The Colour of Politics!!

Does the view exist that "racism is very limited and near to extinction in America"? Yes.

Does that make it true? No.

I think it would be wonderful if it were the case, but oppression is still a (big) part of our culture. Including in our political system.

The oppression of Centuries, nay, MILLENNIA, will not dissipate after 50 years (only a few generations).

Has it gotten better? Yes. Do we still have a lot of work to do? Yes.

In my mind, the only way to move forward (find a solution) is to acknowledge the problem. So long as we pretend racism is over, we won't be as able to make that the reality.

After thought: I'm glad you asked this question, B.. Personally, racism (and other "isms") effects me as a mother/wife/woman, far more than which laundry detergent to use or what I think about parsley for chicken. It's important that we look at this, because it's in our school system, it's in our media, it shapes and is shaped by our economy/class, etc. Our kids experience it. I want my kids to grow up in a world that is more equitable and safe than the one we currently have. Discussing this can inspire us to create the solutions which will pave the way toward equality.

9 moms found this helpful

I am also in a mixed race marriage and have noticed that there are SO many more issues between blacks and whites now than there has ever been in my 28 years on earth. It should not matter, but so many people came out and voted for our President simply because of the color of his skin, not because of his record. I wouldn't have voted for him or H. Clinton because I don't agree with their policies. I would vote for the PERSON running and NOT the color or gender. I can't wait for 2012 so I can feel safe in my own country again.

9 moms found this helpful

I think sexism is the bigger issue to worry about in politics.

****@ Cheryl: ****
Here's your excerpt: "he's an Academic with no experience....IN MY OPINION...he's a socialist pig with no morals, integrity, experience in world affairs (his conversation with Netanyahu as well as his desires to push the Israeli borders back 40 years show this in clarity).....would McCain have done this? WHO KNOWS!!! he's a politician!!"

Me: Bush was a academic without intelligence and a military veteran without an experience... so just right there Obama is already 10 times ahead. I'm glad you can share your opinion, now let me share mine.

Obama has been such a nice guy, trying to include the Republicans in his policies and dreams for this country that he has allowed them to completely snow over any good he was trying to do for this country. His foreign policies are fabulous - especially if he's the first President to stand up to Israel's cruelty to their neighbors. He has single-handedly - with his wife - try to stem the rise of childhood obesity and diabetes - something that was truly necessary to start. He has no known friends in the USDA, Big Oil, or FDA the way past Republican President's did. And lastly - he at least attempts to be friendly and personal with the foreign leaders of the world... he learns about thier culture, he has other research info and share it with him - but overall, he does things HIMSELF! I hope he gets re-elected and is more smart about playing nice to the Republicans and learns to do what he needs with or without their involvement!

7 moms found this helpful

I believe that as the eldest of the racist babyboomers begin to literally die out so will racism.
With all the great artists, celebrities, and now even an American president "of color" have finally become (with much struggle) mainstream, we as a country and an internet connected planet, are able for the first time on a grand scale to see people for their minds, decisions and actions.
Will racism ever completely disappear? Probably not. There will always be people with opinions. Non smokers hate smokers. Non drinkers hate alcoholics, Vegans get pissed off at meat eaters, Christians pray for devil worshipers. Those are all prejudices too, and I dont see them going away any time soon.

6 moms found this helpful

Absolutely a persons color or cultural background matters in the polls. It doesn't matter to me, I don't care what skin color you are or what country your parents were from, as long as a candidate has what I think is necessary to run our state or country, they will be the one to get my vote!
However the fact of the matter is when Barak Obama was running for President white democrats voted republican because they would never allow a black man to run our country, and many many others voted FOR Obama simply because of the color of his skin.
It really is a shame that there is so much racism but I think the racism goes both ways meaning white against black, and black against white. Our last Presidential election was a perfect example of that.
I think what is really important is that we don't raise this next generation to notice the color of a persons skin or the way they look but to help and encourage them to view everyone as equal and beautiful!

EDIT: Denise P., have you considered that the true reason a person may not have voted for Obama is because they didn't agree with his proposed policies and NOT because they are racist? I honestly don't agree with his agenda for our country, and that is why I didn't vote for him. But you can bet your bottom dollar that if someone like Condoleezza Rice was running I would have been at the poll voting for her!

I understand what you are saying Denise and I'm certain you are right...but I don't like being grouped with the "uneducated" who maybe did vote based on race and not based on what they felt best for our country!

6 moms found this helpful

Racism will always be a huge factor in every arena for some people.

When President Obama was running, I saw a news clip of an "enraged" older white lady, practically frothing a the mouth to the newscaster, "I've been a registered Democrat my WHOLE LIFE, but I am DISGUSTED and voting Republican this time!!!"

You gotta wonder, since President Obama isn't any further to the left than Clinton or Carter, what was her super major problem? Hmmmm.

