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You might be a racist if...


  3. eldamon
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The race for President of the United States of America will be between Sen. Barack Obama of IL and Sen. John McCain of AZ. There are some stark differences between these candidates. Plenty of sensibly logical reasons to oppose or support either of them. Sen. Obama is fresh on the scene and does lack some experience. Sen. McCain is older and more experienced but change seems to be the mantra this year so either attribute can be used for and against each candidate.

Both Senators have colorful relationships with arguably nefarious individuals. Ayers, Keating - Haggee, Wright all dubious associates of both candidates. Guilt by association should probably be left to parolees and ghosts of the McCarthy era.

However, if at this point your argument against Sen. Obama is based in a flag pin - YOU might be a racist.

-If your argument has anything to do with patriotism or lack there of, YOU might be a racist.

-If you believe Sen. Obama might be an undercover Muslim you might be an undercover idiot and a racist.

-If you think Sen. Obama is a separatist or a black supremacist in any way YOU are probably a racist.

-If you think the son of mixed parents, raised by a single mom that went to school on scholarships and student loans is too elitist to be president - YOU might be a racist.

In short there are many good reasons to not like either candidate and it is your prerogative to chose any number of them. But if you find yourself making an argument based on any of the above or anything else equally petty then you may want to do a little self examination and determine what your true motivations are.
eldamon

70 responses // You might be a racist if...

  • nicely done Eldamon!
    realitybytes
  • If you vote for him because you believe him to be an honest good man that has the best interest of the country at heart and will do his best to change the country for the better, you might be a normal intelligent American. Way to go.
    Marilynn_Murray
  • Thank you.
    eldamon
  • I couldn't agree more. I was just discussing this with my mother, my older brother and my father are not supporting Obama because.....they might be racist.
    wintermadness90
  • Not voting for him because he is black is just as bad as the people who will vote for him because he is black . people should choose the best candidate on there merits regardless of his or her ethnicity or religion.
    sephig
  • so true!!
    jade_azul16
  • He's the best thing since JFK!

    I grew up knowing and believing John F. Kennedy was a great President and a great role model for the rest of us to follow. Someone to look up to with courage and conviction.

    It's not difficult to think Obama was influenced as I was.

    Often, great things come from unusual places and people who by good fortune or a lack there of, are provided an opportunity to see things not afforded to others.
    recommended by  Marilynn_Murray
    VoyagerFilms
  • There you go Voyager getting profound. Stop it right now before this gets out of hand. I believe you are right. I think he has the makings and need to be great.
    Marilynn_Murray
  • Pat Buchanan was on CNN once again bringing up the fact that had Barak not been black, he wouldn't have gotten to this point. I find it quite condescending because to say that is to act as if there has never been a young, extremely intelligent, charismatic, not-so experienced, change agent running for President.
    Kennedy....Clinton, what was the excuse for them? He couldn't have possibly gotten to this point on his own merits!

    It's inevitable that race would be an issue in this election. We've spent far too long sweeping everything under the rug. This election is exposing us all for the good and the bad--the closet bigots and the straight up racists on both sides. We need to clear it all out.

    recommended by  jade_azul16
    Neghie
  • I saw Pat going off and watched the two other commentators attempt to shout him down and set him straight. Pat is a hatchet man for the dogmatic right wing nuts. His job is to keep the spin going, I doubt he believes half the things he says. Of course that doesn't excuse any of it nor does it clear him of all charges of racism.
    eldamon
  • I'm with sephig, I think =P
    echoz
  • Excellent eldamon! I agree with MM and Neghie too. He's a good person period.
    Chique
  • I agree with what you say about using those lame excuses for not supporting Obama...

    However, on the flip side, if you support Obama just because he's black, then you might be a racist, and if you support him just because he offers "hope", you are an idiot (I say this because he is the only candidate that hasn't said one confirmable thing on what he plans to do about things when in office).

    I'm not pro-Hillary or McCain, I am pro-Nader.
    Mafioso
  • Hmm, I'll give you the supporting him because he's black thing but not down with the hope part. There's no reason not to believe in hope. It's a theme of his not his main platform.

    Think about it, do you really want to argue against hope?
    eldamon
  • And as far as JFK, he's not the best person to compare Obama too, since JFK vetoed and even shot down alot of civil rights bills and legislation when he was both a senator and president.

