I'm so confused. Are DUers surprised at the BLATANT racism....

[OneGrassRoot]

displayed in the "Obama Waffles" (various threads are going on about this story)?

Or, have you always been aware how prevalent it is but hoped it would remain in the closet, so to speak?

I don't think Obama needs to address it at this stage, but for anyone else, including us, to deny the reality that racism and bigotry lies at the heart of this election is, IMO, negligent.

It is even at the heart at the fundie movement.

I've been screaming it from the rooftops, not allowing racists to cloak it in their right-wing brand of christianity, in the smear campaigns of "he's a muslim," the pledge lie, "there's just something about him..."

BULLSHIT - Just say you don't want to vote for him -- and that the idea of him WINNING - terrifies you because he's BLACK!!!

I say GOOD if they are coming out into the open about it. It NEEDS to be brought out into the open. Allowing them to stay in the shadows is what is dangerous.

They are indeed very dangerous, especially with Palin in the mix.

We can't hide from this. They HATE being all "politically correct" and not saying what they want to say; that's usually left up to the "librul pussies."

No, let them say what they want to say. Let the world see their racist, hypocritical, ignorant, Limbaugh-loving asses for what they are.

Pathetic excuses for humans who disgrace Jesus and Christianity. They are NOT Americans, they are not patriotic.

BTW, the creationism issue....all of the fundie-related shit, comes down to racism which, of course, is based on fear.

[annabanana]

1. There are parts of the Country where you'd NEVER

see such blatant expressions of raw ugly racism.. It's whispered in beer soaked ears late in the evening.. and only if they're pretty damn sure you agree with them.

So we forget that there are other parts of the country where it's a bit closer to the surface.

[OneGrassRoot]

10. I suppose I'm "blessed" (major sarcasm)....

to have encountered full-on racists in various regions of the US. Hell, I'm related to them...grew up with this...and it's all over.

I understand what you are saying, and I suppose that's why I asked the question. It's so patently obvious to me -- granted, perhaps because it has been in my face my entire life -- that I sincerely was asking if it wasn't to others.

Thanks for replying. :)

[SoCalDem]

46. Some of my friends who grew up in the south

Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, have said many times that although they DO have advantages their parents never had, their parents at least KNEW their "enemies".. One remembers a burning cross placed in their yard by UNMASKED..UNHOODED townspeople.. He said they DID grow up fearful, but they ALWAYS knew who hated them, even if they did not understand why..

he said that NOW, it's less "violent", but because it's masked in "genteel words", it's harder to pinpoint, and in some ways even worse, because you never really KNOW for sure who sabotaged your promotion or who might not help your child in an emergency..

[OneGrassRoot]

47. Yes, it's much more insidious now, and why...

I am calling them out. I've been very, very surprised recently to meet seemingly "normal" people (I don't know how else to say it...I hope you know what I mean), only to shortly thereafter receive hateful, right-wing emails and discover they are of the "he's a muslim" ilk, cloaking their racism.

The scary part is that they sent them to me, assuming I believed the same! When I respond with facts, and encourage them to quit the BS and just say what they really mean -- after all, these are people who have always prided themselves on "calling a spade a spade"; being politically correct is for "librul pussies" -- I get silence. No argument...it's like they slide back into a cave.

THAT alarms me. That's why I believe it must come out into the open and stay there. Shine light on this. Not everyone is a militant racism as many of these people, and it may be that by shining light on the hatred and fear that is eating these people alive, those who have more subtle, more secret racism can come to grips with it within themselves and release that fear and hatred.

We won't change the minds of overt racists...those who are proud of it. But the others who do struggle with the issue and know it's not right, they are the ones who may be able to move beyond the issue by seeing the ugliness in full daylight.

[MercutioATC]

2. How is it "racist"?

I don't get it..

[OneGrassRoot]

11. I'm sorry, what part don't you get? :) n/t

[MercutioATC]

32. I don't see any racism.

What's racist about this?

[OneGrassRoot]

33. You don't think the whole "Obama waffle" thing is racist?

There are several discussions here about it. Just one example of racism, as it pertains to this election.



