What does Being Treated Like an African-American Mean?
by Big Dog on Feb 11, 2007 at 00:50 Uncategorized
Barack Obama announced on Saturday that he is indeed running for the office of President. Obama was born to a white mother and a black father and has indicated that when he was growing up he faced an internal conflict about his true identity. That is the reason he gave for his drug use as a teen. Though I believe this is a lame reason for drug use (most kids use drugs because of peer pressure and to get high) I do believe that he faced some tough problems because of his mixed race.
Something Obama said that struck me as odd was that if you look like an African-American you get treated like one. Exactly what does that mean? It would appear that Obama made it through life in relatively good shape and makes good money as a US Senator. Though I do not agree with his politics he seems like a decent man. Sure, he has had troubles along the way but show me someone who hasn’t. I would not vote for him but that does not mean he is not a worthy candidate regardless of what color he considers himself. I just have some real trouble with a statement that sounds like a veiled message that he was treated differently (by whites) because he looks black. This whole if you look African-American argument smacks of race baiting, as if we are supposed to feel sorry for him.
His wife got in on the baiting when she said she does not worry about him being targeted while on the campaign trail. According to his wife Michelle; “I don’t lose sleep over it because the realities are that… as a black man… Barack can get shot going to the gas station.” This sounds like another race baiting statement. It can be interpreted as her saying, because he is a black man he could get shot by some white guy when he is getting gas. Perhaps now is a good time to state the facts. A black man is more likely to be attacked by another black man. Blacks commit crimes against other blacks at a much higher rate than whites on black or even white on white. A little mentioned fact is that whites are more likely to be victims of crime committed by blacks.
I do not want to belabor the point about black and white because I believe there are good and bad in all colors but I think it is a tactical error for him to make such statements and for his wife to pipe in with the same nonsense. Dr. King said something about judging people by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. Obama should read that speech again and take those words to heart. If he wants to be President than he needs to act Presidential and not like a victim. The victim mentality is not the proper approach for anyone who wants to be President.
That also goes for anyone who thinks that women are victims so a woman should be handed the job. Demonstrate leadership and qualification for the job and leave the rhetoric at home.
Source:
Drudge
Tags: Commentary
I have a different take….Could it be an attempt to get votes from whites who want to PROVE they are not racists by voting for a black man? And could it be that, on the other hand, he wants to prove that he is “black enough”? I know from other sources that light-skinned American blacks are looked upon askance in African countries.
And another thing…In the most recent edition of Time Magazine, there is a page devoted to the issue of reparations for African Americans. A tie-in? I think so, because Obama is the media’s darling these days.
As to Obama’s books, both of which I’ve read large portions, the first one was written long before he ever considered running for President. I can’t say the same about the second one.
Ms. Obama’s comment was disturbing to me because in her statement, she first brought up the issue of race in the context of violence.
I know that there are enough wackos in our country that prudence should dictate caution, but that is why presidential candidates are entitled to secret service protection. Was it necessary for her to introduce the “race card?” No, it wasn’t.
In my view, Obama isn’t presidential material.
I never thought about the reparations. Here is the question; If we pay reparations does Obama only get a half a payment?
We already knew that was coming. I would not vote for him regardless of what color he is suppose to be.