Poll: Barack Obama

[magnuslion]

so the question is this; do you think that the media and people in general tend to ignore the fact that he is half white in favor of the idea that he is just black? This kind of bothers me because it seems to me its just a different kind of racism to ignore half his heritage.

This was the article that sparked this thought:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091016/ap_on_re_us/us_interracial_rebuff

 

[Seanchaidh]

The legacy of southern racism is that you're either purely white, or some degree of black. "Half white" just means light black. Race is socially constructed more than it is biological, so for political purposes he really is just black.

 

[Griphphin]

From what I've seen, the media hasn't touched on the race issue besides the occasional mentioning that he is "an inspiration to African-American children that they can one day accomplish anything" or something to that tune.
The race issue has sort of died down from what I've seen since he was elected. The only people I've seen really bring it up are the people who argue that his heritage garnered him the majority of the black vote (and that's really only when the election is brought up, it doesn't seem to work its way into current issues) and the people repeating the gist of my earlier quote.

 

[The_Healer]

Is this Barack Obama thread day or something?

They definitely tend to highlight his african american-ness (for want of a better expression) more than his caucasian-ness. Its probably a result of him being the FIRST president with any african american blood at all.

 

[magnuslion]

The legacy of southern racism is that you're either purely white, or some degree of black. "Half white" just means light black. Race is socially constructed more than it is biological, so for political purposes he really is just black.

that may be the mentality of redneck racists, but the rest of us know he is just as white as black. I know caucasian people with tans darker than him!! He is half white and I think its is ridiculous to call him "black" exclusively.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

OH DEAR GOD STOP SPAMMING THESE GOD DAMN POINTLESS THREADS.

Sorry. Had to be said.

 

[A random person]

People still care about how black he is?

But yeah, it's focused on because he's kinda our first black president, which is a bit of a big deal.

And how many Obama threads have we had recently? I've lose count.

 

[Nivag the Owl]

Is this Barack Obama thread day or something?

That's what my calendar says. Maybe yours is the wrong year or something.

 

[DrDeath3191]

For the love of God, no more Obama Threads!!

And WHAT?!

 

[Therumancer]

He looks black, was raised black, is supported by black leaders, and promoted on the virtue of being black. During the elections you had groups like the Black Panthers engaged in intimidation campaigns on his behalf (probably without request) to "put the black man in power" and claiming it waa fair game due to all the times black voters had been intimidated. It didn't get a lot of coverage but it was there.

So umm... yes, people treat him like he's Black.

Also consider that whether or not he was born there, or renounced citizenship, Obama spent decent part of his life outside of the country living as a black in black dominated countries.

Him being part white doesn't ever enter into the equasion, either in how he acts, who supports him, or what happens. It's not anyone ignoring it, it's just that it has never been anything other than an academic point.

 

[ajb924]

Racists don't give a fuck. I have lived in places where it has alot of racisms. They could be half anything it doesn't fucking matter. I think they leave it out because it's a hassle to say. I mean. when people talked about other presidents they say white. Not 20% cherokee 1% irish 3% Polar bear 8% Ladefuckingdo so on and so forth. He is half white but he looks black. I really don't care that he's black, i just don't like him. I'm not going to say our president 50% black and 50% white. Because why not go into the god damn specifics at that point and trace down his roots through every last percent

 

[Ciarang]

Personally I don't care if he's white or black, all that matters is how he does his job.

 

[axia777]

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