Nine out of ten doctor’s agree: Barack Obama‘s “race speech” spurred some serious discussion. Of course, yesterday’s remarks were more than just a speech – and they were definitely about more than just race.
Obama wasn’t simply addressing political woes. He wasn’t making excuses for past associations. This was not some political media play. It was a lesson in liberation – and it’s up to Americans to take up the Senator’s challenge.
Obama said it himself yesterday – he doesn’t want you to just listen to his words. He wants you to use them as fuel to move forward. We cannot erase our “original sin,” slavery, nor can we eradicate the wrongs of the past. We can only use those wrongs to move forward as a society:
I have asserted a firm conviction – a conviction rooted in my faith in God and my faith in the American people – that working together we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact we have no choice if we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union.
The lesson may be new for some Americans, but it’s been on the curriculum for years. Well, since 1968, at least, when Brazilian theorist Paulo Freire published his seminal book, Pedagogy of the Oppressed.
No one familiar with Freire’s work can deny the similarities between his thoughts, which spurred movements all across South America, and Obama’s, which are meant to do the same here in the United States.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Like Obama’s speech, Pedagogy of the Oppressed revolves around the need for collective absolution. Oppression, such as slavery, dehumanizes everyone, not just the slave. Sure, Mr. Smith may be holding the whip, but that’s not what being human is all about – not ideally. Thus, to be truly free from racial, economic or social repression, a society must reclaim its humanity – and it’s up to the oppressed to teach their peers the lesson. Writes Freire:
…Being less human leads the oppressed to struggle against those who made them so. In order for this struggle to have meaning, the oppressed must not in seeking to regain their humanity (which is a way to create it), become in turn oppressors of the oppressors, but rather restorers of the humanity of both.
This, then, is the great humanistic and historical task of the oppressed: to liberate themselves and their oppressors as well.
Traditional American perception would lead many to believe that white Christian men are the oppressors and thus the rest of us schmoes have to teach them what’s right from wrong. In Obama’s America, however, we’re all the oppressors. We cannot dissociate ourselves from each other, much in the same way half-black Obama can’t disown his white grandmother, even after she admits being afraid of black men.
Obama’s candor functioned on two levels: it perpetuated his “one America” rhetoric and, more importantly, it brought racism out of the hypothetical and into the familial, which is ultimately recognizable. Obama made America’s shared woes digestible.
The United States cannot move forward by turning a blind eye on the past. And we absolutely cannot make progress without first making painful amends, another cornerstone in Freire’s Pedagogy: “To surmount the situation of oppression, people must first critically recognize its causes, so that through transforming action they can create a new situation, one which makes possible the pursuit of a fuller humanity.” Obama held up a mirror yesterday, and asked Americans to recognize – and dissect – our shared experience. You know the saying, “No pain, no gain?” Well, it’s true.
Yes, Americans’ races, economic classes and religions may be different, but, as Obama said, we all want the same thing. And we need each other to get it. So, while we’re all talking about Obama’s speech, we suggest people start acting on it. Obama tried to teach our nation an important lesson yesterday. Let’s just hope people actually learned something. If not, well, it’s a supreme waste of breath.
Here’s the full video of the speech – guaranteed to become a classic!
Matt
Obama said we all want the same thing? What is that? I know what I want but I bet it’s different than my neighbor.
I’m sorry but their will always be racism in this country and all over the world.
mali
OBAMA STANDS BEHIND SPIRITAL ADVISOR WRIGHT!
“Wright is like an uncle you love and respectâ€
Rather than break ties with his demagogic, anti-American pastor, Barack Obama used a speech on race to excuse his behavior and sweep the controversy under the rug. Passing the buck is not very presidential. IT’S WAY TOO LATE OBAMA, NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR YOUR LIES AND EXCUSES OR A SPEECH SOMEONE WROTE OR STOLE FOR YOU! YOU HAVE CLAIMED TO BE A MEMBER FOR 20 YEARS, YOU KNOW FULL WELL WHAT THIS RACIST ANTI-AMERICAN PREACHES EACH WEEK, YOU CAN BUY THE DVDS ON THE WEBSITE, and THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HOW YOU’RE RASING YOUR YOUNG DAUGHTERS? YOU ARE MOST CERTINALLY NOT THE LEADER FOR THIS GREAT COUNTRY!