    JFK, another presidential candidate (when he was running) who's charisma outweighed his accomplishments.
    Mafioso
  • I always argue against complacent, noneffective, and unproductive things... So in this case, yes I would love to argue against depending on hope. I think it's more effective to handle things yourself and not wait on the "The Great White Hope", or in this case, the "Great Black Hope".
    Mafioso
  • I was illustrating a point, not comparing.
    Neghie
  • Everyones talking about those who vote for Obama simply because he's black, but we completely ignore Hillary's die hard- militant, feminist camp who sees her v-jay jay as the heir to the throne.
    Neghie
  • Yeah see, when you start out with "I always argue" you really have no good place to go from there. The rules of yesterday don't apply here. That's why the pundits and talking heads can't get a handle on this race. Nothing from the past, including JFK's legacy fits the current situation well enough to predict the outcome or even categorizes the event.
    eldamon
  • So someone is a racist if they don't vote for Obama because he associates with racists. Well, that makes a hell of a lot of sense, doesn't it.
    JohnA
  • "...but we completely ignore Hillary's die hard- militant, feminist camp who sees her v-jay jay as the heir to the throne."

    ooo! sounds like a buncha crew-cut combat-boot stomping "manly" butches lurking to prey behind the scenes! *shivers* lol Neghie's boldly goin' where angels fear to tread! ...and I like it! =D

    mafioso might be on to something too though in that people may be buying into the message of hope without really knowing who Obama is. the allure is that everyone *wants* to believe in hope, but I think it may be largely absent of any critical opinion aside from distracting issues of race etc. I can't think of anything I've heard that Obama wants to actually do with any meaningful intent. I mean we know McCain likes the idea of war even with Iran! We know Hillary is back-stabbing bitch who blackmails lobbying interest pressing issues as if for the people only to flop when she gets her expected buy-off. I've loved what Obama sounds like in his rhetoric but I don't really have any idea what he'll actually do...and not that there's even a real choice in candidates that the establishment really leaves to us anyway... We really do "hope" Obama is as well-meaning as he seems to be, but we've been fooled before too... should be interesting to see how this all unfolds.
    echoz
  • JohnA
    I can categorically guarantee each and every candidate associates with a racist of some sort or another. Your logic would have us just not voting if that were the criteria.
    eldamon
  • I just have a quick point to make here - in the picture there are no racist statements made against Barack Obama. Anti-religious yes, but not racist.
    With regards to the statement underneath it, only one of the statements connects with race. Not wearing a lapel pin or questioning someone's patriotism isn't racist, get a clue. To say that someone is racist because the question Obama's ability to connect with the working poor - THAT is playing the race card. Accusing someone of being racist because the question someone of color, that's projecting a little imho.
    alicynx
  • Wow echoz,
    Not really feeling Hillary I take it?
    eldamon
  • alicynx,

    Racism is a seedy, covert business these days. It's not going to make itself known because it cannot stand up to reason and the light of day. Lapel pins and associations do not accurately reflect a persons character and therefor should not be used to judge.

    Moreover, why were Sen. Obama's religious beliefs and patriotism brought into play in the first place. Did anyone question the other candidates in this fashion, ANY of them? There are far too many reasons to cast doubt on just about all of them and definitely the final three and yet only Obama's was questioned.

    I believe that was the "clue" you were looking for.
    eldamon
  • Oh wait, I should take that back... I'm not the most productive person at the moment.
    Mafioso
  • You should vote based on the issues and in the idea of progress, aside from that, you just get distracted by pretty words and promises.
    Mafioso
  • And I only used argue, because you assumed I was arguing and not just making an excellent and legitimate point. So I decided to just agree with you on that.
    Mafioso
  • "...I've loved what Obama sounds like in his rhetoric but I don't really have any idea what he'll actually do..." --echoz

    That's just it, we don't know what any of them will do. None of them have ever been President before. None of them have Presidential experience. All any of them have is a geat line and greater aspirations as they daily draw closer to the flames of the burning bags of doo-doo Dumya and Dick Vader have strewn carelessly all over the globe. I'm stunned that any of them even want the Office once occupied by a colossal twit and the demon-keeper who actually ran the country from his undisclosed location. That's not going to be a cakewalk for anyone, no matter who the nominee is when no one is looking.

    No matter who the next President is going to be (Barak Hussein Obama - William Richardson - AG John Edwards), we know that he'll be a welcomed far cry from the idiot photographed picking his nose and tasting his boogers in his box seat at Ranger Stadium.
    recommended by  Marilynn_Murray
    96thdayofrage
  • eldamon, you confuse the issues too easily here. Obama has been questioned on issues of patriotism and religious beliefs because of the era that we all live in today. Obviously there are muslim extremists with whom we are at war; obviously patriotism has become a very sensitive topic for a portion of America still reeling from the attacks of September 11th. Nobody asked Hillary Clinton or John McCain about their religious beliefs because they do not carry the name Barack Hussein Obama - this isn't racist, this is his ancestry manifest in his name. I'm not saying anything disparaging Obama, but his name is clearly muslim in its root meanings. He could be purple or green for all many people care and they would still ask this question.
    Take it from this perspective:
    1. The new guy on the block, with the least experience and the notion to really shake up Washington
    2. has the name Hussein in his name; we just went to war against a guy with the same name! We know relatively little about this guy's background, and he hasn't lived here his whole life.
    3. People are talking about his life in Indonesia (a very muslim country) and saying things like he was educated in muslim ways.
    4. many American voters are not educated or interested in politics enough to do the homework beyond what they're hearing at Fox, CNN, etc.

