Racism, like Greed---mestatic, undifferentiated and resistant-–has existed in the past--exist in the presence--and will exist in the future--until we can find a "cure." Oh, by the way, the President's father was black--his mother was white--is that not bi-racial?

It takes lots of courage to even bring up this issue and you two have shown that courage. We are reluctant, as a people to talk about race and its impact. The president will not move the mark one inch, just talking about race. It is an issue every decent American ought to get involved. Racism exists, let me say upfront, and it is a negative, divisive force. We must look at ourselves in the mirror and examine our emotions with honesty. How does each and everyone of us contribute or descourage it in our society? We must agree on a profound blueprint to eliminate this ugly specter in our society, and live the life instead of just talking about it.

Beneath the surface we are all similar humans...the only thing that makes us different is our points of view and that is due to upbringing and preconditioned beliefs and ideas

He responded briliiantly on that one day when he was called to do so regarding his race. But race was being brought to the table by others and not himself. I appreciate that Barack doesn't talk about his race all the time, which would only divide us more as black and white. What more does he need to say...... HE IS BLACK AND HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.....
- From Rich Pretty Girl

Him winning was enough.

Thats because we are tired of hearing about race. Race shouldn't even be an issue, period. Obama is President, when are you people going to realize that you're slowly getting what you want and stop harping on your differences, while celebrating similarities?

Enough divisiveness. Lets work together as the HUMAN race.

President Obama is a little busy at the moment or haven't you noticed? He came into a situation that was manufactured by the Bush administration and if you do not allow the president to repair our crumbling nation you will not have to worry about race debates. Because we will be owned by another country like China who already has a large foot hold in America. A weak nation is not a threat to other countries who would love to attack us right now. If we keep fighting amongst ourselves who will we protect? A country divided can not stand. The president will address the race issue as soon as he is able. Don't allow yourself to become part of the problem. But, help be part of the solution. Pray for President Obama he is in a hornets nest and a den of thieves attempting to remove them all!

Seems like he has more pressing issues to tackle...like the economy in crises.

'Why is race an issue? THE first man came from Africa as the SCIENTISTS have determined. Never the less, according to the Christian Faith it says ADAM was the first man. Then came Woman they say was called EVE. God had a master plan of population. Adam and EVe. THEREFORE, Every generation after ward is part of the AFRICAN descent from Adam( THE FIRST MAN). Now the question is would that not make everyone AFRICAN., I.E. African American. "

Clyburn: "It seems we ought to be able to talk about it without being accused of being racist.”

If by "we" he also means Whites, then I'm ready to go. A no-holds-barred discussion. Not the usual monologue, where aggrieved non-whites and their enablers set the bounds of acceptable discourse, but a true dialogue.

Really, if a black - and BO has referred to himself as such many times - is President, then there truly is nothing that an AA can do if he/she has the ability and motivation.

Then again, such logic is lost on those who can't give up the blame game.

Some conversations are best if they are silent. I think it speaks volumes that he is president and really what is there to talk about?

Michael "C" is correct, the president is Bi-racial. Not African American.

Mike in NYC I agree. I'm a brown american, btw.

There's no discussion, b/c there is no issue.

It's noisy for all nationalities and equality with the Obama administration ! Color of skin or nationality to determine who that person is. Foolish thought of heart for equality.

The President has more pressing things to do at the moment than to be discussing race. The country is experiencing an economic crisis of great proportion and deep concern. Let the President focus on rebuilding the economy, so we can all go back to the living the lives we were accustomed to before this depression!

There are only 24 hours in the day – right now the economy and all the other issues we have facing the nation probably are taking 100% of that time with Obama. Why does he have to be the one to initiate the conversation anyway? We are adults and should be empowered in our own right to start the discussion among ourselves. We are all human and we have a great deal of diversity and I'm sure that together we can learn to rejoice in that diversity instead of making it a battleground.

