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DEL.ICIO.USQuestioning Obama’s racial qualifications
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is he black enough?
I can’t remember Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton being asked this question during their presidential bids, but Sen. Barack Obama can’t escape it. He’s being interrogated on the campaign trail, in debates and town hall meetings on how deep his black roots grow.
When he was asked the question during the otherwise excellent CNN/YouTube debate, he responded — and I paraphrase — with a retort about being more than black enough whenever he tries to hail a cab in Manhattan. It drew chuckles from the audience in Charleston, S.C., and it was funny.
But this apparent issue — the question — isn’t. Au contraire. But it’s oh-so-typical America and how we handle issues of race.
Remember Mandisa Surpris?
In December 2005, I wrote about the Parkview High School student. Some black peers ridiculed her because she spoke properly, preferred certain clothes, played the violin and belonged to the Beta club and National Arts Honors Society. She earned high grades and kept her focus on the future. So Mandisa, then a sophomore, apparently didn’t pass the code.
She was un-black. Too white. Too spirited of an individual to be confined to a box, be it by blacks or whites.
Now, on a larger scale, we have Mr. Obama.
Obama isn’t black enough, but Bill Clinton is?
Obama wants to be president, a pursuit that has invigorated election-year politics and awakened the Hillary Clinton camp to a stark reality that securing the Democratic presidential party nomination won’t be a waltz in the park. Obama — he of mixed racial heritage and exceptional educational pedigree and social graces — is a serious contender.
But is he black enough?
Five months ago, Patricia Wilson-Smith founded the Gwinnett-based Black Women for Obama, a grass-roots organization that’s working with Obama’s national campaign in his quest for the nation’s highest office. The local chapter, one of three in the country, meets monthly to strategize, organize events and solicit members. Wilson-Smith says she’s always been interested in politics, but never this intrigued by one particular candidate enough to jump in.
“I’ve always been the sideline player,” said Wilson-Smith, 42, a Web technology consultant who lives in Lawrenceville.
Then came Obama.
“It was after lots of reading about Clinton, Obama, Richardson, Edwards and Biden that I settled on Sen. Obama,” she told me in an e-mail. “I truly believe that he has the best vision for turning the country in a better direction. What I heard from him resonated with me, specifically his desire to lead the ENTIRE country, in an inclusive way.”
But is he black enough?
Well, Wilson-Smith recently wrote an essay on the subject. It’s posted on the Black Women For Obama Web site (www.BlackWomenForObama.org). In it, she writes about being bused out of her black neighborhood school to attend all-white campuses. Before long, some neighborhood kids begin to shun her because she was gifted and willing to embrace new things and ideas. They questioned her blackness.
Like Mandisa, some said she acted “too white,” as if a correlation exists ‘twixt race and academic prowess. She eventually was accepted into an exclusive white private school, only to be denied enrollment because the school had reached its minority quota for that particular school year.
“Always, always, the struggle with too black, too white,” she wrote.
It is an age-old question, one that I suspect Obama’s handlers prepared him to expect on the road to the White House. It reeks of nonsense, too, and I agree with the way Wilson-Smith summed it up the her essay.
“To ask a man that has worked tirelessly in the inner-city neighborhoods of Chicago helping to rebuild communities, a man that has stood side by side with black religious leaders to solve problems in the worst neighborhoods in the city if he’s ‘black enough’ is nothing short of ridiculous,” she wrote.
“Like Sen. Obama, I think those who even dare ask that intensely stupid question seek to strip him of his blackness because they feel a certain discomfort over his biracial ethnicity and are unable to relate to his culturally diverse background. Me? I consider that both those aspects of him have done a great deal to shape who he is as a man, just as my experiences as a young child worked to shape the woman I have become, for better or worse.”
For more information , visit www.BlackWomenForObama.org, or call Patricia Wilson-Smith at 678-768-8527.
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail rbadie@ajc.com.
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Comments
By Katie
August 21, 2007 7:29 AM | Link to this
I sure wish this race issue would drop. If Obama is qualified, and I believe he is, why does his race matter?? He’s an intelligent man—leave it at that. I’m so sick of this damn race issue. We’re all mixed in some way, there is no pure blood. Why nit pick. He won’t be black enough for some or white enough for others—who cares!!! If he is chosen to be our president trust in his intelligence and not the color of his skin.
By One
August 21, 2007 7:36 AM | Link to this
WTF???? Black enough? What in hellz is that? I am both surprised and appalled at this ignorant mess!! And Rick, you should be ashamed!!!!!!
To question whether any one is black/white/Asian/Indiann enough is the stupidest ish I’ve heard in a LONG time!!!!!
And why is it that when a person speaks correctly/properly (not proper sounding!), they’re acting white. WTF??????? All white folks don’t speak correctly…………not even most of them do!! Nor are they all cultured and intelligent. Not even close!!! So why is it that these things are associated with such?!! It’s mess like this that casts us back in time 200 yrs!!!!!! Puuuhhhhllleeeeeeaaaazzzeeeeeee!!!!
By notvotinforobama
August 21, 2007 7:41 AM | Link to this
The question is a stupid one. The question to ask all of the candidates, democrat and republican, is “are you American enough?” Are you American enough to understand the threat that our way of life and culture is under from the “religion of peace”. From the debates that I have seen and from his own words it is obvious to me that he is not American enough and he will not get my vote. For that reason only.
By gary
August 21, 2007 7:44 AM | Link to this
I just dont understand.
“Some black peers ridiculed her because she spoke properly, preferred certain clothes, played the violin and belonged to the Beta club and National Arts Honors Society. She earned high grades and kept her focus on the future.”
Why do most blacks pride themselves on speaking poorly, being ignorant, dressing like thugs or gangsta’s, and being part of a better way of life? i will never understand.
As for whos running for office, i say vote on the issue not the race. i wouldnt be surprised if there was a black/white checkbox on the ballot very soon.
By gary
August 21, 2007 7:49 AM | Link to this
I just dont understand.
“Some black peers ridiculed her because she spoke properly, preferred certain clothes, played the violin and belonged to the Beta club and National Arts Honors Society. She earned high grades and kept her focus on the future.”
Why do most blacks pride themselves on speaking poorly, being ignorant, dressing like thugs or gangsta’s, and NOT being part of a better way of life? i will never understand.
As for whos running for office, i say vote on the issue not the race. i wouldnt be surprised if there was a black/white checkbox on the ballot very soon.
By One
August 21, 2007 7:59 AM | Link to this
gary, most blacks?!! I see you’re just as ignorant as the rest…………most blacks DO NOT act this way. And unless you know all blacks (and that’s not possible), refrain from making ignorant assumptions like that!!!!! Geesh!
By gary
August 21, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
the one: yes i would say the majority of the black population in this country. Ignorant? no. Im not ignorant just because i point something out that you might not agree with. its an opinion. I also back this up with what the editor wrote.
“Some black peers ridiculed her because she spoke properly, preferred certain clothes, played the violin and belonged to the Beta club and National Arts Honors Society. She earned high grades and kept her focus on the future.”
this just shows that its not only my opinion and what i have noticed, but it also appears to be the opinion of others. Of my black friends and other people i have talked to about this in the past, they all agree. A lot of black people look down on their own race for trying to better themselves if they speak correctly, dress correctly, and try to get a higher education. Its as if by doing those things, it makes them seem more white, as the columnist stated. So no its not me by myself that thinks this way, its a lot of people, none of which i would say is ignorant.
By Shaun
August 21, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this
Why is this so important? He is an intelligent man, that is all that matters to me. To get real technical about him, he is half white and half black, so what difference does it make how he talks? News flash Rick, not all black people talk slang!!!!! Not all white people talk proper!!
