This is not the first time in recent weeks that racism has been directed towards President Barack Obama.
On Tuesday, The Huffington Post reported that “a spate of symbolic protests against [the president] that have featured empty chairs and racist imagery continued this week in California, with an arrangement featuring a noose, watermelons and a birther sign.”
“Go back to Kenya you idiot,” read the sign that was reportedly set up along a remote road in Santa Clara County, Calif.
Am I surprised? Yes and no. I sure shouldn’t be since I have an,ex- friend who says worse than what’s printed on this shirt. What does surprise me is that people are so emboldened to talk like this publicly. For those of us who function in the workplace and in polite society, this kind of low class rudeness is shocking. I forget that there are people out there like that, even though I know there are. Some people simply don’t care and are proud of their rudeness.
Romney staffers quickly disavowed the T-shirt wearer:
According to Buzzfeed, a Romney spokesperson “commented that the shirt was reprehensible and has no place in this election.”
Don’t people understand that this kind of talk only hurts their candidate. Other examples of human nastiness can be seen below:
Is there racism coming in from the other direction? Probably. I just haven’t seen it and 2 wrongs don’t make a right.
White people are racist. We Latinos will make sure that racism is eliminated once we are in power..
Marin, I know you are kidding but many people read this blog who don’t know you. There is a good chance someone might not realize you are kidding and frankly, that comment looks really bad on Latinos.
(especially people who are biased against Latinos.)
Racism is a two way street, but none will ever admit it. A recent CNN post of an article written by a black law professor about how zero blacks were voting for Romney discussed their “racial solidarity” in the black community. So now with all the desegregation and racial diversity efforts over the years she is promoting just the opposite, because it now serves their purpose. How nice! She totally misses the fact that if whites hadn’t voted for Obama he wouldn’t have gotten into office in the first place, but then credit to whites isn’t in some’s vocabulary.
Pssst….SA, I mentioned that it went both ways up in the text of the thread.
I guess as long as there is nothing to denigrate someone else, I don’t think voting for people “like you” is racist. Let’s face it, white men have been the default for how many years? Is that racist? sexist?
Is it sexist to vote for Hillary because she IS a woman? (well in 2008?) I say no. However, back in the 80s when Geraldine Ferraro ran with Walter Mondale, the main sign was Fritz and Tits. Is that sexist? Yes.
I understand black solidarity. Totally. I would feel the same way if I were a black woman. There is a difference in feeling that way and standing outside the polls with a weapon like the New Black Panthers did.
Its all in imagry and word and past practices. Let’s face it, looking at racial history in this country, the playing field isn’t going to be level for many generations. 350 years of racial oppression isn’t going to just vaporize in a couple months.
Ah, to yearn for the simpler old days when racism was clear cut, overt and in your face, when a jack ass was a jack ass no matter where he or she stood. I think I prefer that to the curent use of racism for political advantage, calling it out to shout down political opposition or disagreement. The use of racism for propoganda is nothing new – nor is it straight forward. Even Hitler made overt racist and discrimination appeals to blacks and to Japanese americans and then, separately, to whites. Obama will explain his defeat this year in terms of racism as well, without acknowledging his 2008 election through hope and guilt or that he has himself been a polarizing and disappointing figure. Somebody should write a book about how modern American has been and continues to be manipulated by not just overt racism and sexism, but also by calling attention to it under every rock. It is rudeness to the nth degree..
I actually don’t think it is all that different from back in the day. Perhaps blacks have more freedom to express their feelings about it. No noose for recognizing it nowadays.
Think about The Help. Those ladies weren’t allowed to publically admit it existed.
it certainly was political during the civil rights era and also during WWII, Korea etc. I can see it in my parents letters that I inherited.
“Marin, I know you are kidding but many people read this blog who don’t know you.”
Which part am I kidding about? Everytime racism comes up its only directed at white males. So, if I were a casual reader of the blog I would assume that only white males could be racist.
The truth is that we’re all racist.
