Did Senator Obama actually say this?!

[EffieBlack]

We are, in many ways, all on this journey together to create an America that embraces every last one of us, the black people in their 90s who tell me they remember when blacks were prevented from voting. And they're hopeful of seeing an African American in the White House.

The black mothers and fathers at my events who lift their children on their shoulders and whisper in their ears, "See, you can be anything you want."

Neither Senator Clinton nor I, nor many of you, were fully included in the Founding Fathers' vision, but we've been blessed by men and women in each generation who saw America not as it is, but as it could and should be, the abolitionists and the suffragists, the progressives and the union members, the civil rights leaders... all those who marched, protested, and risked their lives, because they looked into their children's eyes and saw the promise of a better future.

Because of them, I grew up taking for granted that black Americans could vote. Because of them, my daughters take it for granted that children of all colors could attend school together. And because of them, and because of you, this next generation will grow up taking for granted that an African-American can be the president of the United States of America.

Of course he didn't. But replace "black" and "African American" with "woman" and this IS what Hillary Clinton said in her victory speech on Tuesday night. It was a very eloquent and inspiring speech that evoked history and women's place in it and expressly considered a future with a woman as president of the United States.

But can you imagine the uproar that would have ensued if Barack Obama took the very same tack, but instead of discussing gender, he discussed his race in this context?

We all know, whether we admit it or not, exactly what the response would have been. And it it wouldn't have been pretty.

[MADem]

1. Well, if this country were fifty three percent black, I think no one would have batted an eye.

And if everyone in the country was related by blood to at least one black person, it would also be a status quo speech.

You're forgetting the context.

Half this country IS women.

Even men have MOTHERS. And many have DAUGHTERS. And SISTERS. And WIVES.

So sorry, it's not the same. Because it ISN'T the same. Context matters.

[EffieBlack]

3. Oh, I see - only a MAJORITY demographic can do this

Everyone else can't mention their race or gender?

Got it.

[SunsetDreams]

4. I didn't see what ignored said, probably a good thing I take it

[Name removed]

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[MADem]

16. Ah, you are saying MINORITIES don't have mothers, daughters, sisters?

How intelligent of you.

Are those monkeys you mentioned upthread flying out your ass now, or what?

[Bonobo]

18. You're not making any sense.

I said nothing of the kind. Where did you get that idea?

[MADem]

19. Apparently you didn't.

At least, not so it shows, anymore.

[earthside]

6. Rationalization ...

... for playing identity politics.

But you;re right, though, it isn't the same. The fact that African Americans are not half the country and that they were kidnapped from their own land and enslaved here makes the possibility of the first black President even more significant and more of an accomplishment.

[MADem]

13. Please see my Persian American example in post ten.

When you tout one group, any group, to the exclusion of other groups, TO EXCESS, (a little is always fine, in fact, people enjoy it) then people start to feel left out.

Everybody, regardless of race or ethnicity or gender, has or had a mother. You aren't leaving anyone out when you talk about Mom...

[cali]

20. omg

what a revealing thing to say. Majorities count and minorities should just shut the fuck up and go to the back of the bus. Disgusting.

[MADem]

27. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a revealing thing for YOU to say, trolling for evidence of ...OOOOOOH..... racism, stirring that pot, where none exists.

Of course minorities "count." What an idiotic assertion, to try to push that big fat supposition that I think otherwise out there. No fucking shame at all, eh? How partisan can you get?

But when you're running for President, you're not running for just president of the Japanese, Armenians, or the Swedes, now, are you? You're running for president of the ENTIRE population. And the ENTIRE population, regardless of race, ethnicity or national origin, has at least one female relative.

Why don't you check out post ten, too, while you are at it, and find something to whine about there, too!

[Name removed]

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[MADem]

32. Defensive as hell? Who came right out and called me a racist, with that OMG!!!!

There's a difference between defending oneself against vicious, hideous slurs and being defensive.

But your eagerness in leaping up with a "J'ACCUSE!" and a slimy pointing finger sure as hell stinks like three day old fish.

Endless hateful crap? Poison keyboard? Look who's talking.

My post did not "clearly belittle" minorities. And only a troublemaker, or an idiot with a predisposed RACIST viewpoint would think that.

Now YOU try to calm down--your invective betrays you. Have a drink, or a cuppa or a valium...or something. No, better not--sounds like you have had MORE than enough.

:eyes:

[quakerboy]

38. BS

and you know it.

[SunsetDreams]

2. Personally I am sick of her playing the gender card

"Vote for me because I'm a woman" blah blah blah

Sorry, I want a woman with integrity, to represent my gender. Someone whom my daughter could look up to, someone who doesn't teach my daughter that it's okay to cheat and lie to get to where you want to be in life. Someone who plays by the rules. This is not teaching our children to play by the rules.

[flor de jasmim]

7. I'm with you! What happened to "2 great candidates"?

It wasn't all THAT long ago that Hillary was talking about how no matter which of the Democratic candidates won the election that the country would be fortunate. She should remember this, bow out gracefully, and work like hell to get Obama elected.

