If a white presidential candidate called black Democrats "brainwashed," claimed President Obama

[Empowerer]

did not come from a genuine "black experience," and regularly offered their observations about race in America, would it be appropriate to ask whether (s)he had any black friends, advisers or members of their inner circle?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

1. But remember: we are told that the Corporate Media loves Barack Obama and has always

loved him. He's been treated with kid gloves, according to them!! :puke::puke::puke:

[FSogol]

2. delete.

[Beacool]

3. This is a false analogy.

Cain is black (he prefers the term to AA), he can say whatever he wants about another black politician. No white politician in his/her right mind is going to question an AA candidate's "black experience". How could they, on what basis could they judge someone's "blackness"? It makes no sense.

:shrug:

[Empowerer]

5. Very interesting

But you addressed only one part of my question. Does your belief in a double standard for politicians based on their race extend to a politician's comments about black voters being "brainwashed?" Or do you endorse a racial double standard only in regard to politicians' public comments about one another?

And does that mean that there are certain things that a black politician has no right to say about a white politicians that other white politicians are free to say? For example, under your logic, Herman Cain (or any other black politician) would have no right to criticize Rick Perry for the "niggerhead" matter since, not being a white Texan, how could he possibly judge whether Perry was racially insensitive?

[Beacool]

7. There is a double standard.

People are ever so careful when it comes to race. A white conservative politician could never get away with saying that AA have been brainwashed into voting for Democrats.

As for Perry, I had never heard that term used before, let alone written on a stone that was used as a marker on a property. I don't know much about Perry and it was his father who rented the place initially, but it didn't occur to anyone in the family that the term was racist or at the very least insensitive?

:eyes:

[Empowerer]

8. So you acknowledge applying a double standard to politicians based on their race

Please keep that in mind for future reference the next time the issue of racial double standards comes up.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Beacool]

19. I'm not the one applying it.

Frankly, I'm sick to death of the whole issue. The country is falling apart, who the hell cares about Obama or Cain's race? There are far more important issues to worry about.

[EffieBlack]

20. Then why do you always weigh in on it whenever it comes up?

You usually jump in to tell everyone else that we're not supposed to accuse anyone of racism but it looks like you have FINALLY found an instance in which you think it's appropriate to accuse someone of being racist - it's interesting that it is a criticism of Herman Cain by a liberal that prompted you to scream "racism!"

How bizarre that for some people on DU, President Barack Obama is fair game against whom it is absolutely impossible for any white liberal to have a racial bias - and any mention thereof is a divisive "playing of the race card" - but Herman Cain receives prompt and vigorous protection from liberal "racists."

Got it.

[Supersedeas]

21. Didn't bea limit the discussion to double standards

the examples of double standards just continue to grow and grow...bizarre is right and the irony is rich.

If you ask me, Herman Cain seems to be receiving as much vitriol for simply calling himself black and being a Republican. Many here do jump to an agenda--no, doubt about it.

[Empowerer]

22. Cain is not being criticized because he's black and Republican

There are plenty of black Republicans around who aren't taking the heat he is. And black Republicans have run for president and other offices without running into the trouble that he has.

Herman Cain's problem is not that he is a black Republican. His problem is that he is a politician who regularly, consistently and intentionally insults black people - calling us brainwashed, saying we've chosen to stay on a "plantation," claiming that HE is more authentically "black" than the President, etc. And he always couches these insults and attacks within his own blackness, insisting that his blackness gives him the standing to do so and, moreover, HE is more authentically black than we are.

Any white politician who spoke to and about blacks in this way would have been run out of town on a rail by now - they certainly would never be a frontrunner in any presidential race. And we all know why Herman Cain is getting away with it - because he is black.

Yet when other blacks (and whites, as well) criticize him, we are told - even by some of our white liberal friends - that we are being unfair to him, that we are attacking him wrongly, we are punishing him for not being "on the team" and that our criticism of him is racist.

Frankly, this kind of protection of Cain coming from these quarters smacks of paternalism, plain and simple.

For example, it has been suggested that Herman Cain is immune from criticism for anything he says about Barack Obama because a black politician "can say whatever he wants about another black politician." Of course, I have a feeling that if Barack Obama attacked Herman Cain or any member of the CBC in such a way, the sentiment would be very different.