Jeremy
” This was not some political media play.” Huh? What? That’s primarily what it was–a way for him to distance himself from his crazy pastor (who by the way he didn’t *really* distance himself from).
The race rhetoric was nice and needed to be said, but to think this wasn’t a media play–damn, you’re blind.
abracadaver
I was raised in a white, Christian household. My father was a Presbyterian minister who was also an Air Force chaplain. I was raised to not see people for their outward characteristics, such as race. My parents didn’t just pontificate platitudes; they had black friends and colleagues, who were often guests in our home and joined us in various recreational activities. They put their money with their mouth was, so to speak.
Because of this upbringing, I arrived at young adulthood with a firm belief in the evils of racism and all forms of discrimination. Today, 20 years later, I find myself wondering if I have become a racist, particularly toward blacks.
My opinions began to change when I found myself in prison as a young man. The daily incidents of racism and homophobia of my fellow black inmates was an eye-opener to me, to say the least. I won’t enumerate specific incidents, as they really aren’t relevant and would probably be seen by the “racially sensitive” as race-baiting.
My negative experiences with blacks continued when I was released from prison at 23 and throughout my 20s and into my 30s, a time in which I lived in primarily black neighborhoods because I could afford little else. I was daily reminded of my difference from my fellow members of the community, and often in not very nice ways. The ignorance and hostility that I faced were appalling. I was racially profiled by the police one day, simply for being a white man in a black neighborhood. My neighbors stood and watched this incident, and not with empathy or outrage. The majority of them actually stood and smiled, enjoying the spectacle. I later was told that the incident was initiated by several of my neighbors, who knew fully well that I wasn’t in their neighborhood to “buy drugs” as they claimed to the police. This was just their idea of having some fun on a nice summer afternoon.
Unless and until we have an honest dialogue about race in the United States which includes the perspectives of white persons like myself, my trust in and support of black people is virtually nil. Like the Bible says God has done with homosexuals, I have “given them up.” If they choose to cast the chains of victimhood upon themselves and blame others for their social and cultural problems, many of which I perceive to be created by themselves, then so be it. Until the general attitude of the black community becomes “get off your dead butt and on your dying feet, and become the change you want to see in the world,” I will continue to keep them at arms distance and have very little if any sympathy for their “plight.”
emb
Well it’s hardly surprising that the haters have popped up right away: anything short of Obama slitting Wright’s throat on a stone and drinking his blood would be Unsatisfactory to some (and even then, probably).
We’re talking about religion here, though, and of course it’s all really rubbish. Take a moment to examine St Hillary’s odd religious leanings in this Mother Jones article from last September, please: http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/hillarys-prayer.html
Less yelling in HC’s denomination, but a whole lot more secret cells, prayer groups, and hanging around with Brownback and Santorum and pining for a government led by “the spirit”.
Ranting paranoid lunatics and secrecy-shrouded Fellowships made up of rightwing powermongers…It all sucks.
If we’re going to attack the candidates based on what churchy stuff they hang around, let’s be fair about it, and really question whether it’s wise to put anyone in the White House who fundamentally believes that our lives are governed by some invisible guy who lives in the clouds.
tommy
If Obama was a Republican, the media, this site and it’s readers would be calling for his head. But since he belongs to party of victimization and is black he is getting a pass.
porsha
He also got national media for the entire length of his ‘speech’. I have to wonder who decided to ‘give’ him the free airtime? How can that be justified in the boardroom? I can’t understand why so many are so enthralled with Senator Obama? Can anyone remember why so many were so enthralled with the Texas Govenor? Still want to have a beer with him? Get a grip. This man is not ready for the top job, period.
porsha
I also have no problem with a woman in charge!
Jesse
I didn’t find much of what Pastor Wright said to be offensive. I also didn’t even find it unamerican. Part of being American is freedom and questioning and speaking your mind. Ever since 9-11, a differing opinion or questioning of the government suddely leads to you being called unamerican.
The United States is the only country that has used nuclear weapons against human beings and yet we are the ones with the judgement to decide who should be able to build nuclear devices.
We gave Iraqi’s weapons to fight Iran. Those same weapons now kill US soldiers. It is naive to not acknowledge that our actions in trying to control and police the world led to the creation and aided the actions of terrorists.
