WaPo Finds Blacks Demanding Racial (Racist?) Unity Behind Obama
The front page of The Washington Post carried a story Tuesday on black liberals demanding all blacks stand with President Obama -- just because he's black. Krissah Thompson's story carried some noteworthy "get in line" quotes from the forget-the-black-unemployment-numbers crowd, but the closest thing to a moderate or conservative in the article is a man suggesting Obama is not God.
On the front page, Thompson quoted from radio host Tom Joyner on his BlackAmericaWeb.com blog. “Let’s not even deal with the facts right now. Let’s deal with just our blackness and pride — and loyalty. We have the chance to re-elect the first African-American president, and that’s what we ought to be doing. And I’m not afraid or ashamed to say that as black people, we should do it because he’s a black man.”
Can anyone imagine a white radio host saying "Let's not even deal with the facts. We should vote for the white guy, because he's white?" How would The Washington Post not see that as racist? Thompson noted that recent polls suggest Obama's "strongly support" numbers are falling. Al Sharpton also insisted blacks get in line:
The Rev. Al Sharpton, an ally of President Obama who has a daily radio show and hosts a nightly cable television program, recently told the president’s black critics, “I’m not telling you to shut up. I’m telling you: Don’t make some of us have to speak up.”
What's the difference? Near the article's end, Thompson added:
Sharpton said he learned an important lesson about supporting black politicians in the early 1990s, when David Dinkins, who was New York’s first black mayor, was running for reelection. Sharpton criticized Dinkins’s “deliberative” style and thought his policies were not progressive enough. Dinkins was hurt by the diminished enthusiasm and turnout among black voters.
“We beat up on him. He went down and we ended up with eight years of Rudy Giuliani,” said Sharpton, who has been among Obama’s most aggressive supporters. “I said I’ll never make that mistake again.”
Sharpton is described as one of "Obama's most aggressive supporters." That's probably what qualified him most to be a nightly MSNBC host.
Thompson's article also included this Obama quote about faith, quite a shock from the Sundays-on-the-golf-course president:
The White House has turned to black radio often in recent weeks, building on the relationships Obama established during his 2008 primary campaign. In a video greeting to thousands at an Atlanta event this month sponsored by a gospel radio host, the president spoke about blacks supporting one another.
“It is in times like these that we need our faith more than ever,” Obama said. “Because we’ve been through hard times before. . . . We have moved forward one step at a time with the knowledge that I am my brother’s keeper. I am my sister’s keeper.”
Professor Eddie Glaude resented the Joyners of the world trying to curtail the "vibrant" discussion of Obama's record, but most of the voices in the story were pro-Obama. Here's the exception, and then the norm followed:
Jack Jackson, who works for the city’s water treatment plant, said he is tired of the appeals to black identity politics.
“Leave the race game alone,” said Jackson, 53, who said he supports Obama. “Let’s not keep holding on to that. It’s been done. . . . We should put our faith in God, not Obama.”
But Corry McGriff, 42, said the call to stick together resonates with him, and McGriff has begun telling his friends that they have a responsibility to support the president, too. “We need to keep him in there. By him becoming president, he is showing African Americans that it can be done,” said McGriff, who works for a federal defense contractor. “He helped the race. ”
Kychelle Green, 18, a nursing student at Norfolk State University, agreed. “You know it’s not really his fault that things aren’t changing,” she said. “He’s really trying but he can’t change every rule on his own. Now people are trying to criticize him because he is African American.”
Green said she listens every morning to Steve Harvey, who is among the radio hosts who are promoting the message that Obama deserves support.
Warren Ballentine, a black talk radio host based in North Carolina who has interviewed Obama about a dozen times, speaks about the president’s accessibility. “It’s not like he is not hearing black America,” he said.
Ballentine specifically reminds his listeners of the racial undertones he saw in the 2008 campaign. “It’s almost like we’ve forgotten what this man had to go through to get into the office. We need to remember the hatred and vitriol that came out.”
Thompson found the White House didn't want to suggest they were pushing the get-in-line crowd:
The calls for racial solidarity have not come from the White House, and Obama has been careful to speak in broad terms, even when talking about how his policies have helped African Americans. At the same time, his campaign has welcomed the support of black media figures. Those “validators” make clear that they back the president’s policies, and a White House aide noted that their support is deeper than the color of Obama’s skin. “You don’t see them supporting Herman Cain or Alan Keyes,” the aide said.
That's what Sharpton's show could be called. "The Obama Validators."
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Comments
Nope, that's not racist at all.
Submitted by johnsonl on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 8:51am.
Let's try this, though: try replacing the word "black" with "white" in every part of that discussion. Now try to tell me that it's not racist. The real racists are showing their true colors. Pun intended.
I remember this idiot Tom Joyner and yeah let's forgot about
Submitted by gmaniac1 on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 8:53am.
the crapola that Obama is making of this country. He's black and we should just ride that bus over the cliff with him, makes total sense.
Yeah, this is not racist at all.
That's Right!
Submitted by notinstl on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:13am.
Don't you dare think for yourself....stay on the liberal's plantation!
And don't forget to keep lowering expectations (learned in public schools) and play the victim card, too.
They would elect Belafonte if they could
Submitted by Tomorama on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:17am.
Just like my man Herman said, BRAINWASHED.
From a white man who is supporting a black man..................
New identity
Submitted by okiehawk44 on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:11am.
There is a new identity among most blacks in America. It's called "us" as in us vs. them. Sad. There are far more of "them" in America than blacks -- and since living for decades in a Hispanic dominated community blacks need to understand that Hispanics do not share white European guilt about slavery or Jim Crow.
Just how black is Barack Obama?
Submitted by Thalpy on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:13am.
Is he black enough?
Getting tired of it
Submitted by jon_torlin on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:14am.
I never thought I'd say this, but I'm sick and tired to death of these race-baiting politics.
Nevermind the fact that O'Bambi isn't a real African-American(he'd have to be a true American and he's not, and if you don't believe me, look at his policies that fly in the face of the Constitution) by virtue of his mixed background, which is more than two sides, it's actually three, the third of which is African Arabian, the second largest part of him. The first largest part of his background is that he's WHITE. The tiny part of him is African Negro and believe me, it's as tiny as the kind of person he is, a real small manchild full of petulance and hate for this country.
I'm sick to death of these "mainstream" blacks (you know who they are) making such a flagrant issue of it over the last 3 years. Many of us despise this RBFPOSSOB because of his Marxist Communist Islamic background, but to the blacks, they could care less about it, it's all about the damn race!
So GET OFF OF IT! Don't like it? GET THE HELL OUT OF THIS COUNTRY!
-Jon
It is racially driven, but not too surprising.
Submitted by merly1 on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:13am.
I am sure there is an understandable pride factor at play, but what is never reported
is that if one subtracts the near universal support of this 13% demographic (at 96% approve)......
our fearless leader must have, what, a 26% approval rating amongst NON-African Americans.
That is a pretty anemic level of support...................
They are granted special rights
Submitted by Tomorama on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:15am.
Ballentine specifically reminds his listeners of the racial undertones he saw in the 2008 campaign. “It’s almost like we’ve forgotten what this man had to go through to get into the office. We need to remember the hatred and vitriol that came out.”
WTF IS HE TALKING ABOUT?
He got a pass and anyone that dared speak up, racist................
Imagine if Sean Hannity on his radio show...............
Never mind.
No surprise -- we've seen it in Washington DC
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:22am.
It's the same call to 'racial unity' and 'black pride' that inspired the residents of Washington DC to re-elect the corrupt Marion Barry even as schools and public safety were deteriorating. They even re-elected him after he served time on a crack cocaine conviction; we were told that the black American community believes in redemption, and thus reinstalled the cancer that the justice system had rooted out. Of courses, Barry didn't redeem himself, and was convicted on multiple charges of Federal income tax evasion (for some reason, the judge refuses to vacate his suspended jail sentence despite the fact that Barry hasn't paid his back taxes and fines), and yet he has been elected and re-elected as councilman for Ward 8.
Mayor Williams made some progress cleaning up Barry's mess, and Mayor Fenty hired the very capable and effective Michelle Rhee as Chancellor of the DC Public School System to fix up the broken education system built by Barry. But the teachers union didn't like Rhee's stern but necessary reforms, so it became a strong financial supporter of Fenty's opponent, and Fenty lost re-election to a man who is now under investigation for corruption and cronyism.
This is the environment that Herman Cain correctly described as brain-washing.
Marion Barry is but one
Submitted by Agnostic on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 10:02am.
Enter - Ray Nagin, Keith Ellison, David Peterson, Holder and Obama
Not just politics - Sharpton, Jackson and Lyons
Or groups like the NBP or the Uruhu
It is a race issue in America because it is not just blacks who give their elected officials a pass based on skin color - Antonio Villaraigosa hasn't exactly done a lot to improve LA.
Minority societies are victims of their own desire to extend their support to their own race - only in a modern western civilization would this not be an example of racism.
My all time favorite is Mr. Motown Kwame Kilpatrick.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 10:16am.
Followed by the entire CBC membership.
I'm still holding out some hope for Newark mayor Corey Booker.
racism in the US
Submitted by Agnostic on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:46am.
Equality - the ability to succeed or fail based upon ones abilities and to a certain extent 'good/bad fortunes'.
Racism, in this case, the inability to allow failure because of ideas or because of the failed policies of an individual. Instead, skin color is a reason to deflect criticism and allow failure.
Let's check something right quick.
Submitted by Ashrak on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:34am.
"And I’m not afraid or ashamed to say that as black people, we should do it because he’s a black man.”
Hmmmm mmmmm mmmmmm.
And I’m not afraid or ashamed to say that as white people, we should do it because he’s a white man.”
What if Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck or Mark Levin had said that?
Right! They would be deemed racists and the howls to fire them would be heard from sea to shining sea.
Ridiculous. Just another example of how the American born white Christian male is the most discriminated against individual on the planet.
The blatant and quite self evident racism in that quote should be called out for exactly what it is - from sea to shining sea. Those four I mentioned should be the first to holler it. So too should everyone else running for office. For only when that garbage is stood up to, only when that bullying double standard is checked forthrightly and honestly, will it be destroyed.
Perfect Example
Submitted by scottyusmc on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:42am.
Perfect example of why blacks are in the position they are in today... But, since blacks have voted 95% Democratic already for most of the past 40 years, just what impact do they think they have? They need to get off the liberal dependency plantation where Democrats keep them trapped in the cycle of promises broken..
IS anyone demanding all white
Submitted by Semus on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:49am.
IS anyone demanding all white people stand with Obama because he's equally white?
I have a question
Submitted by ohio granny on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 10:02am.
I demand that all white people vote for whomever runs against Obama regardless of color of their skin .
But my question is if it is not racist for blacks to vote FOR Obama because he is black, is it racist to vote against him because he is black? Is there really any difference??? Aren't both positions racist?
My vote counts too
Submitted by DontFeedTheTrolls on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:49am.
I'll be voting for whoever is running against Obama. I don't care if he/she is black, white, yellow, brown, red or green.
Let's not even deal with the
Submitted by killa37 on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 10:03am.
Let's not even deal with the facts right now'...............pretty much sums up the mentality that this dope, and the others in the article, are expousing. Race is the ONLY reason to support Boy Barry. That's how it went down in 2008, and look at what's happened since then.
I'd be willing to bet that there are LESS 'black' people who are supportive of Boy Blunder now than there were in 2008, since I'm certain that a lot of them have opened their eyes to the biggest scam every perpetrated on this country............
And ..............HEY Natso (Sharpton) - if I were a 'black' guy, I'd STILL think you're a clown, and ANYTHING that you want or say or do - I would dismiss straight away as total BS.....................same goes for Obama, although I wouldn't even give him credit for being a 'black' guy, because he's a damn poser - in EVERYTHING that he's done in his pathetic life.
Remember that only white people can be racists
Submitted by canuck6474 on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 10:06am.
This is exactly what Herman Cain said.
The majority of blacks are brainwashed...vote for Obama because his skin is black. How racist!!!
Does this racist spewing this racist message get a pass from the MSM because he is black too? Oh yeah, I forgot; blacks cannot be racists, only white people are!!!! Stupid me!
Just remember also that
Submitted by killa37 on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 1:22pm.
Just remember also that 'hate' crimes can't be committed by 'minorities'...............so if some 'colored' guys beat the crap out of me, it's just assault (and it's probably my fault anyway)......but if I were to slap some 'black' guy around (and even worse if I called him a punk) - KABOOM!!! Bye bye Killa......................
Apparently, for all the
Submitted by east tennessee john on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 10:52am.
Apparently, for all the things BO has done for the "community" he deserves to be reelected. Those 24% unemployment rates, or 45% black youth unemployment, are meaningless, as is the graduation rates in black hugh schools. Voting race is more important that voting policy or patriotism. Who's still on the "plantation"?
According to their logic, if
Submitted by jkwtrading on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 11:36am.
According to their logic, if Hitler ran, should all whites back him?
Blacks really don't want jobs. Really.
Submitted by JLin on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 12:07pm.
They are satisfied with a government welfare check, and prefer a professional celebrity game show host as President.
not appropriate
Submitted by Agnostic on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 12:43pm.
at least add a qualifier of some sort
Cognitive Dissonance Runs Deep...
Submitted by sherlock1 on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 12:14pm.
"Now people are trying to criticize him because he is African American.”
No, my dear, the exact opposite is true, if you will but open your eyes and ears - people are trying to PREVENT you from criticizing him specifically because he is African American.
Ding!
Submitted by GW on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 12:40pm.
"Like!" points for insight!!!
It is amazing lighning didn't strike...
Submitted by sherlock1 on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 12:19pm.
... the members of the CBC, an organization that excludes those of the wrong skin color, as they attended the dedication of Dr. King's memorial!
They better get while the getting's good...
Submitted by JLin on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 1:02pm.
The soon to be dominant demographic, Hispanics, don't do the white guilt thing. They are also not easily intimidated.
Racist
Submitted by outamyroom on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 6:56pm.
Voting against someone because of skin color is racist. Just as racist as voting FOR someone because of his skin color.
Herman Cain
Submitted by billwhit1357 on Wed, 10/19/2011 - 4:34am.
As a LifeLong Democrat, in 2008, I did not vote for Obama because all I heard was BS and Lies coming from his mouth, and it has been the same for three years now! I will not support him in 2012 either. Obama came on the scene an unknown, having acomplished nothing his whole life, only being pampers because of his color. He can't or refuses to prove who he really is, but I do know he is the Most Failed and UnAmerican President I have seen in my sixty years. As a military man, I always follow records and acomplishments and I will follow Herman Cain into Hell, he is a True Leader, unlike the whimpy, no testicles Obama. Michelle has the testicles in that family, lol!
Raising CAIN in 2012!
HERMAN CAIN FOR PRESIDENT!