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Showing posts with label Racism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Racism. Show all posts
Monday, November 10, 2008
Almost a week into this, “New day for America” I have to ask, “Where do we go from here?” I ask this because I am not sure what direction exactly we as a country, will choose to go. I mean if you really think about it, I guess we have nowhere to go but up. I suppose it also matters how Obama does as President. So far, and I know he isn’t President yet, but the first positive I noticed was how the world reacted to his victory. Videos from around the world showed people dancing in the streets. And correct me if I am wrong, but I do not remember seeing images like that (even if those videos were false) since September 11th, 2001. To see the world celebrate something America did really says something about how they already view President-Elect Obama.
This is great for America because we will not have to dig ourselves out of the huge hole Bush will leave us in, in terms of credibility. The news that Obama asked Rahm Emanuel to be his chief of staff only adds to the respect Obama has received. Not only was it in the speed of the appointment, but also the fact that Obama chose someone who will help him get down to business that makes the World breathe easier.
Knowing that America has elected a leader the world has faith in is something we should all be proud of. For years we have been laughed at, booed, and our flag has been burned because of the terrible job Bush has done. Well now America has moved on, and luckily the world has moved along with us.
But I still have yet to answer my original question. Where do we go from here? I suppose it will help if I break this question down further. Have we truly entered “Post-Racial” America? What does this election say to conservatives? Are we no longer divided? Will Barack Obama be the change he says he will, and what happens if he fails?
Let us start with “Post Racial” America. This country, some could argue was founded on freedom, but built on slavery. It would be a mistake to forget that. But we should also acknowledge how far we have come in 232 years. Do I believe there will always be racism? Yes, unfortunately. However, I have seen that with each generation it can be less and less. It is true however, that hate is taught, and as long as there are parents who teach their children to hate, it will never go away. However I believe a “Post Racial” America is still something that we can achieve. We can put racism so far out to the fringes that it will no longer be such a contentious issue. Will this happen because Barack Obama is the first African-American President? No, but it is a great start.
We cannot talk about where America goes from just a liberal viewpoint. Of course, liberals will follow Obama wherever he takes them, but as he so poignantly says, “There's not a liberal America and a conservative America -- there is the United States of America.” While this sounds great in theory the truth is, there is a liberal America and a conservative America. I know that this problem is one Obama wants to change more than anything about our political system, but as long as issues like Gay Marriage and Abortion exist, there will be a sharp divide in America. I was hoping that California’s Proposition 8 would not pass and we would begin to recognize more gay rights, thus taking away one of the biggest issues that divides liberals and conservatives. Unfortunately it did pass and we will continue to fight about this. Still, Obama is the President so what are the conservatives to do? It is my hope that they realize some of the huge problems we are facing and rally around him. At this point, I do not think they have much of a choice.
That takes us to being one nation supporting a President who offers us change. Barack Obama vows to change Washington and make politics better. He wants to dramatically change the way things work, and we gave him the mandate to do so. So as a country we can only go in the direction we hope President Obama will take us. We hope that he will continue to stand for an end to lobbying and negative politics. While the campaign is over all that negativity only leads to gridlock in Congress. Obama was great to run a campaign that stayed out of the mud, it bodes well for how he will deal with opposition to his platform. It shows that Barack Obama can have a respectful debate over issues that can lead to doing what is best for the American people. I can look forward to (at least) four years of that. That is such a refreshing change to the politics we have had (and the stalemate it has created) for the past eight years.
But I also mentioned “What if he fails?” What if Barack Obama is not the change he says he is? Well, for the moment I am not going to go there. I am going to have faith that this man, who the country elected last week to be the next leader of the free world, will be who we want him to be. I know change will not happen over night. I know he will have to fight through much partisanship at first. He is after all planning to change a very stubborn system, and there will be many who do not want to go along. But for now, I am ready to believe that we as a nation do go forward from here. We go forward past the dark times we are in now. It will not be easy, but there is a path to a better tomorrow. We as a country can move forward because we want to, we chose to. As a nation, we go forward because finally, we can.
