Dear White People; Gonna need y'all to sit this one out.

[kpete]

Dear White People; Gonna need y'all to sit this one out. Black folks who have been black for long enough can identify the difference between an awkward ally and a virulent racist. We good.

Link to tweet

?s=20

[walkingman]

1. TRUTH - tell it!!

[SMC22307]

2. No. We, too, understand the difference. We also understand how right-wing operatives...

will seize (already have seized!) on Biden's comments to try to convert undecideds. It's war with these people and they'll use ANYTHING at their disposal. Last I read, Biden's support with AAs was 81 percent. That leaves 18 percent to... vote for Trump? not vote? vote third party? Blacks didn't turn out for Hillary in the same numbers as for Obama. Will they turn out for Biden at Obama levels, especially if Biden keeps saying stupid shit?

[Tom Rinaldo]

4. So?

Do you think anguishing over Biden's remarks will in any way help him to get elected? Or is it more likely to keep the story alive to potentially be used against him?

It's not like this is the first time that Biden's people have ever dealt with a faff, real or imagined. It's not like they need us to point out to them that all mistakes are best avoided. I think the OP has it exactly right. Either Joe Biden or Donald Trump will be the next President. Most people will have no trouble distinguishing which one is on their side.

[SMC22307]

5. I don't share your cavalier attitude...

especially with so many wishy-washy voters who wait until election day to decide, the vast "undecideds" who could sway the election. This latest Biden "gaffe" story needs to die now, but I guarantee Brad Parscale will bring it roaring back closer to election day.

[secondwind]

42. As the OP says.......

WE GOOD.

We need to stop analyzing this... our brothers and sisters are way too smart for this crap.

[marble falls]

92. meh.

[DENVERPOPS]

104. Agreed

Voters sit out until the last second, then the RepubliCONS launch their "October Surprise" to sway them in the Republican direction, and under false pretenses, Rallies them to the Polls to vote. Their Trite: GAYS - GUNS - GOD always serves to rally them. This year they can also shout new ones: OBAMA, blah blah blah & HILLARY, blah blah blah. AND DON'T FORGET BIDEN-UKRAINE corruption.

[BannonsLiver]

15. Sometimes it's just best to let people wallow in their defeatism for a while

[SMC22307]

20. It was an unforced error and Team Biden is in damage control mode.

I'm wallowing in reality: Biden needs to watch his mouth.

[BannonsLiver]

21. There there

[R B Garr]

72. Yeah, it's always like that. The first one

with neener neener comments about Hillary.

[azureblue]

24. what damage?

are you talking about the fake damage the GOP has been giving themselves a hernia over trying to mkae a true statement into something to attack?

[BannonsLiver]

26. You didn't hear? Because of what Biden said Trump won in a landslide. It's all over.

[secondwind]

43. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[R B Garr]

81. Lots of people need to watch their mouth. I can think

of one politician in particular who should have shut his mouth a long time ago.

[Skittles]

98. agreed

this is one of the reasons I am not a big fan

[DFW]

8. I guess that will depend on this:

How badly is Biden's "stupid shit" gonna stack up against Republican evil racist shit?

If that's something you gotta think about, there's already very little air left in the room for discussion.

[SMC22307]

13. You not familiar with Candace Owens? Black MAGATs? Don Jr...

pushing the "Democrats are keeping you on the plantation" bullshit? Republicans blaming Democrats for coronavirus "overreaction" which lead to economic devastation and death of blacks and Hispanics at disproportionate rates? It resonates with some voters so maybe you need to get out of whatever bubble you seem to be posting from and do some thinking yourself. This election is not in the bag like everyone thought it was for Hillary, and Biden needs to watch the stupid shit coming out of his mouth. Evidently 19% of black voters are up in the air... you think the election is that much of a given for Biden that they won't matter? Think again.

[DFW]

19. I have no idea who Candace Owens is

If there are a lot of black Magats, we sure don't hear of them here. Don, Jr. is little more than a joke and a footnote.

This place is not called "Eine Blase (a bubble)," but Germany. I don't get US TV here, and whatever it is you guys get fed over there, we don't see it. From a lot of clips I see from the U.S. media, I think I prefer it that way.

