Obama remark stereotyping "typical white person" seen as racist by some

[jackson_dem]

Smart move by Obama. He is polling at 23% among whites in Pennsylvania. Channeling his mentor/pastor of 20 years will surely improve those numbers. :sarcasm: It is good to see Obama "transcend" race yet again in this campaign. :sarcasm:

-snip-

In the speech, the Democratic candidate spoke of his white grandmother "who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street, and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe."

On WIP, Obama said: "The point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn't. But she is a typical white person who, if she sees somebody on the street that she doesn't know, there's a reaction that's been bred into our experiences that don't go away, and that sometimes come out in the wrong way, and that's just the nature of race in our society."

-snip-

"We doubt this story will have legs, but wonder if Hillary Clinton referred to a 'typical black person,' would we ever hear the end of it?" Dan Gross of the Philadelphia Daily News wrote on his PhillyGossip blog.

"Seriously, Barack Obama basically called all white people racist. ... Is this guy kidding?" wrote Taylor Marsh on Huffington Post in midafternoon.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20080321_Obamas_typical_white_remark_on_WIP_offended_some.html

[Bullet1987]

1. Welcome to ignore...

[bbinacan]

69. The OP is correct. n/t

[JoFerret]

82. Stop saying that

Reality annoys people.

[barb162]

83. LOL , but the OP IS correct!

[JoFerret]

96. I know.

The OP is indeed correct.

[JoFerret]

81. Ignore me too. Very wise to ignore anyone

who sees things from a different angle that you do.
That way you never have to learn a thing.

[polmaven]

110. I'm sure jackson-dem

is CRUSHED!

[maxsolomon]

2. didn't you post this same thing yesterday?

typical human...

[jackson_dem]

8. No

I didn't even know of his remark until watching the NBC's nightly newscast a few minutes ago.

[formernaderite]

10. yeah it was a stupid remark

this whole subject is devolving unfortunately. I don't think he meant it as badly as it sounded...it's just difficult when discussing race. It's as if we have to come up with a whole new language that isn't laced with pejoratives.

[barb162]

84. Hey, if you post this every day, it's great with me.

[buff2]

3. Those racist remarks will go over big

with independents and fence sitters. :sarcasm: It's really amusing how he tries so hard to be a "uniter" while subliminally making racial remarks. Ugh. :puke:

[barb162]

85. He's a uniter, only in his own mind.

His actions, like giving 22,000 to Wright's church, shows he's NO uniter. He let his kids sit there listening to that guy?
:eyes:

[The_Casual_Observer]

4. Simply an unscripted remark.

[buff2]

7. he should think before he speaks

Open wide.....insert foot. Geez..

[The_Casual_Observer]

9. That would take too long.

[K Gardner]

5. God.. LET IT SINK, Obama supporters, plez.

[ShortnFiery]

6. Hello!?! Stereotyping does not equal racism, especially when you apply it to empathize with another...

group of people.

But you already know that, don't you? :(

[jackson_dem]

14. It used to according to progressives before "Democrat" Obama showed up and brought "change"

Barack Obama: making the world an easier place for homophobia and racism one redefinition at a time!

Take it up with those who view it as racist. The damage is done. He just added more fuel to the fire that will, along with William Ayers, be central to the swiftboating of him if he is the nominee.

[ShortnFiery]

29. Whoa! You're spinning like a top. No, it's FAR from racist, it's HUMAN.

We all stereotype. There's no need to get "outraged" over a TRUE attempt to understand what it's like another group of people, e.g. older white women, older white men, blue collar people, etc.

We ALL should try to understand another groups plight and that INVOLVES a certain amount of STEREOTYPING.

Are your stereotypes stagnant?

Why are you offended?

Is there possibly a grain of truth to his assessment?

I think you are just trying to stoke a breakdown in ADULT/MATURE discussion of this topic. But that's just me. :shrug:

[barb162]

86. And if I say "typical black person" is that stereotying?

How about "typical Muslim" or "typical Asian" or "typical woman"

It's all stereotyping that does no good and reflects very negatively on the person doing it.

[ShortnFiery]

116. Stereotyping is HUMAN and not always derogatory - especially in an attempt to understand another.

Hey, I'll admit to stereotyping when I thought of Obama's potential future association with the Clintons. "Obama (like all black people :blush:) likes basketball so he won't golf with Poppy. Oh wait!?! There's Tiger Woods ... damn, have to revise that stereotype.

