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I had the opportunity to talk with a Sufi Master about 20 years ago. We were talking about black slavery in America and racism. He believed it would take about Seven Generations to pass for Americans to get past American slavery's affects on this society.
I don't consider the majority of President Obama's opponents to be racists, but you're really misunderstanding the reason some people have come to the conclusion that a significant part of his opposition is racially motivated. I think they're incorrect for the most part, but I know that it's a lot more complicated than "He opposes Obama, he must be racist".
I have been against healthcare and was called a racist
I have supported the core principles of the tea party on fiscal responsibility and have been called a racist.
Until all people black white brown green and purple can criticize our president, any president , and not be called a racist for it we will continue to have race problems
in the first case yes, if you support Arizona and think Obama is wrong to support it you are called a racist.
I support the Arizona law and legalized immigration does that make me a racist?
I have not seen the second one you said.
I know if you do not support redistribution of wealth you are called a racist
I know if you oppose health care in the form that passed your a racist
I know if you support the tea party based on the calls for fiscal responsibility you are called a racist .
I know if you do not want to see the Bush tax cuts expire your a racist
I do not care for Obamas program, his cabinet is weak and i view his handling of the country's safety as week, yet there will be people call me a racist because i oppose a policy.
So my point is we can not be free of race issues until an old white guy like me can speak out against his policies and not be seen as a racist
Well, who cares what such people say? Someone deliberately mis-characterizing a statement and not answering in good faith is just stupid and trying to pick a fight. Dont listen to them, they're not worth your typing-time. Plenty of fish in the sea
Obama is feeding in to it when he asked the black and hispanics to turn out and vote in Nov. He didnt have to bring any race into it. He could have simply asked for people to go out and vote.
I have been against healthcare and was called a racist
I have supported the core principles of the tea party on fiscal responsibility and have been called a racist.
Until all people black white brown green and purple can criticize our president, any president , and not be called a racist for it we will continue to have race problems
I won't deny that there have been unfair accusations, but that's hardly unique to this movement. It's human nature to think the worst of one's opponents. Part of the reason people call the tea partiers and Republicans racist is the same reason that conservatives call Obama socialist/fascist/communist (no doubt there will be several individuals jumping onto this, which really proves my point).
Aside from that though, there's a more complex reason. Think of America's racial history. Think of slavery, segregation, lynchings, housing and wage discrimination, and violence against civil rights protesters. That's not something that's easily brushed over. Now, with all of that in mind, imagine you're a person who supports Obama: When you see two assassination plots just during the campaign, seemingly exceptional hatred for him, a number of conspiracy theories about him, the frequent "not like us" style attacks (ie, charges of being unamerican, communist, not a citizen, etc.), a massive opposition movement springing up almost as soon as he's sworn in, major political attacks over very minor issues, and claims that he's intentionally trying to destroy America, it's very easy to get suspicious of motives. When you're involved in politics, it's easy to get hot-headed and jump to the wrong conclusions. I myself have fallen into this in the past. It's very easy to simplify the oppositions motives, and difficult to actually understand them. This applies to both sides.
I do not consider the majority of Obama's opponents, Tea Partier or otherwise, to be racist. That said, there has been some rather racially provocative things said. The frequent reference to Obama as a "thug", the "Obama hates white people" fearmongering, some of the conspiracy theories, and the emphasis placed on racially inflammatory topics like affirmative action and reparations, for example. I'm not going to comment on whether the people saying these are necessarily racist, but they do have a bit of subtext that raises flags for a lot of people. With things like the Southern Strategy and Willie Horton ads in our history, people will take note of these things.
America will never get over Racial issues, becuase each and every day, someone has to mention something about a racial issue, let it go. If it were not in our faces 24/7 maybe it would not be thought of as much. But every day, someone has to mention a race problem, something about a racial issue, to keep it going strong. More important things to worry about in 2010.
Just my thoughts.
America will over come the race issue when a presidents policies can be opposed without the supportes of the policy decry the opposition as racist.
LOL...I've read many of your posts here, and this is the first time I know of that I have outright agreed with you...in fact I'll state it plain below:
I do NOT believe that every/any one who disagrees with Mr Obama's policies is a racist...folks have had problems with Presidents and policies since Day One, and this administration is no different...so I'm not gonna label folks who don't care for this administration as racists...it's dumb, time-consuming, and illogical...this coming from someone who wasn't a big fan of GW Bush, but nonetheless kept my distaste focused on his policies, and NOT his race or any other personal stuff...
But I'll go one step further...I DO have a problem with some of the signage I've seen on the 'Net and offline as well, and some posts here in Politics have raised my eyebrows as well...
Folks, it's OK to disagree with the man's policies---that's human nature...but when people make obvious race-oriented signs and remarks, about not only the Pres, but his wife and kids as well, then there's a problem...simple as that
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