The notion that he's not "Black enough."

[Bullet1987]

The more and more I hear people on TV repeat this, the more and more I'm convinced that it's not "Black activists" saying this...it's a product of the media and probably a handful of closet bigots who are trying to paint Obama as white (maybe because of their own prejudices). He's idenifies as an African-American and calls himself that...that should be the end of the story.

[beaconess]

1. Bingo!

I agree with you 100%!!! This "black activists think he's not black enough" always seems to based upon a story and premise begun by ignoramuses in the media who seek out any black person they can find to say what they need them to say to perpetuate this myth. Black folk far and wide are saying just the opposite - and telling the media to stop the madness - but are they quoted on this issue? Of course not. Instead, we hear from obscure "black activists" (and what the hell is a "black activist" anyway?) whose opinion the media never seems interested in when it comes to any other topic.

I'm with you on this - and I'm sick to death of it.

[Connie_Corleone]

5. Exactly! You hit the nail on the head.

The ONLY people I've heard bring this crap up are the political pundits and a few so-called black activists and columnists.

A few of them say it and the media attribute it to "some in the black community". That's bull.

The rest of us could give a damn about this stupid question of being "black enough".

[Dean Martin]

12. African Americans I know react in puzzlement when they hear that

None of my African American friens think Obama is not black enough. In fact when I mention voting for him the usual reaction is "Now Dean, you know this country is never going to elect a black man for president."

I want us to prove them wrong.

[jimshoes]

2. I've never once heard any one

make that argument about Condileeza Rice all these years. Wonder why?.

[Nederland]

22. Her parents aren't foreigners

That, apparently, is the problem with Obama. Because his father is from Kenya, his lineage doesn't trace back to slavery and therefore he does not share the defining experience of African Americans.

[AtomicKitten]

3. I suspect that this discussion will mimic Goldilocks.

To some he will not be black enough, to others just being black is too black.

No worries, that will become a moot issue when Obama really explodes on the national scene.

[aquart]

4. His answers on Sixty Minutes about that were perfect.

[AtomicKitten]

10. Damn you East Coasters.

Three hours ahead of me at all times .... :)

[Eurobabe]

17. They sure were...

I have the whole segment TiVO'd, now if I can figure out how to DL it and save, I will post.

[David Dunham]

6. Obama, Hillary, and Edwards will divide the African-American vote

[beaconess]

7. Just as they will divide the European-American vote.

So, what's your point?

[Connie_Corleone]

9. Damn! We posted the same thing. LOL!

[beaconess]

13. GMTA!

:toast:

[Connie_Corleone]

8. They'll also divide the European-American vote.

:shrug:

[bigdarryl]

11. This question is coming from the news media and not in the African Community

I don't hear any body in my circle saying he's not black enough

[beaconess]

14. Exactly - that's not something black people are particularly concerned about

We know that blacks come in all shapes, sizes, and bloodlines. The vast majority of us are mixed with plenty of white and sometimes Indian blood. This "is he black enough" obsession is a white folks creation - I don't think it emamates from the black community.

[Dean Martin]

16. As Obama said

Any candidate will have to work to earn votes from any group of voters, regardless of ethnic backgrounds.

[Eurobabe]

18. usually eminates from Bigots and people

too stupid to pause before asking such a question. I myself am Cherokee and have some AA relatives in my bloodline, just hard to trace it. My German husband is part Congolese, that was just confirmed in September. And we both are caucasian. We are all children of the universe with its multiple colors.

So bring on the spectrum baby! :hi:

[Acadia Blue]

15. I don't care if he is orange...he is fantastic and hope is what we need

not fear, and the sick garbage the shurbery is force feeding us along with the corporate media.

[Bullet1987]

19. Beaconess...

The vast majority of us are mixed with plenty of white and sometimes Indian blood

I wouldn't go as far as to say the vast majority of Black people have White or Indian ancestry...but there's a good number. What 0struck a cord with me about the 60 Minutes interview was how the guy mentioned how Obama was raised by Whites people in a White household...so why does he call himself Black? It was the most absurd question I've ever heard in my life!! But Obama held his own and didn't let the loaded question bother him.

[seasat]

20. This attack could backfire on them.

Just to be clear, I think the attack on Obama's "blackness" is idiotic and unjustified. However, I think it may possibly help his candicacy. I'm from the south and have been around militant racism. I know folks who wouldn't vote for a black man simply because of his skin color. However, if they continue this attack, then they'll give some of these racists an excuse to vote for Obama. Their attack that Barrack Obama is not a true "black" because he doesn't have an ancestor that was a slave in the south may will separate Obama from their sterotype of american blacks. If the Repugs nominate someone like Mitt Romney, who evangelicals have prejudice against because he is Mormon, they may have the excuse to vote for Obama because he is "not really black". Maybe this is a way that Obama can draw wider support and a black man can be elected president.

[SteppingRazor]

21. Well, there are, in fact, African-American scholars and activists who have said this

Debra Dickerson, author of "The End of Blackness," comes immediately to mind:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2007/01/22/obama/