Cynicism Will Get U.S. Nowhere
It is amazing how both of these comments prove the cynicism that exists in certain people in this country. The first comment stated that he and his neighbor has differences. We already know this. The key is to listen to each other. Once you listened, act in one accord to reach a happy medium between the two differences. In regards to the second comment, you just don’t like Senator Obama. Therefore, he could have said anything yesterday and you still would not be happy. Vote for whom you choose, but leave the anger at home. It hasn’t gotten U.S. anywhere thus far.
Leland Frances
If it had ONLY been a discussion of race, leaving LGBTs of all colors out would have been fine with me. But once again, just as he did the night he won South Carolina, he repeatedly catalogued subgroups, and dedicated the last fourth of his speech, to various issues and once again WE were purposely left out. How does that NOT reveal a truth about the “only†candidate we keep get told REALLY cares about us?
Somewhere around “those kids who don’t look like us are somebody else’s problem. The children of America are not those kids, they are our kids,†couldn’t he have worked in a couple of words about not kids not killing other kids like Lawrence King because they’re LGBT? That schools should not just be better but safer? In the entire paragraph he dedicated to the war and soldiers and veterans couldn’t he have simply called for repealing DADT. So many missed opportunities in his unprecedented “teaching moment†to remind his worldwide audience that LGBTS are Americans, too. I don’t know whether to say he threw us under the bus or just hid us at the back under a blanket.
How inconsistent and indefensible is that in one who asks for ALL our votes to be the President of us ALL? I respectfully submit the words of someone who, like gay black activist Mel Boozer …unlike me and most here .. .had been called BOTH a “nigger” and a “faggot.” Someone that Rev. Wright should pay more attention to than his bosom buddy Louis Farrakhan—and Barack Obama more than to Rev. Wright.
QUOTE: “[B]ecause we stand in the center of progress toward democracy, [gays] have a terrifying responsibility to the whole society…. First, the gay community cannot work for justice for itself alone. Unless the community fights for all, it is fighting for nobody, least of all for itself. Second, gay people should not practice prejudice. It is inconsistent for gay people to be antisemitic or racist. These gay people do not understand human rights. …
[Gay] people should recognize that we cannot fight for the rights of gays unless we are ready to fight for a new mood in the United States, unless we are ready to fight for a radicalization of this society. …[For example] feed[ing] people…adequate Social Security…These economic concerns must go hand-in-hand and, to a degree, precede the possibility of dealing with the MOST grievous problem—which is sexual prejudice.â€
Today, blacks are no longer the litmus paper or the barometer of social change. Blacks are in every segment of society and there are laws that help to protect them from racial discrimination. THE NEW ‘NIGGERS’ ARE GAYS. No person who hopes to get politically elected, even in the deep South…would dare stand in the school door to keep blacks out. Nobody would dare openly and publicly argue that blacks should not have the right to public accommodations. Nobody would dare to say any number of things about blacks that they are perfectly prepared to say about gay people. It is in that sense that gay people are the new barometer for social CHANGE.
Indeed, if you want to know whether today people believe in democracy if you want to know whether they are true democrats, if you want to know whether they are human rights activists, the question to ask is, ‘What about gay people’? Because that is now the litmus paper by which this democracy is to be judged. The barometer for social CHANGE is measured by selecting the group that is most mistreated. To determine where society is with respect to CHANGE, one does not ask, ‘What do you think about the education of children’? Nor does one ask, ‘Do you believe the aged should have Social Security’. The question of social CHANGE should be framed with the most vulnerable group in mind: gay people.â€
– gay black civil rights icon Bayard Rustin, from an address to the chapter of Black & White Men Together in the same city and in the same month in which Barack Obama delivered his speech….except Rustin’s was twenty-two years ago…right about the time Barack Obama met Jeremiah Wright.
Emphasis mine, and I’m confidant today Rustin would have said LGBT rather than just “gay” and asked Obama WHERE we were in his vision of a more perfect union.
msim
I am not sure what to make of the hateful comments in this section. Everytime race is mentioned in Queerty; we get these nasty offensive comments coming out of the woodwork. I consider racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism and anti-semitism the same basic thing: discrimination.
Perhaps some of you have only experienced one of these, so consider yourselves lucky bastards and stop being so close-minded towards the pain of others.
I am not for Obama nor for Hillary. He has no experience and she is a Clinton (is the US a monarchy where sons and wives of presidents must become president themselves?).
