What a another sad day for the USA. Racial crimes and stealing is on the uprise. The economy is at fault for the stealing and the election results for the racial crimes.I was raised in Scotland back in a time when racial crimes were unheard of. Not until I came to the States was I aware that such a thing even existed. I raised my family in the believe that God created us all equally and the color of ones skin did not make the person.
The following link shows that it across the country. However there is one statement in the article which I take exception to - " Emotions are often raw after a hard-fought political campaign, but now those on the losing side have an easy target for their anger." I was on the losing side but never, never would consider committing a racial slur or crime. I think it is MOST UNFAIR to lump ALL people who did not vote for Obama as racist. What do you think?
Obama election spurs race crimes around country
Cross burnings. Schoolchildren chanting "Assassinate Obama." Black figures hung from nooses. Racial epithets scrawled on homes and cars.
Incidents around the country referring to President-elect Barack Obama are dampening the postelection glow of racial progress and harmony, highlighting the stubborn racism that remains in America.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081116/ap_on_re_us/obama_racial
[question posted by whiteheather39]responses and comments:
I beg to differ. While it is, indeed, sad and shameful that race crimes and outcry have risen suddenly - and equally bad (but expected) that the press blame a whole section of the population for it - it is in many ways to be expected. I don't know a huge amount of American history, but this is the first time as far as I am aware that someone who could so easily be seen as an 'outsider' has been elected. Most presidents are of the "trace my parentage back five generations in the US" type, with tons of money, land and ingrained interest/connections with various industries. Correct me if I'm wrong about that, though! With Obama's success, a huge number of people who do not like change, who feel threatened by someone with (ostensibly) shallow roots in the US and/or don't like people not of their particular ethnic section of the populace will feel uneasy. As with most things, some of this unease will be expressed overtly and aggressively. Personally, from a long way away and without looking at the politics of the situation (which, from what you say, was what would have decided your vote, as it should!) but just the person elected, I can only say that I am impressed that the American population has taken such a big step/risk. I hope it works out well - for everyone, be they supporters or not. [SpikeTheLobster]
I believe it is a product of being taught (the) survival of the fittest theory. and the phenomenon is worldwide (evidenced by genocides, etc) not just in the U.S. - The press has been hammering away for many years now trying to bury one of the U.S. parties, so yes the news is more often than not very slanted and misleading (always casting blame is the name of the game). I am happy Mr Obama was elected making so many people very happy, but I don't think anything all that different will come of it, as I believe his party sees things in ways which bring the nation downward economically and socially, instead of being sensible. (Using fields formerly used to grow food, to 'grow' gas, is one example, raising prices of everything sky high. Strong arming banks to make unrealistic loans is another. More and more tax supported programs making gov bigger and bigger is another. Things will not be necessarily changing soon.sad) [flowerchilde]
I did not vote for him for many reasons. He is prochoice and I am prolife. He wants to ban talk radio and I believe that is where I get most of my informtion. His spread the wealth issue is a bunch of BS. People worked hard to save money and studied hard to know how to invest it. We paid taxes on our salary when we made it so I see no reason we should pay taxes again when we need some of our own money. These are just a few of the my many reaons. [muscles4me]
Thank you Stodd, You saved me the trouble of answering the above comments. I'm afraid there are a lot of people in this world that can't think for themselves and are easily swayed by "talk radio" and others that have no consideration for rape victims or the possible loss of the mother's life. They seem to care little about others that killed or mamed during Bush's illegal war in Iraq. I'm one of the million voters who survived the depression after the stock market went belly up in 1929. This too, happened because of the "trickle down" economy of Herbert Hoover and his republican congress. FDR was elected in 1932 and took office in 1933 and regardless of what the republicans claim, he turned this country around with his "radical" plans and put people back to work again. We listened to the positive things FDR presented to us during his radio "fireside chats" and Americans picked themselves up and got things rolling again. We had hope again that things could be turned around. So, keep your "radical" republicanism to yourself and learn to live with the fact that the Democrats will be in the White House for several years to come, while the republicans try to figure out how to rebuild their organization, they don't even know which direction to go maybe they will turn out to be moderates, but the stain they carry and the big "R" brand on their bu**s just won't let them reason with the situation. Many of us don't like the idea of aborting birth, but it is the law and until it is changed, whoever is in office should abide by the law. You can keep crying and bitching, but it won't do you any good. Thanks again Stodd for your response. [iriscot]
