And Now We Have The Black Panthers Story
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Like most of us who did not vote for Barack Obama for president, the day of his election was not as wholly electrifying for me as it was for, what I will fully concede at the time was the vast majority of Americans, who did. Still, I really did have a sense that perhaps one good that would come out of his election was that race relations in this country could finally be improved. In getting elected, a good lot of white people had to have cast their vote for him. There's no way he could have won the election any other way.
I thought, well, perhaps I can't say I necessarily agree with most of his policy ideas. But apparently America was ready to have a black president. So, wouldn't that be the beginning of the end for racism? Or at least, wouldn't it be the beginning of the end for the imbalances which tend to result from racist viewpoints? By God, black and white Americans might finally be able to get along.
I realize now that that thought may well have been a bit naive at best. After all, race relations have always been strained in our country. There's a lot of reasons for that, I suppose. The history of slavery isn't something that we can be wholly proud of as a nation. I'm sure not. Before the historical Civil Rights movement in the 1960's, there was a serious issue of racism in America, particularly in the southern states such as Alabama, Louisiana, and Georgia, to name a few. The idea that a black man could not drink out of the same water fountain as I could does seem a bit extreme to me, if not totally ridiculous.
We have come quite a long way from that, and while racism may not be dead, the laws we have today clearly outlines what it is, and what acts in its interests are unlawful. If you are racist, you cannot be so open about it anymore. You can't be openly discriminatory about it.
For that reason, the recent case of the Black Panthers who were filmed standing outside a Philadelphia polling station, in which Minister King Samir Shabazz is shown brandishing a billy club, that was thrown out by the justice department, is something I would never imagine in a million years could happen. Not the act. But the dismissal of the case. I would think racism from either side would simply not have a place in today's American society. Especially this kind.
However strong an analogy it may well be, you have to wonder what the reaction would have been if members of the Ku Klux Klan would have been standing outside that polling station instead of the Black Panthers. You'd have pandemonium by the black community. It actually amazes me exactly how much silence there seems to be on this issue by the black community. No one is standing against the thing, really. But think about it. It would be the perfect injustice wouldn't it be? It would quite literally be the straw that busted the camel's racist back—the first black man on the presidential ballot and the Ku Klux Klan shows up at the polls to pursuade black voters they may be better off rethinking whether or not they want to cast their vote?
Can you imagine?
I'm almost inclined to believe that, had that been the case, you'd have had every single black leader screaming bloody murder at whatever administration took office that a terrible crime had been committed against the black people in America, and heads would have to roll. Every single Ku Klux Klan member involved would have been right square in the hot seat. There would be no question whatsoever as to exactly what the intent of the KKK members would have been at the polls, or what clear message they were trying to get across.
Weapons in hand.
This simply would never fly in a million years, and if heads did not roll in a case like this, and had the Ku Klux Klan members been given a pass by the justice department as exactly has been the case by Eric Holder with regard to these two New Black Panther party members Samir Shabazz and Jerry Jackson, I'm inclined to believe that the riots we saw after the Rodney King verdict would pale in comparison by leaps and bounds.
Set aside the comments, that everyone has cited Minister King Samir Shabazz apparently had been making, shown on the National Geographic channel which would make any sane person's skin crawl. While they are absolutely hateful and disturbing, it is not in violation of the law. It's not a great thing, and the comments do give us a bit more insight into the mind of Samir Shabazz. But the comments he made that were depicted on National Geographic do not break any laws.
The polling station incident is clearly a whole other argument.
Take into account as well the fact that J. Christian Adams, a former justice department employee who recently quit regarding the outcome of the case, has come out and stated that the reasons for the case having been dropped had to do with race. Where's President Obama on an accusation like that? It took him minutes to come out and address the American people over the incident where that black professor had been mistaken by police for a burglar. It took him minutes to fire up the presses and tell the American public he would fire General McChrystal over comments he made that were inflammatory toward the president and his administration. Never mind that on that particular issue I happen to agree with the president that the General had to go—the point is that the president reacted swiftly.
No immediate order to have Attorney General Holder in his office immediately over such an issue as voter intimidation, racism, and accusations of race based decisions by the justice department? All we get instead is a shoulder shrug from White House press secretary Gibbs, "I haven't been paying much attention to this."
Naiveté is certainly what I had on that historical election day. But even that word is probably a word that isn't quite able to really define what I thought would happen with regard to race relations after the election.
