Obama campaign lashes out at Ferraro race comment

[BgMc31]

What you referred to is known as the "Colorblind" Racism Theory...It does hold some weight, but racism is a very hard concept for the majority of people in the country to grasp. The real issue is the disparity caused in the amount of resources granted to minorities in the passed, which creates a resource gap that essentially cannot be closed even after the playing field is leveled. This is known as "Systemic" Racism Theory, of which there are two types Instutionalized and Non-Institutionalized. I could go on and on for days but most people wouldn't grasp these concepts, as I sometimes have a hard time doing myself.

Essentially, what many researchers suggest (Feagin, Bonillo-Silva, Brown et. al) is that for the black race to catch up, the resource gap would have to be closed by being payed back. And that more legislation would have to be passed in order for them to get a fair shake.

This is obviously a problem because we live in a capitolist society and no one is going to go for "redistributing wealth." It would also obviously come from the Federal Budget which would be payed by people who had NOTHING to do with the previous oppression and policies, and be payed to people who largely never experienced racial policies in action.

It is essentially, an issue which can never be rectified through any policies or legislation, it has no easy solution, or perhaps no solution at all, except for TIME.

very well stated. seems we can agree on something!

[Act of God]

Definitely not the best comment on the forum. Trying to convince people who have never experienced institutionalized racism is impossible since they can never relate. Secondly, invoking what Bill Cosby said is very irresponsible as the far right have spun his statement to prove their point. What Bill Cosby was saying was we (Black people) need to stop expecting whites to help us regardless of their fault in the scope, magnitude, and history of racism in this country. He further continued to exlain that whites would not acknowledge that racism does exist hoping it will go away so its up to us as black people to take care of it. Both Oprah, Cosby, and Obama have acknowledged that they had to work twice as hard for half as much. But of course you can't convince whites of that if they are unwilling to open their minds to it.

The funny thing is lately (last couple years) whites have been the biggest complainers about race. Seems to me they are pissed (claiming America is 'losing' our culture), when in reality they are slowly losing the advantages of white privilege as the country continues to brown.

Of course I expect the flaming to begin. But I'm just stating how many minorities feel. Just like whites believe we are all treated equally and everyone has the same chances in this country.

I have to disagree with you. I saw the whole special with Bill and Oprah and I know what they said. I'm not a republican, nor am I a right-winger. Sorry, not all white people that don't kiss minority ass are.

You seem to embrace the fallacy that there is nothing black people can do to rise up and succeed. You are buying into the self-defeating prophecy that has held down people of all colors and classes for ages. Hate to tell you, but just about every group of people who have come to America have been sh!tted on and discriminated against. From the Irish, to the Italians, to the Asians all the way to the Hispanics and Arabs now this has happened. My grandmother came over from Italy alone. People wouldn't hire her. They openly threw ethnic slurs at her. They beat and abused her. This story is common for many other groups that chose to come to America.

The difference is, she worked her ass off and didn't take no for an answer. She didn't take a thing from the Goverment and only worked longer and harder when things were rough.

It is sad that so many people are addicted to the teet that is Federal and State aid. There is no incentive to better yourself, because all you know is handouts and that particular lifestyle. In black communities, those that do try are hassled and outed as being too white, too lame, or whatever. The fact is, there is no difference between us. If you (being any color, religion, class) go to school (which is free), work hard and stay out of trouble you will turn out ok.

If we're talking about blacks I can tell you first hand that the opportunity is there. It is everywhere, ESPECIALLY institutionally. Colleges, grad schools, employers and corporations go out of their way to hire minorities. Not because they feel it is the right thing to do, but because they are buying into the PC "diversity" crap that everyone's been feeding America. Motive aside, the opportunity is there. Just TAKE it.

If a group of people can't bear to look in the mirror and at least say "maybe some of this is our fault" then you will never, ever, overcome. The myth of the boogey man white devil is dead, clean your yard. Parent your damn kids.

[spywizard]

hilary and obama are both retarded, they spend more time trying to bash eachother than outlining any type of political platform.

total losers.

that's why the republicans are going to stay in office.. and as a republican.. that scares me just a little..

[lotaquestions]

"stereotypes are right until proven wrong." quote my dad.

[BgMc31]

I have to disagree with you. I saw the whole special with Bill and Oprah and I know what they said. I'm not a republican, nor am I a right-winger. Sorry, not all white people that don't kiss minority ass are.