Racism has always been present in America and these things have always been happening Heather... it is just now publicized more that is all there is to it. Race crimes have always been prevalent against black people and Muslims, as well as non-Muslims that are from Muslim countries. Heck a friend of mine who isn't even Arab or Muslim or from a Muslim country was a victim of a race crime because she LOOKED Arab... Asians at one time were discriminated against, Italians, Irish... and so on and so forth... it is a sick part of America's history. These cases usually if not extremely rarely ever see the day of light in regards to the media. So at least it's an acknowledgment of the problem. The election of Obama just made the racists out there lash out even with more hatred than ever. As another poster said we never had a president such as Obama be elected. He isn't the typical white male with some sort of connection to the history of America. His parents weren't the typical all American family... he broke all the typical things that each president represented in the past. And this is another driving force for these people that do such gross things. The thing that really cut me is that even young children are starting up and it gets you to ask... why would parents encourage that unless they themselves are agreeing... where are the teachers certainly they can tell the kids to be quiet or try to explain how wrong it is. One student in my class referred to a black man that worked with his father with the n word and i about lost it but controlled myself... i told him not to say such a thing and to see me after class... he didn't know how bad it was, he didn't know WHY it was not good... i explained to him as shortly as i could why it was not a good thing to say... i don't know if he truly understood me but as a teacher i felt i did my fair share in trying to teach not only the lesson but respect and manners as well. [nadooa247]
The media does have a tendancy to oversimplify things...however, they do it to anyone and anything. I am happy to say that I voted for Obama for MANY validated and smart reasons, but skin color was not one of them. However, people, not just the media by the way..., lumped the Obama voters into a small category, claiming that we voted for him simply because he was black and/or popular. The point is the media has been and will continue to over simplify things...etc. and so will everyday people like you and me. So let's not play the victim. It hurts on all ends. [stodd777]
As strange as it sounds, it doesn't surprise me. Anymore than it would have surprised me if 0bama had lost we more than likely would have seen the same behavior from the blacks at losing the election. I'm not condoning anything that's been done but there are ppl that would have been outraged no matter what the outcome. Since 0bama was supposed to be the first black person to run for office and win it, he had to have known that there were ppl like this out there...the fact that he was receiving death threats even before he was elected should have told him that. I hate to say it but it really wouldn't surprise me if he did end up assissinated. I'm not encouraging, supporting or condoning it but it is a reality. That comes with the job...as other assissinated presidents show. ~~MY OWN PEACE WITHIN~~ **STAND STRONG AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF** [twoey68]
I think it was obvious from the very beginning of his campaign that assassination was a major threat as he received the highest level of protection for any presidential candidate. [whiteheather39]
it's a excuse about the racial crimes. as far as stealing for one reason is because why the things are going in the states, everything going up and people can't afford to buy food or gas. so they are doing what they need to do. but as you i didn't raise my kids to judge other by skin color or belife. one main rule of my house no matter who walks in there will be no racial talks or slur what so ever. [syankee525]
You know, the one thing that I find totally amazing and sad at the same time is that the ones that feel that President-elect Obama should not be President are the ones that can't see the whole picture; or they refuse to. He is not black, but bi-racial. Even that is something that should not be looked upon as wrong, but for the ones that see only a black man will only see a black man. There will be a wave of black slurrs and crimes and the true crime in all of this will be plain, pure stupidity. After any election there are always sore losers, but this year, in this part in our history, the sore losers feel that they have a real reason to be angry. It's a shame that with all that energy it is taking to put out that anger that they they are forgetting that there are more important things to put that energy to and that's getting our economy back on track. If they want to see color, then they better start seeing some green or else they will learn the true meaning of just what black really is. DCMerkle [DCMerkle]