And what of race relations? Besides this case being definitely racially charged, I'm certain I've heard the words "racism" and "racist" uttered more times in the past two years than I think I've ever heard either word uttered in my lifetime. Where does it end? Racism. And how do we plan to end racism once and for all if we are not willing to hold all racists accountable?
Even the black ones. Maybe especially the black ones. We can start with these two, if you don't mind.
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Jim,
I agree with your assessment, I do have an exception to your statement as quoted "It's not a great thing, and the comments do give us a bit more insight into the mind of Samir Shabazz. But the comments he made that were depicted on National Geographic do not break any laws."
What about the laws against incitement to riot?
Thankyou very much for a informative read. That racism just will not stop. Surely there was enough blood spilled and enough hurt by now.
Great hub. I believe that those that perpetuate the racism agenda do so because it serves their interests which are clearly not in line with peace, harmony and what is best for America. The issue is dead and boring. We have come a long way in this country, I say accept it and move on.
This is an amazing work here!! My gosh you explained in a way I had not even contemplated. As you said, if the KKK had pulled this crap and was NOT prosecuted, the rioters would have burned the justice department itself. However, as usual, the whites are too quiet and too complacent. It seems that someone in this administration MUST have a brain!! Frankly, the election of our first bi-racial "president" HAS increased unfounded cries of racism on all fronts. Conversely, when there is clear video evidence of racism FROM blacks TOWARDS whites, the DOJ and the idiot Holder just shrug, smirk, and say "SO WHAT?!"
It will be interesting to see if any of the libs read this hub and leave their thoughts, I will be checking back!
Springboard we all know that the Black Panthers are now and always have been thugs. And we also have an Atty General who is a racist and will not cop to it. The Black Panthers also plan on showing up at the end of August when Glen Beck and the Tea Party show up at the Washington Monument. Their leader has already stated this on video. And we damn well know that they are going there to Incite violence and crack heads IE : intimidate the crowd and probably thump a few ! And I guarentee you that if violence breaks out it is not the Panthers who will be looked at. It is the tea party. Because Holder has an axe to grind. And I was saying this over a year ago ! I wrote an article on him awhile back. I too like you was hoping we were moving forward , but I am obviously wrong !
It just goes to show that racial injustice works both ways... that guy was clearly intimidating voters.
Well, Springboard, we are on opposite sides of the political spectrum but I too, thought that by America electing an African-American president, we had indeed turned the corner on race relations.
The answer is NOT. Here is my personal experience from just a few days ago. I am staying in St. Pete helping my oldest with her 2 year old son and a new baby daughter (I am the white half of an interracial couple of over 40 years ). Xavier, my grandson and I were walking home from the park. As a burgundy red car with a bike rack on the top passed us, someone YELLED out "Nigger Lover"
Of course my reply was "Damned straight" plus a few more choice words that I cannot put into print.
Racism is alive and well in the United States but it usually travels under the radar. Until something blatant like this or say dragging a black man to death behind a pick up truck (remember that one?) happens.
Racism knows no color but I can say that I have never been stopped for driving while white" although all of my 4 children (who by the way have all graduated or will do so soon from prestigious universities) have been stopped for "driving while black".
But any "minority" in any country be it race, sex, religion or ethnicity has been the target of discrimination and acts of hate from those in power.
If we would ALL follow the good Lord's instruction to "Love your neighbor as yourself" hate and racism would cease to exist. In fact if we all just followed the 10 commandments, what a wonderful world we would all live in.
Very well written. I, too, am just amazed at the turn of events surrounding this. The case brought against these guys was virtually won when the DOJ yanked the case.
Are they not the Dept of Justice for all?
Your mention of improved race relations at the time of the election was something that all of America was hoping for. We all had hopes that the racial divide would soon be a thing of the past. What a shame that it has proven to make actually matters worse.
Oh, as I went off on my tangent, I forgot to say "Well written and well balanced hub!
Actually anyone who listened to what Obama said during the campaign should have noticed he had some troublesome attitudes. I have nothing against a black president or a woman president but they should not be elected because of race or gender but for what their abilities and attitudes are.
This case is shocking but not a total surprise.
Racism was part of the election no doubt was the new President elected because he was the best one for the job? How many thinks were swept way because of the race issue. If anything this makes it worse. Racists and bigots of all creeds will jump on this and other issues. This mess just seems to be getting worse doesn't it.
Eovery, hopefully we can get it together. Otherwise we will fall into the history books right alongside the rise and fall of the Roman empire.
Tom, I never thought about that. I suppose that could be an argument. Though luckily, it didn't seem that he was getting much attention other than sideways glances. Can we just agree he was effectively making an ass out of himself?
Hello, you'd think that by now we could come together and get it together with regard to race relations. Unfortunately the other side to this is, is that actions are contributory to feeding into stereotypes as well—the pot calling the kettle black is sometimes a fair statement.
POP, very well said and I agree with you 100%. I've run into trouble before making the comment that some blacks do not want racism to die, because it's their prime excuse for not having to accept their own personal failures. Whites have a crutch too, but I'm just speaking on the black issue right now. As you said it so well, racism serves certain people. It's their bread and butter so to speak.
Sheri, that's the one thing in cases like this that really floors me. If the shoe were on the other foot, the outcome and the aftermath would be VASTLY different. I don't like this whole double-standard thing that seems to always be ever present when it comes to race.
I almost wrote the EXACT same hub!! You have taken the words right out of my mouth - especially the part about the KKK!
Hi Springboard, Very well said and racism ends when you end racism and get those who perpetrates it, I like this hub, Maita
I'm in agreement with everyone who has said playing the race card suits the agenda of some politicians and with them the mainstream media.
Springboard, I am one of those who thought racism was dead for the most part also. It seems we have made great strides in that area but with Holder acting irresponsibly stopping that trial and having his own axe to grind there is no end in sight. I also think that the race card is suiting the agenda of some politicians. It is a sad state of affairs.
Racism is alive and well and no amount of laws will change that as long the human butt points towards the ground and there is hatred in the heart.
Even the way the media report the news is racisit..
Did Americans vote for Barack Obama because he was the best person for the job or because of his colour ?
What has his colour got to do with anything ?
Was it actually necessary to claim him as the first Black President of the USA as if this is some sort of barrier that is now broken....
Do Black Americans sleep easier in their beds because they have a coloured President ?
Would women feel safer with a Woman President ?
One day it will happen and there will be a woman in the White House, and she will be the first. So what ?
Surely it is that person's ablity to do the job rather than their Sex or Colour but as long as we accept the media's slant on constantly referring to these things as if they were somehow important there will be racism in the land.
Tony, I think Holder's agenda is clear and you are right. The silence from the president makes me wonder where his real position is on this. It's awfully suspect, though, if you ask me.
Carolina, and racism goes both ways as well. I've actually come to the conclusion that blacks who are racists now outnumber white racists—and that's saying something considering the number of whites outweigh the number of blacks. This is a personal observation, BTW, so it's not supported by a statistic...but perhaps someone else has a figure?
Reddog, thanks for stopping by and sharing your situation. I can only say that while you may not have experienced "driving while white," I have experienced many occassions of racism by blacks. I tend to be a very observant person. Just like yesterday. My wife and I were at Harbor Freight Tools picking up something. A black woman in a blue Saturn saw my wife and I crossing and did not stop. As she drove by us she gave us a sideways glance. I told my wife, "Don't think she'll stop for you. You're white."
On the flipside, my wife and I were headed in to an Arby's a few months ago, and as I noticed two black women behind us, I held the door open for them...even waiting a few extra seconds for them to get to the door as they weren't quite there. One of them remarked, "Oh Lord, I think I've seen it all now." I don't know exactly what the context of her remark was. I didn't ask. I just smiled and went on my way. But I can only think it was that she was surprised a white man would hold a door open for a black woman.
Racism coming from any side is a bad thing. To think that racism doesn't go both ways is naive and wrong. And as I just stated to Carolina, I actually believe it's more a reality that blacks are far more racist than whites are. Blacks also get away with being racist. A black comedian can get away with calling a white man a cracker. A white comedian cannot call a black the "n" word.
Joni, in an odd sort of way, the fact that the president IS black seems to have played a role...when the left gets it wrong and the right dissents, it's immediately attributed to race and racism rather than lack of performance or substance in policy. Even the term "white right" disturbs me as there are MANY registered republicans who are black.
Reddog, thanks for the clarification. :)
Dahoglund, I definitely agree with you on that one. I think he made at least a couple references to his color during the race, most notably the one about not looking like the other presidents on our money. I simply found him to be too far to the left for me. Even as I was a bit concerned over the difficulty McCain had, IMO, in articulating clearly his message, I still felt he would have been the better choice.
I'm not a BIG McCain guy BTW, I should note. I'm looking for a real, Reagan conservative to emerge in the next few months who can rejuvinate GOP principle and conservative foundations.
Romney, Palin and Paul right now just aren't doing it for me—though Palin is becoming more of an interesting figure for me. I guess you could say she's growing on me.