Yes we can,
This is great for America because we will not have to dig ourselves out of the huge hole Bush will leave us in, in terms of credibility. The news that Obama asked Rahm Emanuel to be his chief of staff only adds to the respect Obama has received. Not only was it in the speed of the appointment, but also the fact that Obama chose someone who will help him get down to business that makes the World breathe easier.
Knowing that America has elected a leader the world has faith in is something we should all be proud of. For years we have been laughed at, booed, and our flag has been burned because of the terrible job Bush has done. Well now America has moved on, and luckily the world has moved along with us.
But I still have yet to answer my original question. Where do we go from here? I suppose it will help if I break this question down further. Have we truly entered “Post-Racial” America? What does this election say to conservatives? Are we no longer divided? Will Barack Obama be the change he says he will, and what happens if he fails?
Let us start with “Post Racial” America. This country, some could argue was founded on freedom, but built on slavery. It would be a mistake to forget that. But we should also acknowledge how far we have come in 232 years. Do I believe there will always be racism? Yes, unfortunately. However, I have seen that with each generation it can be less and less. It is true however, that hate is taught, and as long as there are parents who teach their children to hate, it will never go away. However I believe a “Post Racial” America is still something that we can achieve. We can put racism so far out to the fringes that it will no longer be such a contentious issue. Will this happen because Barack Obama is the first African-American President? No, but it is a great start.
We cannot talk about where America goes from just a liberal viewpoint. Of course, liberals will follow Obama wherever he takes them, but as he so poignantly says, “There's not a liberal America and a conservative America -- there is the United States of America.” While this sounds great in theory the truth is, there is a liberal America and a conservative America. I know that this problem is one Obama wants to change more than anything about our political system, but as long as issues like Gay Marriage and Abortion exist, there will be a sharp divide in America. I was hoping that California’s Proposition 8 would not pass and we would begin to recognize more gay rights, thus taking away one of the biggest issues that divides liberals and conservatives. Unfortunately it did pass and we will continue to fight about this. Still, Obama is the President so what are the conservatives to do? It is my hope that they realize some of the huge problems we are facing and rally around him. At this point, I do not think they have much of a choice.
That takes us to being one nation supporting a President who offers us change. Barack Obama vows to change Washington and make politics better. He wants to dramatically change the way things work, and we gave him the mandate to do so. So as a country we can only go in the direction we hope President Obama will take us. We hope that he will continue to stand for an end to lobbying and negative politics. While the campaign is over all that negativity only leads to gridlock in Congress. Obama was great to run a campaign that stayed out of the mud, it bodes well for how he will deal with opposition to his platform. It shows that Barack Obama can have a respectful debate over issues that can lead to doing what is best for the American people. I can look forward to (at least) four years of that. That is such a refreshing change to the politics we have had (and the stalemate it has created) for the past eight years.
But I also mentioned “What if he fails?” What if Barack Obama is not the change he says he is? Well, for the moment I am not going to go there. I am going to have faith that this man, who the country elected last week to be the next leader of the free world, will be who we want him to be. I know change will not happen over night. I know he will have to fight through much partisanship at first. He is after all planning to change a very stubborn system, and there will be many who do not want to go along. But for now, I am ready to believe that we as a nation do go forward from here. We go forward past the dark times we are in now. It will not be easy, but there is a path to a better tomorrow. We as a country can move forward because we want to, we chose to. As a nation, we go forward because finally, we can.
Yes we can,
LoOK
Friday, November 7, 2008
"Change has come to America,” President-Elect Obama said as he claimed victory and spoke to the nation. Victory was achieved. We did it. We have moved forward as a nation. We have now entered “Post Racial” America. Now to be fair, I know racism will not go away, but perhaps this is what some can call, and let’s hope, “The beginning of the end.” We have torn down the wall, smashed through the ceiling, and have allowed young black children everywhere to say, “Anything is possible.”
