Fanning Fear of a Black President

With Hillary's big Ohio win and smaller Texas one, look for the whackos to become unhinged in their racist attacks on Obama now that they perceive some vulnerability in the candidate. And they'll do it in a way that makes it seem like Obama acts like he has something to hide.

For a case study on how to insidiously inject race into the race, take a look at Amir Taheri's column today in the New York Post: "Obama's Real Mideast Problem - It's His Policies, Not His Heritage."

While Taheri's headline focuses on Obama's mideast policies, those don't come up till more than halfway through his piece. The first half reveals Taheri's true agenda: getting voters scared about a black American running for president who happens to have a father who's Kenyan. First is a detailed exposition of the name "Hussein": "one of the most popular names for Muslims, especially Shiites." How special. Next up, details on where the names "Barack" and "Obama" come from: the former, Arabic for 'blessing,' and the latter referring to Obama's "father's tribe who converted to Islam." Taheri ultimately bottom lines it: "In other words, 'Barack Hussein Obama' is a perfectly common identifier for someone with an ethnic East African Muslim background [emphasis mine]."

Has anyone informed Taheri that Obama's parents separated when he was two years old and that he was raised -- mostly in Honolulu -- by his white mother and her parents? Or that, throughout his early years, Obama was commonly known at home and school as "Barry"? Or that Obama's East African Muslim father -- so integral to Obama's "exotic" "family story" -- attended Harvard University to pursue Ph.D. studies?

The column fairly oozes racial innuendo. For example, somehow the fact that Obama spent part of his childhood in Indonesia (not even living with his "Kenyan Muslim" father, but his Indonesian, Johnny Walker Black-drinking, tennis-playing stepfather, should make us wonder whether Obama's loyalty isn't really, underneath it all, to Islam. (This is not the first time that Taheri has, um, shaded the truth.

It's not enough for the author to position Obama as basically the same as a Muslim living in Africa. He has to add insult to injury by implying that because Obama defends his Christian faith -- and by implication his American-ness -- he's somehow ashamed of his Muslim background. Says Taheri: Obama "has behaved as if he did have a family secret, and as if the name Hussein was something to be ashamed of -- or worse still, as if a Muslim background is somehow a handicap for an American politician in ways that a Christian, Jewish, Mormon or any other faith is not." Wow.

When we do finally get to Taheri's argument about Obama's supposedly radical new approach to the Middle East, it's more of the same simplistic, neo-con fearmongering: because Obama has suggested a dialogue with countries in the region, Obama has a "revolutionary idea" about US relations with the mideast, based on a "new relationship with radical forces in the Islamic world."

One can disagree, as I do, with Taheri's summary of what Obama's approach towards the Middle East would mean in practice. But in order to even get to Taheri's argument one would have had to endure a highly-distorted, nausea-inducing view of Obama's background and supposed shame around it. What it boils down to is an attempt -- now apparently becoming commonplace in mainstream media outlets such as the Post -- to make Obama seem something "other" than American, something I hope and trust most Americans will know better than to fall for.

Comments

[SKayum]

I have to disagree with you. I think this article of yours reveals more about you than Taheri's does about him.

First of all, Taheri is an Iranian. And while I don't pretend to know him or his religious beliefs, it is safe to assume that he share a Shiite heritage. Don't you think that when he talks about Obama's Muslim heritage he is coming from a different perspective than the one you are used to? And he is talking about Obama's religious heritage, not about his blackness. And for an incredibly diverse America, it is in no way synonymous.

Secondly, yes, the reason why some, like Cunningham, used and emphasized Obama's middle name is because they assume that the implications of the name will scare voters away. But you are suggesting that the alternative is to not talk about it at all. But if we want to live in a nation where we are judged not by the color of our skin, but by the content of our characters, we can't start by pretending the color of our skin doesn't exit at all. Keep it under wraps so it offends no one like it apparently offends you. It is when we are able to recognize our differences without holding them against each other that we will be able to achieve Dr. King"s dream. Suppressing that conversation only defers that dream.

What you are doing is objecting to that conversation because of your own interpretation of it: "In other words, 'Barack Hussein Obama' is a perfectly common identifier for someone with an ethnic East African Muslim background [emphasis mine]."" Emphasis yours, indeed. That Taheri"s article reminds you of Obama"s blackness or is "un"Americanness says more about you that you think it should about us. And I"ll thank you not to include me or anyone else in whatever issues you seem to have about race.