There seem to be a general reticence on the comments section every time race is mentionned. Well, 90% of the world is not white which means the same about the gay population. Please get over it. I am particularly offended by the convicted criminal who posted about how mean black prisoners are. Put a sock in it, Choir Boy.
To Queerty: love you for quoting Paulo Freire.
abracadaver
I don’t recall saying that my fellow black inmates were mean. I said they were racist and homophobic. And they were. And they, like you, seem to be incapable of postulating a thought contrary to another’s without resorting to name-calling, small-mindedness, and knee-jerk reactionism. In a nutshell, ignorance.
John
Leland Frances:
Sooo, he should’ve mentioned the gay community. Erm wasn’t this about race? So I guess you’re pissed off when he spoke about Gay people in front of the very homophobic black church?
http://www.towleroad.com/2008/02/barack-obama-te.html
abracadaver:
Sob sob sob. You’re pissed that the blacks used you as a representation of all their shitty history in a country that until 1960, would’nt even allow them to drink from the same fountain as you?
Urgh. I wish those blacks would just groow up!! So what lynching used to be a past time! So what you’ve only been allowed to sit at the front of the bus these past 50 or so years.
So? Yeah, I’m a white man. Yes, I am the most represented in US society. Yes, I am more in power in the world. Yes, I’ve always been allowed to vote. So what? I’m pissed off cause you still haven’t gotten over the fact that my ancestors thought you were monkeys.
Right. Ok. Solid points guys.
You would’ve thought, hoped you would leave all this anger towards McCain, erm, I mean, you are pretty hated by the world and you haven’t learnt after 9/11? That maybe, just maaaaybe it might be a good idea to look into a candidate that isn’t linked with your past-that of the past 16 years??
blackiemiko
Obama is our candidate. He and Hillary share 94% of the same viewpoint on all of their issues.
Would you rather have a President who was against the war from the start or against the war once she started running for President?
also, Obama is no-DOMA, Hillary is pro-DOMA
Bitch Republic
Obama is a liar. Obama went to church with this guy for over 20 years, listened to thousands of sermons, but never heard him say anything of these awful things? BULLSHIT!
abracadaver
John:
I am not “pissed” at any members of the black community. In fact, I actually can understand missplaced anger and resentment. Does this mean that I condone it? No.
My ancestors weren’t treated so well, either. Most came here as indentured servants. Most faced signs saying, “No Irish Need Apply” when they sought employment. Their primary competition for jobs were blacks. Yes, its true…blacks were actually favored over the Irish for employment in 20th century America. To this day, most Irish are stereotyped, even celebrated, as wife-beating drunkards or ignorant Catholics “filling up the bloody world with bloody people they can’t afford to bloody feed.”
What did I, and my parents, do in reaction to this discrimination and blind hatred? Adopt the same perspective as our primary way of addressing the problem? No. We groveled and found whatever work we could, even creating our own work, and took care of our own communities. We rose to power through political action and self-representation. We relied on our values to carry us through hard times, certain that we would emerge victorious. And never, not once, did we blame another group for the cross we had to bear.
Lets call a spade a spade (absolutely no pun intended): black Americans in huge numbers have chosen to fight fire with fire, to right a wrong with more wrongs. We all know in our hearts that this doesn’t and has never worked as an approach to solving problems. What is truly excortiating is that we have reached the point that to merely point out this obvious state of the black community is to be called a racist, or an apologist, or worse.
Doublespeak and double standards aside, race relations in America are what they are. Blacks will never win a seat at the table, or have a firm podium to express their anger and resentment, until they abandon the tactics of those they so decry that they themselves have adopted.
John
Bitch Republic:
Ok, Bullshit. Burn him at the stake and THEN what smart ass?? Why we waste our time tearing each other up, McCain is being frigging taken seriously.
When his grandma said all that shit about blacks, should he have disowned her? Cause you know, he was THERE when she said ALL THAT STUFF….?
NightHawk
The only reason Obama gave this speech is because he got caught with his proverbial pants down. How is it courageous or brave to give a speech about race when all it amounts to is high falutin’ damage control?
John
abracadaver:
You make some good points. Of course I know about the Irish and along with the Jews, the Blacks-(We) have a lot to learn from them. Definitely but you have to understand that you were able to ‘pass’. So you were able to be more strategic in your quest to further yourself. You could change your names or lower the accent-and then once you got to the top-invite/support your fellow Irish by employing them and so forth. You know that’s how it worked and still works.