I never said the election was in the bag, and I never said it last time. Well, to specify, I said that the voting was in the bag (and it was), but the COUNTING was not. It wasn't then, and it isn't now:

"We'll take care of the counting." They did in 2000 and 2004, and again in 2016. Three out of the last five. No one here doubts that they'll try again. There are a lot of other places in the world to watch the news than North America. I live in one of them.

**on edit--I did some searching to see what all the outcry was about, and I must admit, that WAS one foolish thing to say. He will need to put a lid on careless stuff like that if he doesn't want to waste valuable campaign time doing damage control.

[DIVINEprividence]

55. It is always better to not take anything for granted

But on this one I am not worried. He was Obama’s vp for 8 years. Every candidate makes gaffes from time to time. The fact that the GOP have wrapped themselves in the confederate flag doesn’t help their cause. But heh, I agree, the fewer gaffes the better

[Tipperary]

10. AA voters are not a monolith.

As I have posted before, I know several black people who seem to think rump is just great.

[SMC22307]

16. This pic scares the shit out of me, same with lily-white scamvangelicals...

who rally behind Trump. Do DUers live in a bubble and deny the influence of people like Candace Owens and any *legitimate* Blacks for Trump (not poseurs)? I work with a black guy from Nigeria who supports Trump and the wall, and he made it abundantly clear during a conversation with a DREAMer from Mexico. My jaw dropped.

?width=1600

[LakeArenal]

66. This DU-er does not live in a bubble

I think the vast majority of folks are not political wonks who read this stuff all day.

I bet there is a majority of all ethnic groups that put little thought into politics during their day. Then are too tired to think about it at night.

Millions of folks that don’t know Candace Owens, Black conservatives or any Evangelical minister or otherwise.

This is coming down to people on the right side of history and those on the wrong. That’s it. The soul of the US.

[SMC22307]

77. It's absolutely for the soul of the United States.

That's why I don't have a cavalier attitude about any of this. I'm also driven by economic reasons, for Dirty Don and his goons are coming for Social Security and I'm less than a decade away from retirement. I'm nervous.

[LakeArenal]

78. Confidence and faith are not cavalier.

[R B Garr]

79. I think we've seen all this before with the Hillary

critiques, all in the name of the search for purity. Luckily we have much more info now, info like how these umbrages were amplified to benefit another politician. We know all this for sure now.

[Tommymac]

86. You are concerned.

Don't worry, be happy! Any gaffe Biden makes, Trump will outdo.

You just can't hide stupid.

Everyone remembers the stupid bully who sat in the back of the classroom. The one we laughed at because his answers were just so....stupid. The mean one who would hunt down those smaller and weaker then themselves. The one you could make cry if you made fun of their ... well anything.

Don't be so concerned. There is a New Silent Majority out there...you will hear us ROAR for Biden in November.

That Bully will cry once again.

[Tipperary]

105. I do not know Candace Owens, but I do work with black people who voted for rump.

I read recently that over a million voted for the vile nightmare. I do not understand it, but I do not understand why white people voted for him, why gay people voted for him, why Hispanics voted for him, why women of both races voted for him. It is truly mind-blowing, and I agree, I do hope Biden is more careful with his words. I cannot imagine saying that to any black person I know.

[Dream Girl]

18. Well hen something's wrong with them. Self hating blacks is wat I'd call hem.

Biden’s assess is correc, bough I’d tweak. Not that they ain’t black, they just don’t want to be.

[ancianita]

41. That's exactly what my black friends say, too. That's what I just said. They're 100% with you.

They agree with you.

[treestar]

89. True, but they are a smaller percentage of black people

that the percentage of white people who support that racist Dotard.

[MyOwnPeace]

3. Reminds me of the

Obama meme that pretty much said the same thing!

[tulipsandroses]

6. Borrowing from Sophia Nelson. We can tell the difference between a bad joke and a bad man

We good.

[calimary]

102. I like that! "...the difference between a bad joke and a bad man."

BOOM!

