I was wrong.

[uppityperson]

There is MUCH more closet racism in this country than I thought. Even up here in the "liberal pacific northwet". I have run into it with people who I did not expect it from, several times. Either that or they ARE buying into the "it's a scary time and only McCain has the experience to deal with it" bs. But when I point out the "scary times" is because of McCain, and his party, and if he gets in it is not only him but the same cabinet of fools, they just shrug and say nothing. These are people who have been pro-democrat forever and now say "well I don't just vote a party but for the man".

Time to start pointing out, or rather directly asking if the reason they won't vote for Obama is because of his skin color. Put it to them directly. Out in the open. If it's embarrassing, tough shit. At least I will know what sort of relationship I can have with them.

This really pisses me off. I mean really. If you are going to be a bigot, just go ahead and get it out in the open. Seriously. Just say it. Lies and deceptions? No way. Just be honest. At least then we know.

Perhaps my problem is that up here in the "liberal pacific northwet" you are not supposed to be open about it. Still.

I was wrong and closet racism is also very wrong.

[RazBerryBeret]

1. yep...

that sucks....I'm in Ohio, and yes, it's out there. we try to ignore it, but it's there....

[Faygo Kid]

20. Yep. 56 here, and I hoped for better. Especially from Dems.

These Tennessee and Oklahoma reps running away from Obama are doing it for one reason: Racism. Plenty more out there. Ugly.

[writes3000]

2. I am glad people are starting to see it for what it is...

Because I think this is one reason why there has been a perception gap in discussing racism.

There are many who don't see the closet racism so they think the other side is paranoid and unjustified in their anger.

AND there are those who only see closet racism and those folks have no idea how many people out there do NOT feel that way.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sufrommich]

6. I was a HRC supporter,I'm not a racist.

Nice,big slanderous paintbrush you have there.

[1Hippiechick]

11. So you are staying with the Democratic Party and supporting Obama? If so, that's GREAT, but will

you please explain to me WHY the HRC supporters (supposedly "millions")are saying that they are leaving the Democratic Party and voting for McCain since HRC's and OHB's platforms were so similar? I would LOVE to hear one rational justification for abandoning the Party for the Repukes. And, BTW, my post said that "I maintain.." and I am entitled to my opinion based on what I've seen and read. Thanks for an explanation, seriously.

[sufrommich]

12. It's not my responsibility to rationally justify anyone's vote

but my own.
"I maintain" that the vast majority of past Hillary supporters are backing Obama and the polls back me up."It's my opinion" that some here use the presence of obvious republican front sites claiming to be pro Clinton sites (and the very few vocal nuts who claim to be Hillary supporters) to do some wholesale bashing of past Hillary supporters whenever they get the chance.

[1Hippiechick]

21. Ok, now I am confused...if those are republican fronts claiming to be pro-Clinton site, why would

they be bashing past Hillary supporters when those are the voters the Repukes are going after? Or did I misunderstand your post?

[sufrommich]

42. To make mischief? It's naive to believe everything

you read on the internets.

[wvbygod]

29. Then post some evidence to back your claim

Anyone can claim anything they desire but it adds credibility if you cite your reasons
and observational evidence. Do you have some examples other than "of course it's..."?

[Skittles]

38. UGLY n/t

[yardwork]

58. Don't believe everything you hear, and please stop attacking other DUers.

If you see a racist post here on DU, alert on it and let the mods take care of it.

[SeaLyons]

63. I supported Hillary

and I am not a racist. To assume all HRC supporters must be racist is very wrong.

[Bake]

75. I supported Hillary and now I support Obama!

In fact, I am more and more enthusiastic in my support of Sen. Obama EVERY DAY!!!!

Bake

[SeaLyons]

77. That's right....

now we support Obama and winning in November.

[sufrommich]

4. I was actually pleasantly surprised today

to hear praise for Obama from someone I would have never guessed would vote for a black man.Maybe for every one we lose because of his color,we can gain 2 because of his excellent campaign.