But somehow, we have not moved forward. Somehow while taking one step forward we took two giant leaps back. And by this I am speaking about California’s passage of Proposition 8.
Somehow in the nation’s most populous state, on the night where Liberals claimed victory in the white house, screaming “Yes we can!” the conservatives won. Some how California, a state that (like Massachusetts) has been the trend setter in liberal ways let the country down. Somehow they have voted to once again put discrimination into the constitution, make citizens second class, and allow hate to rule.
Let it be known right here and now that this is a great injustice. Conservatives will say, “The people have spoken,” “True family values have won,” “It is a good day to be an American”
Is it? Is it truly a great day to be an American? Yes, we have just elected our first African-American President. This is great and should be celebrated, but how can we claim “change” and “progress” when with the passing of Proposition 8 we have not changed or progressed at all. In fact, we have regressed. In terms of equal rights, we have moved backwards. In this country Gay rights, Civil rights, and Equal rights should be the same. Have we not fought for years for oppressed minorities (who ironically and disgustingly voted heavily “Yes” on 8) to be treated equally? To think that we have come this far by electing Obama is commendable, but the passing of Proposition 8 shows us just how far we still have to go.
I am outraged because as an American I believe in equal rights. It is what this country was founded on. “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” “And justice for all” These are the principles that people from all over the world come to America for. This is why we are a melting pot. We take the tired, the weak, and the poor. We take them all and give them a shot at the American dream. And what is the American dream?
It is the right to be.
The right to be me, the right to be you, the right to be a Christian, a Muslim, or a Jew. It is the right to be happy and to pursue happiness. That is in the declaration of independence is it not? Was this not one of the principles this nation was founded on? To think that the founding fathers wrote, “That all men are created equal” to simply have this principle so out right ignored makes me, on a day where I should be proud, feel ashamed.
I am ashamed because in California, homosexuals no longer have the right to be.
I feel that I should end it there. However, it gets worse, much, much worse. It is worse because California also passed Proposition 2. Proposition 2 concerned the ethical treatment of animals. It asked that farm animals not be confined to cages, and be allowed to “fully extend their limbs and wings.” This is a great thing. I am glad that California passed this proposition. Animals everywhere can claim victory! But what does this really say?
Let it be known right here and now that this is a great injustice. Conservatives will say, “The people have spoken,” “True family values have won,” “It is a good day to be an American”
Is it? Is it truly a great day to be an American? Yes, we have just elected our first African-American President. This is great and should be celebrated, but how can we claim “change” and “progress” when with the passing of Proposition 8 we have not changed or progressed at all. In fact, we have regressed. In terms of equal rights, we have moved backwards. In this country Gay rights, Civil rights, and Equal rights should be the same. Have we not fought for years for oppressed minorities (who ironically and disgustingly voted heavily “Yes” on 8) to be treated equally? To think that we have come this far by electing Obama is commendable, but the passing of Proposition 8 shows us just how far we still have to go.
I am outraged because as an American I believe in equal rights. It is what this country was founded on. “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” “And justice for all” These are the principles that people from all over the world come to America for. This is why we are a melting pot. We take the tired, the weak, and the poor. We take them all and give them a shot at the American dream. And what is the American dream?
It is the right to be.
The right to be me, the right to be you, the right to be a Christian, a Muslim, or a Jew. It is the right to be happy and to pursue happiness. That is in the declaration of independence is it not? Was this not one of the principles this nation was founded on? To think that the founding fathers wrote, “That all men are created equal” to simply have this principle so out right ignored makes me, on a day where I should be proud, feel ashamed.
I am ashamed because in California, homosexuals no longer have the right to be.
I feel that I should end it there. However, it gets worse, much, much worse. It is worse because California also passed Proposition 2. Proposition 2 concerned the ethical treatment of animals. It asked that farm animals not be confined to cages, and be allowed to “fully extend their limbs and wings.” This is a great thing. I am glad that California passed this proposition. Animals everywhere can claim victory! But what does this really say?
