We should not be proud we elected the first Black president, we should be embarrassed

[nadine_mn]

that it took so damn long to elect a President who wasn't a white male.

I am not directing this at DUers but at all the MSM coverage of our first African American President... and how far we have come and how proud we should be.

Being proud that racial bigotry was set aside for an election is like being proud you haven't kicked a puppy today.

Obama has a lot of courage - he knew going into this election that race would always be a factor... sometimes blatantly, sometimes more subtle. Rejoicing and celebrating the ongoing fight for equality and not giving up no matter what - yes be proud of that. Be proud that in the face of discrimination, hatred, violence, and prejudice so many men and women have continued to demand equality- when it was painful and frightening to do, when the easiest thing would be to bow one's head and give up.

But don't pat yourself on the back CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS etc etc because Americans who voted for Obama did the right thing: they voted for who was most qualified for the job instead of with whom they would rather share a beer. We are supposed to choose based on qualifications.
Looking at the past 8 years of Bush's presidency says more about America than Bush... not how did he get elected but how did we let him... if more people (esp you MSM) stood up to his administration's fear mongering and bullying... proud of that...

Electing Obama was easy... following his message and taking responisibilty and becoming a part of our country and the solution is the hard part...

[liberal N proud]

1. No I am proud

Proud that we have finally overcome the bigotry and racism of the past.

We still have a long way to go as is evidence by the right wing in general. But we have made great strides and we have overcome the racism that tore this nation apart for so long.

I am proud that we have elected the right person for the job who just coincidently happens to be black. We as a nation looked at the candidates qualifications and were blind to his race.

[nadine_mn]

6. I understand what you are saying but

I start off with the Pollyanna premise of we should not be bigots in the first place...

I think you are looking at the reality (if you pardon my interpretation of your reply) that we have a history and present full of racism and discrimination, and to set that aside is worth feeling proud. I agree.

However, deep down in my gut, I believe that we should all do the right thing...I know its naive. But when I look at how we enter this world - without bias, without hatred... it takes an effort to hate, to become a bigot. Guess its hard to explain why I feel this way.

[liberal N proud]

11. We can't correct the wrongs of the past

We only can do the right thing in the time we have and hope that it inspires the future continue doing the right thing.

As more do the right thing, those who continue with the wrong will feel the pressure to change. We are the change.

[Political_Junkie]

2. Agreed,

but, as usual, societies take baby steps in the right direction. They are just baby steps, but they are steps none the less.

[NYC_SKP]

3. Later than it should have been, much sooner than it might have been.

Considering who much power has been wrested away from the people by the establishment, and how corrupt things have become, I fear had it not happened this year it might never had. Ever.

However, we should not make the mistake of assuming that the establishment, (controlled largely by white men) does not have among them people of all demographic descriptions.

The election of a member of any minority guarantees nothing deeper.

AND, The MSM will continue to drive us to distraction, it's what they do!

[cali]

4. electing Obama wasn't easy

it took the sacrifice of many over a long period of time. And sorry, there's good reason to feel some pride that American has overcome the barrier that preserved the presidency for white males.

[nadine_mn]

7. I mean the act more than the journey

please do not think for a minute I discount the sacrifice and struggle of so many.. to even cast a vote, much less run for office.

Its one thing to vote for someone, its another thing to follow through with our own civic responsibilities

[leftstreet]

5. It's odd the M$M didn't make it about race until AFTER he was elected

Seems uh...weird.

I wonder if they would have done this had Hillary been 44.

[malaise]

8. They tried with Rev Wright

Only the sheeple bought it.

[fed_up_mother]

20. I don't think it's weird.

"It's odd the M$M didn't make it about race until AFTER he was elected.

Seems uh...weird.

I wonder if they would have done this had Hillary been 44."

I don't think it's weird that much less was said about his race during the presidential race. After all, weren't we supposed to judge the man by the content of his character, and not the color of his skin?

Well, we did! Now, we can celebrate that we have elected our first black president!

Happy Martin Luther King day!

[undeterred]

9. Look how disproportionate our representation is.

We need to get more of a diversity of people elected to all offices.

[Booster]

10. I am embarrassed it took us so long, but I am also feeling

extremely proud and will for some time.

[2Design]

12. no embarassment here - country is young - 200 years

We only allowed interracial marriage 50 years ago
We are moving in the right direction

I voted for the most qualified person - not a black man
The other black men who have run were not qualified in my mind
the last one who was in office for eight years is not and never was qualified and I never voted for him yet he was placed in office
The one before him, I did not vote for either and yet he was in office
His father I did not vote for and never considered him qualified either.