By One
August 21, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this
That did not prove your point!!!! You said “most”…….and I disagree. It may be “most” of the people you know, or “most” of the people your friends know, but unless you know ALL black people, you’re pi$$ing in the wind!
By Hotlanta
August 21, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this
Excuse me. Is Donald Trump white enough. Is he taking meth, having sex with 13 year old girls and looking to the system to support him. This mess about Black being smart and other blacks picking on them for bring smart is so played. I guess Paris Hilton is black she has no education,has been to jail and parties all the time with no job. I don’t know of any black people who pride themselves on speaking poorly and being a thug. Wait a minute can Ted Turner speak CORRECT English. Next time PBS does a special on Jackie O listen to her voice. You will know why they always talk aboutr her style of dress and never her style of voice. Money doesn’t always mean correct English. Who was that guy in the Senate that was crying about dogs when this Michael Vick mess broke the news. I was ROTFLMAO when he was trying to say genitals. Next time Bush comes to television just listen to his voice. Better yet listen to the white voices in your workplace then you will know. If I hear TOTALLY one more time I am gonna scream.
By gary
August 21, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
The one: Im sorry, but im not here to argue with you on most or majority or whatever. That is not the topic of this column.
As i stated in the first response, vote for the issue not the race.
By gary
August 21, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
The one: Im sorry, but im not here to argue with you on most or majority or whatever. That is not the topic of this column.
As i stated in the first response, vote for the issue not the race.
By ATLien4Obama
August 21, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
To Shaun (and others missing the forest for the trees here).
Please reread the article. NOWHERE in that article did RB say that all people (white or black) talk one way vs another. In fact he’s QUOTING someone else speaking on their personal experience.
And to the people on here appalled that RB even brought this up (you know who you are) I say get friggin real. Trying to pretend that race isn’t relevant in America isn’t working either. Please remove your head from the sand. The Vick debacle has highlighted a racial/cultural divide here in the good ol U S of A.
I think Obama is good candidate because he’s a straight shooter, intelligent and comes across as more sincere as these other candidates. That’s a frsh approach to the ills in Washington that needs to be considered…
By Alvin
August 21, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
Why is it that a black person has to justify his or her blackness or lack of.Why can’t he just be another person running for office of President.We have really become polarized.(SAD)
By ImTooWhiteToo
August 21, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
Gary
Dno’t worry your are correct. Don’t let One paint you as someone ignorant, you asked a legit question. This mindset is rampant in the black community and I have experienced it first hand on WAY to many occasions.
Its amazing how you have to constantly qualify yourself as authentically black nowadays.
The funny and sad art is that this qualifying is worst with the newest generation b/c I have never experienced this issue with black ppl over say the age of 50. Why? B/c they remember what it was like back before 1967…they aren’t ignorant enough to push away any perfectly good black brothers or sisters for such ignorant reasons as the way they talk/dress…etc…etc
By One
August 21, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this
gary, no argument here! It just kills me to hear people spout some mess and then think it’s the truth rather than just their opinion.
Hotlanta, ^5!!!! I agree!!
By Robert
August 21, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this
Greetings all, In 1997, I joined the US Navy to earn money to go to college. While enlisted, I had the honor to travel to the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Mediterranean, and South America. I have been to places like Rijeka, Croatia, which had not seen a US Naval Vessel, since the 80’s. Nevertheless, I was personally given a heroes welcome, because I was a US Sailor, not because of my ethnicity.
When we returned to The States, we stopped in Boston, where I was arrested for fending off two males who attempted to mug me while I was on a pay phone in a darkened parking lot.
So what do my experiences have to do with this article or Senator Obama? Although I grew up in a small town outside of Kansas City Mo., My skin color has never hindered me. I always thought I could be what I wanted to be. When those cold steel cuffs were slapped on my wrists, and my white uniform became ruined from that dusty squad car, I realized that the perception of African American males can be seriously misconstrued. Regardless, I did not allow someone else’s ignorance taint my spirit and my desires to succeed.
If anyone, regardless of ethnicity, wants to accomplish something in their lives, they should be revered as by their accomplishments, and not by the amount of pigment melanin in the skin. I was a Sailor first. Is Senator Obama the right presidential candidate? People, look past the man’s skin color and do your research. Thank you for reading.
By Camille
August 21, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this
If any person feels that the majority of Black people have that idiotic opinion, then I would have to say that the person is associating with the wrong majority . I could just as easily say that the majority of Black people that I know don’t feel that way. So, who would be right? In my opinion, those that do hold that idiotic opinion are those who live in/hang out in a combination of unstable/lower-class environments. My son (and if you haven’t been able to guesss by now, I am Black) has been living in mostly mixed environments, and I have raised him to speak proper English. The majority (there’s that word again) of the Black kids that he is around also speak proper English. Now, I have noticed many White kids that do not speak proper English, but notice that I did not say a majority of them did not. So, we have to be very careful when making assumptions about a large population of any particular ethnicity (not race), because one person’s majority could be another person’s minority .
By ImTooWhiteToo
August 21, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this
ATLien4Obama
I agree several ppl who already commented need to actually read the damn article or read it again more carefully.
By Billy
August 21, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
“Most Blacks”…sheesh.
OK, full disclosure here — I’m white. That out of the way, let me say this: Obama’s “blackness”, or lack thereof, is not an issue apart from the fact that someone keeps pushing it as one. I have to think that the people pushing it are people who are backing another candidate and “journalists” who’ll latch onto any non-issue if they think people will talk about it.
I just can’t imagine pulling a bunch of random black people together in a room and asking them their opinions of the man relative to the other candidates and getting “not Black enough” in response. Perhaps it’s wishful thinking on my part but I believe that the Black people who might say that probably aren’t too involved politically in the first place.
Has any high profile African American or any Black journalist weighed in on the side of “Not Black enough”? It seems that everyone who discusses this decides otherwise. He sure seems Black enough for me. Or is that the problem? Is the fact that he appeals to this middle-class White guy precisely what makes him “too white” in some unknown people’s eyes?
The very idea is insulting to everyone. Who is “Black enough”? Mike Vick? He has cornrows, fancy cars, and flashy jewelry. He also fights dogs. Does that meet the standard of “Blackness”? If you look through History at the people who have helped Black Americans, you’ll find that they were more like Obama than like Vick.
By aa
August 21, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this
I think he is
By Liberal Drive-by
August 21, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
Stupid question Rick. You must have run out of things to write about so you picked this nonsense. Black people that vote don’t question his blackness. The idiots that don’t vote don’t count.
Gary, kids in high school are cruel. That’s where the young lady probably got most of her grief. If she’s an adult now I can assure you that black adults are not criticizing her for speaking correctly. So for you to say most black people wanna be thugs is a pretty ignorant comment. I will give you the black male 15-27 age bracket, but that’s it. They seem to be a lost generation for us right now. As for Obama, he won’t win the nomination anyway. Hillary’s pretty far ahead in most polls and unless she slips up tremendously she’ll win it.
By Tim
August 21, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
Mr. Badie,
Excellant Piece.
Thank you,
Tim
By Hotlanta
August 21, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
Don’t get me started. I know black folks who work 2/3 jobs to take care of their household and Lisa Lohan is going to rehab because she is tired os partying. So is it black folks who work like a dog and white folks who party all of the time. I have also noticed how Paris/Brittany/Lisa are all out of control and the media has been careful to say their names as individuals and not as white girls outta control. No newspaper headlines saying White race sorry, lazy and doesn’t contribute anything to society. So is Anna Nicole with all of those men claiming to be the babies daddy a blakc thing or white thing. Noone has answered my question yet.