[Proud liberal 80]

7. I liked the comment about Ralph Northam

In the twitter thread.....if conservatives had their way, he would stepped down after that blackface photo was revealed, but black Virginians stood by him

[DFW]

9. Black Virginians, too n/t

[Proud liberal 80]

11. Lol

My bad, corrected.

[DFW]

12. I kinda liked it the way you had it before

Got me to thinking what a blank Virginian could look like. (Maybe me, since I was born there?)

[Cha]

69. Ikr.. That was Awesome!

[Ms. Toad]

14. I take my cue from my black friends -

who have slightly different takes on it. To quote one:

If you’re not Black, how in the hell can you say someone isn’t?

The end result is the same - she supports Biden for president. BUT she's not in favor of sweeping it under the rug by dismissing it as unworthy of discussion merely because she intends to support him for president.

That same friend's comment on the apology:

Swift...and Necessary.

[Dream Girl]

22. I'd say your "black friends" are just looking for shit. I'd say most blacks know extactly

Wat Biden was saying and that he coextensive.

[azureblue]

27. Obama didn't choose Biden

for his VP just because he is tall, you know... But it looks like you're saying Obama was a fool for picking him, like you know better than him.

[Dream Girl]

32. I don't even understand wat you're saying. As someone who's been black for 60 + years

I know exactly wat he meant No apologies necessary. Wat she even mean about being “swept under the rug”. He apologized, wat exactly should be discussed or done now. His is Ppal silly if you ask me.

[Cha]

70. What?! What does Pres Obama have to do with Dream Girl's post?

Absolutely nothing.

[Ms. Toad]

31. Nope.

The one I quoted is part of a statewide Biden team. So not looking for shit - and she is not the only one of my black friends who believe calling him on his comment (and him making a response) were appropriate and necessary.

So I'll rely on the judgment of blacks I know and trust, rather than internet advice from people who suggest blacks speakwith one voice.

[Dream Girl]

33. Should we just get into the circular firing squad formation now or should we wait a while longer.

How old is your “friend”?

[Ms. Toad]

36. Nothing to do with a circular firing squad

It is about recognizing that democrats should not take black votes for granted - not all blacks are willing to let that comment or perspective pass without comment. Noting a problem and expecting an apology and acknowledgement is not a circular firing squad. It is holding our own accountable, and insisting they do better. Ignoring it won't make the comment vanish. He said it. Wrestling with the implications of it is the adult thing to do - and what Biden did. Don't minimize the important of acknowledging and owning up to your mistakes.

The particular friend I've been quoting is 58. Is there a reason you keep putting friend in air quotes - it seems to suggest you believe any black friends I have may be imaginary.

[Dream Girl]

39. Blah lash blah...we are living an existential crisis. That's some silly shit right there.

[Ms. Toad]

44. Not based on the actual conversations I'm having with the black people in my life

who don't share your opinion. If they tell me they don't care, I'll listen. Right now, they are telling me they do care. (Not all have expressed an opinion, but those who have tell me they do care - and since they initiated the conversations, they are not just humoring the nice white ally. They are disappointed - and one is bordering on pissed.)

[Dream Girl]

45. Have you held a focus group among you black friends? Either they are engaging in faux outrage

Or you are stretching the truth. We know wat he meant. Maybe your friends should vote for Trump and just shit the fuck up.

[Ms. Toad]

47. Knowing what he meant has nothing to do with thinking it was either just hunky-dory -

(on the one hand) or a reason to vote for Trump (on the other).

Binary thinking is ridiculous. As is suggesting I hold a focus group.

I'm not a newspaper reporter or a business. I have conversations with my friends, and our conversations are a whole lot more nuanced than your insistence that the only options are shit-stirrers who should vote for Trump - or- a hear-no-evil Biden is perfect cheering squad .

Politically motivated gags on against holding our politicians self-accountable are just as toxic when our side employs them than they are when Trump demands a loyalty oath on his side.

[Dream Girl]

49. He apologized. What would who you "black friends" like now? Self flagellation?

[Ms. Toad]

50. You're obviously (1) not reading what I say

and (2) crusing for a fight.

as to (1) stop reading things into my posts that are not there and as to (2) have fun finding your fight.