And yes, Blacks tend to be far to fiery for want of a better word or maybe I should say the Balcks that were taken as Slaves to the Americas as Africa is a big continent with various scopes in it’s peoples temperaments.
But combine that glass ceiling with the fiery temperament and yes, you get a fucking great big ball of combustion. It doesn’t get anywhere.
Our problem is the self hate within our own community. Because of this self hate that was brought on by international dislike for someone with a darker skin-you are dealing with centuries and centuries of issues. Did you know that slavery existed for 10 centuries before it was abolished?
How do you get rid of that past? Come on. Be realistic. And not ALL black people are the way you say the are. You’re are talking about poor people. Poor uneducated people.
You guys came to America fleeing the famine-not as slaves. Not lined up like sardines in a boat with dead bodies scattered around you?
You were angry, pissed off with the English but had a belief in yourself. Something every human being deserves to at least have. No?
Jesse
When Elliot Spitzer’s scandal came to light, Hillary Clinton removed every reference to him from her website, then her camp claimed that they did no such thing. Yet, Elliot Spitzer having been both a superdelegate who supported Clinton and governor of the state for which Hillary Clinton is Senator is not mentioned on her website? come on.
I think it is respectable that Obama has some loyalty and is not selling his former pastor down river. I think there is a lot to be said for loyalty. So his reverend said some things that people don’t agree with, big deal.
It doesn’t change Obama’s policies or ideals as a candidate. It is great to be able to listen to differing viewpoints and understand where they are coming from. It doesn’t nor should it fundamentaly change a person or his/her viewpoints if he/she has some level of strength and direction.
A few disagreeable words taken from a lifetime of sermons is not the full scope of a man and his legacy. i would hate to have the most offensive things I’ve ever said spliced together and looped without any reference to the best most inspiring things that have come out of my mouth.
abracadaver
John:
You make some good points, as well. I want to assure you that I am well aware of the actual history of slavery in this country and others. I know that it is a problem that has existed for so long that it seems that it has been with us for time immemorial. Perhaps my greatest character weakness is that I tend to see the world in terms of “now” and not “then”, and discount the importance of the past.
At some point, an honest dialog on race needs to take place in our country. All viewpoints must be allowed to be heard, and more importantly, listened to. The exchange that you have engaged me in today is a good example of this type of detante. Lets hope the example is picked up and continued by our society at large.
abracadaver
Oh, and P.S. John….if you could see my uber-pale skin and shockingly strawberry hair & freckles, I doubt you’d say I could “pass” as anything other than what I am! LOL
Ken
John, I don’t know who you are, but I agree with every word you’ve said here.
jababe
It’s sad that Reverend Wright is being ridiculed by just a few statements he has made and not judged by all that he has done in his life. He may have let his anger misguide him, but I believe he is a good man, and nobody is perfect. He helps the poor, and those afflicted by HIV, and he marries gays in his community. You can’t say that about Hagee. He may not be all good–but I do not believe he is all bad
jababe
I just read all of the other comments, and it strikes me how intolerant and truly ignorant so many of the posters are about Rev Wright and Trinity United Church. I would think we, above any other minority, would hear all sides before rushing to judgement, but I guess some of us are too insulated in our views and thoughts to consider proper diligence. Whatever you think about Obama, Trinity United offers Christian Gay families the same opportunities as Christian straight families–fellowship, couseling, and marriage officiation. Let your bias against Obama stand for what it is, but don’t let the media define to you all his church stands for without researching for yourself. If you do that, you will be just as intolerant and ignorant as the many who reject our culture and our community.
John
Ken:
Thanks-it’s a long walk…
abracadaver:
Hey, true Irish genes! 🙂
Michael Bedwell
From the latest commentary by black lesbian minister Irene Monroe:
“Obama [has] unfortunately placed himself in a difficult quagmire – not only with LGBTQ and liberal voters, but also by still being a member of Trinity. Why? Because he worships in a conservative black church within a liberal denomination. And Trinity is provisionally opposed to the idea of same sex marriage.
In July 2005, the UCC General Synod overwhelmingly passed a Resolution of Marriage Equality. But in August 2005, Wright spoke against the Synod’s position causing many LGBTQ parishioners to leave.
