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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPowerful B&W Photo, WH Releases Striking Photo Of Obama Family In Mandela’s Cell
The White House on Monday released a black-and-white photo of President Barack Obama and his family inside former South African President Nelson Mandela's cell on Robben Island in Cape Town, South Africa.
Obama can be seen in the photo with his daughters, Sasha and Malia, as well as First Lady Michelle Obama. The photo was taken last month during the first family's tour through
Africa.
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/white-house-releases-striking-photo-of-obama-family?ref=fpb
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,627 posts)KoKo
(84,711 posts)I think of Bradley Manning being held naked in his cell with a bare cot to sleep on (because he was considered suicidal) and the Gitmo Prisoners who were cleared of charges of terrorism being force fed through tubes because they'd rather die now than be "detained" for the rest of their lives because our country says there's no where for them to go.
Sometimes it take a moment like he has experienced to realize what it meant for someone to held in a small room with only one window for years. I wonder if either Manning or the Gitmo innocents even had or have a window to look out of in their incarceration?
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,627 posts)He is an intelligent and thoughtful man, after all.
I wonder about the same things that you do...
*sigh*
datasuspect
(26,591 posts)but all over the world.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)But, it does need to be said.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)so devastating.
He and his family certainly seem to be very moved by being in this cell. And, we have to remain hopeful about Obama because he has asked us to. But, we have to be VIGILANT and PUSHING HIM...at the same time.
We all too can forget "memorable movements" when "Life" gets in the way. Let's hope that this was a moment too profound for both him and Michelle and their children that this will be sustained in his and their memory. Nothing like kids and partners to keep one engaged.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)... but I don't think he'll do the right thing. It's just the realism of today's politics.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)and "into the Bubble" with the folks who paid to bring you to the dance....in a corrupt political funding climate.
So...I hear ya! But, I hope that he "Hears US" who stood by him...but, are disappointed in some of his lack of action on issues we voted for him to address and so many of his appointments!
shireen
(8,333 posts)Ruling on Jihad Dhiab vs. Barack Obama, for the petition to stop force-feeding. The judge makes a really good case for why it should be stopped but she has no jurisdiction over it.
I am baffled about why these prisoners have not been released. Can anyone explain it?
MADem
(135,425 posts)Who was given an "anti-suicide" costume made of those thick blankets they use to wrap furniture in--he wasn't "naked in his cell" -- he was wearing a ridiculous get-up because he threatened to kill himself. It's what they do when people say those things.
This has nothing to do with any other prisoners held anywhere else.
This moment was about Mandela's sacrifices on behalf of his country. Mandela is a hero to black and minority people; and for a good reason.
His story resonates.
Response to kpete (Original post)
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tammywammy
(26,582 posts)Is there nothing people won't complain about? If he hadn't gone you probably would be pissed that he wasn't paying proper respect to Mandela's sacrifice. He goes and you bitch because it's "crass".
Response to tammywammy (Reply #4)
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tammywammy
(26,582 posts)But go on with your "outrage" at how dare Obama grace the place where Mandela was imprisioned.
You realize that Souza is constantly taking their photos right? I mean, it's not like he just pops up here and there, he's around them ALL THE TIME. I would be more inclined to think they're used to it (it's been going on for a few years now) and ignoring him versus fucking "posing."
nobodyspecial
(2,286 posts)and being hit with the reality of what Mandela endured, a young girl must be told to seek comfort in her father's arms and the dad must be told to wrap her in his love -- you know, for the cameras. Yes, because the Obama family members are monsters and incapable of experiencing true human emotions. Sorry, Obama is NOT the psychopath you have imagined him to be.
Response to nobodyspecial (Reply #12)
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geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Newsflash: they're photographed whenever in public. They are also black, so they are going to have a reaction to the cell of the man who ended apartheid.
So, no, they are not 'faking it' despite what your derangement tells you.
Response to geek tragedy (Reply #22)
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geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Sorry, but when you're this reckless about shitting out your hateful crazy talk, you wind up hitting everyone in the frame.
You could have just been more honest and said "I hate Obama and don't see him as a human being, therefore I do not like this picture."
