Jimmy Carter

... there is a minority far right/extreme segment right now who absolutely cannot and will not accept Obama as their president.

Let's go back a few years and write this a different way-- there is a minority far LEFT/extreme segment right now who absolutely cannot and will not accept BUSH as their president.

Why is one racist, or potentially racist, and the other is not?

Sure, there are whites out there that absolutely do not want a black president. But, I would bet a million bucks that there are a decent number of blacks that would never let a white guy be president if they had their way. Can you say Louis Farakhan?

There are plenty of districts in this country that are majority black that will likely never, ever elect a white representative, mayor, etc. Does that mean that most of the blacks in the district are racist--absolutely not. This racist thing gets way, way overplayed. Now that there is a black man in the white house, it has become a shrill cry of the left against everyone that opposes Obama. Pretty disgusting.

There is definitely racism out there, but it is in all segments of the population. And, it is a small segment of the population thankfully. The left needs to stop using the racist card at every drop of the hat.

Well, the way I see it, which is the only way to see it, is that if you tout racism, you a racist. Projection 101.

I don't think this way, therefore it's a challenge to really wrap my arms around the fact that there remains racism in this country, but really in the world. What I do see are many people (some black), some democrats, who are using the word racism quite a bit. It could just be a crutch because they want so badly for this President to be the best and accomplish such great things.

And, I am not naive enough to believe that White Supremacy doesn't exist, just as Neo Nazis still exist.

But, 'racism' has been over-used recently. Being from the deep South, can we still use the term High Yella? He's part white. He's white. He's black. Think Tiger Woods likes being called a Mullato? By definition, President Obama is a mullato. So there! Problem solved!

Surely our new Diversity Czar, Mark Lloyd, can bring us all together :roll:

Surely our new Diversity Czar, Mark Lloyd, can bring us all together :roll:

this racism crutch will be the unraveling of the brief dem movement. it is sad as they held all the pieces necessary. think jackie robinson. he played through all the negative stereotyping and awful profanity and came out on the other side a hero. had tiger been hung up on the racist remarks fuzzy made, he would have made himself the spectacle. obama has the wrong people around him making him play from the old dem playbook, which will keep him from reaching whatever potential there may be.

maybe people should take a little time to find out what the term "racism" really means. I am thinking there are many many good people in our country, in the world who do not really comprehend its scope, its history in our country, or its impact on real people in the past and now. racism isn't funny, but this website always manages to give pretty good insight with humor to its topics...

Is "Racism" dead?
An in-depth interview with America's most inflammatory and most misunderstood word





Don’t ever say that we don’t deliver. The We Are Respectable Negroes News Network (WARNNN) has scored an exclusive interview with Racism…Yes, the actual word Racism.

Enjoy!

...

Stuff White People Do / think racism is dead (guest writer)

Well, the way I see it, which is the only way to see it, is that if you tout racism, you a racist. Projection 101.

I don't think this way, therefore it's a challenge to really wrap my arms around the fact that there remains racism in this country, but really in the world. What I do see are many people (some black), some democrats, who are using the word racism quite a bit. It could just be a crutch because they want so badly for this President to be the best and accomplish such great things.

And, I am not naive enough to believe that White Supremacy doesn't exist, just as Neo Nazis still exist.

But, 'racism' has been over-used recently. Being from the deep South, can we still use the term High Yella? He's part white. He's white. He's black. Think Tiger Woods likes being called a Mullato? By definition, President Obama is a mullato. So there! Problem solved!

Does the same thing apply if you tout elitism? Are these Joe Sixpack working class types who criticize Obama for being elitist really elitist themselves? What if you call somebody a fascist, Marxist or socialist? Does that mean you're really one yourself?

you have some very good points. but I think people (white) are denying the racial/prejudice issue regarding the country's first African American president. (people have always denied racism.. even during the worst of times in our history)... there is a minority far right/extreme segment right now who absolutely cannot and will not accept Obama as their president. The kind of behavior I've seen and read about is truly vitriolic to the extreme. If this group causes a big discussion on racism in America, then perhaps it is what is really needed. Are we really past racism in America? I personally do not think so.

If parents refuse to let their children watch the President of the United States give a speech about the importance of school and hard work - at school - well, I have to believe that racism is involved at least to an extent. maybe it is at the root of why white parents across the country reacted in such a way. maybe not.