I personally think that blacks that will only vote for Obama because he is white is racist. So few in the media however are willing to call it what it is.
Now, the decision of a voter is his (or hers.. even women can vote!) and his/her alone. I respect that. But, I don’t respect this notion that if your white and you vote for Romney you are a racist but if you are black and vote for Obama then somehow you are not.
“There is a good chance someone might not realize you are kidding and frankly, that comment looks really bad on Latinos.”
Don’t care if it makes us look bad. We’ll be the majority in 20-40 years. At that point it won’t matter. 🙂
“(especially people who are biased against Latinos.)”
They’ll have a rude awakening when we’re the majority then.
@marin,
funny that you should internalize it at white males. If I had to do introspection, I was probably thinking white people in general, not just males. I know plenty of women who are openly racist.
Marin said:
I agree. In some ways almost everyone is. It might not be the traditional black/white racisim we think of here in Virginia. But its there. I think people are just ethnocentric.
People also like those who are the same religion and from the same regions. Bottom line, we like people who are like ourselves the best.
yes, they will have a rude awakening. I don’t see a lot of Latinos marrying non-latinos either. (present company exclused)
I don’t think white people who vote for white people are racist. That white person might reflect their beliefs more. You are aware that there is a huge Mormon voting block out there for Romney. My Mormon friends are all excited over it. I don’t see anything wrong with that. There has never been a Mormon president. I see nothing wrong with Blacks voting for a black or a Latino voting for another Latino. I think it is the human condition and I don’t think it is racist.
I think the pictures in this thread are racist. It is an against rather than a for.
“yes, they will have a rude awakening. I don’t see a lot of Latinos marrying non-latinos either. (present company exclused)”
We discuss this at our Latino meetings. Every latino I know has married white. Well, let me take that back some. They have either married white or have a child with a white person.
“Bottom line, we like people who are like ourselves the best.”
I agree that its human nature.
“I don’t think white people who vote for white people are racist.”
The shirt basically makes that same argument but puts a different tone to it. If you can agree that someone can vote for someone based on race alone does it matter that a shirt amplifies that decision? If were ok with saying that its ok for a Latino to vote only for the Latino whats wrong with a shirt or sign that says, “Vote the White Guy out; Vote for the Latino. La raza!” I see no difference.
“funny that you should internalize it at white males.”
I have nothing against white males. I had two of them do my yard work this year. Cheaper than hiring a mexican!
I find it interesting that there is amnesia when it comes to choices or even ability to vote! For hundreds of years, only white males could vote. In the late 1960’s, black America was fighting for the right to vote without intimidation or taxes. Furthermore, I did not see “black” america rising up to support Keys when he ran against Obama for Senator!
Obama appealed to people BECAUSE he talked about an America that was neither red or blue, but American. I don’t know ANYONE who voted for Obama because he was black, that is ridiculous. However, if for the FIRST time in this country, democrats who also happen to be black were MORE motivated to get out and vote, what is the problem? The “racist” vote only works if a voting block that normally votes republican or democrat crosses party line based soley on a candiates race, religion, or gender.
Marinm, we have “prejudices” I agree, its to what level we allow them to impede our ability to look objectively at the world. Latino’s are going to be a large voting block, that is not to be feared, but embraced. Right now, the republicans are doing everything they can to alienate so many different voting blocks, not just latino’s but blacks AND women. Stupid is as stupid does!
Btw…there is much discussion on the internet whether that man was a plant.
So how will anyone ever know. You surely don’t think he is the only one out there? They are all over town–Elena saw one that said pretty much the same thing. “Sweating like an Obama trying to read–Vote Romney” Arrgggghhhhh.
The Romney/Ryan Sticker photoshopped onto the back is a nice touch!!
Ya gotta laugh at HuffPo. Their idea of news: “Individual wears t-shirt”.
Did HuffPo by any chance run stories on the assassination threats toward Romney if he wins? How about the horrid racist hatred spewed at Stacey Dash and Nicki Minaj? No, we get “Individual wears shirt”. No wonder nobody takes HuffPo seriously.
