For some white voters, Obama's race is seen as a 'bonus'

[DogPoundPup]

Source: Los Angelas Times

Will Hairston, a white Virginian, admits it freely: When he goes into the voting booth Tuesday, he will take Barack Obama's race into consideration.

It will be, he said, one more good reason to pull the lever for the Illinois senator.

"For me, the Obama thing is a giant step forward for America," he said. The 47-year-old's ancestors once lorded over black slaves as owners of one of the Old South's largest plantation empires. Electing a black candidate, he said, would show that "we're not just the slavery nation, the Jim Crow nation."

This is the other racial dynamic that is shaping the opinion of some white voters, one that has taken a back seat to discussions of white bigotry: the reality that some whites regard a vote for Obama as a victory for diversity, an atonement for past sins and a catalyst for racial healing.



Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-whitevote3-2008nov03,0,1297098.story

[Triana]

1. Yup. I've actually had people tell me this (well, one at least)

And I can see their reasoning.

[roguevalley]

39. my mom found out to her HORROR and you cannot put too fiine

a point on that for my Mama, that her family once owned slaves. That mattered to her, to do the RIGHT thing because we are humans together. I can see his point.

[tularetom]

2. I'm white and I don't really care about that stuff

It's just so apparent that Obama is a far superior candidate to his opponent that there is no way in the world I could even consider not voting for him.

By the way, Obama is not descended from slaves. He is truly an "African" Amrican.

[These Eyes]

7. "slave" isn't an ethnicity…

By the way, where do you think slaves came from?

[NOLALady]

15. Well let's see.

I believe the indigenous people were the first to be enslaved in the New World. They came from North and South America.

[These Eyes]

38. The poster was talking about Africans…

The poster suggests that those who are descendants of African slaves are not really African Americans. When someone refers to himself as "Irish American", "Chinese American" or any other -American combination, he wouldn't questioned on the authenticity of his claim. So the question is, are we to see Obama as "better" because he is not a descendant of slaves, or should African Americans refer to themselves as something other that African Americans?

[kestrel91316]

3. Obama is far and away the best candidate, IMHO. and he just happens to

be black, which is a plus. BECAUSE IT'S TIME TO WALK THE TALK. We are either a nation where "all men are created equal", or we're not. Now is our chance to show it.

[VWolf]

25. Nicely put. Couldn't agree with you more. n/t

[Why Syzygy]

4. I do.

Besides the fact that he is by far the more superior choice, his ethnicity is an opportunity for us to bring the USA to the 21st century on matters such as the COLOR OF SKIN. Way over due.

[CLANG]

5. I am voting for the democrat because of policy platform

it's an added bonus that there could be a cathartic quality for many people in this country and the world, regardless of race.

[eagertolearn]

6. I think instead of the Bradley effect happening the Obama effect will happen!

Many white people who are conservative and have never voted for a democrat will vote for Obama but not tell people. This could be because of his race and/or because he is a democrat. I live in a very conservative area of Oregon and I know people who will vote for Obama but who do not want it advertised. They can't stand McCain especially after his choice of Palin.

[WheelWalker]

8. That's my analysis exactly. This is the second time today I saw

something I had to agree with, 100%, and it's you. Hey, you weren't at UO in 1967-1974, were you?

[BrklynLiberal]

11. It's called the Yeldarb effect..

[Scriptor Ignotus]

12. clever

ha, haven't seen that one before.

[JJ]

13. I've been thinking that myself

I live in a very Republican county in Ohio. I've been seeing yard signs for both candidates in some yards, Obama and McCain. I've never seen that before, not a single instance of both Party's candidates, never before this election, and I've seen more than a dozen instances this time.
Kind of like gives them an out for their knuckle-dragging neighbors and acquaintances.

Is that happening anywhere else, yard signs for McCain and Obama in the same yard?

[DogPoundPup]

16. I live in Ohio and haven't seen that but I'd say the old mom and pop

are sharing the yard with their kids that have had to move back in because they lost their home or their job OR both!

