Why Are We So Afraid To Debate Racial Issues?
Forums > Why Are We So Afraid To Debate Racial Issues?
Why Are We So Afraid To Debate Racial Issues?
I think we are all intelligent enough to understand that America's history is marred with a lot of ugly events. Among the ugliest being slavery and segregation. Our history books contain a 'Cliffs Notes' version of those significant periods, and today, no one really wants to discuss them as a basis for what appears to be a very strained relationship between Blacks and Whites. Sure, we work together and attend sporting events together. And, I think most of us think that race relations are moving in the right direction. Not perfect, but moving in the right direction. And, then comes Jeremiah Wright. Rev. Wright makes us see how differently we view American history. My hope is that the focus that Rev. Wright's comments have put on racial issues is not a fad. My hope is that we continue to discuss this so that we can finally uncover what is really bothering us. If that happens, then we might move a little faster in the right direction.
I agree. The hatred is so entrenched, any mention of race issues puts people on the defense. Obama's speech was brilliant because it was a holistic assessment of race relations in the country. He explained how the current position of black americans is still linked to legacy of slavery because of institutional racism. It was neutral, sympathetic, and nonthreatening. most importantly, he addressed and validated the concerns of white, black, and other minority groups without pointing figures. if the insensitive, oblivious, or indignant white people are going to listen to concerns about racial inequity, they need to hear how they will benefit from changes in the racial hierarchy.
Few people don't have prejudices at all, even not Obama. But I think this was the speech America needed. Obama had to do -something- with the race issue. Other people and media will always bring up the colour of his skin. If Obama does not react to this, those other people will win and Obama will loose. Let's face it: America has always been a country of immigrants. Within a very short time half the population of the USA will be of non-European origin (white as you like). Politicians cant just ignore it. The race issue is there and it was not long ago that the USA was a country of apartheid. Things are changing and politicians have to be ready for change. This was Obama's first test and he passed it with great skills. Many people have not seen the full length original speech. The videos on Youtube are often edited and of bad quality. An unedited full length good quality video of Obamas Speech on Race without logo's or ads in the movie can be watched trough this site. This site also has a full transcript of speech and some quotes from the media: http://obamaspeechonrace.woelmuis.nl
It was certainly a historic moment. After a media barrage of the Rev. Wright's most "colorful" quotes, Obama had to boldly set the record straight. Instead he compromised, a little of this and a little of that, and became the politician for all constituencies, not a statesman for the nation, and the historic moment passed. The problem was one of insufficiency, he didn't carry his original message far enough - the unification theme. To win, he must unite all racial groups and the same applies for the nation to "win". Unification is the unspoken theme of Obama's very presence. He personifies it. Of course African ancestry in the US is mainly from slavery, but now we're all enslaved, black, white, Latino and all minorities, enslaved to a power structure of the professions, legal, medical, "journalistic" and corporate. To make an effective appeal to the nation, he must offend everyone of importance in the emerging ruling class and this will in turn inspire the nation. Courage, not delicate diplomacy, will carry him to the Presidency.
Personally i think racism, or at least a form of racism has evolved to some extent into a sort of, culturism.
I don't care if a person is black white yellow brown or purple (although knowing someone that is purple would be pretty cool). Its all about how you carry yourself. If I see a person of any color or any race dressed similar to me, its easier for me to relate and i feel less reluctant to interact, If they wear a suit i am more submissive and respectful. But i could see the same person in "gang" attire (baggy clothes that would fit a sumo wrestler) i instantly become more alert. same goes with the way someone talks. Southern drawls and urban slang usually make you seem less educated by default when compared to someone who speaks "proper" or pronunciates better. Alot of my friends share the same feelings.
I agree that Wright's comments opened up some old wounds many people didn't want to address, and I agree with Chris that Obama's speech started the dialogue we need to have. I think a lot of people are afraid to talk about race just because it's hard for white Americans to even know what non-white people think. Most mainstream culture comes from a white perspective, so it's easy for african americans, latinos, etc, to know what white people think about race and other issues, because you can see it on TV. There's more and more african american perspective on TV, but a lot of it continues to be based on stereotypes (I still don't get why so many people love "flavor of love" and are not cringing in embarrassment over it). Thankfully, I think HopeNation is right in that more and more people are basing prejudices on superficial elements that transcend race (ie, like clothes). Prejudices are never good, but at least we're moving away from basing them on things a person can't help. HopeNation's comments also could imply that "cultural" things like clothing are crossing their original racial boundaries-- and once we started mixing our country's different ethnic/regional cultures, hopefully we'll also start sharing our perspectives and opinions more openly as well.