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7056660&mesg_id=7056660

[jberryhill]

37. The tie-in to the Aunt Jemima "Mammy" image /nt

Or Rastus from Cream of Wheat:



Notice anything racist?

These images are part of an iconography that is quite recognizable to many.

[MercutioATC]

39. That's a REAL stretch.

"Waffling" is accepted political slang. The existence of Rastus and Aunt Jemima don't make accusing a political candidate of waffling a racist act.

I don't see this as racist in the least.

[jberryhill]

40. Why is he wearing a sombrero on the back of the box and turban on another panel of it?

You really need to check out the history of the iconography of black folks on food products.

To anyone familiar with that aspect of commercial art, the connection is certainly not a "stretch".

[HughBeaumont]

45. You're kidding, right?

Overstated, bug-eyed Sambo features? Pronounced shiny lips and big teeth? Everything's on the up-and-up and perfectly OK about this?

He's also portrayed wearing a turban and a sombrero on other parts of the box.

"Political satire" my ASS. It's pickaninny Sambo bullshit.

[whathehell]

3. To be honest?...I actually AM a bit surprised...I grew up in a big City

on the East Coast,segregated the whole thing...But that was YEARS ago. It's not that I'm surprised that it's the Repugs...My saying is "Scratch a Republican, find a Racist"...But I honestly thought we'd progressed somewhat past what I'm seeing now.

P.S. Are those bumper stickers?....They're great!

[OneGrassRoot]

15. I think growth of the whole right-wing hate radio influence...

and the Moral Majority -- :puke: -- fed this. No, sadly, we haven't progressed.

Well, I take that back. I think there's a certain subgroup which hasn't progressed, others have. The youth have (though when they are racist, they are REALLY extreme racists).

And racism goes in many directions, not just white people being racist against blacks, Hispanics, etc.

But, for this election, that's what is being played out. That particular form of racism.

I'm trying to find where I can make more square-shaped bumperstickers. I'm going to have a whole wardrobe of political t-shirts soon and shall wear nothing else!

Nice to meet you! :)

[HughMoran]

38. I grew up in an integrated east coast city neighborhood

...and the racism was pretty blatent. I'm sure it's not much better today. We played b-ball together, then we went our separate ways for the most part. This was on all sides BTW - whites, hispanics, blacks etc. all spoke of the others in despariging racist terms. OTOH, we all had a grudging respect for one another and did party together. I will say that you could be virtually certain that the more religious and/or conservative people were almost exclusively rabid bigots. It's a "fear" thing with so many.

[firedupdem]

4. I truly believe the only reason this race is close is because

of racism. These 8 years have been hell and everybody expected a Democratic Nominee to basically "walk" into office but these assholes have been able to pull every trick in the book. Lies and fear mongering and this idiot woman they pulled out of nowhere. It's all ridiculous.

[gateley]

5. I agree -- all the people who come up with lame excuses why they

won't vote for Obama -- 'there's just something about him' -- 'he has no experience' - crap like that, AND those who claim a falsehood, you correct them with the truth, and they go "yeah, but..." and move onto the next falsehood. I KNOW it's racism, whether the people recognize it in themselves or not. Racism and fear.

[misanthrope]

9. That is the problem...

...People don't want to face their own racism and we can't get past it until we admit it to ourselves. It's hard and uncomfortable but it must be done if we wish to evolve.

And then for a lot of Americans, they just don't care if we do get past it at all.

[gateley]

13. It's my hope that once Obama gets in office, and actually begins doing

things that can help out the American people, they might go "hmmmm, I guess he wasn't so bad after all." One step at a time.

[OneGrassRoot]

18. I agree with all of you in this sub-thread....

I hope for the same thing, gateley. I believe it can happen. I truly believe his presidency can shift soooooooo many things for this country and for the world.

It's a crossroad, most definitely, on so many levels.