Maybe Wilson is not racist... maybe he was motivated to act in such a way for some other reason. maybe he's just an ahole. we can't really know what motivated him to do such a thing. we all agree that what he did was unacceptable. We can only have our own opinions as to why he would do such a thing.


I believe Wilson's disrespectful outburst, and parents keeping their children home from watching the President make a speech at school, and a segment of extremists who wholeheartedly reject Obama as President - well I just suspect something other than merely political disagreement. and although I believe racism may play a part of what is going on in our society today, there are many other reasons people behave as they do.

people are complicated. none of us can truly say what motivates others. we can only offer our own thoughts.
we all have our different ways of viewing these things. all we can do is share our opinions, listen with respect and learn something from others that may help us have better understanding.

I find this sentence ironic given the topic.

I find the fact that you described the people as "white" ironic. I didn't know racism was only restricted to "white people".

I find the fact that you described the people as "white" ironic. I didn't know racism was only restricted to "white people".

that isn't irony, but if you insist... it is the topic of this discussion - whether white groups are acting out so vehemently against President Obama in part due to racism. (white parents not allowing their children hear the President speak at school, white protesters with extreme views... and white citizens refusing to accept that racism could be at least partially at issue)... raising the fact that minorities can also exhibit racist behavior is irrevelent to this discussion, and it does not excuse racist behavior in whites or any other group.

that isn't irony, but if you insist... it is the topic of this discussion - whether white groups are acting out so vehemently against President Obama in part due to racism.

I just thought that the fact that you described people as "white" while you pointed out their racism was funny.

I just thought that the fact that you described people as "white" while you pointed out their racism was funny.

okay.. maybe it was funny.

let me explain - I did not say that "white" people were racist. I said that people are denying the existence of racial behavior (in some groups) pertaining to our first African American president. at least that is my understanding from seeing so many responses to the question of whether racism is playing a role... when people throw out the term "race card", they deny the (possible) racist nature of the situation in attempt to avoid any discussion on racism. In my opinion, this only serves to allow racism to continue.

I find the fact that you described the people as "white" ironic. I didn't know racism was only restricted to "white people".

Tootsie is specifically referring to racism against Obama. I think any racism against Obama would indeed originate with people who are white.

okay.. maybe it was funny.

let me explain - I did not say that "white" people were racist. I said that people are denying the existence of racial behavior (in some groups) pertaining to our first African American president. at least that is my understanding from seeing so many responses to the question of whether racism is playing a role... when people throw out the term "race card", they deny the (possible) racist nature of the situation in attempt to avoid any discussion on racism. In my opinion, this only serves to allow racism to continue.

​

I am one of those people that throw out the term, race card, but I also throw out other terms, like, bible card. IMO, continuing to pull the "race card" when there is a disagreement with our president's policies is a cop out. Now, when I said "cop out", did I disrespect the police force in any way? I certainly did not mean to, but I can guarantee somebody would read that and complain that I had disparaged all law enforcement officers across the land! We can all be a little too touchy at times!

I think this all begs another question....Should or shouldn't Mr. Obama address racism in this country? I can see why he tends to ignore the discussion, but the proverbial elephant is still in the room. I am on the fence here, because I am hopeful that just his being in office and doing great things for our country will serve as a remedy for some people. He is NOT the enemy, but some will view his policies as such and therefore, by virtue of him holding the highest office in the land, he becomes the target for people's ire. This is by no means anything new in this country. ;-)

I am one of those people that throw out the term, race card, but I also throw out other terms, like, bible card. IMO, continuing to pull the "race card" when there is a disagreement with our president's policies is a cop out. Now, when I said "cop out", did I disrespect the police force in any way? I certainly did not mean to, but I can guarantee somebody would read that and complain that I had disparaged all law enforcement officers across the land! We can all be a little too touchy at times!

I think this all begs another question....Should or shouldn't Mr. Obama address racism in this country? I can see why he tends to ignore the discussion, but the proverbial elephant is still in the room. I am on the fence here, because I am hopeful that just his being in office and doing great things for our country will serve as a remedy for some people. He is NOT the enemy, but some will view his policies as such and therefore, by virtue of him holding the highest office in the land, he becomes the target for people's ire. This is by no means anything new in this country. ;-)

No, but the term race card will offend the NASCAR crowd so be prepared for the fallout.

no, but the term race card will offend the nascar crowd so be prepared for the fallout.:d

^5!

