Facing Racism in America

While covering the primary in West Virginia, I encountered pervasive racism only hinted at by Tuesday's exit polls and the pundits who wonder aloud if America is ready for a black president. What I heard on Tuesday was shocking. It depicts the blind prejudice that still possesses pockets of America and that provides traction for outlandish character assaults, such as claims that Obama is Muslim and unpatriotic. These rumors are used as euphemisms for many of Democrats I spoke with--excuses to vote Republican this Fall for the first time in their lives.

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Comments

[Dachozen1]

Everything is in codes now. If u listen u can hear. Life long democrats who say they wont vote for Obama??? People who still say he's not Christian??? People who are unwilling to forgive for preacher??? Hard working Clinton supporters who is trying to go against Obama even though Hillary's policies are similar????

[Dendera]

This is America, people. We need to stop pretending we are anything but a nation run on the fears of ignorant white people who refuse to see any others as equally human. Fox news has certainly spent the last 8-10 years fomenting and inculcating ignorance and hatred in this group. They are strong, they are united, they are stupid and we are even more so if/when we let them win.

Emigrate.

It's the only way to leave the shallow bastards to stew in their own juices.

[MARTYB]

Ahhh! America the beautiful, and it truly is. But folks this is just the tip of the iceberg. Come November
John McCain ,with the "right" VP at his side will be POTUS. And for those people who keep hollering about Blacks going 90% for Obama, PLEASE! We surely gave FDR, JFK, JC, and BC (twice) our support in those %, when and where we could vote. And don't tell me that JFK did not get 90% of the
Irish-American vote. Conversely, i bet that Colin Powell or Condi could barely get 20% of Blacks to vote for them for ANYTHING, and last time i checked they were firmly in the "not White" category. So those who are not for Obama , please stop using that as some sort of crutch to say Blacks are being racist, overly optimistic though.

[merle7]

Now I see what is meant about uneducated Hillary voters. The people probably don't even follow Obama's campaign and does not have a clue what his policies are. At least one said she would vote for McCain for experience. These the type of people voted for GWBush twice

[zebra3]

The idea that superdelegates are being asked to overturn the results of the nationwide democratic primary race for fear of losing these voters shocks the conscience. The idea that the "party of inclusion" has become so P.C. that it feels compelled, not only to welcome blatant racists into its tent , but to give them a special position of privilege at the table is.... i don't even know what to say it is.

Since when do West Virginians matter more than other voters? I am sorry so many of them are poor and uneducated, but if the democratic party values their votes more than mine, then the democratic party is screwed up. We need to redraw the electoral map and reshape our party. I would've thought that backward racists belonged in the GOP. Who knew they were so important to my party that my party's leaders might actually consider scrapping legitimate election results in order to give white racists a candidate they could love?

Also, I know Hillary keeps pointing out that Bill won WV, but let's remember that both times he ran there, the GOP ticket was split by Ross Perot.

[lostnusa]

Just sitting here reading such comments-"It's also a matter of intelligence, If people are still racist in this day and age then they need to move to a country where it"s acceptable because it should not even be tolerated in today"s America, Real redneck types, held a certain self-righteous attitude against those with money and education, The racist areas of the United States including West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are being identified and routed out. These people will be ridiculed and vilified for what they are and will be required to wear the racist title, They will soon understand during an Obama administration to either wise up or be isolated and left out of mainstream America, i agree. we have a choice to make at this juncture in history. either we decide to move forward and leave these morons behind, or we cater to their views and allow them to continue holding back progress, This country does not allow people to vote who are convicted of crimes. To me that will only be fair if you take away the votes of idiotic biggots like the ones I've just seen, Until we have a more educated electorate some Americans will continue to vote along racial lines with the politician that looks more like them, Who cares about those stupid hillbillies?" Some of your idiot comments. Educated==Elitist? Shame on you!

[richmc]

Thats a mighty fine tooth you have there ma'am. Your husband sure looks a lot like you. Dont you worry, them there republikins will fix all your problems. after all them mine owners are rich and smart, so dont you think that you should let them run everythang?

[richmc]

Who cares about those stupid hillbillies? Why is anyone surprised?

[Gma11]

Very, very disturbing. This should be shown on all corporate media stations. (Not holding my breath!)

[truthseeker111]

Imagine TRNN claiming they are objective! They are so upset at white voters voting 66-26 for Clinton over Obama that they forgot to interview african american voters in North Carolina that apparently voted 92-6 for Obama over Clinton.
These are staged interviews. Just look at one of the people at the end claiming she would vote for Obama over McCain but not for Clinton over McCain. She claims she is a 100% republican but wants change. Even though she wants change she would still vote for McCain over Clinton. But her friend sitting next to her is portrayed as a racist and 100% democrat. Therefore we would conclude that if this is representative, white republicans are much less racist than their white friend democrats. Interesting. Then they show the race st road sign as though that also represents West Virginia. This last fact confirms the hidden agenda of the reporter that made this video.