It says that California voters believe animals should be treated better and have more rights than homosexuals.Is this what America stands for? Is this what we want to represent to the rest of the world? A country that writes hate into their laws? A nation that treats people differently based on who they love and their want to express that love by spending the rest of their lives together? If this is the direction the country is headed, I fear that I will be ashamed for a long, long time.
“Change has come to America,” President-Elect Obama said as he claimed victory and spoke to the nation. Unfortunately for some, that change is not enough.
One love is not better than another,
LoOK
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
In our last post I talked about the endorsement of Barack Obama by General Colin Powell. I said somehow the right would find a way to spin this, and I hinted to it with rush Limbaugh’s reaction. Today he made himself even clearer on where he stands on this endorsement:
I know starting a feud with Rush Limbaugh is pointless. I know there are a million blogs out there in this world that bash him every day. I also know there are a million out there that praise him all the same. But today, after his latest remarks I have had enough.
However, I am perplexed at where I should start. Should it be with the “genital” comment or his blatant form of racism?
To call a true American war hero, a man who understands how to wage battle in times such as these more than anyone, a man who we need around to get advice from "Genital Powell" is disgusting. Tell me Rush, how is it that you sleep at night? Are you still popping those pills? Is that it? It must be.
Rush, I am sure you have supported Colin Powell in the past. I am sure he was one of your favorite guys when he was advising Reagan, or when he was George Bush’s Secretary of state. The truth is, when General Colin Powell saw how “his party” was evolving into a majority of nutcases he took a step back and said “Wait a minute, this isn’t the party I want to associate myself with.” When he said that, you sir, decided to throw him under the bus. You threw him to the dogs and I am sure your listeners ate him alive.
Now, to say that General Colin Powell chose to endorse Senator Barack Obama based only on the fact that he is black is disturbing. To say that implies that it had nothing to do with John McCain’s lack of leadership during this campaign, or his recent condoning of tactics such as calling Obama a terrorist and being proud of supporters who chant, "Kill him!" However, according to you these reasons have nothing to do with the endorsement because Powell and Obama are both black.
It has nothing to do with the reality that John McCain chose an inexperienced running mate based solely on the fact that she was a woman. Forget the fact that General Colin Powell said Governor Palin is not ready to be president of the United States. Forget that General Powell is disgusted with the overall tone of McCain’s Campaign. General Colin Powell’s endorsement has nothing to do with the fact that John McCain’s campaign is being run by lobbyists or that John McCain thinks the "fundamentals of our economy are strong." According to you Rush Limbaugh, General Colin Powell chose Obama because he is black.
John McCain lost all three debates as determined by every poll I saw. He was not strong on issues both foreign and domestic. He does not have a plan to solve the healthcare crisis or a plan to help the middleclass at all. He wants to give tax breaks to the rich and raise taxes on the poor (he plans to tax benefits), but none of this had any bearing on General Colin Powell’s decision, because both he and Barack Obama are black.
And if you truly believe that then you are in fact still on drugs. You must be, it is the only reason I could even begin to comprehend your rationale or lack thereof. Of course who am I kidding. You are Rush Limbaugh, bloated talking head for all those who are too stupid to know better, or too ignorant to change. You spew hate because that’s your job. You are paid copious amounts of money to vomit over the airwaves because you have a following that will eat it up.
The truth is, this time Rush, you will not win. The American people will no longer be fooled by your words, or afraid of your tactics. John McCain is not going to win this election. I know part of you is excited. You will have high ratings for eight years declaring how horrible Obama is as President. But the truth is you are weak, and weakening. You and your faithful will fight against a leader who stands against everything you are, and I am sure that terrifies you. So enjoy this moment while it lasts, because it won’t be this way forever.
I won’t be directing a post to Rush very often, if ever again. I won't waste my time. I know he won’t listen. He’s paid not to.