[jdm58]

Folks, Obama walks a very thin line here. It was reported through the press that when it looked like he would have difficulty winning over the black vote in South Carolina, his advisors dispatched his wife Michelle to stump for him. This was to allay any fears that since his father was African, he was not associated closely enough to the civil rights movement. At that point, his race was made an issue by his own campaign.
As far as his religious loyalties are concerned, there are many Moslems living in this country, Arabs and others, who are wondering why Obama has not defended his middle name, and only retaliated by saying that those who refer to it are "fear-mongering". They are waiting for him to say "so what?" It is one reason that the Moslem community as a whole has not endorsed him (Farrakhan is not main-stream Moslem, he is "Nation of Islam", a TOTALLY different faith. Compare it to the relationship of Mormonism to Christianity). Moslems here and abroad are waiting for the message of "hope" and "unity" to refer to them too. Many were extremely disappointed to hear that, although he chairs the Senate committee in charge of Afghanistan, he has not convened a single meeting. With the escalation of violence there, the resergence of the Taliban, and regional control appearing more and more to be in the hands of the poppy growing warlords, doesn't it appear to be an issue of importance? Obama's excuse that he has been too busy with his campaign is like a slap in the face to those who are involved there. At very least, he should have passed the position to someone else. How can he present himself to be Presidentially capable, if he can not tend to his current job as a Senator?
For Moslems, if you are born to a Moslem father, you are Moslem. This is identical to the Jewish belief that if you are born a Jew, you remain a Jew, even if you change your religion. So, even if Obama has now chosen a Christian denomination of worship, there are Moslems here and abroad that still consider him to be Moslem. This poses an issue that has not been discussed. How will Obama be received by the Moslem leaders in the Middle East, especially if he is not willing to defend his familial relationship to them, however far he has distanced himself? Those who are conservative, and orthodox, will view him as apostate (extremists consider apostacy punishable by death). Those who are more liberal, may ignore his religion, or more politely, not bring it up. But it will be an interesting issue, and his safety may be of more concern.

[kingshmoopy]

You cannot generalize that "for Muslims, if you are born to a Muslim father, you are a Muslim." I do not pretend to be an expert on Islam but I lived in an African country that is over 90% Muslim for 2 years. There are so many different types of Islam, you cannot make blanket statements about that religion (or any other, really). The type of Islam that is practiced in a place like Somalia is different than the Islam praticed in Guinea. I knew Guinean Christians who had converted from Islam, should they still consider themselves to be Muslim? More to the point, in reference to Obama, he was not raised in a family that practiced Islam--period. HIs African grandmother, who lives in Kenya, is rightly upset about this whole thing because she knows he was not raised Muslim.

And could you maybe supply some sources for your assertion that throngs of Muslim people all over the world are waiting for him to say "so what" to the issue of his name? Yes, in a perfect America he should be able to say that, but because there are ignorant peope who try to use his African heritage against him, let's be honest, this is a delicate issue; that is hardly his fault. And, it isn't as if he hasn't spoken proudly of his family and his heritage--he has, he continues to, he wrote book about it!

[jdm58]

I have attached several links here, on information being scattered on the internet regarding the issues discussed above. Yes, Islamic culture is different all over the globe. But there are fundamental premises that every branch of mainstream Islam hold sacrosanct. Again, the point I was making was not over what Obama views himself to be, unargueably he is a practicing Christian. However, when first defending himself from the attacks about his name and heritage, he first stated he was never Moslem, but later admitted to having occasionally gone to Mosque as a child, and his religion was listed as Moslem on his school registery in Indonesia. These are facts, not accusations. Lots of us were dragged as kids to places where we might not have gone to on our own.
But this doesn't answer how some Moslems view him, and his denunciations, and he needs to address them. This topic is being discussed all over the internet. Republicans are doing their research as we speak, in order to swift-boat him mercilessly should he get the nomination. It is time to confront this topic front and center, and not leave it to the swiftboaters later.

http://blog.beliefnet.com/castingstones/2008/02/is-being-muslim-really-so-bad.html?bt=polmashup
http://blog.beliefnet.com/castingstones/2008/02/is-being-muslim-really-so-bad.html.comments.html
Description of Apostacy, and its punishment, according to Islam:
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/230/story_23053_1.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostasy_in_Islam
One article, of many, describing how Moslems view their religion as "from birth" with references to Obama's time in Indonesia:
http://www.danielpipes.org/article/5286

[rwe]

Basically this his an ongoing gameplan with the Obamaciders..... They will bring up the race/religion card every chance they get with the spin that they are constantly being attacked from any who are not in the cult... and finally it is being exposed .... And sadly in the instances when his race and faith will be used against him we will be jaded by this

[RushLimbaughsPutz]

More cutting analysis of current events from the poster who claimed that Abu Gharib was an attempt to discredit the US Military. Its not racism--oh Nooooooo NOooo Repubs would never do that. Its an evil PC plot by the Cult of Obama to hoodwink America into voting for a black muslim, right rwe?