By Camille
August 21, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
In response to the original article, the subject of Obama’s Blackness was initially started with one journalist who questioned whether he was Black enough to win the votes of the majority of Black people. Other journalists/talk show hosts caught wind of it, and the madness spread from there. The insanity should not have even reached its current proportions, as his level of Blackness should not even be an issue. Most people do realize that the fact that he is Black may be an issue, but not the level (what is that anyway) of his Blackness. What should be a concern is whether or not Obama, or any of the other candidates, will be a good leader for people across all ethnicities/cultures, not just whether or not he/she can win the Black vote. While it is natural to want to help the people of your own ethnicity, we (as in Americans) need to learn how to act as one. Then, maybe, just maybe, we could get a lot more done in this country to attempt to level the playing field for everyone.
By Corey
August 21, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this
Yesterday morning about 6:30, I noticed a lost wallet as I entered the fare gate at the Arts Center MARTA Station. The drivers license was displayed and, and there was a likeness of the young lady ahead of me going down the stairs. I yelled Miss, you dropped your wallet! She kept going. I approached her and said once again Miss, you dropped your wallet! She shrugged and brushed me off. I said to myself, is this woman afraid of me because I’m a black male? Once again, I yelled and held out her wallet so she could see why I was trying to get her attention. She realized what I was up to, she took her wallet and thanked me. Honestly, for a moment I felt like tossing the wallet in a trash can because of the way she reacted toward me. Can anyone tell me why this youg woman behaved that way toward me. I certanily was not dressed like a thug etc. I’m over fifty and wear a shirt and tie to work everyday because it’s required.
By Corey
August 21, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
Yesterday morning about 6:30, I noticed a lost wallet as I entered the fare gate at the Arts Center MARTA Station. The drivers license was displayed and, and there was a likeness of the young lady ahead of me going down the stairs. I yelled Miss, you dropped your wallet! She kept going. I approached her and said once again Miss, you dropped your wallet! She shrugged and brushed me off. I said to myself, is this woman afraid of me because I’m a black male? Once again, I yelled and held out her wallet so she could see why I was trying to get her attention. She realized what I was up to, she took her wallet and thanked me. Honestly, for a moment I felt like tossing the wallet in a trash can because of the way she reacted toward me. Can anyone tell me why this youg woman behaved that way toward me? I certanily was not dressed like a thug etc. I’m over fifty and wear a shirt and tie to work everyday because it’s required.
By N
August 21, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
The people who keep asking if Sen. Obama is “black enough” are playing right into the hands of the ignorant bigots who are doing their best to return this country to the 19th century. I can understand hate-mongering KKK wannabes playing the race card, but for any African American person to do it, too, in this political context is just plain bizarre.
By Equal Time
August 21, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
It’s amazing how this gets the coverage now.
For years we’ve been slamming successful black leaders in politics because of their “lack of blackness” - Colin Powell, Condelezza Rice, etc…
Only when the question is applied to the “new savior” Obama do we actually look at the question critically.
By Diogenes
August 21, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this
Uh, gee, not sure I understand the question. Unfortunately, the word “black” now refers to something CULTURAL, I think. Kids who study and do well in school and dress well and mind their parents and don’t commit crines or do drugs are derisively called “white,” so I don’t think “black” is necessarily a racial term any more.
So, is the question whether Obama wears enough bling, and fathers enough illegitimate children, and randomly commits enough violent crime, and has enough (or any) prison time, and hates whitey enough, and is just plain ignorant and irresponsible enough? I hope not, but I fear that it is …
By Adam Smith
August 21, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
Many commenters are behind the curve on this one. It is liberals who focus on one’s race because Leftists use group identity as a measure of a person rather than the individual.
L.A. Times columnist David Ehrenstein wrote a column entitled “Obama the ‘Magic Negro’” in March of this year. If it matters to you (and if you are a lib, it will), Ehrenstein is Black, African-American, a Person of Color, or whatever phrase is popular with you today.)
In the column, the author stated: “The only mud that momentarily stuck [on Obama]was criticism (white and black alike) concerning Obama’s alleged “inauthenticty,” as compared to such sterling examples of “genuine” blackness as Al Sharpton and Snoop Dogg.”
Rush Limbaugh parodied the column and Liberals’ fixation on race by commissioning the song “Barack the Magic Negro.”
Rush also highlights Liberals’ mandate to arrange people into groups with the joke about the NY Times reporter who got an exclusive interview with the Lord. [An extra-terrestrial being for you libs out there.] The Lord told the reporter the world would end tomorrow. The headline in the NY Times read: “World to End. Women and Minorities Hurt Worst.”
When you’re fixated on race and carry yourself with a hair trigger just waiting to be offended, you’ll not be disappointed. Liberals understand this and seek to assuage some of their guilt by indulging “groups” with pandering activity that does neither them, nor the “aggrieved” group, any good.
By Pam
August 21, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
It’s embarassing, but true that some blacks do look upon intelligent blacks as sell outs or too-white. My nephew told me that his friends call him a nerd. I told him to tell them thank-you because they think he’s smart. To answer you question, Obama may not be black enough to some ignorant souls, but he’s smart enough and American enough to lead this nation.
By Johnny Reb
August 21, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
Doesn’t really matter when choosing the lesser of two evils. You have Billary or O’Blama, choose one or write in your own name. Both will answer the questions the way the masses want, one will get into office and then more lies, deception and in general just not doing what they said. So the lesser of two evils. Your choice, cause I do not like either.
By ImTooWhiteToo
August 21, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this
Adam Smith
honestly lets stay out of the Red vs Blue issue. Its pretty clear that we have a hard enough time with Black/White/Brown issues…
By gman
August 21, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this
I went to a high school that had about 10 black students. One black girl used to get a lot of hell from the other black students cause she went out of her way to distance herself from the other black kids. She got picked on all the time from the black kids. Unfortunately, I was one of them. I teach my kids to respect others for who they are and how they respect you. They seem to have more diversity in thier friends then I did.
By the way, I agree with mostly Gary. Not all blacks speak with slang, listen to rap music and/or try to act like thugs. And where does that mentality come from? It may not come from the parents, but the parents should have the decency to stop it. When my kids tried to wear thier pants hung past thier waist, I told them to get a belt…or I’d be using mine.
By hmm
August 21, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this
I have a a good number of friends from Africa. As a white person who is at least 3 generations american, they have opened my eyes to a lot of things I would otherwise have not known. Recently, I was the only non-East African at a bar-b-que. As usual, my friends began talking about their American experience and to my surprise, almost to unaninomity, they all agreed that black Americans treat them with disrespect at greater numbers than white Americans. They told stories of rejection and prejudice handed out by black Americans who they feel resent the fact that they have come to this country with dark skin, no money, and little education, and in short order have found themselves to be business owners, home owners, and in one case a highly respected scientist. They feel that many black Americans are afraid that Africans who come to America and succeed will burst their protective bubbles that they live in a land where sucess is not an option. This is obviously, one group’s opinion. But, that written, perhaps the better question isn’t is he “black enough”, but is he “too African”.
By Me
August 21, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
Society has labeled everything that has to do with white as right and everything that is black as bad. I’m a Black Woman and I don’t see myself as someone who speaks correct language as being white. I talk, plain and simple. We have let white people determine our way of life far too dayum long. Hotlanta good post.
By Greg
August 21, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this
Wow, Is he black enough? If a white man asked that question we’d be stoned to death. This country is at a turning point politically, where the people’s voice may hold more power than ever before, and we are still hearing comments on a candidates race. Is the problem is America Bush is too white? No, that has nothing to do with anything. At what point will this racial attention go away, what has to happen, that has not already happened? I think the “black community” is as strong as it has ever been, and the fact that there still is so much attention on simply the color and even shade of a candidates skin speaks poorly on the intention and attention of a large group of voters. If a minority group wants change, shouldn’t it start with them, and not simply be perpetuated by them?!