Then you should talk to the papers and news who are making such a big deal about 'the first black president to be elected'. I open my paper the day after the election and on the front page it has a picutre of 3 black high school students and the article was about how now, black students have someone to look up to. Personally, I could care less what color you are - and I don't think anyone should be judged by ANY outside apperances. However, when you have the bias news who can't keep from talking about it - what do you expect? [Benjaminna]
Unfortunately, racism is rampant in many countries. I remember one country I visited, which I will not name so I do not offend the people from there, had racism on display for me very well when I was riding a train there. I couldn't believe the words I was hearing coming out of the man's mouth, about black people. In particular, black Americans. I was like, what?! Since I had not spoken, he did not know I was American because of course my accent or lack of one, or whatever would have given me away. To say all those who voted against Obama are racist is racist in itself. The majority of Americans do not feel this way, but the minority who do are shown in the media, for all to see. Anything to get a story bigger. I think the more attention brought to this, the worse it will be for Obama. Most of Americans whatever race they are, don't harbor such hatred in their hearts. White, black, Asian, or Native American. The good still outnumber the bad. [AmbiePam]
Excellent response...thank you! [whiteheather39]
well, its really unfair. I think we experience this kind of problem all over the world. Racism. Particularly the color of the skin. And I dont get the sense of this skin color difference. As what youve said, we are all EQUAL in the eyes of God. We just pray for this problem to end and let everyone live peacefully. I hope. [PinayPrincess]
WEll I havent seen or heard any of that happening here but then they might be keeping it quite. In away I am not surprized alot of this came from the south as if you talk to the older people they still fighting the Civil war and the south never lost. lol and al the people I met in the south was to poor to have ever been slave owners so I just dont know what to thnk about them I didnt when I moved there in 64. I was surprized then at them still fighting the CIvil war in thier minds and words. So now I guess they still are altho I thought it should be over after all these years!. [Lakota12]
I live in Georgia where a lot of it said to be happening but I personally have not seen any increase. Perhaps our local media is just keeping quiet about it so as not to inflame the situation. [whiteheather39]
it said those on the losing side have an easy target... it didn't say everybody on the losing side, that statement doesn't even say they will take the easy target, only that they have one, and yes hate crimes are disgusting and should never be. [winterose]
thumbdown Have it your way if it makes you happy! It did not make me happy. sad [whiteheather39]
Generalizations are always unfair. Just like racism, it places prejudice against a group of people. [laura1167]
You are absolutely correct. Thank you. [whiteheather39]
Race crimes have not risen, only the media attention they have recieved. Ther will be a trend towrds this too and soon, any anti-Obama staements or actions will be deemed as racist. the boldest call for revolution I saw after the elections was from a man who was black. I copied it and posted it in here without indicating the race of the person who wrote it, becuse it just didn't ocure to me that I would need to...and it was imeditalely branded as a racist statement. I was astounded, I guess I shouldn't have been. [xfahctor]
I think you are correct because the article gives a few examples of it happening in Georgia but I live in Georgia and I have not heard anything in our local media about an increase. [whiteheather39]
Sure, it's grossly unfair...I agree wholeheartedly and wish this country would come back together as one nation again. This is just the latest in a long list of generalizations that have been made about people based on who they supported for President and I guess the first time it's effected you personally. Previously it was the Republican side taking shots though. On this board alone Obama supporters have been called Liberals, Socialists, Sexists, sheep, evil, stupid, uninformed, told that we're not real Americans, accused of supporting the ripping of live & viable infants from their mother's womb to suffer and die, accused of supporting terrorism, accused of supporting racial hatred by the black community, accused of attacking Palin's children whenever anything about her relating to them or even her stance on birth control is questioned...I could go on but you get my point. The first unfair generalization stings a bit. Here's hoping that you don't experience it enough to get used to it...like I have. [spalladino]