Moreover, Cain is not just attacking Barack Obama. He is attacking ALL black Democrats. Yet some white liberals on this board are actually defending HIM, not joining with US to push back on this. What message does THAT send?

And its very odd that this defense of Cain is coming in large part from some of the very same people who try to shout us down whenever we try to point out racism among Republicans AND Democrats - ordering us to "stop playing the race card" and insisting that WE are making it harder to fight real racism when it really exists.

I guess we needed to shut up about any racism directed toward the President so that we could preserve our strength, resources and credibility to fight the more important fight against uncomfortable questions being asked of Herman Cain.

Asking whether a person - be he black or white - who so often and passionately brings up race, points his finger at blacks, calls us brainwashed slaves, decides who and who does not have the requisite "black experience" is NOT racist, it's not playing the race card, is not inappropriate. In fact, the FAILURE to raise such questions of such a person solely because he is black is far, far worse.

[EffieBlack]

9. You think that because Cain is black, he can say whatever he wants about other black people?

And anyone questioning him about or objecting to it is engaging in racism?

Weren't you one of the ones protesting the loudest when some white liberals were accused of applying a racial double standard to President Obama? Yet, here you are applying a racial double standard to Herman Cain. But I guess that's ok because you're cutting him MORE slack than you would a white politician - just because he's black. A double standard, nonetheless.

Liberal paternalism in full view.

[Empowerer]

12. Funny, this didn't stop white liberals on DU from trashing the President

for supposedly "lecturing" CBC members at their recent dinner - I didn't see any of them accuse each other of racism for having the temerity to attack a black politician who criticizes other black politicians since black politicians can say whatever they want to and about other black politicians.

[EffieBlack]

15. Apparently, there's a whole new set of rules we weren't aware of . . .

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=785825&mesg_id=785825

Rule #9: Depicting President Obama as an ape, calling him "your boy" or referring to him as a "tar baby" is NOT racist and deserves to be defended by white liberals if anyone claims they are.

Rule #10: Asking whether a black right wing Republican who calls black voters "brainwashed" and claims that the President doesn't come from the "black experience" has any blacks in his inner circle IS racist.

Rule #11: No white liberal can ever be accused of bigotry or racial insensitivity - UNLESS that liberal criticize a black right wing Republican who attacks the President's race experience and smears black voters as ignorant robots.

[Beacool]

18. Nope, that's not what I said.

That's what you interpreted.

[badgolfer]

4. brainwashed

I wonder if the Republican candidates think all of the tea party jerks have been brain washed by Limbaugh, Hannity, etc, etc, etc???

[Politicalboi]

6. Heavens NO!

They are only being "infromed". And welcome to DU.

[EffieBlack]

10. Recommended up to 0

It's very interesting what people object to these days, isn't it?

[noiretextatique]

11. black conservatives can say stupid shit about black people

it is their main function in the conservative movement. when white conservatives say stupid shit about black people they are called racists, but black conservatives, because they are black, are granted some legitimacy when they say stupid shit about black people.
it's one of the many reasons black conservatives are despised, for the most, by most black americans.

[Enrique]

13. still trying to give the ok to non-Obama-related racism?

let's have a dialogue about race!*


*as it applies to Barack Obama

[EffieBlack]

17. I don't see that at all

I DO see the incredible hypocrisy of the people who insist that the absolute worst thing anyone can do is accuse a white liberal of being a racist (or even just racially insensitive), yet defend criticism of a black right wing conservative Republican by calling the liberals (black and white) who criticize him racist.

Apparently you don't really have a problem with liberals being called racist. The bottom line is that ANY criticism of the President is perfectly acceptable and regardless how disgusting, bigoted or craven, it can NEVER be called racist (or bigoted or racially insensitive) while, on the other hand, it is just fine to call a liberal a racist IF they criticize a black politician who plays racial politics with the President and black voters.

You're right - this is all about "as it applies to Barack Obama." ANYONE who criticizes him - whether they are a white liberal or a black right wing conservative nut - can expect certain white liberals to jump to their defense against any accusation of any racial insensitivity, while ANYONE who dares to defend the President, even black liberals, stands to be called a racist by their fellow liberals as a result.

Got it. Enjoy your time in bed with the poor, put-upon, victimized by liberals Herman Cain. I'm sure he appreciates your protection and support.

[Cali_Democrat]

14. Yes

It's an appropriate question.