It also strikes me, that President Obama has had to go above and beyond the call of intelligence and fairness (not that it does him any good for some) in a lot of ways past presidents have not had to on issues to sort of "overcompensate" for *something*. I mean could a black president get away with saying nookuler and waving a Mission Accomplished banner? But that could be my imagination...

5 moms found this helpful

Well, given it has been documented that factions of The Black Panthers were outside several key district polling places in the last election AND they were caught red handed intimidating voters to the extent of (at least a couple times caught on tape) not even letting white people get out of their cars.....AND the main stream media failed, for whatever reason, to report this TRULY HUGE story....I am gonna go out on a limb here and say:

Yes, I think we still have some racial 'kinks' to work out here in our wonderful country.

IMHO, as a Country, we are not perfect...but we are still pretty darn fantastic!

5 moms found this helpful

no race should NOT matter but does it? unfortunately - it does.

We have the proof right now....people voted for Obama based wholly on the color of his skin...google street talk interviews where people used McCain's platform and said "Obama is for extending the war..." or whatever issue they felt like bringing up and 98% of those interviewed were ALL FOR IT...they didn't know or care about the issues, they only cared he was black..

I personally don't care what color you are - you bleed red, right? you are a human. it is HOW you behave, act and treat other people....morals, integrity, etc. THAT is how you SHOULD be judged....NOT on the color of your skin.

5 moms found this helpful

near extinctionin America? Thank you. I needed a laugh this morning. Racism is alive and well, just more subtle and done in more pc undercover ways - like cutting the funding to social programs that benefit the poor= predominantly nonwhites.
Race is a huge factor in politics, but our process of picking political candidates is so vapid we have no one to blame but ourselves. Gore lost because he was percieved to be boring. Howard Dean was nixed for excitedly yelling at a rally. Some say Hllary Clintons campaign was ruined when she teared up during an interview, others say it humanized her and kept her in the race. Race is another attribute, like hair color, and personality. So as much as people say they care about candidates stance on the issues, in reality, it's more likely they choose based on whether or not this person appeals to them on a visceral level. Since Kennedy took office the game has changed. Political fortunes are won or lost based on looks, what they're wearing, speaking style, was the kiss passionate enough, do they look like me or what I aspire to be. Color is a big part of that. Remember all the political cartoons about eating fried chicken and kool-aid at the inauguration and Michelle growing watermelons at the White House? All that "I want my country back" BS? The Obama posters where they put a bone through his nose and photoshopped African tribal dress? Meant to motivate whites to vote but all they really did was motivate nowhites. So i'm going to vote yes, race is a huge factor but that's ok. It's part of our human nature to like people that resemble us and fear people that don't. It takes a little something extra to grow past those stereotypes. I do see more people are making that efoort and we are living in a more open era than we ever have before, racially speaking. However, politics is becoming more and more polarized.

4 moms found this helpful

Something I heard a long time ago struck a chord with me - that in the "animal kingdom", "like" equals "safe", and that part of the reason that prejudice exists is because of that reaction - (racism is prejudice ramped up).

BUT - we as people have the ability to THINK, to REASON beyond instinct and to realize that when it comes to skin color, etc. that just because someone is the "same" color as I am, does NOT make them safe/better/etc (everyone that's hurt me in my life is the same color as I am).

That is part of what makes us human - the ability to go BEYOND our baser reactions and CHOSE the right path and not the reactionary one.

Only someone who is blind AND deaf is truely prejudice-free because we reflexively classify people by how they sound (New yorker? Southern? etc.) and how they look (color, ugly/pretty, poor/rich, etc.). It happens before we think about it - and that is the key - what do we do when we stop and THINK about it.

Until everyone stops and THINKS about how they are reacting, then prejudice and racism will exist. But I do think it is getting better, it's just not gone.

4 moms found this helpful

Not for this mama!!!! I vote for the person who has the same vision for America that I have. I think more and more people are waking up to the fact that they made a huge mistake voting for Obama without knowing what he REALLY believes. The truth hurts. I hope we get it right in 2012.

4 moms found this helpful

I do not think in terms of color for politics.
Never assume that logic applies to politics.
Politicians, every single one of them - are all lizards.

I think Douglas Adams described it perfectly:

‘On that world, the people are people. The leaders are lizards. The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people.’

‘Odd,’ said Arthur, ‘I thought you said it was a democracy?’

‘I did,’ said Ford, ‘It is.’

‘So,’ said Arthur, hoping he wasn’t sounding ridiculously obtuse, ‘why don’t the people get rid of the lizards?’

‘It honestly doesn’t occur to them,’ said Ford. ‘They’ve all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they’ve voted in more or less approximates to the government they want.’

‘You mean they actually vote for the lizards?’

‘Oh yes,’ said Ford with a shrug, ‘of course.’

‘But,’ said Arthur, going for the big one again, ‘why?’

‘Because if they didn’t vote for a lizard,’ said Ford, ‘the wrong lizard might get in.’