If we, as humans, did NOT stereotype we would constantly be confused. The trick is to be cautious with those stereotypes when applying them to all individuals. My mother and grandmother were the same "typical" white women when approaching black men in mostly white neighborhoods.

It's only when we integrate with other groups of people, that we can truly REVISE those inappropriate stereotypes and learn to respect each other more.

BTW when I was one of the first Women Officers to a command in the 80s, I had a soldier who told me that he didn't believe women deserved to wear an Officer's rank. I didn't FREAK or bust them on the spot ... but merely said, "I'd think again if I were you because I'm gonna 'hook you up' from the fire tower on our rappelling exercise next week." :evilgrin:

Everyone stereotypes. We must INTEGRATE (mix together) in order to modify our false and sometimes negative stereotypes ... that's the only way that we all can learn to appreciate and empathize with "the other."

[grannylib]

11. I thought it was clear in context that he was referring to a certain

generation, and being old enough to remember the attitudes at one time of people her age, I can totally understand what he was saying and I don't find myself, as a white woman, offended by that statement at all. It was just plain honest and I don't know what the hell all the fuss is about. Really.

[grannylib]

12. "Member of the African-American Community" would be the PC way

to say it I suppose, but it gets said all the time - just not in that straightforward a manner.

[stevietheman]

13. By some, you mean "typical" Hillbots trying to score points against our actual nominee. n/t

n/t

[jackson_dem]

16. No, I mean folks in the real world who don't like being streotyped by a hypocrite

[NJSecularist]

50. What would you know about the real world? You certainly don't live in it.

[barb162]

87. Bravo, well said. He gives a speech about race when he supports Wright

who is a big racist.

:eyes:

[Saturday]

15. It amazes me that Bill Clinton said

"Jesse Jackson also won SC" and was lambasted for it but Obama can say "typical white person" and it's no big deal to his supporters. Unbelievable.

[jackson_dem]

18. One is political history, the other is a racist comment about 200 million people

Can you name someone other than Jesse Jackson and Barack Obama who won the South Carolina Democratic primary on racial voting? He was stating the obvious. Everyone else won by appealing across racial lines. Who was he to compare Obama's win to? It was a mirror of JJ's. Is it illegal to point that out?

Mitt Romney won every state with a large Mormon population. Why do you think that happened? Mere coincidence?

[roseBudd]

66. Obama said all 200 million white people are murdering rampaging genocidal maniacs?

I had not heard that

[rodeodance]

24. yes, simply amazing.

[BeyondGeography]

17. It was an impolitic choice of words, but not in the least racist

when you look at the full quote.

And using Taylor Marsh to comment about anything Obama-related is a waste of time.

[jackson_dem]

19. I am sure the rethugs will be kind enough after "uniting" with us to include the full quote

:sarcasm:

"I voted for it before I voted against it"
"Typical whites are racist"

I am sure it will do no damage. :sarcasm:

[BeyondGeography]

Fortunately, not everyone is as tiny-minded as you think

or as tiny-minded as you, for that matter:

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/21/kilmeade-storms-off-fox-and-friends-set-over-co-hosts-obama-bashing/

[jackson_dem]

28. Click on the link. Which article is the most viewed and most e-mailed?

The significance? This is on the website of Pennsylvania's largest newspaper...

Beyondgeography talking about minds. :rofl:

[BeyondGeography]

37. Right, and there was this reaction as well

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/21/wallace-obama-fox/

[jackson_dem]

65. You don't understand politics

Some folks won't be offended. And? Their vote won't change based on this. The significance is in those who have been offended and may change their vote because of this. He is already at 23% among whites in Pennsylvania and 30% in North Carolina. He cannot afford to lose even more ground.

[rodeodance]

41. BO was on the networks tonight re--explaining. must be significant

[Seeker30]

101. No, only 77% of white people

:rofl:

[ecstatic]

20. Andrew Jackson avatar seen as racist by some

You are not fooling anyone.

[rodeodance]

26. OP is enlightening you.

[jackson_dem]

34. Damn. So you are saying Obama is a racist for considering Jackson and Jefferson heroes?

[DemBones DemBones]

70. Is that why Dems have Jefferson-Jackson Day dinners

every year? To celebrate racism?

[citizen snips]

21. He is starting to lose major ground in PA

and possibly botched the race in North Carolina.

[jackson_dem]

40. Obama was at 23% with whites in PA and 30% in NC before he stereotyped them

Can he dip below the 20% mark?