By ATLien4Obama
August 21, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
Adam Smith
good to see that Ol’ Rush has his finger on the pulse of the racial divide in America.
that “Magic Negro” bit was a really an nuanced, indepth, poignant piece tha really got to the heart of the matter.
snark and sarcasm aside, if all you can do is see our serious acial problem in terms of red v blue then you’re part of the problem and not the solution.
By ForObama
August 21, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this
Let’s get one thing straight - Obama is bi-racial. Therefore, he isn’t truly a black American. Personally, I get disgusted that white America only wants to accept those in their race that looks like them! Bi-racial kids have to almost always deny their white side because of how they LOOK! NOT who they are!!!
Secondly, what in the heck is being “black enough”? I’m a 38 year old black woman, and I use proper grammar, played the violin and piano as a kid and enjoy the opera. Am I not “black enough”?
There is only a small group within the black community that feel a person isn’t black enough or are sell outs if they are educated. The majority doesn’t feel this way. Articles like this keep the myth going that the “black community” feels this way. My friends are all college-educated. Most of us have been friends since middle school. My parents are college-educated and so were my neighbors! Stop promoting such foolishness!Mr. Badie our race deserves better than articles like this!!!
Obama has my support because he is a candidate that discusses the issues that are important to me. I could care less what his race is. Bill Clinton was a disgrace and Hilary wouldn’t get my vote if she were the only candidate. Stop the madness!!
By A Young Opinion
August 21, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
The issue of race does not need to be discussed when determining who will be our next president. At this point we need to look at each candidate’s platform and what they have to offer. I watched a small portion of the democratic debate that aired on Sunday morning and the debate solidified for me who I would be voting for. Obama! He has a clear vision on where this country needs to go and has a detailed mapping of how to get us there. Although he may not have tenure in politics what has tenure previously gotten us? The Bushes!!! Let’s look at the real issues…how can we get out of this war, how can we stop the foreclosures, how can we make sure that no child is left behind, how can we decrease drugs & violence and the list goes on. If we were really paying attention to the numerous issues that there are…….do we really have time to think about is someone black enough or man enough or women enough?????
By jeed
August 21, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
In December 2005, I wrote about the Parkview High School student. Some black peers ridiculed her because she spoke properly, preferred certain clothes, played the violin and belonged to the Beta club and National Arts Honors Society. She earned high grades and kept her focus on the future. So Mandisa, then a sophomore, apparently didn’t pass the code.
You should be smarter and deeper than this. You write to suggest that being “smart” and well-spoken alone gets a black person labeled white-acting.
I have always been all of those things and have never been accused of being or acting white. What I did see in high school; however, were students (typically girls), who were “Valley” - as it was then called. Valley Girls interjected the word “like” throughout their whole conversation. “It was like so fab to see, like, the jocks who were totally hot, like, dancing with the cheerleaders.” These girls TENDED to be from whiter neighborhoods and associated with whites more than blacks, which is clearly not an issue and is rightfully their choice. Nevertheless, the black students said they acted white.
My point is, you’re telling PART of the story. I’ve seen many black students who are smart, well-spoken, clean cut (in fact, that is the expectation), who have NEVER been called white acting.
It’s not simply because someone is ‘smart’ - there are usually other factors.
Now Obama - of course he’s black enough.
Funny how we never mention ALL the portions of a man’s DNA when he robs a bank. Put him on a positive path though, and everyone wants their piece of the pie. Amazing.
By Obama fan
August 21, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
I like what my father (A caucasian-life long liberal, who voted for Jackson) joked about Obama, “He’s the next great, near-white, hope.” Just give me a candiate with intelligence, the ability to speak his/her mind, and the ability to earn my respect. The last two presidents have failed at that.
By gman
August 21, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
ForObama summed it up nicely. She is voting for the candidate that shows concern on the issues important to her. That’s how one should vote.
By me again
August 21, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this
The race issue will NEVER go away as long as some people, mainly whites, act like others, mainly blacks, should just get over what happened (slavery, civil rights injustices, etc.)
These are the lasting effects, deal with it.
By Ronda
August 21, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
What I wish that black people would concentrate on is that in order for Obama to have ANY chance at even winning at the democratic nomination that he will need to walk the middle of the road to some extent. Just talking to black people will not get him enough votes - that’s just the way it is. Besides, alot of the issues facing the country right now aren’t black issues or hispanic, they are American issues.
By Bella
August 21, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
Now we all know Obama is of mixed heritage. But then again so are most black Americans, so clearly this is more than a pigment issue. Heck, I have always been considered “not black enough” even by my own family—-although I am a “darkie” compared to my maternal relatives’ Vanessa Williams looks.
What it really boils down to is how well you buy into the ignorance, the victimhood, the self-destructiveness, and warped values of black “street” culture. I was bullied, harassed and ostracized growing up for “talking like a white girl,” for reading books, for playing a violin, for striving to do well in school. If Obama talked like a thug instead of a Harvard educated lawyer, then somehow he would have more validity in a lot of black people’s eyes. If he had cornrows in his hair a la Michael Vick, then he would be more “black.”
And if anyone other than black people like Obama, then somehow he’s suspect to other black people. How can Obama be one of us—they ask—if other people like him? At my predominantly white college, other black students shunned me because I associated with everyone—and not just them exclusively. Apparently, they alone had the power to confer “blackness” upon me and they withheld it because I did not look to them for validation.
Maybe color isn’t a behavior, a lifestyle, a mindset. Maybe it’s just that, color—a physical attribute like height, eye color, and body build. I can’t believe that ADULTS are still holding on to these ridiculous ideas about the “meaning” of blackness. Do they think other races are mulling over the meaning of their skin color? Puh-leeze.
I think I’ll be cafe au lait, instead.
By Diogenes
August 21, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
Hey hmmm —
Your post is right on. I work with a guy who fled Ethiopia (or what’s left of it). He is an engineer, and speaks English better than most of us. He’s the nicest, funniest, most stand-up kind of person you will ever meet. He has two great daughters who are respectful, intelligent, and well-spoken. The oldest will be starting at Auburn this fall, after graduating near the top of her class and acing her SAT’s.
He is HORRIFIED by what he sees from stereotypical American black culture. He is worried sick that his daughters will be sucked into it, and watches closely who they date, who they hang out with, what music they listen to, etc. His skin is as black as it comes, but he is passionate about distancing himself and his family from what he calls the “black cultural poison” in America. I can only imagine the cultural pressures he — and even more so, his daughters — must feel.
By ImTooWhiteToo
August 21, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this
Well said Bella.
By me again
August 21, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
Hey Diogenes,
Remind your Ethiopian friend to stay away from the WHITE trash out there as well.
By Pat Sajak
August 21, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
Obama could stand to go to the tanning bed to get a little blacker. However, the sad part is that the blacker he gets, the fewer votes he gets. This is a true statement. My concern is that if Obama gets elected will he vindicate Vick and make dog fighting legal. Torturing dogs seems to be cool in the black world. Dumb column by the way.
By Me
August 21, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
What a complete waste of time this subject was. In America, race is only an issue when the person is black. What does that tell you? SMOKESCREEN!! No matter how good you are, your skin is seen first. You have to prove that you are not like the stereotype in their head AND THEN they’ll treat you like “everybody else” …until you do something they consider a stereotype then you’re right back to being one of “those people” who’s qualifications need to be questioned again.
By Diogenes
August 21, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this
Hey me again —
I do! :o) It’s a running joke, too. It’s amazing how I can have comfortable, frank discussions on racial issues with an Ethiopian immigrant, but would never dream of doing so with my “African American” co-workers and acquaintances. SHows how poisoned this whole debate has become domestically … which, I think, directly leads back to the topic at hand.