[demmiblue]

52. You have a lot of patience, to be sure.

This is not out of the ordinary for this poster.

[Cha]

71. "This poster" is Fine!

[R B Garr]

76. Oh, such irony.

[ancianita]

34. My black friends don't look for shit and they're exactly 100% with you on this one.

Back in the day they even said Obama wasn't black enough, but they still voted for him.

Then "My President Is Black" came out.

[Dream Girl]

38. I'd say if three years of Trump, if they consider this an issue, they are looking for shit

We have much bigger fish to fry than an inatful statement. Does your friend live in St. Petersburg or Moscow?

[ancianita]

51. In New Orleans with his family. I didn't even ask, he just said it jokingly on the phone.

He probably was just being cautious.

I never checked with my other friends, just donated, canvassed two states, flew workers from CA to OH and voted.

Bobby Rush, my Chicago rep in Washington, also said Obama wasn't black enough back when Obama ran against him, then lost.

So Obama ran for a Senate seat after that and won.

[quakerboy]

17. Happy to do so

How do we clearly identify the end result, aside from seeing who shows up to vote in november

[edhopper]

23. Oh no

I must explain to black people that Biden was joking, especially his use of "aint" was an attempt to 'sound black'. It was awkward but he meant no offense. I hope black people can understand this explanation.

[azureblue]

25. Nope us crackers will not sit this one out

Because if we do then all that is accomplished is us not all pulling together as one for the sake of all. And your attitude promotes division which is what the GOPers want. Why do you think they tried to make a mountain out of this molehill?
And why did you buy it?

[Celerity]

64. thanks for the whitesplaining, I had forgotten to get my morning dose

AND just so you know, I think the Biden thing is a tempest in a teapot, but I am going to let my fellow people of colour each work it out in their own way. We are more than capable of rational thought and judgement on our own.

cheers

[Iggo]

80. Yeah! If we don't let it divide us then that promotes division!

Wait.

What?

😂😂😂

[quickesst]

28. he asks white people....

.... to sit this one out. We could do that, but then, who is going to step up and convince those people who are reacting negatively to what Joe said that it's being taken out of context, and put it back into proper perspective? I'm pretty sure it's going to be anyone, black or white, who does have this in its proper perspective. I understand Richardson's sentiment in his statement, but he has to realize that there are some things that we all must work together on. I refuse to sit idly by while anyone is being falsely accused of racism. It's the same reason I refused to remain silent during the Democratic primary.

[Roy Rolling]

29. Dear Black People

I don’t speak for all white people. Words have no race, they are colorless—either in spoken or written form.

I look for meaning in a person’s words.

So I can still appreciate a person’s clumsy words, as long as their meaning is honorable and truthful.

It isn’t the words they use as much as who they are. And granted, 70-year old words sometimes don’t mean the same to a 30-year old as to Joe. But having served Obama for eight years, I sometimes hear those same wise words come out of his mouth, too. And if he’s one-quarter the POTUS that President Obama was, I’ll crawl over broken glass and live viruses to vote Trump out.

[SunSeeker]

30. I hope we don't fall for the right wing psyops again.

They love to attack us on our strengths. This whole Joe is a racist narrative is so fucking ridiculous considering the Republicans' candidates is Donald "Very Fine People on Both Sides" Trump. They pulled this shit with Hillary. Don't let them get away with it this time.

[Ms. Toad]

46. I have not heard any liberal or progressive saying Joe is racist as a result of this comment

What I have heard from black friends is (1) he shouldn't have said it and (2) gratitutude that he acknowledged it was wrong and apologized for it.

Acknowleding and growing from mistakes is not right wing psyops, it is a sign of maturity - as is calling on people (even those on our side) to be better.

[SunSeeker]

60. He apologized, he showed maturity. Continuing to bash him is falling for GOP psyops.

Telling people to stop falling for right wing psyops IS "calling on people (even those on our side) to be better."

[Ms. Toad]

62. It is not a binary choice

Bash him v. pretend it didn't happen.

