(bolding mine)
So here we go again with the mysterious “these people” who supposedly vote according to how black they think Obama is. Except in this particular version of reality “these people” supposedly are clinging to BO because they think he’s their Black African Savior and have to be reminded by benevolent white folks that he’s only a “Halfrican-American”.
I don’t know what’s worse. The black people hate Obama because he’s not black enough meme, or this one.
His resume is fair game. I think we’ve come far enough in this country where race and gender shouldn’t be a factor in choosing our leaders. Yet you brought up those things that shouldn’t matter as if they did and were valid parts of the argument.
No, i’m not.
I happen to disagree with Dickerson’s position on this issue, but at least she offers a rational and thought-out explanation for why she distinguishes Obama from blacks who have an American slave background. She also says:
Again, if you can’t distinguish that type of serious discussion and thoughtful analysis from the epithets that Limbaugh throws around, i really do feel sorry for you.
By the way, exactly where does Dickerson call Obama “Halfrican Hamerican”? I couldn’t find it in that story. I’m assuming it must be there, because i mentioned that Limbaugh used the term “Halfrican American”, and you corrected me, saying i was confusing him with Crouch and Dickerson. So, please point out where either of them uses this term to describe Obama. Or are you lying again?
He was liked, but not well-liked.
In fact, it’s the similarity that gives me pause.
Exactly. And it was a gratuitous swipe when Rush made it, too.
If either Shodan or Rush had taken the time to offer a coherent argument about how and/or why Obama should be distinguished from other black Americans, or African Americans, or whatever, then they at least would not appear so ridiculous.
As i said, i disagree with Dickerson’s formulation, but at least she made it in an intelligent and reasonable manner. Personally, i think we should do people the courtesy of letting them decide what they are, and using that terminology. If Obama considers himself “black” or “African American,” or whatever, then who are we to gainsay him?
He doesn’t want your sympathy. He just wants to yank everyone’s chain. He just does it in such a way as to avoid being tagged with the troll label, which is what he is.
I won’t argue about the offensiveness of “Halfrican-American” anymore because I’d rather have Viagara-assisted coitus with Rush Limbaugh than be a Shodan apologist, but I am truly puzzled by my own inability to see what others see when it comes to this issue.
Am I the only black Doper who is in this position?
I think you’re showing your own bias there, chum. By “these people” I’m speaking of white liberal airheads who would vote for him simply because he’s black and with little or no regard to his qualifications, ability or accomplishments. Black people themselves have shown that they are much less likely to be swayed solely because of race than the “impassioned do-gooders” I spoke of–people which you have apparently chosen to interpret as black voters. :rolleyes:
It is interesting, though, that out of all the points I made, this non-issue is the one you apparently felt most comfortable in challenging.
So many times around here I want to say "But what about the actual…you know…points I made?
Neither Obama nor Edwards are two-time governors of one the country’s largest states.
:smack: Oh…I forgot! Being the governor of Texas is a largely ceremonial position…unless Ann Richards happens to be governor.
I should point out that my statement:
Was itself intended as sarcasm. You’ll often hear that Rush and Coulter are supposed to be somehow satirical or tongue in cheek. This intentionally misapprehends their relationship with their audience, in my opinion.
In any event, I think that Halfrican-American is a stupid term, and when it is used to impugn the “black authenticity” of a person whose struggles with his racial identity are well-documented, and who has never sought to identify himself as solely black, and when it is delivered by people who couldn’t be whiter, it is especially inappropriate.
What evidence do you have that people only like Obama because he’s black, other than you heard Rush Limbaugh say it?
Obama was the editor of the Harvard Law Review. After six years of this administration’s promotion of ideology over competency (Heck of a job, Brownie) I want someone who values smarts.
Since I have already mentioned Obama’s lack of qualifications twice, your objection that I have not is pretty silly. Like I said, this is mostly manufactured outrage to avoid the question of “why should I vote for this guy, apart from the fact that he is black?”
She doesn’t. She says (in essence) that Obama is not black enough - “inauthentic”, in your words.
The part I was responding to was the part where people say Obama isn’t “really” black - Halfrican-Hamerican, IOW. And some of those people are black.
In Kerry’s case, “stellar” means “consistently liberal but distinguished for its lack of distinction”. One of the reasons he failed was that health care (for instance) was supposed to be one of his campaign themes. But no one could point to a single piece of significant legislation on the topice that he managed to get passed during his entire tenure in the Senate.
The first part is true; the second part just means you can’t come up with anything better.
Well, derogatory because being black is one of the few “qualifications” Obama’s got. So yes, I was mocking him for thinking that he has much going for him beyond being H-H.
What I am saying is that I don’t accept that Obama’s race has nothing to do with his candidacy. He has very little else to recommend him besides being black. But, based pretty much on that alone, he is running for President. Oh, nd the fact that he is articulate and “clean” - Surprise! A black politician who isn’t on the take! Usher him into the White House! I mean, come on.
In demonstration of which, we have this thread. Not one mention of anything significant that Obama has achieved in the Senate during the last two years. Merely the usual outrage that someone dares to point out that the Emperor has no clothes. Or experience in governing, as the case may be.
Regards,
Shodan
So what would “white liberal airheads” be thinking they’d get out of Obama by voting for him because he’s black? See where you wrote this:
I could imagine “white liberal airheads” voting black for the sake of black to prove to themselves that they aren’t racist bigots, but not because they are hoping a black man will give them anything back in return that a white man wouldn’t. What kind of payoff do you think “white liberal airheads” might hope to get out of electing a black man as President?
I’ve chosen that interpretation because yours makes no sense to me. You’re saying that the “Halfrican-American” thing is a jab at “white liberal airheads” who are going to vote for Obama because they see him as a 100% black man, with the implication that these airheads would be less likely to vote for a half black man. This interpretation doesn’t make sense to me, which is why I assumed you were talking about black people.
Perhaps I jumped to conclusions, but what you are writing is loony to me.
Um, I didn’t feel like responding to any of the other stuff you wrote. That’s usually how it works, you know.
And again I will say that the term has very little to do with Obama himself and/or whatever struggles he has had to endure; rather, it’s a stick in the eye to those who support him solely because he’s black. The impression that this is the reason for their support is further bolstered by the fact that he’s done so very little thus far that would qualify him for that position.
That’s the point. SA is saying they’d want a black president in return for their votes. But they wouldn’t get it. They’d get someone who is only a Halfrican American. Get the joke now? It’s hilarious.
That is a nuanced interpretation. I believe that you believe this, but excuse me for not having any reason to suspect that Rush Limbaugh sees things the same way. It’s a perfect term for Rush, because it ostensibly reminds black voters that Obama is not black, which still reminding his crazed, reactionary audience that Obama is black.
You’d have to be nuts to think the Democratic candidate (who will not be chosen for about a year) has this election locked up over the unchosen Republican. As far as the OP goes, I suppose the best I can do is remind myself that my vote could cancel out the vote of one of those idiots.
“Progress.”
And to thumb their noses at conservatives, whom they wrongly perceive as being racist.
Well, in the first place, I never said the aforementioned airheads were going to vote for Obama because they see him as a 100% black man, so in following your logic it never occurred to me to think that they might be less inclined to vote for him if he were only half black. But for the record I wouldn’t have deduced such a thing anyway. Amongst the type of people I’m talking about, any percentage of black would be a good thing, whereas to me it’s inconsequential compared to what kind of job I’d think they’d do. For example, I am very keen on Clarence Thomas, I’m less keen than before on Condoleeza Rice (as I don’t feel she’s doing a good job), and I detest Jesse Jackson.
So as you can see, I’m an equal opportunity rightie.
Yeah, you’re right about that. Key in (and wrongfully parse, usually) some snippet of a secondary comment and ignore the salient stuff. That’s Straight Dope debating in a nutshell. :rolleyes:
Again, I said no such thing! I’m saying that in their eagerness to elect a black person to office, they make that person’s “blackness” the key determinate in their support.
Well…I mean, they’d have to be a leftie, too. No way Clarence or Condi or any other right-thinking black person would do…even if they are black.
That’s okay. People around here constantly accuse me of being a Rushbot despite the fact that I never listen to him.
I can’t speak to Rush’s intent, though I still think it is likely as I described. I can’t imagine that Rush has that great a black listening audience that he thinks he can sway their votes by reminding them that Obama isn’t 100% black, and his white listeners–crazed, reactionary, or otherwise–already know Obama’s heritage.