Why is it "the race card" for Michele Obama to respond to polls analyzing the black vote?

[beaconess]

Just as the "Is Hillary playing the race card" discussion finally dying down, we're now being subjected to "Is Michele Obama playing the race card" just because she's responding to polls that show many blacks are supporting other candidates? If responding to these polls IS playing the race card, weren't the polls themselves an effort to play the race card on the part of the media? If not, why would the press analyze how black voters are voting?

For some reason, many white folk think it's perfectly fine to talk Obama's race when it involves discussions about whether his race will be a problem, but whenever black people bring up race, WE'RE playing the race card. We're seeing the same thing when it comes to Hillary - people talk all they want about whether, as a womam, she's tough enough or whether being a woman will be a problem or whether men will vote for her, but the minute SHE says anything about being a woman, she's playing the gender card.

White men have absolutely no problem using whatever strengths or advantages they have to get ahead - and that includes the "white man" card that gets played for them every day without them even having to take any specific action on their own to put it into play. But when blacks or women even MENTION their own race or gender, we get treated to endless analysis over whether they are "playing the race/gender card."

For example, when Elizabeth Edwards made the unfortunate comment that suggested her husband was at a disadvantage because he wasn't black or female, I don't recall the media analyzing this comment, or setting up segment after segment on the talk shows on the topic "Is John Edwards playing the race card?" Yet when some people believed that the Clinton campaign had referenced her gender in connection with the campaign, we were subjected to nearly two weeks of such discussions. And now we're having to put up with the Michele Obama/"race card" discussion, when we don't hear a peep about the "race card" when the media plays it.

It's become more and more apparent to me that one of the reasons that so many people - especially some white men - are so "offended" by the so-called playing of the race or gender card is that they cannot stomach the idea that someone might have the opportunity to play a card that THEY can't play.

It reminds me of the people who say, "Why is it that YOU can say the n-word, but WE can't say it?" My reaction ito that question is always, "Why do you WANT to say it?"



For example, when Elizabeth Edwards made the unfortunate comment that suggested her husband was at a disadvantage because he wasn't black or female, I don't recall the media analyzing this comment, or setting up segment after segment on the talk shows on the topic "Is John Edwards playing the race card?" Yet when some people believed that the Clinton campaign had referenced her gender in connection with the race, we were subjected to nearly two weeks of such discussions. And just as that has died down, we're now being inundated with "Is Michele Obama playing the race card?" merely because she gave her take on the meaning of the polls showing that many African Americans are supporting other candidates. Funny, these commentators haven't seemed to have any problems with the polls themselves - weren't the pollsters "playing the race card" by polling about how black voters were voting? If not, why is it "playing the race card" for Michele Obama give her take on these polls?

It's become more and more apparent to me that one of the reasons that so many people - especially some white men - are so "offended" by the so-called playing of the race or gender card is that they cannot stomach the idea that someone might have the opportunity to play a card that THEY can't play.

It reminds me of the people who say, "Why is it that YOU can say the n-word, but WE can't say it?" My reaction ito that question is always, "Why do you WANT to say it?"

White men have absolutely no problem using whatever strengths or advantages they have to get ahead - and that includes the "white man" card that gets played for them every day without them even having to take any specific action on their own to put it into play. But when blacks or women even MENTION their own race or gender, we get treated to endless analysis over whether they are "playing the race/gender card."

[DemocratSinceBirth]

1. Sexism And Racism Still Exist

My problem is that one candidate gets lauded for saying racism still exists while another candidate gets lambasted for suggesting sexism still exists...

[beaconess]

3. I agree

Criticizing Hillary for "playing the gender card" and while defending Michele Obama from accusations of "playing the race card" is hypocritical.

In fact, Hillary was no more playing the gender card than Michele Obama is playing the race card. They are both being subjected to the typical attack that's launched against any minorities or women who have the temerity to point out that racism and sexism exists - or even has the nerve to suggest that their race or gender could be a positive asset.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. Did You Ever See The John Lennon Song

It's called "Woman Is The N-Word* Of The World"...

You should google it and look at the lyrics...



* He spells it out, of course...

[beaconess]

7. Yes - I remember that song. And the outrage it provoked!

I loved it!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

10. Wow-The Lyrics Still Resonate After Thirty Five Years

http://www.john-lennon.com/songlyrics/songs/Woman_is_the_Nigger_of_the_World.htm

[Bullet1987]

12. Here's the thing though...

Michelle Obama WASN'T playing the race card, but Clinton WAS playing the gender card and her campaign has basically admitted to that much.