[tyrdofwaitin]

Thank you, Matthew for your candor. You have looked into the face of white supremacy that is still a reality in these United States. You have done so without artiface or apology. It's important that white men like yourself acknowledge and publicize this reality. When black folks say it, it's viewed as our problem.

I too wonder whether we are ready for a black president. But this much I do know. That a person like Barack Obama comes along once in a lifetime. And if America is not ready for what his leadership can bring, then I think we have breathed our last as a viable republic.

We have not seen challenges like we face today since the Great Depression. FDR snatched us from the jaws of Hell, because there was a real possiblity that this country would be torn apart. Although remembered fondly now, the conservatives of that day hated Roosevelt and they did everything they could to stymie his programs. What saved Roosevelt and his administration was the love and trust of the overwhelming number of Americans who needed and demaned a change from the moribund policies of the Hoover administration.

Unlike Hoover, however, the Bush Gang have brought evil to our land and abroad.

2008 marks the emergence of a prophet and leader who can help us help ourselves turn the tide against self-destruction. And I don't think we will get another chance. This prophet happens to be a person of color. Are we ready ?

[Fama]

The people of West Virginia are facing a lot of economic pain and have been for centuries. Our hope and dreams is to embrace all our sisters and brothers in the great symphony of national reconciliation. This beautiful movement thats sweeping our nation refuses to discount all people of goodwill.

[laylahb]

Did you notice that many of those being interviewed looked away or down at the ground, rather than at the reporter or the camera?

Ignorance is not bliss, particularly when it comes to the future of our country.

[BeingFrank]

Clan-ism is more like it, which is tied to a basic form of patriotism, that states you will stick with a path despite that groups financial or otherwise direction.

I believe that age plays a large factor in what you believe and if your beliefs can be altered.
It's also a matter of intelligence, which can also be affected by the ravages of age.

One aspect of Intelligence is the ability to upgrade knowledge, thus opinion, to the benefit of you and to as large of a group as your mind can bridge.

Since "isms" are not a logical state of mind, any excuse that presents itself as reasoning for the stance will suffice, no matter how wrong, or illogical the belief is.

This is why people will accept any slur about Obama as fact, and will reject any suggestion that contradicts their belief.

I would say that most of these beliefs will have to be carried to the grave before they die.
Unless that is, one can reach group leaders who "think" for many under them, and I hope this is what Obama knows.

Because the basic core of all human beings is loyalty and goodness,.. however twisted to grace those that are undeserving, either by pigmentation or other blind means of giving of your heart...

This is the problem with our world,.. identifying those who are worth our allegiances..

[Pammy1151]

The bottom line is that racism is based in fear. People are afraid of what and who they don't know. Even sadder than that is they are too afraid to give these people a chance. I would best bet you that the people in this snippet probably are just afraid of their black neighbors as they are of Obama. Until they can get over the fear and reach out it will never change. Thanks god that the younger generations of "these" people are probably much more inclined to do that. I do believe it is very much a generational problem as Obama says. Some people just haven't been able to change fast enough to keep up with the rest of us. I came from a very racist family in PA and it took me much to get over that but I did and here I am voting for a black for president and believe he is the best.

[GoodGuysandBadGuys]

"I don't think we should be puttin a black man in there - but I ain't prejudiced.."

oh isn't that nice.

[mia8485]

Those people gave me the shudders...but...that woman (and the other racists in that piece) aren't exactly the future of America, are they? Isn't this all just the simple and stagnant viewpoint of a small segment of a small part of the country?

Am I too optimistic in thinking that there are vastly more of us (smarter, not racist) than there are of them?

[MyNameIsJames]

Racism is the easy explanation, but it shows up in many ways. Fear is racism's greatest manifestation. I believe that once Obama officially gains the Democratic nomination, this nation is going to freak out for a while. You will literally be able to see the fear in the eyes of white conservatives. They will scream and holler, and accuse Obama of all sorts of things. Many whites will feel like they are losing CONTROL of their country.

White liberals/progressives will be self-righteous at the fear that other Whites will feel. Yet, they will not be equipped to facilitate a national dialogue in a reasonable manner.

Obama is going to have to address the issue of race AGAIN and he needs to address the issue in relation to patriotism and how the US can overcome its racial problems in the future. Should be fun!

Either Obama's candidacy will brings this nation closer together, or his presidential bid will further divide us.

[JudgeCrater]

Thanks for making me ashamed to be a Democrat, WV. I had comfortably classified all bigots as R's until this election opened my eyes.

[Flick08]

1. Did I hear correctly? Did that one lady say "Yankee Do It" Yankee Doodle perhaps?

2. Is ignorance contagious? I hope not b/c I had to drive through WV once and I'm starting to worry.

3. Why did a state with so much natural beauty have to become inhabited by so many yucky people?

4. The next time a bunch of WV miners are trapped there will be ice-skating rinks in Hell-O before I send some of my hard-earned dollars.

