I don't mind people criticizing a candidate's experience, policies, or overall character, but it's so depressing (and a bit maddening) to see Americans who still have such a narrow-minded and racist view of their fellow citizens here in the United States. I'm actually almost worried about a second Civil War if Obama is elected in November based on the almost hatred these people have for the guy.
To be fair, if you had a Republican blogger going to a Democratic rally and pulling a "Michael Moore" kind of interview like this, I'm sure Obama supporters would have some critical things to say about McCain and Palin that may look a bit fanatical. Still, their rants would probably have something grounded in things that they did or did not do. It would have nothing to do with what their ethnic background was nor with what their name sounds like.
This video is downright disgusting. I'd almost classify it as NSFW because it'll just leave you in a foul mood for the rest of the workday. Be sure your desk is free of things to throw at your monitor before viewing:
6 comments:
See, I was waiting for the crowd to be screaming, "LYNCH THAT DARKY!"
They didn't seem overly racist to me, just overly ignorant about Obama's heritage and religious beliefs. But they're dyed-in-the-wool republicans. The only thing they want to know about "the other guy" is reasons why he shouldn't be elected.
I would think Yellow Democrats would be the same way.
As for the anti-islamic sentiment, that's a product of 30 years of just the extremists making the news, and the Bush Administration's cultivation of their xenophobia. I would guess that many of the people interviewed would not be so leery of a Christian Arab, and maybe not even leery of a Muslim Arab who lived down the street from them. Put someone they suspect as a Muslim in the White House, however, and then they have a problem. So, moderately racist, but more religionist (is that a word?)
And honestly, probably more anti-democrat than anything. That's what I respect about my brother and his political views. He's honest that he votes republican because he doesn't want to give up his money to help out other people. He doesn't hide his selfishness behind fear of a boogey-man. (And I'm not saying republicans in general are selfish, just my brother.)
"...just overly ignorant about Obama's heritage and religious beliefs."
Isn't that essentially the basis for racism?
The three or four people at the beginning of the video are the ones that really got my blood boiling. I was actually just talking with Lemon the other day about my experiences with racism as a kid. Luckily, I didn't feel I was ever overtly targeted. About the only thing I really recall is people poking fun at my name, and that was more in a joking manner rather than anything that was meant to be hurtful or derogatory. Now, I have no aspirations (nor do I think I'm even remotely qualified) to be President, but it saddens me to think that I and my future children could never aspire to such greatness solely because of my name. I could just imagine the links they could make up.
Anywho, I agree with what you say about dyed-in-the-wool Republicans. My only fear is knowing how many people are using this unsubstantiated link between Obama and Islamic terrorists as a more PC way of disliking him in public when, in fact, they really don't want him in the White House because he's black. Maybe that's a really slim minority, but wouldn't you be saddened by the state of this country if it wasn't such a small number?
Sorry, FG. I had to edit your last comment to preserve my identity--I'm really serious. Here's your comment reposted:
I'm glad that at least, from what I can tell, this isn't coming from the top. I was watching a clip from a rally or something of McCain's where he was talking to voters. He had given the mic to a woman who was saying that she didn’t trust Obama because he was an Arab. McCain definitely but politely corrected her, and just reiterated that he didn't agree with Obama's policies, but respected him as a person. I had a great respect for McCain before his run because he seemed to follow his conscience and not his party. But of course, he has to follow his party now to have their support. Thus, Sarah Palin. I probably wouldn't have voted for him because I disagree with his policies, but still I like him. I even didn't judge him too harshly when he made that "gook" comment way back when. I can understand his bitterness because of his time as a POW. It still isn't right to use a racial slur, especially when his tormentors were a handful of people, and his remark insults roughly a third of the human population. But, I know it didn't come out of a vacuum.
Getting back to Pimp's topic, I honestly can't guess what the percentage is of people who distrust him because he's black. That would be an interesting statistic, if we could ever get and honest measurement of it.
Here's an interesting aside: why is it if people are part black, they default to being thought of as black? Obama has a black parent and a white parent, but people don't speak of him possibly being the first half-black president, half-white president, or even just another white president. If someone is half Asian and half white, people usually say, half Asian – the person doesn't default to Asian because they have some Asian like people with some sub-Saharan African in them do.
Anywho, by heritage I didn't mean ethnicity. And outside of Judaism, religion and race aren't the same. Of course I'm sure there are some crackers out there that don't differentiate, but simply think of any difference from themselves be it skin color or personal beliefs as "ain't like reg'lar people."
I never thought of a future [Swany] having little shot at the White House because he (or she) wasn't white enough for that house. Maybe if Obama becomes president and does a good job (although "good job" is subjective) it will broaden the path to Pennsylvania Avenue for other non-whites. Also keep in mind that our ethnic diversity is increasing, and the majority status of European descendants is lessening.
The presidency hasn't been exclusive in terms of just race, however. The obvious first one is gender, as all presidents have been male. Britain and the Philippines can boast female heads of state in our lifetimes - hell Britain had several queens centuries ago. I'm certain my list here is woefully short, I just can't think of anyplace else off the top of my head.
One that may not be so obvious is religion. All presidents have been Christian, and neither McCain nor Obama would challenge this. Not only that, but only one president was not a protestant (Kennedy was Catholic.)
Honestly though, the biggest factor that would keep us or our progeny from the presidency is that we aren't a part of the American aristocracy. I haven't researched it thoroughly, but I'm confident that no middle-class or poor person ever became president.
Bill Clinton.
DOOD! I'm sorry! I'm glad you caught that.
And Clinton was middle class? I'll need to look into that.
I doubt if he was when he ran, at least.
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