@SlowpokeRodriguez
good point!
We live in a nation of 300 millions, give or take 20 million here illegally. What a small number of people do shouldn’t be a story.
In related news, I found racist, homophobic, and misogynistic graffiti scrawled on the wall in a public toilet.
I”m also sure that Thommy Thompson’s son, during a campaign rally, telling Obama to go back to Kenya wasn’t racist either!
A lot of conservatives claim that their hatred of Obama has nothing to do with race. I’d like to thank the gentleman in the t shirt for proving them wrong.
A lot of conservatives claim that their hatred of Obama has nothing to do with race. I’d like to thank the gentleman in the t shirt for proving them wrong.
Ok Rubes, none of this was from one source. I guess the near-denial is what I find the most telling. I didn’t even just see it in the liberal rags this time.
Do you really think that Huffington Post is the only place we see or hear this stuff? Do you discount the people we know in real life? Too funny.
There are actually people out there who find this stuff offensive.
@Starryflights
I had a friend who didn’t even bother the cover up of it having nothing to do with race. How do you deny race when someone announced at dinner that “they wanted to shoot that N***** and they were surprised someone hadn’t gotten to him first.”
Seriously. That one statement gives away the clue as to why. This is a person who doesn’t even vote.
“I don’t know ANYONE who voted for Obama because he was black, that is ridiculous.”
I know plenty of my white friends – some light Republicans and some centrists – that voted for him only because he was black. While its not something I would’ve done its their vote. We took away the ability for landowners to vote a long time ago so the litmus for voting is quite small. In Chicago its’ less than small.
I do find it interesting that you mention a poll tax. I will say that I am against the idea of a right ‘costing’ money. WHich is why there should be NO tax on ammo, firearms, or any cost whatsoever for a “permit”. A right is a right and should not be left to be excercised only by the rich but the poor a like.
Don’t you agree?
“Latino’s are going to be a large voting block, that is not to be feared, but embraced.”
I don’t fear it at all. As a latino I’ll make sure you get an honorary latino membership so that when the revolution happens that you’re OK.
“Right now, the republicans are doing everything they can to alienate so many different voting blocks, not just latino’s but blacks AND women.”
This doesn’t make too much sense as you can’t win an election if you alienate everyone. This is your feeling but is not fact. Do you know women that will vote republican? Do they hate women? Do they hate themselves? Of course not. They are able to view past the rhetoric and see the real issues.
I had an acquaintance, an African-American female journalist for a large Mid-Western newspaper, who argued that all people could be bigoted but only those who held a position of power could be racists. In this country that would generally be whites. It was the power issue that she saw as a distinction. That may be why shirts and signs with ugly remarks are showing up by those most afraid of losing power.
@marinm
Just what are the “real issues”? Don’t you see how ridiculous that makes you sound to assume you, as a male, would know?
As ridiculous as USA Today?
http://m.usatoday.com/article/news/1634791
BTW I like the touch of calling the working women swing vote “waitress moms”.
So, swing and a miss! NEXT!!
Just like a few people won’t vote for Obama due to skin color, there are quite a few that won’t vote for Romney due to his religion. It’s probably a wash between the two types of discrimination.
@marinm
Arrrgghhh @ marin–I don’t know any white people who voted for Obama because he is black. that makes no sense. How about voting for him because you agree with his issues? That is what makes sense.
The poll tax-it is illegal. Supreme court., It happened in the last 50s early 60s. I can remember hearing my parents talking about it and why there was one. Perhaps one of the more insidious of the jim Crow practices. Also if black, not a good idea to get seen at the polls voting.
That is the reason I am still senstive to cameras being used near the polls and also having others hear your name being called out.
Marin said:
Again, I am going to assume you are kidding. Are you aware of how many people think this is going to happen and absolutely hate, loath, detest and all other bad words Latins because of fear of just this happening?