:hi:

edited to correct the kids to 'their kids'

[Tarheel_Dem]

17. I saw it here in High Point, in my own neighborhood. This is a very

red area indeed. There seem to be almost equal numbers of M/P & O/B signs, but there's one yard with both. Needless to say, it caught my attention..talk about a house divided (LOL).

[mtnester]

23. I have seen that in Fairfield County

simply amazing for a household to be split like that

I think my county will come closest to going blue than it has in decades...if it goes blue I will swoon.

[VaYallaDawg]

31. Yes, I see several yards where both are present.

Interestingly, these always pop up in the "stratospherically expensive" areas of Richmond that are typically the "FFV" (first families of Virginia = old time blue-bloods). They definitely make you think there must be some interesting inter-family squabbles going on right now!!

[barbtries]

42. haven't seen it in NC

i'd say dueling spouses...

[armed_and_liberal]

45. For this middle aged southern white man it is more than a bonus

Part of my childhood (age 6-12) was living next next door to a black family with kids my age. My parents were racists. In front of me and my siblings,our neighbors were Mr & Mrs Duncan. When my parents thought we couldn't hear,our neighbors were the "ni--ers next door".

I never could understand that,I couldn't find anything about my family that made us any better than the Duncans. I went to the same schools, same classes and sometimes went to their church(same bible,same god,better music). By the time I left home in 1975 Mom and Dad were openly hating anything that wasn't Republican,White and Southern Baptist.

I ended up with a profound dislike for my parents that has endured through the years. I married a Jew when I was 28,that seriously pissed them off. They haven't spoken to me more than twice in the 23 years since. They have never met their grandson nor shown an interest.

Barack mentioned vindication. I'm hoping to get some on Tuesday

(OOPS! sorry I'm in the wrong sub-thread)

[satya]

9. I confess, if all things were equal, I would've picked Obama over yet another old white guy.

(I'm a white middle-aged woman). But in this case, things are SO not equal, he is so clearly superior, there is no need for a "tie-breaker". I will admit, though, that I consider finally being able to vote for a non-white candidate a big plus. I guess that's "white guilt" or racist or something, but that's just the way I feel.

[FloridaJudy]

10. I must confess

That when confronted with two equally qualified candidates, I'll choose the African American or the woman - just to redress the balance of power in this country.

But Obama is so far ahead of the competition that's not a factor for me in this election. I'm late to the game - I was originally an Edwards supporter. But I guess I drank the Kool-aid, and now I genuinely believe we picked the best person for the job. That he's half-black is just that: a bonus.

(edited for spelling)

[KT2000]

14. I am super glad that

the best candidate happens to be an African-American.
In fact, his being African=-American makes it extra-special.
Please see these pics of Obama with babies and bigger kids.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/30/babies-and-bigger-kids-fo_n_139183.html

[NJCher]

27. pictures tell in a way that words cannot

Thank you for posting that. It is a wonderful way to start the day.



Cher

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LiberalLovinLug]

19. Dems don't have to see in black or white, so to speak

Like the Decider in Chief sees the world.

It doesn't have to come down to a choice. The answer is Obama is both one of the best candidates for President in a long time, which is all about his character and hard work and at the same time he will be a healing catalyst for the nation in regards to race relations, which has NOTHING to do with anything he can control, that is the color of his skin. But the combination is almost a miracle.

What a switch, from the worst President in US history to potentially the best

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Raine]

21. Obama is the very best

but I agree I consider it a bonus that he's black for those same reasons.

[Chovexani]

22. Another Johnny looking for a token black friend

The one thing I am dreading about Obama's victory is having to endure 8 years of Sallies and Johnnies* declaring American racism to be dead because a brother's in the Oval Office actually sitting at the desk instead of cleaning it. Or "I'm not racist, I voted for the Magical Negro**!"

Oh well, it's a small price to pay for turning this sinking ship away from the iceberg. Baby steps, I guess.


*As always, http://www.blackpeopleloveus.com

**and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_Negro

[customerserviceguy]

33. Sally and Johnny are a hoot!

Thanks for posting that, it really tells the story of what goes on in some people's heads. Fifty years ago, it was, "Some of my best friends are Jews," this is the modern version of that.