4 moms found this helpful

Does it matter to me? No. I vote on issues, etc. and wouldn't care if the person is purple with green spots, as long as I think they will represent me well in office.
Does it matter to others? Absolutely! There are some people in our country that vote color. This goes both ways. There were people that wouldn't vote for Obama because he is black/mixed. They didn't care what he said, they would not vote for him. There are others that voted for him based on his looks. Either way, I think they are nuts, but that doesn't mean no one does it.
The idea that racism is near extinction is America is nonsense! I live in a very progressive and accepting area, but there are other areas that would welcome a return to full segregation if someone offered it. Not far from where I live, there is an agriculturally based city where Hispanics are often treated horrendously! Racist 'jokes' are not at all uncommon. It's heartbreaking.
I think the responses you get here do not reflect a good cross-section of the US population. You wouldn't expect anyone using this site that is racist to comment on your posts. Any hate speech on this site will get them banned.

Racism in the US is certainly on the decline, but to say it is very limited would be naive. More non-whites are in the media now than ever before, and mixed relationships are portrayed more and more on tv and movies. All of this helps, but there are still a lot of idiots out there.

4 moms found this helpful

LOL I'm as white as could be but I really could care less about the color of ones skin or ones nationality. I judge only on how I am treated, my kid is treated and how one treats others., What they wear, the color of their skin, their natiionality, how they look, how much money they have, I could care less. But I do see quite a bit of hate for americans or the blonde hair blue eyed. I watch people take one look at my daughter who have never met her and give her dirty looks. Many times racism is just ignorance or taught behaviors from ones parents.AS for trust. I trust no one no matter who yiou are.

3 moms found this helpful

Racism is not near extinction in America, nor anywhere in the world, and it will never be. Racism on its smallest scale serves a purpose- like Patricia said- it's instinctual. However, small-minded hate breeding small-minded hate will never end, because we will always have ignorant people in the world.

3 moms found this helpful

Our country and the world are full of prejudice. I don't think any more people didn't vote for Obama because of his color than don't vote for some because of their religious beliefs, etc., etc. I didn't vote for him because I didn't like his views. I have mixed grandchildren and love them as I love any other grandchildren. I think because some didn't vote for him some would like to say it's prejudice when it's not. BUT on the other hand, prejudice is still alive in all forms, against fat, thin, tall, short, white, black, brown, rich, poor, etc. It's a shame but doubt it will ever be gone from this world.

3 moms found this helpful

I believe it has gotten tons better but unfortunately, it will never be completely gone. I do think there are more black people who are racist towards white people, than whites towards blacks. And I know numberous black people that admittedly voted for Obama strictly because he was black.

Now if you ask the democrats this, they will say anybody who didn't vote for, or doesn't like Obama, is a racist.

My personal opinion is, if somebody was purlple, I wouldn't care a bit, as long as they were a good person with decent values and actually stood for something! Your skin color does not matter one bit...your character is what's important!

3 moms found this helpful

It doesn't matter to me . . .

3 moms found this helpful

yes, it still exists in large cities & small towns.

& it is wrong. As is prejuidice in any form....be it sexist, religious, etc.

3 moms found this helpful

Are you thinking of moving here?

All you have to do is look at our pop culture and see that racism (against blacks, anyway) is mostly gone. Twenty-eight years ago or so, people complained because there were no blacks on MTV (except Michael Jackson).

Prejudice and racism in some form will always exist among the human race, in politics and otherwise. It's in the nature of the animal.

3 moms found this helpful

To me as an individual, no it doesn't matter. As as whole to the general public and to certain other individuals? Of course it matters. I hear about it from particular racist family members at particular family gatherings and it drives me crazy because it's not politics or even a person's character being discussed but character assassination based on someone's ethnicity ie. racism.

Racism is not dead, it's alive and well. I live in a town that has a wonderful cultural diversity and my children are benefiting greatly from it so we see it less often here, although we still see it.

2 moms found this helpful

Why do you KEEP asking? The majority here (if not 100%) will say it doesn't matter to THEM. What are you hoping to get from such a question? Looking for some "mama drama". Lol. I'm laughing at my silly line, but I'm serious. Not trying to be mean either.

2 moms found this helpful

Jeez B., could you wait til I have some coffee before posting these heavy questions?!

What I think is.....since it is VERY socially and politically incorrect (except in the event of extreme ignorance), a 'poll' like this of American women from so many different backgrounds/regions cannot REALLY reflect any measurable truths. NO ONE is going to say, I refuse to vote for a black person, I refuse to vote for a person of this race, that religion, the other ethnicity, you know?

Least, that's what I think, I mean since you asked!

:)

2 moms found this helpful

Even if SHE is a politician, unfortunately for some people, yes. But not for all, fortunately.

1 mom found this helpful

I believe racism still exists in exterior politics, probably less against blacks and more against whites now. I would love to know if Obama was white, do you guys think he would have been voted in as POTUS? How many people saw his skin color and voted for him b/c of that?

1 mom found this helpful