I am dismayed at what I am seeing from some of the white Baby Boomers & Seniors, in my lil bubble

[debbierlus]

It is disturbing. My mother-in-law, a die-hard dem is stating she will not vote for Obama. She always gives some vague reason, such as she just doesn't trust him. She won't vote for McCain. But, she most likely won't vote for Obama (we will keep working on her). The real reason (my husband is the one who said it aloud), she is wearing her racism on her sleeve.

My Aunt & her husband. Hillary supporters. They have latched onto the flag lapel pin story, and the not saluting the flag. They don't like Obama. They usually listen to me politically, but this time out? No. They don't quite 'trust' him. They don't know if they will vote, if he gets the nomination. They won't acknowledge that he has won the nomination. I don't think they know what to do, democrats who face having to vote for a black man, the only alternative to Bush the Third. I love my Aunt and her husband like crazy, but I remember some of the racist comments around the dinner table in my younger years. And, now, there prejudice is going to come out and slap them in the face.

The guy who owns the local breakfast joint tells the stories he hears from customers (white, working class voters). And, they are discouraging. And, I live in Massachusetts, this ain't no red state. They don't think a black man can be elected.

Now, I am Obama supporter by default, and I can respect anyone who gives a real reason for not voting for a candidate. I was angry as hell with him over dissing the progressive communities efforts to filibuster the Judge Alito nomination to the Supreme Court during the fight to stop his appointment to the court. I don't like his health plan very much. And, there are a few other political bones I have to pick with him. HOWEVER, I abandoned Clinton after Super Tuesday when her campaign became a divisive and hateful spewing of personal entitlement and distortions. And, then, I saw Barack Obama's speech on race, and I was floored by his nuanced understanding of issues and people. And, I have been impressed with the dignity of his campaign. So, I now fully support his candidacy and I will happily vote for him. He may not be my first pick, but I live in reality, and I don't want this country to suffer another four years of Republican hell.

I think it is important to realize that some of our own party will stay home or vote for McCain instead of voting for Obama. I still think Obama can win, maybe even win huge, however we must work to talk sense to those closest to us, with love and olive branches. And, we must register young voters, new voters, minority voters, by the bucket load. If we do this, I think we can offset the loss of older voters who harbor racism, a racism so deep or hidden that they will vote against their own best interests.

We can't let fear or hate to destroy this country, and take yet another election away from the people.

[mmonk]

1. I get a little surprised sometimes.

I grew up in the segregated south and haven't really been naive but the party has disappointed me this time. I thought most people bothered by race had changed parties.

[debbierlus]

2. I shouldn't be surprised given the things I have heard some democrats say...

But, I guess I am still am.

I have always equated Democrats with being racially embracing and welcoming to different people and cultures.

[Mimosa]

52. Dems aren't by definition non-racists

In my talks with acquaintances and inlaws, I have seen that some die hard longtime Dems are having a hard time accepting Obama as the nominee only based on race. And they have no problem saying so. This needs to be talked out by circulating the Democratic Party platform on important issues such as the economy, social security and the war in Iraq.

Also, one shouldn't trash Republicans but rather BLAME them for the bad economy, outsourcing jobs and the war.

[bicentennial_baby]

3. What part of MA are you in?

Just curious. I'm South Shore. :)

[debbierlus]

14. Over here in the Beautiful Berkshires....

:hi:

[bicentennial_baby]

16. I'm originally from Greenfield!

Close! :hi:

I miss the Pioneer Valley....a lot!

[debbierlus]

26. It is so wonderful in these parts, the spring has been breath-taking

:)

[enough]

4. I sometimes wonder if racism can increase with age.

My parents were way to the left of liberal all their lives, very active and aware politically. As they got into their 80's they seemed almost to become different people. It's as if the racism that was so prevalent in society when they were young began to come out and manifest itself in them, as if they were too tired to fight it. They were totally unaware of it. Very depressing.

[KittyWampus]

9. yes, as we age our higher brain functions can diminish and our reptilian brain

holds more sway.

[Faygo Kid]

35. I guess the reptilian brain isn't so hot on remembering where the car keys are.

I can quote you the entire 1961 Detroit Tigers lineup and stats, but forget more recent stuff easily.

Still a long way from being totally useless (although my ex-wife would disagree).

I am no more racist now than I ever was, and actually probably more liberal than I have been since college.

And I'm voting Obama all the way.

