Racism Is Unacceptable. It Cuts Beyond The Political Game. It Is Real, And It Is Shameful.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

I can't sit back so quietly any longer. After watching Olbermann's special comment tonight, I knew in my heart he was right. I didn't agree with every single aspect of what he said, but I didn't need to in order to recognize that the core of what he was saying, the spirit of what he was saying, was absolutely right.

This is a post of objectivity and reality. It is a post that is as real as it gets from me.

As soon as I learned about Ferraro's comments I was immediately bothered by them. But because of my DU addiction and the tone of GDP, instead of focusing directly on that issue I instead felt inclined to protect Hillary from the backlash, since I knew some would try and connect it to her. At the time, knowing how disgusted I had been, I felt confident that Hillary would quite quickly condemn with force those remarks and issue an unmistakably clear statement that such comments are reprehensible. Unfortunately, as I type this right now, that hasn't occurred and it is too late to change that.

I've seen defenses of Ferraro's statements, and I let many slide because lord knows the Clinton side here gets beat up enough already. But there is a line sometimes that transcends politics and candidates, and racism is one of them.

Geraldine's comments were beyond a shadow of a doubt racist, even though I am convinced that she doesn't BELIEVE that they were. But one need not believe in something being racist for it to in fact be racist. The fact of the matter is that she used his race as the defining characteristic of why he is where he is. It was said in a condescending way and almost with resentment. Now granted, I understand how passionate she is that Hillary be the nominee, but politics should never trump the concept of finding racism unacceptable. It was if with her comments, she was implying that Obama could've just been any black man, and that it's all some game of "Hey!!! Let's boost up a black guy for once! It's time!". That is, in essence, what she was attempting to get at. She was acting like if you take away the fact he's black, then he would've been home licking his wounds by now. By saying such a thing, she is undermining him as not being a person just like anyone else, but instead just being a novelty; a black novelty. Yes, such a mindset is most certainly racist.

But the problem is that she doesn't even know it. In fact, those continuing to defend her don't even know it. That's a huge problem, and one that's even more of a problem than blatant racism.

I say that because racism still permeates our society to unacceptable degrees. It's softer than it used to be, it's more hidden than it used to be, it's more subtle than it used to be, but it exists just the same. The fact of the matter is that so many in our society continue to be so blind to the subtle racism that exists everywhere, and continue to let it slide as if it's ok. Make no mistake; it isn't. Geraldine and others don't recognize that her words were racist because they're so ACCUSTOMED to such things being ok to say. They're accustomed to the nuances and subtleties of racism that permeate our society, and aren't aware enough to actually recognize the racism.

That's what bothers me about all of this. It's the fact that we have grown as a society to recognize blatant in your face racism and for the most part when displayed our society stands up and condemns such things. But what is so sad is that subtle racism, nuanced racism and justtttttt approaching the line type racism, is largely ignored and ofttimes not even recognized by so many. This is the 21st century. By now, any display of racism should glare out to us all like a piece of food stuck in someone's teeth. But that's not the case. Sometimes, we need to be spoonfed the explanations of racism in order to see it at all, and even then sometimes still fail to understand. But my friends, that just simply is not good enough. Racism, subtle or otherwise, is simply unacceptable.

Back to the issue. Hillary of all people should be able to recognize racism when confronted with it. She had the opportunity, yet for political reasons; since Geraldine was probably valuable as a friend to her; chose lazy dismissal of the incident over doing the right thing and outright condemning it strongly and in unwavering fashion. That was a mistake. It was even more of a mistake because this issue had visibility. Whenever an issue of racism arises in an arena where a strong message against it could be sent to MILLIONS, such an opportunity should NEVER be missed. Not for politics, not for convenience, not for ANY reason. She had the chance to send the right message to the american people. She had the chance to remind everyone that racism is simply unacceptable; period. I'm saddened to say this opportunity was in fact missed, and it makes my heart heavy to say that.

It makes my heart heavy because I know when it comes right down to it, we aren't as far ahead in this society as we should be. Racism, though in a more subtle way, is still far too acceptable to far too many, and that, in and of itself, is a disgrace.

To any Hillary supporters who won't condemn Geraldine: I ask you to reconsider. Step back from politics for a second and try and see what is right. Please, please agree that racism, even when subtle, is unacceptable and not something that ANY of us should tolerate or keep silent about. Remember what I'm about to say, and remember it LOUD and CLEAR: What you tolerate, you teach.

We cannot continue to teach others around us that subtle racism is ok. It isn't. It is every bit as unacceptable as blatant racism. Please realize that.

Obama is most definitely not where he is on account of being black. Her saying so, even without realizing she was doing so, exposed her as someone who is still a victim to the inherent acceptance of the subtle racism around us. To those who condemn racism and can recognize subtle racism, we all know that her comments were disgusting and inaccurate. I hope those who have not gotten there yet will step back from the bias of politics and try and reach a level where they can see just why this is true.

Obama is where he is because he is a talented, intelligent, inspiring and motivational politician. Unfortunately, that gets muddied because as a society and as this primary season has readily exposed in many ways, we are still way too consumed with racism and sexism when viewing our society as a whole. I'm saddened to have to say that, but it's the truth. Because of that, some men have gone to Obama, some women have gone to Hillary, some african americans have aligned with Obama, and minor bigots to major bigots have gone to Hillary. The rest of their support has been from regular people who don't give a shit that she's a woman or he an african american, but instead just view them as, well, good candidates.

But because of the inherent sexism and racism that still permeates our society, both gender and race have come into play. That's a shame, but it's the truth. It kinda proved that even if in the end of it all we DO elect our first woman or african american president, that there were large parts of the country still not thrilled to have done either. My god we should be so much better than that by now. I've seen throughout this season that we're not, though thankfully many of us are. Just simply not enough of us (us meaning our society in general).

But as it relates to Obama, he is competitive and ahead because of who he is, as a HUMAN BEING. Sure, he is getting almost all of the black vote with many of them doing so due to race. But we can't view that in a vacuum. When combining those going to Hillary because of gender, with those going to Hillary due to their own minor if not major bigotry issues, those numbers are almost undoubtedly a wash. See, when you break down the numbers and try and discern %'s of those voting genuinely, meaning on the candidates' merits instead of races or genders, you'd see that it is still an amazingly competitive race with Obama likely ahead. So if the black vote was more evenly split as we'd expect otherwise, if the southern males (and many others for that matter) weren't racist, if some weren't picking Hillary based on gender, we'd likely see that they'd BOTH still be competitive and that the numbers given back to each in the respective categories would still put Obama as being ahead. So saying he's ahead because of being black, or because of blacks aligning with him, is just an exercise of stupidity. It is patently false.

But it is so easy for people to say that. It is so easy for people to dismiss, and at times even approve of, Geraldine's comments. That is UNACCEPTABLE. Her comments were racist whether intentionally so or not. They are not readily recognized by some as being such because as a society, we tolerate and accept far too much racism and are so accustomed to such things as being normal, that it doesn't cause us alarm. But that needs to come to an end. It starts with sending a strong message EACH and EVERY time such racism, subtle or not, is detected. It starts with all of us. Hillary had the chance to declare to millions that even subtle racism is unacceptable. She missed that opportunity. I'm very disappointed in her for that. But I'm not gonna miss mine. I AM going to make a strong statement against Geraldine's comments and other people's acceptance of them. In fact, I just did.

Racism is unacceptable. Always. Period.

Please, stand up and declare the same.

[NDambi]

1. Wow Op..excellent post..KO's substance was right...he called it right..glad you could see it..

This is a great post.

Most excellent.

Bravo

Edited to add: Thanks for taking the high road.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

2. Wow.

Well done. If people on both sides could speak about issues this calmly and rationally, GDP would be a joy.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

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

[DarienComp]

21. just stop already.

[liberalmike27]

123. Sadly

Her actions represent the very thing republican claim we democrats, and they do regarding black people. They have accused in the last few years, that we only think black people succeed due to the special favors given to them by affirmative action. I've been fighting that perception, I've been claiming it to be just a republican invention to cheapen the idea that we are just trying to level a long skewed playing field. But her remarks are a classic example of exactly what Rush Limbaugh would have said.