[uppityperson]

15. That would be nice. I have heard from 1 person I thought was, who isn't.

Which was a nice surprise. I hope as the campaigns go on, more will change.
(edited because I hit post in error.)

[gateley]

5. I think many people don't realize themselves that

they have these underlying prejudices. I think your example of the shrugging and saying nothing response is speaks volumes.

I'm from Seattle and I feel the same way as you - shocked that my fellow PNWers could harbor those feelings.

When someone cites an untruth about Obama, and the truth is shown them, when they go, well how about..... and cite another untruth. I've come to believe their resistance to Obama is racist, whether they see themselves that way or not.

It's been bothering me for a while and I wanted to post about it, but didn't feel I could convey my feelings properly. Thank you for saying it for me!

:hi:

[uppityperson]

16. That is it indeed. And we are so trained to be polite, time to be confrontive.

I wasn't sure about posting, figured I'd be flamed, nice to see others have found this also. Not really "nice", but, think I'll stop now. Thank you also.

[newmajority]

35. Unfortunately, there are some deep "red" pockets in our "blue" state

And not all of them on the other side of the mountains. :(

[wvbygod]

30. Since everyone has some level of underlying prejudices...

Perhaps you could describe yours to help understand why you have come to believe people's
resistance to Obama is racist? What happens after you educate them to the untruths they
express and they run out of them?

[Evergreen Emerald]

7. I lost faith in PNW voters when the governer's race was so close

The republican SUCKED!!!! He was a shill for Bush and was tied to big business. And still he nearly one.

[newmajority]

36. Slick packaging and a complicit whore media.

Rossi was every bit as right wing lunatic as Ellen Craswell. He was just packaged better, and that's not a reference to a sock in his pants! Certainly doesn't hurt when right wing corporatist shill media like Fisher (KOMO) and Belo (KING) have their noses buried right up his ass, which is a benefit poor old Granny Craswell never had.

[Skittles]

8. I received a disgusting email about Obama yesterday

I replied to all and blasted the hell out of it - sender will not be doing THAT again, not to me

[yardwork]

59. Good for you! We need to fight back.

[Cha]

9. Not where I am..I know no racists..

Just lucky I guess.

[uppityperson]

17. I didn't think I did either. That is was is getting to me.

People who I didn't expect it from. They give an excuse, it is countered, another excuse, another counter, finally they just shrug. Perhaps confronting them "so are you saying that you can't vote for him because of his skin color" may open their minds that I thought were open and are proving to not be.

[Cha]

19. Everyone is happy for Obama to be the

Nom and we don't even consider the race..only the man.

[Raine]

10. I'm in CA in Los Angeles County and there's plenty

of it here too. We've been thru this before, if anyone has doubts about underlying racism google "Bradley Effect". :-(

[knixphan]

88. seconded from L.A.

And I fight the good fight.

[davidpdx]

13. There are always going to be some people

who are closet racist and won't vote for BO because of that. I grew up in a small city in Oregon (I wasn't born there though) and encountered plenty of people who were closet racists.

[FrenchieCat]

14. There is a lot of ageism and a lot of sexism too.....

and?

Seems like this thread is just meant to discourage.

I believe that there are a lot of reasons folks vote as they will. I personally don't think that melanin content will be as dire as those carrying around the grey clouds believe.

Obama will win the election, and the 10% who are racists in this country can just pack up and move. I won't be missing them.

I have learned a lot about my fellow men and women this election season, and I am sitting back and learning even more.

[uppityperson]

18. Not meant to discourage anyone, just saying I found out I was wrong and why.

I didn't think some people were closet racists and have found out they are. No more Ms. Niceuppityperson. Time for me to recognize that there are more closet racists than I thought and to confront them.

Sharing with people on DU seems a good thing to do. If what I share discourages you, I am sorry. Finding out others feel as I do is encouraging to me, helps me figure out what to do about it rather than just let it slide.