Now all you liberals are getting your wrink -ree khakis all twisted up in wad. We ain't got nuthin aginst Borat Hussein Osama. I'm not a racist I just don't like the coloreds.

[maureendowdisatotalbabe]

lol! funniest post i've read all day!!

[dawlishgal]

the really disturbing thing is the way the pundits have gone along with the Clinton bullcrap and used the euphemism, "working" for the truth, "racist." They have conflated the two so that even Katrina Vanden Heuvel called West Virginians "proud" rather than 'racist." From what I have seen and heard, yes, many are proud of being racists.

The hideous irony is that HIllary had the chance to help the Appalachian poor when she was in power in the White House and in the Senate, and instead she gave them NAFTA to send their jobs overseas and a crony-driven bound-to-fail healthcare plan. And now she has taken massive amounts of lobbyists' money from the very people who lied about her plan and killed it. The big healthcare and pharmaceutical corporations rewarded Hillary for her past failure and have made a down-payment on a future failure. But the majority of West Virginians would rather hold onto their racial prejudice than to have any security about healthcare. Otherwise, they have remained deliberately ignorant of past behavior of candidates, and like the moron in the film, prefer to justify their bigotry by insisting that Obama is a Muslim. How do they reconcile believing both that he has a crackpot Christian preacher and is a Muslim is beyond me, but these people are beyond the reach of logic.

[MariaHopeful]

It is so, so sad to see those people who look and sound so sincere in their beliefs spouting such racist views. And the even sadder thing is that you know they want to say even more or worse than they have said. My hope is that having a President Obama, leading this country with principles rather than expediency that that will do a whole lot to change some of those minds. We have a way to go.

[alleykat]

I would hope that not all hard working White Americans, Hispanic, African Americans, Asians or Jews would fall for hill and bills crap. The fact is those people in W.V. that said they were voting for hillary because she understands them and relates to them are taking too many backwoods mushrooms or they really are ignorant. To think that someone that makes 109 mil, went to the best colleges and spends 24,000 to cater in pizza for their staff relate to them is the height of ignorance. I think that a lot of delusional people live in this country to think that the clintons relate to them but then their are a lot of women who think hillary stands up for women. Where was she when her hubby was abusing all those women? She was sending the IRS after them and spending our tax dollars to have the secret service follow them. Yeah they really relate to us! Get a grip America! Hillary has as many masks, as she has pantsuits! If people are still racist in this day and age then they need to move to a country where it"s acceptable because it should not even be tolerated in today"s America. (I"m a 53-year-old white woman who supports Obama) According to the polls I would say that makes me one of the more intelligent ones.

[Gma11]

Thanks for your articulate post, alleykat.

[DinOhio]

I know many, many people who are from or have family from West Virginia. My ex-wife's relatives were from there. The people interviewed are fairly typical of the attitude. Real redneck types. What I found in many of them is a certain pride in their ignorance. I always took it as a defensive mechanism. They were proud to be hillbillies, proud of their bigotry, and they held a certain self-righteous attitude against those with money and education. Before I met my ex, I had never experienced people like that. Maybe it was the relative isolation the mountains in the state provide. They were wonderful as long as you avoided anything they felt threatened by. I apologize to anyone I offended here from West Virginia that isn't this way - I sure there are many many many that aren't. I can only speak of those I met from there and they were plentiful.

[returnofthejedi]

Racist...............what racist.........that doesn't exist in America anymore.......wink.

[doc1400]

There is a strong upside to the Obama candidacy in this election cycle.
The racist areas of the United States including West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are being identified and routed out. These people will be ridiculed and vilified for what they are and will be required to wear the racist title.
They will soon understand during an Obama administration to either wise up or be isolated and left out of mainstream America.
The citizens of the United States are very close to rejecting this kind of behavior in a way that will be very detrimental to these states. The adage: "if the shoe fits, you must wear it", will apply to them.

[maureendowdisatotalbabe]

i agree. we have a choice to make at this juncture in history. either we decide to move forward and leave these morons behind, or we cater to their views and allow them to continue holding back progress. i'm for the former. unfortunately, a main thrust of the clinton argument so far has been for the latter ("he can't win" -hrc), which is very unfortunate.

[scruffyandspunky]

I don't think this is about "blue-collar" voters, it's about racist voters. And, since there is nothing anybody can do to change such deep-seated prejudice, we need to simply move on. As this report also indicated, there is a whole new wave of voters who ARE attracted to Obama's message of change and unity. Let the haters stay holed up in their little hatey-holes. Sigh.

[seejake]

I agree. the frame isn't blue collar voters who won't vote for Obama. It's racists who happen to be blue collar workers that will not vote for Obama.

speaking of racism: tp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqbQWxHIn4U

[returnofthejedi]

This country does not allow people to vote who are convicted of crimes. To me that will only be fair if you take away the votes of idiotic biggots like the ones I've just seen.


No driving while black............................No voting while ignorant. Deal?