I think of the phrase a lot of people used to utter when accused of racism; "Some of my best friends are black." It's hard to see the racism in this remark, but it is there, in a very subtle form.

One other comment I'd make about this is the perception that it was a lone act by her. Sure, I think some acts are individual, but a lot more of these things are orchestrated by the campaigns that we care to believe. There is a lot more incentive for a losing campaign to use these methods, and in her case racism. Did she do it alone, or was it the plan, to make the remark, to resign from the campaign, and run around in indignant on all the television shows to continue making the point.

Looking at the motivation it is clear the effect they hope to derive. Blacks are already voting 90/100 for Obama, so they aren't going to lose a lot of votes. But the whole reason the racial thing has risen from Clinton in SC, to now is clear. They are trying to shave off white voters from Obama, by attempting to draw him into a black/white situation. There are still a lot more caucasians out there, and she has more hispanics. He's stayed above the fray, but it may be working to some extent. But making it black and white is exactly the strategy for which they were aiming.

[IsItJustMe]

31. Please stop it!

[feedingfrenzy]

133. Obama loves Racism so much that he makes it up

where it doesn't exist.

[ajamo]

144. Press

This morning's paper the Elkhart Truth (Elkhart, In) it stated that Obama is going to Indiana to speak. Further in the article it stated that the majority of the voters in Indiana are black. This was uncalled for, and the writer was the AP.
This language is uncalled for, everyone should remember not everyone is of one blood. I maybe but my children are not and their children are not. We don't call them mix breeds do we.
Stop the racial bull crap now, and lets get our country back.
I hope to get a chance to vote in a new primary, I live in Michigan and voted uncommitted.

[unapatriciated]

44. know your enemy

the Rw have been playing you and many on this board. If we keep on the "he said she said" train we are bound to be derailed come November.

" Buchanan’s strategies were Rove-esque before Karl Rove had even graduated from high school. Buchanan and his top aide recommended staging counterfeit attacks by one Democrat on another, arranging demonstrations and spreading rumors to bring down the opposition, fouling up scheduled events, all the while being careful not to arouse the suspicions of authorities. Nixon was elected in 1968, and Buchanan went with him, becoming a White House speechwriter and advisor."

"Keep an eye out for Buchanan ’08. He’s still a bundle of anger, outrage, aggression, intolerance, and he’s not done with America yet."

http://www.campusprogress.org/tools/282/

I applaud the poster for refusing to board that train. We all need to remind our candidates and each other to stick to the issues and not fall into the same trap that the Repugs have been setting since 1972.

[katty]

167. RW/GOP: divide the Dems and then conquer in GE

[N4457S]

192. Oh, No Kidding!

We're fast setting up a scenario in which one of these parties is going to be pissed off enough to just fucking stay home in November.

And we'll end up with Gimpy.

And then the party will tear itself to shreds.

I think the party is gonna split in two.

[milkyway]

63. Yes, Obama has really tried sooo hard to make himself "the black guy" in this campaign. He has put

all his efforts into making sure he's this campaign's Al Sharpton because he knew that was the way for a black man to win the presidency.

Geez, how ridiculous can you get.

[guruoo]

72. But we're not supposed to remember that part. n/t

[theboss]

76. Remember when there was a huge question as to whether he could even win the black vote?

Apparently not.

Black voters are clearly siezing an opportunity to make history. But they are also clearly doing so of their own free will. Obama has not asked for or assumed that he would receive such a percentage of the vote.

Frankly, running against a Clinton, he had no right to expect it.

So, stop acting like his campaign is built upon it.

[anonymeme]

90. hueyshort for Prez! huey's an ET & We Earthlings Need a REAL CHANGE to Be Rid of Terraism!

hueyshort for Prez! huey's an ET & We Earthlings Need a REAL CHANGE to Be Rid of Terraism!

Down with Terraism! hueyshort in '08! ~*:bounce:*~

[TheWraith]

91. Oh hey, another smear merchant who joined on March 4th and racked up 268 posts in a week.

I hope they're paying you folks enough for this duty.

[George II]

112. No he hasn't - i'ts amazing that the people who say that can't be specific...Rovian, if you ask me!

[RandomKoolzip]

3. Big fat rec.

[Umbram]

4. Thank you for your strong post. (nt)

[JohnnyLib2]

5. Thanks. My mind has been reeling, sorting, sifting.

You've definitely helped. Recommended.

[bling bling]

6. I knew you had it in you. I've been disappointed it took this long.

You're true to yourself OMC. You've always been that way and even when I've disagreed with you I admired that about you.

I'm glad to see you standing up like this. You really belong on the side where people have their eyes OPEN. It's more your style.

But whatever. I'm just glad to see the truth about this being stood up for no matter where it comes from.

[femmedem]

7. Thanks. I appreciate every word of that. n/t

[keep_it_real]

9. WOW, this is prime time television material

"By saying such a thing, she is undermining him as not being a person just like anyone else, but instead just being a novelty; a black novelty. Yes, such a mindset is most certainly racist.

But the problem is that she doesn't even know it. In fact, those continuing to defend her don't even know it. That's a huge problem, and one that's even more of a problem than blatant racism.

I say that because racism still permeates our society to unacceptable degrees. It's softer than it used to be, it's more hidden than it used to be, it's more subtle than it used to be, but it exists just the same."

I have recognized and been say this (not in the same word) for forever. But you got it you understand it is the subtle racism that is our biggest problem that the blatant form.

This my be the BEST post I ever read here. This is Ph.D material.

[slinkerwink]

10. thank you. I don't support racism or sexism, and I will not

defend such statements as made. I've called out Obama supporters and troll-rated them on Dailykos for using the word "bitch" and I've troll-rated Clinton supporters for making racist statements on Dailykos as well. I am a Democrat, and the Democratic Party is supposed to be the bastion of progressive values that seek to move us past racism and sexism and other forms of bigotry in our society. It's not right when a Democratic candidate uses racism in our society as a dog-whistle to racist supporters. That should be condemned in our own party, because we don't expect it from Democrats---we expect it from Republicans.

[shrub chipper]

11. Thanks for your post

The Democratic Party CANNOT afford to cast off such a faithful part of its coalition due to casual racism and we have to speak up against it.

[ecstatic]

12. Thank you OMC nt

[Starbucks Anarchist]

13. K&R.

[karynnj]

14. I'm incredibly impressed by this honest post - you make a million good points here

It is sad that Ferraro seems incapable of standing back and seeing why what she said was wrong.

[krkaufman]

180. Well, I prefer to avoid such cynicism ...

... but it's possible that Ferraro's aggressive defensiveness is calculated, to stir certain sentiments amongst a targeted demographic.

[DarienComp]

15. Standing ovation.

Thank you very much.

[MojoMojoMojo]

16. Nicely written but, you are delusional.

"When combining those going to Hillary because of gender"
If your claim that analyzing voters preference by race is racist.Why are you not a sexist pig?
Im not saying that you are or are not.
But I think your racism cries are totally unjustified and Obama is manipulative for creating the issue.
The great uniter is being divisive.
There is real racism in the world.For you all to make a big deal out of this only cheapens true outrage for racism.

[Tarheel_Dem]

39. Went right over your head, didn't it?

:eyes:

[Lautremont]

40. The problem with your post is that you're apparently taking on the job

of drawing the line where something is too racist as opposed to being a little racist, but not enough to get bothered by. So you think you're the one to draw this line? Ferraro said that Obama would not be where he was were he not black, a statement carrying a possibly unintended (but who cares) subtext that he's otherwise not good enough to be a presidential candidate, or God forbid president.

Now, that's a racist statement; and it's not on the same level as putting on a white robe and firebombing a black family's house, but it's racist. So, now that you've essentially offered to draw the line for us on how racist is TOO racist, I'm happy to sit back and watch you draw that line. Have a lot of fun with it.

[MojoMojoMojo]

128. You are the ones making RACIST assumptions!Look in the mirror.

"subtext that he's otherwise not good enough to be a presidential candidate, or God forbid president."
If you draw that assumption ,you are the problem.

[NorthernSpy]

140. Stop.

That's enough.

[haymakeragain]

161. Wow!

Talk about intentionally wrong-headed. Where is that cake?

[LaurenG]

105. This was racism

And the OP is a class act. Usually those who are the most delusional cannot see it in themselves but freely point it out to others.

Above all, to thine own self be true and that is what we have witnessed from OMC, that and kindness a thing sorely lacking around here lately.

[ekwhite]

113. No shame at all, Mojo?

You are turning on someone who has been a major supporter of Senator Clinton on this board. OMC has consistently defended her and her campaign. You should be listening to the OP.

[MojoMojoMojo]

148. Its not which side Im on ,Its whats right or wrong

I simply disagree.You all are making a big deal out of nothing just to elevate your candidate.Obama is encouraging it.Obama should learn to practice what he preaches and stop causing "bickering".
So muich for his words,they have no meaning.

[haymakeragain]

162. Two spaces after a period. FYI.

Might lend a little credibility to your drivel if you used proper punctuation. Just a thought.

[shadowknows69]

17. K+R OMC

Well said.

[Umbram]

18. K&R.

[Quixote1818]

19. Awesome post. Good for you in being truthful with yourself. Sometimes that is hard to do.

When you really care about your candidate. K and R.

[NewHampshireDem]

20. K&R

Thank you.

Frankly, I'm waiting for the e-mail. You know the one I'm talking about. It'll come from that guy who sent the one about Barak going to school at a madrassa and won't say the Pledge of Allegiance. It'll be all about how Obama has been handed everything from college admissions to the forefront of the Democratic Party because he was lucky enough to be born black.

I have to say, a week ago it was a toss-up for me between Obama and Clinton. This week has sure made things a lot clearer.

[alcibiades_mystery]

22. In miracle of miracles

I agree with OMC.

[BlueIdaho]

23. Wow

I respect your heartfelt candor. As Democrats we need to stand up and be counted - racism - sexism - ageism and any other ism are wrong. If we can't agree on that we don't deserve to win an election for dog catcher let lone POTUS. I respect your courage and your honesty.

May the BEST candidate win.

[yardwork]

24. I posted much the same today as well. Thanks for telling it like it is OMC!

[Pushed To The Left]

25. K & R! Racism is never acceptable. Props to Clinton for rejecting Ferraro's comments n/t

[dana_b]

26. great post!! n/t

[Bjorn Against]

27. OMC I just gained a lot of respect for you...

I will admit I have disagreed with many things you have said in the past, but this post is so beautifully stated that it makes up for everything you have said that has made me want to bang my head into the wall.

It is good to see you being objective and being able to speak out against something coming from your own candidates campaign, I really wish more people would do that. I am not just talking about Clinton supporters either, Obama supporters also need to speak out when the Obama campaign crosses the line which it has on several occasions perhaps most notably the McClurkin incident.

If more people were willing to do what you just did we would have a much better world as our candidates would feel more accountable if they knew that not even their usual supporters would defend them if they crossed a certain line.

Please I encourage people to learn something from OMC's post no matter what candidate you support.

[Barack_America]

28. Of course.

I'm glad to stand with you on this one.

[IsItJustMe]

29. The best post I have ever read here at DU. KO nailed and you just nailed it. I had the exact same

thoughts, feeling, and attitudes that you just expressed, but you articulated it perfectly.

Thank you

[Warren DeMontague]

30. Well Said, OMC.

K&R.

:applause:

[americanstranger]

32. Post. Of. The. Year.

Well done, OMC. I knew I respected you for a reason.

Stand against racism. I stand proudly with you.

- as

[BumRushDaShow]

33. Wow. Just wow.

You have been this close >< to being put on my ignore list but I will post to say I appreciate your thorough and well-thought out post.

Racism DOES go all ways. There is no doubt about it. But the issue, at least in this election cycle, is that maybe, just maybe, we can continue the multi-century process of getting beyond it... And I really do think the "new media" (internet, cable, etc) is helpful in that regard. When one is isolated, one becomes insular and just that lack of exposure to other people with other cultures and other points of view not only tends to lead to internalizing stereotypes, but leads to irrational fear of the "unknown" and eventually hatred.

Let us hope that we can heal.

[FlyingSquirrel]

34. Just for that I'm taking you off ignore.

:7 Just kiddin you're back on.

Just kiddin you weren't on.

[tishaLA]

35. Thanks. Excellent post

And yes, racism, like sexism and homophobia, needs to be met with our immediate, swift, and unequivocal condemnation.

[bigbrother05]

36. OMC we rarely agree on anything

but i keep reading your post. Thanks for watching KO, and for your thoughtful words. I know that was hard for Keith to do, but it needed to be said

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

37. Well said. Thank you.

[Generic Brad]

38. You should be the keynote speaker at the Democratic Convention this fall

Outstanding! Thank you for so eloquently stating what we less talented mortals could only dream of expressing.

[keep_it_real]

46. Hear, hear ! ! !

[Tatiana]

41. Best post I've read all year. Recommended to infinity and beyond. n/t

[Hosnon]

42. Great post OMC.

I think I will look back at this post, this night, and recognize the beginning of the unification of the Democratic Party.

For the first time in a long time, DU's core has shone through its confusion.

Thanks.

[moc]

43. Thank you so much for this incredible post.

Reading some of the defense offered for Ferraro's comments, I've wondered if I've fallen down the rabbit hole.

You have restored my faith in rationale discourse. Thank you for that.

:applause:

[Tarheel_Dem]

45. This may be the first and last time we ever agree on anything, but....

that is one brilliant and introspective post. Cheers to you OMC.:toast:

[Martin Eden]

187. OMC should shorten it up just a bit, and submit.

Seriously, it is far better than 99.9% of anything you will read in the national print media.

[Tarheel_Dem]

195. I agree Martin, and the fact that he's a Clinton supporter could have

a tremendous positive impact on how they run their campaign going forward. I just don't understand how her AA supporters can sit by and watch this without saying something publicly, especially Maxine Waters. I'm very disappointed.

[JimGinPA]

47. Wow! Very Impressive. The OP Shows The Depth Ot Thought You Put Into This Subject...

Recommended.


:toast:

[loveangelc]

48. This should be in an op-ed of major newspapers around the U.S.

[SunsetDreams]

49. Absolutely agree with your post!

Thank you so much for speaking out about this, your gracious heart is shining like a beacon :)

[doublethink]

50. Ya know ....... this is the second, maybe third OP tonight ......

that I can unequivocally say .... that maybe some common sense, sanity, is returning to DU GD-P. Rationality, truth, looking within ourselves, finding answers. Thanks OMC ... a very healing post.

ps: Still keeping an eye on you just the same, ;) !!! Peace. K&R.

[democrattotheend]

51. Kudos to you

In this toxic environment, it takes courage to admit when your candidate is wrong about something. There have been several times over the past couple months when something has been said about one of the candidates that I had hoped we could all get together and agree was wrong (this episode, Shuster's comment about Chelsea, Republicans attacking Obama's patriotism, Steve King), but it hasn't happened, and that is upsetting to me. Regardless of candidate preference, we should all be outraged when a Republican congressman says that terrorists will be dancing in the street if one of our candidates gets elected president, but instead I saw comments here along the lines of "Obama deserves it because he failed to denounce McClurkin". I applaud you for being honest and being willing to call out racism when you see it despite how it reflects on your candidate.

As an Obama supporter, I am disappointed with Clinton's failure to denounce Ferraro's comments more forcefully, just as have been disappointed with Obama for not denouncing certain surrogates at times. But I don't believe she is a racist, just as I don't believe Obama is homophobic.

Again, thanks for standing up and making a statement about racism that we as Democrats should all be able to get behind regardless of our candidate preference.

[mmonk]

52. Thanks OMC. Great post.

I recognize subtle racism because I've grown up in Helms country. I've even seen pols down here in the past taking advantage of it. Where I never thought I'd see it is in our primary. Stupidly, I thought it had pretty much had gone away at least through it's recognizability. But all this has been quite depressing. Hope the party mends and people get a grip. We were given a gift in the unpopularity of our republican opposition. I hope we don't blow it for the stupidity lately.

[Berry Cool]

53. It takes a big person to admit something like this.

My hat's off to you, OMC. K&R

[ORDem]

54. Thank you so much for your heartfelt and rational post.

No one has said it better IMHO.

:loveya:

[stevenleser]

55. K&R, OMC reminds me here why among many HRC supporters, he is not on my ignore list

This is the OP of someone for whom truth and justice is more important than devotion to a candidate.

[Bonobo]

56. You are right of course.

I commend you, OMC. You are a tremendous person.

A real mensch, you are.

Got a good soul even though you're a cratchety old fuck half the time.

[elixir]

57. You certainly made an excellent post but you did get kicked around a bit. Good job.

[ms liberty]

58. Heartfelt and sincere. Thank you, OMC...

you are a brave and valiant soul. I commend you, and agree with you wholeheartedly.

[Armstead]

59. An epic post and worth every word

[grantcart]

60. Very thoughtful, insightful and well written

it is the most hopeful thread I have read in a long time given your very deep committments.

(you still drive me crazy a lot of the time lol)

[NickMorgan]

61. integrity

This is an extremely moving post. I think it inspires us so much because you've demonstrated true integrity, which is always in some way the act of choosing principle over immediate interests and loyalty. I think integrity is the core of political and moral responsibility. Too much of the discourse now, and over the last 7 years, has been nothing but fighting with words, the clash of rigid loyalties, with everyone holding their opponents to standards they don't meet, failing to listen as well as they want to be heard, refusing to credit the other side with good ideas, leaping to judge a point of view solely by the loyalties of its speaker. Integrity is independence of judgment and self-honesty. Fundamentally, it is what makes progress possible where it otherwise would be permanently hampered by refusals to break loyalties or cede to principle.

[scheming daemons]

62. I've completely misread you, OMC. EXCELLENT post. Almost as good as KO tonight....

I'm ready to bury the hatchet with you.


You're the real deal, and I'm proud to call you a fellow Democrat.

[scheming daemons]

64. In Honor Of This Thread, We Should All Capitalize The First Letter Of Every Word In The Thread...

;-)

After all... that's OMC's signature style.

[ClassWarrior]

65. You?? Sitting back quietly??

:rofl:

Seriously, Crime, excellent post. Thanks for sharing that. For once, you're right.

:toast:

NGU.

[DerekJ]

66. Can't say anything others haven't already said!! We need more of those posts from both sides

It's time to call what's wrong wrong.

[writes3000]

67. I am so impressed with this post and you. Thanks for taking a stand.

And please note - I understand that this isn't an abandonment of Hillary or an endorsement of Barack.

You are just speaking your truth about this incident.

Again, I'm impressed.

[milkyway]

68. A very pleasant surprise. And there's no doubt Ferraro was doing the bidding of the campaign.

Her initial ramblings might be excused as speaking spontaneously and not as part of the campaign's strategy. But when those remarks became well-publicized and controversial, she undoubtedly would have spoken with high level people at the campaign, if not Clinton herself. And was Ferraro quieted? Was she publicly rebuked or dismissed? No, she was sent back out to claim publicly that she was only being attacked because she was white.

Well, thanks for clearing that up once and for all. This has removed all doubt that the Clintons have been making strong appeals for the votes of racists. By saying she had been attacked because she was white, Ferraro was speaking to, and for, every pissed off white person who thinks they haven't gotten a job, or accepted to a college, because of the lucky blacks who have been given everything without having to work for it (don't forget, Hillary's a hard worker!--not like some people we know). She's a white person being victimized by blacks again.

I posted a thread here at DU the morning after New Hampshire in which I said I thought the Clintons had been using subtle racist stereotypes. I was pretty much laughed at, but I still believed it was true. Besides the Clintons' comments that had caused a bit of eyebrow-raising and had been publicly discussed, what had struck me as odd was how Hillary was always emphasizing how hard she works. This is certainly true, but it is probably true of most highly successful people. But one of the biggest stereotypes by racists is that blacks are lazy. I thought the Clintons were trying to push the racist stereotype, especially prevalent in sports, that Obama is a naturally gifted speaker--born "lucky" as Ferraro would say--and he had not had to work hard for his newfound status. The gritty, fighting Hillary (who nonetheless surrendered the majority of states in this campaign without putting up a fight) would compete for us just as she is competing against the gifted black guy who was born with all the advantages.

The Ferraro comments coincide perfectly with the narrative about Obama that I thought the Clintons were intent on developing since Hillary lost Iowa. I think there can no longer be any doubt of that. I know it's going to be a lot worse against the republicans--but we're not republicans! That's why we're Democrats, because we don't go for that kind of shit.

I'm glad you have stepped back and tried to see the big picture. When you get so intensely caught up in something it's hard to see things as they clearly are (and that's also the reason I'd much rather have Obama pick up that red phone--he keeps an emotional distance). When the republican shitstorm comes at Obama, we're going to need everyone to help stand up to it. It's good to know we can count on you.

edited to add: I do not think the Clintons are racists. But I do think they will try to win the votes of racists if they think it would win the presidency.

[woolldog]

84. Well that's extremely interesting

You might want to post that as a separate thread.

[ginnyinWI]

130. thanks for making that point.

I agree, it should be its own post. The "blacks are just being lazy" meme has been out there forever and it would be easy for them to incorporate it without looking deliberate. The "hard worker" and "fighter" themes are really subtle but there all the same.

[no name no slogan]

173. I can't blame the campaign for this. This was a Ferraro thing

I'm not a Clinton supporter by any stretch of the imagination, but I can't blame her campaign for this.

I've posted this a few times before, but I remember Ferraro making veiled could-be racist comments as far back as 1988. She spoke at my university, and took a question re: Jesse Jackson's campaign. It was during the primary season, and Jackson had some serious momentum going. He had won a couple primaries and had taken 2nd place in my state's caucuses only a few weeks prior to Ferraro's appearance.

Ferraro all but dismissed Jackson (and his campaign). She said much the same thing about Jackson as she said about Obama: that he wouldn't be getting any attention if he were not a black man, and that he should not be a factor in the primaries.

Ironically enough, it was probably due to the massive voter registration efforts of Jackson and the Rainbow Coalition in many southern states that led to the Senate going Democratic in 1986, and Bill Clinton's victory of 1992.

[angie_love]

69. Brave comment OMC, I'm proud of you.

[grace0418]

70. Amazing post OMC. Absolutely stunning.

I couldn't agree more.

[JBoy]

71. Very well said, OMC. K&R.

[JeffR]

73. Once again I'm gladdened by your renewed presence here

I hope everyone reads this and thinks deeply about its implications.

Bravo.

[Ravy]

74. Great post, OMC. Recommended. nt

[meow mix]

75. WOW. ty for being honest and rational

:patriot:

[FrenchieCat]

77. I thank you for this.......

You have my respect.

[pnwmom]

78. Thanks for the great post, OMG. Recommended. n/t

[cliffordu]

79. Absolutely perfect! K & R

I haven't always agreed with you, but you hit this right between the eyes. Thanks for this, it is brilliant.


:hi:

[banjosareunderrated]

80. Great post. Geoff Tate is applauding, somewhere...

And I know you are a proud Clinton supporter, as well you should be. I'm a proud Obama supporter that loves Queensryche so we have some common ground. :)

Whichever AWESOME candidate gets the nom, we will, more than likely, be forced to work overtime against the right-wing hate machine that will attack with either racism or sexism. I believe our candidate and you/we/I will beat back that torrent and deliver the presidency to our nominee. So say we all.

K&R!

[last1standing]

81. Thank you.

n/t

[List left]

82. Racism is alive and well

albeit more hidden than in the past.

:kick:

How many posts are needed to recommend or start ones own thread?

[democrattotheend]

122. You're right. I just never realized how much of it there still was within the Democratic Party

I guess I thought most of the racists had already gone to the Republicans, but this primary season has made me realize how wrong I was about that.

[bhikkhu]

83. K&R

And happy about the long list of positive posts here.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

85. Ferraro is a Fox News Consultant - her bio here

FOXNEWS.COM HOME > BIO

Geraldine Ferraro

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,34759,00.html

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

86. All Who Reject Racism - Please recommend this thread

and keep it kicked.

We are sick and tired of the hate and the division.

[DogPoundPup]

87. That's just Hillary though...All republicon

...All the time! Very Rovian I mmight add.

[NorthernSpy]

139. Stop.

Not what this thread is for.


(The OP is a Hillary supporter, by the way.)

[krkaufman]

182. Bad form, dog.

Piling-on when someone has made a statement of such magnanimous and eloquent contrition is bad form.

[Bongo Prophet]

88. K&R - I will always stand with you on this.

I agree with the sentiments and thoughts in your OP. It's posts like these that make for DUers that I can respect.

Thank you for recognizing the obvious, but also for going into details about the more subtle forms of racist language that often passes below the radar of even the best intentions. This is important, and we are all learning to get over these things together.

When someone makes a comment that has racist (or sexist, homophobic, etc) overtones, or contains a mockery of accents or dialect, what is the best reaction? THAT is a very difficult question, and I struggle with that, and often get it wrong.

As you say in your post, we should not accept even subtle racist remarks, even if the person is likely unaware of the impact of these remarks. “That which we tolerate, we teach” -- I agree, and have tried to do so for decades now. Unfortunately, most of the time the reaction is a variation on the following:
“I was just joking!”
“You are too sensitive! Political correctness is against my free speech!”
“You think you are perfect, and are just being condescending!”

What is the best response to that kind of reaction?

Just weeks ago, I decided to do just that - when a fellow DUer made an analogy using a faux asian “guru” voice -- “kicking someone in nuts, very bad. Very very bad. Don't do this. This bring great dishonor...“ -- I jumped in and said it was racist BS. He came down hard on me for that and said it was just a joke, and that I was “stupid” and he was “laughing his ass off” about it. True, it was a digression from the main point, and I really did not want to argue the main point. It was a case of correcting some errors I saw in the analogy, as well as offensive -- but I did it in a snarky way, as the characterization pissed me off. And that probably wasted a possible “teaching moment” because of my tone.

Heck, I can do impersonations of Apu, or Cletus, or Master Po myself. Does that make me a racist? Should I stop doing that? Context is important! But gauging that context is often tricky, especially on the fly, or on a discussion board...

In retrospect, I think I reacted too harshly toward that DUer for the racist angle, and my main problem is the constant insults and name calling so prevalent in GDP. It is very much the key to the racism we are talking about. And that is, of course, RESPECT. Even as we decry racism, we should be examining how we treat others on a discussion board. Just because we can't see each other does not mean we should not show respect to each other. Without taking that into consideration, any calls to fighting racism ring hollow.

I am certainly not perfect, for sure. Far from it. Maybe I am too sensitive, or don't always appreciate a joke when “funny” impersonations are used. Maybe because my sister is Vietnamese and one of my best friend's wife is Chinese color my experience in this regard. But that sensitivity comes before that, born of comparative studies since childhood. I am a humanist to the core. Even so, I can find myself in need of re-calibrating a term or phrase. Years ago, that sister corrected me once when I used the word “oriental rug” . She was shocked that I used the term and said so. Instead of getting defensive, I first acknowledged her point, then asked why it was a problem, and a good discussion ensued about accepting colonialist framing and terms. I learned from that, and thankfully, reacted properly. Do do otherwise would have been embarrassingly stupid of me, and I would still be feeling shame.

The real question is how to address comments without triggering a defensive reaction instead of a “Hey, you have a point there” reaction.
A discussion of the best ways to correct these more subtle cases would be a good step - one positive thing to take from it would be that both the learning and teaching process makes us better people, more open to actually SEE the world around us. It is a process that enlightens us all.

[nomorenomore08]

159. Well, of course I think serious remarks with bigoted overtones should be responded to.

But humor is a much more complex issue. Obviously, we can't just reject anything that would offend anyone at any time, or we'd be reduced to knock-knock jokes. On the other hand, it's good to be sensitive to those who feel like they've been subjected to too much mockery in their lives.

Ultimately, I think the content and context of a joke are both very important - who/what is being made light of, who's telling the joke, and to what audience. A clear case of this (to me at least) are the "gay jokes" that always pop up in response to Republican sex scandals (e.g. Larry Craig), with some being annoyed or offended by the jokes, while those who tell them probably have no idea that they could be construed as offensive.

Because a message board is an environment where it's especially difficult to gauge intent, it's probably best to be careful what jokes we tell here, and what words/expressions we use, since our posts are likely being read by hundreds or thousands of people who don't know us or what we're about. Things that may be perfectly all right within one's own social circle may not fly here, or as the case may be, might get one TS'd. :P

[TheWraith]

89. Welcome to the dark side. So to speak.

[ClayZ]

92. Thank you! K and R

[ingac70]

93. K&R!

[chknltl]

94. Thank you for this OMC

If I hadn't used my rec earlier, your words here would have easily earned it. Bookmarked

[donheld]

95. Kicked Recommended and bookmarked.

Thanks OMC

[JVS]

96. Great post

[intaglio]

97. OMC thank you for this

Saying this sort of thing to a campaign you support can be painful within your own mind and can attract attacks from people less open than yourself; I hope you don't take too much flak for this OP.

I join you in saying - "Racism is unacceptable"!

[XemaSab]

98. K&R

:patriot:

[Danger Mouse]

99. Wow...what an incredile OP!

It's been a long time since I've read anything this powerful on DU. :hi:
Well done.

[michaz]

100. If this racism was coming at Obama from a Republican candidate,

the people here would be up in arms and calling them on it. Since it is coming at Obama from Hillary's team, many people here say it is okay. It is never okay! NEVER! It should be beneath us here to even allow anyone to defend it. Obama is a black male, big deal! He is a fantastic candidate and deserves an opportunity to run for any position in this country. It is time to realize he is a man running for the Presidency, period. Hit him at his beliefs and anything else but leave his race out of it.

[MadHound]

101. Excellent post OMC, well thought out and well spoken

Words that needed to be said, and you have my respect for saying them. We may not always agree, especially at this time of year, but you have my respect for being a decent, honest caring human being who puts justice above politics. Peace:hi:

PS. K&R

[Skidmore]

102. A welcome comment.

It is always wrong, as is sexism.

[AirmensMom]

103. K&R

Excellent post, OMC. :thumbsup:

[npincus]

104. this is the DU I remember

standing up for principle and decency.

[yellerpup]

106. Proud to stand up with you against racism, OMC.

Thank you for your heartfelt post.

[bklyncowgirl]

107. Good post. Thank you for the note of sanity. nt

[BlackVelvet04]

108. the racism has been originating from the Obama camp......

case in point....the video that the Clinton campaign was accused of darkening and widening. I've yet to see an apology from anybody on this board when it was proved to be bullshit.

[NorthernSpy]

137. Stop.

.

[BlackVelvet04]

177. truth hurts, doesn't it? n/t

[EffieBlack]

109. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!

Beautifully said!

[cooolandrew]

110. The truth is love and you will know it as it wil touch your heart. When we avert from love ..

..we turn away from our soul. We all have a center of love and kindness and the truth reaches that. Keith said what he said as he loves Americans and just wants what is best for the countryand it to live to is ideals he is consistent. For this he has my admiration and reverence. Had HRC had a pospositive campaign and a positive vision I would celebrate it with all of her supporters and would beam with pride for bothof them.

[ekwhite]

111. Thank you OMC

I appreciate your honesty and thoughtfulness. K&R

[NDambi]

114. kick!

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

115. this is what Democrats are supposed to be like

thank you for your eloquent words that perhaps help some who didn't see the racism - to see
it better now.

:yourock:

[cooolandrew]

116. Obama isnt where he is from the black vote alone he appeals to many races and has done it on talent

for Geraldine not to see his talent is probaly the most worrying thing. Let's movethe focus from race Obama would want it this way his goal is unity. A great post btw.

" let's go change the world"

[mod mom]

117. Thank you. I came to DU over the issue of racial targeting of AF AM voters disenfranchised in OH

in '04. This issue is very important to me.

I really appreciate your comments OMC! We haven't always seen eye to eye but I applaud your acknowledgement. I don't really think HRC is racist but I believe she is so wrapped up at winning at any cost that she has allowed some despicable people within her campaign (I HOPE WE CAN BOTH AGREE THAT CHIEF STRATEGIST MARK PENN IS NOT WORKING IN THE DEMOCRAT'S BEST INTEREST) to direct a campaign not befitting of the principles of most Democrats. I really wish she would fire these folks and run on her assets instead of smears.

[Spazito]

118. Excellent, excellent OP!

I applaud you and hope all those who read this will heed your very wise words. Thank you.

Recommended and :applause:

[jeffrey_X]

119. Excellent post.

Thanks for taking the time to express your thoughts.

[BlueJac]

120. Good job.......n/t

[rodeodance]

121. Wolcott-smacks down the race-baiting from the O camp-specifically, re NYT pc on the 3 am ad.

good reading for all.


James Wolcott-smacks down the race-baiting from the O camp-specifically, re NYT pc on the 3 am ad.

Vanity Fair
JAMES WOLCOTT'S BLOG

3 O'Clock Rock

(March 11, 2008, 6:39 PM)

Now that everybody's a media expert, savvy to the gleaming fingertips of perception, pundits and professors alike have become deep-sea subtextualists when it comes to decoding political spots. Give them a few frames of Fassbinder to study and they'll come up dry, but stick a YouTube parody or Web ad in front of them and suddenly they can peel through ten layers of emulsion thick with socio-cultural-ethnic-semiotic significance. On today's op-ed page of the Times, Orlando Patterson hit the high-dive board over Hillary Clinton's "3 AM phone call" ad* and met the ghost of D. W. Griffith on the way down:

""I have spent my life studying the pictures and symbols of racism and slavery, and when I saw the Clinton ad?s central image--innocent sleeping children and a mother in the middle of the night at risk of mortal danger--it brought to my mind scenes from the past. I couldn't help but think of D. W. Griffith's "Birth of a Nation," the racist movie epic that helped revive the Ku Klux Klan, with its portrayal of black men lurking in the bushes around white society. The danger implicit in the phone ad--as I see it--is that the person answering the phone might be a black man, someone who could not be trusted to protect us from this threat.""


Man, is that ever a stretch, and the Daily Howler's Bob Somerby is scathing on the troubled thoughts that Patterson can't help but think even if those thoughts are hobgoblins of his own imagination:

"..The uneasy professor "ha(s) spent (his) life studying the pictures and symbols of racism and slavery." Another person might have put that sort of work to good use, but Patterson is left with "scenes from the past" that come to his mind?with things he "couldn?t help but think." Of course, fools that we are, we all have things we?re inclined to think?reactions we're inclined to have, thoughts that instantly pop into consciousness. But to the extent that we have trained our minds, we then subject such reactions to analysis. Sorry, but Patterson doesn't go there much. Later on, he again reports the things he "could not help but think." Soon, he's throwing the r-word around quite a bit, based on things he "could not help but think."

-snip-

Patterson offers interpretations of this ad that are, simply speaking, inane. For that reason, it's sad to see him boo-hoo-hooing about the way some people "may" or "could" be "trading on the darkened memories of a twisted past Obama has struggled to transcend." Part of our history with which Obama has struggled (quite brilliantly, in our view) is the requiremen--lodged in the brains of many professor--that every incident in the world must be given a racial reading. Obama has struggled against that quite brilliantly. (It's a shame that he's had to do it. Just think of the other social problems this brilliant man might have solved.) But race men like Patterson have played this dumb card ever step of the way in the past four months. They've played this card inanely befor--but never as inanely as this.

Patterson saw a child asleep in an ad - and he 'could not help but think' of the Ku Klux Klan. He saw a mother in the middle of the night - and he 'couldn?t help but think' of Birth of a Nation. But when he fails to assess the things he can?t help but think, he produces deeply unintelligent work. When you're making our society?s most serious charge, you really can?t wait till the final paragraph to say that you might have it wrong."


I thought that the phrase in boldface summarises the use of the race card by the O people in this campaign.

Note that blogger Taylor Marsh specifically pointed out that the child in the ad is actually...black. (Mentioned in Wolcott's piece.)

MORE AT http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/blogs/wolcott/2008/03/now-that-everyb.html


Edited to add link and comment!

[NorthernSpy]

138. Stop.

.

[NYDem Observer]

124. Thank you for your insightful post K&R

[Orsino]

125. I know some folks want to make this all about Clinton...

...but it seems quick action was taken. Ferraro didn't seem to be in an apologizing mood, so it's best that she departed expeditiously, if not elegantly. The Clinton campaign will be better for it.

[Adelante]

126. Oh, there you've gone and made me love you

:loveya:

[Barb in Atl]

127. K & R n/t

[K Gardner]

129. You've just made me cry. Your post is right and true. And underneath all the

bluster you tend to hash out here, I have to admit I'm surprised a bit to find an intelligent, logical, articulate and thoughtful, sensitive person behind it all. Kudos to you and thank you for posting this.

[thevoiceofreason]

131. Agree completely

And from the Obama side, know that we believe sexism is unacceptable also.

[crispini]

132. See, now posts like THIS...

are why I haven't put you on ignore, ya big curmudgeon. :hug::thumbsup:

p.s. caucuses are still great, though. :evilgrin:

[DevonRex]

134. I love you now.

Wow. That was wonderful. You blew me away. Speechless now.

[helderheid]

135. OMC

:hug:

Brilliant post. I'm speechless.

[racaulk]

136. Very moving, powerful, and 100% accurate post!

Thank you, OMC!

:applause:

K&R

[jgraz]

141. Damn, OMC. This is some very good writing

:toast:

[parkeradison]

142. Ferraro's comments

It is still hard to believe that Ferraro said what she did. It seems so obviously wrong. And, the fact that she doesn't see any reason to offer an apology is quite alarming.

[earthlover]

143. Great post! Tremendous

[A-Long-Little-Doggie]

145. K & R

Great job, OMC!

[Divine Discontent]

146. that's the OMC

whose journal I have saved! EXCELLENT POST!

[mythyc]

147. K&R -- I'd rec twice + if I could. This OP really really deserves a DUzy.

by far the best commentary I've read on this issue --not just on DU but anywhere-- and on the controversy it taps beyond the campaign's bounds. Thanks OMC; once again you humble me and prove to all what a stand up guy you are. This is something I'd assign my students to read (after the campaign's over, so as to maintain the professional distance and scholarly objectivity that are essential to academic inquiry).

:thumbsup:

[grantcart]

149. Some posts deserve a second reading and a second kick

[onenote]

150. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Ferraro's statements -- not just her initial statement, but her subsequent ones as well, have been extremely disturbing to me because they reflect a tone-deafness that I would expect of her or of any Democrat. We have, as a party, long fought against the kind of mindset that attacks efforts to achieve racial equality with lines like "that person only got into college because he/she was black" or "a white person would've gotten that job if so and so wasn't black" etc. etc. Ferraro's comments crossed a line by implying that Obama's success was attributable entirely to his race -- that he was otherwise lacking in any attributes that would merit his success as a candidate. In so doing, she ignored much of what has attracted many supporters to Obama -- the fact that he doesn't play identity politics the way other non-white candidates sometime have (and how, at time, white candidates have done as well), that he has charisma and oratorical skills that set him apart from candidates like Biden and Dodd and Richardson.

Gerry should've known better. And not only did Hillary miss an opportunity to step up and strongly reiterate that her statements -- whether she intended them that way or not -- do not reflect core Democratic party principals and were therefore unacceptable as delivered, but she missed an opportunity to show the African American community that she is as sensitive to these issues as they always have believed she was, but that they now are questioning.

