Why Can't OBama Be White?

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Permalink Reply by Pamela Kramer on January 21, 2009 at 4:52pm

The media does love to put people in their little boxes don't they? Or should I say his staff?

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on January 21, 2009 at 10:03pm

Thank you! I totally agree and every time I hear he is the first black president I could scream. It is like he doesn't acknowledge his white parentage. And he is definitely not black. But good luck getting the people who are so enamored with him to understand that.

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Permalink Reply by Briellis on January 22, 2009 at 9:10am

Thank you! It's so maddening.

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Permalink Reply by Angela Marion {pricousins} on January 22, 2009 at 4:58pm

I am the mother of two half black children and I 100% agree. He is not black - he is of mixed race. But in my experience the whites mostly shun the mixed people and use "black". When people see my children, they don't think "white", they think "black". Mixed race people, especially half white & half black, are more embraced by the darker pigment race.

Unfortunately racism will never die. It's been going on since the beginning of time, before America was born.

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Permalink Reply by Angie on January 22, 2009 at 7:36pm

Unfortunately, people classify others by their most obvious physical features and genetics. It'd be more accurate to call him the first bi-racial president but they've got him pigeon-holed into one classification..."black". For the blacks of this country, it helped allow them to relate to him better and was finally proof that it's not a myth that anyone can become president. That's a good thing.

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Permalink Reply by Momof5 on January 22, 2009 at 7:38pm

I always find it fascinating that when a bi-racial person who looks black does something negative, he is considered black. However when he is positive, Tiger Woods, Halle Berry and Barack, white people want to claim him. I am not a racist so hopefully it doesn't come off that way, but it is quite annoying. He is the first black president because centuries ago and this is still the rule, white people, the census bureau and every other stat says that if you have a quarter black blood, you are black. And we all know that if you look black you are considered black. Just ask yourself if you seen Barack walking down the street, what race would you think he is? And I don't agree with Tammy, I know he acknowledges his white parentage, he makes a point to talk about how great his mother, grandfather and grandmother was. He spoke proudly of his white heritage in his race speech. You asking why he can't be considered white is one of the reasons why he had to have that speech. What does it matter what he or the world considers him, only thing that is important is what he considers himself to be and what he teaches his children.

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Permalink Reply by Synolve Craft on January 22, 2009 at 10:15pm

MommieMe:
You say you are Irish/Indian, right? In your first sentence, you say that you are white..."I am white!" Then you describe the other nationalities/races that are part of your heritage. Why not say "I am bi-racial" or "I am Indian"? Why did you choose to define yourself as only "white"?

Do we or society mandate which race we will identify most with in our lives? If we, as individuals, identify ourselves with a particular race, then do we also put others into "neat" little categories as well? And if we, as individuals, freely and without hesitation or reservation, identify ourselves with a particular race, then do you not think that others also have the freedom to do the same?

I think before we criticize Obama or anyone else, we need to first take a look at ourselves. This look at "how" we define ourselves will give us as a country and as individuals the opportunity to look at how we judge others........as well as an in-depth look at the many many ways we need to change....starting with the man in the mirror.....

What race would you say I am?

Kindest Regards & Best Wishes to You......

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Permalink Reply by Vee on January 23, 2009 at 4:40am

A good deal of what you say is correct. However, under the laws of the United States, if he has one drop of black blood, he is classified as black. My grandmother was part black and part Irish American. She could have very easily passed for white. She was classified on her birth certificate as black. Today, some things are changing. Many biracial children are not forced into choosing one over the other, but the reality is no matter how much we want racism to disappear, it hasn't. I would like to see classism disappear, racism, world hunger, et cetera, but it doesn't mean that it will without a lot of effort on all our parts. This is a downpayment, but not a paid in full.

In the midst of our euphoria over President Obama, there was a news story about the son of a major league baseball player who was shot in the liver. The young man was a minor league player and was driving with his cousin back to their home. His father, when he retired, bought a home in a predominantly white neighborhood. The young man was driving an expensive car. The police began to follow him. He made it as far as his driveway. The police ordered the young man and his cousin out of the car, and told them to lay down on the ground. His mother and other neighbors tried to explain that he hadn't stolen the car; it belonged to him. They shoved the mother into the garage. The young man asked them not to harm his mother. And, for that the officer shot him in the liver. This young man may never play ball again. His only crime was he was black in a white neighborhood while driving an expensive car. Incidents like these make no sense. Think about it. Would a white youth driving a car in a black neighborhood receive similar treatment? Hardly.

What we want and what we get are two different things. Until we raise our children and our consciousness in this country to treat people with decency and dignity, things won't change. I am hopeful. I do think President Obama will do the very best he can under the circumstances, very difficult circumstances. I applaud you for your wish of being rid of racism. I join you in that. We're not there yet, but I believe we will get there some day.

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Permalink Reply by MommieMe on January 23, 2009 at 10:48am

I am classified as white by government and social standards...in my mind my indian heritage is what is most precious to me.

