Making too big of a deal ABOUT Obama

[White Comet]

I don't normally venture into the political forum but the coverage of Obama's inauguration is starting to get to me. well that's not true, but it's adding to my growing annoyance since Obama first started running for president. Basically I'm sick of people making a big deal about Obama's race.Nothing is more annoying then people who dislike him simply because of his skin color, or on the flip side, are for him because of his skin color. My wife brought up a good point this morning; Several African America celebrities, for example Oprah, are insanely supportive of Obama. There's nothing wrong with that, but during other elections i don't recall Oprah strongly backing one candidate over another. I have to wonder if she was just pushing that hard for a ground breaking first black president. Would She and others have supported just any African American running for president?

Fast forward to today with the inauguration coverage. All morning they've been interviewing people about what they think about it, etc, etc. EVERY single person they asked (with the exception of one older lady) were African American. One comment was even made by a reporter about how it'll be monumental for a black man to be in the white house considering it was built by slaves. wtf, this is ridiculous!

edit- if a mod could change the misspelling in my title i'd appreciate it. i was in too much of a hurry to spell check

[krimsonviper]

Fuggin'

And most the supporters say "Change is going to happen!"

Of course, it's a brand new president, shut up with that phrase already.

[marlin29311]

What's all this talk about the first halfrican american president?

[S13_love]

What's all this talk about the first halfrican american president?

Haha...good one (sarcasm applied)

......Oh wait.

[HashiriyaS14]

Fast forward to today with the inauguration coverage. All morning they've been interviewing people about what they think about it, etc, etc. EVERY single person they asked (with the exception of one older lady) were African American.

LOL, have you ever *been* to DC?

It is not a Caucasian city.

At any rate, it IS of historic importance that he is the first black President, and so I do think that it should be a big part of the day's news coverage.

After the inauguration, everyone should forget about it, but today, I agree that it's a big deal, and it would've been a big deal to have the first woman if that had been the case.

[White Comet]

i think you're missing my point, it is a big deal and monumental, but i guess I'm bothered by the WAY that its covered. I'm certain many African Americans are pro obama because of his skin color not his political viewpoints. The comment about a black man being in the white house built by slaves was retarded. I don't remember news coverage the first time a Chinese guy rode on a train or something else equally retarded to point out

[USsil80]

or what about the thing that howard stern did where he went into harlm asked people if they like obam but put in McCain views and vice versa with McCain and they liked obam.. mmmm ....

[Cold_Zero]

I think the term that you are looking for is over exposure. They are marketing this guy (President Elect Obama) to the hilt. They have coins, dishes and DVDs (not to mention all the apparel) that they are making money off of his appeal. Not to mention all the **** that they will be selling in DC for this momentous occasion. You can't turn on the TV without seeing Obama being portrayed as a Rock Star and having Chris Matthews proclaiming that he gets a funny feeling that runs up and down his leg when the man speaks. Not to mention that his campaign has made up an "Office of the President Elect" which is no where in the US Constitution. But was created so that Barry can platy President before he is sworn in to the Official Office.All this over exposure and over marketing will be his demise in this Post Modern culture that resents these kinds of activity (over marketing).

It is not really the historical significance of the first half White and half African being elected and inaugurated to the office of the President of the United States that is the issue. It is all the distractions and everything that is being affixed to this "historic event."

In my wife's school corporation, they sent out a suggestion of websites that teachers can use to create curriculum to teach on this historic event. Yet when Tony Dungy was the first Black Head Coach in the NFL to win the Super Bowl, her school corporation was silent. What the travesty is that IMHO Tony Dungy is more of a role model that I would want my daughter to strive to be more like than any President of the United States, Obama included.

[USsil80]

I think the term that you are looking for is over exposure. They are marketing this guy (President Elect Obama) to the hilt. They have coins, dishes and DVDs (not to mention all the apparel) that they are making money off of his appeal. Not to mention all the **** that they will be selling in DC for this momentous occasion. You can't turn on the TV without seeing Obama being portrayed as a Rock Star and having Chris Matthews proclaiming that he gets a funny feeling that runs up and down his leg when the man speaks. Not to mention that his campaign has made up an "Office of the President Elect" which is no where in the US Constitution. But was created so that Barry can platy President before he is sworn in to the Official Office.All this over exposure and over marketing will be his demise in this Post Modern culture that resents these kinds of activity (over marketing).

It is not really the historical significance of the first half White and half African being elected and inaugurated to the office of the President of the United States that is the issue. It is all the distractions and everything that is being affixed to this "historic event."