[vsign]

Obama says he can win the General and Hillary can't. I don't believe him. He seems like a nice man and a good poker player. But why make him President?

My question is - why would most Americans fall for choosing a newcomer to become President? And why would we fall for Obama saying he can win the General?

We have not had any time to even see him react to anything a bit? His negatives will sky rocket once a little time goes by.

He is a newcomer. Americans will not make a newcomer President. This is where the word "naive" occurs to me.

When I see Obama as a tele evangelist and somewhat of a pacifist, he isn't very likeable to me.

When I see him as a politician, like everyone else, he is less likeable.

He definately hides behind the preachers podium for a reason. It makes it harder to see him for what he is. A flawed person like all of us.

But with enormous ambition.

There is a seasoning I require when it comes to choosing the right leader for all of us.

The Democrats as a party, have been maligned for not showing our colors enough. I want to show my colors.

I love this country and do not want a newcomer leading us.

[mcfried]

Guess you didn't vote for Bill Clinton, given he was the same age as Obama and was a governor with little foreign policy experience.

[vsign]

Bill Clinton's father was not a foreigner. Americans have elected protestants and one catholic presidents. We have put a jewish man on the ticket. We have not put any persons on the Presidential ticket ,that I know of, who were lst generation children of foreigners.

[CaseyBabes]

The Immoral One never got 50% of the vote, but, he did have proven managerial experience as governor, true. No one can have the foreign policy experience required for the job because at the Presidential level it's "learn and react as you go." Obama is a mirage, extolling empty platitudes about some vague notions of "change & hope." He is the most liberally motivated member of the Senate with no record of reaching across the aisle.
Senator Barack Obama is a decent, sharp as a tack, honorable man who transcends racial politics. If this was a defining factor qualifying him for President he'd win in a landslide. Otherwise, he is unqualified.

[TheJibreelaMonsters]

Just remember who is doing this Liberals: Democrats. You can't blame republicans on this one. Sure we dont like Obama because he is a socialists no matter what color he is. This is nothing new for the Democrats: they have been destroying Black Republicans for years.

[wmfor]

Definition: "A *Socialist* is anyone who does not believe in unfettered control by business concerns of the economy and government of the United States.

[ResidentChimp]

When you can't address the arguments, then rely on race baiting. Taheri's articla was straight forward and well reasoned. Too bad Ruiz couldn't respond in kind.

[dadw5boys]

The Christain Right has been knocking Obama for a long time in the South.

They hate Obama for being black and hate Hillary over National Health Care.

Totally brainwashed sheep!

[ChiGuy]

I have seen Taheri's *ahem* work before.

The agenda couldn't be more clear.

[umbrella4sunshine]

Mr. Amir Taheri was editor in chief of one of the major government controlled papers during Shah's era in Iran. He is a supporter of the US neo-cons policies who want to resolve the problems with Iran through military attack or perhaps another war and forced regime change. It doesn't surprise me at all that he is taking such a position towards any policies, including Obama's proposed policies, which are different from neo-cons middle east policies and it doesn't surprise me at all that he is enagaging in fear campaign against Obama by highlighting his religious background and pretending that it is not a big deal !!

What is interesting though is how he considers Hillary Clinton and John McCain in one camp as far as their middle east policies are concerned. Hillary Clinton can deny as much as as she wants that she didn't really intend to vote for Iraq war or when she voted for Kyle-Lieberman bill, she was not voting for military action against Iran. But Mr. Taheri's apparent support for her position tells us quite a different story! He definitely considers her a friendly pro-war voice.

[prittfumes]

Mr. Ruiz, in order to solidify the black vote, the Obama campaign chose to make race a major issue. Now they must live with ALL of the results of their choice.

[Silpat]

Yeah, like winning the most states, having the most votes, and delegates. LOL

[ChiGuy]

Why must you lie?

If you claim that you aren't, back your original assertion with verifiable links.

I won't hold my breath.

[kingshmoopy]

Could you tell us, exactly, how the Obama campaign made race a major issue in this campaign?

[wmfor]

Evidently simply by being Black (or, accurately, 50% Black), Obama has made race a major issue.

He could have avoided that by being White.

[Silpat]

I think the title "Fanning Fear of a Black President" is misleading because all Muslims are not necessarily black. In fact when I think of Muslims, I usually picture an Arab.

[Spocksbro]

Which is equally spurious since the most populous Muslim nation is Indonesia, which is East Asian.

Sigh...

[CanadianinNY]

You shouldn't because Arabs are less than 30% of Muslims. Also all Arabs are not Muslim.

