A question to the black members of DU....

[RollWithIt]

Throughout this primary, how surprising has it been for you to see the outpouring of support for Obama from WHITE Americans. I was talking to a good friend of mine, he's black, and this is a very white area of SW Florida. He said he went to canvass for Obama on Saturday and he couldn't believe it. There were over one hundred Obama volunteers there. Only two of them were black. His comment was, "It felt like high school, only everyone was on my side."

Kind of brought a tear to my eye when I thought about it later.

[az chela]

1. people need to get past this color crap.We all people

some are lighter,some darker,who cares.Inside we all are people

[skooooo]

4. That's true, but it's still a valid question, imo.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. Not really

But I'm in NJ. Democrats are just fired up about this election and most are like me . . . I would have voted for Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny if we'd decided to run them! :rofl: And most white Democrats in NJ would too! :rofl:

But I can see how where you are at - it means a LOT to someone who is blac. ;-)

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Not really

But I'm in NJ. Democrats are just fired up about this election and most are like me . . . I would have voted for Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny if we'd decided to run them! :rofl: And most white Democrats in NJ would too! :rofl:

But I can see how where you are at - it means a LOT to someone who is blac. ;-)

[dem629]

5. Get past race.

[Phoonzang]

6. I'm not that surprised at his support among whites.

Though I think anyone besides Obama wouldn't have made it this far. He's got something special.

[Essene]

17. I think it's how he handles his own marginality

This is a guy who can sit there facing subtle comments and looks that would flip out the older generation of black politicians, and Obama just lets it bounce off... doesn't get bogged down in indignation or trying to "fight racism."

He's fighting racism by being a better human... by being marginal without wearing it like a badge.

It's not a choice between selling out and constant direct confrontation. He never got trapped in reactionary politics of indignation that most older black politicians often feel compelled to dig into. There is no rage. There is no indignation. Nor has he lost his dignity or his identity.

Obama picks his battles, never denies his difference... but presents it in a way that is non-threatening to "white america."

There is a new generation of politicians-of-color who will rise up similarly. The same thing goes for asians, latinos, etc but blacks have it a lot harder for the simple fact that american really hates hearing from angry blacks (even if the anger is justified).

[KingFlorez]

7. Not at all

People really aren't as color-conscience as some think they are. In politics, there's always a person that all people are compelled to support and race isn't an issue.

[SweetieD]

8. Honestly, this time last year I would have argued that there is no way a person of African Descent

could ever get enough votes from the white majority in this country to be elected President. I'm glad I was wrong. I guess being black and growing up in Racistville Boofoo Indiana really jaded me.

[barack the house]

9. You asked me this time last year I was one of few on the board saying yes he can. =) cooolandrew. >

Been working on it before he even decided to run. =) I was even keen on Cynthia McKinney in 2004 that one suprised me even more.

[skooooo]

12. where in Indiana ..

..exactly did you grow up? just curious because i'm from the state

[SweetieD]

20. Rural Southeastern Indiana.

[skooooo]

21. i'm from..

rural southwest....so i hear ya

[BlooInBloo]

10. I would expect an "it's about fucking time" from black folks sooner than I would expect...

a "Oh jee golly thank you so much!".

[leftofcool]

11. So race is the issue, eh?

[RollWithIt]

23. Ummm, no....

It'd definitely not the issue. But it's one of many. Change doesn't just equal the real issues. It also equals the racial issue. I think it's fantastic that we'll have our first black President. It kind of completes the circle on the idea of this country.

[Essene]

13. Not surprising at all...

I've lived in Harlem. I've lived in small town "white" USA.

This stuff doesnt surprise me at all, but nor do i see the Obama campaign as primarily about race or even dramatically so. IF anything, he's carved out a mainstream new identity for America that is trans-racial. And by that i dont mean "non-racial" but instead trans-racial in which we simply embrace our own diversity.

The most surprising aspect is just how steady Obama has been able to let the racially charged nonsense bounce off of him. Frankly, I thrilled to see a young black leader like that. The left in general, and older black politicians, tend to get very reactionary on anything even hinting at racism. This has been self-defeating, frankly, in my view. Because a black politician screaming "racism" almost ALWAYS gets blamed for playing the race card and similarly gets marginalized as an angry "black" candidate.

I've come to believe that a lot of the racism out there is driven less by outright hatred than simply fear.

The future of America is becoming scary for people on many levels.

Race is a part of that, as i think folks start to increasingly realize that whites are a MINORITY on earth and will become so in the USA as well, eventually. This disturbs people. It's part of a much more complex set of issues about our standing in the world and our economic life styles. Diversity scares some people. Globalization scares some people. The future scares some people.

I think Obama's message is subtly about being comfortable with who we are as a diverse society in the face of this uncertainty.

The GOP are out there pushing hatred and fear of Obama, but many are just not buying it.

I love seeing those good hearted "red necks" supporting Obama. They may have never met a black person they really like, but there they are challenging themselves and opening their hearts to a guy who promises a vision of America's future that they are ok with.

Gotta love it.

It doesnt surprise me.

[FrenchieCat]

14. As a biracial person, I would expect support for a wonderful gifted candidate

no matter his color. To expect less would be prejudicial on my part.

[psychmommy]

15. it makes me happy and encouraged.

during the primaries i hoped we could get it together but, right up until the convention there was much dissension in our party. i felt like we line up behind white candidates every 4 years, wtf we have an awesome candidate-why couldn't others see that. it isn't just black/white people. this is a large crossection of america. to look into an obama crowd-that is america to me. that is the country i want to live in.

[MrScorpio]

16. I posted on this before

Obama is the best person for the job. Despite the historic nature of an Obama presidency, his ethnicity is not the reason why he should be president.

[Essene]

19. agreed... however part of what he represents...

... is a broader identity for America at one of the most remarkably complex and scary times.

We're at the start of a new century. Globalization is overwhelming the middle class. On one side we see this nativist revivalism and hyper-nationalism growing... and on the other hand we have Obama's economic calm, diversity, moderation and dignity.

I definitely dont think his ethnicity is a reason to vote for him, but i do think it's integral to some of the politics we're in, and not just in terms of racism.

I mean... we're talking about an inter-racial brown person running the United States of America. That's EXTREMELY significant.

[Catherine Vincent]

18. Not surprising but it means a lot.

I have had some Blacks tell me that they are surprised there are a lot of White people backing Obama when they show his rallies on the tube. It's really appreciative. I don't think I can explain it.

[ej510]

22. I am surprised by the seniors. I would've never thought

that they would support the brutha but I am glad that I was wrong.