Obama Chides Holder For Comments On Race

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he would not have used the same language that Eric Holder did last month when the attorney general declared that the United States is a nation of cowards on matters of race.

"We've made enormous progress and we shouldn't lose sight of that," Obama told The New York Times in an interview posted on the newspaper's Web site Saturday.

The president said he understood Holder to be saying the country often is uncomfortable talking about race until there's a racial flare-up or conflict and that the nation probably could be more constructive in facing up to slavery and discrimination.

Obama gently departed from the tone of the comments by the country's first black attorney general.

The president said he is not someone who believes that constantly talking about race can solve racial tensions. To address that problem, it will mean fixing the economy, putting people to work, making sure that people have health care and ensuring that children are learning, Obama said.

"I think if we do that, then we'll probably have more fruitful conversations," Obama said in the interview Friday aboard Air Force One.

In a speech to Justice Department employees marking Black History Month, Holder said that while the country has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, "in things racial we have always been and I believe continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards."

Comments

[Ugonna]

wow. What an interesting approach from someone who had Rev Warren give the prayer at his inauguration in order to start a conversation about opposition to gay marriage. Obama doesn't get this one at all, and it is disappointing. What Eric Holder did started a ball rolling on the internet. The sites I go to have started several great convos about race, and alot of that has to do with what Holder said. I think more action like this needs to be taken. Maybe you don't have to use the word "coward"(although, I believe using the word when he did and how he did is what helped at this moment in time), but do not take Obama's approach in just focusing on other things. This needs to be taken head on, so we can move on.

Didn't he himself make a speech saying we NEEDED a race conversation

p.s. I tried to post this before, and HP wouldn't let me. Lets see if it works this time.

[papapj]

Hey Rob,

We ran out of space, but how can newworldgirl or you or anyone else for that matter deign to define what THE Black experience is without resorting to simplistic stereotypes?

Neither you, nor anyone else can definitively state what the Black experience is and haughtily reject or belittle that of others - something you persist in doing. THAT is the complex you display that goes right to your blind spot. The only thing that you, or newworldgirl can say with any degree of assuredness is that he didn't have YOUR life experiences, without casting judgement on the life of others.

Capisce?

[robXdion]

Let-it-go. . . .

You accuse me of xenophobia because your feelings got hurt? What is your problem dude? You have this serious case of projecting your own insecurities of being foreign in the US into every discussion about blackness with other blacks. You even have a white race tro// co-signing you. Get that fixed. Seriously. No one is "belittling" you or Obama. Black people would blast even other US blacks not from their particular "hood" lecturing them on their life and distinct localized issues. And for the last time, even Obama admitted his upbringing was easier than the average black male on the mainland for several reasons including living far away from the heavy concentrated cultural rac.ism that has always been endemic to the US mainland. That's not just my "judgment", those are HIS OWN words!! Just the facts. Even he knows that. So don't tell me about the country I know and grew up in.

Now "capisce" that.

[robXdion]

It amazing how the moderators allow ad hominem attacks against me, but won't post my responses even when tame.

[jozinha]

Way to go! Start "an honest dialog" by accusing everyone of being cowards. That so works.

[robXdion]

Are you one? Hit dogs cry the loudest. Instead of posting constantly like he talked about your mother, why not look around and realize the truth in what he said. We all know many whites like to hide their rac.ial animosity behind sneaky phrases and characterizations. We know blacks like to blame whites for everything in their life to avoid taking responsibility for their actions and communities. And we know all like to avoid discussion of this because it cuts to the core of the basis for their self-esteem.

[jozinha]

We don't talk about race for the same reason we don't talk about religion and politics. Not to anyone's face anyway. All the posters here who back Holder have absolutely no practical plans. They're just venting, like me. This anonymous comment board is not the way the world works. And if it weren't being heavily filtered by HuffPost, it would be on fire.

My interest in this discussion comes from a multi-dimensional life experience. But I also know posting here does no good. I post a non-black viewpoint and I get accused of being racist. And no one's opinion is altered. It's all so predictable. Gotta get back to my business now. I've got constructive things to do and I've spent enough time with this diversion.