Moving beyond race when others cannot,
LoOK
Monday, October 6, 2008
There is a school of thought, or perhaps a political philosophy that says things in this country will never change. This theory says that we will always have two ruling parties that will always be at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Our elected officials will never work together to reach common human, universal goals because these two parties represent two very different ways of living. This theory also loves to mention the fact that politicians will always be crooked because they have power, and with power comes corruption. They would say that is part of the job.
With that in mind let’s state the obvious:
Senator Barack Obama is going to win this election.
The polls are clearly leaning in his favor. The issues are on his side. There has been a bad Republican President for the last eight years. John McCain has given in to using Swift Boat attacks, a sure sign of desperation. All signs point to yes for Obama.
Now, come November 4th Obama may lose, and believe me if it happens, at that moment I will surely eat some crow. In fact, I’ll be eating crow for a while if some how John McCain reaches into ANWR and drills a victory from a bridge to nowhere.
But this is about Senator Obama winning. So let’s look thirty days in the future and say that he won…
Now, I know that Senator Obama is not perfect. I know that he will not lead this nation to the Promised Land. I know that Senator Obama is a politician. I know that he has to play the game because that’s what a President does. I know that he may not be all the change he has promised to be. Believe it or not I am not so naive as to think any different.
But why not?
The problems don’t lie with Senator Obama. The problems lie with us and our inability to want to change. The inability to leave the status quo we have all grown used to, because it is all we have known, it is all we have been.
The problem lies with the fact that we have a person who wants to do something about the way our system works (or doesn’t work I should say). Senator Obama understands that our government has become so partisan and so poisoned (on both sides) that no progress can ever get done.
There are issues that will divide us. As long as day exists there will be night. This is how politics seems to work. But why can’t we as a nation come together on common ground and move toward a better society? Why is it that we are so content with the way things are?
If Senator Obama is the “Change We Can Believe In,” why do I feel like no one truly believes?
Can we believe in change?
Perhaps my feelings that we are unwilling to change has to do with the fact that when Senator Obama wins there will still be those people who stand up and say, “Our President is a Muslim!” and, “Our President is a nigger!” That all of course has to do with the huge underlying racism that is still very mush alive and well in this country.
But my true feelings believe that if there was another leader representing everything Obama embodies, in another time or place that happened to be white, there would be people who would find every little flaw they could just to bring him down. He would have an old essay that upset too many people, or he would have connections to the wrong people, or he would have an old arrest for streaking, or if this man, this candidate who represented so much change had nothing that the establishment could dig up, they would shoot him dead.
This is what we must change. Not about our leaders, but about ourselves.
It is the fear of change that upsets so many. It is the powerful afraid of becoming powerless because the game in Washington will no longer be played the same way. The fear of change is terrifying because no one really knows what change means. What does a step away from “safe” actually look like? How will this affect me? How will this affect my children?
It seems cliché, but I have to insert a quote from my favorite leader that never was. Robert F. Kennedy was a leader who represented all that Obama is and probably more. He once wisely said:
So I ask again:
Can we believe in change?
Can we believe in taking the right steps toward progress?
Can we change the game? Or is this game rigged from the start and can never truly be won?
With that in mind let’s state the obvious:
Senator Barack Obama is going to win this election.
The polls are clearly leaning in his favor. The issues are on his side. There has been a bad Republican President for the last eight years. John McCain has given in to using Swift Boat attacks, a sure sign of desperation. All signs point to yes for Obama.
Now, come November 4th Obama may lose, and believe me if it happens, at that moment I will surely eat some crow. In fact, I’ll be eating crow for a while if some how John McCain reaches into ANWR and drills a victory from a bridge to nowhere.
But this is about Senator Obama winning. So let’s look thirty days in the future and say that he won…
Now, I know that Senator Obama is not perfect. I know that he will not lead this nation to the Promised Land. I know that Senator Obama is a politician. I know that he has to play the game because that’s what a President does. I know that he may not be all the change he has promised to be. Believe it or not I am not so naive as to think any different.