[citizen snips]

46. Possibly however I have not seen any college students

around here enthused about his candidacy.

[jackson_dem]

48. That is interesting and consistent with poll numbers that have him losing young voters

And losing badly among older voters in PA.

[emilyg]

75. Good.

[zabet]

78. I see no enthusiam for Obama

in the part of NC where I
live. I know 1 Obama supporter
and they are Republican.

[citizen snips]

80. I live in NC and I have to agree.

His student support is nil

[Bonobo]

22. Especially if you clip 3 words out of an entire interview! Have you no shame?

Forget it, I know the answer.

The only reason you are not on ignore is that you are too dangerous to allow to move unwatched.

[jackson_dem]

30. Yeah, it is very naive to think the rethugs will include the full quote

Politics didn't begin with St. Obama, contrary to the delusions of many Obamites.

[Bonobo]

33. So I should believe you are just concerned because this is the kind of filth the Repukes

will use?

You underestimate people's intelligence, and consistently overestimate yours I would say.

[jackson_dem]

I couldn't care less what a self-appointed judge like you has to think

Those of us who are Democrats can discuss this and assess its impact.

[Bonobo]

44. You call ME a "self-appointed judge"? What a joke!? If you knew what people thought of you!!!

[jackson_dem]

47. Yes, we are well aware of the cult-style hit list/e-mail loop

It is an honor to be, apparently, on that list.

[Bonobo]

49. No idea what that means but it sounds like you have delusions of grandeur as well.

Even used the 'royal we' like a proper schmuck.

[jackson_dem]

52. We=Clinton supporters

[Bonobo]

55. Whew, at least your not totally nuts maybe.

[Straight Shooter]

60. Bonobo, I think very highly of jackson_dem.

I also, at times, think very highly of you. What does that tell you? It's all about perception.

You're shooting the messenger.

[Bonobo]

62. If you say so.

[Straight Shooter]

68. If you think so. n/t

[rodeodance]

23. abc had a segment tonight on this. The WORT game--BO splaing what he really meant. He

must feel it significant if he had to re-esplain himself.

[UALRBSofL]

27. Rodeodance You should watch Lou Dobbs

He's on right now. Love listening to him. He's much more fair and balanced then KO who is obsessed with Hillary.

[rodeodance]

35. I am listening to Jim lehrer right now. Lou has some good segments I agree.

[UALRBSofL]

39. rodeodance he is slamming Obama and his statements

Then he had emails and they were all slamming Obama for his white and grandmother statements.

He just said Richardson threw the Clintons under the bus, then said more to come, then a commercial came on.

[rodeodance]

43. my kinda show. thanks for the update. But I am not the only one in the house

who decides on what to watch.

but thanks really

[jackson_dem]

31. NBC too. Did ABC play the clip of the comment?

If both ran it then presumably CBS did too.

[rodeodance]

32. sorry, i was in kitchen --ears perked up--I only heard the RE-explain part. if

they did the earlier I missed it.

[rodeodance]

25. K and R

[loveangelc]

36. Is there ever a post that you have where you aren't bashing Obama or looking up something

that is disparaging to our likely nominee? Is there really. Does it really not get old, after a while??????

[jackson_dem]

42. In GD. Too bad Obamites cried and rammed through a thread limit for GDP

[loveangelc]

45. So basicall you use up all 3 of your posts a day on disparaging Obama stories.

There's really nothing better to post on GD:P other than something having to do with why Obama is bad for you? Really??????

[NJSecularist]

53. I am suprised you are not on his ignore list yet...

He has put everyone else on ignore who calls him out on his bullshit....

[Asgaya Dihi]

38. This is just stupid

The typical man will never really understand what it means to be a woman, white can't really know what it is to be black, and the same with both and others in reverse. That's a simple fact of life which stems from us never having lived as the other so not sharing the experience.

Could it have been said better? Probably, but what I see here looks more like rovian swiftboating than anything, and I don't much give a damned what the wackjobs who fall for that crap would say.

Maybe if we as dems would start standing up for what's right and fighting for change we might actually get somewhere, instead we run our campaigns as if we're either terrified of repubs or worse yet as if we're repubs ourselves. The public is waiting for leadership and they are BADLY in need of education on a number of issues. If we don't stand up and start that education, then who does?

[RazBerryBeret]

51. not buying into it...

What if Hillary referred to someone as "a typical white person?" Remember, O is 1/2 white...raised in a white family. OR better question; if your Italian-American friend referred to her mother as the "typical Italian mom"....

