This saddens me deeply. Because I think that people are choosing a president for wrong reasons. I'm a young black woman and I believe in researching any and everything and it is due to RESEARCH that I have supported Barack Obama. Any capable person can be in the White House. and what kills me the most is people that say, "I'm not prejudiced, I just don't want a black man in the white house".. So tell me, if you aren't prejudice than what are you?
Hearing the words of many of the people in this video saddens me, but it does not surprise me. And when I say that, I am not just talking about the racism still evident in WV.
We should all be aware that pockets (some larger than others) of racism still exist in this country. It is one of the tragic wounds that still exists in this country that needs to be healed. When Barack Obama is the president of the US, I hope that we can begin to bridge the gaps of division amoung Americans and begin the process of healing.
In a way, perhaps it is a good thing that issues of racism (and class-ism) are coming to the forefront, and we can thank this election and Barack Obama for that. It is only with awareness that we can begin the process of healing.
My comment is for Stephanie: I hope you see this Stephanie. I am a 65 year old white retired teacher. I feel the same as you up to a point, I researched Barack, I have listened to all the debates, and am a supporter who has called and contributed a modest amount. First time ever to send money to a campaign. I must tell you that I have had many experiences with friends who have happened to be fine dear people, and they were African-americans. They are special to me. I am voting for Barack because I'm not only pleased with all his qualifications and platform points, but I am delighted that all that talent and skill, all that capacity to communicate and desire to serve is rolled up into a fine African-american young man. It is a source of pride and joy for me to add that to the things that please me about Barack. I find inspiration that he will teach us all how we can pull together, how we can grow closer across the various groups and learn from one another, and how he will help youngsters growing up to see that they, too, can aspire to be President, or aspire to greatness in yet another way. It is a special moment for me and my friends Violet and Sharron, it is something to be so very proud of if one is an African-american, and it makes me, as one who has no 'color line' issues proud to see Barack gaining the candidacy. I've studied Black history and religious experience, partnered with a church that taught my congregation a great deal, and feel such pride that we can take this step finally. I pray we make it to the finish line.
this people are so damned racist, i cannot hardly stand it. i am african-american, with a ph.d. and am smarter, have just as much patriotism and love my country probably more than any of the racist white pigs have ever had. damn them!!!
black folk built this country with their blood, sweat and tears and you're telling me a black man is not good enough to be president. to hell with them all!
I strongly agree with Kathy. This country must finally heal its deep wounds around race and it has to start with the truth. Barack is a truth-teller and, in a way, he is calling out the truth from others, whether we like it or not. I sure hope that the truth that prevails in November is the one that says we're finally ready to begin what can only be a painful process of reconciliation. Just after the Civil War, a group in New Orleans known as the Creole Poets, a mixed-race bunch of visionaries, called out for an "unprecedented United States" that would finally face the truth that to truly be the democracy, the slave labor, theft of Native land and the racist world-view it depended on had to be exorcised. For a short while, as long as federal troops remained in the south, there was, in fact, a flowering of black literacy, political involvement and land-ownership. But presidential candidate Hayes ran on a promise to withdraw the troops in order to get the southern vote. It was a forerunner of the 2000 election, but that time it was Congress who finally broke the deadlock of a chaotic electoral college non-result. Hayes "beat" Tilden and the troops left. Immediately the Klan and the White Citizens Councils took over and rolled back all the advances, replacing slavery with Jim Crow and debt peonage, stealing land and re-disenfranchising African-Americans for another hundred years or so. By the way, I'm "white," though as a descendant of left-wing, Ukrainian-Jewish immigrants, I'm don't care to identify with that designation. I'm lucky to have a wife who writes about recovering buried history (China Galland: "Love Cemetery, Unburying the Secret History of Slaves" Harper, in paperback May 21) and is also dedicated to reconciliation - racial, religious, human. She's "white" too. We've never felt this way about any other candidate. I'm also a proud member of Jews for Obama. Onward!
The "real news" about this segment is this reporter found a group of blithering idiots. There wasn't one person who spoke coherently on any of the candidates. Good Job! You'll go far in whatever journalistic endeavor you set your mind to.
well phill , west virginia is the least educated state in the united states, so it wasn't that hard to find a bunch of idiots(not all of them seemed like idiots some of them were just racists). Yet all those idiots/racists get a vote in the national elecetion, that makes their views newsworthy.