[wmfor]

These are fine distinctions to the yahoos whose fears are being fanned. Just as those who contrast Latinos and "Whites". White in their vernacular means of Northern European ancestry. Not too long ago, Italians and Jews were described as "swarthy", and by implication "colored".

I was visiting relatives in the boondocks of Pennsylvania a couple of years ago, and one young man was describing an encounter with a family "all wearing turbans" and speaking "Mexican or whatever."

It's a matter of characterizing him as one of THEM as opposed to US.

[robXdion]

Well, as it seems, if Americans don't have an education beyond high school, don't make more than $50,000, are Mexican or are over the age of 50.......they will believe idea in this idiot's NY Post article. And we actually wonder how Bush sneaked thru.

[antworks]

You make a good point, here. I looked at the demographic breakdown of how voters chose candidates in the Ohio and Texas primary and caucases. Those exit polls proved what you allude to, here. I don't want to say firmly that the less educated or financially challenged are suspect in their political acumen, but something is definately amiss there. Since every person of legal voting age is entitled to their opinion -- maybe it's wrong to expect all voters to fully educate themselves on the candidate and issues. What it comes down to, in my opinion, is this. Most elections turn on negative, misleading and false ads. This one will also. [And, as an African American, I still say America is not ready for a Black president. Period.]

[kamenwati]

America should be grateful that Obama, who happens to be of mixed ancestry, is willing to clean up all the terrible shit this country has done to the rest of the world and to its own citizens.

[CanadianinNY]

First, I apologise if this was mentioned before (did not read all the comments)

If we are equating patriotism with names then Amir Taheri has a lot to answer for. His name is classic Middle Eastern name; he could be Muslim or Christian. Amir is Arabic for "prince" and Taheri originates from Tahir (ta-hir) of Arabic origin, and its meaning "pure". So if names are any indication of loyalties to a country, then what are his loyalties?

[MsLiz]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amir_Taheri

Taheri is an Iranian journalist (but does not live there) and neo-con hireling.

[kappock750]

I'm not surprised about the article in the Daily News. Demonization and out and out lies is a corner stone of republican theology. However, what is very disturbing is that the clinton's are using tried and true Rovian tactics and will continue using them now and into the future. They are perpetrating a slash n' burn approach in order to win the nomination and will do everything necessary to regain their position in American Politics. The sayings are true - "what you see is what you get" and "let the buyer be ware ...." If she, by some chance, manipulates the rules of the party re: florida, michigan and demands the super delegates make the final choise to get the nominiation - the clinton's will see such a defeat and humiliation in November that will destroy them and the democratic party for years to come.

[Barackanot]

I agree that Tahari's article was off the mark but I disagree with several of your observations starting with the title of your article. Tahari's article seemed to be more about Obama's religious heritage rather than his blackness. Interesting that you are the one who decided to put a racial spin on it. That said, I believe that Obama is now a Christian but he hasn't always been one and he needs to address that issue and embrace it. No one is going to shun him because he was once a Muslim. He's taking heat because he thinks if he ignores the truth it will go away. He blatantly said in his first book that he desired to emulate Malcolm X. Now, he can't just ignore that statement like he never made it. His refusal to discuss his Muslim heritage and how it affected his life, his cocaine use or his pledge to be true to his African Homeland makes him appear dishonest, untrustworthy and, yes, unpatriotic. The fact that you see this as an attack on a black man speaks volumes about the perception of this election by the Obama followers. Like Barack and Michelle Obama, you believe that everything has an undertone that centers around race and the oppression of the black masses. Gee, if you're against Obama it must be because he is black. It couldn't possibly be because he lied about his dealings with Exelon Corp., the nuclear power company that failed to report a radioactive leak and made a $298,000.00 contribution to his campaign. It couldn't be because he has accepted $13 million in donations from attorney/lobbyist firms while openly stating that he would not accept money from lobbyist. It couldn't be because he has received over $3 million in donations from Health Professionals while chastising Hillary for doing the same thing. It couldn't be because no one believes he would have voted against the war IF he had been a U.S. Senator. Nope, of course not, it's because he's black. What more could there be.

[kingshmoopy]

Barackanot, your statement that "Obama is now a Christian but he hasn't always been" is incredibly misleading. He has never been a Muslim, period.

How has he refused to discuss his background, his drug use, etc. when we has written a book about it, and he spoken in depth about his background? He frequently speaks about how his family background has shaped who he has become. He has spoken many times about how proud he is to be American because this is the country that gave his Kenyan father the opportunity to attend Harvard, because this is the country where the son of an African goat-herder and a white women can become President. Good grief.