Billy, unfortunately I think you are right.
Springboard, you asked the question "However strong an analogy it may well be, you have to wonder what the reaction would have been if members of the Ku Klux Klan would have been standing outside that polling station instead of the Black Panthers?"\
We've seen Klan members many times outside events in which Obama speaks. There were several in particular where armed men brought assault rifles and stood outside the event where Obama was speaking. This happened in NH and AZ and a few other states as well.
These men were not even arrested.
I have nothing but to smile,as that is the only(please read ONLY)agenda we have back home.
Holle, and I went looking for it. You'll have to direct me. Delving into politics are we? :) Great to see you as always.
Maita, the complicated aspect of racism is the mindset of racism. The culture of racism. I think the only way you can truly thwart it is to have firm laws to protect against racist acts. Be clear in the law as to what is a racist act and prosecute those who engage in them. The Black Panther party case would be one such case. So would be discrimination in the workplace.
You can't take the racism out of the racist, but you CAN give him a reason to keep it to himself. :)
Sheila, I would have to be in agreement with that statement as well.
Pamela, it is. I think if the Obama administration, and Holder specifically, doesn't be more forthcoming or address the whole issue, this is going to blow up in someone's face. There's a little bit too much radio silence for me on this one. Interestingly, Bob Scheifer had an opportunity to ask a question or two on the matter of Holder in an interview, and the issue never even came up.
Merlin, my sentiments as well. I don't care what party, color, or sex a candidate is so long as they have solid ideas that will propel America forward and do what's best for the American people. The reaction by blacks at my place of work at the time was actually a little bit frightening, hearing one woman chanting "Ooh, Obama. Things are gonna change. Things are gonna change." Her reaction was not an isolated incident by the way.
LRC, so we're just going to give the Black Panthers a pass? BTW, anyone with guns anywhere near Obama would be met with trouble via the Secret Service. Come on.
Suny, smiling is good. Who can argue with a smile? :)
As I stated in my hub on the same issue, I am sure Dr. King and Ms. Parks are shedding tears of sadness in Heaven over this.
I have to agree with you and although I didn't vote for Obama, deep down inside of was hoping that I was wrong in my worries. This was a travesty that has set us back. This is an in your face mentality that will backfire as people are taking their rose colored glasses off. It would have gone a long way if the Admin. would have addressed the issue.
I've not been reading the papers, or watching the news. I read myspace blogs, hubs. . . . .and repair air conditioners.
I guess I'm saying that I'd not heard of this incident-but it's pretty interesting.
I've got a crazy old Gypsy (Roma) friend who lives in Germany, if he sees me online late at night on myspace-then he sends me instant messages. He is DEEP into politics, and the man knows all about American Prisons, and all of those problems. He says that Black Panthers, etc, in American prisons are well known by name all across Europe, and I've never heard of these people. . . .I'd imagine that the history of Germany has something to do with the heightened awareness of that sort of thing though.
Rebel, it is certainly a sad state of affairs. I'm still in awe at how LITTLE shock has been conjured up over this issue. You'd think this would have been the top news story all over the place. This kind of stuff simply has no place in today's society. Period.
Ehern, most certainly. And I have to say I'm actually quite surprised by the absense of the Obama administration on this issue. It almost seems to suggest to me that what we're hearing about the story is absolutely true.
Of course, hearing Gibbs tell the press he wasn't really following the story made me wonder, what the hell ARE they doing? They're not reading bills they are suing over, and not following stories of potential race based decision making in the DOJ...and the list goes on and on.
Todd, the Germans would have reason to be weary of any group that wishes to single out another. Great to see you BTW—as for your news sources might I recommend Fox? You won't find a more rounded news source than that. ;)
Spingboard & ALL,
lET US BE HONEST- the RACE GAME WILL NOT DIE UNTIL Whites are in the minority and out of power, only then will we stop hearing these claims and we will not have the Sharptons and Jacksons and samir shabazzes of the world doing their "work". It is a shamefu; thing that anyone gets racial epithets ost themr disparaging terms used again sorry to be so blunt but the Shabazzes of the world have said it FIRSTnot me.
TH
I'm not sure I agree it will take whites being in the minority to end racism. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure racism CAN ever truly die no matter what ultimately happens. But it is important to individually make our very best effort to see beyond race. It can be difficult. But on both sides of the fence I think it is something that we absolutely must do to at least curb racism. We are at a time in our history where the word should be an anomaly in the spoken language. Not a regularly used word.