[arrested_president]

54. There Is Such A Thing As A Typical White Person

i posted this elsewhere:

typical white people believe in and talk about the glory of our founding fathers - without mentioning they were despicable people who held other humans in bondage - raped, whipped, and fed guts and bowels

typical white people celebrate Columbus, too. Daniel Boone, Jim Bowie and Buffalo Bill, too. why is he called Buffalo Bill? well, while typical white people were exterminating my ancestors, they found out that they'd win if they killed the Natives food source. Daniel, Davey and Bill have been gods to typical white people ever since

they PLASTER these slave-owners and Indian killers EVERYWHERE

stamps
movies
streets
libraries
parks
states
corporations
schools
awards
commemorative paraphernalia - plates, etc.
coins
bills
holidays
etc.

basically, they have done EVERYTHING they can to rub our noses in it and NEVER let it go away - they even let crackas wave the dixie flag - instead of making it illegal

they way they do for everything that offends Jewish people

they don't have to see nazis or swastikas on their money and we better NOT celebrate - and, i don't blame them

AND, if someone put, a nazi on a coin - typical white people would shut them down - but, typical white people won't protect US from our own HOLOCAUST (that their ancestors wrought upon us in the first place)

we lost many more millions than they did in Germany - so, we should as least qualify for some basic human compassion

but, typical white people only have compassion for white people

that's why they're typical

then, they start offensive posts like this, as if they have any moral ground to stand upon in such matters

typical

and, i mean LIBERAL whites, too - them especially - the morally and spiritually and politically correct sickening hypocrite ones who post in places like this


more than typical-ness, most white people have a despicable-ness about them that they cover in smarm and liberalism and democracy while my people still get the short end of the stick and look at dead slave-owners daily

[jackson_dem]

56. Jermiah is that you?

[DemBones DemBones]

72. Now THAT was funny!

:rofl:

[DemBones DemBones]

74. I hope you posted it at a hate site because that's what it is. nt

[barb162]

91. There are millions of white people

who didn't and don't own slaves and fought against slavery, fought for voting rights, etc. Racism is wrong whether it's by Wright and Obama against whites or white people against blacks. Or any person against any other racial group. And when Wright makes comments about the government giving AIDS to blacks he's bordering on being vicious in his lies. There aren't typical whites any more than typical blacks or typical hispanics.

Peace

[libbygurl]

57. I vote 'Present' on this post.

nt

[Tellurian]

58. Yes, I found Obama's remark "Typical white person" pretty offensive and a shabby comment

coming from someone aspiring to be MY president..

No Thanks!

[rodeodance]

59. Present

[bunnies]

61. "Some" will never vote for a black man.

"Some" will never vote for a woman.
"Some" will never vote for anyone that isnt perfect in their eyes.
Well you know what?
Fuck "Some".

[jackson_dem]

63. Yeah! Fuck three out of four voters by insulting them as narrow-minded bigots!

YES WE CAN win with 100% of the remaining 25-30%!

[bunnies]

64. Oh, is that what I said??

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I thought I meant something totally different. :eyes:

[Tellurian]

71. Yup, the GOP will make sure that meme stays out front until Obama quits the race..

[spooky3]

67. Would she have been more "fearful" of two businessmen in suits who

happened to be black and were walking in another direction, than of two 18-year-old white boys dressed like thugs, who were hanging around on a corner with apparently nothing to do? Would she have been more "fearful" of two female black window shoppers?

Are there gender and age of the observer issues here as well, in that women alone, especially if older or frail, or with small children, are more vulnerable to attack than a big young guy?

There is no question there is racism in society and that it takes many forms, and Obama obviously knows more about his grandmother's views than I do. But I think people are missing a lot of nuances here.

[Tellurian]

73. It's about Obama..

It about Obama's stereotyping whites, especially a grandmother who did so much for him.

[jackson_dem]

105. Obama spoke about "typical whites". He wasn't talking about 1 person but 200 million folks

[spooky3]

111. My point is that he could be misinterpreting his own grandmother

and if so, could be misinterpreting anyone he believes is similar to her. Her reaction may have been to factors other than race.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

76. here's a "typical white person".........

“There is nothing more painful for me at this stage in my life,” Jesse Jackson said several years ago, “than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery—and then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved.”