:)

[bluespeck]

16. Unfortunately

I think racism is going to cost Obama some votes. You know when Michelle made that remark about being finally proud of her country. I could go her one better as a white heterosexual woman. There are times when I am downright embarrassed by my country and I long ago lost faith in my government. I am looking to Obama to restore my faith.

[OneGrassRoot]

21. Welcome, bluespeck. :)

Well, I don't think it will cost votes, as he never would have had them to begin with.

On the other hand, I believe if others awaken to the rampant racism and confront it, there may be an awakening after all and he will gain votes.

I have faith, though I do understand it's very, very hard.

We can all keep the faith and hope alive right here.

Welcome to DU! :)

[gateley]

26. Welcome to DU, bluespeck!

And -- excellent post! You state it so very well. :hi:

[bluespeck]

34. Thanks!

Thank you Gately and timeforarevolution. I must say I live near the Medical School in San Antonio and worked there in the Medical Center till I retired. I was privileged to know people of all cultures and races and my city is fairly good at being multicultural. Still, you don't go far in Texas till you find backward people who are afraid of a black president. Of course, this is a big evangelical area unfortunately also. Lots of work to do still here in Texas.

[misanthrope]

6. LOL! How could any observant American be surprised?...

...There is nothing about the racism in this campaign that has surprised me and no low blow will. Racism is the foundation of this nation and it still rules.

If Obama wins, I'm also expecting a few assassination attempts in the first year alone.

[proud patriot]

7. Been a moderator here too long to be surprised at much

When I first came to DU I really only had the perspective
of a SF Bay Area Californian. Many things surprised me .

I honestly thought America was more evolved about race,
and gender stuff. I thought the 50s and 60s solved it.

I was very ignorant about racism and many other isms.

I feel very lucky to live in a multi cultural community.

[OneGrassRoot]

22. You are truly fortunate. :) n/t

[tooeyeten]

8. No

not surprised, racism is everywhere, some people are a little less revealing about it.

[bigtree]

12. these are supporters raising cash in McCain's name

and presumably, for his campaign.

I don't think anyone is surprised, but I wouldn't treat the incident as just another blip from bigots. It needs to be brought directly to McCain's doorstep with demands that he renounce the participants as well as the act.

[OneGrassRoot]

23. I agree, and don't think anything such as this should be dismissed...

indeed, I'm saying the opposite.

Give it exposure...bring it into the light...so others can be aware just how much hatred lies within the Republican camp. Yes, lay it DIRECTLY at McCain's feet, ESPECIALLY because he knows these racists all too well.

They (through Rove) destroyed him in 2000 and, more importantly, attached his adopted daughter.

Now he panders to them???!!!! He threw his daughter under the bus to pander to racists and bigots.

FAMILY VALUES MY ASS.

[EFerrari]

14. I don't care when people "get it". That they are getting it is enough. n/t

[Hubert Flottz]

17. "surprised at the BLATANT racism"

No...

[malaise]

19. Not this DUer

I'm just waiting for one of the McPalin goon squad to snap in public.

[Cleita]

20. The Right Wing nuts have nothing more to say about Obama except to

finally display their hidden racism right out there blatantly for everyone to see. I'm watching the GOP Titanic going down.

[OneGrassRoot]

24. Yep, this is the final stage. :) n/t

[Mesteryo]

25. most non-issue criticism I hear..

About Obama are race-based criticisms. Usually it involves paranoid fear of an African-American President letting minorities "take over."

[OneGrassRoot]

27. Right, and I've had others admit they're afraid of...

retribution, against whites.

I'd venture to guess the issue-related criticisms aren't based in truth (even if they believe they are).

The whole "he's going to raise my taxes" meme, even though his plan is far more beneficial to those making under $250k than McCain's.

[LWolf]

28. I'm not surprised or confused by anything at this point.

I'm tired of all the presidential election-related threads in GD, since I come here hoping to find something else worthy of discussion.

Not surprised to find GD clogged and overflowing with Obama/McCain/Palin threads. Just irritated by it.

[OneGrassRoot]

29. Do you consider this post in that category?

I'm honestly asking, because you have a good point that we probably should be more selective in where we post.