He does "talk" about race, just by being president is a statement.
It will be through his policies, the decisions he makes regarding minorities in U.S that will be his way of talking about Race. I mean something as small as honoring Stevie Wonder, in my opinion is his way of making a point.
To those that say it's "divisive", obviously it is. But let me tell you something, you're probably "white", and have no idea what's it is like to be a minority in the U.S. Just think of it like this, men will never know what's it like to be a woman in a man's world.

I know this because I live in a racist country – Australia. Look at our flag, it says that "real" Aussies, are "british descent".

Focus people, Focus. It is not who is black and who is white. It is who is stealing the money and why.

January 20th, 2009 was a new dawn in America for those willing to embrace the changing face of our nation and the beginning of the end for those clinging to separatist and devisive mindsets.

Our nation's diverse and most colorful tapestry is comprised of all colors rather than the stark black and white that some continually reference.

Whether black, white, hispanic, asian, native american, middle eastern or any combination of the above, our nation affords all people ample opportunities to succeed, flourish and achieve.

There are no more excuses.

We are never going to put an end to Racism, as long as there is finger-pointing and " The Blame Game" being played. And this is in response to people saying " Obama was thrown into the middle of this mess." For one thing he knew what he was getting into when he ran, and for another, anyone who would have become POTUS ( Clinton, McCain or whoever) would have been thrown right into the same mess. So please stop complaining for OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!

It is inconceivable to think of all the scandle surrounnding the President starting with his own Father, the Reveran Wright, Gov. Blagoyavich and his nomination for the Senate, the many appointments that felt they needed to resign amid controversey, the resignation of the Republican Secretary of Commerce because the President gave the responsibility of the Census to his Chief of Staff something that has never been done in the history of America, which is how all dictators have taken control from the people and now the fact that a Wall Street insider, Ghietner didn't know anything about the AIG bonuses until a week ago and the press has done nothing to investigate these situations. The twin reporters in "Good Morning vietnam" did a better job of reporting than the press of today. If there was a Deep Thorat in the Obama Administration, the press wouldn't report it.

Penny, It might help if you went back to high school to study science and history so you can get your facts straight. I assume you believe America is responsible for the genecide and terrible conditions that Africans have to live in every day and most of the people that are trying to help are from European decent.

I will agree he won because he was a good looking black man...not because he was experienced....and not because he's doing good job now.
He should govern as a President ....neutral in color...people are sick of the race card...this was obviously a lousy reason to vote someone in.

Lets not get everybody upset, God made all people from bones and the same blood RED! President Obama is our first African/American to become a leader in this so-call free world. Why did it take so long to happen? Oh, we are all God's children. it doesn't matter where we came from our what faith we believe in my book.

We wouldn't even be having any discussions about race if we had a white President. Do you really think our President is unaware of all these blog whispers? He knows that by his very presence he has helped us all

I voted for Barack Obama because 1) I liked his policies and 2) he demonstrated his intelligence and solid judgment over and over again on the campaign trail.

There are many ways he is helping our society have a more open mind on racial differences just by his presence in the White House. I loved seeing Earth, Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder performing in the White House. He and his family are so classy and elegant they aer miles above the Bushes as spokespeople for our country.

I am a white woman and I am thrilled that we are finally even aware of the great racial divide that is still handicapping our country.

Barak Obama should not intervene in racial issues at this time. Becasue there is nothing he can add. Right now many blacks are especially older blacks are in the "I may be paranoid but if I suspect then it is RACISM because white people need to be more respectful and sensitive than black people within our own community."

Frankly the only way to "normalize" race relations where the majority of complaints are suspicion and doubt about possible racism...is time. especially when major news organizations have to research to figure out what the aleged slur means. The majority of people not knowing what a slur is and means means society is not seeing such in the common course of daily life.

A few more years and the old whites and balcks who know all these racial slurs and are so suspicious of each other will be gone.

Hello to Richard,
"Many times in conversations, you have to understand the conversation. It is about race not about genocide in Africa. I am talking about the origin of the first man from AFRICA. That means we all have the ancestry of ADAM no matter what race you are, that is the big picture. Another thing why do we have to refer to race as AFRICAN Americans because we all originated in AFRICA> Genocide began afterwards and is a humanitarian issue. Is that what race conversations are? Even though we are all the same!"