NPR story: confronting bigotry on the campaign trail.

[Shakespeare]

If you missed this on this afternoon's All Things Considered, take a few minutes and listen to it. It includes interviews with WV voters talking about why they won't vote for a black man. It will take your breath away. The kicker? They tell at the end of the piece that none of those who were interviewed were asked about racial issues. They voluntarily spewed their hateful, bigoted views.

Don't ever kid yourself that we've evolved.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90483754

"Campaign workers for Barack Obama have faced racial slurs and slammed doors around the country. In Indiana, one campaign office was vandalized. The Obama campaign has chosen not to publicize the incidents. Washington Post reporter Kevin Merida talks with Michele Noris about race and the Obama campaign."

[FrenchieCat]

1. How does this help? This won't be easy, but it will be done.

I'm just curious, but why did you feel compeled to post this, since it was posted yesterday?

It states that the Obama campaign has chosen not to publicize the incidents.
Do you think there is a reason that they chose that? and so, why have you chosen to publicize it that much further?

[Shakespeare]

4. Because of the audio interviews that were absent from the Post story.

Just because the campaign wants to downplay it does NOT mean we should ignore what's going on. This is ugly, and we need to be aware of it and be prepared to confront it.

I think it's extremely important that we all know about this. Did you LISTEN to the interviews? You should.

It seems you think I'm somehow bashing Obama--I assure you I support him wholeheartedly. But no way in hell am I going to turn a blind eye (or ear, in this case) to bigots.

[FrenchieCat]

11. Racism has been everywhere this campaign, if you hadn't noticed......

it comes with the territory of having to reap the reward created largely by those who chose to racialize this contest when it wasn't required. Those who have constantly pointed to Obama and screamed "Black" just because, yeah....he is.

When canvasing, shit happens....for a great many reasons. Lord, I know that well...

The fact that some bigots don't like the amount of melanin Obama has running is part of the facts of life. But telling scary story isn't going to excite possible volunteers...and that is why what you are doing is of no service to the Obama campaign.

This "expose" doesn't do anything but to further racialize the contest...
Tales of the difficulties of supporters because of candidate's melanin count!
This is more of the same shit Rendell said, IMO.

[Shakespeare]

13. Yes, I have noticed. Have you completely missed my posts here?

And how fucking dare you compare me to Rendell. Rendell would claim the campaign is just playing the victim--what on fucking EARTH does that have to do with my posting this story?

This story won't scare off volunteers, but it MIGHT help them brace for what they may encounter out there. Don't EVEN suggest I'm doing anything to hurt the campaign.

Did you even bother to listen to the NPR story? This isn't just about what some volunteers have encountered--this is voter after racist voter talking openly, without solicitation, to NPR about their hideous racist views. That's a whole other ball of wax, friend.

[FrenchieCat]

20. I wasn't comparing you to rendell.

Maybe cause I'm Black, I'm used to the hate. Maybe that's why I don't see the big deal.

But maybe White folks don't expect it.....

How will they prepare, the volunteers....the brave ones willing to "deal" with this melanin issue?

[Shakespeare]

23. Yes, you were quite specifically.

Would you rather have them caught flatfooted and have no idea what to say, or be braced for it and maybe, just maybe, have thought through some way to respond to these people? If anything, I would think it would motivate volunteers to try and move people away from these ugly beliefs.

[papau]

27. As has the sexism on DU and in the media - which continues with the hate of a unity ticket

[FrenchieCat]

30. I'm judging solely on content of character. I'd love me a Obama/Sebelius ticket myself.

[bicentennial_baby]

2. Wow...

:o

:kick:

[Shakespeare]

5. I was sitting in traffic with my jaw in my lap when I heard this story.

And when they announced at the end that they hadn't solicited those comments, I wanted to pull over and cry. I cannot believe we still have such ugliness in this country.

[bicentennial_baby]

16. And, no offense, but, you're from the South, so

that really says something.

Not that we don't have our racists up here, we absolutely do...including members of my extended family. x(

:hug:

[grannylib]

3. Thanks for posting the link; I was just telling my husband about

having listened to that piece on the way home tonight. I was appalled. It just breaks my heart that those attitudes still exist in 21st century America. I know there are indeed Obama supporters in W. Virginia, but the attitude of those who refuse to vote for him based solely on race is just abhorrent to me.
On edit: the story also mentioned that the Clinton campaign had experienced some similar things regarding misogynistic comments made about Senator Clinton, and not wanting to vote for a woman, and that's just as abhorrent. I think both campaigns kept things quiet because they really don't want the focus to be on race or gender; I think they want the voters to judge them based on their views, positions, voting records, etc.