You seem to embrace the fallacy that there is nothing black people can do to rise up and succeed. You are buying into the self-defeating prophecy that has held down people of all colors and classes for ages. Hate to tell you, but just about every group of people who have come to America have been sh!tted on and discriminated against. From the Irish, to the Italians, to the Asians all the way to the Hispanics and Arabs now this has happened. My grandmother came over from Italy alone. People wouldn't hire her. They openly threw ethnic slurs at her. They beat and abused her. This story is common for many other groups that chose to come to America.

The difference is, she worked her ass off and didn't take no for an answer. She didn't take a thing from the Goverment and only worked longer and harder when things were rough.

It is sad that so many people are addicted to the teet that is Federal and State aid. There is no incentive to better yourself, because all you know is handouts and that particular lifestyle. In black communities, those that do try are hassled and outed as being too white, too lame, or whatever. The fact is, there is no difference between us. If you (being any color, religion, class) go to school (which is free), work hard and stay out of trouble you will turn out ok.

If we're talking about blacks I can tell you first hand that the opportunity is there. It is everywhere, ESPECIALLY institutionally. Colleges, grad schools, employers and corporations go out of their way to hire minorities. Not because they feel it is the right thing to do, but because they are buying into the PC "diversity" crap that everyone's been feeding America. Motive aside, the opportunity is there. Just TAKE it.

If a group of people can't bear to look in the mirror and at least say "maybe some of this is our fault" then you will never, ever, overcome. The myth of the boogey man white devil is dead, clean your yard. Parent your damn kids.

First of all you don't have first hand knowledge of black opportunities because you aren't black. That's just like saying there's a billion jobs listed in the newspaper but why do we still have unemployment.

Secondly, you can't compare the experiences of immigrants who emigrated here by their own free will and those who were forced here. Secondly I could care less where in Europe your grandmother is from, the fact remains she was WHITE. One generation removed and 'your people' can hide their origins. Lose and accent, change the name... period.

Lastly, I don't subscribe to any self defeating ideology. I'm a realist and know what truely happens in this country. I see through the eyes of a black man, something you could never do, thus we will have different outlooks on the same reality. What you got from Dr. Cosby and Oprah and what I got from them is an example of that. Your take on it is typical of white america's thought, mine is typical of a black americans. Neither of which is right or wrong. Without going into detail (I don't need to justify my positions to anyone), I am very successful and have become so in spite of my race, not because of it. The difference people like Dr. Cosby and the stereotypical black is Dr. Cosby doesn't let racism/stereotypes get in his way. I subscribe to the same notion. My issue is why is racism and stereotypes still an obstacle and why can't white people see it, or why won't they see it?

[BgMc31]

"stereotypes are right until proven wrong." quote my dad.

Yeah, and ignorance is bliss...

[thegodfather]

First of all you don't have first hand knowledge of black opportunities because you aren't black. That's just like saying there's a billion jobs listed in the newspaper but why do we still have unemployment.

Secondly, you can't compare the experiences of immigrants who emigrated here by their own free will and those who were forced here. Secondly I could care less where in Europe your grandmother is from, the fact remains she was WHITE. One generation removed and 'your people' can hide their origins. Lose and accent, change the name... period.

Lastly, I don't subscribe to any self defeating ideology. I'm a realist and know what truely happens in this country. I see through the eyes of a black man, something you could never do, thus we will have different outlooks on the same reality. What you got from Dr. Cosby and Oprah and what I got from them is an example of that. Your take on it is typical of white america's thought, mine is typical of a black americans. Neither of which is right or wrong. Without going into detail (I don't need to justify my positions to anyone), I am very successful and have become so in spite of my race, not because of it. The difference people like Dr. Cosby and the stereotypical black is Dr. Cosby doesn't let racism/stereotypes get in his way. I subscribe to the same notion. My issue is why is racism and stereotypes still an obstacle and why can't white people see it, or why won't they see it?

This is actually studied a lot. The reason is because it is such a hard thing to identify. One key example we often use as a for instance is a Human Resources director. Who has several applications for a particular job cross her desk. Now, in this instance, she controls a particular resource. If she has a been exposed to stereotypes over time she may have 3 applications on her desk, black, asian, and white. If the job is for a managerial position, she may say to herself "well, black males are lazy....and asians are really good at math so they should be doing technical work..." and hire the white applicant. In this instance the stereotype has progressed into reinforcing a prejudice, which in turn causes discrimination. It is important you understand the definition of all three words, as they are interconnected in a triangle. Discrimination is the actualization of a prejudice, which is reinforced by a stereotype. The stereotype being broad generalizations of people which can be negative or positive but which can cause discrimination in either case.

So it is not hard to see why such a thing is hard for people to identify. That Human Resource worker may never say a racial slur in her life, or voice such racist ideologies, but the fact that she has control over this particular resource and does things in such a way is the problem, but it is also a problem which is impossible to overcome. Which is why legislators turn to statistics.

So statistically speaking, for blacks to have EQUAL represenation...they would have to comprise 14% of the workforce at any given company, since they are 14% of the population. If they comprise more than that they are being over represented, and if they comprise less they are being under represented. Another point would be in state run meuseums, where blacks artists comprise much less than 14% of the artwork in the meuseum. It would not make sense for black artists to comprise 50% of the meuseum, as they are not 50% of the population. This is a very basic example, and it is complete "ideal" and not at all practical.

[thegodfather]

Ohh, I also meant to add...Another reason this problem is so hard to realize..You know you have to consider the immense hypocrisy that the American government operated with up until 1960. The American government was supposed to be the staple of freedom, democracy, justice for all, and all people being created "equal." Unfortunately years of supreme court decision in the 17&1800s ruled that blacks would be under "property" laws. For instance, a slave owner could kill his own slaves with no penaltys, but if you killed someone elses slave you would have to pay a fine, because you deprived that person of their property. The United States government additionally only counted blacks as 'people' when it suited them, as declaring each black person worth 2/5 of a person when appointing state representatives. Slavery was referred to as a "Peculiar" institution in America. Then, from 1900-1960 under Jim Crowe segregation laws, the point of which was to preserve white priviledge and deny blacks resources, yet another black eye in American "freedom." So you see guys, our alledged "free" society has only really been free, for....................not even 50 years.

This is why when all of us Ron Paul Republicans argue against the loss of so many civil liberties, or the government getting involved in healthcare, which makes people less free that we raise such a fuss. Freedom is not old, Freedom is a NEW idea...Tyranny has been the status quo for the passed 10,000 years of recorded human history. We are far from being the idealized free society that so many people believe we are. Freedom is a very new idea, and has only been impelmented very very recently. That is why we must all join together to fight so hard, and forget about racial boundaries, it is much easier for mankind to revert back to a system of government that we have been comfortable with for thousands of years. I hope my incoherent ramblings made sense...

[Pooks]

Ohh, I also meant to add...Another reason this problem is so hard to realize..You know you have to consider the immense hypocrisy that the American government operated with up until 1960. The American government was supposed to be the staple of freedom, democracy, justice for all, and all people being created "equal." Unfortunately years of supreme court decision in the 17&1800s ruled that blacks would be under "property" laws. For instance, a slave owner could kill his own slaves with no penaltys, but if you killed someone elses slave you would have to pay a fine, because you deprived that person of their property. The United States government additionally only counted blacks as 'people' when it suited them, as declaring each black person worth 2/5 of a person when appointing state representatives. Slavery was referred to as a "Peculiar" institution in America. Then, from 1900-1960 under Jim Crowe segregation laws, the point of which was to preserve white priviledge and deny blacks resources, yet another black eye in American "freedom." So you see guys, our alledged "free" society has only really been free, for....................not even 50 years.

This is why when all of us Ron Paul Republicans argue against the loss of so many civil liberties, or the government getting involved in healthcare, which makes people less free that we raise such a fuss. Freedom is not old, Freedom is a NEW idea...Tyranny has been the status quo for the passed 10,000 years of recorded human history. We are far from being the idealized free society that so many people believe we are. Freedom is a very new idea, and has only been impelmented very very recently. That is why we must all join together to fight so hard, and forget about racial boundaries, it is much easier for mankind to revert back to a system of government that we have been comfortable with for thousands of years. I hope my incoherent ramblings made sense...

I like it... two thumbs up!

[Carlos_E]

From the Clinton Conference Call, 3/13/08. This one is with Gov. Ed Rendell.

Some interesting data points:

He's defended the prospect of superdelegates picking a nominee that did not win the pledged delegate count:"The Obama campaign wants to play by the rules. Those were the rules going in. That's number one....Number two, superdelegates have always had the responsibility for fielding the strongest candidate...And we've got to get the strongest candidate. And if she wins Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida on top of all the other big states she won, if she wins the key states that are going to decide the election, let's go with our strongest hand because the issues are too important to risk losing."

He's asserted that "conservative whites" in Pennsylvania "are probably not ready to vote for an African-American candidate."

Hmm... wonder if that has anything to do with Ferraro's comments.

[kfrost06]

Carlos, who's that quote from? Gov. Ed Rendell?