But I feel the subject matter of racism far exceeds the election itself, although it is certainly pivotal.

[LWolf]

43. Racism, and sexism, are certainly pervasive conditions in the U.S..

They've both played a pivotal part of the presidential election, as well. To answer your question, context is everything.

If you are discussing broader racism and/or sexism, and point to the election as an example, then GD is good.

If your focus is on the election, and how racism and/or sexism is affecting it, then GDP.

Of course, at this point, the majority at DU aren't thinking about much beyond the election, and aren't talking about much that doesn't put the election front and center.

That's just a personal pet peeve, lol. My only reason for paying attention to politics is to move issues forward. The election cycle, while a factor, is not the key thing for me. ;)

My thoughts on the connections to the election:

I think the Democratic Primaries proved that racism and sexism are alive and well in the party. They just take different forms. When Democrats are willing to use race or gender to determine their voting choice, when they are willing to use someone's race or gender against them in a campaign, racism and sexism are alive and well in the party.

The Republican Party merely needed to sit back and watch; they had ammunition no matter who won the Democratic nomination. Obama won, so they pick a woman, capitalizing on the inner party gender wars, and they can subtly play to the nation's racism and religious bigotry. If HRC had won, I think they would have picked a black vp and played to the nation's sexism.

While I'm not a fan of either Obama or HRC, and I prefer Biden to the others on the purported "short list," perhaps putting HRC on the bottom half of the ticket might have been an effective way to disable that Republican strategy.

In the long run, the '08 election is providing plenty of evidence that, no matter how far we think we've come, we've got miles to go before we're done with racism and sexism. I would like to think the Democratic Party will acknowledge its own need to move forward, but I'm skeptical. The party who is willing to compromise everything and anything to "win," who doesn't see any way to win except to co-opt republican issues and become more like republicans, is not likely to be transparent about changes needed within the party.

Meanwhile, those who work to move racial and gender equity forward will continue to work, regardless of who is elected to any office.

[Brazenly Liberal]

30. In what respect, Charlie?

No, I'm not at all surprised. I'm disgusted, but not surprised. They've done it before and they'll do it again. In fact, the Bushies did it to McCain in 2000, calling around South Carolina, asking people, "Would you be more or less likely to vote for John McCain...if you knew he had fathered an illegitimate black child?" (apparently targeting the same locals who are now being wooed by candidates who call Obama "uppity") It worked so well when Dubya pulled it on McCain that McCain hauled it out for use against Obama.

Say what you will about the GOP, they know their base.

[OneGrassRoot]

31. FAMILY VALUES MY ASS!

I completely agree and have ranted repeatedly about McCain's very specific hypocrisy as it relates to his adopted daughter.

The same people who not only destroyed him in 2000, attacked HIS CHILD, and now she is invisible (though probably for her own sanity as well as to hide her from "them") and he is pandering to them big time, not to mention selecting one to be on his ticket.

UNFORGIVABLE.

[tannybogus]

35. Unfortunately, no. nt

[Raine]

36. "Surprised"? Yes and no

I KNEW it was out there for sure but I guess I didn't expect people to get away with it so blatantly like the waffles and the monkey etc and having no shame about it. What really suprises me is sometimes who it comes from, types Geraldine Ferraro (sp?) people who should be more educated and know better than that. :-(

[Skittles]

41. I am not surprised at all

I have long known that republican is simply a PC way of saying one is a greedy, racist f***

[ElboRuum]

42. Anyone who is surprised...

...lives in a bubble.

[cobalt1999]

44. Fear of a black president is being used quite effectively

The memes that are being pushed are:

1) He'll greatly expand Affirmative-Action. This is a biggie to lots of folks especially when the job market is tight. They'll never get a job if a black person also applies for it, or they'll lose their jobs or promotion to any black who wants it too.

2) Reparations. He'll want to give billions to blacks in reparations payments raising taxes and increasing government spending.

3) He'll start releasing black prisoners or make it impossible to convict black criminals.


Those all are working quite well down in the south.

[Prophet 451]

48. I wish I was surprised n/t