Acknowledging it happened, apologizing is maturity on his part - acknowledging it happened, accepting his apology, and encouraging him to continue to grow and be attentive is maturity on our part. Pretending it didnt happen or that it is irrelevant, and squashing conversation is childish and counter-productive.

[SunSeeker]

63. I didn't say it was. No one is pretending it didn't happen.

No one is "squashing" speech, we're just pointing out that continuing to bash Biden for it is unproductive and plays into the hands of the GOP. Pointing that out is not being "childish and counter-productive." It is stating a fact.

Please tell me how continuing to talk about it at this point, after he has acknowledged his mistake and apologized, is "productive."

[Ms. Toad]

65. The context of the thread

is "shut up." That message is even more explicit in other threads here. In this thread, when I suggested not all blacks feel the same way - reporting on conversations I've engaged in with black friends of mine (at their initiative) who find his comment troubling, I was told they were "shit stirring," by two different people.

I responded to a sub-thread in which you suggested peope were calling Biden a racist. Since I don't see any liberal or progessive doing that - especially not on DU - the only reasonable inference is that you are directing your comments at anyone saying the kinds of things that are being said on DU: That the comment is troubling. (And that it was critical - and a positive thing - that he almost immediately acknowledged it and apologized). People who have said similar things on DU have been told that (1) he did nothing wrong and (2) he shouldn't have apologized for it.

It is barely more than 24 hours since Biden made the comment; Biden apologized less than 24 hours ago. Talking about political events that recent is entirely proper - as is talking about whether it was wrong in the first place and whether his apology is appropriate. It is how people process things (and quite different from bashing) - and telling people to shut up about it is squashing conversations.

[SunSeeker]

67. Again, how is continuing to talk about this productive at this point?

[sheshe2]

82. Welp.

"But her emails."....ad nauseum.

[SunSeeker]

97. Yep. We can't fall for the psyops again. It is literally killing us.

[Ms. Toad]

87. I explained.

If you choose not to listen, I can't help you.

[SunSeeker]

96. You did not explain how continuing to talk about this is constructive.

I listened, and read everything you posted. That is how I know you failed to answer the question.

[Ms. Toad]

103. Since you obviously didn't listen and read everythign I posted

It is barely more than 24 hours since Biden made the comment; Biden apologized less than 24 hours ago. Talking about political events that recent is entirely proper - as is talking about whether it was wrong in the first place and whether his apology is appropriate. It is how people process things (and quite different from bashing) - and telling people to shut up about it is squashing conversations.

[SunSeeker]

106. Everyone has "processed" his gaffe and immediate apology.

And again, how is continuing to talk about it productive for anyone other than Republicans?

[Ms. Toad]

107. You can only speak for yourself as to whether you have processed it.

From the conversations I am having with friends, whatever your personal experience is, your asssertion is not universally true.

[SunSeeker]

108. Give your black friends more credit. I am sure they have processed it by now.

How about letting them speak for themselves? That's basically what the OP tweet is saying.

[Ms. Toad]

109. Again, clearly indicating you have not read my posts.

It is primarily my black friends I am having these conversations with, at their initiative. When they are done processing, I'm fine with it. But I'm not supporting white progressives assertions that the comment was irrelevant, or that he didn't need to apologize for it, when my black friends and acquaintances (including one on a state-wide committee supporting Biden) are telling me otherwise.

And, back to where we started, this not a binary question - be outraged v. pretend it was irrelevant. Folks I interact with in real life understand nuances. Not so much on DU.

[IronLionZion]

35. I'm voting for the awkward ally

foot in his own mouth beats callous disregard for mass death any day.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

37. Okay, sitting it out.. but you know where I am when needed!

ONE Nation.

[secondwind]

40. ABSOLUTELY! Tell it!

[PatrickforO]

48. Well, yeah, Biden is awkward. But he was a successful, cheerful, effective second fiddle to

an African American president for 8 years.

He's got my vote, and I'm not going to anguish over his comments or the supposed scandal or whatever. That's all Republican noise. But they are literally fiddling while this republic burns.