[Condem]

6. This isn't going to be easy, folks.

A long slag ahead.

[Shakespeare]

9. Indeed, it won't.

But I'll be damned if I'll let this shit go unconfronted.

[Condem]

10. The media Has to allow it, Shakespeare.

How do we change these racist views among the "blue collar workers"? We need solutions.

[Shakespeare]

14. Throwing a relentlessly bright spotlight on it is a good start.

I understand that the campaign wants to shy away from that, but the media should not. It would be a dereliction of duty NOT to expose this.

[Condem]

17. All they have been

Is a dereliction of duty. We'll get no help from them.

[Shakespeare]

18. No, there's been some good coverage out there.

I used to do this specific job (covered a general election). They're not all bad.

[Condem]

21. In general, shakespeare

What % still get their info from Fox News? Radio- Limbaugh & Hannity?

[Shakespeare]

24. Not a majority--the ratings are pretty easy to find. But thingsl ike this that evoke...

...outrage have a tendency to spread once the first serious stories are done on them. Shame these people if at all possible. Let them know that this is not what our country is about.

[Condem]

26. It's all about $ to them

A brokered convention would be the end all. Race riots. I don't even want to go there.

[EFerrari]

7. I'll listen after dinner. Thanks, SH. n/t

[fortyfeetunder]

8. The rest of the world will again be laughing at us

So these folks are saying they are only comfortable if a white man is a presidential candidate?

Given the vitriol on race and sex in this election, the world think we are a bunch of Neanderthals and will laugh at us for another four years...If the US allows John McCain (thought to be a Bush protege) to win over Hillary or Barack, whoever is the Democratic nominee.

[FrenchieCat]

12. Obama is running while Black. This comes with the territory.

It would be similar with a woman, or a gay person, or just anyone seen as different.

I'm just not sure that telling stories of difficulties help us.....and those who promote those stories (I understand why NPR does it, its a story)--

Pretty soon volunteers aren't gonna want to get on the phone in fear of the rejection they might face.

Again, you are doing a diservice, IMO......as is NPR.

[Shakespeare]

15. Bullshit. n/t

[FrenchieCat]

19. Maybe because I am an AA,

I don't get the point.

Could you articulate again how this serves to help anything? Maybe I'm confused.

[Shakespeare]

22. FAR too many people want to content themselves with the fantasy that neanderthals like this don't...

...exist anymore. I understand completely if the campaign wants to decline to make an issue of it, but that doesn't let the press off the hook. Put these people under a freaking microscope until everybody is disabused of the notion that racism is a thing of the past.

[FrenchieCat]

25. It is obvious by now that Racism is back in style.....being open about it, that is.....

Guess making a lot of copies of Obama's race speech in DVD and passing them out might help.

Otherwise, there is a certain number in the population who will not vote for a Black man. There is a similar percentage who will not vote for a Woman. And an even higher percentage that will not vote for a 72 year old candidate. Dem's the fact.

[Beregond2]

28. Who is this "we" of which you speak?

[Shakespeare]

29. Don't be unnecessarily cagey. You're quite aware I'm referring collectively to the country.

And, beyond that, to that shameful segment represented by those in the NPR interviews. It's a rhetorical reference, used to make a point.

[bridgit]

31. I worked on an Indian Gaming Bond in the 90's at a company owned by a woman from New Orleans...

As the sample progressed, we began to receive paper surveys that were sent into neighborhoods in & around where the bond was to become actionable. We soon began to experience, between some but, to be fair, not all; if still a shocking number, of paper samples smeared & stuck together with blood, feces, blood & feces, "we should have killed all you injuns (yep, "injuns") when we had the chance", "death to all indians!" writ in blood & feces, vile, disruptive behaviors conveyed with shit, blood pathogens, and God Knows What All.

We were soon required to handle them with rubber gloves & masks as though they were Hazmat materials. Is America a racist country? Is there more than one form of racism, or are there many? I say there are many forms of bigotry. That too many are too susceptible, to slamming too many doors.

The bond measure passed.