Comments on: American racial prejudice and impact on election

By: Tommy in Florida

Tommy in Florida — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:02:57 +0000

At a time when everything that's important to the survival of our democracy is on the line, faithful racist here in America will help
to push us over the cliff of destruction. While Obama's plans for America is a sure remedy to get us on the right track. Unfortunately,
there is still a large number of ignorant, anti-American,spiritual
hypocrites who may not vote for Obama because of his color. If McCain win the election, Bush policies will be continued and
America will experience events that will surely bring this country to
its knees. So, is the survival of America worth risking?

By: Sinclair

Sinclair — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:14:50 +0000

It's amazing that in 2008, we as Americans, still get so wrapped around race. I'm not so naive to think that the race issue's in the American fabric is unjustified, but it is interesting that it consumes such a big part of our psychic. Think about it, how do most American identify an individual out of group of people; the tall guy, the guy with glasses, the guy in the red shirt... No, most us would indenfy him by his race, and if there were several individuals with the same ethnic background, then we would distinguish him by refering to him as "the black guy with the sweater" or "the white guy with glasses". Considering how much influence race has on most of us, it's no surprise that Obama's ethnic background is still an issue. The media also does it's part in feeding the machine.

By: Mike in NYC

Mike in NYC — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:52:30 +0000

Jennifer wrote:

"Why do people continually discount the fact that he is a BIRACIAL MAN?"

Because he has referred to himself as "black" or "African American" on innumerable occasions.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:21:42 +0000

Marisa of Latina Lista, please first deal with the racism the Hispanics have with Black Americans before you come preaching about white/black. I was born in Southern California, raised in Miami, Florida, lived many years in Phoenix and then in San Diego. I grew up with Cubans in Miami, lived beginning in my mid-twenties for 10 years with a Mexican-American man while in Phoenix, and have been back in Southern California, free of his/his family's racism against Blacks for a healthy, happy time now. When Vincente Fox made those nasty statements about Black Americans before he left the presidency of Mexico, he just spoke for many, many, Mexicans. The Cubans in Miami were not prejudiced against the color of the black skin because many beautiful Cuban people have black skin and it made no difference to the Cuban Americans I know. But, Latina, please tell yourself the truth before you try to preach to white america.

By: Lucy

Lucy — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:01:14 +0000

I am an Obama supporter and think he will bring unity and a wonderful new spirit to this country if he wins. I have never, once, thought he should not be President because of his bi-racial parentage. I think most people honestly do not care what race someone is.
This is from a senior, white woman.

By: lakenya williams

lakenya williams — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:00:23 +0000

It makes me so mad that people are still having proplems about color people our color african american have succeded in alot of things, it was ages ago color was a problem get over it, if Obama wins i will be happy, i will jump out my shoes because i know for a fact that Obama will make a difference, he will make a change. So alll the people that dis like Obama because of his color jump off a cliff.

By: charles

charles — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:44:08 +0000

this country is full of racists because most of them are from other countries of the world and they are still loyal to the race they left, or their parents or grandparents left to come to America, if they were true Americans they would be loyal to America first then their homeland second. in some peoples eyes everyone is a racist, everyone has an opinion, you can believe thiers, mine, yours, most people now days think that if something is right in their on eyes it makes it ok to do it or say it. there is always a right and a wrong whether we want to believe or not

By: Angry Man

Angry Man — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:36:33 +0000

"If Obama was white he would have beaten McCain already" I love this kind of thinking, if he were white he would be gone a long time ago and the Democrats would have an electable candidate.

By: Georgia Cole

Georgia Cole — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:35:43 +0000

Yes, the election has been about race on both sides. Some people are trying to make you vote for someone based on race. It's sad , but it goes both ways. We cannot accuse just one group for being racist. The media also had a hand in this. Everyone seems to be so set on making history instead of looking at the person and the issues. History takes care of itself when a person sets out to do what is best for himself/herself and others. You don't need to try to MAKE history. That seems to be the main thing this election season and that's sad. I don't think Dr. King and Susan B. Anthony or others had making history as their primary goal. They tried to right some wrongs and that's history worth making. Voting for someone because of race or gender should not be the main thing. That seems to be driving this election. And we wonder why the candidates are not discussing the real issues. Others are upset because they don't think people are taking enough time to reflect on the historic nature of the election. It could be because the media and everyone else has pulled every string they could to help MAKE history instead of letting the person make history through great accomplishments and sacrifice. That's why it is somewhat hollow to me as an African -American.