[kfrost06]

o.k. I found it. He said it and Clinton as usual is on the side lines, she didn't say it and she's will not condem it either, like in the Ferraro case. She is one evil lady. She plays the race card both ways. I think what we are witnessing here is the destruction of the Democratic party. I am pleased to say that there is no way either one of these canidates will be able to unify the party after this primary. A schism is delevoping and getting bigger as the election goes on. Finally, the democrats are getting a taste of their own medicine, the race card.

[Carlos_E]

o.k. I found it. He said it and Clinton as usual is on the side lines, she didn't say it and she's will not condem it either, like in the Ferraro case. She is one evil lady. She plays the race card both ways. I think what we are witnessing here is the destruction of the Democratic party. I am pleased to say that there is no way either one of these canidates will be able to unify the party after this primary. A schism is delevoping and getting bigger as the election goes on. Finally, the democrats are getting a taste of their own medicine, the race card.

But look who's playing it. NOT the Black guy.

[Carlos_E]

Olbermann's view on Clinton and Ferraro.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iLs-HI9I2k

[breacherup]

To the extent that I can imagine what it is like to be a black man, I think Bill Clinton's comparison of Mr.Obama to Jesse Jackson is more offensive than the comments by Ms.Ferraro.

[Carlos_E]

To the extent that I can imagine what it is like to be a black man, I think Bill Clinton's comparison of Mr.Obama to Jesse Jackson is more offensive than the comments by Ms.Ferraro.

I agree.

[lotaquestions]

my complaint is that the first time that a white person says the word black, in any kind of context, it will be disected and flipped over and over and then considered racist. "nappy headed hoes," by don imus for example...there were four white girls on the team.

[Act of God]

there were four white girls on the team.

Now THAT shoulda been the big story! jk

[Kratos]

my complaint is that the first time that a white person says the word black, in any kind of context, it will be disected and flipped over and over and then considered racist. "nappy headed hoes," by don imus for example...there were four white girls on the team.

I don't know man, people are people and everyone has buttons you can push. The Don Imus thing was an over-reaction imo, but its easy to be taken the wrong way when you just arn't funny. It's no secret black people are sensitive to race and I think the clinton campain was getting their racial jabs in at a time most benificial to them. They knew what they were doing.

[Act of God]

I don't know man, people are people and everyone has buttons you can push. The Don Imus thing was an over-reaction imo, but its easy to be taken the wrong way when you just arn't funny. It's no secret black people are sensitive to race and I think the clinton campain was getting their racial jabs in at a time most benificial to them. They knew what they were doing.

Of course, but what's good for the goose....

Look at black comedians, preachers we've seen and musicians. Seems kinda like a lot of blacks have the same callous attitude towards race (whites, asians, latinos, etc).

[Carlos_E]

Of course, but what's good for the goose....

Look at black comedians, preachers we've seen and musicians. Seems kinda like a lot of blacks have the same callous attitude towards race (whites, asians, latinos, etc).

It has no place in a presidential campaign. Clinton first tried to scare up votes now they're going for a racial divide. They're trying to make it us against them.

[lotaquestions]

I don't know man, people are people and everyone has buttons you can push. The Don Imus thing was an over-reaction imo, but its easy to be taken the wrong way when you just arn't funny. It's no secret black people are sensitive to race and I think the clinton campain was getting their racial jabs in at a time most benificial to them. They knew what they were doing.

i wouldnt put anything past the clintons. they have made there entire career off of dirty politics. hillary clinton is probally won of my least favorite people in the world (next to osama, manson, and shaq-j/k hes not that bad). i just dont see anything racist in ferraros comment, especially if you know anything about her history and the rest of the interview. she was one of the first minorities to be a contender for any type of major office, she is entitled more than others for her opinion on a minority running for office.

and to defend her statement both democrats are running their campaine on CHANGE and nothing says change (to an uneducated voter) like two things we have never seen before, a woman or a black man in the oval office. i belive that both of them have benefited from their race/gender, and there campains would not be as strong with out the factors. i dont know of any one canidate ever getting 90% of the black pop. votes or any one canidate getting 80% of the female vote, tell me how that is not a benefit?

do i think that another black man could have done what obama has (in 08)...NO. he took on the most powerful political machines (the clintons) in the democratic party and virtually won. hillary had been the front runner for the dem. nomination for the last 4 years.

he can lead a pep rally like non other but if he cant lead us out the gym were going to tear the walls down...then what

[Act of God]

It has no place in a presidential campaign. Clinton first tried to scare up votes now they're going for a racial divide. They're trying to make it us against them.

I agree, I was only responding to Kratos's statement about black people being sensitive to race.