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In a country where people still hate and fear blacks, especially black men, how exactly was he supposed to bring us together? Even before he was elected the overt racists here were screaming for his head. What he eventually has to do, in high profile race cases, is make some sort of statement. That's not inserting himself, and I'm quite sure that's the last thing he wants to have to do.In another thread someone tried to tell me Obama has united the races. His sole argument for this was that whites voted for him. IMO Obama has made race relations even worse and has squandered a golden opportunity to bring this country together with his divisive statements and the way he has inserted himself into various race related issues in a Sharpton, Jackson like fashion. I'm curious what others think and why.
In a country where people still hate and fear blacks, especially black men, how exactly was he supposed to bring us together? Even before he was elected the overt racists here were screaming for his head. What he eventually has to do, in high profile race cases, is make some sort of statement. That's not inserting himself, and I'm quite sure that's the last thing he wants to have to do.
We are still a racist country. Obama can't fix that and frankly, that's not his job either.
Obama's effect on race relations is more complex than "did he bring races closer or pusher them farther apart?" His mere presence and his actual behavior have had several, sometimes conflicting effects on people of various races.
(Snip)
In sum, what I'm saying is that one should be careful not to make the mistake of holding Obama responsible for people's responses to him.
What high profile case has he had to make a statement on? He has made statements on cases that are not racially charged and then creates a racial charge..... :roll:
In another thread someone tried to tell me Obama has united the races. His sole argument for this was that whites voted for him. IMO Obama has made race relations even worse and has squandered a golden opportunity to bring this country together with his divisive statements and the way he has inserted himself into various race related issues in a Sharpton, Jackson like fashion. I'm curious what others think and why.
Well said! Obama himself has done very little to affect race relations. But his presence has made the racists shout a whole lot louder and better illuminated already existing race problems.
No, Obama has not brought the races together. But neither has he pursued any kind of racially divisive policy. I think he's made like two or three comments over the course of being constantly in the public eye for six years that were unintentionally divisive, but they pale in comparison to those of anti-Obama commentators here and elsewhere.In another thread someone tried to tell me Obama has united the races. His sole argument for this was that whites voted for him. IMO Obama has made race relations even worse and has squandered a golden opportunity to bring this country together with his divisive statements and the way he has inserted himself into various race related issues in a Sharpton, Jackson like fashion. I'm curious what others think and why.
A simple ignorant comment like this breeds more resentment than anything Democrats have done to advance the interests of their own constituents.Democrats have fostered an atmosphere of dependence and resentment for too long.
I don't think its fair to accuse Obama of giving Martin/Zimmerman its racial overtones, that was there straight from the start and its left-wing punditry we have to thank for that.
In my view, Obama hasn't done all that much to repair or worsen race relations.
The same can't be said for his supporters and minions. Why, even here on this forum, it seems that no matter what the topic liberals will very frequently inject race into the thread...for no other purpose, it seems, than to stifle discussion of the topic of the thread. The same is done by the media, activists and Obama administration members. I see it as a tactic to stifle anyone opposed to whatever topic that particular liberal doesn't want to deal with.
The bad thing about Obama is that he doesn't do what he can to reduce this sort of thing...even though he is in a unique position to do so.
Oh...and before y'all get all excited, no...I don't think Obama should say anything directly about our forum members who use this tactic. He could, however, make general statements about those who play the race card at any opportunity, be it in the media, online or in general conversation.
All he has to do is take a stand and lead...but we all know how hard it is for him to do that.
Although I think Obama would have hoped to bring the races together more, he's faced some unique complications in that regard. As the first black President of the United States, he's had to be careful NOT to be seen as "the BLACK President" as opposed to the President of all of America. Secondly, there have been those in his political opposition who understand that challenge and use it against him by consistently not only highlighting his race but doing so in way to amplify and magnify racial animosity. For example, today of the Drudge Report there are two headlines that in my opinion were worded to maximize racial divisiveness and animosity. The first is the headline linking to the tragedy involving the WWII Vet who was senselessly murdered. The Drudge Report was careful to include the race of the suspect in the headline. The second was about the senseless murder of the college baseball player in Oklahoma that read something to the effect that interracial violent crime was overwhelmingly blacks victimizing whites featuring the mugshots of the two black teens arrested in the case but omitting the white teen. I recall the after school bus fight involving two kids of different races where not only the Drudge Report but several high profile conservative leaning media outlets gave the story significant coverage, made it look like blacks were on a mission to harm whites and then linked in the election of President Obama. I think of Shirley Sherrod, who's testimony of faith and forgives was edited to make it look like the Obama administration discriminates against white farmers. Many of these media outlets practically celebrate urban violence especially if it occurs in Chicago as well as losing the US Olympic host award. Its a disturbing state of affairs in but President Obama faces some unfortunately challenges in trying to bring about greater racial harmony, much of which is coming from the political group that at one time was known for its commitment to the Juedo-Christian ethic and family values.
In another thread someone tried to tell me Obama has united the races. His sole argument for this was that whites voted for him. IMO Obama has made race relations even worse and has squandered a golden opportunity to bring this country together with his divisive statements and the way he has inserted himself into various race related issues in a Sharpton, Jackson like fashion. I'm curious what others think and why.
You may want to consider the fact....fact..that here, in this forum...it is utterly useless to try to have a civil discussion about race. There are so many conservatives that jump in and just start name calling, reading the post etc. that it basically equates to volunteering to stand before a firing squad. You want to have a civilized discussion....I'm all in.
He certainly didn't do anything to detract from that either though.
Is is impossible to have an open and honest discussion regarding race. Too many are too emotionally invested. I doubt you recognize it, but you just did the same thing you accuse conservatives of when you placed all the blame on them. I wouldn't attempt a civilized discussion on race with you because you have already demonstrated through your actions that you are as incapable of having one as those on the extreme of the other side. You don't want a civilized discussion, you want your discussion.
So injecting himself into issues that he and his followers gave racial overtones (Martin/Zimmerman, the 'professor', along with most issues his hit man Holder has been involved in, voting laws, gun running, not going after obvious voter intimidation, etc) has no effect?
Let's be honest here.
Lets not forget the Justice brothers, Al and Jessie.
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