Nobody can stop people from hating one another... the only we can do is uh at least set some clauses that everyone is equal in public... but nobody can take control of hate in private... like some white person hate colored people... and those colored people can also hate white people, too... the hate is inevitable... but in America, at least everyone is equal... white person contains one vote, black person contains one vote, too... that's enough for this big country~
I agree, Rev. Wright's comments, however disasteful, are nonetheless representative of an existing minority of Americans who feel left out-or left over-from the Civil Rights era. We should be able to debate this issue openly and honestly-from all sides...I grew up in South Carolina and I remember wondering why in high school I learnt about desegregation which happened decades ago and yet my neighborhood was all white, and loads of black kids got bussed to my high school from the OTHER side of my city...
Racial economics informally enforced segregation with whites living on the east side and blacks on the west side...it may have not been politically enforced, but economically it sure was, which is why I think it's important that we have a dialogue that seeks to address this issue. Segregation may be over but how can we honestly think that an entire racial group which was imported to this country through slavery, then given 2/5 of a vote, then 'emancipated' only to witness Jim Crow laws rules their lives, to honestly have a fair and equal chance as other racial groups not so historically and even to a certain extent today-disadvantaged?
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Race relations are moving in the right direction? Are u kidding me? Putting somone with no experience based solely on the fact that he is black is the right direction...y not let him do his internship in civic duty like the rest of them have too? Honestly, if he is the face of hope America is completely done. He is a rascist(birds of a flock ,flock together;i.e Jeremiah Wright), a borderline communist, and a complete wimp. The white christians who are voting for this man must be completely lacking of any integrity, self-identity, and more than that capable of thinking on their own. I must say that i am ashamed to be an American lately, if u think for one second i am gonna pay 28% capital gains taxes so as to make things fair for those who are complete losers u have another thing coming.
When did anyone here say they were voting for Obama solely on the fact that he is Black? I am supporting Barack Obama because I believe that he is the best candidate for the job. And, while you're on the topic of experience, allow me to remind you that Honest Abe Lincoln had served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
When did anyone here say they were voting for Obama solely on the fact that he is Black? I am supporting Barack Obama because I believe that he is the best candidate for the job. And, while you're on the topic of experience, allow me to remind you that Honest Abe Lincoln had served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
It's not fear. It's that it's a stupid non-issue.
As soon as somebody brings it up, two things happen. The stupid issue crowds the important issues out. And the stupid people crowd out the people who actually have something relevant to say. It drags the entire political debate down to kindergarten level.
In 2008 we have a number of issues that are even more complex than usual, such as:
• Separating the issue of the clumsy way Bush got us into Iraq, from the discussion about how to get out, and how quickly, without handing the whole store to Iran • How to undo 30 years of Reaganomics by sailing between the Scylla of murderously high taxes and the Charybdis of suicidal deficits • How disentangle ourselves from our addiction to money borrowed from our geopolitical rivals like the Chinese • How to break the political power of the health insurance industry, which is doubling national health care costs, without starting a multimillion-dollar food fight among lobbyists • Chasing the lobbyists out of Washington • How to build an entirely new economy which moves beyond gasoline-driven cars • Weaning ourselves off the constant fear-mongering which is impelling us to throw away our Constitutional rights and sanction torture and the Patriot Act • Rebuilding the army without breaking the bank • Cleaning up the mess at Homeland Security • Getting the press to focus on keeping politicians honest instead of pushing them into mudfights they don’t want to fight • Cleaning up our reputation in the international arena without sucking up to anybody • Balancing free trade with the need to lead third-world countries toward modern business practices such as product safety, intellectual property rights, fighting corruption, and labor standards
And so on. The issues are trickier than ever this time around. All of this requires an informed electorate conducting an intelligent debate on these issues. Instead we have stupid crap about lapel pins, whether Obama thinks his pastor is more patriotic than he is, bowling scores, Hillary’s wardrobe, whether Obama should have said “angry” or “bitter”, whether Hillary was shot at in Tuzla or somewhere else...the entire first half of the Stephanopoulous debate was dominated by stupid crap.