“Please tell me what is going on here? Why does it appear we are under attack? Maybe I am reacting, but this seems to be even from the folks we admire in the church that black same-gender loving issues are not important. We are still seen as gay and white,” stated a gay member of Trinity.
In the church’s magazine The Trumpet [Wright’s] article “Maybe I Missed Something!” shows how LGBTQ issues are not a priority in his present-day prophetic social gospel intended to ameliorate the social conditions of all God’s African-American children:
“While our denomination grappled with how to address that human problem, the denomination also, at that Synod, voted to ordain a homosexual. Guess which item made the newspapers? Maybe I missed something!”
And in his closing tirades on the issues, Wright stated this: “Are 44 million Americans with no health care insurance less important than ‘gay marriage’? Why aren’t Black Christians in an uproar about that? Maybe I am missing something!”
When the article came out in light of the United Church of Christ’s stance on ordaining and marrying LGBTQ people, it was disheartening for many to know that Pastor Wright broke rank with his liberal denomination to stand in solidarity with a more conservative Black Church position.
“Folks were very hurt by his remarks he made in the Trumpet article. I wanted to know where he really stood with us on same-gender loving issues. The chair of the same-gender family wrote him if the church will address black heterosexism and black homophobia. He said we have done that over the thirty years and that his sermons should speak for his support on these issues. In his articles he said he was not putting same-gender loving person’s down. Just showing how society only appears to be focused on those issues and not the issues that impact Black issues. I reminded him I am a black female out lesbian. I do not choose to be one or the other which is all of my being,” stated a lesbian member of Trinity
I wonder now how much of Obama’s views on gay civil rights are shaped by Trinity? Or, if not, does he use those Christian views to avoid giving us our full civil rights [i.e., marriage equality]?”
John
Michael, Michael…
It’s cool even if Hils gets in! She will be solid. Can’t we just tear up McCain??? The guy is going unnoticed for the crap he spouts….
It’s not the end of the world as we know it if Obama is elected. I swear.
M Shane
John: kudos, a little common sense, if anyone is actually interested in avoiding a rebublican throtling; I don’t understand why people are so set on playing the dynamics of defeat. You’ve almost given the race to the Republicans already.
Why not just support McCain and the racist bigots. That’s what going on now, does no one have a sense for voter dynamics? It ‘s noyt the chilhood game everyone seems to imagine. Hang yourselves.
fredo777
I notice that the website for his church has a link to “Singles Community Ministry”, which includes a sub-header for “Same Gender Loving” individuals. It’s still under construction, though.
steve
amazed at some of the ugly stuff on this thread
scratch the surface & a lot of ugly comes out – and i think the speech obviously managed to scratch the surface
anyway, i tough it was pretty brilliant & thanks to queerty for this great article… nice stuff a.b.
Bitch Republic
The Onion’s report of Obama’s speech:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/black_guy_asks_nation_for_change
John
Bitch Republic:
Onion. Respect for your opinions but and then what? What do we all suggest? Cause Obama is THE apocalypse and if he gets in power-shit. So McCain yeah? Cool.
Michael Bedwell
More than I did a week ago I believe Obama is an egomaniacal bad liar and dangerously incompetent—because even if he survives this meltdown he could have TOTALLY avoided it if he’d just walked away from the rogue nuclear agent Wright a year ago. HOWEVER, he would STILL be far better than McShame so I’ll vote for him if he survives to get the nomination.
Startling new polls out below suggest he might not. No doubt will change in some way but still….
“New Gallup Poll Daily tracking finds Hillary Clinton with a 49% to 42% lead over Barack Obama in national Democratic voters’ presidential nomination preference. …
[John McCain] holds a statistically significant lead over Obama, 47% to 43%, in registered voters’ preferences for the general presidential election. That is the first time any of the candidates has held a statistically significant lead since Gallup Poll Daily tracking began reporting on the general election race last week. McCain’s 48% to 45% advantage over Clinton is not statistically significant, but it is the first time he has had an edge over her in Gallup Poll Daily tracking.â€
http://www.gallup.com/poll/105205/Gallup-Daily-Clinton-Moves-Into-Lead-Over-Obama.aspx
“CBS Poll: Gender Matters More Than Race –
Voters Say Woman Candidate Faces Slightly Bigger Barriers To Presidency Than A Black Candidate
Voters are slightly more likely to say that a woman candidate faces more obstacles than a black candidate when it comes to presidential politics even as they see racism as a more serious problem for the nation overall, according to a new CBS News poll. Thirty nine percent of registered voters said a woman running for president faces more obstacles while 33 percent said a black candidate does.