[1Hippiechick]

23. Couldn't agree with you more. When the subject of politics comes up, hubby and I quickly make it

clear that we support Obama, and that stops racists dead in their tracks. I ask myself, WWOD? Obama has such charisma and character, how would he react in the face of racism? For me, I plan to say "Excuse me, but I am not a racist and
(I won't be part of this conversation) or
(I will not tolerate this kind of talk)

or something similar...and leave their presence immediately!

I want to take the high road because I may be the only "Democrat with class" with whom this person comes in contact!
:shrug:

[Clark2008]

22. I hate to say, "I told you so," but, being from the South, I

work religiously (no pun intended) to point out that we're no different than the rest of the country, except that we really don't have a lot of variety in our media.

And, also, being married to someone from the North, I can honestly say, that, yes, between research and experience, I know that closet racism is EVERYWHERE. It's not just relegated to the South.

[girl gone mad]

32. Actually, I think the South gets an unfair rap.

We have a large minority population, so our dirty laundry is usually out in the open. It's easy to pretend racism doesn't exist when you live in a place where whites are the overwhelming majority. The Pacific Northwest was actually the breeding ground of neo-nazi skinheads.

[KittyWampus]

24. And for everyone ONE person you know like that, there's 10 younger voters or cross-over, moderate

Repub and open-minded independents.

[cyndensco]

25. Our experiences are so different.

You are surprised "closet" racism exists. I am surprised it does not exist to the degree that it would prevent Obama from being the democratic nominee. This race has given me hope that race relations are not as bad as I believed they were.

I agree with Michelle: it is the first time I have really been proud to be an American.

[uppityperson]

27. I am surprised not that it exists, but whom it exisits in.

People I thought I knew better are showing me I didn't know them all that well. That is what surprises me. Of course it exists, but some people surprise me, both racists and non-racists. A very RW acquaintance is very upset that race is an issue, says it shouldn't be and is upset with those making it so, which I also found surprising and nice.

[yardwork]

60. It's interesting, isn't it? People surprise me, too.

When I came out as gay, most of my friends and acquaintances were very supportive. I received less criticism than I expected. In fact, I'd expected some people to be very negative and they were incredibly accepting. There were a very few who surprised me the other way...won't be wasting time with them again!

[union_maid]

26. It's been a surprise to me, too

Mind you, I only know of one Democrat who I know in "real life" who is considering not voting for Obama. That's not a lot, but still,I figured that if you harbor racist tendencies there's a party just tailor made for you, so why be a Dem? It does seem that there are some who just can't make that leap into real equality. There really is no other great reason for a Democrat not to vote for Obama now that he's our candidate.

[wvbygod]

28. Yes, by all means just ask them

I'm curious as to what in these examples you give that they are not voting for Obama because
of racism? What signal are you using to tell they are not being truthful in their reasons?

[uppityperson]

49. Every argument they give me I can counter.

Every argument. That is the reason. When every reason a person gives for voting for McCain they agree is inaccurate, what is left?

[yardwork]

62. To be fair, some Republicans still support the chimp even though they can't think of a reason.

However, I assume that the people you are talking about are not chimp supporters.

Someone posted a thread the other day, saying that there were only three reasons not to support Obama. Either the person is (1) racist, (2) stupid, or (3) a greedy multimillionaire who believes they will personally benefit from McCain policies. I maintain that (3) is a subset of (2), and that most (1)s are also (2)s.

[VotesForWomen]

31. it is not racism; there are other issues which are not even allowed to be discussed on this forum, b

but they will definitely be discussed everywhere else. many here at DU would say these 'concerns' were just covers for racism, but the fact is that they would not come up if it was Colin Powell or Condoleeza Rice or John Conyers etc., running for president. like it or not, the far leftist wing of the democratic party does not represent the electorate as a whole.

[newmajority]

34. Neither does the padded cell club

Thank God for that.

And since when is Obama a "far leftist"??

Hell, Kucinich isn't even a far leftist. He'd be a moderate centrist in any other democracy.

[cui bono]

37. What does the "far leftist wing of the democratic party" have to do with anything?

If you are talking about Obama, you are way off the mark. He's not even close to being far leftist. So if you are talking about him then you are buying into the RW talking points of trying to paint him as a "liberal". If you are talking about him then please don't characterize him like that anymore as it is not accurate and will be used against him at a time when we need to get the moderates and independents.