Synolve Craft said:

MommieMe:
You say you are Irish/Indian, right? In your first sentence, you say that you are white..."I am white!" Then you describe the other nationalities/races that are part of your heritage. Why not say "I am bi-racial" or "I am Indian"? Why did you choose to define yourself as only "white"?

Do we or society mandate which race we will identify most with in our lives? If we, as individuals, identify ourselves with a particular race, then do we also put others into "neat" little categories as well? And if we, as individuals, freely and without hesitation or reservation, identify ourselves with a particular race, then do you not think that others also have the freedom to do the same?

I think before we criticize Obama or anyone else, we need to first take a look at ourselves. This look at "how" we define ourselves will give us as a country and as individuals the opportunity to look at how we judge others........as well as an in-depth look at the many many ways we need to change....starting with the man in the mirror.....

What race would you say I am?

Kindest Regards & Best Wishes to You......

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Permalink Reply by MommieMe on January 23, 2009 at 11:12am

I do not want him him to be considered white. I am just saying I am tired of the media etc. saying our first black president. He is bi-racial which is what this country was founded by multi culture. I also would like to point out he has not been outward regarding his mother only her parents. In fact, in one of his conversations he said she was a typical white woman in a negative conatation....I like OBama..I think he will be a good president....I am just saying why does it matter what color someones skin is who cares. Its about the person. I am sick of COLOR...a person is who they are, its about their actions, their manners, their personality, the way they treat others NOT COLOR>>>>>that's all don't make it something its not.

Momof5 said:

I always find it fascinating that when a bi-racial person who looks black does something negative, he is considered black. However when he is positive, Tiger Woods, Halle Berry and Barack, white people want to claim him. I am not a racist so hopefully it doesn't come off that way, but it is quite annoying. He is the first black president because centuries ago and this is still the rule, white people, the census bureau and every other stat says that if you have a quarter black blood, you are black. And we all know that if you look black you are considered black. Just ask yourself if you seen Barack walking down the street, what race would you think he is? And I don't agree with Tammy, I know he acknowledges his white parentage, he makes a point to talk about how great his mother, grandfather and grandmother was. He spoke proudly of his white heritage in his race speech. You asking why he can't be considered white is one of the reasons why he had to have that speech. What does it matter what he or the world considers him, only thing that is important is what he considers himself to be and what he teaches his children.

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Permalink Reply by Synolve Craft on January 23, 2009 at 2:53pm

MommieMe:
It takes an extremely strong individual to claim and celebrate the "minority" within themselves....

While President Obama belongs to everyone and is truly "America's President," it shows his courageous spirit and strong character to celebrate that within himself which many have scorned.

The fact that we as a nation are even having this conversation shows that there is so much more room for us to grow. One day soon and very soon the color of one's skin will no longer be of importance.

O praise for when THAT day shall come!

BTW, my grandfather's father was a European American (white). I am proud to be American. I am proud to be an African-American. This word African-American which is hyphenated celebrates both the African and the American blood that runs through my veins. When people look at me, no one asks me my race, they automatically assume that I am simply black.

Given the history of this country by that I mean slavery and the brutality (rape) against women who were slaves, this country would be hard pressed to find a single African-American in these United States that is not of mixed race heritage.

When we as a country acknowledge this simple fact and when this country accepts their children born from slavery (both black and white), which many have failed to even acknowledge, our country can begin to heal.....

Continued Blessings to you......

-----------------------------------------------------
MommieMe said:

I am classified as white by government and social standards...in my mind my indian heritage is what is most precious to me.

Synolve Craft said:

MommieMe:
You say you are Irish/Indian, right? In your first sentence, you say that you are white..."I am white!" Then you describe the other nationalities/races that are part of your heritage. Why not say "I am bi-racial" or "I am Indian"? Why did you choose to define yourself as only "white"?

Do we or society mandate which race we will identify most with in our lives? If we, as individuals, identify ourselves with a particular race, then do we also put others into "neat" little categories as well? And if we, as individuals, freely and without hesitation or reservation, identify ourselves with a particular race, then do you not think that others also have the freedom to do the same?

I think before we criticize Obama or anyone else, we need to first take a look at ourselves. This look at "how" we define ourselves will give us as a country and as individuals the opportunity to look at how we judge others........as well as an in-depth look at the many many ways we need to change....starting with the man in the mirror.....

What race would you say I am?

Kindest Regards & Best Wishes to You......

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Permalink Reply by AfriDigiDiva on January 23, 2009 at 8:11pm

President Obama has stated that he identifies himself as black, because when the media or anyone else sees him they don't see an multi-ethnic man, they see a black man.

With all the sneaking into slave quarters and whatnot, black folks come in all colors now. We can be as white Jayne Kennedy or as Black as Tracy Chapman. And we;re still black.

My daughters consider themselves whichever gives them the most advantage at the time.


C

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