When it comes to the 2008 presidential election, voters say Hillary Clinton has been judged more harshly because of her gender than Barack Obama has because of his race. Forty two percent said Clinton has been judged ‘more harshly’ and six percent said she has been judged less harshly because of her gender. Twenty seven percent said they think Obama has been judged ‘more harshly’ because of his race while 11 percent said he has been judged less harshly.â€
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/19/opinion/polls/main3949396.shtml
jones
heh, you and other Obama Kool-Aid drinkers might have loved the speech, but white, working class Democrats like me and several people I knew heard this: either vote for me or you are a fucking racist. Sure, my pastor damned the country, spouted AIDs and 9-11 myths, but blacks have been through a lot so deal with it, whitey.
Not a good way to get the votes he needs. He has you guys’ votes already. He could have come on and read the phone book and you Obamessiah idolators would have licked it up.
I actually felt a little pride and “that’ll show ’em” at the thought that the US might elect a black president. That was when I thought he truly did want to transcend race. Now he’s revealed as a demagogue and a race hustler just like Jesse Jackson and AL Sharpton. I’m glad that was made clear before I fucked up and voted for him, along with millions of others.
Put a fork in Obama. This story is bigger than you know. You don’t know because you don’t know working class America, or religious people, or blue collar Democrats. The polls will soon show an Obama nose-dive, count on it.
Most people are aware he gave a speech, big deal. Politicians give millions of them. What people who don’t love Obama blindly remember is “GOD DAMN AMERICA”. That sticks, not some smarmy speech I can’t even sit all the way through.
BTW, nice touch throwing his gramma under the bus. Really low class to dis your gramma’s private conversation and equate it with an insane hate-mongers’ public raging. Nice, Obama.
-a working class Dem non-political junkie
fredo777
“jones”, you are ridiculous.
jules
Jones, baby, it’s OK to be gay. Tell your momma Jules said it’s OK.
Mr C
Hey Jones,
It seems to me your’re saying only whites are working class dems??????
YOU SOUND LIKE AN ANGRY WHITE MAN!
BE FUCKING FOR REAL.
We Blacks are hard working people also!
People like you will keep the ugly head of being prejudice out there.
Need I say more decisive is just that decisive!
And by the way it’s no different then what some of your Parents said about Blacks growing up! You won’t call your Father talking like that HATE FILLED…….Things that make you go HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.
Obama doesn’t need your vote and if he loses so be it. But once John McCain set your Faggot ass back. Then you’ll be drinking his urine because that is what he will think of you as well as all gays! AS PISS! and it will be a sad state of affairs for the hard working class LGBT community.
ALWAYS REMEMBER US BLACKS DID NOT START THIS RACISM SHIT. YOUR ANCESTORS DID! NOW IT’S OUT THERE EITHER PUT UP AND COMBAT IT, OR SHUT UP!
jababe
Jones, I think we all know what you are in need of, dear! (I have heard of GOP trolls coming on to Dem forums to stir the pot, but I didn’t think they would have the time to stop by and play with us too.) Something tells me you are probably not gay,because you are a bit too angry on this subject– I find it hard to believe that anyone of us would let Hannity or anyone in the MSM be the lens from which we are to view anything. I also find it hard to believe that so many of you that are on this blog have the nerve to be so critical of someone who is using their freedom of speech to point out the ills of America, (albeit distastefully timed) when we ourselves have only benefitted from those in our community who have militantly stood for us, as Rev Wright stands for blacks? And if there is anybody drinking the kool-aid it’s you Jones. If you are a Democrat supporting Hillary or Obama, you ought to know how the MSM has fueled this democratic “civil war” meanwhile Bush, Cheney, Rove and McCain are laughing their asses off. If you really are gay and believe everything you hear in the media, then I feel sorry for you because you must hate yourself. They only sensationalize what is in their best interest, not ours. Notice how the media has scrutinized every detail of Hillary’s and Obama’s surrogates or sponsors’ mistakes but never talk about McCain’s? Honestly I am shocked to see so many gays on this blog falling for it–but, whatever. Screw the Dems chances of winning the Presidency, let McCain win and choose the next two Supreme Court justices–and let’s see how much you care about some pastor’s remarks. If you really are a gay Blue Collar Dem–you know what’s really important now and in the future. By the way as a 47yr old gay man–I can definitely see how some of Rev Wrights comments can be a reflection of deep seated resentment about major prejudices in this country. Is there just a bunch of 20 somethings on this blog or does anybody else remember how America didn’t even care to much about a little known “gay” disease until it started really affecting heteros. Do you think I am resentful of that to this day–HELL YEAH! So excuse me–I don’t agree with everything that Rev Wright said, but the overall sentiment is true from where I sit–America has a lot of work to do to do right by my community, and you can damn sure bet McCain is not gonna help us!
