Obama-black...really?

Could someone tell me why Obama is always described as being black when hes half white? If he were lighter skinned would he be white? Over here in the UK weve been told Lewis Hamilton is the first black F1 world champion yet hes half white too, shouldnt the media start to recognise mixed race people?

Over here it seems to work better for you if you say you are black. It has to do with getting the most votes and/or the most of the popular opinion of yourself if you are of a mixed race. This works itself out in the end. There are many different groups, but we will always come together as one when pushed. Also, leave that race [SNIP] alone and out of this forum.

[edit on 5-11-2008 by HERACAT]


Mod Edit: Profanity/Circumvention Of Censors – Please Review This Link.


[edit on 5-11-2008 by Gemwolf]

Originally posted by HERACAT
Over here it seems to work better for you if you say you are black. It has to do with getting the most votes and/or the most of the popular opinion of yourself if you are of a mixed race. This works itself out in the end. There are many different groups, but we will always come together as one when pushed. Also, leave that race [SNIP] alone and out of this forum.

[edit on 5-11-2008 by HERACAT]

what do you mean "...leave that race [SNIP] alone..."? being mixed race myself i think its a pertinent question.

Mod Edit: Profanity/Circumvention Of Censors – Please Review This Link.


[edit on 5-11-2008 by Gemwolf]

Of course he is. It's all anyone on the news channels is talking about today. Not an AWB, the Fairness Doctrine, human cataloging to coincide with socialized medicine, the stealing of private property to fund government expanse and oppression, war with Pakistan...

We got a black guy in the office. Neat. Well, a sort of not totally white guy anyway. Super-neat.

People are so shallow and stupid. It boggles the mind.

I cant wait to see if he can do no evil because of his pigment when he starts rolling out his BS ideas to a completely agreeing Congress.

We're in for some totalitarian liberty killing fun.

Most black-white mixed race people self identify as black for whatever reason.

The media are latching on to his race in order to sensationalise the story as Obama being the first black president. Rightfully so in my opinion, since this is indeed a historic step for America regardless of his policies; from this day forward let noone dare say that blacks are disadvantaged and repressed!

Obama self-identified as black for this reason. Also, it would become a bit of a mouthful to call himself "half black, half white".

The sad thing about Obama is that he credited his absent father for his beliefs (In Dreams of my Father), yet he didn't once mention the mother that raised him in his victory speech. Not very nice, if you ask me...

America has many laws in place that allow preferential treatment for people claiming any minority status. A mixed race person would be an idiot to claim being white for college admittance, employment, or any financial loans; as minorities are automatically given higher rankings.

These laws were based on past actions of generations of white Americans to equalize the playing field for minorities. I'd will say the there was a time they were much needed, they worked very well for years. It may now be time to revisit these laws for changing or just revoking them.

Originally posted by lektorsavidfan
Could someone tell me why Obama is always described as being black when hes half white?

It probably has a great deal to do with how he "self-identifies". HE says he is black. And since his father is African and his mother is American, he is one of the people whose TRUE identity can be called "African/American".

I will leave it to him to state his race. It's a wonderful thing - what his election to presidency says about this country. But it's not the central issue of it. More than "a black man", this country has spoken and said, "We don't really care what his race is. We request the leadership that this man offers. We respect that the first black person has been elected president, but his race is secondary." And that's what's really cool, in my opinion.

reply to post by lektorsavidfan


because to racists, "half black" is the same as black. And so goes the nation...

I'm mixed race too and I consider myself black because I'm always recognised as such from society. I've never once been described as white but I'm always described as black or 'light skinned' by most black people.

Anywhoo, I don't think anythings gonna change, and its better than being described as half caste or coloured in my opinion.

reply to post by hinky


If I had a dollar for every ghost-white 4th/5th generation typical cracker American with a Hispanic sounding name that suddenly became full-fledged Puerto-Rican or Guatemalan or whatever when applying to colleges I probably wouldnt have had to work through to pay for my own college education.

Needless to say I am no longer 'friends' with the scum.

Originally posted by scientist
reply to post by lektorsavidfan

 

because to racists, "half black" is the same as black. And so goes the nation...

Exactly right. The definitions were set by the worst among us, and no one could expect someone who has born the indignity of being looked down upon for no good reason not to identify with those who have been oppressed.

reply to post by Grumble


Culturally Obama is white. At the risk of being branded racist, perhaps that is why he got so far in life? The black youths of America seem to be perpetually disenfranchised when it comes to vision and hope... I guess that is what Obama may offer them.

A black teenager would never have dreamt that he could go to Harvard law school. Maybe because Obama was raised by a white mother and grandmother, he may have never felt this inability to rise in social status.

I always assumed people like Obama were called black for the same reason other people are called ginger or blonde?

But then, I never did understand racism ....

I am 1/16th Cherokee.

So can I call myself Native American?

I would call anyone that looks like a black person black, and everyone that looks like a white person white.

There are enough people in my school that aren't really black or white, and even they call themselves what they most look like.

If you had a mixed race child that was pitch black, would you call him or her white?

IIf you had a mixed race child that was super pale, would you call him or her black?

It's just a color.

Obviously the features Obama exhibits aren't your general ''white'' features.

[edit on 5/11/08 by -0mega-]

it doesnt matter what the color of your skin is.

we are all the same so stfu!

Let's think of it this way.

If you saw Obama walking down the street and didn't know him

What would you label him as? Black or White?


I think this question should answer what color he really is.

reply to post by jam321


Judging by the way he carries himself I would have labeled him a pompous Ivy Leaguer and held onto my wallet and been prepared for some preachy and judgmental speech as I did when passing any pompous Ivy Leaguer when I lived near Yale.

I always see a jackass before I see skin color.

I think it's down to the person him or her self being of mixed race how one identifies themself. Wether that be Mixed race black or white. Also depending on the country you live in, in a predomiantly white country people of mixed race will be classed as black in both white and black communities usually. In predominantly black populated countries, there would be more of a view of mixed race people being looked upon as white. I'ts just the way societies have molded us to give labels to everything, (not a good thing though)..

Colin Powell could have done this in 2000 and spared us the 8 years of Bush. I am so happy that these 8 years are nearing an end. Bush should be humiliated and put in jail for criminal incompetence on so many levels and for so many reasons. I am so proud of my country for having achieved this in my life time. I remember how prejudice my grandmother was and even my father today has some lingering inside him (why I left him home when I went to vote =).

I hope President Obama can do some of the things he has envisioned because he can really make America better for all of us rather than a few. He is a dreamer and a true visionary leader. America could be on the verge of greatness never witnessed by man. Can only hope.

Congratulations President Obama. If there is a god I hope he helps you through the rough times ahead.

We watched the Republican economic plan fail miserably (trickle down) I hope President Obama can make trickle up successful.

It will be nice to see the wadge gap between those working hard for 8 hours a day digging ditches making a bit closer wadges to those sitting in fat offices attending meetings in air conditioned offices, traveling the world in first class to have important meetings in premier hotels...The Bush world is not what America should be. Can only hope the Obama world can work.


a white guy01 in America