Why can't we talk about race?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Why can't we talk about race?
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Wed, 10-15-2008 - 4:35pm

I've seen this come up here and elsewhere. In the *very strange* thread about Obama's birthplace (or something like that; I couldn't follow the propaganda, quite frankly), two posters said that they wish Michelle Obama had not referenced race. (I don't mean to point those individuals out but merely point out their posts.)

In a country where race is a huge elephant in the room, I don't understand why we shouldn't talk about it. Of course this election is about race. For the first time in our country's history, a black man is running for president on a major political party ticket.

It doesn't have to be a bad thing or a good thing. But race is a factor in this election. It's not necessarily a factor because of McCain or Palin or Obama or Biden -- but because one of the candidates is black. Likewise, gender is an issue, simply because we have a woman on the Republican ticket. Why avoid the topic? Why suggest that the candidates or their spouses not talk about it?

Laura

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2008
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 7:19pm
At the rate we're going, the roles are going to be reversed and someone else is going to get oppressed. Voting for someone just because of the color of their skin is in fact racist - you can't fight racism with racism.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2008
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 7:35pm

So...I should vote McCain because I'm white and so is he, therefore he has my best interests at heart? Please. I imagine that if you present the American public with a list of policies and information about what the candidates will do for this country and it's people without telling them who is doing what, then ask them who they would vote for, the answer would be much different that if they knew what color the candidates were, and I find that sad. My husband and I have both researched both candidates throughly - as throughly as one can sift through so much bias both ways - have had discussions and arguments about policies and what would be best for us in our situation (where we live, how we live, how much we make, what our jobs are, etc.) and we still haven't been able to come to a definite conclusion on who we're voting for - but make no mistake we won't choose someone just because of the color of their skin - not Obama for being black, or McCain for being white.


I wish people could realize that this is the next President of the United States - the person who will be in control for the next four years....we have seen and experienced what both good and bad presidents can do to us....or for us....so I'm so surprised that people are so focused on the color of skin instead of the policies and politics that the candidates are proposing to us. Whether the next president is black or white isn't going to affect me - because I'm not racist EITHER WAY - but his healthcare plan sure will.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2008
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 7:39pm
Not really, because it is a reaction to oppression. Now if someone starts actively being racist, instead of simply acting passively through pride in casting a vote, different story. Given the black community is overall quite Democratic, I really see nothing unusual about this vote.

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anonymous user
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 8:36pm
Race has been a big part in this election. Obama has used the poorest,uneducated. Shame on him, and his people. Shame!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2008
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 11:58pm
First, it's impossible to "passively act" and second the issue isn't democrats voting for a democratic candidate...it's people voting for someone only because of the color of their skin. If the reason that people vote for someone is for this reason, despite their stance on issues, then the impact that will have on racism is only to spread it and make it run deeper in the minds of Americans who are tired of the color of skin being a factor in any decisions that are made. Electing Obama because he's black won't do anything to alleviate racism in America - the only thing that will do that is people setting aside color long enough to vote on the issues. And as far as a reaction to oppression....seriously everyone needs to get over it. Everyone knows what happened, and I can't apologize for the people who held slaves....but I also shouldn't be treated any differently because I'm white and I automatically get thrown into the category of people that "owes" something to anyone else because of the color of their skin. The only thing we're doing it letting racism continue on by making laws and carrying an attitude that anyone owes anyone anything because of the color of their skin. We have to step away from that and learn to accept everyone because they're humans - flesh and blood with beating hearts - based on who they are as people instead of the color of their skin. The attitude that it's okay to do something because "they" deserve it or "we" owe it to them or "it's a reaction to oppression so it's okay" only perpetuates racism.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2008
Fri, 10-24-2008 - 12:18am
LOL - I thought only the "elites" are voting for him....
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2008
Fri, 10-24-2008 - 12:19am
Who are "his" people????
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anonymous user
Fri, 10-24-2008 - 12:24am
This is not an election between McCain and Obama. It is Obama vs ignorance. Personally i wouldnt care what the color. He is not an Arab . Im am so tired of mccain/palin feeding fear of the black man to America. I just want the USofA to be the God Blessed America that it used to be. I vote for positive change Obama
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anonymous user
Fri, 10-24-2008 - 12:36am
Anyone who thinks being poor is making less than 5 million a year certainly is out of touch and doesnt understand or even knows about the levels of poorness or even middle class. How can he relate to it if he doesnt know it exists. If it wasnt for Obama he wouldnt have ever known about it. People need to wake up and stop believing everything he speaks. Look past color and ignorance for
gods sake and look in your pockets
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2007
Fri, 10-24-2008 - 1:28am

Well, one thing that's for sure is that Obama is not all "Black" or "African-American."

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