[MikeE]

5. I too am disurbed, but

I think:
1. Obama will win the GE
2. Overall, this will be good for the country and the democratic party, because people will have to confront the racism and see how stupid it is after the GE
3. As upsetting as it is to see the racist behavior, I am also encouraged by the numbers of young people who have been energized to vote, specifically because of Obama. I think we are really seeing the beginning of something wonderful. Just remember, the brighter the light, the darker the shadow. We are just confronting that now.

[bunnies]

6. Gens X and Y will make up for them.

And then some. Dont fret. We got this. Gobama.

[Faygo Kid]

22. Lots of us Boomers are on board, as well. Plenty are here on DU.

Don't kid yourself. We'll lose some Boomers to racism and bitterness about Hillary not being coronated, but Boomers are going to be there, too, when it counts. The 65+ vote will be tougher. They came of age in the segregated 1950s.

[bunnies]

37. Yep. Thankfully!

I know there are many boomers on board with Obama. I was just referring to the minority that will defect or stay home.

[silverojo]

48. My aunt was 75 years old, and a staunch Obama supporter

Long before I supported him, in fact! (I was for Edwards.) Mom's 73, and is going to vote for Obama. A lot of the HRC support among older women isn't about race, so much as the fact that they'd like to see a woman president before they die--seriously, that's the reaction I've gotten from some of them.

As much of a feminist as I am, I vote based on a candidate's policies, rather than gender.

[silverojo]

47. Gen X'er for Obama!

Right here! :)

[KittyWampus]

7. for every dinosaur you encounter who won't vote for Obama, there's several newly registered

voters who will. Plus all the good Democrats and moderate GOP'ers.

[madrchsod]

13. you are right

that`s why i do`t bother with these people. yes he will get moderate republicans just like he did in illinois

[tledford]

43. BINGO! nt

[Onlooker]

8. I have an uncle who won't vote for Obama because ...

... because he thinks Obama will get assassinated and then there will be riots by blacks. My uncle, who's 75 years old, lives is a poor, integrated area in Florida (where a pretty nice 2 bedroom condo costs $25k). It's sad the bizarre kinds of obstacles that Obama is going to face.

[Leopolds Ghost]

40. At least he has a credible fear, sadly :-(

I would hope it wouldn't just be black people in the streets either,
if Hillary's dream came true.

[theboss]

10. "You're a black guy in Boston. You don't need any help from me to be completely f'd." - The Departed

I will never understand why people think Massachusetts is "liberal" on racial matters. Until recently, Boston was the most race-conscious major city in the country.

[sniffa]

18. It's not just Boston

New England and MA as a whole, has way to many f'n racists. I deal with them now on almost a daily basis with the contract I'm working on.

Basically, we like to keep up the facade that we're not like that, but once it's just white people in the room, someone almost always seems to feel free to say vile shit.

[theboss]

23. I know. But there is this vast notion - particularly on DU - that Boston is San Francisco

Cambridge and Wellesley are barely San Francisco. And that's about 1/10,000,000 of the state.

[sniffa]

32. I was reminded of a joke I was told over a decade ago.

Q: How does every black joke start?

A: *Looks over left shoulder, then over right, and starts to speak in a lower tone.*

It was true then, and it still is. Wait until the black guy leaves the room, and you get to be "brave."

[EFerrari]

62. San Francisco isn't San Francisco.

The Filmore has been gentrified and just about every black enclave is in process of tossing people out to new developments.

One or two of our progressive supervisors are putting up a really stiff fight against this. I don't know if we'll win but, we'll go down swinging if nothing else.

[Indenturedebtor]

29. I dunno. Seemed ALOT less racist than the Midwest

I lived in NH for 3 years and spent a ton of time in Boston. I grew up in Indianapolis for the most part.

The South is the most racist, followed by the Midwest, followed by the NE, followed by the SW, NW.

The SW and the South are probably tied for anti-semitism though in my experience.

-----------

Anyways this was inevitable. Sexism would have played a huge role if HRC was the nominee. What can you do? Alot of people voted for Boosh because "He seems like a great guy to have a beer with." People are stupid. What can you do? :shrug:

Doesn't matter who we throw up there, they'll be a big percentage of the population that will find some completely illogical primitive poop throwing reason to vote or not vote. Hopefully we'll outnumber them.

[bicentennial_baby]

39. That's just it though...It *seems* less racist

NE racists tend to keep it to themselves, for the most part, unless in 'friendly' company. Trust me, I have a few in my extended family. x(

[Indenturedebtor]

41. Yeah but have you been to the Midwest or South?

Holy shit man! You go buy a pack of ciggarettes and the clerk might offhandedly spout a racist epithet.

Far worse in the south but still.

[tledford]

42. It is unproductive to "grade" racism according to region.

What the OP reveals is the (sad) fact that for many people over 40 (and quite a few under), racism is still a factor in this country. As a lifelong Southern white Boomer (tail-end) male who has traveled and worked extensively in other regions of the country, I can tell you that in many respects, the urban areas of the South may be *ahead* of other parts of the country in stamping out these pervasive and centuries-old attitudes.

I'm encouraged that here in North Carolina Obama got 36% of the white vote in the primary. In the GE, he may not carry the state, but as was the case in 2000 and 2004, it will be close. I know white Republican native North Carolinians who are talking about voting for Obama in the Fall and they DON'T listen to the right-wing talk crazies, so it can't be that.

[debbierlus]

21. I at the opposite side of the state, considered the liberal hub

And, I suppose in many ways, it is...

There are many good people here, many open minded and giving people. It is just disheartening to see racism, especially in ones own family.

I think everyone struggles with some issues of prejudice, but if we could all just talk about it and laugh about it and cry about it, how ridiculous it is...and acknowledge that those fears and prejudices come from a damaged place within oneself...I don't know. We could reach out and heal. Projecting those fears and hate and feel justified in doing so, I just don't understand.

[Hardrada]

28. The Red Sox for example. Way late to hire any minorities.

[madrchsod]

11. our best friend won`t vote for him

because of wright...and he`s black...we do`t discuss politics

[debbierlus]

27. That's a shame. The whole Wright thing is a Karl Rove playbook move

[jillan]

12. People should be able to vote for or against whoever they want - it's not for you to judge.

Or for you label them.

People are able to think for themselves, regardless of their reasons.

[blonndee]

15. Yes, it is for her and anyone else to judge. Racism is unacceptable and racists should be labeled

as such. I can't believe anyone here would think otherwise.

[Demit]

20. I can't decide whether your comment is more unnecessary than it is irrelevant, or vice versa.

I suppose gratuitous would cover it.

[debbierlus]

31. It isn't irrelevant. I suspect this is widespread and if we want to win, we should acknowledge it

[Demit]

33. You do understand I was responding to pirhana's post, don't you?

See, on the upper right of my post, it says Response to Reply #12?

I found your original post quite relevant.

[debbierlus]

30. I will call my family & friends on their bs when I see it

I won't bombard them. However, I will attempt to talk sense to them.

[pnwmom]

17. Lots of people say they don't "trust" Hillary.

Lots of people say they don't "trust" Barack.

Both candidates are trying to appeal to a broad range of the electorate, which means that there are always going to be people who feel they don't know exactly where they stand -- in other words, they don't trust them.

Politicians in general have a trust issue. And Hillary has been on the national scene a lot longer (including her stint as First Lady) so there may be some people who feel they know her better (warts and all) than Barack. It isn't necessarily about race at all.

[debbierlus]

25. That is not what I am talking about....it is the elephant in the room

The people I am talking about are not strangers.

I am witnessing closet racism. I have known some of these people all my life.

[VotesForWomen]

59. maybe you're seeing what you want to see. nt

[U4ikLefty]

63. Thank you Dr. Laura. n/t

[rug]

19. Your husband called his mother a racist? And she still won't come around?

:wow:

[BlooInBloo]

24. It's always funny when white folks admit that racism is more than just "a few bad apples".

[VotesForWomen]

61. so is sexism and a lot of other isms. i haven't known black men to be any less sexist than white men

do you care?

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

34. I'll tell you something even more discouraging.

I live in Oak Lawn, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, and I have heard racist comments from acquaintances and family that disgust me...

I was at a function last Saturday where I was asked who I was voting for. I said, Obama of course, and the table I was sitting at just sat there with their mouth's open. Also at this function a priest was making the point that we all should vote for Obama and the boos from the audience were overwhelming. Now the crowd that was at the function was largely Irish born and first generation Irish Americans. I was completely disgusted at the reaction of these bigots.

I felt like getting up and telling them that not too long the Irish were looked upon in a disgusting way as well. As my Irish born husband said to me, "they all forgot where they came from."

[pscot]

44. It's no accident that Billo

and Pat Buchanon, both Irish, are two of the biggest racists on TV. People tend to judge Irish-Americans by the Kennedys. THat's a mistake.

[silverojo]

50. There are plenty of Irish who aren't racist wingnuts, thank you

Rosie O'Donnell comes to mind, as does Bono. I could probably list a lot more, but I've got a massive sinus headache, and am too sick to think too much right now.

[kwassa]

56. Some of the most racist people that I've met ....

are first generation immigrants to the US.

The ones I met were Russians and Asians.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

36. People are fucking stupid.

So its ok for someone white to be president because that is playing it "safe" ?

[Leopolds Ghost]

38. Thanks!! k/r

[glitch]

45. You should give them something to cry about...

http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2008/05/26/080526taco_talk_toobin

edit: and if that doesn't do it:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-05-18-Redink_N.htm

[silverojo]

46. So many Boomers have ruined this country

The hippies-turned-greedy-Reaganaut-Yuppies, now becoming seniors and telling us how cool it is to be old (remember "Don't trust anyone over 30?").

President Boomer Bill (Fuck welfare, and I'm forcing Nafta down your throats!) Clinton.

President Boomer George Bush. Say no more.

Don't get me wrong, I know there are good boomers, many of which are right here on this board! It's just that there are so many other hypocritical boomers, who have done so much damage to our country and set such a bad example for future generations, that I sometimes wonder if we'll ever get out of the mindset of greed and "me first".

Young voters are our hope for the future, because they're the ones who see what a trash heap our generations have left for them. We need to get them out to the voting booths in force, to shape their own destiny.

[EFerrari]

64. Clinton and Bush are hardly representative of the generation

that did more about social justice than any other since FDR was in power. Read some history.

[OnionPatch]

49. I know a few like this.

I think some of them really will stay home. But I also think a lot will go to the polls and vote for Obama in the end because not all of these cases are truly based on racism. A lot of them are older women who just really, really wanted a woman (one they've known and have been defending for years) for president and are disappointed and frustrated. I felt the same in 2004 when Howard Dean was destroyed by the media. I totally lost interest and felt like I didn't know if I could even vote for Kerry. He seemed like just another suit, the establishment pick. But it didn't take long after the primary for me to get back to reality. Once the election turns into Democrat vs. Republican and the terrifying ideology of the GOP is highlighted instead of our two candidate's differences, I have hope that a lot of them will step up and help us save our country. Of course we can't count on this and you're right, we need to try talking sense into them if possible but I'm giving my older women friends some time to mourn their candidate first.

[RazBerryBeret]

51. one of the (many) good things that will happen

when Obama becomes president, is that it will be a signal to those racists that the rest of the country is moving on. They will have to accept it. We're so over that by now.
BTW, My Father in Law recently admitted that he could never vote for a black man....it breaks my heart. (and I'll have major second thoughts about him baby-sitting my two children...)

[KoKo]

53. The Dem Party is Split...Not every Dem has fallen in love with Obama and not every Dem loves Hillary

Lots of Dems don't like either one and don't like Repugs, either. So that's what you are hearing. REAL AMERICA not GD Politics or Media Pundits spinning it all.

:shrug: It is what it is.....

[Arugula Latte]

54. This election is making strange bedfellows!

There are white Republican males who are gaga for Obama. Female "Democrats" who suddenly morph into Archie Bunker. White voters who won't vote for a black man -- unless they are educated and/or live outside of Appalachia ... Yet they'll vote for a woman... Very bizarre and hard to predict. Go figure.

[Scriptor Ignotus]

55. Obama has a nasty habit of impressing people

once they open their eyes and ears. Give them time and don't pressure them TOO much. Obama will be in the media spotlight 24/7 once he gets the nomination officially. Your friends and family will have many opportunities to change their minds.

This is the fight ALL of us have, no matter where we live. I am confident we will overcome the racism and prejudice. If not by November, then by the end of Obama's second term. ;)

[sandsavage]

57. I'm ashamed to say

I voted Repub in the last election. Makes me ill to think I was so stupid. But Obama has touched my heart and given it wings to fly with hope for our Nation. I'm 64 years old white/Native American and my husband is white 65 years old. He was a Repub too. We are both voting for Obama. Several of our friends are too. So don't lump all us oldies together. Some of us get smarter with age.

We have walked the Red Road as best we can. Not always making the best decisions, always wanting the best for our future generations.

I believe that it is a lie that some want you to believe that certain people of race or age won't vote for Obama. There are some like this but more not in that category. Watch and see.

Walk in beauty
and
Peace

[VotesForWomen]

58. so everybody who's not voting for O is a racist? is that it? i don't trust him either, and it's no

not because he's black.

[debbierlus]

67. No, I didn't say anything like that....I told you my experience with people I know well

And, racism is a definite issue.

[ruby slippers]

60. they will come around once McShame starts talking about Social Security and they

feel threatened.....

[eridani]

66. Yep--our basic message to all voters over 65--

Enron John wants your Social Security check

[Cha]

65. Well, all my family, friends and co workers

voted for Obama in the primary here in New York and we've wanted him since New Year's..

I'm just lucky to know such amazing people:)