On the one hand, we have a candidate who talks of unifying the country, and on the other we have a white woman who wishes to remind everyone she's a woman while her husband reminds people she's white. Any problems about electability are those the Clintons are creating or fostering (they are festering, in fact).

[stellanoir]

5. His speech on race was one of the most eloquent political statements in modern times.

For you to disparage it in this way exhibits your alliances.

Have a nice evening.

[rodeodance]

9. Puff***

[Straight Shooter]

25. Effie is a staunch Obama supporter.

Read her post again. She's disparaging Hillary for the audacity of speaking out and acknowledging being an example to women. :shrug:

[EffieBlack]

33. if you're going to deign to interpret my posts, at least try to understand it yourself first

And, btw, I am a staunch DEMOCRATIC supporter and have not endorsed any candidate over another.

[Straight Shooter]

37. Staunch Democratic supporter?

Well, excuse me, then, because I've never read one kind word from you on behalf of Ms. Clinton.

And I did read your post. Disingenuous, of course, because Obama can get away with anything having to do with race, because no one dares to touch it lest they offend.

[EffieBlack]

39. Then you're not paying attention . . . at all

Not suprising - since you apparently didn't even bother to read my post that started this thread.

[intheflow]

26. Re-read the OP.

I think you misunderstood it. Effie is saying that if Obama talked about how he should be elected based on his race, as Clinton does with gender, he would be villainized in the press. Or put another way, Effie's saying that in our society it's more acceptable for a woman to play the so-called gender card than it is for a person of color to play the so-called race card. She is in no way referring to Obama's race speech.

(Nor is she disparaging Clinton. She's stating an opinion on how race and gender are perceived/received in this country. imho.)



*Edited to add that as I was posting this, someone posted above me that she is disparaging Clinton. We all have our own lenses though which we view the world, don't we? :rofl:

[MADem]

28. I am a Clinton supporter, and I thought that speech was great, too.

The poster isn't trying to slam Obama. This is a cheap and angry (and terribly clumsy) slam at CLINTON, suggesting that she plays the GENDER card because she dares to mention that there are women voting today who were born when women didn't have the vote, and that opportunities for women, while increasing, are still a challenge and an uphill struggle for them (and all of us, really).

The poster is suggesting that Clinton has a lot of NERVE to talk about fifty three percent of the population, and why isn't Obama "allowed" to talk about the black population just as much?

In actual fact, no one is muzzling any candidates. They can say what they want. The OP is trying to create a division where none exists. Lord knows there are enough divisions lately, but this is just a silly argument, suggesting that Obama "can't" talk about race, or that if he did, he'd WANT to talk about it in the EXACT same way as Clinton discusses women's opportunities.

[EffieBlack]

34. Just because it went right over your head doesn't mean it's "clumsy"

It simply means you didn't get it.

Hey, it happens.

[MADem]

35. No, I got it. And you got it...WRONG. NT

[Bonobo]

8. You are good. You are verrrry good. K&R x a million!

Maybe this will open some eyes. Hope springs eternal.

[rodeodance]

15. It will open eyes on how the OP is exclusionary --and divisive.

[nichomachus]

14. Not at all sure what you're point is n/t

[monmouth]

17. As an older white woman I look forward to someday having a woman

President, just never, ever Hillary Clinton. The woman is evil and in the words of some morning guy, awful, awful, awful!!

[jbm]

21. I don't see anything wrong with it..

In fact, when I read it I was assuming Obama had said it, and was wondering what the problem was.

[qijackie]

22. I thought it fits either way .... it is true either way and it sounds fine

to me either way.

[jbm]

24. welcome to DU!..n/t

:toast:

[calmblueocean]

23. Not everything is equal.

I get so tired of people saying, "Could you imagine if a white person said that?" or "What if you replaced X with Y?" Ugh.

It's not a contest, and yes, people in different groups with different histories get to say different things. We all just need to learn to grow up and deal with it.

[NashVegas]

30. I Don't Understand Why You Have a Problem With This

Obama talks about his heritage all the time. He's got a huge page on his website devoted to it.

You, yourself, started this thread on January 3

It warms my heart to see this handsome strong, proud black man

with a beautiful, strong, proud black woman by his side, with their adorable, excited, bright-eyed little girls (you know, when God made black babies, He was just showing off!), standing at the pinnacle of American politics.

No matter whom we support, I hope we can all take a minute to savor this moment!


I don't understand why you or anyone would have a problem with Hillary Clinton discussing what it would mean to have a female president, and to be a female candidate in a tight contest.

[EffieBlack]

36. WHOOSH!!!

(The sound of my post whizzing right over your head)

[cyndensco]

31. Obama would never (be able) to say such a thing,

first, because he is not running as a black president, and second, because, you're right, there would be a HUGE uproar.

In their 1st one-on-one debate, hillary received applause when she said her candidacy would bring real change - she'd be the first female president. Obama did not respond and it saddened me until I realized he was not afforded the same luxury.