By Atlanta Pearl Girl
August 21, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
I’m so sick of the race issues.
We’ll never progress as a culture/society if it’s constantly being brought to the forefront. Who cares if you are white, black, asian or german?
Every race & culture has had their share of hardships and accomplishments….. but if it’s a constant ‘issue’ of if you are black or not…. it really lessens you in any corner of life. Be known for your accomplishments…and stop belittling everything by playing the race card. Holy Cow.
By Hotlanta
August 21, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
He better hope his daughter doesn’t run into K-Fed. Corey after I had mentioned to the woman a second she dropped her wallet and she brushed me off. I would have picked it up, went to lunch and on credit card and sent her a bill. It’s funny how women of other races are so called “AFRAID” of black men until they want to take one to bed, then they are all up in their face. Pat if that was the case about dog fighting they better go to a lot of these white churches that worship snakes and get those snakes out. Sick, if the snake doesn’t bite you that means that God is with you.
By mike
August 21, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
What is obama qualified for?How long has he been in politics?4 years?He would like to go into pakistan with the army?I do not get it.What policies can you nail down that are not entitlements?Maybe we will learn more but right now I havent seen much to impress.
By twocents
August 21, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
I cannot believe that is still a term used today!! When I went to school in the south, kids said I wasn’t black enough because of my light skin, green eyes, and auburn brown hair which was very thick & long. I was called names like “Oreo”, “Half-breed” and this was the black kids. They found out I am Cherokee and found some rope from shop class, a dead bird on the ground and they took the feathers off the bird,had me tied up to a tree and put the feathers on my forehead and did the Indian chant around me! And we are still cruel to one another with this “black enough” stupidity. Grow up people. If you checked your family history far back enough we are all mixed, black, white, etc. We have to learn to live on this earth together and save our children and our world not converse about who’s black enough.!
By atlnavychick
August 21, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
Last time I checked it is the year 2007 and we are still having this stupid debate on race. Why does it matter if someone is black or not? Does the black community need for the candidate to have his or her “OG” card in order to properly represent their beliefs?
How about this presidential election we ACTUALLY look at what the candidate is presenting and what they have to offer instead of what “color he decides to be today”.
By atlnavychick
August 21, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
Last time I checked it is the year 2007 and we are still having this stupid debate on race. Why does it matter if someone is black or not? Does the black community need for the candidate to have his or her “OG” card in order to properly represent their beliefs?
How about this presidential election we ACTUALLY look at what the candidate is presenting and what they have to offer instead of what “color he decides to be today”.
By me again
August 21, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
Diogenes, right on! A lot of Americans are either too scared, too angry, or both to discuss the race issues here rationally. Both with good cause though.
Pearl girl, will y’all stop asking ‘who cares if someone is black or white’. Obviously, people DO CARE, or the issues wouldn’t keep cropping up.
Me, how correct you are. Race is only an issue when the person is black.
By sharon
August 21, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
Gary I don’t know what circles you travel in or where you spend your time, but the majority of the blacks I know do not “pride themselves on being ignorant or dressing like thugs”. We have to be very careful about sterotyping. The blacks that I know would command a room with their oratorical skills and intelligence and could wear business attire like no other. Yes, there are blacks that act ignorant, so are whites.
By troubled
August 21, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
I’m not voting for the guy, don’t much care for his politics but what does color have to do with it. By people constantly bringing up issues as unimportant as what race you are the real issues become unimportant. The guy might have some great ideas, doubt it but you never know. However, by harping constantly on whether he is “black” enough his competition is able to divide supporters based on race. By the way, I thought the democrats were the party that welcomed all based on merit not on wealth or status? Guess they lying on that stance as well. At least you guys are consistent.
By troubled
August 21, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
I’m not voting for the guy, don’t much care for his politics but what does color have to do with it. By people constantly bringing up issues as unimportant as what race you are the real issues become unimportant. The guy might have some great ideas, doubt it but you never know. However, by harping constantly on whether he is “black” enough his competition is able to divide supporters based on race. By the way, I thought the democrats were the party that welcomed all based on merit not on wealth or status? Guess they are lying on that stance as well. At least you guys are consistent.
By Bruce Wilcox
August 21, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this
I think the entire ‘not black enough’ issue was planted by a genius of a campaign worker. All this hype for free, what more could a campaign ask for. He is weak on experience so let’s muddy up the waters a bit and maybe no one will notice.
By sharon
August 21, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
Thank you Billy for being a voice of reason. Gary I doubt very seriously you have black friends as you pointed out. And if you do they are probably someone with low self esteem to sit under you and spew that garbage.
By LG
August 21, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
Me and Me again - that is soooooo not true. My white daughter dated a black guy and his mom had a tizzy over it. Her husband even told me that she liked my daughter, she just had a problem with her skin color.
By Michael H. Smith
August 21, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
Here’s a twist for you Mr. Badie, why hasn’t anyone asked Mr. Obama if he is white enough?
It really came as to surprise to me that Mr. Obama had to go to a black church to convince a black group that he was indeed black enough.
Did his white momma spoil his blackness?
It must be the education thing, his manner of speech and so forth?
You know what whites for the most part thought when they watched him respond to this: Are you black enough question?
What shocked me is that Mr. Obama didn’t have the right answer to defuse this silly but very real “trap question”. The obvious answer for anyone in the running to become the next President to this question is this:
You can never be black enough for some people or white enough for other people, in this country. To be President of America, you have to be American enough, to represent all Americans.
Well team Obama possibly you guys can recover from a very bad political gaffe. That one is on the house liberals.
I’ll not be quite so kind to Ms. Clinton’s liberal attempt at evoking the name of Theodore Roosevelt to lay claims on being a “Progressive”. I’ve read a lot of Teddy Roosevelt’s writings, who is the father of the once Progressive Party. Trust me Hillary, you are no Teddy Roosevelt and the Democrats remain Liberal Donkeys, they are not the Progressive Moose.
By Hotlanta
August 21, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
People talk about the thugs but they copy them to the tee. Remember when thugs where the only one’s who had pagers and cellphones. Now everyone has a cellphone. If yall don’t want to be labeled a thug you better put your cellphone down. Now everyone wears their cap on backwards. Like I said earlier was Nixon a thug for breaking and entering for Watergate. Is Bush a thug for starting the war. Wars are violent. Was the Enron president a thug for misusing funds for his expensive lifestyle.
By june_baby
August 21, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
rick, the are you black enough issue, is probably, the stupidest column you’ve ever written. why is it, that white kids make ignorant comments about class or race, no one say’s a thing. they ridicule their peers moreso than black kids ever do.but the first thing you say is that black kids are castigating their classmates. i think this is one of the most overblown, out of context issues there has ever been. let’s face it, sometimes kids are very very cruel, but that doesn,t mean it’s true. most of the time, i’ll bet these a re joking issues, but immediately, white people looking for b.s, takes this and runs with it. i read one guy’s blog(my daughter’s BLACK friend comes to me crying about how all the black kids make fun of her[i believe that he was telling a bald-faced lie]). man i swear, you people take any thing you can find, and try and make it an issue in the black community. you guy’s are a joke.
By OC
August 21, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
We currently have a former drug using, military service dodging, lying retard for a president. I think an intelligent black man could do no worse. At the stage this country is in with this president, Gilligan and the Skipper would be a welcome improvement.
Obama talks properly and he talks to people like he is one of them. His education allows him to talk to the most sophisticated, and his upbringing allows him to talk to the lowest in this society. Many try to do that but most can not. He really is the only one that can unite this country. W promised to unite this country in 2000. The country is more divided than ever. In fact he has divided the world, made Americans left safe and terrorism has increased on his watch into the tripple digits. His background may actually make others in the world cut America some slack and get some things worked out. It is clear our current plan only increases escalation.
