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by Arisztid on January 19th, 2009
~~edited from comment thread because I am not completely right with my analysis
1) a mixed race man is president, not a black man.
Ok, now that that is over, I think it is not going to make much of a change in race relations.
In some ways it shall get better, in some ways worse.
Violence against "minority" Obama supporters is escalating, the KKK and neo-Nazis are hollering louder. All you have to do is read the news to see it. Surf the net and see the rise in the hate as well.
I have heard of violence from blacks rising against whites.
This has stirred a hornet's nest.
So, combine the good with the bad and I think it shall come out to "no change."
~~edit
Avatar SABOTEUR Jan, 24 2009 at 08:00 PM
Sorry, but I have to disagree. While you comment may be TECHNICALLY accurate, it denies the fact that President Obama identifies with and accepts HIMSELF as a Black man, not mixed-race. His wife identifies with and accepts her husband as a Black man ( http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/01/michelle.obama/ ), so for all intents and purposes, Barack Obama is America's first Black President. Now, as I was deciding whether or not to add MY 2 cents, I came across this article ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/.../7735503.stm ). The author sums it up by stating, "For us, being black and mixed-race are not mutually exclusive. We have learned to live with the contradictions. Perhaps it's time for everyone else to learn to live with them too." Indeed. Why is it so difficult to accept someone how they want to be accepted? Until we can answer THAT question, we have a long way to go before we make significant progress in race or any OTHER kind of relations.
Avatar Arisztid in a COAT of Romani Awareness Jan, 24 2009 at 08:04 PM
I stand, or sit, corrected. He should be accepted as he defines himself. Thankyou Saboteur. :)
Avatar SABOTEUR Jan, 24 2009 at 08:14 PM
You're welcome.
Avatar Arisztid in a COAT of Romani Awareness Jan, 24 2009 at 08:16 PM
:) Many apologies for spreading the wrong information. I shall add this into my answer.
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Comments
very good analysis - i agree
by Someguy on January 19th, 2009
Thankyou. :)
by Arisztid on January 19th, 2009
Sorry, but I have to disagree. While you comment may be TECHNICALLY accurate, it denies the fact that President Obama identifies with and accepts HIMSELF as a Black man, not mixed-race. His wife identifies with and accepts her husband as a Black man (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/01/michelle.obama/), so for all intents and purposes, Barack Obama is America's first Black President. Now, as I was deciding whether or not to add MY 2 cents, I came across this article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7735503.stm). The author sums it up by stating, "For us, being black and mixed-race are not mutually exclusive. We have learned to live with the contradictions. Perhaps it's time for everyone else to learn to live with them too." Indeed. Why is it so difficult to accept someone how they want to be accepted? Until we can answer THAT question, we have a long way to go before we make significant progress in race or any OTHER kind of relations.
by SABOTEUR on January 24th, 2009
I stand, or sit, corrected. He should be accepted as he defines himself. Thankyou Saboteur. :)
by Arisztid on January 24th, 2009
You're welcome.
by SABOTEUR on January 24th, 2009
:) Many apologies for spreading the wrong information. I shall add this into my answer.
by Arisztid on January 24th, 2009
In case you did not catch the edit, Saboteur, I added this bit from the comment thread into my answer.
by Arisztid on January 24th, 2009
SAB - Why is it he can CLAIM one or the other when he's not one or the other? Which "box" does he check on his census forms?
by Someguy on January 25th, 2009
@Arisztid: I saw your edit earlier. I found it to be a humble gesture; it speaks volumes about your character. I didn't think the edit was necessary, but that was your choice. I didn't remark upon it because I felt I said enough in my comment. There was no need to "beat a dead horse".
by SABOTEUR on January 25th, 2009
@Someguy: I cannot claim to know the answer to your question. I can only guess that since Obama has always had black features, people have probably treated him as if he was black. (I don't imagine he went around handing out "I am mixed-race" business cards.) At some point in his life, he probably underwent a bit of soul searching and found comfort in close identification with his African heritage. One would assume he checks "Black/African-American" on applicable forms since he identifies himself as Black.
by SABOTEUR on January 25th, 2009
One interesting note: Most everyone knows that Tiger Woods identifies himself as "Cablinasian" (http://www.salon.com/april97/tiger970430.html). Who are we to say different? I'd be willing to bet, though, that if it were not for his fame, he'd be treated by folks who didn't intimately know him as "just another black man". Race sure is an ugly issue.
by SABOTEUR on January 25th, 2009
I never know what to check on mine. I just check "other." We are on the census in other nations but not this one.
.
I did not know if you saw it before I edited it... that is why I commented. It is actually not a humble thing for me. It is a correction in information that I did not have before. I am always pleased to have the right information.
by Arisztid on January 25th, 2009
Well allow me to clarify. I was honored that you thought enough of my comment to edit your original post...especially 'cause I expected you to tear me a new ash-hole for daring to contradict you. I was also conflicted because I didn't see it as a "right" "wrong" issue...just differing perspectives. I debated whether I should post what I just explained, but I finally decided I'd said enough. You made my day...no need to ruin it by placing my foot in my mouth. Thank you.
by SABOTEUR on January 25th, 2009
Me tear anyone a new asshole for correcting me or even disagreeing with me outright? Not gonna happen. :)
by Arisztid on January 25th, 2009