[beaconess]

13. I don't think Clinton was playing the gender card at all

I don't think there IS a race or gender card - the whole discussion is bullshit in my view. Those "cards" are only raised when a woman or a minority either points out race or gender bias or references their race or gender in a positive way. Yet, as I and other have pointed out, white men feel perfectly comfortable discussing race and gender (as long as it's minority and female) all they please and analyze it to determine its impact on a political race (or anything else) to their hearts content without ever being accused of playing either card.

The race/gender card is nothing but a red herring.

[MNDemNY]

2. Well, it is not.

[beaconess]

4. Of course it isn't

[ruggerson]

6. If you're referring to my OP

I agree with everything you write. Apparently you just read my headline, but didn't read the text. Or you didn't catch what I was trying to convey.

My point was that it's totally fine for either Obama or Clinton to campaign as WHO THEY ARE, which is as a man of color and a white woman, without the media mavens accusing them of playing a "card.". I was also highlighting what I consider to be a bit of a double standard for some - in that they were quick to jump on Hillary for what they considered to be the "gender" card, but will give Obama a pass on his campaign's references to race.

Personally, I don't think either of them are "playing a card," they're just being who they are. Which is exactly what they should be doing.

[beaconess]

8. I wasn't referring to your OP - I agreed with your post completely

I was referring to the notion that this is even an issue - AGAIN

[incapsulated]

9. It's all stupid

Obama is black. Hillary is a woman. Until neither of those facts makes any difference in this society it is perfectly legitimate to draw attention to them. God knows the racists and sexists have no hesitation.

[EffieBlack]

11. Exactly!!!

One Month Ago:

"Our latest CNN-NBC-CBS-Wall Street Journal-AP-ABC-USA Today poll shows that among black voters, only 40% say they would vote for Barack Obama with the other 60% saying they would vote for other candidates.

"Does this mean that Barack Obama's support in the black community is shaky? Do black Americans think that Barack Obama is not black enough? Today, we are joined by Pat Buchanan, Cokie Roberts, and William Bennett to discuss this poll and tell what it tells us about black voters and how they view Barack Obama."

PAT BUCHANAN: This clearly shows that Barack Obama's support in the black community is shaky, calling in to question whether or not he is black enough for black voters to be comfortable with him.

COKIE ROBERTS: Pat is right. This poll shows that black voters just aren't comfortable with Barack Obama. The fact that Barack Obama has not convinced every single black voter to vote for him shows just how disconnected he is from the black community.

WILLIAM BENNETT: I don't often agree with Cokie, but she's dead on here. I haven't actually talked to any real black people but I don't need to because this poll tells me everything I need to know. It is conclusive proof that black voters just aren't happy with Barack Obama. He's just not black enough for them.

Today

"We are pleased to be joined by Michele Obama, wife of Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama. Mrs. Obama, the latest CNN-NBC-CBS-Wall Street Journal-AP-ABC-USA Today poll shows that among black voters, only 40% say they would vote for your husband with the other 60% saying they would vote for other candidates. Some are saying that this clearly shows that Barack Obama's support in the black community is shaky, calling in to question whether or not he is black enough for black voters to be comfortable with him. Do you agree?"

MICHELE OBAMA: First of all, I think that that's not going to hold. I'm completely confident: black America will wake up, and get . But what we're dealing with in the black community is just the natural fear of possibility. You know, when I look at my life, the stuff that we're seeing in these polls has played out my whole life. You know, always been told by somebody that I'm not ready, that I can't do something, my scores weren't high enough. You know, there's always that doubt in the back of the minds of people of color. People who've been oppressed and haven't been given real opportunities. That you never really believe. That you believe that somehow, someone is better than you. You know, deep down inside, you doubt whether you can do it, because that's all you've been told, is "no, wait." That's all you hear, and you hear it from people who love you. Not because they don't care about you, but bcause they're afraid. They're afraid that something might happen . . . That's the psyschology that's going on in our heads, in our souls, and I understand it. I know where it comes from, and I think that it's one of the horrible legacies of racism and discrimination and oppression.

MAINSTREAM MEDIA: MICHELE OBAMA IS PLAYING THE RACE CARD!!!!!!