Today a long-time friend of mine (political friend, not buddy) bemoaned our Demo choices.

[PinkTiger]

He said, "And now it's down to a woman and a black man, and I WILL NOT vote for a black man for president," he said.
I was in the local coffee shop on the way to work, and I stopped and said, "Well, friend, I didn't know you were a racist. But if you were a blind man, you wouldn't know the difference, now, would you?"
We had a nice talk in the end, and I told him that we have to get away from this attitude, but we know that it will still take some time for people to deal with the homogenous world that must be.
As far as women and men are concerned, why not a woman? And why not a black man?
I fear this conversation is one being held all over white America -- and maybe in areas where people are more homogenous. In my region of the world in SW MO, we are polarized around a white myth. What a shame.

[mnhtnbb]

1. I lived in MO for 6 years. MO is a southern state.

[Clark2008]

14. And?

Are you one of those DUers who think there are only racists in the South?

(Pssstt... I suggest you go to Boston if you think that and tell me how much more racism there is there than anywhere in the South).

[never_get_over_it]

17. Having lived both in the North and the South

I can tell you there is racism in both places - BUT I can tell you the difference - it is WAY more subtle in the North - in the South they just open their damn mouths and spew out such shit it is unbelievable - I think they think if they are talking to another white person they must agree with them and will say the most shocking things - I have story after story of people saying the most sickening outrageous things in the 3 and a half years I have lived in central Florida

The good news about the North is because they are more subtle there has to be some level of awareness that racism is unacceptable - unfortunately it must be more acceptable in the South because "they" just keep saying this crap

I have been stunned and deeply saddened by the comments I have heard here...

[mnhtnbb]

18. I have lived in NY, NJ, CA, MO, NE, and currently NC. My first encounter

with spoken racism (jungle bunnies) was in MO in 1989 when I was 38, when I discovered that in the south
people were less politically correct and more likely to voice their racism rather than keep it to themselves.

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. There are more than enough reasons not to vote for either of them

Race and gender are not among them, IMO.

[SammyWinstonJack]

19. Some just don't get that.

:thumbsup:

[LibraLiz1973]

21. BINGO. I 1,000% agree with you.

[thunder rising]

3. If every black male agrees to cut 2 inches of "you know" then we can be equal. That's the

conversation these asshats are having. It's not that they (black males) are after our Miss America, it's that Miss America cannot resist the 'basic instinct' :sarcasm:

I think we should have a national measurement. All swinging dicks must be laid on the table and we settle this like REAL MEN!!!! You're allowed "this much"; over the line and CHOP you back to equality. Now can we get back to issues that matter? Oh wait ... what else could matter?

I can guarantee you that with such a "pencil test" no man will be over 6".

(I am having fun with this thought)

Can you imagine all the anxiety relief ... you no longer have to peek in public restrooms to see what the competition is packing!

Damn, it's Friday night and my best stuff will go unnoticed. :beer: Oh well, I'll keep on trying.

[bbinacan]

4. I fear you may be right.

I saw this comment on another blog that referenced a call in to NPR. I didn't hear this on the radio. I only know about the comment below.

"I heard a guy call into NPR yesterday. He was a lifelong Democrat and he and all his friends want Hillary and if Obama gets the nomination, they'll all have to vote for McCain. Because, get this, of Obama's race. He said that, on NPR, to two sober NPR lefties, who calmly and seriously reflected on his comments. Tell me that wasn't a planted caller trying to scare white Democrats who might be considering Obama to go with Hillary.
There is prescious little non-agenda-driven reporting going on these days."

Like I said, not my words. This conversation may or may not have happened.

If true, it is truly sad.

[NC_Nurse]

6. I actually heard that caller. He was from Florida...

sounded like kind of a northern Florida cracker, or redneck if you prefer.
I was appalled. He said he and his friends would vote for McCain rather than Obama
because they would not vote for a black man.
It was bizarre. Especially to hear on NPR. To tell you the truth, I was amazed that he listened to NPR...
he sounded like he should be calling Rush to me. :crazy:

[bbinacan]

9. I'll bet that caller

was from the Ocala area of FL.

[NC_Nurse]

13. Either that or the panhandle. Maybe Jacksonville too.

I should know, nmy whole family is from Florida - mainly Jacksonville. I have relatives all over FL.

Northern Florida is a whole different animal than Miami/Ft.Lauderdale/Palm Beach.

[scheming daemons]

5. I say nominate him and force America to look into the mirror....

Let's test the soul of America....