By The Chell-ster
August 21, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
If someone like Mandisa is being ridiculed, the focus should be on those criticising her - they’re are OBVIOUSLY insecure and ashamed of not doing anything worthwhile with their own lives.
I’ve never understood why Black people ridicule their own people when it comes to accomplishments. Wouldn’t that make u want to stick your chest out that they are representing your culture so well? What is the deal with that? I’m not trying to offend or sound ignorant, I honestly want to know why
By Brotha1
August 21, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
By Hotlanta - Corey after I had mentioned to the woman a second she dropped her wallet and she brushed me off. I would have picked it up, went to lunch and on credit card and sent her a bill. It’s funny how women of other races are so called “AFRAID” of black men until they want to take one to bed, then they are all up in their face.
LOL @ Hotlanta - This is REALLY off subject, but hell, it’s a blog.
A friend of mine and I were walking through an intersection one day. This white woman - in her vehicle at the red light - looked up and saw us, GASPED, and locked her doors. (You could hear all the door locks click simultaneously).
Problem is, all of her windows were down. Now if we REALLY wanted her…
LOL
By june_baby
August 21, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
back in the good/bad old days, white people would do any and everything to keep black people fighting amongst themselves, to keep them separate from each other, so one hand wouldn’t know what the other hand was doing. anything to keep us from uniting and realizing our own potential. to a certain extent, this is an ongoing project for many of them, divide them, keep em fighting each other, by elevating some over others.keep em divided and distracted, and we’ll keep them enslaved for the next 400 years(mr. willie lynch(lynching), and others of that ilk). well it’s working.
By Rosharon
August 21, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
I hear the opposite of the too-white criticism from my college-educated African-American co-workers. They are constantly criticizing people for “being too ghetto.”
By TMc
August 21, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
When politicians, black activists and black leaders stop arguing in living color this syndicated rerun will be cancelled. Get a clue already.
You aren’t black and I’m not white.
By cara
August 21, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
People seem to forget that he grew up with white people from the mid-west. His skin color is dark but he relates to whites because of his background. His father was African which is not the same as growing up black in America. He didn’t experience any of that and he knew it. That’s why he thrusted himself into the poorest, roughest black areas in america. He knew that he was lacking. I see him as being white and African. Not black american. Personally, I don’t think he is black enough. He never really even encountered any black americans until he got out of Hawaii.
By MrLiberty
August 21, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
Here we are again with the black/white thing. As a white male I apparently am in the only group that is allowed any independant thought. Nobody looks at my group and says “they will all vote republican, or they will all vote democrat.” I am even allowed to show my intelligence by voting Libertarian without surprising anyone. But all women are supposed to vote for Hillary, all blacks are supposed to vote for Obama - or democrat when there is not a black running. All Latinos are supposed to vote democrat but asians I guess get some room for individuality.
What exactly is he supposed to be black enough for? Are we picking presidents by color now since we can’t trust them on any other objective criteria?
Here is a quote from another candidate in this race “In fact it is the federal government more than anything else that divides us along race, class, religion, and gender lines. Government, through its taxes, restrictive regulations, corporate subsidies, racial set-asides, and welfare programs, plays far too large a role in determining who succeeds and who fails in our society.
This government “benevolence” crowds out genuine goodwill between men by institutionalizing group thinking, thus making each group suspicious that others are receiving more of the government loot. This leads to resentment and hostility between us.
The political left argues that stringent federal laws are needed to combat racism, even as they advocate incredibly divisive collectivist policies.
Racism is simply an ugly form of collectivism, the mindset that views humans strictly as members of groups rather than individuals. Racists believe that all individuals who share superficial physical characteristics are alike: as collectivists, racists think only in terms of groups. By encouraging Americans to adopt a group mentality, the advocates of so-called “diversity” actually perpetuate racism. Their obsession with racial group identity is inherently racist.
The true antidote to racism is liberty. Liberty means having a limited, constitutional government devoted to the protection of individual rights rather than group claims. Liberty means free-market capitalism, which rewards individual achievement and competence, not skin color, gender, or ethnicity.”
That came from Ron Paul, the great congressman from Texas. You will not here this kind of message from Mr. Obama, because he is part of this very problem. He supports the very policies that divide us, and his plans for the future will only serve to divide us more. Mr. Paul on the other hand has a rock -solid stand in favor of the constiution and why restoring it and freedom in this country.
By Hotlanta
August 21, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
When black people say someone is talking white believe me it is not a compliment.
By Mr. P
August 21, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
A SILLY Question! Race has nothing to do with it!Obama represents a pursuit of excellence that is fading or absent in American Society as a whole. With individuals like Baraka Obama as a role model, there will be less Michael Vicks and Paris Hiltons in the news, or at least less attention given to such issues. America is in desperate need of a HIGHER standard of excellence and achievement.
By brent dixon
August 21, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Is Obama black enough ? I agree with alot of posters, probably the lamest question I’ve ever heard. I also think it is something that white people keep in the news. I, to this day have never heard a black person other than, lazy black journalist, who want to drum up cheap blogger points. Other than that, not one black person has ever raised this questions. White media manipulation.
By gerald
August 21, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this
http://healthelandgeneraldocuments.wordpress.com/2007/04/13/the-three-step-salvation-plan/
By Dean
August 21, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this
This is really stupid. Who cares about the skin color of the candidate. Why does the AJC continue to ask race related questions and create division? We are all one race. The HUMAN race. AJC please stop the nonsense we’ve had enough.
By Dean
August 21, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
And what are “racial qualifications” anyway? WTF, give me a break!
By Resa
August 21, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
I (heart) Billy @ 8:45.
By Mark
August 21, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this
Nice job of blog baiting, Rick. You are a racist moron!
By rarringt
August 21, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
The irony, of course, is that this article which questions the “racial credibility” of an ivy-league educated U.S. Senator who married a black woman, loves his black children and never did or said anything to make anyone believe he is proud of being a black man appears one day after the Michael Vick announcement.
Vick, who shamed himself, his family, his community and his people, is surrounded by supporters who loudly take up the role of apologist and enable for his heinous and vicious cruelty. These people scream that a black man is being lynched, and you can almost hear “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” in the background.
So the real question is: why is someone with so many positive traits who has a longstanding committment to uplifting our community questioned about his “blackness,” while a sadist like Vick receives unflinching support?
If Vick is legitimately “black” and Obama is not, what does that say about us (other than we’re in deep trouble?)
By rarringt
August 21, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
Slight typo. First paragraph should read “…never did or said anything to make anyone believe he is ANYTHING OTHER THAN proud of being a black man….”
Apologies.
By Ms. Royalty
August 21, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this
WTF??? You have go to be kidding me…this is ridiculous blog! I totally concur with One.
By Tonia
August 21, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this
I have been meaning to post on this all day. Stop this foolishness, it’s not about being black enought it’s about be capable! Which is more than I can say for our present leadership. Black people do not get fooled by such petty communication, this is rediculous.
By Edward
August 21, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
I have noticed that Obama ‘blacks it up’ for his black audiences and tones down to his primarily whiter ones. Is this wrong? Or, is this good politicing? I really don’t know. I don’t see him being strong on foreign matters, his lack of experience is starting to show now. He is makig the democratic campaign a better one to watch, if it weren’t for him it would be the Hillary show 24/7. Also, in reference to the piece on the young lady mentioned, my wife sees that all the time as a teacher and it makes he sad then mad. She’s witnessed many black kids dumb down so not to be picked on. What does this say to our kids? Besides, isn’t Obama as much white as he is black…and the big deal is…?