[DemGa]

77. I think Obama has the racial bias

I think Obama has motivations in racial bias -- unconscious of course. Just as he accuses his poor grandmother -- who cannot defend herself. That's why he's injected the racial discussion at every turn -- and continues to do so. Twenty years of listening to his ranting mentor must have had an effect.

"Typical White person" -- Obama speaks his true mind.

[barb162]

92. I agree. He trashes his own grandmother on the issue.

A true jerk. Not ready for prime time OR the presidency.

[Hoof Hearted]

79. But, but, but - he's a UNITER, not a divider!

:sarcasm:

[elixir]

88. I agree JD. If Obama can't get this straight what will happen with other nations?

[Seeker30]

102. I can hear it now from Obama...'Typical Chinese person'

[Life Long Dem]

89. Hillary would be offensive if she said that. But Obama thinks he's white so there's not a prob.

:sarcasm:

[Life Long Dem]

90. "bred into our experiences"

Keyword "our".

And what does this mean?

[MrSlayer]

93. Yes well, "some" are complete idiots.

Saying that his grandmother is typical because she doesn't harbor racial animosity is fine. Only complete imbeciles like Hannity and his ilk would interpret it otherwise.

[barb162]

94. K and R GO HILLARY! Please post this again tomorrow!!!!

LOL, certain people don't like to be reminded of this comment at all.

[Generic Brad]

95. He's seen as a racist by "some"?

And then you quote two people. I guess that qualifies as "some".

Plus I'm reading it on the internet so it must be completely true.

[jackson_dem]

106. There is a reason that article was the #1 viewed, #1 e-mailed on that site yesterday

That site? It is for PA's largest newspaper...

[LulaMay]

97. But we don't need Pennsylvania! Or any other BIg Blue States she's won, like nearly all.

[CatnHat]

98. Its all about

Double Standard. Simple as that. What is wrong with Obama, seriously? And this guy claims to be the transcending candidate? More I hear these stupid remarks from him, his pastor, and his wife, I am convinced the way Obama views the world is far different than what he preaches.

[McCamy Taylor]

99. Most White people in the US have it pretty good. Their egos can take it.

Get real. Racist comments only hurt if they come after years of oppression in which racism is compounded upon racism.

If a person out of Africa who had never met a European happened to overhear an Italian make a disparaging remark about the color of the African's skin, he would not be particularly bothered. He might make a rude remark back. He would never have known anti-Black racism.

Obama is being punished because people have negative thoughts about his race and they feel guilty about it, and their guilt is uncomfortable. So, they seize upon something he said so that they can make him the villain and themselves the victims.

I am White and the worst racial prejudice I have to face is people sometimes assume that I am a Republican because I am blond. Big whoop-de-doo. When I go into stores, I see the clerks follow the African-Americans around for no other reason than because they are Black. Imagine having to live that way?

[cooolandrew]

100. CHRIS WALLACE slams the story to the well supporting Obama..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5vzwJXszww

[kentuck]

103. Is this a glass half-full or half-empty question ?

Some people see the positive in others and some see the negative. I never took "typical white person" as a negative comment. Because if I did, I would consider the "typical white person" to be prejudiced and racist in nature. I do not and neither does Obama, in my opinion. I think the "typical white person" has a good soul and respects the human dignity of others. Those that think otherwise have unconsciously exposed a flaw in their own character, not in Senator Obama's.

[Hoof Hearted]

104. Is this guy kidding?"

Sadly no, I don't think he is.

[azmouse]

107. Let's just keep ignoring the fact that Obama is half-white.

I guess that fact doesn't count.

[Maribelle]

108. As with his association with Rezko, the more Obama has to re-explain the worse it gets.

Obama is truly not qualified to be president.

[Vinca]

109. This particular statement stopped me cold. I thought it was one of the

most honest things I've ever heard a politician say. In fact, it made me reflect on an incident in my own life that has bothered me for almost 25 years. It involved my white woman's reaction to a group of young black men in a metropolitan airport. I'm ashamed to say I felt threatened for no real reason. I've always hoped it was just because I'm an overcautious country bumpkin who gets nervous in the city, but I've always wondered if I would have reacted the same way to a group of young white guys. I have never spoken about this incident until Barack made the comment he did. It's good for us to have this discussion.

[Up2Late]

112. Yes. Race talk GOOD.

:eyes:

[xultar]

113. x

[JackORoses]

114. lameass

[JoFerret]

115. By some?

Why not all?

[Citizen Kang]

117. Constant race-baiting threads seen as racist by most.

eom