The Race Race

Shouldn't we be honest about this?
Let's face it: The word "electability" is another term for "voter racism." In other words, would Barack Obama be able to get enough support to overcome the lingering bigotry in this country? It's a fair question, but if we're going to deal with it we need to face it head on.

Let's put it in perspective though. Whether it's Obama or Clinton who gets the nomination, he or she will not only make history, but will carry the added burden of oppression that is still with us.

Let's face it, the Republicans have a lock on both the racists and misogynists. There are so many devious ways to exploit prejudice.

Don't for a minute forget that any the passion of proud women or African-Americans, up next to the ugliness of threatened white males, uh, pales in comparison.

Remember Willy Horton? Or remember all the attention we paid to Hillary's neckline? Yes there are all kinds of ways smarmy campaign operatives can obscure their appeals to our worst instincts and I guarantee you they will.

They already have, actually. On the Democratic side those in the Clinton camp keep who keep talking in code about Obama's race and then squeal in red-faced outrage when they're called out on it. Rest assured that this is a preview of coming attractions.

Obama has to get over the illusion that the country is color-blind. We've made some progress, but not enough to get past the racial fears that unprincipled politicians can exploit, and will.

Comments

[gregjones]

Sam....I agree.....We all know that any day now Bill is going to slip and say 'I'm tired of these black n*****s.......Just keep the mics on. It's coming soon.

[katefranklin]

One way to ensure voters fixate on race is for the media to ENDLESSLY FIXATE ON RACE. Seriously, I'd like to hear one reporter (just one!) report that Hillary won Pennsylvania without expounding on the racial divides in the exit polls. I'm not saying that journalists need to turn a blind-eye, but viewers can only view/read/hear what's given to them. If it's non-stop histograms detailing who got the white vote, the black vote, the brown vote, and the purple vote; then that will be a big part of what's reverberating inside voters' heads when they go to the polls.

[John Warren Gotsch]

Well finally a blog I can roll it out on!
1- What do you think the "dream ticket" is all about: "Barack get to the back of the Clinton Bus; we're driving!" How different from Rosa Parks in 1955?
2- What do the Clintons think of African Americans? Go to Google Search and pull up Professor Lani Guinier (Hillary's roommate at Yale who shared together many family vacations at Martha's Vineyard).
3- Hillary recently proposed a Poverty Tsar at the recent memorialisation of MLK in Memphis. Why you ask? Because when WJC enacted the Welfare Reform Act, Marian Wright Edelman warned that they were condemning millions of children to a lifetime of penury!
Pull up too Dr Joycelyn Elders WJC's Surgeon General!
Guinier, Edelman and Elders three highly esteemed black women that the Clinton's publicly thrashed all in the name of political expediency!
Not only did the Clinton's thrash these black women but sullied their reputations. Especially for Giinier and Edelman it must have left a hole in their souls, but no one today is calling her to account for such despicable acts to these honorable professional women.
Note: They are not out there blasting the Clintons, I know none of them. I am doing what I can do to get these despicable stories out!
I just think that America as it confronts its future deserves to know who seeks to lead them?
Thanks for listening and hopefully to your lighting your fires!

[chefrasta]

I know that this country is racist that being said for every one post I read that is full of bigotry I read at least 5 that gives me a reason to smile.I know white women will scream what about sexism but if Sen , Clinton have voted no to war in Iraq this conversation would have been moot.I voted for Bill Clinton twice and knowing that Hillary was going to run she would have had my vote but when she cast that vote not because she believe in it but for pure political purposes well she can kiss where the sun dont shine and she can just go away.

[allonfla]

Mr. Franken, I agree with most of your article except for one thing.

"Obama has to get over the illusion that the country is color-blind" : REALLY? A Black 46 year old MALE living in CHICAGO has illusions that the country is color-blind. I don't care what school he went to or what type of household he was raised in, at some point when he got into the real world Senator Obama, a Black male, has experienced a lot of racism and is certainly not delusional about the level of racism in this country.

[SamThornton]

You have it exactly right, Bob, as usual.

N.B. You know Bill is busting to say The Word. You know, at some point, he will. So does he. So does she. So do we all. Come on, Bill. It's just a matter of time, anyway. Entertain us.

[thegaygardener]

Yea, duh! Why do you think she won PA? What was it something like 15% of those polled said that race was an important factor in their decision & like 70% of those folks voted for Clinton. Like Countess, I come from a Democratic PA family. And had a difficult time mustering up support for Obama. Only my family is evolved enough to say they won't vote for a "black" Some of the older ones say "colored" Ugh! And the Clintons know this & pander to these people at every opportunity.
I think PA along with OH represents a dying breed of voters. The good news is Obama can win without PA. The better news is that PA was a closed primary. When independents are allowed to vote in the general, they'll come out for Obama. He is changing the path to the nomination & the base of the party.
From Democratic "machine" traditional "big" states to well; EVERY other state. And from old, white, Catholic, high school graduates, to well...EVERYBODY else!

Go! Barack! Go!

[Ministerbruce]

Well said Al, This is a issues that's needs to be faced off at every opportunity, it's unfortunate for both Hillary and Obama, America has not had the conversation long before this momentous Race for the Presidentcy. But here we are, those wanting us to look forward and those wanting us to stay as we are and wanting the old politics to prevail.

lets start the conversation, now, no more deniles, no more pre-set agenda, lets put it all on the table and last but not least, I'll be prying for us all.

[Countess]

The republicans have exploited race and gender to the hilt but to pretend that they have a monopoly on this is absurd especially considering what we are witnessing in the democratic primary where the Clintons have obviously exploited racism to their advantage and where as many as 20 percent of her voters would never vote for a black man. I come from a completely democratic family where at least 3 of my direct relatives have told me just before the Pennsylvania primary that there is no way they would ever vote for a n...... So please get real and accept the fact there are still many racists in the democratic party.