By Hotlanta
August 21, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
I can tell you what makes a person black or white.
If you smoke meth, you are white. If you smoke weed you are black.
If you get a job without knowing anyone in the company and you are qualified you are black.
If you get a job by knowing someone in the company and you are not qualified. You don’t even fill out an application nor the job does a background check on you, you are white.
If you purchase a new car even if you have good credit and they still try to give you the highest interest rate you are black.
If you purchase a new car and have bad credit, filed bankruptcy, haven’t had a steady job in years and they give you the lowest interest rate and they knock off $3000.00 you are white.
If you go cross country, LIE to the feds about a fake kidnapping and your record will be expunded and you spend NO jail time you are white.
If you are a 17 year old male and have sex with a 15 year old female, you go to jail but if you say you are guilty you will have to register as a sex offender for life you are black.
By Diogenes
August 21, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
rarringt, that was a RIGHT ON observation, and THE question that stumps most of us. You hit the proverbial nail on the head.
By newkid
August 21, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry sir, but I’ve gotta say this. What a pathetic piece of garbage. Please try and research a subject to the point where it’s at least mildly obvious that there’s some iota of merit to sharing a perspective regarding said subject. This is simply trash with absolutely no intellectual value whatsoever.
As opposed to resorting to nonsensical and totally irrelevant topics of this sort, I for one would appreciate pieces (from you and your colleagues at the AJC) that try and help us move FORWARD in developing and applying our critical thinking on matters related to selecting political leadership. If you (and your colleagues) find this a might difficult, then I rather prefer silence.
By Charles
August 21, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
The best education African Americans can receive is that provided by old master teachers in the community. It won’t get you a quality job but it will nourish the soul if you haven’t sold it.
We live in the United States of America. Collectively African Americans don’t have a pot to p** in. Black businesses and institutions would give African Americans the power to bring forth the strong from our ethnic group as leaders and highly visible personalities. If we continue to depend on other groups to meet our basic needs, other groups will promote our weak and exclude the strong which is good for other groups, but disastrous for our masses.
Getting excited about the prospects of a black president and if he is black enough given the economic, social, political, etc condition of African Americans is an affront to the intelligence of Negroes.
By the way, Negroes talking out of their nostrils and producing the European sound is not intelligence. Children say, “You don’t have to talk white.” Integrationist Negroes of adult age attempt to confuse a valid point. The children are correct. Negroes shouldn’t purposely exclude the bass in their voice emanating from their broad nostrils. It won’t offend anyone. “You don’t have to act white.”
Agent provocateurs and Negroes of adult age misrepresent our children. They assert that our children are saying to mere read and study is acting white. Our children never made such an accusation. Thanks to the integrationist Negroes, logically our children are now confused between the two points. How can they challenge conniving Negroes of adults’ age; they are children.
African American children have been deceived by the integrationist Negro New World Order crowd who are now their accusers.
I would rather see a white person in the White House than Barack Obama. Where is the source of his power? Let’s stop playing these foolish games.
My preference for President of the United States is Ron Paul. He is the most principled candidate.
By Gaguy
August 21, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
Hotlanta, get the poor balck man arrogant chip off your shoulder. Why not add a few more things to your list. If you have had four kids by three different men and never married, what race are you? If you own spinner rims and not a book in the house, which race? If you’ll pay three hundred dollars for tennis shoes and get free lunches on my tax dollar, which race are you? If you think Vick is a victim, which race? You’re a total idiot, either race…you’re an idiot.
By Johnny Reb
August 21, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
Hotlanta, Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa life is so unfair. Manup stop the whinning and get a life and do something wit it.
By Johnny Reb
August 21, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
Hotlanta, Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa life is so unfair. Manup stop the whinning and get a life and do something with it.
By Koala
August 21, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
Cory, good on you for giving the wallet back to the stupid girl who dropped it. She was rude — she probably thought you were begging at MARTA, as it goes all there all the time.
By Jason
August 21, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
Hotlanta, if it makes you feel better to blame all your failures on whites and racism, go for it. But at the end of the day, you’ll still be a failure. If you’re so frustrated with the injustices against blacks in this country, you’re free to move to a country that’s more tolerant. Or is the whole world racist against blacks?
By Carl
August 21, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
I agree with the earlier comment that you should be ashamed for even addressing this silly issue. Maybe you could write an article on how white the other candidates are to at least give the appearance of fairness.
By Hotlanta
August 21, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
If you get paid not to plant anything then what are you. Isn’t that welfare. It just amazes the hell outta me how white folks can live in their own lives and think that their folks doesn’t do anything wrong but expects for us to take the blame for our bad folks. Gaguy what color was Anna Nicole with all of those baby daddies. None has called her a ho yet.
By Who Cares?
August 21, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
I would prefer someone not be “Black enough” for several reasons. First-i don’t trust Obama-is he too close to his black minister that portrays Black Values/Muslim Values? Will he impose AFrican values that go against our freedoms such as the taking of property-like robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe? Or impose that all convert to Muslimism and wear burkas and chant the violent koran 5 times a day? will he take orders from Kenya since his absent father was from Kenya? Will he impose black/kenayan values of knocking up white women and leaving them to fend for the black illegitimate kid in order to bolster the black population? No reporter has asked any democrat a tough question. It appears all the democrats want is to legalize the illegals in return for their life long democratic vote so that the democrats can tax us to death and give entitlements to those that vote democrat. Notice to white women, when you have a black kid, the kid id’s with the BLACK culture and not the whtie culture. He will view you as a piece of property-see OJ!
By Johnny Reb
August 21, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
Hotlanta, I think those are called farmers. So your saying that all farmers are people of color “white”. Now that’s funny cause I know a damn bunch of farmers on all scales that are black. From vegtables, to ro cropping, fruit trees and the list goes on and yes, they all get paid not to plant depending on the program their land is enrolled in. You seem to have ahard time sticking to a subject. I don’t really care what you A.N.S. wasn’t worth mentioning to me. YOu can do a better job od whinning than this.
By rarringt
August 21, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
Who Cares,
Let me just say that a mind is a terrible thing to waste….
I guess with that kind of thinking, Mitt Romney will be requiring we all have multiple wives, and Fred Thompson will make acting classes compulsory….
By Bruce Wilcox
August 21, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
So Who Cares? you rather a real blueblood like the idiot son we have now? The Connecticut Cowboy who hid out during Nam so well the National Guard just can not seem to find his records? The commander in chief that makes General Custer look like a military genius?
Southern Mentality, how sad.
By Mark Wiznitzer
August 21, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
The only people with a real interest in continuing to ask the question — is Obama black enough — are his opponents and their shills.
There are so many truly important issues facing our country right now: — a war in which thousands have died, black and white, and thousands more have been maimed; — the lack of healthcare for millions of people; — inner city violence with unnamed victims and no-snitch obstacles to stopping the killing spree; — energy policies that are destroying our planet and holding us hostage to the Ahmadinefads and Chavezes of this world; — defective educational system that is failing to prepare our youth to compete in the global economy; and — divisiveness that has dominated our politics for so many years.
Let’s listen to Obama’s approach to solving these problems for every American, black or white, Democrat or Republican, and stop this absurd preoccupation to assess whether Obama is racially qualified or not.
By BiteMe
August 21, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
“We all have the same biology……regardless of idiology.”
God loves a variety, thus he made us all different. Please accept that. I don’t understand most people’s mentality, especially here in the south where no one can seem to let the past be the past.