    Nothing I have said there is racist. To put into this that all these things are being said because he is black is irresponsible. Its like saying religious questions are irrelevant, and that nobody would question his muslim background on its own, even given the current global political climate...?
    alicynx
  • http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=1...
    -If you think a middle name is a reason not to vote for someone you might be a racist.
    ivxx
  • What your saying is pretty much making it official that Some Americans are totally against anyone have any relationship(big or small) with Islam. I mean what is there to be more afraid of, a guy who's middle name is Hussein or a man who wants to put this country through more war.
    Ice_cream_Man
  • alicynx,

    JOHN Wikes Booth, JOHN Hinkley, JOHN Wayne Gacy, JOHN Christie, JOHN Haigh... The list could go on infinitum - an assassin and serial killers all. Basing your argument on a name goes from racism to xenophobia. Have we really progressed so little that we associate liked named people. I've always contended that people as a whole are stupid, but only SO stupid.

    The main point is the same ridiculous scrutiny could have just as easily been placed on any of the other candidates. McCain wasn't even born in the US and where the hell is Hillary actually from? Both issues are as meaningless as any of Obama's drama and yet it never came up, why do you think that is?
    eldamon
  • Absolutely true... Great job putting it like this. It disgusts me that the media continue to talk about these issues like they mean anything... This man is in the lead despite the best efforts of the majority of media outlets and other powerful sources... I am pulling for him hard. America needs change, America needs a new kind of leader, and I think Obama is our best chance...
    MoMoney
  • Woah now, I didn't say this was MY viewpoint, I was saying that this has to be taken into account.
    awesome point, eldamon, that this is about xenophobia - it has, completely. When one country is at war with another, both sides absolutely call foul on anyone that can be associated with him. This is history 101! Could someone of Japanese or German descent even think of running for President after WWII?
    Our society really hasn't grown up all that much in the grand scheme of things. I live in a semi-rural area, and field arguments from republicans every day on issues from race to gender to religion in the political spectrum. I have taken it upon myself to educate my community on how to vote responsibly, and to look at the real issues instead of the knee-jerk reactions to skin color, middle names and gender roles. My post was not talking for myself or my views, but merely reflecting what I have to hear every day from my neighbors and local PTO.
    BTW, John McCain has been attacked on a personal level how many times? I don't follow the republican debates so i don't know. Clinton has been pretty open about where she was born and raised, so that really isn't all that interesting either. Its a fact that Obama's background has exotic elements, and in today's society that draws attention.
    alicynx
  • Well when the media can only talk about your middle name and where you went to grade school then you know that you've already won.
    recommended by  jade_azul16
    Ice_cream_Man
  • This is ridiculous. I've never seen anyone on Current say they wouldn't vote for Obama because he didn't wear a flag pin. Those issues come up in MSM and bad journalism. I've seen plenty of Obama opposers on Current present good arguments as to why they wouldn't vote for him and be totally ignored by Obama supporters. So to say they're racist is really unnecessary. It sounds to me like some people are insecure with their own racism.
    mayalynn
  • Wow, it would suck to have to deal with the idiocy on a daily basis and it is commendable to take on ignorance where ever possible.

    No matter what McCain went through as far as scrutiny in this campaign it can't compare to what Obama had to deal with. Sen. Obama took on Bill and Hillary and the best they had to offer while contending with the Republican attack machine that so desperately wanted to take on Sen. Clinton in the general election. People keep saying it's going to get worse but really, is they had something to hit him with wouldn't either Clinton, McCain or their respective campaigns and supporters have used it by now?

    In any case prevailing against the combined efforts of Hillary and the Republicans has show Obama is tough enough for whatever comes next.
    eldamon
  • To use the term "racist" in this article--or perhaps some bastardized form of an editorial--is incorrect for the intended humor and messages being made.

    Do realize that in order to be a "racist", one must not vote and/or like (or actually hate, as racists are known for their hatred) someone simply because of their race, and race only. To dislike someone based on religion, "patriotism or lack there of," or the bitter emotions on the elite ways of how one's mother went to college through scholarships and financial aid would be called "prejudice," people.

    Or hell: just plain ignorant.

    I'm sick and tired of people pulling out the race-card, the gender-card, or even the age-card, all of which shouldn't be an issue. The presidential elections used to be at one point an actual democratic election, even if only white male suffrage before (I say this because I could be argued that elections weren't necessarily democratic technically due to slavery or Black Code Laws, Women Rights, and poor-white bans.)

    Nowadays, the presidential election has turned into a popularity contest. Who can seem like they are "hip and happening," ready for the young and ready for change? Who can seem like they know the business like the back of their hands? Who looks cool?