[robXdion]

It's pathetic how so many whites took the AG's comments as a personal attack when he never addressed any one specific race. It actually speaks to the level of truth in the statement Holder made. Because cowardice is behind all of these attempts at trying to make it seem blacks and whites are equally at fault, while ignoring reality and history. It's all more of a coddling effort to not hold whites accountable for their prejudices and resulting institutional practices. Fact is blacks, latinos, and asians can be just as cowardly whether it's letting whites of the hook in exchange for acceptance or not admitting their own prejudices and hatreds. It's pathetic the President took it that way with this slapdown to the AG for offending sensitive white people. The AG has to deal with REAL issues involving race the President can keep distance from and act magnanimous about. Thus, it seems Obama fits the description too. And no, "The Speech" in Philly was just a band-aid on gaping wound and was pure "CYA". If he was serious about the topic he wouldn't try to avoid it so much. The Oscar Grant's and Sean Bell's can't get WH protection. ~ Now think about that.

[jozinha]

Holder has opened a can of worms that will only show that Obama will not be able to make anyone happy. Not a good place for a politician to find himself in.

[newworldgirl]

Eric Holder's wife, Sharon Malone, is the sister of Vivian Malone Jones, now deceased. Vivian Malone was one of two black students whose effort to enroll at the then segregated University of Alabama led to George Wallace's infamous "stand in the schoolhouse door" in 1963. She was the first African American to graduate from the University of Alabama. Barak Obama, on the other hand, was raised by White people in communities in Hawaii and Indonesia where few Blacks exist. He did not live what most people would call the "Black Experience." As a Black person, I still support President Obama, but I have a problem with someone who did not have the true "Black Experience" lecturing Black people on how to deal with the issue of race. This is like a person who was born rich lecturing poor people on how to climb out of poverty when he/she never had to try to climb out of poverty.

[jozinha]

OK, so obviously you have not read any of Obama's books. Nor know anything about his life at all. It seems the only fact of importance for you about him is his white grandparents. I wonder what that would be called...?

[newworldgirl]

One fact that I do know, jozinha, is that President Obama will distance himself from anyone and anything that makes White people uncomfortable. He quit a church he attended for 20 years and distanced himself from Reverend Wright who mentored him for that many years, because White people were uncomfortable with the church and Rev. Wright. He then distanced himself from John Lewis, per a demand from John McCain during a debate, after John Lewis rightfully compared John McCain and Sarah Palin to bigots who intentionally stirred up racists during the civil rights era. John McCain and Sarah Palin never apologized for their behavior during the primaries. Now he has distanced himself from Eric Holder for rightfully stating that Americans are cowards when it comes to the issue of race. I am waiting to see if President Obama will be brave enough to join a Black church in Washington, D.C. or if he will, out of fear of upsetting White people, not go to church at all or join a White church. I still support President Obama, but I am very concerned that his fear of upsetting White people will lead to inaction on issues that are important to Black people.

[papapj]

Who are you to decide what the 'True Black Experience' is?

Do you think that, just because Barack was raised by his loving grandparents (who just hapopened to be White), that he never had similar experiences to the rest of us Black men?

[robXdion]

Relax dude. Growing up in Hawaii in the 60s and 70s or at any time is far different than the mainland, even with black grandparents. Not even your experiences in GB can approximate that. newworldgirl has a valid point. I guarantee you if he had grown up in Chicago instead of just moving there as a young adult, he'd have a totally different outlook.

[ObjectiveRealist]

quote:
In a speech to Justice Department employees marking Black History Month, Holder said that while the country has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, "in things racial we have always been and I believe continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards."
/quote

I observe that Attorney General Holder, to his credit, did not single out whites for this rebuke. Racial bigotry, like sex crimes, very likely maybe a topic that even the victims often prefer not to discuss, perhaps similarly motivated by the belief that confronting the problem will make it worse, not solve it. A very interesting statement whose substance is likely to be overlooked, unfortunately.

[Elephantinroom]

ObjectiveR­ealist-You­r argument that it is civil to call a nation of people, who happen to pay your salary, "...a nation of cowards." is preposterous. In additon, YOU associate victims of bigotry with victims of sex crimes, in that neither may want to discuss their dilemmas. Are you insinuatiing that victims of sex crimes are cowards, too?
I am not a coward, my children are not cowards.

[Pippen]

This country has made significant progress in regards to ethnic relations over the last 50 years. America is not the slave owning 1700s anymore and to use dialogue and tone to depict it that way is a innacurate malignment.

All ethnicities have worked hard and with great success increased the quality of life for all minorities and international immigrants with this country. Nothing was achieved by a single person or ethnicity working alone.

Unemployment percentages have improved dramatically from1960- 2000, as well as education and healthcare coverage.

There really is no productive need to add venom to a race relations discussion since everyone is working in the same direction with the exception of some red state GOPs who are in the decline.