Did you see the scare pictures Greg puts up? How about all the Aztlán BS that so many people believe? Why would you feed into those fears? All it does is turn a fearful white America against Latinos and make passage of bills like the Dream Act and comprehensive immigration reform further away from passage.
I can’t believe you haven’t thought of these things.
@kelly_3406
That is a good point, Kelly. I don’t know which group would be the biggest either. I think probably the race group though if just listening is a good indicator.
@Marinm
I don’t guess waitress moms is any sillier than soccer moms. I am looking at it from 2 points of view….if women need to pick up extra work to help out, food service is a good place to do it and if you are in the right spot, you make make a decent living.
Would it have been less offensive to say walmart moms?
On the other hand, if they are trying to imply class …as in waitress moms slinging hash, then there are far better ways to say that. How about low-wage earner women?
@Moon-howler
“Arrrgghhh @ marin–I don’t know any white people who voted for Obama because he is black. that makes no sense. How about voting for him because you agree with his issues? That is what makes sense.”
It doesn’t make any sense to me but they did. And that’s their right. I debate with one of those chuckleheads constantly on Facebook to educate him on the error of his way. Thankfully, I think he sees it and he may not vote for Obama this term.
“The poll tax-it is illegal.”
I know. And I agree with that. But, what I’m saying is that if a pool tax is illegal because it impacts the ability of the poor to vote then why should a tax on ammo or a tax on required permits be legal? Both of those infringe upon a right of a poor person to have access to firearms.
“Again, I am going to assume you are kidding.”
Partially.
” Are you aware of how many people think this is going to happen and absolutely hate, loath, detest and all other bad words Latins because of fear of just this happening?”
Nope. Don’t care about them either. They’ll hate me because I’m an anchor baby or because I have a latino surname. I don’t care. I don’t let that impact my life at all. I do find it amusing that many of those people are faux conservatives.
“Did you see the scare pictures Greg puts up?”
I don’t go to that website.
” How about all the Aztlán BS that so many people believe?”
I don’t understand any of this. What’s an Aztlan?
“Why would you feed into those fears?”
general amusement. No, the real answer is because I don’t care and don’t know about nor care what they fear. I would hope that they fear the same thing that I do – an out of control Big Government, bent on war and crushing civil liberties all on the Chinese credit card.
“All it does is turn a fearful white America against Latinos and make passage of bills like the Dream Act and comprehensive immigration reform further away from passage.”
Good! Lets keep the invaders out of my country. If they haven’t gotten here already sucks to be them.
I guess about all I can say is, I find your answers contemptible and selfish.
I care very much about prejudice being spread.
You might want to check on the Aztlan movement. In a nut shell, its about North American lands being ceded back to Mexico as part of some repatriation….Hell..I havent studied it that much. I just know that a lot of people fear this is what Latinos are going to do.
Marin, if I were you, if not for yourself, I would think you would want your children to grow up in a land that is as free from prejudice and bias as possible.
You might laugh but Elena and I (as well as many others) have had to battle name calling and being snubbed because we both worked for fairer treatment of immigrants here in PWC. That did not mean that we wanted criminals running around loose. We didn’t and don’t. However, ask many people about us and you will hear a different story than what you know about us. when you issue your Latinos will out reproduce and take over the country threats, that makes our job harder also. You really are playing into many white fears that just build up walls of prejudice.
I figure if the poor man can afford a gun he can afford ammo and whatever tax is on it.
Its purpose is to make money. In the case of a poll tax, it is to impose a cost on voting so that poor people, many of whom are black, won’t be able to afford to vote.
Talk about Psy to Play.
@Moon-howler
I think USA Today could’ve been a little less biased against women by saying middle income blue collar female wage workers.
Why try to put a label on it?
So, and not saying the polls are a be all to this election but if women are moving towards Romney does that mean this faux war is what it is or that women are just not supporting the ’cause’ anymore?