You know, my ancestors arrived here over 100 years ago, only to see “IRISH NEED NOT APPLY” signs everywhere, in every city. We were drawn in cartoons as monkeys and treated like fools. But I don’t believe we are up in arms about what happened to us over 100 years ago! Everyone seems to feel, regardless of their race, like they need to be owed something from other’s past mistakes. If we don’t stop all this finger pointing and pure NONSENSE, history will surely repeat itself and more mistakes will be made that people will want “corrected”, generation upon generation’s down the road.
Obama seems like a good contender to me. And to those that want to keep asking what color a person is, what status they are, etc…….You will be shocked when your day comes and you go “home”, only to find that not just one race exists in heaven, either!!!!!!!
See ya then!
By 1 More Thing
August 21, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
WHO IS THE KEEPER OF THE MEASURING STICK - IS ONE BLACK ENOUGH?
To whom in society have we given this privledge too?
It seems like the MEDIA once again - has interjected a question - that none of us —- would dare to ask.
African Americans come in varieties of shapes, sizes, colors, cultural and societal backgrounds. How does someone say that Bill Clinton is Black - but Obama is not…
THAT IS RIDICULOUS
By Hotlanta
August 21, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
Speaking of experience wasn’t Regan an actor in the movie called “Bedtime for Bonzo” about a monkey. A lot of experience in that. WOW. Arno is now governor. Thanks to his Kennedy connections. He will be back.
By Diogenes
August 21, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
A much more pertinent and interesting question for me — IS HILLARY WOMAN ENOUGH? Arf … sometimes I crack myself up …
By Kwesi
August 21, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately, racial issues will not ever go away in this country. In fact, the disparaties are growing. Just a sad fact. The foundation of this nation was built on hedious racial ideologies, and this has affected all communities within this nation in so many ways psychologically. Therefore, don’t expect things to get better any time soon. An attest to that fact is by a VERY ignorant comment I just read when someone said, “why do MOST Blacks pride themselves on being ignorant?” Ignorant, racist, false, and terrible comment to make!
By Complete
August 21, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this
Stop the madness. Be ashamed to even broach this ignorant subject and maybe, just maybe, one day the entire question will go away. It must start somewhere so why not with you?
By BCR
August 21, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
Please stop it with these type of blogs, especially in Atlanta. They usually start off semi intelligent but then turn into verbal race wars. AJC, please, no more.
By Sam
August 21, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
I think the appropriate question here is - Is he too Muslim? He does have Muslim roots. That in itself is scary……
By Mac
August 21, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
I guess if he were Step N’ Fetch It, This question would never be part of the debate. He is a brilliant man with more character, guts, and smarts than every candidate in the democratic or republican parties.
By rik
August 21, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Depends - If he thinks Vick is being screwed over, then I would say yes he is black enough.
By outraged
August 21, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
I don’t about his color. All I care about are his credentials and whether or not he will make a good president. He could be green with polka - dots and it wouldn’t matter as long as he makes a good president.
By DEbonyPrince
August 21, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
I hope people can just look at the solutions Obama brings to the table and not be so caught up on his skin color????
We will see how many rounds blacks can go in the ring of politics. 15 rounds would result in a trip to the white house. If not, then there is at least a strong argument that America is not ready for a black president
The black vote alone will not result in Obama’s being voted president
white folks gotta not only accept him BUT VOTE FOR HIM TOO!!
By MAWDUKES
August 21, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
Camille,
Your comment about minority/majority was probably one of the most intelligent and well thought out comments I have ever read in any AJC blog. I applaud you.
By JackP
August 21, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
Is Obama black enough? Who gives a s*. He should be judged on his merits. I would prefer him over that currupt Hitlary Clinton.
By JJ
August 21, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
How can you ask that question of a man who is of mixed heritage and was raised Muslim?
Of course he will never be “black” enough, because a part of him is white. What a stupid, stupid question.
I do not believe he has enough political experience to be President and lead this country. However, if it comes down to him and Hillary, my vote will definately go to him. I will not EVER, EVER, EVER vote for Hillary. I wouldn’t vote for her if she was the only candidate running. She is just a bit to scary for me.
By lovelyliz
August 21, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this
It depends on who you ask. For some any black is too much black.
I’d like to say i don’t know why this is an issue, but……………….
By BC
August 21, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
Rick,whenever your blogs get less that adequate comments you through in a race issue. We all know that race brings people out but let’s not use it as blog bait.
By The Muslim in the Room
August 21, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
Sam, Give me a break. Too Muslim! How soon we forget white christian history. Was W, too White Southern Christian with his ties to the south where the Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan ruled. Maybe we should have feared the Christian white man who after all if you look at his history, not only slaughtered the native american almost to extinction but stole his land on top of that. This Christian land also said that the story in the Bible of Ham was why black people should be slaves. On HBO this month they showed how this great big loving Christian nation killed innocent men, women in children with two atomic bombs during world war II. I couldn’t watch the whole thing, because there were never before seen pictures of the victims after the bombing. Maybe you think Jesus liked that, but I would venture to say no. This Christian nation also conducted the Tuskeegee experiment where they purposely infected black men with syphilis to study how the disease takes course in humans like they were test rats.
I could go on for days about the atrocities committed in the name of Jesus Christ around the world. The point however is that when I encounter white christians I don’t judge them by the fringe group of christians even though some of this frigne group happen to be in power. I know that most christians want to go to work, pay their bills and raise their families. I as a Muslim want to do the same as well as all the Muslims I know. When I get on a plane I want to make it safely to where I’m going and if somebody starts to act a fool then I’m going to protect myself like anyone else regardless of what faith they are. There are nut jobs in every religion. Don’t take the nuts and make them the whole. I mean really, if we did that blacks would never trust white people. Not only because of the atrocities of the past against blacks but to every other non white people as well. Learn to live and let live and keep the nuts on the outside.
By Lee
August 21, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this
I think we will probably see some version of a Hillary/Obama combination. If so, the Republicrates could run a potted plant on the ballot and get it elected.
The only bright spot in this sordid mess is Ron Paul. Finally, a politician who has actually read the Constitution.
By CKemp
August 22, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this
This is a very sustainable form for this inquiry, if we’re going to keep it up (I wish we wouldn’t):
Clarence Thomas is black enough but Senator Obama is not?
Condoleeza Rice is black enough but Senator Obama is not?
Will his daughters, as adults, be black enough but he is not?
Think, people!
By vwcat
August 22, 2007 2:04 AM | Link to this
I think it is stupid and sick to question whether Barack Obama is black enough when Bill and Hillary Clinton are accepted as such. How totally messed up is that? How twisted is that logic?
By Katie
August 22, 2007 6:27 AM | Link to this
A Muslim in the room: You should have said ‘atrocities committed in the name of any god’ and not ‘in the name of jesus’. If we remove the religious right we’d all be much better off—at least to think clearly. You can’t change peoples’ belief systems. Obama is qualified no matter what religion he chooses to follow and he should not be judged for it—it isn’t an issue. Just as his skin color isn’t an issue. If more people were to think like this this world would be a much better, and safer place.
By herald
August 22, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
You are parroting Pitts again. He does it better.
http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard_pitts/story/203566.html
By Mawdukes
August 22, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this
Hotlanta: While I’m not sure about the job part of your statement, I can say that I just bought a car got $3,000 rebate but a very high interest rate. And while I do not approve of it, I know both black and white that smoke meth and weed. I also think that the runaway bride should have had to serve some kind of time for “filing a false report of kidnapping” and she should have had to repay for the cost of looking for her. I also think that Genarlow Wilson being in jail in the biggest crock of S**T. I think Anna Nicole is a ho and my son spent 40 months in prison(30% of his 1st offender 10 year sentence). And 1 more thing, I am a white woman.
By blog keeper
August 23, 2007 5:50 AM | Link to this
Mawdukes,
Your point is what exactly???? you didnt’ say anything about Obama. Keep to the subject matter please.