Holder was using a little discussion baiting tone which is probably ok in his position but with Obama this new to the office and the first perceived AA president it would not be in his best interest to put racial disparities at the top of the countries priority list. He is wisely addressing the economy first and behind the scenes foreign policy (i.e. North Korea).

[papapj]

I agree wholeheartedly that there is no need for acrimony or venom, but there is a definite need to have a common understanding of exactly what the problem is and how it manifests itself today.

If this discussion is anything to go by then there is much work to be done as it seems that even the most liberal and progressive among us have difficulty acknowledging the pervasiveness of White privilege and how it totally conradicts the purported American destiny of having a totally meritocratic society.

[Seven7s]

We dont need to have discussions about race. People are going to say what they feel they need to say to stay employed.

If you want to know how whites feel about race in America just look at Sean Bell, look at the statistics about minorities more likely to be hired for a job during a PHONE Interview than one in person. Just look at the prison sentencing rates compared to whites who do the same crime.

We dont need to have a "National Discussion" whites have been telling us very clearly how they feel through their actions all along.

[wonketteRAWKS]

Thanks for being in Selma AG Holder!

[Jaxy]

I admire the spirited and intelligent debate occurring on this thread. We can agree to disagree, and do so with refreshing panache.

I thank you all so much for not being single-minded, inflexible, party-line­-regurgita­ting ideologues.

[hortonhearsawho2]

and we are always right...despite the oxymoron .

[jozinha]

Holder is not an elected representative of the people of the United States. He is an appointed part of his boss's administration.

He was way out of line, going counter to Obama's -- his boss's -- political position.

He was way out of line using a derogatory word about the entire populous of the United States. It is a generalization, and generalizations are the m.o. of racism itself.

If he says something like this again, Obama should fire him. If he doesn't fire him, I will infer that he's doing Obama's bidding, and that Obama is being underhanded with his stated principles and philosophies.

[Nommo]

This is not the old Soviet Russia. Toadies may very well have been the standard of the previous administration, but if Pres. Obama (and you might, if you are half as respectful as you claim, use the title of the office) wishes to surround himself with the type, he would hardly have chosen Hillary Clinton, to say the least. The AG is an appointed position but his boss is in fact the people of the US of A. The word is not derogatory it is simply descriptive and if one only considers the kow-towing of the last eight years, it is perfectly apropos. Those who find offense are entirely within their right to do so, but that is their problem. The rest of us have real problems and such will not be solved by cowards.

The American people have given up their rights in fear of a sick man hanging out in a cave in Afghanistan and don't want to be called cowards? Coward is the kindest description likely available.

The US of A has never been receptive to the words and sentiments of its Black citizens, but that old seedy nag is on its way to the glue factory. Mayhap that kind of censorship is the mode of doing business where ever you come from, and you may want that kind of Bushism back, but the world moves on.

[papapj]

He didn't 'counter' Obama's position - all he did was use words that he wouldn't have. And Obama didn't expect him to, either, he doesn't hire 'yes' women or men.

Obama sent out what was a very effective trial balloon via Holder, a man he has known for several years and is in lockstep with politically.

Yes you should infer that he's doing Obama's bidding in challenging America to face up to the reality of present day racism, and if you think that is 'way out of line' then I believe he was addressing the likes of you first and foremost....

[nomobull]

you are the one out of line. saying he would use different words doesn't mean he was saying he was out of line

[Pleneras]

A word that only a writer could understand has more than one way of being used and has more than one direct meaning. Obama understood it, many other people understood and would not have used it in that sentence because of people like you who does not understand what he is saying. There for, Obama was right, Holder could and should have used a delicate word until direct words could be used, maybe in another 300 years.... when we can talk about what we now talk about Germany, South Africa, etc.

[Carnacamarna]

Saying that we are a nation of cowards does not go against Obama's political positions. Obama agreed but says that Holder shouldn't have expressed what he meant so harshly.

I agree with Holder. Race is an effing huge elephant in the room, and those that say we've moved past it are idiots. This country needs to acknowledge its problems with race, and then I think there will be change. Progress--yes, but it's still not good enough.

[jozinha]

Holder needs to read the no-drama memo again. We have all the drama we need.

[SethBLiNK]

This story continues to amaze and bewilder me.

The President wisely waited a few weeks and issued a mild public rebuke. Some here doubt the accuracy of the word "chide" but I read the NYT story (which has the same headline) and his statement was: “I think it’s fair to say that if I had been advising my attorney general, we would have used different language,”

That's chiding, and it's a lot less than Holder could have gotten considering the statement. While the President conceded that the AG had a point, he also disagreed with his main premise saying that talking more about it isn't going to solve the problem.