[sheshe2]

83. +1

[DIVINEprividence]

53. This is right wing hype. Not worried at all

Biden misspoke, said he regretted it and made a mistake and that is that. Nobody cares. It is right wing hype like “Obamagate” which has fallen flat after a lot of Trump/Fox hot air. He was Obama’s VP for 8 years. If he was defensive or doubled down on the comment then there would be a problem. If anything it would be refreshing to have a leader who is humble enough to acknowledge a mistake instead of the never ending narcissistic hogwash from Trump. To be honest, Tara Reade would have done more damage but fortunately she has been exposed as a liar and a fraud and her lawyer quit, so that story is dead as a door nail and a lot of folks have egg on their face oh and Biden is +8 in the latest Fox News poll. Soon Trump will say and do something so offensive and stupid, no one will remember this.

[wryter2000]

54. Happy to comply

[DIVINEprividence]

56. I like this guys twitter feed

Makes a lot of insightful comments. No doubt twitter is the new yellow journalism

[wellst0nev0ter]

57. Biden's comment is not going to switch any black people into voting for trump

The real problem is the propaganda machine convincing just enough black folks to sit out the election because they are convinced that this out of context soundbite makes Biden look just as insensitive as Trump, so the vote doesn't matter.

Hillary Clinton hemorraged black votes in 2016. We can't have a repeat here.

[Cha]

73. your concern is noted.. In my Experience Black Voters

are Exponentially Smarter than you're giving them credit for.

Link to tweet

[wellst0nev0ter]

85. I have a lot of experience with black voters too

Since I am one of them.

The fact of the matter is that black voter participation dropped in the 2016 general election, despite black voter participation exceeding that of whites in 2012. We got too comfortable with Hillary's dominance among black primary voters that we were not prepared to contain the hemorrhaging of the black general election voters.

There are various reasons why black turnout fell. There is strong evidence suggesting that not enough black voters are incentivized. Maybe trump will motivate black voters to turn out this year. But the cavalier attitude put on display by Biden and his most fervent supporters does not help.

[spanone]

58. ⭐️⭐️⭐️K&R ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[karin_sj]

59. Hear hear!

And well said! No comparison whatsoever.

[Brainfodder]

61. Awkward Ally Joe Biden, I can't imagine who the virulent racist is?

So many to pick from.....

[Cha]

68. 23.9K Retweets 143.3K Likes Retweeted!

[Skittles]

74. yeah I know that

I also wish he'd stop with this kind of senseless stuff.

[Raine]

75. OK, fine. nt

[tirebiter]

84. Move on

Tara Reade’s lawyer quit. This election they’ll be throwing everything at Joe. Focus on beating Trump. That means Joe wins. And if Joe wins we win.

[treestar]

88. It's just amazing that Dotard's supporters

think they can make anything of it. Like the sex allegations. I mean, Dotard is worse, so it should be of no benefit to him.

[wellst0nev0ter]

90. I agree with this take

Link to tweet

[lame54]

91. So many offended on behalf of others

[whathehell]

101. So few, actually.

[Wolf Frankula]

93. Dear American People

Last edited Sat May 23, 2020, 11:38 PM - Edit history (1)

Get out and VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! Vote for Joe Biden and who he picks as a running mate. Don't be distracted. Our task is to GET RID OF THE tRUMP!

Wolf

[TlalocW]

94. The problem is

A lot of White people I know only come into contact with other White people. If they're all sitting around doing the Joe-Biden-Is-a-Racist hoedown, I'm saying something. Maybe one of them will be open-minded enough to listen.

TlalocW

[Joinfortmill]

95. Yup

[TryLogic]

99. I'm white, and I'm buying it.

I worked in mental health and family therapy. I observed that persons who are in some sort of danger become experts on those with power. For example, a physically abused child can read the abusive parent as if he or she is a mind reader. They see and feel the clues. It has to do with safety, or survival. In our society, black persons tend to be in some sort of danger, if "only" discrimination. They are the experts on how our society works. Furthermore, as persons in the greatest danger, or with the most to lose, they are the ones most likely to force necessary changes. Pay attention to them!

[whathehell]

100. Dear Black People, most of us are not inclined to do otherwise,

but thanks