I have no tolerance for bigotry and especially when it's directed at children. My best friend's niece has two bi-racial children and we never see race when we look at them. We see a bright little boy with the lovliest eyes and a beautiful baby girl with curls everywhere! I do have faith that tensions will ease once Obama takes office and this country starts moving forward. [spalladino]
The article didn't lump all people who didn't vote for Obama as racist. The crimes they were describing were definitely politically motivated, and committed by racists, but that certainly doesn't mean all Republicans are racist! These are horrific crimes, certainly. And there are people who don't believe racism exists anymore, so hopefully this will open their eyes! [soooobored]
I never voted for Obama but it wasn't because he is black....I didn't vote for him because of his relationship with terriorist in Chicago......Like Bill Ayers....who bombed buildings in the sixtys and killed innocent people.. I saw the hanging of a white women figure befor the black figure ever came out..I saw more racial remarks from Obama's team than I heard from Sarah Palin..... It's because people didn't want be beleive the truth about him is the only reason he got in....as for racial epithets scrwleed on homes and cars I never saw that around where I lived because there wasn't any...... I don't know where your from but I sure that people who voted for him wanted him but as I said before I didn't vote for him but he is any so now we suffer through four more years of the same....There is no change in Washington because he is putting in his cabinet all of the old boys from the Clinton years........ And his not the great hope that everyone thought he was going to be........Oh don't hold your breath if you think your going to get a thousdand dollars from him cause you won't get it..... [nzinky]
I've said it before and it bears saying again. Racism is alive and well in America. It should not come as a suprise to anyone that hate crimes are/will be on the horizon as well as crimes "to survive" such as stealing, writing bad checks, lying etc. Those things are to be expected. As for "all whites who did not vote for Obama being racist" well, most people know where I stand.Many whites and other cultures voted for Obama and I don't think they all did because he is black. I also don't think "every" person who voted for McCain is a card carrying Klan member. However, I do say that I am hard pressed to be convinced when one says they didn't vote for Obama not because of race YET all their other post singles out his race "black president", "black Obama", "first black president", hate his "black a$$" and "blacks voted for black". Ok, if race is not an issue then why can't his name be called without the voicing of his race? So it makes it hard to believe one does not see race but race is always on the tongue. [cjrwells]
Oh and ENOUGH said!!! What the hell does that mean anyway? Is it soppose to be a command to shut someone up? If so then again it is presumption to think you can control someone else freedom of speech. [cjrwells]
Violence and harsh words are never the answer, but it does not stop people from expressing themselves in this manner. What is done is done, it can't be changed. People would be better occupied directing their energies towards something that can help, but of course that is not the way of human nature. [sumofalltears]
That article is stupid. The reason that people did not vote for Obama was because of his issues, his pro abortion stance for one, and his unwillingness to prove that he was either born or not born an American citizen as well as his far left radicalism. On the other hand, I am sorely disappointed at the black people who voted for Obama because he is part black. That is also racism and that is the worse kind. I doubt if his election will bring much harmony and happiness to the American people and if the blacks think "oh goodey, the whites are going to work the low end jobs and be discriminated against. It is pay back time!" forget it. [suspenseful]
I too was on the losing side but it had nothing to do with the color of the candidate's skin. I would have voted with a purple person if I felt they served my needs and those of our country. I just couldn't bring myself to vote for someone that supports killing a child in the late term of pregnancy let alone a partial birth abortion. This was not a decision I took lightly but I would never degrade an entire race because I don't believe one person is appropriate for a job. I don't really feel the racism is more prevalent now I just believe it is coming more apparent. This is due in large part to our media. They tend to stir the pot because they want the ratings and sells (of newspapers). You rarely see on the news or in papers when several races come together for one common cause but it sure is showcased when a person of a different race has been victimized by a person for one reason or another. We as citizens have to stop buying into such behavior or it will continue to get worse. [tammytwo]
