# Can someone explain why it is controversial that Obama hugged Derrick Bell? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 8, 2012, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140 "2012-03-08T12:26:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/61 "2012-03-09T01:05:51Z")
> [@yorick73](#): > > Meanwhile the press was digging through Sarah Palin’s garbage for info. Apparently Joe McGinnis = “the press.” :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/62 "2012-03-09T01:07:50Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Derrick Bell isn’t David Duke. Nonsense. Every black person with a postgraduate degree who isn’t a conservative is a radical. That’s what the term _means_. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/63 "2012-03-09T01:45:55Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Nonsense. Every black person with a postgraduate degree who isn’t a conservative is a radical. That’s what the term _means_. Sadly, this. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/64 "2012-03-09T02:12:06Z")
[http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/03/the\_ugly\_truth\_1.php?ref=fpblg](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/03/the_ugly_truth_1.php?ref=fpblg) As provided by your good friends at _Talking Points Mem_o, the original PBS footage ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/65 "2012-03-09T03:02:40Z")
Here’s how it works people. [ol] [li]Find an old video or photograph of Obama (or whoever the target of the moment is) doing something with someone (or at least being in the same room or planet as someone).[/li]It’s doesn’t much matter who the someone is. If they’ve ever voiced an opinion about something and the dittoheads aren’t too familiar with them, they’ll do. Or, if you don’t want to put any effort into your choice, any black person will do. It’s best if it’s a video or photo that can be feasibly (or even infeasibly) portrayed as having been hidden, suppressed, ignored, etc. [li]All the talking heads get absolutely, freaking, off the wall outraged about this crime against humanity.[/li][li]The dittoheads then blindly accept that it must be something worth getting outraged about and that the person half a block away from Obama in the blurry photograph is obviously an existential threat to freedom, apple pie, and the American way.[/li][li]Profit![/li][/ol] ---
**Author:** ![JQPublic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@JQPublic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JQPublic)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/66 "2012-03-09T13:05:23Z")
> [@Pashnish\_Ewing](#): > > Serious question for **JQPublic** (or else on the Hannity/Breitbart side of the fence). > > When a voter is deciding whether or not to vote for Obama in 2012, what should they take more stock in? > **A)** That in the past Obama surrounded himself with and was greatly influenced by far left extremists > or **B)** How he has governed in the 3 3/4 years that he was actually the president. B was greatly influenced by A but overall how he governed in the last three and a half years is why I won’t be voting for him. Bottomline is I’m earning less and everything is costing me more. That is not fundamental change I can support. Not caring about his past is one thing but you can’t deny that what he was taught and who he hung around with didn’t affect how he views the world today. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/67 "2012-03-09T13:26:15Z")
> [@JQPublic](#): > > B was greatly influenced by A but overall how he governed in the last three and a half years is why I won’t be voting for him. Bottomline is I’m earning less and everything is costing me more. That is not fundamental change I can support. I agree - this whole “inflation” thing didn’t exist before Obama. He should have frozen prices and increased wages by fiat, like every other president. Then we’d have a booming economy, you betcha! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/68 "2012-03-09T13:30:26Z")
> [@JQPublic](#): > > Bottomline is I’m earning less and everything is costing me more. That is not fundamental change I can support. So you believe Obama had more to do with your declining circumstances than Republicans? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/69 "2012-03-09T13:30:34Z")
And yet I’m making tons more money than I was three years ago. Thanks, Obama! ---
**Author:** ![JQPublic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@JQPublic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JQPublic)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/70 "2012-03-09T14:08:47Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > And yet I’m making tons more money than I was three years ago. Thanks, Obama! So you’re one of the 1%ers ---
**Author:** ![JQPublic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@JQPublic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JQPublic)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/71 "2012-03-09T14:10:12Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > So you believe Obama had more to do with your declining circumstances than Republicans? I believe he’s done nothing to help the middle class. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/72 "2012-03-09T14:13:52Z")
> [@JQPublic](#): > > So you’re one of the 1%ers Yes. I’m in the top 1% of earning in my household. My cat doesn’t bring in shit. I’m solidly lower-middle class, but because I do good work I tend to get promotions/raises every year despite Obama conspiring to keep me down. Maybe you should take some organization classes or something so you can get your shit together. ---
**Author:** ![JQPublic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@JQPublic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JQPublic)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/73 "2012-03-09T14:25:48Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Yes. I’m in the top 1% of earning in my household. My cat doesn’t bring in shit. > > I’m solidly lower-middle class, but because I do good work I tend to get promotions/raises every year despite Obama conspiring to keep me down. Maybe you should take some organization classes or something so you can get your shit together. Cool you went from french fries to the drive-thru. Your cat must be proud. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/74 "2012-03-09T14:27:05Z")
I’ve gone from french fries to a Senior Analyst at a bank … it took a little longer than three years, though. But everybody has to have a dream, huh? ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/75 "2012-03-09T14:56:09Z")
Obligatory Daily Show bit from last night: > **[The Daily Show with Trevor Noah | Comedy Central](https://www.cc.com/shows/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah)** > > The Daily Show is an Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning program that looks at the day’s top headlines through a sharp, reality-based lens. And so long as we’re playing the guilt-by-association game, would it be fair to ask if Sean Hannity is a Holocaust denier: > **[Hal Turner | Early career](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Turner#Early_career)** > > Identifying himself as "Hal from North Bergen", Turner became notable in American conservative circles as a frequent caller to and supporter of WABC radio talk show hosts Bob Grant and Sean Hannity. Turner parlayed this fame into a role as the northern New Jersey coordinator for Patrick J. Buchanan's 1992 presidential campaign. > Turner claims he established a friendship with Sean Hannity, on whose radio program he had once been a frequent presence. In 2008, while Hannity and Malik Zulu Shabazz of... [http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/05/hannitys\_witness\_exterminate\_j/](http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/05/hannitys_witness_exterminate_j/) ---
**Author:** ![JQPublic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@JQPublic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JQPublic)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/76 "2012-03-09T14:57:51Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I’ve gone from french fries to a Senior Analyst at a bank … it took a little longer than three years, though. But everybody has to have a dream, huh? I wouldn’t call 80k a year lower-middle class but that’s just my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/77 "2012-03-09T15:15:37Z")
> [@JQPublic](#): > > B was greatly influenced by A but overall how he governed in the last three and a half years is why I won’t be voting for him. Then you’re better off talking about the things he’s done in the last three years (it won’t be three and a half for a while yet). That tells you a lot more about what he’ll do from 2013 to 2017 than this attempt to make Derrick Bell “the Jeremiah Wright of academia” or whatever the Fox guy said about it the other day. If he’s really a radical socialist who hates white people, he’s done very little to show it. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/78 "2012-03-09T15:18:21Z")
> [@JQPublic](#): > > I wouldn’t call 80k a year lower-middle class but that’s just my opinion. It’s not quite up to that, but close (small bank, small state). When you factor in my kids and my divorce – believe me I’m lower-middle class. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/79 "2012-03-09T15:24:01Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > It was played on PBS during the run-up to the election, as was already mentioned in this thread. > > He wrote a 450 page book about his life prior to his political career. Oh yeah, then why was it hidden – no, _buried_ I say BURIED under stacks of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, huh? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140/80 "2012-03-09T15:30:54Z")
President Obama and I are the same age. We “associated” with the same kind of people in college. Yet he is smarter, and I’m more “radical” (just a tad left of his pretty moderate positions). I don’t see anything even borderline controversial about his support of professor Bell. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140.md?page=5)