Where did the notion come from that Obama should not comment on racial issues?

[Jennicut]

I know its only from a minority of posters but why are some people here afraid for the President to start an honest debate on race?

Its supposed to make us feel uncomfortable and unsure and question our core values and beliefs. At least its a real debate between each other and even in our minds as to what it means to be an African-American in this country. Hopefully these kinds of discussions lead to talks about gender stereotypes, ethnic stereotypes, etc. Maybe people will even be less afraid to talk about what its like to be gay.

The truth of the matter is when the MSM and others on this board say the President should not go "there" it feeds this belief that everything should be swept under the rug: No problems here folks! Its naive and fails to take into account that many of us in America are capable of handling talking about this. We don't need to be coddled. Obama did not coddle us, he spoke from the heart. I am positive he had his own run ins regarding his race. Enough of those incidents build up and you cannot simply hide it under the rug anymore. I am not black, I am a white woman. But I have had great friendships with people of other races. I listened quietly to their experiences, I have been with them while incidents have happened. We need to stop turning a blind eye to these things so we can go about addressing the real core problems in our society, even if its not the right time or makes other people uncomfortable.
Just something I was thinking about tonight...

[BlooInBloo]

1. Jackie Robinson rules, circa 1947.

EDIT: Illuminating linkage - http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/jackie-robinson-rules-by-digby-it-turns.html

"So, Obama is going to have to be a modern day Jackie Robinson and stoically endure the more subtle forms of racial ugliness that the right throws at him without ever fighting back or even mentioning that it is happening. If he's as good a politician as Robinson was a baseball player, he'll do it by sheer talent and force of will (and by boldly stealing home in the world series ...)"

[Uzybone]

2. not just Obama, Eric Holder was also slammed hard for his comments

about us being a "nation of cowards" when it comes to race. This is why I was very worried about his speech in Philly during the Rev Wright flap. I was sure that would be the end of his candidacy. Blacks are not supposed to complain about the great America.

[Jennicut]

3. Yes, I am now thinking Holder was right on some level.

Why do we hold back?

[EFerrari]

7. We hold back because there is a lot of pain there.

And when ever you approach something so painful, you have to respect that.

[Cha]

4. Rule of thumb for me..

if the corporatemedia says "Obama should not go there"..then that's exactly where he should be.

And, I trust Obama to know what he should say..I'm sure as hell not his censor.

[MadMaddie]

11. Agreed!!

[EFerrari]

5. It's the same old. It's the right wing crying foul.

They had no problem when those racist cops arrested a national treasure in his own home because he was black. I imagine they have an even bigger problem when Obama calls it what it is and shows his leadership.

They hate that. Let them.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

6. I think the president should comment on anything he likes.

I do not think he should make any more comments about it. From here on in, it's up to us to point out what an ignorant sh*thead that Republican cop was, and what a racist.

[alcibiades_mystery]

8. White folks

:-)

[Jennicut]

9. LOL, only some of us.

[Beetwasher]

10. Yup, But Make That "Irrationally Frightened And Cowardly" White Folks

n/t

[Empowerer]

12. The "Good Negro" who is allowed into the club isn't supposed to make white folks uncomfortable . . .

After all, he's there under their good graces.

It's a common phenomenon, one that I and my black professional friends who have been pioneers in any particular field or place often laugh at. Many of us were "firsts" - first realtor in particular agency, first black senior executive in a company, first black lawyer in a law firm, first black professor at a law school, etc. All of us had the common experience of being initially embraced by our white colleagues, who behaved as if they were the most progressive and wonderful people ever because they had allowed us to be hired. We all got along just fine as long as we behaved in a sufficiently respectful manner and behaved as if we understood that we should be grateful to them for "letting us in."

But the minute we stepped out of line, for example, challenging them for expressing a backward racial view or for applying different, harsher standards to a minority applicant or for having the nerve to point out to them that racism still exists in America, etc., they immediately turned on us. We were accused of lacking "collegiality" (translation: she's uppity), or not being a "team player" (translation: he's uppity), or "always injecting race into everything" (translation: she's uppity), or "having an attitude problem" (translation: he's uppity).

I think that's what's happening here. Some white folks are SO proud of themselves for having voted for a black man as president that they think it absolves them of any and all racial issues they may have (as I recently heard a comedian say, "I'm not racist. I have a black president!) And they just love them some Barack Obama as long as he just stands around looking black so they can look at him and feel good about themselves, but doesn't say anything that makes them uncomfortable. But the minute he says anything that indicates he doesn't quite buy the post-racial America crap, or calls into question their own racial views, they turn on him but quick.

To these people, Barack Obama is just supposed to LOOK black . . . he's not supposed to actually BE black.

[Jennicut]

13. Very good observation.

Some whites feel like other minorities should be grateful they are even nice to them. I have had a black friend at work who was shocked that I would even listen to her complaints on race.

[Sebastian Doyle]

14. I have no problem with his comments. I'm more pissed off at the media whore for asking it.

The implication being that because Obama happens to be a Black man himself, he "must" have a statement to make about Professor Gates, or about the death of Michael Jackson. (to cite the two most recent examples) They didn't ask him about the death of Walter Cronkite, or Farrah Fawcett, did they? Or about any other recent circumstances under which the police might have fucked up.

So it's a matter of why the questions are asked, and why they expect him to answer.

[Wednesdays]

15. K&R

:kick:

[DevonRex]

16. K&R. He can comment on any damned thing he wants, especially when

ASKED his opinion.

It's just weird. He was asked the question BECAUSE he is black, yet he somehow was not supposed to answer the question BECAUSE he is black.

That's a "sit down and shut up" argument if I ever heard one.

[Lars39]

17. Is it time for the Justice Department to look into police behavior as regards to race?

Can this be done?

[seaglass]

18. He didn't start an honest debate on race with his comments and he recognized

it which is why he spoke out today.

There has been no honest debate - on DU, in the media or in the country at large. It's been people screaming, accusations flying, character assassination - none of that is debate - never mind honest.

Obama can speak out on whatever he would like, preferably when he has given it a little more thought.