I agree. The media is responsibible for fanning the sparks to keep the flames going for their only interest - sales. Bottom line.... money. [whiteheather39]
Hmmm... But it's perfectly okay to hang a dummy of Palin up at Halloween, right? I mean that was just a Halloween prank - not anything racist, right? And it's also perfectly okay for Rev Wright to spew hate slurs against white Americans too? My question is, why is it only considered a hate crime when a black person is the one being attacked? [Benjaminna]
I also wanted to add that for the past 8 years I've heard 'hate crimes' against Bush - if that what we are calling this. Why wasn't none of that ever brought up? But now someone is saying stuff towards Obama it hits the news? Give me a break. [Benjaminna]
Hmmm, that seems somewhat narrow/small minded to say such things. Kind of the same as what "the losers" are accused of. I didn't vote for Obama either but I would have GLADLY voted for Colin Powell....let's see...last time I looked he WAS an AA male...isn't he....or did I look at the wrong person? Nope, he' is! Look at me, a Heinz 57 white gal, wanting to vote for Colin Powell! Assuming that all "the losers" are racist...is...well...a very RACIST comment. I am Irish, Wendish, Cherokee and supposedly some African American...why on earth would I NOT vote for another American...cause...gee that's what we all are....AMERICANS. My opposition to Mr. Obama was much different than the color of his skin. He just didn't want the same things that I wanted. In all honesty I wasn't thrilled with McCain either, but he was just a tab bit closer to my issues. Had McCain been AA, I would just as easily have said the same about him and voted for him. Color doesn't make a man, someday we might all learn that....I hope. [Irishfrndly65]
Wow! Thanks for BR! [Irishfrndly65]
I don't appreciate being called a racist because I did not vote for Obama, while at first I thought he would be good, the more I learned about him and his policies, the less I liked. Yet, I got slammed constantly and was labelled a racist, which had nothing to with my decision. THAT is racist in it's own way. I had thought our country was past racism for the most part, only in small isolated pockets, but I see it's alive and thriving all across contemporary America. Because I don't see it where I live, I mistakenly thought it was like that everywhere in the US. However, it goes both ways, we have racism of whites against blacks and racism of blacks against whites. Both are keeping it alive. Had it been McCain who won, we'd be seeing the same thing, it's what people do, they like the violence and use whatever excuse to perpetuate it. I don't think any of those people committing these racist crimes really care about who the President is or what his color is, it's just an excuse so they can fuel there own ideas with violence. It if isn't this, it would be something else. I don't know the solution but this behavior shames me to be part of the human race as long as this kind of thing is going on. And it's not just here in the US, it's all over the world, it may not be about color, it can be religion or any imagined superiority or imagined inferiority of one group towards another and THAT is everywhere. It disgusts me. It is so easy to accept others as they are, why must people make it so difficult? I think it's human nature and it's not going to change anytime soon. [thelastwolf113]
I started this discussion because I too did not appreciate being called a racist. I have always voted Democrat but my conscience and gut feeling , not to mention the issues, could not let me vote for Obama. IMO there were other black politicians who were better qualified to be president but Obama used his eloquence, charisma and empty promises to win the election at at time when the nation was already in financial difficulties and hope was all they really had. [whiteheather39]
America is obviously not ready for a coloured president. [MsTickle]
No, it's long overdue. Just because there a few bigoted ignorant fools, don't think we are all like that. I didn't vote for Obama because I feel his inexperience will cost us much in the long run, but it's about time we have a person of color in the White House. I just wish it were someone with more experience. Color has to be the most stupidest thing to judge a person on, or to make assinine assumptions about. I really wish I could say that my country is past that but we still have some idiots who cling to ridiculous notions and it reflects poorly on all of us. [thelastwolf113]
People are hurting; they are losing their jobs and their houses and they have a deep mistrust of Obama because of his policies, and it is being expressed through racial terms. If the economy wasn't in the crapper it probably wouldn't be so bad and I fear it's only going to get worse, particularly when those who voted for Obama become angry and disillusioned at all the failed promises. I have never seen people buy so blindly into campaign promises which everyone should know to be merely attempts to pander votes, but buy into it people did, and they have pretty high expectations. And when expectations are dashed people tend to lash out. It's going to be very very bad in the next four years. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46MEqEgdLTg [sndcain36]