[VotesForWomen]

39. delete, duplicate. nt

[VotesForWomen]

40. actually, it's his supporters that are the 'far leftist wing,' not him, necessarily, and the point i

the point is that issues which his supporters (the far leftist wing) consider to be of little importance, may be considered quite important by everybody else. and i'm not talking about skin color, or some 'code' for skin color. yes, there are plenty of racists out there, but most of them were already voting republican, and to suggest that anybody who doesn't like/trust/support Obama is a racist is untrue and insulting, and not likely to help Obama win the GE.

[uppityperson]

50. What issues are those? Give me a clue.

You hint at reasons that can't be discussed, and say there are reasons many consider quite important. Give me a hint, just the topic would work.

I'm not saying everyone who doesn't like/trust/support Obama is a racist, but when people give their reasons for supporting McCain, I counter them and they agree those reasons are inaccurate, what is left?

[yardwork]

64. Let's hear these "quite important" issues we're supposedly not allowed to discuss here.

Waiting.

[PylesMalfunction]

73. You're going to be waiting a while

They're no longer with us. So Obama is either a leftist freak or too centrist - depending on the person. :eyes:

[cui bono]

79. I agree that anyone who doesn't support him isn't necessarily racist but

when you have people who are so passionate about one candidate, then when they don't win the primary the supporter says they'll vote for the nominee of the other party, the party and nominee that stand against everything that supporter's other choice stood for rather than the person who beat out their choice - EVEN THOUGH THEIR POSITIONS ARE NEARLY IDENTICAL - my feeling is there is no other explanation. Except if they are saying that out of hurt, anger or frustration and not thinking clearly and come around once they've gotten over it, then it's out of spite/revenge.

[eridani]

46. Anybody who says "far leftist" is a Republican shill

Obama is as centrist as they get, and a wildly enthusiastic cheerleader for keeping the American military empire going. John Conyers is pretty far to the left of Obama.

[Lilith Velkor]

68. I'm a far leftist

I'm to the left of Fidel Castro. Some of my fellow far leftists have fooled themselves into thinking Obama is a leftist at all, and if I try to correct them they just yell racist-racist-racist. It's such bullshit.

And anybody who says I'm a "Republican shill" is a fucking idiot.

[eridani]

82. You obviously aren't someone who is calling Obama a "far leftist" then

Wrong subthread?

[Lilith Velkor]

90. Neither was the Departed to whom you were responding

That poster was calling DUers far leftist. Which many of us are, but certainly not all.

And baiting the mods, it seems. Oops.

Reading comprehension errors create many subthreads here. :)

edit: clarification

[yardwork]

61. If you think that Obama represents the "far leftist wing of the Democratic Party"

you are either extremely misinformed, or maybe you just don't want to admit what bothers you about Obama. He's about as centrist moderate as a candidate can get. Believe me. I consider myself a "far leftist" and Obama is not one.

[Flying Dream Blues]

72. I've been asking others who post this, so I'll ask you...what are the issues

that give you concern about Obama? So far, not one person has answered this question.

[BklynChick]

33. of course racism is alive and well in America; in some hearts and some places it is subtle,in others

it is overt. But the bottom line is, there are enough people who either aren't racist or are not letting race seriously impact their choice to make a difference. And that's a good thing.

[styersc]

41. The title of your thread reads, "I was wrong", and you still are.

You describe it perfectly in your thread. You run into people all the time who think that these are scary times and they don't feel that Obama is the right choice to lead the country. People have been open and explicit with you but because you don't like the answer you have decided to come with racism as an excuse.

Yes there are racists in this country but for the most part they are of a political ideology that would deter them from voting for Obama. We lose nothing with them because they were not likely to vote Dem anyway.

You have to come to grips with the fact that Obama is a very young man with little life experience and less political and leadership experience. This is a great cause of concern for many. You have faith in Obama, but it is FAITH. There is no emperical data, no long list of achievements, that would suggest he will make a good president. That bothers many people. He may get elected and be a fine president but there is nothing in his past that screams to the voter that this is true.

There is not a racist behind every tree. Obama has got to convince people he is up to the task and you screaming racist every time you find yourself without an argument in favor of Obama, based upon achievement, then you hurt the candidate.

[eridani]

47. The time are "scary" only because the Repukes have spent the last 8 years

--changing us from the land of the brave to the land of the well-armed nervous bedwetters with itch trigger fingers. We do face serious threats, but not a single one of them can be dealt with by traditional military force.

[uppityperson]

51. If someone agrees ALL their reasons they gave for supporting McCain are inaccurate,

what is left?

Yes, McCain has the wrong type of experience, yes he has a long list of achievements which are a big part of why we are in scary times, no he does not vote the way I want him to, no I haven't looked at a list of what Obama has done and even if he has done a lot I still don't like him.

What is left? Am I screaming racism or pointing out it exists AFTER all the other arguments are agreed on as inaccurate? You assume too much and seem to know too little.

For your own information, since you don't seem to know either, here are some links on achievements of Obama.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6303258&mesg_id=6303258
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/archive/barackobama/
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6321939&mesg_id=6321939

[SemiCharmedQuark]

55. She can only speak from her experience and I can only speak form mine

The only two DEMOCRATS I know supporting John McCain are doing so because:

1.) He's a muslim
2.) He doesn't have experience *and* the blacks ruined Cicero.

[ieoeja]

65. Forty-six is a young man with little life experience? n/t

[styersc]

76. Yes.

[uppityperson]

93. Did you read the links in this reply to you? Any thoughts on them?

Or on my agreement that McCain does have more experience but the wrong kind?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6377155&mesg_id=6379876

[styersc]

94. The original thread was about racism.

My response was to point out that there are plenty of people who have sincere doubts about Obama related to a laundry list of reasonable issues including his youth, lack of experience as well as stance on particular issues. It is wrong to say that anyone who has yet to be wholly sold on Obama has reservations because they are racists. It is wrong and two dimensional, regardless of all of McCain's shortcomings. Additionally, it is Obama's challenge tgo win over these, "on the fence" voters- same as any other candidate.

[uppityperson]

95. It was. My response was to give you some info.Wondering if you looked at it.

You wrote: "You have to come to grips with the fact that Obama is a very young man with little life experience and less political and leadership experience."

I gave you some info addressing what you say are "facts" and was wondering if you looked at it. Did you look at the info?

I know that there are reasons to wonder about him, to question him. Hence I gave you some links. Did you look at them?

You wrote"you screaming racist every time you find yourself without an argument in favor of Obama". As I said, I gave arguments in favor of Obama and you assume too much with "screaming racism". Racism does exist, not screaming it in lieu of facts, but giving facts, and when the other person has no argument against those facts, am asking what is left?

[yardwork]

66. Thank you for your concern.

You say that "Obama is a very young man with little life experience and less political and leadership experience."

I disagree on every point. First, I'm one year older than Obama and nobody calls me a "very young person" anymore. Obama is almost fifty.

Obama has little life experience? Wrong. His background and experiences are multicultural, multinational, and broad. He's been a constitutional professor, a successful politician on the local, regional, state, and national stage, a father and husband, and he's run a great national campaign for president. What background and experience make McCain so much better?

Obama has no political or leadership experience? Wrong again. State representative, U.S. senator, the Democratic candidate for president. Everyone is impressed with his great campaign for president. It's the best campaign I've seen in my lifetime.

[unblock]

43. many people will be looking for an excuse to vote against obama

overt racism is certainly present, but relatively small numbers will own up to explicit racism these days.

far more common is a discomfort that a white person can't bear to acknowledge to himself is in fact racism. it is these people who the republicans will target, and will offer up excuse after excuse to vote against obama. these excuses will have little to no merit, but eventually these people will cling to one excuse or another because it is easier for them to accept than to admit to racism.

it is not far from the logic by which republicans believe in self-serving deregulation and tax cuts and corporate largesse on the grounds that these supposedly help the economy. it's a more palatable excuse than to admit to themselves that it's just plain greed.


however, white guilt is such that many more (hopefully!) will vote FOR obama regardless, because they can't bear to think that they voted against a black man lest they be accused, possibly by themselves, of that same racism.

[uppityperson]

52. Exactly. Thank you.

I am hoping that the campaign will publicize more and as the next months pass, people will listen and read, but again I may be being naive.

[unblock]

69. one thing about racism: it's mostly about ignorance.

MANY racists, even overt racists, know ONE member of that minority group they might be chummy with or even quite good friends with. in any event, they think THAT person is all right, it just the rest of 'em that they have a problem with.


as people get to know obama over the next few months, he becomes OBAMA and not THAT BLACK GUY running for president. even racists will start to think of him as a known person and not just a black man.

same way even racists got to like tiger woods, e.g.

[Pacifist Patriot]

44. It's incredibly difficult to view one's own milieu with an objective eye. We live in...

a patriarchal culture steeped in institutional racisim and heterosexism. We also value youth and beauty with little to no regard for wisdom and principle. Our language, customs, entertainment and laws perpetuate these values without our giving it much thought.

This is why the courage of our modern prophets is so vital.

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[uppityperson]

54. Oh bullshit. If I present an issue, and how I am dealing with it, this makes me republican?

bullshit. Talking with people and challenging prejudices is republican? Bullshit. Insulting members is fine though? Bullshit.
Acknowledging a problem and saying it is wrong is republican? bullshit.

In case you didn't understand, bullshit.

[valerief]

70. I already have you pegged anyway. I've got your number. nt

[NOLALady]

80. Uppityperson is right.

Racism should always be challenged.

In our silence we are complicit.

[uppityperson]

91. Moi aussi. You totally miss the point and present false accusations.

Glad you have me pegged as someone who can recognize I was naive, and now can deal with it. I guess you prefer to not confront racism instead and would rather pretend it isn't real. "If you talk about it enough, you'll make it true, huh?" No, totally wrong. Acknowledging that something is real makes one able to deal with it. Different for you I guess.

Tata

[yardwork]

67. I don't think that was the reason for this thread.

[Apollo11]

48. It's always a good idea to challenge prejudice

If you suspect that someone you know is allowing prejudice to negatively affect their political judgement - it is your duty to call them on it! B-)

[SemiCharmedQuark]

56. Yes! And eventually any pretense they came up with slips away

My uncle said he was voting for McClane because Obama doesn't have experience. So I brought over my Obama folder and showed his legislative accomplishments. They he said he thought McCain was more savvy. So I showed all of his gaffes, his 894/899 ranking, etc. So then he said that McCain was changing politics. So I listed his lobbyist ties, the Keating 5, his flip flops on the environment etc. and he gets flustered and finally it slips: I just don't trust the blacks. They ruined Cicero.

And so I said "thank you very much" and walked out.

[treestar]

53. With this type, pointing it out to them only makes them stiffen

I'd let Obama overcome it himself. There will be a lot of TV coverage. This type of idiot makes "exceptions" for the non-white people they know, and they "know" anyone with a lot of media coverage.

Face it, the morans decide the election. The type who pays no attention until the last minute. At that point, Obama's abilities will overshadow McLame's - they will be impressed by Obama at that point and we will be pointing out that McBush will change nothing.

[yardwork]

57. One advantage to living in a red state is that I never get my hopes very high in the first place.

I've witnessed blatant acts of racism here in North Carolina, as I did in Ohio when I lived there. I'm not talking about closet racism, either. I'm talking about white people deliberately doing and saying offensive things right in the face of a black person.

