A Question about Race: Exorcising the Ghost of Slavery

[Bonobo]

PROVISO: My question, and I want it to be clear that although I am limiting THIS THREAD to this narrow issue, it does not mean that I think Obama's candidacy is in any way. limited to this one minor, minor point about racism and the American mind.

Now, having said that, I think that one particular motivation that may be at work among many voters, consciously or subconsciously, is the desire to make restitutions for the racism that has existed in this country. One a more personal level, this same "feeling" may manifest tself as a desire to no longer view onesself as "racist". Something which could be "proven" by voting for a black man. On a macro level, it is also the repudiation of what many of us see as our worst attribute as a society: Namely that we are run by white people overwhelmingly, despite touting ourselvesa as a "class-free melting pot"

If the above motivations do exist to a greater or lesser extent, what do you think of it? Is it good? Is it positive? Is it racist? Is it bullshit? Is it about time?

Let's have it out. We're all racist as we are all sexist, so we might as well have it out.

[chascarrillo]

1. And all this time I thought I was voting for him because I thought he was the best candidate.

Thanks for setting me straight!

[Bonobo]

2. And thanks for reducing my post to a one-liner. I am supporting Obama.