By: charles

charles — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:28:08 +0000

what if people do not like obama because of the things he stands for,
does that make them racist?

By: Mike in NYC

Mike in NYC — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:28:07 +0000

"It’s good that a black person and a woman were so successful in politics."

Considering the rogues' gallery that is the American body politic, that's not saying very much.

kamil wrote:

"Our most proud moments are in the past.... America is a runaway train that cannot be stopped, sad to say it will collapse, and probably in our life time."

Quoted for truth.

Let's hope it's succeeded by something better.

By: kamil

kamil — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:06:40 +0000

This election is not about race, but most black people are making it that way. If Obama was white he wouldn't have a chance in hell. He lies about how he and his wife really feel about America. No true American can say they have never been proud until today to be an American. Our most proud moments are in the past. Today we are in the crapper, our government is destroying us and its only going to get worst. Whoever gets in office will fix nothing, neither one of these clowns will do a damn thing except make things worst. America is a runaway train that cannot be stopped, said to say it will colapse, and probably in our life time.

By: Cactus

Cactus — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:04:42 +0000

It's good that a black person and a woman were so successful in politics. That is progress no matter who wins.
What concerns me is that what seems to be looming is the possibility that If Obama does not win, we will be hearing that he did not win because he was black. If I vote for Obama, it will not be because he is black. If I vote for McCain, it will not be because he is white. I will vote for the man I feel is best at the time of the election. Running mates will be a factor.

If McCain wins, I'm concerned that he will be saddled with the claim that he won because he was white. I sincerely hope that if Obama gets elected, it will not be because of his race but because of his qualifications.

By: gary

gary — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:50:41 +0000

I'm sorry but if asking what race a person is after hearing all the times he has been in trouble with the law makes you a racist....I'm guilty...leave me alone Sharpton....

By: lampe

lampe — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:28:14 +0000

Race, is going to be a factor. When a white person for what ever the reason is say they can not vote for Obama right away we are called racist. When black people 90-95% vote for Obama they do not think that is racists,they say it is because this is the first time they have an AA, who might become POTUS,and they are proud. So if you can vote for him only because of the colour of his skin, then you are just as racists as the person who can not vote for him ,because of the colour of his skin.

By: cathy

cathy — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:23:30 +0000

I will not vote for color. I will not vote for gender. I will not vote for a political party. I will vote for the person I think has the right ideas. Neither candidate has everything I want regarding taxes, Iraq, immigration, health care, etc.; but, I will absolutely NOT have a person's color, religion, gender or political party be the basis for my vote. Unfortunately, I think I'm in the minority, and I will have to live the next 4-8 years with a President chosen without voters really knowing their true stance on the issues; and the media certainly isn't informing us.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:49:20 +0000

Anytime there is a black person involved, it is always about race. But it amazes me that Sen Obama was RAISED by his WHITE MOTHER and abandoned by his BLACK FATHER. Why do people continually discount the fact that he is a BIRACIAL MAN? Yeah, this is historical and all that, but look at the man's character, heart, soul and not just the color of his skin. If you couldn't tell whether he was black or not, would all this be said about race? NO! Still judging by the color of skin and not content of character. That's what Mr. King preached, lived and died for. Mr. Obama personifies all that MLK, MX and others lost their lives for. Unfortunately, if you're white and not voting for Obama, chances are you weren't going to vote for him in the first place. You can't change a racist heart if it doesn't want to change. If you REALLY don't believe in the change he offers then vote for McCain. But ask yourself WHY you're voting the way you are.

By: Annie Kate

Annie Kate — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:46:12 +0000

3 in 10? that is actually better than i thought it would be. Growing up it probably would have been 9 in 10 or maybe even 10 in 10. I'm tired of the racial talk – we are all Americans and we should as Americans elect the person who can do the best job – no matter what the race or gender are.
.
Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

By: Brad - Ohio

Brad - Ohio — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:44:41 +0000

The press loves this election. A young black man against the oldest white guy ever – you can't make this stuff up. Even for someone who doesn't believe he's prejudice, it's really hard to know if your just rooting for the historical underdog.

By: Mike, Syracuse, NY

Mike, Syracuse, NY — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:30:12 +0000

Why is it that this election has become a referendum of whether America is racist or not? The prevailing theme seems to be that if you don't vote Obama you are racist. The fact that he is probably the least qualified candidate in either party in over 100 years doesn't seem to count. This isn't about black vs. white; it's about unqualified vs. qualified, extreme liberal vs. centrist, inexperienced vs. experienced.