While I will agree that there is a natural instinct to be tribal in nature and be wary of outsiders that may harm the tribe I do not agree that the vast majority of people judge membership in our tribe by skin color. Yes there are exceptions but they are the small minority. I believe that our tribe is the American tribe and Obama is a member of that tribe. The 2008 election proved that and to claim his lousy approval now is racist is nuts.
Originally Posted by Laz
I thought the guys "thoughts" on that word press blog were interesting. However I do believe that many still think Obama is not American, and many will not give him credit on anything because he is black.
Now as a white woman raised by an upper middle class family I am around a number of white Americans family and otherwise who I get to hear some of the racist crap that comes out of their mouths with regard to Obama and his color.
Racism is alive and well, and yes, it exists with all ethnicity groups, but since the whites are the majority in this country and have the most control the minority tend to get pegged into the sterotyping and stigma's that ultimately do hold a lot of them back in succeeding here in America. Our prison/jails reflect this, the unemployment rate for blacks and hispanic's reflect this, the all out war on illegal immigrants reflect this. There is still a great deal of intolerance and ignorance toward people of color.
A lot of the old senators in office come from a very racist background / upbringing. They want things to be like they were in their time, and turn back the hands of time. We see this now with some states trying to bring back segragation in the schools. I do firmly believe that a lot of white people do not like Obama merely because he is black.
I love this on youtube about the "bubble cone" because I do think wealthy / upper middle class white American's live in this "bubble cone" with regard to a myriad of issues, racism, global warming and so on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSdE3wfWg1w
I am so glad I raised my children differently, and am content in knowing that they will continue when they have children to be "color blind" teaching their children the same and have a desire for diversity in this country. My kids "get it".
Off my silly rant now, got to go to bed..lol