What it comes down to is this: Is there anybody right now, who feels that race relations is the biggest problem facing America? I'll bet our President, would tell you that the economy, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and our health care crises far outweigh race right now. I can't imagine that Holder would disagree.

So, considering that race is an issue, but not on the top five of issues we must face as a nation, the AG is way out of line calls us "a nation of cowards" for not talking about it more.

And anybody who expect the newly elected President to come anywhere near agreeing with that statement is crazy. What President would ever agree that his country is a nation of cowards.

[Nommo]

What you are talking about is all of a sudden. While all this was developing, certain citizens of the realm have had to deal with a constant, that being racial oppression. The problems you think are on top are a direct result of not paying attention. Who, you might ask? Those who are charged with paying attention. The same ones who fell for the WMD lies, and dared believe that the economy would just keep going and going even as money was being borrowed to support an illegal and immoral war.

They can pull the troops out tomorrow if they want to. Send the bankers to replace them. Sounds like a fair trade to me.

[jozinha]

Agree! Thanks.

[Nommo]

Furthermore, there has always been a health crisis in the Black community. Hospitals used to be segregated and the ones that took Blacks had the worse facilities. When they close hospitals they close them in Black neighborhoods first. All those years that found Black communities redlined and denied financial and insurance services, meant that those communities were on the edge of crisis at all times.

Well that bird has come home to roost. Now it is a crisis. What shall we call it, a suspension of privilege? The racial issue is hundreds of years old. It is as deep as the reservations which serve to imprison and isolate the indigenous people of this land. It is the basis of every Trail of Tears, Wounded Knee and that incident at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Nothing happens in isolation. All the money spent on keeping people in their "place" is now come due. Deal with it.

[papapj]

You think that racism is not in the 'top five' we faced as a nation?

There's your White privilege showing itself, right there. Now that YOU feel it's not important, you can just brush it off as Blacks being too sensitive or dismissive of the 'great strides' that have been made toward equality instead of facing up to your own White privilege.

You seem adamant in your belief that Holder and Obama will concur with you in your dismissal of the importance of racism hence you can't imagine them thinking differently from you.

That's denial - no matter how you may try to couch your display of White privilege with intellect and patronizing condescension - if you think everybody should think as you do.

[SethBLiNK]

Even Holder didn't claim that there is much to be done institutionally nor did he emphasize the income or privilege gap between races. He just spoke of the need for the races to talk to each other. To which our President replied that he does not think that constantly talking about race will help solve racism.

Right now, finding the proper response to the economic meltdown is FAR more important than expanding the racial dialog.

So is getting us out of Iraq and figuring out what to do with Afghanistan.

Securing better healthcare for everybody, improving education in America, is clearing more important than "talking about race."

Interestingly, each of the above issues has a significant racial component and dealing with each of them properly would improve the lot of minorities. And I personally feel that talking about those issues, particularly if the conversation takes place among racially mixed groups, will bring us closer to understanding each other than the conversational minefield that is race.

[Davonne Rushing]

Well be grateful the president addressed the issue and that he wants to be constructive about it.

[Genna]

The title is misleading: Obama Chides Holder For Comments On Race. This is much more like the game the media plays with the AA community: let's play one AA off another to promote the agenda we most care about. Don't like the idea of all Americans being cowards on race or disagree with this post racial landscape painted by the media? Well, we'll find someone else that makes us feel comfortable in not changing what we do daily. Let's find someone that says it is okay to continue doing exactly what got all of us here today.

The real title should be: When Prompted about Holder's coward comment, Obama says wasn't me.

[Pleneras]

Or "I disagree with his choice of words" which is more or less what he said, but chide he did not. Obama needs to stop apologizing for what others say. He is not THEM.

[ohioan73]

Being separated by race lines is a problem in America. It starts with the lack of diversity in certain areas. Children grow up unfamiliar from someone who looks different and never get to know individuals of other races personally. This goes for black, white, asian, latino etc...When you become familiar with people from other races and your social group is diverse, stereotypes and racist "humor" is no longer an issue. People who grow up with diverse friends would never generalize or hurt their friends. Racism and discrimination literally disappears. All those suspicions and sensitivities melt away.

Teach your children not to fear and hate people who are different and all this will work itself out after these crazy old bi gots have disappeared from the earth. We don't need to "talk" we need to not to be sociopathic and pass it down to our children. In this new world, children are not getting that racism influence as much as they used to.