Of course the question is raised: what will the Sallies and Johnnies of the country do when racial peace and harmony does not automatically break out over the land on January 21st?

[Chovexani]

40. It's seriously my favorite satirical site, LOL

I don't know. I guess there will be a lot of handwringing and whining that there's actual work to do.

I see way too many people, even here, thinking Barack's swearing in will heal all wounds. Honestly, though it would be a huge milestone and extremely important, it's just the first step down the road.

[tavalon]

24. That he is black is a nice bonus but I would never have voted for him in the primary

had he not also been the smartest person in the room (well, so was HRC, but she played some things in a way that I counted against her.

[agentS]

26. Will it be enough to cancel out the "Bradley Effect"?

IT just might. Surely there are voters in KY, TN, and thru the solid south who are telling people they're voting for McCain, but will pull the lever for Obama out of disgust with McPalin or McBush or 6 years in Iraq. They may be telling pollers different things, though, or have their minds not yet settled.

If he wins, what does it mean for the rest of the world? Would we see black presidents in Japan, France, or Kazakhstan?

[KittyWampus]

30. there's no such thing as the Bradley Effect.

[daggahead]

28. I agree.

This is a great step forward for America.

I will proudly pull the lever, fill in the dot, press the screen - whatever I encounter at the polling place - to vote for Barack Obama.

[Doctor_J]

29. I have tried some severe introspection over the last few weeks

to see if this is true of myself. Still unclear. But I don't think so. I think his race together with his centrist politics are a bonus. Electing a real liberal white would also be transformative for me.

[av8rdave]

32. I really haven't given race any consideration in making my decision

Obama is the better candidate, period. If he and McSame's races were reversed, Obama would still be the better candidate. Period.

I do, however, consider it a "fringe benefit" (a huge one!) that if we elect him, we send a very positive, overdue message to the rest of the world.

[NOLALady]

34. I'm voting for him because he's Black.

"Why not? In this country men are pulled over everyday cause they are black, passed over for promotions cause they are black, considered to be criminals cause they are black, and there are going to be thousands who wont be voting for him cause he's black!
But it's not just because he's black, but because he is hope and change. He allows me to understand when my granddaughter says she wants to be president when she grows up, it is not a fairy tale but a short term goal. Because she sees, understands, and knows, she can achieve, withstand, and do anything just because she's black!"

[Bigmack]

35. I'm voting for him because he's NOT white!

Since 1980, every time we vote for a white man, the middle-class slice of the pie gets narrower and the rich get rich... even under Clinton.

White guys caused the Iraq War, the Mortgage Crisis, Outsourcing, Stock Market Crash, the Military/Industrial Complex..... shit, just about every bad thing in the country - including cell phones.

I'll vote for anybody who's not a white male!

(That's what I told a neighbor who said he'd have a hard time voting for a black man.)

[Nye Bevan]

36. I must say, it makes me feel good

to be in a position to help prove that the United States is one of the least bigoted nations on Earth. While we can never fully redeem for the horrors of slavery and Jim Crow, the impact on black kids' aspirations of Obama winning the election will be tremendous.

[Javaman]

37. What I personally see with Obama as president is a shattering of the

racial glass ceiling.

This is a tectonic shift in opportunities for all races.

With the election of Obama, it flings the door open for all non whites to believe that anything is now possible. The office of the president is no longer relegated to old white guys.

[barbtries]

41. i certainly do

what i wouldn't give to be back in CA and watching the returns with my friend Carla and her mother. i know this election is especially sweet for them because obama is black, and i do consider it a plus.

[roamer65]

43. Honestly, I wanted Al Gore...

But the more I've listened to Barack, the more I have come to realize it is simply his destiny to become President. It is his time and his destiny to do great things for our country. Race is irrelevant for me.

Barack gives me hope for our future, McSame gives me dread.

[GetTheRightVote]

44. I vote him because he is the Dem candidate, color does not come into

and besides he is only half black, the other half is white, what is wrong with people these days.
So many people have such a combination of backgrounds and cultures that they truly represent the melting pot stated on our lady's book in NY harbor.

:bounce: