# A proposal to address a racial injustice **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 21, 2009, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292 "2009-01-21T13:46:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![spike404](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@spike404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spike404)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/61 "2009-01-21T18:48:45Z")
“…some googling leads me to the conclusion that most of the people who were upset about what Lowery said were upset Obama was inaugurated at all…” Well, that means at least 46% of the voters are upset. Add some BO voters that took offense, and it is over 50%. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/62 "2009-01-21T18:50:14Z")
“When mauve will feel the love?” Of course that only works if you like slant rhyme. Oh god, “slant?” I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to use an offensive racial slur like that. If only Obama had taken the time to vet my post… ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/63 "2009-01-21T18:51:20Z")
> [@spike404](#): > > Well, that means at least 46% of the voters are upset. Add some BO voters that took offense, and it is over 50%. Your math skills need work. I did not say most of the McCain voters were upset, let alone all of them, as you assumed here. I said most of the people who were upset would fall into the set of McCain voters. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/64 "2009-01-21T18:51:57Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Sure, but I’ve been to so many so-called unity events where some black speaker gets up and says nasty things about white people that makes me feel suddenly very uncomfortable and out of place. I’m just kind of tired of hearing, ‘Yay unity, fuck whitey!’, it’s just a bitter pill to have to swallow over and over again. I’m all for unity, but I’m tired of the the backhandedness. I understand the feeling and have several friends who say “move on” and “get over it”. It occurs to me that if we are annoyed and angered by that little perhaps we can find more patience in understanding the feelings of those who have experienced racism more consistently and in a much more hurtful way. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/65 "2009-01-21T18:53:50Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > Of course there is and I’m pretty sure that old black man knows it. It’s your grade school reaction to something so minor that surprises me. Assuming he made a blanket attack and insult aimed at all white people is an over reaction. He said “whites,” not “some whites.” > [@](#): > > He meant the other whites not you. He should have said so, then. They didn’t just spring this on him, did they? Did he not have time to choose his words carefully? It was a rather important occasion. > [@](#): > > After the election my son overheard some folks from his company using racial slurs to describe their disappointment in Obama’s election. He meant them He should have said so, then. Are their no reds who do wrong? Np blacks? No yellows? > [@](#): > > Honestly, I can’t see why you would take a few words from an elderly black man so personal. He should get a pass because he’s an elderly black man? Patronize much? Speaking for myself, it’s those money-grubbing Jew bastards that I think need to do right. Not all Jews, mind you. Just the money-grubbing Jew bastards. > [@](#): > > He was praying for equality in a situation that clearly shows we {the human race} has made great strides. He wasn’t making social commentary. _Au contraire_, that’s exactly what he was doing. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/66 "2009-01-21T18:55:01Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > You don’t think he did? Maybe he didn’t. I heard Lowery on the radio on Monday talking about his speech. He said Obama’s team had limited him to two minutes, but implied heavily that if Mr. Saddleback went over his two minutes, Lowery would go over his as well. Even in the weird chance that Obama decided his time would be best spent reading over all the speeches and prayers prior to inauguration, it sounds as though he wouldn’t have caught this little tidbit, since it appeared (IIRC) after the two-minute mark in Lowery’s speech. And really, talk about your molehills turned into mountains. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/67 "2009-01-21T18:55:30Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > His inauguration is hardly “every event he attends.” The prayers are just as meaningless. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/68 "2009-01-21T18:56:40Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > He said “whites,” not “some whites.” > > He should have said so, then. They didn’t just spring this on him, did they? Did he not have time to choose his words carefully? It was a rather important occasion. > > He should have said so, then. Are their no reds who do wrong? Np blacks? No yellows? > > He should get a pass because he’s an elderly black man? Patronize much? > > Speaking for myself, it’s those money-grubbing Jew bastards that I think need to do right. Not all Jews, mind you. Just the money-grubbing Jew bastards. > > _Au contraire_, that’s exactly what he was doing. You obviously want to be offended, so go ahead and be offended. ---
**Author:** ![spifflog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/69 "2009-01-21T18:58:50Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > I would agree that Lowery could have made a better choice, although I would cut him some slack given his personal involvement in the Civil Rights movement. > > OTOH, what sort of odd belief do you have that Obama had the time, energy, inclination, or opportunity to vet every single address, prayer, oration, etc. that was given yesterday? Do you think that Bush and Cheney submitted their remarks for approval? How do you know that Lowery did not ad-lib the last part at the last minute? It’s called leadership. And when something happens on your watch, whether you were there or not, personally uttered the words or not, you are responsible. I don’t think his words were the end of the world. But when you get elected on the platform of change, and bringing people together, it’s just not the right tone to lead with. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/70 "2009-01-21T18:59:15Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > “When mauve will feel the love?” Of course that only works if you like slant rhyme. > > Oh god, “slant?” I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to use an offensive racial slur like that. If only Obama had taken the time to vet my post… When Magenta, can afford the renta When Maroon can reach for the moon When Maize gets equal pays When Sienna, Um. … Um… DAM IT! ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/71 "2009-01-21T19:00:36Z")
> [@spifflog](#): > > It’s called leadership. And when something happens on your watch, whether you were there or not, personally uttered the words or not, you are responsible. > > I don’t think his words were the end of the world. But when you get elected on the platform of change, and bringing people together, it’s just not the right tone to lead with. Nothing “happened.” Nothing offensive was said. This is a manufactured outrage. And, no, the President is not responsible for everything that gets said at every event he attends. Leadership is not about vetting prayers. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/72 "2009-01-21T19:02:42Z")
> [@spifflog](#): > > And when something happens on your watch, whether you were there or not, personally uttered the words or not, you are responsible. I stubbed my toe on the corner of the bed this morning. Obama’s president, so it happened on his watch, and it’s his responsibility. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/73 "2009-01-21T19:04:58Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > You obviously want to be offended, so go ahead and be offended. Thank you. But not repressed. And I’m still waiting for you to show me where the poster you quoted claimed to have been repressed. Why not just admit you can’t? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/74 "2009-01-21T19:09:03Z")
It was a Monty Python quote, dude. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/75 "2009-01-21T19:10:47Z")
I’m not offended, but I am rather disgusted by it. I’m almost positive, that if it’s brown, you are supposed to flush it down, **not** let it stick around. Ewe. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/76 "2009-01-21T19:13:58Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The prayers are just as meaningless. Somehow I don’t think Obama got elected because he’s an atheist and prayers are meaningless. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/77 "2009-01-21T19:16:16Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > And I’m still waiting for you to show me where the poster you quoted claimed to have been repressed. Why not just admit you can’t? **Contrapuntal** , this is starting to look just obsessive and silly. I’m sure you know that “Help, help, I’m being repressed” is a general sarcastic response to anybody who is ostentatiously playing the victim card about oppression or discrimination. It is not tantamount to a claim that the victim-card-player explicitly made the statement “I am being repressed”. If Poster A is being whiny and Poster B quips “Oh, okay, we’ll throw you a pity party”, you wouldn’t go after Poster B demanding “Well, where did **A** actually ask you to throw him a party? Huh? Show me where he said that!” That would just be pointless offensensitivity, and so is this. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/78 "2009-01-21T19:16:28Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > He said “whites,” not “some whites.” Actually he said white without the S. Since white is the blending of all color I think he was really asking for all people of every color to do what is right. Feel better? > [@](#): > > He should get a pass because he’s an elderly black man? Patronize much? Nope. He should get a pass because he’s likely experienced some severe racism in his day that you and I haven’t and I find it very difficult to be deeply offended by this passing phrase. > [@](#): > > Speaking for myself, it’s those money-grubbing Jew bastards that I think need to do right. Not all Jews, mind you. Just the money-grubbing Jew bastards. Don’t piss em off. They’ll stop writing all the comedy. > [@](#): > > _Au contraire_, that’s exactly what he was doing. Think what you like. It just seems like silly overreacting to me. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/79 "2009-01-21T19:18:13Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It was a Monty Python quote, dude. Right. The same old tired one you trot out every time anyone suggests that just maybe it’s possible that a white person has been a victim of hate, or racism, or stereotyping. You ignore the facts of the matter and spew out the buzzwords. It’s the kind of stuff that you wouldn’t let slide for a nano second in a debate about the Bible, for example, where your capacity for reasoned rhetoric is exemplary. I mean that sincerely. You really should apply the same standards to yourself that you demand of others. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292/80 "2009-01-21T19:25:09Z")
> [@Sinaijon](#): > > I’m not offended, but I am rather disgusted by it. I’m almost positive, that if it’s brown, you are supposed to flush it down, **not** let it stick around. Ewe. True-but you are supposed to let it mellow if it’s yellow. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-address-a-racial-injustice/482292.md?page=5)