Response to geek tragedy (Reply #26)
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geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)showing human emotion while visiting the cell of one of his heroes, a symbol of the liberation of black people everywhere.
That's not hating his sins, since that isn't a sin.
That's just hating him. And his family, in this case.
Response to geek tragedy (Reply #31)
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geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Response to geek tragedy (Reply #34)
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alcibiades_mystery
(36,437 posts)Get's everything filthy.
Cha
(297,275 posts)the 'suspect. he must have taken your observations seriously, though.. and deleted all his hate-mongering posts.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)mcar
(42,334 posts)It does get ridiculous.
Response to mcar (Reply #8)
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geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)White privilege much?
Response to geek tragedy (Reply #23)
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geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Your hatred is not a substitute for actual thinking,
Response to geek tragedy (Reply #27)
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geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Response to geek tragedy (Reply #32)
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geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)perceptions of photos of Obama's family.
It's most common in the Fox Nation boards, but increasingly common here. You're kind of a pioneer.
Response to geek tragedy (Reply #37)
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geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)advocates for Men's Rights.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)LET IT GO.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)alcibiades_mystery
(36,437 posts)kpete
(71,996 posts)I have been to S Africa
I went to the house where Mandela had been arrested.
My grown son cried,
I was forever changed
If the Obamas took away what most people experience in this Great Man's shadow
then we will all gain DIGNITY from this.
I even wonder if Obama's speech on Race had been inspired by this particular experience
not cheap at all...
kp
Response to kpete (Reply #5)
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kpete
(71,996 posts)I hope it gave them strength and even inspiration.
As far as commercialism goes,
America will fracture into the 2 camps it has been corralled into
Some will love this pic as I do, others will use it (as you suggest the WH will)
I prefer the LOVE camp that Mr. Mandela talked about here:
No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
noiretextatique
(27,275 posts)considered all your deleted posts. here's a site where you can find agreement: www.freerepublic.com
BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)If you don't see real feeling in that photo you are blind. Then again, you obviously stopped seeing a human being when you look at Obama a long time ago.
Response to BeyondGeography (Reply #10)
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BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)The black vote? Oh, wait, his approval rating there is still 80-90 percent and he'll never run for office again in his life...
Response to BeyondGeography (Reply #20)
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BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)I was stuck at the same number for two whole weeks. Thanks, man.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)Response to uponit7771 (Reply #44)
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uponit7771
(90,347 posts)...presidents...how does that go in your favor?!
don't see what you're saying here
Response to uponit7771 (Reply #46)
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uponit7771
(90,347 posts)...people can expect from you to crash and bash no?
tia
Who are you calling "you people"?
tia
Response to uponit7771 (Reply #48)
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Marr
(20,317 posts)so naive as to take things like this at face value.
People talking about the reactions of the children, etc., are completely missing the point. You're looking at a nice, black and white photo that was released to the press. That's PR, and considering Obama's very 'elites first' approach to governing, I have to say I find it more than a little crass as well.
Peacetrain
(22,877 posts)What the hell are you talking about?? The President of the United States through his presence with this family acknowledges the sacrifices that Nelson Mandela made.. I am just stammering almost.. crass.. what is crass is your post.. suspect is about right..
Response to Peacetrain (Reply #51)
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Peacetrain
(22,877 posts)Response to Peacetrain (Reply #53)
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AllINeedIsCoffee
(772 posts)cabot
(724 posts)I thought the headline referred to Nelson Mandela's cell phone. D'oh.
Beautiful pic!
Cha
(297,275 posts)century!
grahamhgreen
(15,741 posts)was held in prison. Interesting.
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)Number23
(24,544 posts)assed forum to get spammed. So sick of the ignorance and hate towards this president here. I hope the admins will do the right thing.
rpannier
(24,329 posts)I think it's far more powerful in black-and-white than it would have been in color
sheshe2
(83,785 posts)Such a beautiful and heart wrenching photo.
Sorry your post had to be marred with someone so full of hate and loathing for this President. They were deleted before I got here, however I get the idea.