I'm from WV and this pisses me off. I can't believe people still believe such sh** (can I cuss here?). Not everyone is like that, but way too many are. If you go to the bigger cities like Morgantown (where I live) you won't see many, if any, people like this. It's all the backwoods hillbillies that teach their children this bs, and there are no blacks for them to see for themselves that they are equals. This is a perfect example, I'm Mexican and come from a VERY small, almost only white town (only one stoplight in the whole county) and got a bunch of shit, but they always said I was one of the good ones. They never realized that if they would meet other races before they judged that they would find that there are a lot of "good ones."
To assume that this 'pick & choose' video supports the notion that all West Virginians are racist is a utter nonsense. Listen to the first few words to come out of his mouth...he choose his loaction for a reason - less educated. If you are to use these poor people to label all of WV racist to support your article - poor you as well.
You are going to find that mentality across the nation in many seniors because it became embedded deep into their phyche years ago. Most likely none of them has even watched a 2008 debate.
Now, take a look at the Southern Poverty Law Centers 'Hate Groups Map'...you will find WV to have a whole lot less than our bordering states.
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/map/hate.jsp
It is my honest belief that Obama lost WV because of his bitter wife and Pastor Wright.
With the exception of the older woman at the end, there was no racism in this video. Is the black lady voting for Obama because he's black? I'm not voting for him. He represents expansive government and the same moral relativism that permeates the left. I will not vote for Obama for the same reasons I did not vote for John Kerry, who is more interested in globetrotting and being loved by Europe than loving America's exceptionalism.
The lady who said she wouldn't vote for him because she didn't know him well enough had a point. The man has attempted to scrub traces of his past, which includes associations with highly unsavory characters. The media has assisted him in this endeavor. If John McCain had the same background as Obama, he wouldn't be a candidate.
McCain may have not been my first choice, but his record and his past are known. Obama couldn't clean up Illinois, so why trust him to clean up the federal government? He has no record of bipartisanship at all. He has flipped during this campaign on over 30 issues, trying to remake himself as a moderate when his record shows he is very far left.
Please stop with the crying racist garbage, unless you are willing to state that blacks are voting for Obama because he's black.
"black folk built this country with their blood, sweat and tears."
Now, I know there are and were millions of black women and men who have positively contributed to this country, but c'mon, what an ignorant remark. So you're telling me that the Founding Fathers of the United States, the contributors to the Constitution, and those who fought in the Revolutionary War against the English were all black? What history books are you reading out of? Ones written by Jesse Jackson? That would be like saying, "white folk built the country of Kenya with their blood, sweat, and tears" even though they didn't.
Also, so anyone who did not vote for Obama is automatically racist? So am I a racist because I did not vote for Obama? Am I a racist because I don't want this country to be turned into a socialist mirror of Europe? Am I a racist because I don't want the Constitution and it's Amendments to be infringed upon with Barack's view of what he wants to turn this country into? Am I a racist because I don't want half of my hard-earned paycheck going to an able-bodied bum who is too lazy to work?
Dustin said... "black folk built this country with their blood, sweat and tears."
Now, I know there are and were millions of black women and men who have positively contributed to this country, but c'mon, what an ignorant remark. So you're telling me that the Founding Fathers of the United States, the contributors to the Constitution, and those who fought in the Revolutionary War against the English were all black? What history books are you reading out of? Ones written by Jesse Jackson? That would be like saying, "white folk built the country of Kenya with their blood, sweat, and tears" even though they didn't.
Also, so anyone who did not vote for Obama is automatically racist? So am I a racist because I did not vote for Obama? Am I a racist because I don't want this country to be turned into a socialist mirror of Europe? Am I a racist because I don't want the Constitution and it's Amendments to be infringed upon with Barack's view of what he wants to turn this country into? Am I a racist because I don't want half of my hard-earned paycheck going to an able-bodied bum who is too lazy to work?
^^^ you're just as ignorant as the comment above yours, and no you might not be a racist but your points make no sense. america will always be america and never a "mirror of europe" under any president including barack obama. and no he never asked you to "split your hard-earned paycheck with an able bodied bum"
for your information, this country was built by the blood and sweat of black people as well, not entirely, but at least its a fact. and yes there happen to be white people who've lived all their lives in kenya and contributed to its upbringing, if you didnt know that too...
you can vote for whoever you want or justify your view with whatever points you like, but barack isnt shuffling any parts of the constitution. he's a proud american just like you and i who actually gave everything to be where he's at.
and yes, you cant dismiss the black people who gave their lives and DID fact in the revolutionary war.
Views are views, but facts are what our society needs...
I am a WV native, and while I will say that there is still a disgusting level of racism in the state, not all West Virginians are racist. Ironically, when people have commented on here that they hate West Virginians because "we're all racist", they are being just as prejudice. We're not all a bunch of idiot hillbillies. WV consists of a minority of people that want to be educated but are thrown over by the idiots that choose ignorance. You can't base an opinion on an entire state on what one person says that happens to be from that state. Keep in mind that WV is not the only "racist" state. Also remember that not all West Virginians are racist. I think that the majority of voters chose him based on his plans for the country. I believe he will try his best to "fix" the USA, and am proud to have an African-American in office. I am even more astonished of his ability to go from a campaign that was nearly nothing, to making it to the white house. Anyone that can manage that has brownie points with me. Perhaps this is the last step towards REAL racial equality.
This Really Makes me want to cry. As an 19 year old african american female && I agree with stephanie, kathy, ms madis. This is sad. They didn't wanna vote for him because he's part african american and they didnt have a resanable cause. maybe he can make a change, maybe he can't but that isnt the way to judge. && i plan on moving to West Virginia in the fall for school. I dont wanna have to deal with the racism. just cause of my skin color thats so stupid! ..
17 comments:
This saddens me deeply. Because I think that people are choosing a president for wrong reasons. I'm a young black woman and I believe in researching any and everything and it is due to RESEARCH that I have supported Barack Obama. Any capable person can be in the White House. and what kills me the most is people that say, "I'm not prejudiced, I just don't want a black man in the white house".. So tell me, if you aren't prejudice than what are you?
Hearing the words of many of the people in this video saddens me, but it does not surprise me. And when I say that, I am not just talking about the racism still evident in WV.
We should all be aware that pockets (some larger than others) of racism still exist in this country. It is one of the tragic wounds that still exists in this country that needs to be healed. When Barack Obama is the president of the US, I hope that we can begin to bridge the gaps of division amoung Americans and begin the process of healing.
In a way, perhaps it is a good thing that issues of racism (and class-ism) are coming to the forefront, and we can thank this election and Barack Obama for that. It is only with awareness that we can begin the process of healing.
My comment is for Stephanie:
I hope you see this Stephanie. I am a 65 year old white retired teacher. I feel the same as you up to a point, I researched Barack, I have listened to all the debates, and am a supporter who has called and contributed a modest amount. First time ever to send money to a campaign. I must tell you that I have had many experiences with friends who have happened to be fine dear people, and they were African-americans. They are special to me. I am voting for Barack because I'm not only pleased with all his qualifications and platform points, but I am delighted that all that talent and skill, all that capacity to communicate and desire to serve is rolled up into a fine African-american young man. It is a source of pride and joy for me to add that to the things that please me about Barack. I find inspiration that he will teach us all how we can pull together, how we can grow closer across the various groups and learn from one another, and how he will help youngsters growing up to see that they, too, can aspire to be President, or aspire to greatness in yet another way. It is a special moment for me and my friends Violet and Sharron, it is something to be so very proud of if one is an African-american, and it makes me, as one who has no 'color line' issues proud to see Barack gaining the candidacy. I've studied Black history and religious experience, partnered with a church that taught my congregation a great deal, and feel such pride that we can take this step finally. I pray we make it to the finish line.
this people are so damned racist, i cannot hardly stand it. i am african-american, with a ph.d. and am smarter, have just as much patriotism and love my country probably more than any of the racist white pigs have ever had. damn them!!!
black folk built this country with their blood, sweat and tears and you're telling me a black man is not good enough to be president. to hell with them all!