By the way, the NAACP president, Ben Jealous, should have immediately denounced the New Black Panther Party, and the comments of Shabazz specifically in the speech he made about racism in the tea party movement—which is a ridiculous charge BTW, but for another day. If you don't want racism, you don't want it from ANY side, and when it is found on WHATEVER side, it should called out and sternly condemned. To do anything less devalues your own argument, and that's exactly what NOT calling out the Black Panther's racist rhetoric has done to the NAACP racist claims against the tea party.
There is a thing called reverse discrimination. We don't talk about that too much. Interesting hub on the Black Panthers.
Sherrie Sherrod and the Black Panthers, in a way, are sort of examples of exactly that. And no. We certainly do not talk enough about it. The one thing that's true, though, is that in the end, the less we talk about race, the less race will be a factor. Perhaps one day we might be able to simply approach things from a HUMAN perspective.
Jim, I never wrote the hub. After I read yours, I saw no need to!
Ah, my apologies then for having taken the words out of your mouth. :)
interesting thoughts.
SpringBoard good hub although I agree with about the Stupid New Black Panther Party and these idiots. I must disagree about the assessment made about the KKK. I am in agreement if the KKK was in a black neighborhood in a predominate black polling place then yes there would have been some serious problems. To equate this situation, what if they were in a predominantly White neighborhood would the reactions be the same. The fact is these idiots were outside a place in a neighborhood 90% black. According to the actual hearing papers if you read them. The guy with the club was charged and the other idiot was not because he was a pollster. According to the hearing documents and you can google the hearing. There was no evidence of voter intimidation. There were no witnesses that claimed or said they were turned away by these idiots. If you watch the video you don't see these dumb asses forcing anyone to leave or asking anyone to leave. That is why the state department dropped the charges but charge only the one guy for brandishing a billy club. Read the transcripts. In the transcipts the question was to the guys video taping if the saw the Black panther morons turning people away the answer was no. The question was asked why were you there? The answer was because we got a call that said The panthers threaten a poll worker. When asked for the poll workers name they could not produce one. So how do you charge when there are no witnesses.
Please people stop saying Obama is a racist. You are basically saying he hates Half of himself, his mother, his grand parents and half of his family he grew up with. Obama was raised in a white mans household not a black mans so get off he's a racist crap and wake up. Just because his skin color is darker than yours does not make him a black guy. In my opinion as a black male he is a white guy. Why is it when a person is mixed race black white people automatically assume he is black.
The New Black Panther party is a disgrace to the original black panthers. They do not represent the views of Black America in anyway and Shabazz whatever should be shot on the spot for spreading hatred.
Chris, thanks, and thanks for stopping by.
Rasman, personally it matters little to me what the predominant demographic is for a community. Any racist organization, which in the case of the New Black Panther Party there is no debate that they are racist, belongs in a place where voters will be for any reason—it is clear what they were there for, and that was to intimidate white voters. As for witnesses, I think there were witnesses. There was a video. Their intent was clear circumstantially...though I of course cannot speak to the exact nature of that since I am not a lawyer. But I think any right minded person would clearly be able to discern that what these guys were up to was not for any purpose that was good. I still tend to lean on the side that believes there was something illegal that happened here. The suggestion that race may have been an element in NOT prosecuting or investigating greatly troubles me...
And I still strongly believe that if this had been the other way around, if the KKK had been ANYWHERE near a polling place, heedless of the demographic, this would have been the story of the century and blacks all over the place would have made a VERY LARGE deal out of it. You think Rodney King was bad? This would have brought the house down, my friend. You can't deny that.
As for Obama being a racist, I don't think I ever called Obama a racist. I do, however, strongly believe that there is a strong racist element in the Obama administration. It may not be direct, but on the sidelines I think the case is clear. BTW, no one has called Obama racist as much as conservatives who disagree with the administration have been called racist. The Tea Party has certainly been labeled racist, even though there is nothing about race in their core beliefs as we know them to be.
BTW, I should point out that while the New Black Panthers may be a disgrace, the original Black Panthers were not an entirely friendly group either. Let's not try and rewrite history and fool ourselves that ANY Black Panther party was never racist. They were. As much as were the Nazis during WWII, and Neo Nazis today, and certainly as are the KKK. Let's not try and put lipstick on any of these pigs. They are all ugly organizations which have a right to exist, but which should not be encouraged nor supported by any right minded individual.
I'll just quote some old song lyrics that sum it up for me. "I don't eat white flour, white sugar makes you rot, white could be beautiful, but mostly it's not". All Power to the People!!!