But why not?
The problems don’t lie with Senator Obama. The problems lie with us and our inability to want to change. The inability to leave the status quo we have all grown used to, because it is all we have known, it is all we have been.
The problem lies with the fact that we have a person who wants to do something about the way our system works (or doesn’t work I should say). Senator Obama understands that our government has become so partisan and so poisoned (on both sides) that no progress can ever get done.
There are issues that will divide us. As long as day exists there will be night. This is how politics seems to work. But why can’t we as a nation come together on common ground and move toward a better society? Why is it that we are so content with the way things are?
If Senator Obama is the “Change We Can Believe In,” why do I feel like no one truly believes?
Can we believe in change?
Perhaps my feelings that we are unwilling to change has to do with the fact that when Senator Obama wins there will still be those people who stand up and say, “Our President is a Muslim!” and, “Our President is a nigger!” That all of course has to do with the huge underlying racism that is still very mush alive and well in this country.
But my true feelings believe that if there was another leader representing everything Obama embodies, in another time or place that happened to be white, there would be people who would find every little flaw they could just to bring him down. He would have an old essay that upset too many people, or he would have connections to the wrong people, or he would have an old arrest for streaking, or if this man, this candidate who represented so much change had nothing that the establishment could dig up, they would shoot him dead.
This is what we must change. Not about our leaders, but about ourselves.
It is the fear of change that upsets so many. It is the powerful afraid of becoming powerless because the game in Washington will no longer be played the same way. The fear of change is terrifying because no one really knows what change means. What does a step away from “safe” actually look like? How will this affect me? How will this affect my children?
It seems cliché, but I have to insert a quote from my favorite leader that never was. Robert F. Kennedy was a leader who represented all that Obama is and probably more. He once wisely said:
“There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?”As I said before, Senator Obama will not be the change he wants because America is not ready, not yet. However, he will be a step in the right direction. That is if we are ready to put one foot in front of the other and take the plunge.
So I ask again:
Can we believe in change?
Can we believe in taking the right steps toward progress?
Can we change the game? Or is this game rigged from the start and can never truly be won?
Please America, you tell me…
Never afraid to ask questions, waiting for answers,
LoOK
Friday, September 19, 2008
I have come to realize why people think Senator Barack Obama is Muslim.
I was hoping it was ignorance, or just plain stupidity. However, if that was true I feel it would pass, and the truth is people still try to convince others that he is Muslim. There are still emails surfacing that claim he is Muslim with facts and pictures, and eyewitness accounts and blah, blah, blah.
The fact that so many people still believe Obama is a Muslim is distressing, and actually very sad. The truth is its racism. To borrow from Clarence Thomas, Obama is dealing with a “high-tech lynching.”
I know people don’t like to talk about race. I know it stirs up past anger, and instantly divides. But the truth is that there are voters who live in this country who WILL NOT vote for Obama because he is black.
Now of course these voters won’t say that. They don’t want to be called a racist, because they would “never say something racist,” not in this day and age. So what do they do? They take swipes at his religion. People call him Muslim because his father is from Kenya. He must be Muslim because his name is BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA. They call him Muslim because his pastor said things that were anti-American (so of course he can’t be a true Christian). But most importantly they call him a Muslim because they are allowed to.
The truth is “Muslim” has been stigmatized much like the N-word. The truth is that “Islamic terrorists” attacked this country. They were Muslims, so that means people feel it is okay to be afraid of them. September 11th was “just seven years ago,” it hasn’t been long enough to stop being afraid. There has not been enough time for people to stop and say wait a minute, not all Muslims are bad people. Because of fear mongering...Muslim is now used to evoke fear and evil. We don’t need to be afraid of them.
Like the N-word, so much hate is tied to Muslim that when we hear it people cringe, and look at Muslims as if they are going to hurt us, when in fact they won’t. The saddest part is that the term Muslim shouldn’t be offensive. I understand that the N-word should have and will always be offensive, but Muslim?