Obama would not be where he is if it was not for a white man called Howard Dean and him getting his followers to donate money to his unknown campaign for a senate seat - it takes the RIGHT man, the right place, and the funding to get there.

In Bush case, there was lots of money and a lot of sold out souls who were willing to turn our country over to the idiots and the media was behind him

[dark forest]

13. I can't say that I

disagree with you. On the other hand, what other white majority country has elected a non-white? For that matter, what non-white majority country, since colonial times, has elected a white man.

I think we've come a hell of a long way, and the rest are eating our dust.

[nini]

14. Nah.. I'm loving this

and I'd like to relish in the positive for a fucking change. The last 8 years have been hell - I want to enjoy this AND be proud enough Americans finally see beyond color. This doesn't mean it shouldn't have taken so long - but this is where we are.

[stray cat]

15. There was not an African American or a female in the past I would have voted for

I believe the majority of American's don't vote for president based on race or sex.

[MiniMe]

27. I agree

I don't think that a women has made a serious run for President before Hillary. And the black Presidential contenders were Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton, who had good intentions but I still object to a reverand as a President. The same applies to Huckabee. It is too bad that the first serious woman contender and the first serious black contender came along at the same time.

[Lex]

16. Wrong.

nt

[Skittles]

17. we should be disgusted we've never had a female president

we are over half the population

[Rage for Order]

19. No way! Sorry, women are entirely too emotional to be president

:sarcasm:





:hide:




And just in case, no, I'm not serious

[Eryemil]

21. The fact that women have not managed to cross that hurdle...

...says more about the country than not electing a black president ever could. Blacks in the US are 12% of the population or so while there are 14m more women than there are men.

Backwards repressive hellholes around the world currently have, or have had female leaders in the past.

[jberryhill]

18. Better late than never /nt

[JANdad]

22. I'm sorry....

I missed the part where you indicated where in the past 10 elections or so a qualifed black man ran for the office...

IOW...no "White" guilt here...sorry

[nadine_mn]

34. Since I am not white, I do not have white guilt

sorry

[1]

23. horsecrap. don't project your guilt on me. it is done. it is decided.

if you can not enjoy the wonderful thing that is happening here then i feel truly sorry for you.

[nadine_mn]

31. I'm sorry you misunderstood my post

the gist of my post is that people should not be bigots... it has nothing to do with me not being happy about Obama as our pres

[cemaphonic]

24. Eh, how many democratic countries have elected a member of a

Peru and ? (Again, democracies - I can think of quite a few more if you include dictatorships, military governments and various totalitarian states)

Yeah, the US has a lot of ugly racial baggage in our history and in our present, but this really is a pretty unique accomplishment.

[Raine]

25. Well I'm proud

especially after the last 8 years that this country can still make progress in a positive way after being so beaten down and demoralized. :woohoo:

[BlooInBloo]

26. “You can always count on Americans to do the right thing....

... after they've tried everything else.”

-Churchill.




EDIT: Corrected misquote.

[Retired AF Dem]

28. but but but

Isnt he half white? So in reality we are only half way there?

[treestar]

29. We have a choice about whether we see things negatively or

positively. This is being too negative, IMO. It's taking a good thing and making it into a negative.

Obama is about hope, not recrimination and regret, or creating it where a positive change is occurring.

[MicaelS]

30. Don't project your guilt on me

I'm nearly 52 years old, and I have seen this country change one hell of a lot in my lifetime. I'm old enough to remember the assassination of JFK, MLK, and RFK. The Watts and antiwar riots. The '68 Democratic convention, and '68 in general. And my parents went through the Great Depression, World War II and Korea. So I didn't see shit compared to them.

Some of you think you have it so bad, you haven't seen shit in this country.

Frankly, I'm surprised, and grateful, the election of such a man happened when it did.

[nadine_mn]

Who has guilt? Not me

All I am saying is that when we enter this world we are not bigots or racists, so that in and of itself is not something to be proud of..

At the end of the day when I come home, I don't say to myself "wow another day I didn't commit a crime, I am so proud what an achievement"... being proud of not being prejudiced is saying that prejudice is the norm... and I for one reject that

[Swamp Rat]

32. We should have done many things thousands of years ago, but we didn't.

So, I will enjoy the progress we make today. :)

[Brewman_Jax]

33. Under the radar, Prop 424 passes in Nebraska

another anti-affirmative action proposition passes. http://www.thereader.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1226517583&archive=&start_from=&ucat=3