I think there are many of us who took the elections and the candidates' issues very seriously before we cast our vote. I agree with what Celente says and it does not bode well for the next 4 years. My heart goes out to all those families whose wage earners have lost their jobs and people have lost their savings. I agree that it will only get worse once dissalusionment sets in and the Obama supporters lose hope when the big change promised is not what they hoped for and sadly that will affect us all. [whiteheather39]
i agree fundementaly with one statement, it is unfare to lump all those who did not vote for Obama as racist, i would lump them together as reactinary rednecks ansd its good to know who they all are so the rest of the world can keep an eye on them blessed be [ESKARENA1]
I think that whatever country you live in, the media love to sensationalise and that there will always be bigots. I remember the race riots in England in the early 1980s, when cars were beinfg torched and running battles between youths and police in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London. This was largely down to black youths feeling that they were unfairly being targeted by the police for 'stop and search', and an alienation of them as young British citizens. This led to major changes in the law. Over the last 5 years, these reverses have been re-reversed, and now the police are stopping asian youths, and the media announces asians being arrested under terror laws every week - strangely, they rarely report any trial. I am familiar with a case in Manchester, where I live, when a man of Somalian decent was stopped by police. His home was raided, his family thrown onto the streets (including an elderly grandmother) and 6 arrests. The final outcome of this terrorist policing was the original gentleman getting 3 points on his driving license. 2 months ago, the British government used terrorist laws to freeze the assets of Icelandic banks in the UK - Iceland being 1 of the 28 countries that is in Iraq, and has never been a part of George W's 'Axis of Evil'. Last week, a report published stated that the 'Real IRA' are more of a threat to UK safety than Al-Qaeeda, yet this went unreported by the BBC. I think that the barrack Obama election result has created a great swell of national prie across the States, where even many Republicans are rightly proud of a system that has elected a non white president for the first time, even if he is a democrat. Unfortunately, like in every country, the US still has a racist minority, who are feeling under attack by Obamas victory, and have possibly felt the need to try and reclaim ground they percieve they have lost. This has fired a counter movement, and this was probably always going to happen. What is most important to remember is that these people may be getting column inches in the press and time on the news, but they are a minority. I believe that the Mexicans have faced an increasing problem over the last few years, as bigots always need to blame someone else, but Obama has made the anti-African-American lobby make more noise. Most Americans are not bigots, and ultimately the progress the US has made over the last 40 years will continue. Action is needed, but don't let the media make you feel America is going backwards, because it isn't. [Adrenochrome]
He may surprise you, but it's only for 4 years. Countries aren't made or destroyed overnight. [Adrenochrome]
Where is all this racism taking place? Do you watch the local and national news? Have they mentioned it? I haven't seen or heard anything about it. [bestboy19]
I did say that the article specifically mentions Georgia. I live in Georgia and there are been nothing in our local media about any increase in racial violence. [whiteheather39]
Its all disgusting and horrible. I live in Italy and a lot of immigrants come from Africa, lately, like the past few months racial crimes and attacks have been on the rise in Napoli, almost once a week now you see a young black person with a brusied face telling a story of how young italian idiots called him dirty black and beat him up on the way home from school or work. Disgusting, utterly disgusting. [JulianaRose]
I won't say these things haven't happened, but I've not seen increase in racial crimes or tension in the area where I live. Before the election, my acquaintances worried about what would happen to the country if Obama was elected, but now that it's fait accompli, they're just sort of ho-hum about the whole thing. I personally feel that anything that's posted on the internet and which you hear nowhere else should be taken with a grain of salt. That's not to say it isn't true, it just means it should be double checked before it's believed. [6precious102]
If you do not believe the yahoo link how about ABC News is that better? http://i.abcnews.com/US/wireStory?id=6263743 [whiteheather39]