I was thinking about all this. The Carter years were the first years I reliably remember, and during the Iranian hostage situation Carter ordered a crackdown on Iranian students in the US. They were singled out and if the documentation giving them the right to study in this country was not complete, they were deported. I wonder if a contemporary presidents (or congressmans) call for such an action could possibly go without a vocal charge or racism or religious intolerance or such.

I don't fault Carter at all for his order to make life difficult for Iranian scofflaws, and I do not remember if there was any domestic protest of his policy (I doubt it because nightly broadcasts of punk Iranian students burning our flag and uncle Sam in effigy and marching around blindfolded hostages tend to brew contempt quickly). However, I wonder if Carter or others who are so quick to boil issues down to race or religion without consideration of other factors would not hurl such charges if a sitting president of differing political philosophy enacted an analogous policy...

Apparently Mr. Obama addresses the race card this week with George Stephanopolis:

At The White House With President Obama - George's Bottom Line

Apparently Mr. Obama addresses the race card this week with George Stephanopolis:

At The White House With President Obama - George's Bottom Line

I like and respect the way Obama addresses the subject with balance, recognizing that the situation is far more complex than an angry group of racists - he knows that isn't the case. I am glad he is not in agreement with Carter and he is not pursuing the idea of a "race card" - because these arguments only serve to inflame those who act out of racist beliefs. I think he chooses to rise above, but still allow the conversation to exist - it is an important conversation to have. but the direction he takes our country is the critical matter - he is chooseing to focus on his job, not whether a segment of people react out of disagreement v. racism...

Carter crying "racism" isn't helpful imo - the issue is far too complex to boil it down to that single word - he has lived it and seen it throughout the world - the issue is not that simple. the response of "race card" is used appropriately and inappropriately all the time in the media. he should know that an accusation of racism will inflame a lot more americans than those who exhibit racist behavior. he knew that people would respond with the "race card" accusation. he should know that in the end, that people would react strongly to the point of denial, making racial issues even more problematic.. . but based on my observation of how this term is used in politics, I believe its a political strategy used to ignore racism and even perpetuate its existence - and that isn't right either. (I do not believe anyone here uses the term in that way, but it seems to be used in the world of politics in order to dismiss the idea of racism as if it isn't important, or does not exist. in my opinion, this is NOT the way a political leader ought to respond to any situation. the term is tossed about so casually by leaders and media. it is a misused term much of the time. minorities and groups who have been subjected to racial discrimination deserve a little more consideration, imo).

bottom line - I think the term is a denial of potential racism, and therefore an insult to those who truly suffer the consequences of racism in America, or abroad. I don't use it. that is my choice. on the other hand, those who accuse groups of racism in such a simplistic/juvenile manner (Carter) - well, they aren't serving minority groups either.

I do not think we can have an honest conversation in this Country until we acknowledge, especially the Left, that we are enabling racism to a degree. Groups like Acorn, that represent the minorities, especially are not helping. I believe we still need to be cognizant of racial profiling in our society and keep some form of containment and exact some degree of responsibility on it's effects; but, when this Country gives money to groups, and policies are affected by lobbies and who political gains, there will never be any honesty about racism.

Does the same thing apply if you tout elitism? Are these Joe Sixpack working class types who criticize Obama for being elitist really elitist themselves? What if you call somebody a fascist, Marxist or socialist? Does that mean you're really one yourself?

You can make it anything you want it to be. ;-) I think if you look at the frequency and pattern, certain things begin to unfold.

I'm over the race card, however.

There's no denying Obama's race plays a role in protests | McClatchy

"...I certainly detect a racial element in some of the hostility directed at President Obama," said Richard Alba, the distinguished professor of sociology at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. "I'm certain there are white Americans for whom having a dark-skinned president in the White House is an enormous shock. This is really a complete overturning of what they thought was the natural order of things. The natural way that American society worked. It upsets all their ideas about how American society is structured."

Potok agreed. "Anyone who's looked at some of the signs at the various 'tea parties' knows perfectly well that race is a significant part of this backlash," he said. " . . . I'm not suggesting that every person angry about health care or immigration is a Klansman in disguise, but at the back of this white-hot rage that we've been seeing are people who are genuinely furious about the way the country is changing and changing racially."

No one symbolizes the changing face of America more than Obama does. "I think hundreds of thousands of whites are taking these very real changes and attributing them to the race of the president," Potok said.