Again, thanks for your thoughtful post.

[not_too_L8]

151. very well said !!!

[TheDoorbellRang]

152. You articulate so well what most of us understand at some level

but we have been unable to adequately explain. Blatant racism is on the decrease; however it is this more unconscious racism that exists as the insidious enemy we still face in America. The ray of hope I see is the ever-waning prevalence of this particular blight on society: those of my generation (50ish) came of age in the 60's and are more prone to denounce racism. We may also be more prone to be the carriers of racist tendencies that we do not even recognize in ourselves. It is the younger generation that is more free of even the unconscious racism -- they who have shared their day-to-day lives with African Americans thanks to the civil rights act. Where our generation might self-consciously tend to say, "I have a black friend named John Doe," the next generation would say, "I have a friend named John Doe." Or at least that's what I have observed with my kids. Progress is occurring very slowly, but progress would take a quantum leap forward with an Obama presidency.

Thanks for shedding some light, OMC. It is posts such as these that help us all grow. K&R

[Kittycat]

153. Most rational post currently in GDP

It's clear you've really thought about this, and how much the situation hurt you - even more so to have to share it with us. You struck right at the heart of the problem, and defined it so well. I only hope others take the time to actually read what you've written, and not just write you off for stating your position. As a PP mentioned, you're a class act all the way.

:hug:

[Kittycat]

154. ..

It's clear you've really thought about this, and how much the situation hurt you - even more so to have to share it with us. You struck right at the heart of the problem, and defined it so well. I only hope others take the time to actually read what you've written, and not just write you off for stating your position. As a PP mentioned, you're a class act all the way.

:hug:

[futureliveshere]

155. Wow.. extremely well written

Objective and articulate post. I am a relatively new member of DU and it is great to see such posts here. I would rec but I cannot still do so. :applause:
I am a firm BO supporter but do get turned off by the outpourings of hate for HRC and its good to see someone write about racism w/o spewing HRC venom. She deserves much of the allegations, but it is important to remember that on most core issues like health care, immigration, environment, education, women's rights etc there is not much to distinguish b/w the two. The main areas of difference are in defense and foreign policy where BO shows better judgment and level-headedness and in the ability to translate their policy proposals into actual legislation. This is the key area where I think BO will be much more effective since HRC is an extremely polarizing figure whom Republicans love to hate.

[rateyes]

156. OMC, you should send this to the Clinton campaign,

as well as the Obama campaign. Thank you for your thoughtful post.

[Lucky 13]

157. Thank you, OMC

Thanks for standing up for what's right and stating it so plainly here.

I've been flabbergasted over the last few days at the defense of these statements by people on this board. People have lost their perspective and the ability to step back and see how statements that might seem ok to some, are definitely NOT ok for others. It's common for white people to say things that can at least be considered insensitive (and sometimes outright racist), but because we lack the perspective of an ethnicity that to this day is still disenfranchised by our society in many many regards, we just aren't able to see it. And just because we aren't able to see it, doesn't mean it's not there.

I guarantee you Geraldine has NO CLUE what it's like to be a black man in America. Neither do many of us here, but we have something Geraldine does not. EMPATHY. The ability to listen, and understand life from another's perspective, even if they are very different from you. Anyone with a decent grip on reality realizes that Barack has had no ADVANTAGE because he is black. Statistically, Barack is more likely to be in PRISON than in the SENATE. More likely to be racially profiled and suffer police brutality than to win the Democratic nomination. And her statements were not just diminishing the accomplishments of a brilliant man, but also diminishing ALL OF THE MYRIAD obstacles that Black America faces in our jacked up society.

I do get the sense that most Hillary supporters that defended and continue to defend the comments aren't REALLY racist, but are either, as you stated, acting on their initial instinct to protect their candidate or are somewhat temporarily detached from reality right now. (I am actually genuinely concerned for some people's mental health on this blog right now. Facts, numbers, logic, reason... all are openly disregarded for whatever spin their particular campaign is churning at that moment. People seem to be temporarily losing the ability to think for themselves. On BOTH sides. No one is blameless.)

What we SHOULD be a little concerned about is people's willingness to vehemently defend PEOPLE instead of PRINCIPLES. People are inherently and inevitably fallible. Principles are enduring. (Think Spitzer and all he has done for NY) And inclusion, diversity, and equality are principles our party should NEVER compromise on, not for Geraldine. Not for Hillary. Not for Barack. Not for anyone.

[nomorenomore08]

158. K&R!

What really galls me is that you would think many of Hillary's supporters, who are (understandably) sensitive to attacks suggestive of gender bias, would nonetheless excuse such a bigoted remark from "one of their own." At a certain point, I guess one really does become blind to the flaws of one's heroes/heroines.

[kid a]

160. K&R

I have been avioding this post for fear of sarcasm.

But i was surprised. Well written and logical.

Thank you.

[1trackmindGOP]

163. Apparantly Obama's preacher is racist...very dissappointing.

I was an avid white Obama supporter and donor until stumbling across this video today. While Barack has shown no indication of the sentiments Jeremiah Wright expresses, one could wonder how you can sit under his doctrine and not share in his message. Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAYe7MT5BxM

Note that I am terribly sadden and disappointed that I must change my support and try to right a wrong I helped create.

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

164. peace, OMC. brilliant post.

[Norrin Radd]

165. Careful reason won't get through to them.

They think DU is Yahoo messageboards reborn.

[Downtown Hound]

166. Good post.

Pretty much right on in everything you said.

[windoe]

168. Beautifully written post, thank you.

I had a crash course in the subtleties of racism after 911 because of my obviously middle eastern partner. We were due to fly home that morning and five days later had to fly with people that did not want to see us on the plane. I did not blame them, but recognized that they really could not help it, they were afraid. My observation was that while many people reacted to us, they were also embarrassed by their knee jerk reaction and then tried to calm down. Other people filmed us while we waited to board the plane. I will never forget the African American family that sat near us, relaxed, with their children, they never said a word, but did not have to.
It took years before people stopped staring at us, in restaurants, cars, grocery store. We are always 'randomly' checked, travel is not fun for us.
I bring this up because I thought I was not racist. After this experience, I recognized so many subtle behaviors that used to pass but now are excruciating to be the recipient of, this taught me to fine tune my behavior toward others who are different than me. I am still working on myself, and still catch myself doing these subtle things from time to time. I am lucky to live in an international community and have worked with people from all over the world, so have had the privilege to develop my communication skills.
I recognize many people live in a homogeneous community, whether it be race or religion, and it shows in their jokes, gestures and behavior--and their level of acceptance of racism shows who they hang out with.
Geraldine Farraro reminds me of my parents and their generation. They did not teach us racism, nor did they call themselves racist. But they did not socialize interracially. Open mindedness was just a concept and had not been worked out in their behavior, it truly may have been beyond their abilities. Compared to most people of their generation, they were not racist, but compared to mine, they were.
Racism and prejudice ranges from subtle racism (thank you again for this post!!) to all out hate crimes, and is encouraged in times of war. I believe the reaction to 911 unfortunately tolerated and encouraged much racism in this country, setting this country back many years. I would like to believe that after the last 8 years of overt racism, that we are finally going to begin the process of healing this wound (edited to add that I do not mean to exclude the last 233 years of racist and genocidal policy).

[DearAbby]

169. Excellent post OMC...well said

I stand with you.

[KamaAina]

170. Well done indeed! But, as usual, I have one minor quibble...

I instead felt inclined to protect Hillary from the backlash, since I knew some would try and connect it to her.

Why on Earth would anybody do that? Just because Ferraro was working for the Clinton campaign at the time? :sarcasm: This is the latest in a series of incidents in which Clinton staffers have said things about Obama that HRC herself would never be caught saying, then fallen on their sword afterwards. Case in point: Bill Shaheen intimating that Obama may have sold drugs, then promptly resigning from the campaign.

I am pleased, though, that Clinton supporters like yourself aren't buying into the sort of dirty ad hominem politics usually associated with the other party!