Jeez Louise! What a bunch of ignorant racist morons! I've never been to West Virginia and now ...I don't think I ever want to visit.
Progressive White Guy
Seattle, WA
I strongly agree with Kathy. This country must finally heal its deep wounds around race and it has to start with the truth. Barack is a truth-teller and, in a way, he is calling out the truth from others, whether we like it or not. I sure hope that the truth that prevails in November is the one that says we're finally ready to begin what can only be a painful process of reconciliation. Just after the Civil War, a group in New Orleans known as the Creole Poets, a mixed-race bunch of visionaries, called out for an "unprecedented United States" that would finally face the truth that to truly be the democracy, the slave labor, theft of Native land and the racist world-view it depended on had to be exorcised. For a short while, as long as federal troops remained in the south, there was, in fact, a flowering of black literacy, political involvement and land-ownership. But presidential candidate Hayes ran on a promise to withdraw the troops in order to get the southern vote. It was a forerunner of the 2000 election, but that time it was Congress who finally broke the deadlock of a chaotic electoral college non-result. Hayes "beat" Tilden and the troops left. Immediately the Klan and the White Citizens Councils took over and rolled back all the advances, replacing slavery with Jim Crow and debt peonage, stealing land and re-disenfranchising African-Americans for another hundred years or so. By the way, I'm "white," though as a descendant of left-wing, Ukrainian-Jewish immigrants, I'm don't care to identify with that designation. I'm lucky to have a wife who writes about recovering buried history (China Galland: "Love Cemetery, Unburying the Secret History of Slaves" Harper, in paperback May 21) and is also dedicated to reconciliation - racial, religious, human. She's "white" too. We've never felt this way about any other candidate. I'm also a proud member of Jews for Obama. Onward!
The "real news" about this segment is this reporter found a group of blithering idiots. There wasn't one person who spoke coherently on any of the candidates. Good Job! You'll go far in whatever journalistic endeavor you set your mind to.
well phill , west virginia is the least educated state in the united states, so it wasn't that hard to find a bunch of idiots(not all of them seemed like idiots some of them were just racists). Yet all those idiots/racists get a vote in the national elecetion, that makes their views newsworthy.
I'm from WV and this pisses me off. I can't believe people still believe such sh** (can I cuss here?). Not everyone is like that, but way too many are. If you go to the bigger cities like Morgantown (where I live) you won't see many, if any, people like this. It's all the backwoods hillbillies that teach their children this bs, and there are no blacks for them to see for themselves that they are equals. This is a perfect example, I'm Mexican and come from a VERY small, almost only white town (only one stoplight in the whole county) and got a bunch of shit, but they always said I was one of the good ones. They never realized that if they would meet other races before they judged that they would find that there are a lot of "good ones."
I just don't agree with that.
To assume that this 'pick & choose' video supports the notion that all West Virginians are racist is a utter nonsense. Listen to the first few words to come out of his mouth...he choose his loaction for a reason - less educated. If you are to use these poor people to label all of WV racist to support your article - poor you as well.
You are going to find that mentality across the nation in many seniors because it became embedded deep into their phyche years ago. Most likely none of them has even watched a 2008 debate.
Now, take a look at the Southern Poverty Law Centers 'Hate Groups Map'...you will find WV to have a whole lot less than our bordering states.
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/map/hate.jsp
It is my honest belief that Obama lost WV because of his bitter wife and Pastor Wright.
"Ron Smith said...
well phill , west virginia is the least educated state in the united states,...."
I'm afraid the facts don't support that statement. WV may not be a top performer in education but we are by far not the least educated!
http://measuringup.highereducation.org/compare/indexpage.cfm?myyear=2006
With the exception of the older woman at the end, there was no racism in this video. Is the black lady voting for Obama because he's black? I'm not voting for him. He represents expansive government and the same moral relativism that permeates the left. I will not vote for Obama for the same reasons I did not vote for John Kerry, who is more interested in globetrotting and being loved by Europe than loving America's exceptionalism.