Examples. Once I was waiting in line on Christmas Eve day to buy oysters. The store was running low. I worried that they might be out by the time my turn came. No oyster stew for Christmas Even dinner! When the turn came for the black man in front of me, the white female clerk looked right past him and asked how she could help me. I said, "I believe that this gentleman was next." The clerk gave me a dirty look and with a great show of reluctance and rudeness waited on the black man. She tried to tell him that there were no oysters, but when I said, behind him in line, "Oh no. I guess I'll have to go somewhere else," she admitted that there were enough oysters left to serve us both. I could barely look at the man who was being treated this way - on Christmas Eve, no less, by someone who certainly considered herself to be a Christian. He looked stoic. He was clearly used to this sort of thing.

On other occasions I've been with black physicians who were clearly not only older than me, but much higher in social status, only to have their local restaurant ignore them and ask for my order first. One female black doctor in a rural town said that her patients were grateful that she was there - she was the only doctor who accepted Medicaid and uninsured patients in the county - but many of her white patients could not bring themselves to call her "Doctor." They insisted on calling her "Mz. ___." Of course they referred to white doctors by their title - even though those white doctors wouldn't give them the time of day because they had no health insurance.

Don't even get me started on things I've heard white people say when they're not around any black people. And they expect me - another white person - to go along with it! I've dropped several friends over this.

[NC_Nurse]

86. That is so sad. I never see stuff like that here, but I'm in a liberal oasis here.

The most racist person I've ever met here was actually from Minnesota. I was shocked at some of the things
that came out of her mouth. :(

[MaryEllen71]

71. i've heard another reason for not voting for Obama

From my in laws and the woman who cleans my mom's house: If Obama wins, Al,Louis and Jesse will take over. :wtf:

[NOLALady]

81. Do you think that could be racism?

[MaryEllen71]

83. yes

I certainly do

[Stinky The Clown]

74. I could not agree with you more

It is, in my view, past the time when we should have had a black president. I also think the country is, in fact, ready for this.

But we have to overcome the bigotry that is rampant. I'm not sure it is racism. I am certain it is bigotry.

[dorktv]

78. I know people who have to seriously think if they are going to for Senator Obama or not.

and no, it has nothing to do with his skin colour. It has to do with his being only a three year senator. His lack of any major policy or laws to his credit and uneasiness having someone so new to the national stage take over. There are other issues they may have with his policies (health care was and is mine.)


Do you have any idea how hard it is to talk to a Senator Obama supporter about your uneasiness? They start badgering you with "reasons" for you to ignore your concerns and do what they want. And if you do not immediately agree, they start accusing you of being racist or tell you you cannot possibly be a real Democrat.

Ignoring the grave concerns a person has and insulting them really does little to help.

[democrat2thecore]

84. It's EVERY race - I was in Newark and (more inside)

I used to have to travel to Newark 3 or 4 times a year. The old Mayor (Sharpe James) was as crooked as they come (in fact, he was finally indicted and his trial is underway), there were blacks all over that city who voted for James just because he was black - period. When Cory Booker ran the first time (and lost) the argument was whether Booker was "black enough." Racism in politics is everywhere. Sad - but true. I hope with Obama in the White House things will change. We've come a LONG way, but we still have many miles to travel before we rid our society of racism - all the way around.

[uppityperson]

92. I know people like that also.

Being told, for years, about all the bad things the repubs are doing, and then saying "I'm not voting for the party but the man", while acknowledging they are voting for the party and not the man, having every argument countered, and still "voting for the man", that is what gets me.

Yes, I am uneasy about Obama also and do not see him as being able to overcome a whole lot of the bs that has happened and is going on. But, I am voting against letting the repubs continue on as they have. Someone who has totally hated the repubs, and is voting for McCain as "the man", what else can I think?

I haven't accused anyone of being racist, have NOT been doing this even here on DU. But for some people, it does come down to that, and it has surprised me with the people who it has occurred with (both racists I didn't expect, and non-racists I did).

Saying closet racism doesn't exist really does little to help.

[27inCali]

85. the Racists are outnumbered.

It speaks volumes that they don't even got the guts to say it outright.

[knixphan]

87. needs to be said AGAIN!

"Put it to them directly. Out in the open. If it's embarrassing, tough shit."

Damn right.

:kick:

[bridgit]

89. yes, much more, and from many sides it would seem

:(