[David Zephyr]

171. You are a real Democrat! This Obama supporter appreciates your heart.

I think the reason I simply became so enraged was because of how hurtful this line of talk that keeps coming from Hillary's campaign had become.

Olbermann's stern rebuke last night was sad because it should have never been needed. Unfortunately for all of us Democrats, it had come to that.

I greatly appreciate your understanding of how hurtful those comments have been and how they pick at the scab of a wound that we Democrats have worked so hard to heal for so very long.

I have always treasured the Democratic Party because of how our party since FDR has been the engine of change for civil rights. That's our badge of honor. That's our pride. How did this sort of shit happen in 2008? It not only hurt, but it broke my fucking heart into pieces.

I give you a lot of credit for what you wrote. It tells me that at the core, you are a true Democrat and you have won my respect.

[beltanefauve]

172. Thank you,

OMC, for such an articulate and insightful post. Like so many people up-thread, I frequently don't agree with you, but have not "ignored" you, either, because I respect our differences. This time, you have made a truly unifying statement. THIS is what Democrats are supposed to be all about!

[Bluenorthwest]

174. Great post

Racism is always unacceptable. So is sexism and so is homophobia. This Primary cycle has been nothing but one crashing blow after another for me. Ferraro, McClurkin, all one big bigot box to me, and at least this time something is being said about it.
There should be no quarter for any of this sort of divisive politics in our Party.

[Avalux]

175. Excellent post. Thank you. K & R

:hug:

[katty]

176. and the G Ferraro capper/paraphrase: they owe ME an apology

don't think so Geraldine, you stepped right into it on your own.

[leftyrn]

178. what's up with leaders on the "left"

first Geraldine goes crazy and now the president of the California Nurses Association wrecks a union vote for nurses in Ohio. what's going on.

March 12, 2008


Dear Rose Ann DeMoro,

It’s hard for us to imagine how someone who calls herself a labor leader could purposely do what you have done to us and our families. You don’t know any of us. You have never been to our homes or met our children. You have never visited us on our shifts, or walked in our shoes. You don’t know a thing a bout the struggle that brought us to the verge of our dream to have a union. And yet without talking to a single one of us you send your bullying staff to come in and spread terrible lies for no other reason than to destroy what we worked so hard to build.

For three years we have worked with SEIU members, leaders and staff to form our union. We sent letters to hospital officials and mobilized community support for fair organizing rules. SEIU has supported and encouraged us through some very hard times, and helped us stand up for ourselves. We are caregivers—registered nurses and respiratory therapists, dietary and housekeeping staff, lab techs and other employees. SEIU helped us understand how we could do more by speaking with one voice and standing together for our families and our patients. SEIU respected our intelligence and our ability to make our own decisions.

You say you stand for democracy. But then you come in with a goal of destroying our campaign without ever asking us what we think about SEIU and our agreement for fair election ground rules—ground rules we now understand you have made use of many times in California.

You say you stand for justice. But then you deny us our opportunity for a fair vote free of misleading propaganda and scare tactics.

Our efforts to unite for better jobs and health care were not a secret. At any time during those three years you could have come and presented your union, compared yourself to SEIU, and asked us to make a choice. But you didn’t. So it is obvious to us that your sole intention was to destroy what we have built. What kind of organization sets out to destroy the efforts of the very people you claim to stand for, and then tries to pretend it’s a moral cause?

Here in Ohio, union organizers and representatives don’t behave the way yours do. They show respect for hard-working people. We have read all the words about how you try to justify this, but when compared to the needs of our families and the needs of our patients, they show a complete disregard for basic fairness and decency. You have brought harm to thousands of workers and families in Ohio, and you should be ashamed of what you have done.

Signed,

Linda Kirby, RN
Mercy Anderson
Anderson Township, OH

Sue Koch
ER Tech
Mercy Western Hills
Cincinnati, OH

Barbara Matlie, RN
Mercy Western Hills
Cincinnati, OH

Michaela Silver, RCP
Springfield Regional Medical Center
Springfield, OH

Diana Stamler, RN
Mercy Fairfield
Fairfield, OH

Sally Baker, RN
Springfield Regional Medical Center
Springfield, OH

Mary Ann Wolf,
Lead Cook
Mercy Anderson
Anderson Township, OH

Peggy Vaughn, RN
Mercy Western Hills
Cincinnati, OH

Sue Allen, RN
Springfield Regional Medical Center
Springfield, OH

Lorie Compton, RCP
Mercy Memorial Hospital
Urbana, OH

Colleen Gresham, RN
Mercy Mt. Airy
Cincinnati, OH

Betty White, MLT
Mercy Fairfield
Fairfield, OH

Susan Home, RN
Mercy Mt. Airy
Cincinnati, OH

Alecia Davis, RN
Springfield Regional Medical Center
Springfield, OH

Marianne Heider, RN
Mercy Western Hills
Cincinnati, OH

[katty]

179. they need to review what they're doing, are they Really left?

or just sorta kinda maybe when it suits their purposes.

[mcollier]

181. Great post

We didn't hear anything about "Race" when Obama won in states like Iowa, Nevada, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, Utah, Nebraska, Washington, Maine, Wisconsin, Vermont, and Wyoming...

I believe these states and others do matter. And I believe you get the point.

Contests so far - 30 for Obama / 14 for Clinton


Take a look at the state by state breakdown - http://origin.barackobama.com/resultscenter /

The relentless attempt of the "Powerful" to create distraction, separation and division by use of racial suggestion is the oldest tool in the art of war against ordinary people. Rise above this, look to something new, something better, something real, something good.

Recognize the ability of Barack Obama to bring people of all backgrounds together for the betterment of our Country and our World...

Unfortunately, the same tool of racism is being used to try to destroy what we see can be....

Vote for Barack Obama, but for what he represents, his message, his wisdom, his intellect, his judgment, his commitment to helping every American. We can all be a part of strenghtning American had charting a new course.

Visit www.BarackObama.com Find out how you can join the movement.

Thanks.

[krkaufman]

183. I must commend you for your post, OMC.

Your understanding, eloquence, effort, sheer verbosity and courage demonstrated in the OP are something to behold and generally emulated.

[DeadEyeDyck]

184. Excellent. Kicked N/T

[rhett o rick]

185. Good post Operation. I mean it. nm

[Martin Eden]

186. "What you tolerate, you teach."

Teach on, OPERATIONMINDCRIME. :patriot:

I've read countless excellent posts in the 6 years I've been at DU, but I honestly can't remember any post on a truly important subject that got more to the heart of the matter than what you have written here.

If I had one recommendation per year to give, I would give it now.

It is sad indeed that Hillary missed a golden opportunity to make very public the essential lessons about subtle racism that you have so eloquently expressed.

[Forkboy]

188. I saw this thread last night when I couldn't log in...

(long story involving relatives and all that)

...but I want to say that this is one post I'm psyched to see, and there aren't many in GD-P anymore.

Thanks a lot for this.

:thumbsup:

[rosesaylavee]

189. This post just blew me away.

Whew. You said it all. Thank you.

K & R

[psychmommy]

190. thank you omc

we don't always agree, but i do appreciate you taking the time to write this. i am an aa woman, that wasn't so subtle to me. then to see gerri on faux news defending herself-i knew then it was intentional. to see her then make herself a victim and demand an apology just makes me shake my head. there is a new generation of voters who don't know who she is and now could care less. she should have been someone for young women to look up to. instead she alienated a new crop of democratic voters. what a disappointment and what a waste of a senior states person of our party. thank you for your words, i know that wasn't easy but it is greatly appreciated. peace.

[Kajsa]

191. I have always liked and respected you, OMC.

This just reinforces it 200%.

Excellent, outstanding post!

:applause: :pals:

[Umbram]

193. Someone needs to draft an equally good post about sexism.

It can't be me because I've been informed by the leader of all women everywhere that I am a deceiver who is trying to turn all women against each other because I like to watch women mud wrestle.

Someone with some clout needs to draft one!

[NC_Nurse]

194. Spot on. A most excellent post, Sir.

Thank you for your clear and thorough enlightening of this issue.
K&R. :yourock: