into the discussion, so then those of us who believe in the messages of either Hillary or Obama will be distracted and blind sided from the real issues at hand.

Now the next debate that the dominant discourse is spinning as a way to stir, confuse, and distract the rest of us from the real issues is the Black v. Latino debate. I could only watch Anderson Cooper for 20 minutes last night because I was disgusted by the conversation that placed Blacks and Latinos against each other. The discussion was that Blacks and Latinos are competing for the same jobs, which in itself is a racist conversation. It implies that both races are competing for the same low-skilled jobs and basically the dominant group is saying, “Lets watch the little people scramble for the same little crumbs.” Definitely some postcolonialism diatribe going on in the election discourse. It is ironic because I was having a conversation with my professor for a class I am taking called Assessing Minorities yesterday. The day before we were reading some farely recent studies on intelligence (radical research) that ranked the intelligence of racial groups in the following order: Asians, Whites, Non-White Hispanics, and Blacks. I was discussing with the professor about writing a reflection paper on how radical studies such as this may still contribute to how people perceive me as a black woman in the world of academe (meaning I spend 3/4 of my energy proving I am smart enough and worthy of being at the elite institution of higher education). It is interesting how this radical research on intelligence that I had read in class was coming alive on the Anderson Cooper discussion about Race, Gender, and Politics. By putting Latinos and Blacks against each other and saying we are competing for jobs, is the dominant group’s way of ranking the value (and intelligence) of racial groups.

As a black female in a ph.d program, there are so few other black females trying to make it through a ph.d program that I find myself turning to other minority groups (women, international students, and Latinos) to collaborate, cooperate, and have discussions about how to navigate and understand the meritocracy of academe (because also as a first generation college student I am so confused). So it hurts me when I see the dominant discourse in the media promoting that I despise and resent the people that I both love and need to make it through this doctoral program.

I am amazed and amused that everyone refers to Barack Obama as black, an African-American, possibly the first black President of the United States. Senator Obama’s mother is a white woman from Kansas. Therefore, doesn’t this make him bi-racial? I said this to my 88 year old Kansas-born mother the other day and her response was: “it used to be, if you had only one drop of Negro blood in you, you were considered to be a Negro.” Well, that’s not the way it is today…is it?

Perhaps it would be a better angle to emphasize that, having both black and white parents, Senator Obama in reality could represent a majority of the racial makeup of America?

Personally, I am hesitant to consider giving my vote to someone who is delusional…no matter what race or gender they claim to be. Senator Obama is NOT black. He is bi-racial. It would be just as historic to be America’s first bi-racial president and I wish people…private, in politics and in the media, would place more emphasis on this.

I greatly admire Tiger Woods because, when asked about it, he proudly includes all his various racial components in his description of himself.

Halle Berry is constantly acclaimed as being the first African-American to be awarded a Best Actress Oscar. Halle Barry’s mother is white. Is this just conveniently forgotten? And, now that she is expecting a baby with a white man, a baby who will be only one-quarter black, will she say her child is black or bi-racial?

Hey Blogers! I have heard from cnn that Obama supporters are of a cult. Has CNN lost its touch in reporting the news. Where do they get their info. CNN has lost it.
For once we have a candidate that is looking for the peoples intrest. The people are excited to have a candidate that is honest with the people in mind.
We must stop CNN from spredding ignorence!

Watching from across the border you Americans make me laugh. I have heard very little from the media about the candidate’s platforms (well, maybe a little lipservice on Healthcare and Iraq) and all about who will the blacks, browns, yellows, gays, women, men, vets, etc… vote for.

WAKE UP!! it is 2008 Women and every color of man have been leading countries for decades, for the leading superpower you are so stuck on race and gender. The world is laughing at how “playground” your politics are. I would love to turn on CNN and for an entire week see nothing except for the examination of each Candidate’s platfrom. Start taking these rhetoric spewing people to task, tear apart their websites and start asking them and “experts” real questions instead of “who do you think the beige-latinos will vote for?” Try occupational polls instead of race and gender polls and we will welcome you into a world where all men and women are truly created equal!!

By the way I lived in California for 10 years and I think America is becoming more divided by race then in the 90’s. Please you are all Americans and the concept of your country is amazing do not ruin it by dumbing down the conversation.

This comment is a response to Crystal’s post. Crystal, if I may ask, do you think the Clintons were the only people (white, black, or otherwise) working for the betterment of Black people? Black people are free to choose a president for the myriad reasons other Americans do. Your comment that Black people have “abandoned” the Clintons, as if Black people are beholden to them somehow in the political process, is absurd and frankly, prejudiced. It is very unfortunate that you would look for another career doing something you enjoy because you disagree with your Black colleagues choice for President. You may be surprised to know that Whites and Blacks, historically, have had divergent views on a lot of topics, some far more telling then their choice if for Chief Executive.

I am a Black man. I have serious policy differences with the Clintons. The Crime Bill, NAFTA, The Welfare Reform Bill, and a host of other issues. I voted for Bill Clinton with my first ever Presidential ballot. By the end of his second term, I was fatigued with both the President and First Lady, and I haven’t forgotten that. You can be Black and informed on the issues and NOT vote for Sen. Clinton, and the converse is also true.

I would take a serious look at what you wrote on this post. Your motivations for what you do may need some self-scrutiny. Finally, I would like to let you know that no one works harder for Black people than Black people. We wouldn’t have come this far if we didn’t WORK hard and INSPIRE people to make a change. This country is far better for all Americans because of my ancestors; everyone should always remember that.

Peace.

I don’t think the election process being so much race oriented or with racism as I do see extreme sexism.

Obama said: “America has come of age and thanks to the young people of America the playing field is being leveled and it is possible for the dream to become a reality!”

The fact is that it is not a level playing field. Obama has several TV channels (MSNBC, NBC,CNN) and most of the print media on his side, whereas the female candidate with more experience,Hillary, is constantly ridiculed and trashed by the media for everything from her looks, age,her marriage, her clothes, her voice etc. Even her daughter has been attacked.

The fact is that Obama is getting ahead through SPECIAL TREATMENT/AA, which in fact amounts to discrimination of the female candidate.
This is not an equal opportunity election!!

When are we going to acknowledge the reality that most of Obama’s African-American voters are supporting him mainly for racial reasons? They want to see a black man in the white house, and issues are considered after that if at all. In addition, when are we going to acknowledge the reality that persons of other ethnicities (White/Latino/Asian) are terrified to say anything negative about Obama lest they be labeled anti-black or racist?