[Guava Jelly]

7. I like that!

:thumbsup:

[stillcool]

8. I don't know that "white" America...

I do know there are bigots all over the place, but I believe they are a dying breed. Maybe someone should tell these stuck in the past individuals that it's okay now to be black. Everyone is doing it.

[PinkTiger]

10. Yeah.

The thing is, I'm not even sure I can comprehend what problem they would have about voting for a black candidate. I'm amazed.

[PinkTiger]

11. Yeah.

The thing is, I'm not even sure I can comprehend what problem they would have about voting for a black candidate. I'm amazed.

[NJObamaWoman]

23. You may not know that white America. But it does exist....

this is why in Jan there was so much talk about race and making Obama the non threatening NOT Black Man. I mean hell people keep saying that to appease Americans he has to appear non black which is sad. Fucking racist Americans get on my damn nerves.

[stillcool]

25. Actually first Obama was not black enough...

or so I've read. I am well aware that bigots exist, but it is my perception they are a dying breed. It seems the 'media' and those who like to parrot the media, wish to highlight the differences between people in this country anyway they can. It is not my reality.

[FrenchieCat]

12. The thing is

that we shall overcome, and Barack will win.

Don't worry, we've got some antidote for those voters who might not vote for Barack because of his skin color.

Bet we have about a 4 to 1 ratio! New Voters!

[NC_Nurse]

15. My daughter and all her friends are for him.

One of her room mates drove from Boone, NC (ASU) to Charleston to vote for him in the primary. She went to a rally and got a picture with him
and an autograph. They are all VERY excited about him - and they are white. I am proud that race never enters their minds, all the young folks I've talked to around here feel the same.


:-)

[Darth_Kitten]

20. Yeah, Obama the politically correct candidate....

wow, do autographs and stuff really help people? :sarcasm:

[NC_Nurse]

24. What is your problem?

I was merely commenting on how happy I am to see that race is not a factor in their choice.
I am also glad to see young people so excited and involved in politics.

FYI, I have been an Edwards supporter too. He's the only candidate I have given money and I was very disappointed when he dropped out.
I don't have the need to belittle other people choices, however.

I am undecided personally, and I don't appreciate your sour grapes attitude.

[Darth_Kitten]

26. Sour grapes?

Hmmm, a bunch of young people getting autographs from their favourite candidates are entitled to their opinion, but not me. Shucks.

They are excited about the political process, well, maybe I am too. At least I made my choice not based on what my friends seem to think. :eyes:
I'm not making some kind of "statement" for my friends. Oh, but that's sour grapes.

Whatever.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

27. It didn't sound like peer pressure to me.

Just that her daughter and her friends all happen to be excited about a candidate whose ethnicity is a non-issue in a country where it frequently IS an issue.

[NC_Nurse]

28. Exactly. Thank you.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

29. You're welcome.

:hi:

[Honeycombe8]

16. He's in the minority (pun intended). I know some people like your friend....

but there aren't many of them. That's what the facts indicate, anyway. Obama has as many white votes as Hillary, AND he had a lot more white votes than ANY of the 18 white male candidates of both parties.

Obama has also racked up way more money than ALL of the 18 white male candidates.

There will be a few pockets of areas in the country that won't vote for him because of his race, I'm sure. But there will be more than a few pockets that WILL vote for him because of his race, plus most of the country that will vote for him because of his wonderful presidential qualities. So it more than balances out.

The same can be said about women candidates, whoever they are. Some people won't vote for a woman prez candidate, but some will vote for her because she's a woman. But most of the country will vote for her much like they vote for any other candidate.

One difference in Obama and Hillary, though, is the Clinton factor. Besides being female, Hillary is a Clinton, and there are a lot of people who won't vote for any Clinton, no matter the gender.

I don't base my votes on who the bigots are voting for. Besides, if either Obama or Clinton are elected as Prez, some of the bigots will come around to dealing with their bigotry. It's always this way in the beginning of a wall being tumbled....or a glass ceiling being broken.

[NJObamaWoman]

22. Sorry but I can't be friends with a racist. Just like many people here

want to bash Obama for having anti gay associates. I feel the same way...hell even stronger than those people do in regards to racism in America. IMHO this election has proven that white Americans and many Latino Americans are so behind the times that its disgusting. All this does is breed reverse racism because Black people ALL across the country is looking at this election and talking about race. There are many of us who aren't blind and I see how some candidates (wont mention names) want to diss blacks in favor of another minority group. Oh baby WE ARE WATCHING!!!