@marin
War on women–some will support some will not. Nothing new. There are all sorts of people who don’t give a sh!t until their rights are taken away, then they cry the loudest. Ask me if I care what happens to those people. If you contribute to your own oppression, then own it. I have a gay friend who continually does it. I laugh in his face.
Why put a label on it? I think its a descriptor of a whole bunch of women who are having to do low paying jobs and who cast that above other issues. It just depends on which batch of kool aid they want to drink from on economics.
I am not asd offended by the descriptor as you are. If they are still changing their minds at this stage of the game, I would guess the term bimbo would start applying also. Most thinking people have pretty much decided who they are going to vote for a long time ago.
Of course, I had the bimbo problem between Reagan and Carter once. Having been there and all……
Twitter is amusing.
Examples of what people are saying include the following;
“If obama dont get re-elected & romney wins .. on life every white persons getting pistol whipped and im startin a riot.”
“If Obama don’t win lets start a riot so Romney know what he’s getting himself into.”
“You know you ain’t shit if you gotta “MAKE” Mafukas vote for ROMNEY ! …. Mannnn OBAMA better get back in office . Or BLACK FOLKS will riot.”
“If Romney wins im goin on a rampage.”
“If Mitt Romney wins the election I think its our duties as Black folks to riot and fuck shit up.”
“If every action IS met with an equal and opposite reaction ..what should workers do to employers if Romney’s elected? #Riot in the streets!!”
“If Romney becomes president let’s all start a riot.”
“I Heard Mitt Romney , Tryna Take Away Food Stamps , If He Do .”IMA START A RIOT , IMA START A RIOT.”
“If romney wins, imma start a mf’n riot! Rns.”
Opposing Obama does not equate to hating Obama. I can respect him personally, but support Romney because I think Romney would be a better president. In fact, after hearing Biden in the debate last week I pray for President Obama’s good health.
Has it come out that Mr. T-Shirt was a liberal Obama supporter trying to cause problems for the Romney campaign yet?
OK, so a child is born into the world with no preconceived ideas about race. You would assume that person would grow to be totally unbiased. Yet this is exactly what has been happening for at least the last 30 years, and yet everyone is somewhat racist. That’s because the racism of the distant past is constantly forced down the throats of those youth who would otherwise have no reason to be biased other than for first hand personal experiences. I keep hearing how when generations were being discriminated against years ago you can’t expect people to forget. I say if you haven’t experienced the same past discrimination, then you have no beef, so stop living in you relative’s past and get on with things as they truly are today. In short the past is brought up only to support the further conflict of racism by those who stand to gain the most by doing so.
@Need to Know
No one is suggesting that a vote for Romney is biggoted. I certainly don’t think it is.
But let’s all stop pretending. I know I am not the only person on this blog who gets racist Obama jokes and has old friends say they are going to shoot him (even though she doesn’t own a gun or vote) and use the N word towards him.
There are people who very much dislike him because of race or racial attitudes.
@SlowpokeRodriguez
Why should it? Don’t tell me YOU don’t know anyone who would do that? I sure know at least 2 people who would do that.
Oh well, I was related to someone who cheered when they heard MLK had been shot. He’s dead now is the only reason I am not still related to him.
@Second Alamo
SA, I am trying to dissect your coment. Part of me agrees with some of what you say. I do think there are a whole lot of people who use the past as excuse to be an AH. I will hand you that.
If we could slide that aside for a moment…let’s just talk about racism, I dont think there is enough of a clean slate in anyone’s camp to expect it to just vanish. Also, some of the most racist people I have ever know would be horrified to find out someone thought they were racist.
@marinm
Ignorant people also can have twitter accounts. They come in all colors and skin tones.
@marinm
Hey Marin,
How far back can I go in my ancestry and still be latino? I’ve got Vives, Alleman, and Hernandez in my family tree. One Great Grandmother was Vives.
Can I be in your club?
@Cargosquid
I got you pumpkin!
So, is there a secret handshake or something? My spanish is lousy. Hablo un poquito espanol.