What a backwards world we live in today. Yeesh.
Spring Board it is obvious you never read the transcripts of the hearings. There were no witnesses. The video shows to black guys standing outside and a white women standing behind them. In fact according to the hearing trancsipts she was on the phone calling the cops on the guys with the video camera. In the video whites are seen exiting the polling place. Google the hearing transcripts. The dude with the billy club was charge with a criminal offense.
I believe Demographics have everything to do with it. The very image of the KKK at a polling place would definitely intimidate black people due to the history of the KKK and the killing of black people. The Black Panther party never lynched whites, killed whites, or tried to ensure whites had no place in society. Apples and Oranges. So yes in a predominantly black neighborhood this would have been a big problem. Not so in a predominantly white neighborhood. The Black Panther movement was formed out of the injustice and beatings of black people. This New Black Panther party does not represent any form of the originals period, and it is disrespectful to the original members to associate the idiots of todays Black Panther Party with the Originals.
Where is the racism in the Obama administration? Amongst the many whites that work with Obama? I don't understand what you are saying. The Tea Party is a racist organization and that is why Glenn Beck had to urge his followers not to bring signs because he knew they would have racist connotations. Holding signs depicting a black person with oversized lips, looking like a monkey, looking like Hitler, a witch doctor and signs saying Obama wants white slavery I mean come on man. To black people these signs are offensive. The leader of the Tea Party Expresse got ousted because of his racist remarks. He actually called Obama a welfare thug that is living in the White House. Are you kidding me! I am glad the Tea Party is trying to fix their image. They got hijacked in the beginning be racist people. I mean I went to a Tea party rally where there was 3,000 people(supposedly) and like 5 black people including myself. The Tea Party is not a movement of the diverse people of America but a movement of majority white people with few people of color. So I guess the majority of whites are the real America and everyone else does not matter.
Click the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWbmEUIQOCQ
We are in agreement that any organization that promotes hatred is a bad thing. Black Panthers in the 60's no where near the same as Nazi's that killed 6 million Jews and started a WW2 not even close. Where are you getting this idea. @ Justom what the hell are you talking about. YEESH!!!
I simply cannot comment. Your views are so far left they just can't be commented on. And again, calling people racists at the drop of a hat while discounting clearly racist organizations just makes any legitimate point you might make moot. It's sort of like Muslims not calling Hamas terrorists. It cancels out any sense. I think at this point, reading what I've read above, we're miles from apples and oranges. We're comparing real fruits which you can hold in your hand to science fiction ones that grow the size of buildings.
The comparisons have begun to feel like huuuge stretches which have no end in sight. The word ridiculous does come to mind if you are interested.
As for the Nazi mention, the group was originally just a political party. They only became a killing machine under Hitler. My point was that the end result is the same. The Nazis are not known for who they were before, but who they became. It is a stigma which will forever remain.
The Nazis can never be good. The KKK can never be good. And neither can the Black Panthers ever be good.
Very good hub on various important subjects. God Bless You.
Thanks, and thanks for taking the time to have a read. :)
Hey, Springboard,
This is a very well-written, thoughtful and informative article.
And you made it quite clear that when it comes to "racial incidents," a double standard is often applied that favors blacks, regardless of the fact that they were in the wrong.
To my mind this whole issue, when it happened, was a glaring example of turning a blind eye to reality. I still find this story compelling in that it DOES show that when it comes to racism, the idea that it exists is ONLY when it's white against black. That idea troubles me. So does the fact that with all of the historical power that Obama could have had to put race relations on an entirely new path in this country, his direction has actually been to pour fuel on the fire, and divide the races even more. It's been nearly four years now as of this writing, and I'm still hearing the terms "racist" and "racism" more than ever. Those words have become almost a part of everyday language lately, and in many ways I think Obama and his administration, and the democratic party as a whole have actually become leaders in redefining and BROADENING it's meaning. That's a sad place to be when we could have been much further along.
Thanks for the compliments and thoughtful comments.
![How Has President Obama Done In His Last Three Years So Far? (Hub Poll: 49%-Pass, 38%-Fail) 3-9-12 [39*-39]](http://s2.hubimg.com/u/4465029_50.jpg "How Has President Obama Done In His Last Three Years So Far? (Hub Poll: 49%-Pass, 38%-Fail) 3-9-12 [39*-39]")
eovery 22 months ago
This goes a long way to show what is actually wrong in the US.
Keep on hubbing!