Thank you for saying it Roland.

The scare tactic has always been a way for white politicians to demonize their black opponents. Republicans are not aware and some don’t even care about the issues facing black America. For example, remmber the Cheney interview, when the stats of how HIV/AIDS affects us more than whites, he was astonished.

The fear-factor is real, and is being used now with Rev> Wright, Noone has aired the entire sermon, I CHALLENGE THEM TO but they play snippets of it, and the message was distorted. This type of talk scares most older white Americans and White women, The base for Republicans and Hiliary Clinton.

Thanks again Roland…………….. keep it up botha.

Yes I have voted Republican in the past. I voted for Reagan and Bush Senior. Since then, I voted Perot, Gore, and Kerry. Notice there are no Clintons in that span. Yes I agree the Republicans have had years of opportunity to appeal to African-Americans. But they choose to ignore and forget. I really don’t see how the Republican Party has evolved all that much since the Goldwater years. If Republicans spoke to issues that concern me, yes I would consider voting for them, I am an Independant, a party that is gaining momentum. We may have a three-way election in 2012. Both parties ought to be working more towards bi-partisanship instead of drawing lines in the sand. How can we have a government working for us when the parties oppose each other on almost every level?

Why is it that all of Roland’s blogs are about race? Pretty one sided arguments toward the dems too.

Matin: The greatest thing that has happened in this century so far is the Obama, Hillary thing. This will enpower blacks & all women in the US which was badly needed. I would like to see Obama, Hillary (or Hillary , Obama) ticket to win & enpower America furthur more. It is the perfect time to break the bad cycle, race & ethnic barriers, that we are all one & look for our future. There is no need for fear for anybody. Let us forget , forgive all our differences & move forward for a brighter future. This world is changing rapidly, we need to change & move on.

Hi Roland,
Can someone tell John McCain to go and serve in the war. Because he comes from such a military family. The other generals don’t have the EXPERIENCE he has. So he says. Instead he is trying to be the president. He is too OLD for both. After all he did go to Vietnam. Is he afraid of the FLASHBACKS?

I am so sick of this race “race”. If there were 3 white folks up there would this even be an issue?

It’s ridiculous. And yes, Roland is huge on the race card finger pointing game. Every time I see him, he is crying foul on the part of white runners such as Hillary and McCain.

Leave it alone. You are carrying a torch that we are trying to extinguish. You are making comparisons where there are none usually. This presidential race is becoming painful and embarrassing because of it.

If you want race to go away, stop carrying the torch yourself.

Taj, Do you really believe Hillary or Obama, or the team of Hillary and Obama, will do anything for women and blacks if they are elected? They are only pandering for votes. Then, it will be big government business as usual, where specail interest groups get their way and most Americans are left to carry the burden of big government. Don’t be fooled by their empty promises.

Hi, Roland!
I watch you every chance I get. Unlike others here, I believe you to be fair-minded. White people have no idea what it is like living in a black skin, so many times judgments are based on biases and prejudices. I am a white, 66-year old female who is working on my doctorate degree in education. I was raised by parents, who even back then, taught my siblings and I to judge people only by the size of their heart. As a result, I have had many marvelous experiences interacting with people of different races, ethnicities, religions, creeds, beliefs…these interactions have enriched my life and the lives of my children. Keep up the good work!

I always hear Republicans say A Lincoln who was a Republican ended slavery that is not true he signed the Emancipation Proclamationm but the 13th Amendment officially abolished slavery in 1865. Thank you

You know it seems like both sides have ignored the Black community. The Democrats are good at making a scene to get attention to make it look like they care about African American issues but nothing really changes once the elections are over. I think some of the politicians on both sides need to walk the walk instead of talk the talk. There is still a problem in a lot of these communities with poverty, crime, and education that need to be addressed. And just like a white person has no idea what it is like to grow up as an African American, African Americans have no idea what it is like to grow up white in a predominately black area where they to are subject to racial stereotyping and racism as well. Racism is not a one way street.

Where is Colin Powell, this country need a man of integrity in the drivers seat.

how can america vote for john mcain. keepin our friend and family in iraq is senseless. If mcain or bush had any people related to them over there i wonder if the circumstances would be different.