Let’s be honest here. Senator Obama doesn’t have the Muslim problem in big cities, and states like California and New York. His problems lie in small towns and the South. That’s right the South, the region of the country that still flies the confederate flag. The South is the region of the country where Martin Luther King fought tirelessly for so many years to rid our nation of the N-word and the culture around it.
Now I’m not saying that everyone in the South is racist. I know that is not true. I’m not saying all Republicans are racist, and I certainly know John McCain is above this issue. However, as I said it is in these small rural towns with very few black people, and even less Muslims that these stereotypes and hatred get rooted.
Senator Obama has (unfairly) had to fight this issue over and over again. He has dedicated entire web pages and campaign stops to it. Remember saddleback with Pastor Rick Warren?
I was hoping it was ignorance, or just plain stupidity. However, if that was true I feel it would pass, and the truth is people still try to convince others that he is Muslim. There are still emails surfacing that claim he is Muslim with facts and pictures, and eyewitness accounts and blah, blah, blah.
The fact that so many people still believe Obama is a Muslim is distressing, and actually very sad. The truth is its racism. To borrow from Clarence Thomas, Obama is dealing with a “high-tech lynching.”
I know people don’t like to talk about race. I know it stirs up past anger, and instantly divides. But the truth is that there are voters who live in this country who WILL NOT vote for Obama because he is black.
Now of course these voters won’t say that. They don’t want to be called a racist, because they would “never say something racist,” not in this day and age. So what do they do? They take swipes at his religion. People call him Muslim because his father is from Kenya. He must be Muslim because his name is BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA. They call him Muslim because his pastor said things that were anti-American (so of course he can’t be a true Christian). But most importantly they call him a Muslim because they are allowed to.
The truth is “Muslim” has been stigmatized much like the N-word. The truth is that “Islamic terrorists” attacked this country. They were Muslims, so that means people feel it is okay to be afraid of them. September 11th was “just seven years ago,” it hasn’t been long enough to stop being afraid. There has not been enough time for people to stop and say wait a minute, not all Muslims are bad people. Because of fear mongering...Muslim is now used to evoke fear and evil. We don’t need to be afraid of them.
Like the N-word, so much hate is tied to Muslim that when we hear it people cringe, and look at Muslims as if they are going to hurt us, when in fact they won’t. The saddest part is that the term Muslim shouldn’t be offensive. I understand that the N-word should have and will always be offensive, but Muslim?
Let’s be honest here. Senator Obama doesn’t have the Muslim problem in big cities, and states like California and New York. His problems lie in small towns and the South. That’s right the South, the region of the country that still flies the confederate flag. The South is the region of the country where Martin Luther King fought tirelessly for so many years to rid our nation of the N-word and the culture around it.
Now I’m not saying that everyone in the South is racist. I know that is not true. I’m not saying all Republicans are racist, and I certainly know John McCain is above this issue. However, as I said it is in these small rural towns with very few black people, and even less Muslims that these stereotypes and hatred get rooted.
Senator Obama has (unfairly) had to fight this issue over and over again. He has dedicated entire web pages and campaign stops to it. Remember saddleback with Pastor Rick Warren?
(For our post on separation of Church and State click here) Senator Obama had to go to that forum to prove that he is not Muslim, because that issue has gotten so much attention.
I believe if Senator Obama had been running in the 60’s for President the N-word would be shouted at him everywhere he went. Today no one would dare call Obama the N-word or be caught dead around anyone saying it (in public and “on mic” anyways). However, people call him Muslim without thinking twice.
We have come so far, yet have hardly moved forward at all.
I believe if Senator Obama had been running in the 60’s for President the N-word would be shouted at him everywhere he went. Today no one would dare call Obama the N-word or be caught dead around anyone saying it (in public and “on mic” anyways). However, people call him Muslim without thinking twice.
We have come so far, yet have hardly moved forward at all.
Will we ever change?
LoOK
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