# More racism directed at Obama **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 17, 2008, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-racism-directed-at-obama/468416 "2008-10-17T18:11:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2008, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-racism-directed-at-obama/468416/101 "2008-10-20T08:23:55Z")
A lot of what we think of as “soul food” has very clear African origins. Stewed greens are a staple in the parts of West Africa where most slaves came from. Black eyed peas are also a big part of the diet. Where I lived they were added to greens or pounded into a steamed cake. Okra is important (and it’s outright called “gumbo”), as is fried chicken and fish. Even heavily sweetened tea is common. Although there are a lot of influences in soul food, I think you’d be surprised at how much of African-American culture you see in Africa. > [@Koxinga](#): > > [Kernel of truth](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sickle_cell_anemia)? Constant low-level exposure to malaria will provide a very limited immunity to local strains. In sub-Saharan Africa, basically everyone has one life-threatening crisis with malaria as a baby or a toddler. If you survive that, you will probably be able to handle subsequent infections relatively well. In Cameroon “I’ve got malaria” was pretty much the same as “I’ve got the flu.” It rarely presented a serious risk to healthy adults (though it kills children, the elderly, and HIV positive people in droves.) But that same strain of malaria can easily be fatal to a foreigner. I know of many, many, many foreigners who died or ended up seriously ill for the same malaria that barely affects their neighbors. We had the immune systems of small children and so our first bout with malaria is going to be that “this could kill you” one. There is some speculation that increased mobility and access to medicine has been a part of the increase of malaria infection (along with developing previously undeveloped areas.) Basically some people are missing out on that first childhood bout and the limited immunity it provides, or they are losing their limited immunity by moving to areas with different strains. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2008, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-racism-directed-at-obama/468416/102 "2008-10-20T19:41:58Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Huh. Learn something new every day. Glad I could be of help. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2008, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-racism-directed-at-obama/468416/103 "2008-10-20T20:21:08Z")
> [@An\_Arky](#): > > I’m originally from Arkansas, and whenever I come across a story like that, I’m going “Oh, God, it’s going to be somebody from Arkansas” while the link’s loading, then scan the article and go WHEW! when I find out it isn’t. That ever happen to y’all wrt your home state? When ever I see some racist and ignorant right-wing garbage I have to say a little prayer that it isn’t one of my state’s [Congressmen](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_King). At least he isn’t mine. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-racism-directed-at-obama/468416/104 "2008-10-24T19:50:00Z")
[Meanwhile, in Missouri](http://www.fortmilltimes.com/124/story/335268.html) > [@](#): > > NIXA, Mo. — A Republican official in a southern Missouri county says a flyer showing a picture of Barack Obama and the phrase, “In Ahla We Trust” has been removed from party headquarters. > > The flyer that was available at the Christian County Republican office Thursday asserts that Obama is a Muslim, a false claim that has followed the Democratic senator during his presidential campaign. Obama is a Christian. > > In addition to the mispelled “In Ahla We Trust,” the fake $100 bill is printed with the words “socialist,” “food stamps,” and communist symbols. > > Ed Merritt, chair of the Christian County Republican Central Committee, said that a voter had asked to leave the flyers at the office and he agreed. Merritt now admits he made a poor decision, and he has removed the flyers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-racism-directed-at-obama/468416.md?page=5)