Thank you Roland for speaking to this. I wish everyone in the world was raised by parents like the blogger Sandy (above)… unfortunately they are not. So to Slater, whether we talk about it or not, it exists… the best thing to do is to talk about it and confront it head on. That is the only way to get past it.

To answer the question, I would vote for a Republican if they spoke to me, unfortunately there hasn’t been a candidate in my life time that has, I actually agree with a lot of their issues, but I am black 1st and issues having to do with the progression of black people in American society come 1st. Its issue #1 for me as I have children who will grow up in this world. My children are biracial, (black and white — like Obama), but even he is viewed as just BLACK. How is race NOT an issue?

Hi Roland.Thank you so much for bringing this issue up.I saw you on CNN the other night with Ken Blackwell and I must sadly say that it is hard watching Ken especially when he defend the Republican Party.It really makes me ill.I’m from Ohio and myself like alot of other Ohioans believe that it was him that helped Bush steal that election.So wew thank God that he lost his position as Sec.Of State and hopefully he wont be able to help John McCain steal this one.Keep up the good work.And if possible could you find out and report if there is any truth to Hillary Clinton belonging to a religous organization called “The Family”? I heard it was reported on Andrea Mitchel on MSNBC about 1 or 2 weeks ago. Thank You

It appears to me that the Republican party is not only scared of blacks but of anyone of any color who is not in their social-economic level . Look at the economic policies they support – tax breaks for the rich but not the middle class or poor. I don’t think we need to play the race card on this one – Republicans just don’t know how to relate to anyone that isn’t upper class and rich.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Silly! That’s why they’re republicans–they’re in their comfort zone with white men who love Jesus & guns (remember 2000 elections?) all the while hating gays, Mexicans, women who have abortions, and the poor (again, try to recall the election madness). They are a scary bunch of crazies, those republicans. If I were black, I would stay as far away from the party of hate as possible, unless I was very wealthy, because they would be able to overlook the color of my skin if I was rolling around in green. “Blessed are those who are rich” saith the republicans.

Mr Martin, it appears to me the issue is an issue with the African American population since every time I read anything you write it is about race and the discrimination taking place. Until this election time came up, I was aware of a white-black issue but I did see people struggling to live in this world and it had nothing to do with color. You might actually look into the white-black issues that take place in the opposite direction like your own finger pointing in my direction. Since I’m just your “typical white woman”, I may be to stupid to realize your accusations about my color aren’t detrimental to me because I feel your jabs and wonder what will REALLY happen if Obama is elected. Republicans are not where I see your comments going and your comments may be just a new issue but again it has to do with race.

Ok…these discussions of inequality and ignorance of the white race and the ignorance of republicans ARE the reason for racism in our world. Period. I can honestly say that I was raised in a predominantly white town before moving to a city with an almost 50/50 split, and I do not look down on any race. I believe there are WAY to many irrational inferences all over these posts, and it frustrates me to no end. Stop making it about black/white/hispanic whatever, and get to the real issues, the welfare of our nation. To say that the progression of one race over all others is your #1 priority when voting is pretty prejudiced to me. Just my thoughts…

“But their absolute fear of African Americans must end before black folks will trust even sitting down with them.”

Well, it is not possible to get rid of fear by just asking for it. It has to happen other way – the source of fear has to do something to lessen the fear. The churches, the hate has to go first and approach with different attitude….
it needs some work to be done from both sides, but mainly from the side which causes the fear. Whites are afraid to say anything, because this anything can be twisted to racist remark even if it is not….
Unless the black community will show , will stop those sermons, the reverse racism, the accusations of racism when something is said, then the fear will go away, slowly. This is not a process over night.
I am not racist, but I know what W person say to another W person, cannot possibly say to B person due to danger of being called racist.

Like this woman calling kids MOnkeys go down from the tree ( i forgot what state it happened). Well, monkeys are cute animals, and I call my girl sweet monkey too when we have some fun…we are white…..but I can imagine if I would “dare” to do this playful comment to black child???? How fair, how open minded are those who felt offended?
I was called dumb, bc I am blonde, but my IQ is 135 = not dumb….and i did not make big deal of it….

people have to do work on both sides, not only one.

Thank you roland!!!! Your insight is sound and needed in the media, and I am glad your voice can be heard!!! Keep on my friend!!!!

NEVER CHANGE!!!!