In my wife's school corporation, they sent out a suggestion of websites that teachers can use to create curriculum to teach on this historic event. Yet when Tony Dungy was the first Black Head Coach in the NFL to win the Super Bowl, her school corporation was silent. What the travesty is that IMHO Tony Dungy is more of a role model that I would want my daughter to strive to be more like than any President of the United States, Obama included.

and the coin that he has is the only money to be printed without "in god we trust" on it IIRC

[Jesda]

A lot of Americans think its REALLY AMAZING that a black man can succeed at something besides rapping or playing basketball. I feel sorry for those people, the morons with tunnel vision who think a black president is the most shocking and amazing thing to ever happen.

The idea of a highly successful and educated black American doesn't strike me as something to go out of my way to celebrate. Its not unusual to me, not in these times.

PRETTY WORDS! BLACK SKIN! OOH! AHHH! HE'S SOOO ARTICULATE!

The nonsense will wear off in a week and the new president can get down to business.

[Cold_Zero]

It should also be noted, especially since everyone (National News Media and the Obama Handlers) were affixing the election and inauguration of Obama to the Dr Martin Luther King Jr legacy (because of the Holiday).

1. Obama's people were never freed by Abe Lincoln. As Obama descends from Eastern Africans who were not enslaved by the former American Colonies nor the United States of America.2. Obama did not participate in the Civil Rights Movement of the 50's and 60's. 3. It was the Black Establishment that came out against Obama as a candidate in 2006, backed Hillary Clinton and said some pretty desparaging things about Obama. Guys like Bobby Rush, Bob Johnson (founder of BET), Al Shaprton and Jessie Jackson.

I am really hesitant and apprehensive with groups coming in and laying claim to the legacy of historical figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., so that they can use it for their political benefit. What Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for transcends politics and should not be high jacked for the latest, greatest event, especially for one person's benefit.

[notslow]

I think its historic in the sense that ya he is the first black president but it shouldn't be over-marketed by his (hopeful) ability to run the country and fix the crises the US is in.

[JimmyMethod]

A lot of Americans think its REALLY AMAZING that a black man can succeed at something besides rapping or playing basketball. I feel sorry for those people, the morons with tunnel vision who think a black president is the most shocking and amazing thing to ever happen.

The fact that Obama is a successful black man is not the 'big deal'.

The 'big deal' having to do with our president being black, is that it is an indication that our society can put aside old prejudices and put aside the scars of the past to elect a man who, to many, sits as a reminder of those wounds.

[AZhitman]

I don't remember news coverage the first time a Chinese guy rode on a train or something else equally retarded to point out

Brilliant.

The nonsense will wear off in a week and the new president can get down to business.

Brilliant.

What the travesty is that IMHO Tony Dungy is more of a role model that I would want my daughter to strive to be more like than any President of the United States, Obama included.

Brilliant.

What Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for transcends politics and should not be high jacked for the latest, greatest event, especially for one person's benefit.

....aaaand brilliant.

[Stev0n]

obama seems to me like possibly the most convincing 'salesman' ever.

He's very articulate, well educated, and has the ability to get the masses to back him with an extreme passion (reminds me of adolf hitler).

what worries me is the possibility that he is just that, a talker. and since he has now talked his way into office, when it comes time to act - he will fall short. But we will see.

[JimmyMethod]

It should also be noted, especially since everyone (National News Media and the Obama Handlers) were affixing the election and inauguration of Obama to the Dr Martin Luther King Jr legacy (because of the Holiday).

You don't think America being willing to elect a black man to the presidency isn't at all a reflection of MLKJ's work?

Quote »I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.[/quote]We, as a nation, decided the best man for the presidency was a young senator from Illinois.

Six years ago, I remember listening to him speak, and was astounded by his character, humility, and charisma.

It wasn't because he was black.

[Cold_Zero]

obama seems to me like possibly the most convincing 'salesman' ever.

He's very articulate, well educated, and has the ability to get the masses to back him with an extreme passion (reminds me of adolf hitler).

what worries me is the possibility that he is just that, a talker. and since he has now talked his way into office, when it comes time to act - he will fall short. But we will see.

While one person may share similarities with Adolf Hitler, Obama is by no means just like Adolf Hitler...

But what is interesting is that most Progressives and Revolutionaries are typically all talk. What should be noted is that even though Obama won the campaign (to be the President of the United States) the man is still campaigning. Why is he still campaigning for the position that he has already won? Will the next 4 years be one gigantic campaign for the 2012 elections?

[Cold_Zero]

You don't think America being willing to elect a black man to the presidency isn't at all a reflection of MLKJ's work?

No, but that is not what King's legacy is all about (getting a black man elected to the position of the Presidency of the United States). To sell it short by affixing it to the Presidency of one man, sells it short. Again, the work that King did transcends all this.