The lady who said she wouldn't vote for him because she didn't know him well enough had a point. The man has attempted to scrub traces of his past, which includes associations with highly unsavory characters. The media has assisted him in this endeavor. If John McCain had the same background as Obama, he wouldn't be a candidate.
McCain may have not been my first choice, but his record and his past are known. Obama couldn't clean up Illinois, so why trust him to clean up the federal government? He has no record of bipartisanship at all. He has flipped during this campaign on over 30 issues, trying to remake himself as a moderate when his record shows he is very far left.
Please stop with the crying racist garbage, unless you are willing to state that blacks are voting for Obama because he's black.
"black folk built this country with their blood, sweat and tears."
Now, I know there are and were millions of black women and men who have positively contributed to this country, but c'mon, what an ignorant remark. So you're telling me that the Founding Fathers of the United States, the contributors to the Constitution, and those who fought in the Revolutionary War against the English were all black? What history books are you reading out of? Ones written by Jesse Jackson? That would be like saying, "white folk built the country of Kenya with their blood, sweat, and tears" even though they didn't.
Also, so anyone who did not vote for Obama is automatically racist? So am I a racist because I did not vote for Obama? Am I a racist because I don't want this country to be turned into a socialist mirror of Europe? Am I a racist because I don't want the Constitution and it's Amendments to be infringed upon with Barack's view of what he wants to turn this country into? Am I a racist because I don't want half of my hard-earned paycheck going to an able-bodied bum who is too lazy to work?
Dustin said...
"black folk built this country with their blood, sweat and tears."
Now, I know there are and were millions of black women and men who have positively contributed to this country, but c'mon, what an ignorant remark. So you're telling me that the Founding Fathers of the United States, the contributors to the Constitution, and those who fought in the Revolutionary War against the English were all black? What history books are you reading out of? Ones written by Jesse Jackson? That would be like saying, "white folk built the country of Kenya with their blood, sweat, and tears" even though they didn't.
Also, so anyone who did not vote for Obama is automatically racist? So am I a racist because I did not vote for Obama? Am I a racist because I don't want this country to be turned into a socialist mirror of Europe? Am I a racist because I don't want the Constitution and it's Amendments to be infringed upon with Barack's view of what he wants to turn this country into? Am I a racist because I don't want half of my hard-earned paycheck going to an able-bodied bum who is too lazy to work?
^^^ you're just as ignorant as the comment above yours, and no you might not be a racist but your points make no sense. america will always be america and never a "mirror of europe" under any president including barack obama. and no he never asked you to "split your hard-earned paycheck with an able bodied bum"
for your information, this country was built by the blood and sweat of black people as well, not entirely, but at least its a fact. and yes there happen to be white people who've lived all their lives in kenya and contributed to its upbringing, if you didnt know that too...
you can vote for whoever you want or justify your view with whatever points you like, but barack isnt shuffling any parts of the constitution. he's a proud american just like you and i who actually gave everything to be where he's at.
and yes, you cant dismiss the black people who gave their lives and DID fact in the revolutionary war.
Views are views, but facts are what our society needs...
I am a WV native, and while I will say that there is still a disgusting level of racism in the state, not all West Virginians are racist. Ironically, when people have commented on here that they hate West Virginians because "we're all racist", they are being just as prejudice. We're not all a bunch of idiot hillbillies. WV consists of a minority of people that want to be educated but are thrown over by the idiots that choose ignorance. You can't base an opinion on an entire state on what one person says that happens to be from that state. Keep in mind that WV is not the only "racist" state. Also remember that not all West Virginians are racist. I think that the majority of voters chose him based on his plans for the country. I believe he will try his best to "fix" the USA, and am proud to have an African-American in office. I am even more astonished of his ability to go from a campaign that was nearly nothing, to making it to the white house. Anyone that can manage that has brownie points with me. Perhaps this is the last step towards REAL racial equality.
This Really Makes me want to cry.
As an 19 year old african american female && I agree with stephanie, kathy, ms madis. This is sad. They didn't wanna vote for him because he's part african american and they didnt have a resanable cause. maybe he can make a change, maybe he can't but that isnt the way to judge. && i plan on moving to West Virginia in the fall for school. I dont wanna have to deal with the racism. just cause of my skin color thats so stupid! ..
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