Mr C
Michel Bedwell, I’m just convince you really don’t want this Man to win. And I believe his color has alot to do with your decision. Because it’s obvious that you want Hillary to be the Democratic nominee and you know what you will probably get your wish and maybe you should so you can see what politocking is all about!
You really think she is going to come take the LGBT community on a “Swing Down, Sweet Chariot comming to carry me home” Good Luck they all lie when it comes to LGBT they may support some things as Clinton, Edwards, Kucinch, and Obama did. B
Mr C
REPOST
Michael Bedwell, I’m just convince you really don’t want this Man to win. And I believe his color has alot to do with your decision amongst the things you claim he lies about and bringing in The Rev.Irene Monroe article in bilerico as to prove it’s not about race on your part. There are many blacks that will take issue with Obama as with themselves that’s them back to you!
Because it’s obvious that you want Hillary to be the Democratic nominee and that’s all fine and well and you know what you will probably get your wish and maybe you should so you can see what politicking is REALLY all about!
You really think she is going to come take the LGBT community on some “Swing Down,Swing Low, Sweet Chariot coming forth to carry me homeâ€? Good Luck!! they all lie when it comes to LGBT issues they may support some things as Clinton, Edwards, Kucinch, and Obama did. But you have your issues with this Black Man……..Why?
It’s understandable that we all are partial to our own race it’s human nature. But there is a severe difference between PRIDE, PREFERENCE & PREJUDICE.
So just keep it real and not make it seem like you have all these issues when simply you and some others are feared to see a BLACK figure rule over America since WHITES have always ruled America.
Look deep down within yourselves. All of us and ask Why do I feel this way?
We need to really embrace DIVERSITY in the LGBT community
It starts with me, with you!
Also Mr Bedwell you commented in a previous post about Obama’s speech
“build a coalition ofâ€
LGBTs – ?
LGBTs – ?
Hello?…….
Yeah HELLO is right! But wait!
Why don’t LGBT learn what it is to accept each other regardless, of color, and class?
You go to bars and they are either predominately WHITE, predominately BLACK, and or Hispanics & Asians and they are mostly in the WHITE populated bars WITH SHADE BEING THROWN ALL AROUND US!
But we want equality and respect from the heterosexuals and can’t even get it from each other…….PLEASE!
I know you don’t want to hear this but the
TRUTH HURTS US ALL!!!!
That is something that Clinton, nor Obama can do. That starts with us. And long as WHITE LGBT want to control the power of the community AT LARGE. None of these rights, and or bills we want passed will be passed because all other races who are LGBT will feel like why should I support something that will not benefit me?
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT EVERYONE
ONCE AGAIN IT STARTS HERE WITH US REGARDLESS WHO BECOMES PRESIDENT!
model2916
Hey guys I’m a fitness model and i’m looking to have a good time on a video chat.If your interested hit me up at [email protected] don’t be shy.By the way i’m alot hotter then this guy so hit me up if you want to have fun 😉
megs
M Shane wrote, “Why not just support McCain and the racist bigots?”
That would be redundant. The racist bigots are on this site.
I believed at one point, that a good percentage of whites were eager to move beyond the ugliness and unfounded hatred demonstrated in these comments. I was wrong.
seitan-on-a-stick
MESSAGE #45 Barack O Blah Blah Blah Blah! HILLARY in 2012?
M Shane
Megs: The bottom line, if anyone has any concern whatsoever about gay rights, is compassion and acceptace of other marginalized people. You are right. Most of these forlks just don’t get it, and can’t get past thier own racism, and so can’t get to gay rights, becaise they don’t undersand that HUMAN DIGNITY is one thing.