[White Comet]

The 'big deal' having to do with our president being black, is that it is an indication that our society can put aside old prejudices and put aside the scars of the past to elect a man who, to many, sits as a reminder of those wounds.

i completely agree, but I'm worried that Obama was voted in BECAUSE he's black and not his political stance. If i white candidate had the exact same political stance woudl he be as widely received by the African American community? There's no 2 ways about it that obama had many black supporters. You can't tell me the entire black community agree with his viewpoints. I'm sure many backed him because of his skin color. As positive and ground breaking as it is to have a black president, I fell that many would have voted for ANY black candidate and not Obama. I almost feel that he's the token black guy and thats all it took for some to vote him in. I'm willing to bet that some who voted for him couldn't tell you his position on certain issues

[yotik]

The irony though is that i dont think hes a descendant of slaves so the whole "black guy" thing is a little moot.

But this thread is silly. Let the man have his day. After today he's just another president but today is huge. Black is part of it but more importantly he's not a white male. This speaks volumes to the spirit of American people guys. A woman, hispanic or anything else would have been just as monumental. He is the leader of the free world and in the most powerful office in the world. This deserves its day.

[OriginalWheelman]

Honestly, to me this shows how much emphasis people still put on race.

White racists think they are vindicated from ancestral sin by voting for a "black" man.

Blacks racists think they have achieved something by proxy.

[bobotech]

I wonder about this, we have built up Barry so much over the last year, what will happen when everyone's normal day to day life do NOT change or change for the worse (economy still crashing)?

Its one thing for Bush to fail, everyone expects it so when he screws up, its just Bush as usual. But if Barry screws up or rather say Barry doesn't make impressionable changes that the average Joe the plumber can see, what will happen to him?

[marlin29311]

I wonder about this, we have built up Barry so much over the last year, what will happen when everyone's normal day to day life do NOT change or change for the worse (economy still crashing)?

Its one thing for Bush to fail, everyone expects it so when he screws up, its just Bush as usual. But if Barry screws up or rather say Barry doesn't make impressionable changes that the average Joe the plumber can see, what will happen to him?

The media will probably still blame Bush, saying that it was his fault in the first place. This will probably happen for the next 4 year or so I would imagine.

[AZhitman]

The inquisitive part of me still wants to know why he (and everyone else) considers him "Black".

What would the opinion be if he'd come out and said, "No, I'm White. My father was Black, but I consider myself a White American."

Just wonderin'....

[Cold_Zero]

Even though they did not blame Clinton for the Recession and the Al Qaeda threat that Bush inherited.

[JimmyMethod]

No, but that is not what King's legacy is all about (getting a black man elected to the position of the Presidency of the United States). To sell it short by affixing it to the Presidency of one man, sells it short. Again, the work that King did transcends all this.

Um... I'm pretty sure most if not every civil rights triumph in the last 50 years could be shown to be owing to MLKJ's legacy...

If you are just trying to be difficult/obstinate, fine. Be upset, there's little I can do to change your mind.If you REALLY can't see how this is a leap for the American nation, you need to take a step back.

Anyway,I recently spent some time outside the U.S. and talking to people in various countries, and they all think that electing Barack Obama is an indication that we really aren't a bunch of racist xenophobes, which is their stereotype of us.

[AZhitman]

they all think that electing Barack Obama is an indication that we really aren't a bunch of racist xenophobes, which is their stereotype of us.

Hmmmm.

I wouldn't put too much stock in that.

If they're ignorant enough to perceive the whole population of the US as "racist xenophobes", then I'd also take their opinion of The Barry with a big chunk of rock salt.

[JimmyMethod]

Even though they did not blame Clinton for the Recession and the Al Qaeda threat that Bush inherited.

Who is this monolithic 'they'?

I blame both parties for the repeal of Glass-Steagall, and bills like it.

[JimmyMethod]

If they're ignorant enough to perceive the whole population of the US as "racist xenophobes", then I'd also take their opinion of The Barry with a big chunk of rock salt.

Most of these people had spend a lot of time in the U.S. and know that it's just a stereotype, but collective feelings vs. individual's feelings are different (groupthink, yo).

[Cold_Zero]

If you are just trying to be difficult/obstinate, fine.

Now you are catching on, Jimmy.

Anyway,I recently spent some time outside the U.S. and talking to people in various countries, and they all think that electing Barack Obama is an indication that we really aren't a bunch of racist xenophobes, which is their stereotype of us.

I would find sweet Irony if in your travel stories you are referring to Europe. The majority of Europe is down right xenophobic towards all the immigrating groups from North Africa, Sub Saharan Africa and the Middle East. I would take sweet sweet pleasure in being called a racist xenophobe by the Europeans.