Well, things didn’t go the way I wanted last night, and I won’t lie and say I’m happy, but it must be a wonderful day for African Americans who have been waiting for this day for so long. I’m sure most never thought they’d see a black president elected in their lifetimes. However, this morning, it feels like the glass ceiling is a mile thicker after witnessing the treatment of Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin by our media and many of our citizens. Our country may be on its way to moving beyond racism, and that’s wonderful, but we’ve got light years to go before we get past the sexism, which wasn’t only tolerated but perpetuated by the same people who decry the mistreatment of other minorities.
Congratulations to Barack Obama and to all of his supporters. One wall has been broken down; we still got one more to go.
Someday we’ll have a woman tossing her hat in the air in front of White House! I don’t know if I’ll live long enough to see it, but someday!
I would disagree kris I have heard the N word more this morning from white men than the last 6 months combined so I think we have a long way to go. Remember when we broke down the wall of electing our first Catholic President didn’t end to well for him. I hope the nut cases don’t kill this President. I have even been shunned from church people as they view obama as the Anti-Christ. Its no wonder people are turned off by church groups but I imagine I will still go and listen to the word even if some don’t think I’m worthy because they tend to forget they don’t hold the keys to heavens gate.
I don’t think we’ll ever completely get over the racial divides in America but at least people don’t condone it in public; whereas sexist comments about women are tossed around freely and most of the time go without criticism. Sexism is part of our culture. I don’t even think people are aware they’re being sexist half the time. And women are just as bad as men towards other women!
I have heard the anti-Christ statement too. A lot of people are genuinely afraid of Obama; I think for most, it has less to do with his race than his very liberal views, which conservatives find very troubling. But there are flat out racist morons out there too.
I hope and pray some nutcase doesn’t try to kill him either. We lost Lincoln, MLK, John Kennedy and Robert Kennedy that way. Anyone who tries to make significant social changes in America is always taking a huge risk.
I may not agree with Obama on everything but I won’t stand for anyone around me slinging out racist slurs and threats towards him.
Where are you seeing all the sexism in this race? If the press was unfair to Hillary it seems to me it related more to her being old news than to her being female. Obama was new news – an unfair fate maybe but not sexist. And Palin was new but she set the nasty tone with the press herself. She attacked them 1st. What did she expect? She basically called them out in her 1st speech. And then they kept her under very tight wrap. She was virtually repeating the same speech word for word and that was all we heard. Nothing else. You know a lot of people don’t treat pitbulls very nice.
I think Obama gets treated so good because he knows how to treat people with respect. Did you read what the Tribune said about him when they endorsed him? That he always talked to them and listened to them especially when he disagreed with them. I think his temperament and respectful attitude toward people causes people to treat him kindly. Virtually everyone who has dealt directly with Obama says this about him even those who disagree with him like Byers and O’Reilly. I sure didn’t notice anything in it I thought was sexist.
Where are you seeing all the sexism in this race? If the press was unfair to Hillary it seems to me it related more to her being old news than to her being female. Obama was new news – an unfair fate maybe but not sexist. And Palin was new but she set the nasty tone with the press herself. She attacked them 1st. What did she expect? She basically called them out in her 1st speech. And then they kept her under very tight wrap. She was virtually repeating the same speech word for word and that was all we heard. Nothing else. You know a lot of people don’t treat pitbulls very nice.
I think Obama gets treated so good because he knows how to treat people with respect. Did you read what the Tribune said about him when they endorsed him? That he always talked to them and listened to them especially when he disagreed with them. I think his temperament and respectful attitude toward people causes people to treat him kindly. Virtually everyone who has dealt directly with Obama says this about him even those who disagree with him like Byers and O’Reilly. I sure didn’t notice anything in it I thought was sexist.
I thought this was kinda funny,
http://www.rednecks4obama.com
Q, I know what you mean – I know quite a few people who will tell you straight out they will not vote for a black. And they aren’t terrible people in other ways, most are generally good people but a few lowlifes too. Mainly my age and up. (52) We have come a long long way. But we have a long way to go yet. Some things won’t change. Many older people are afraid of black people even kids under 12. I’m not putting them down – they are not bad people either. People are often afraid of anything different to them. And though in the same country our societies have only intermixed for a few years and even then not completely or wholeheartedly. We still generally chose to hang out mainly with our own race in our free time.
Where did I see the sexism? Did we watch the same race? I saw it EVERYWHERE! Television, newspapers, and blog posts. It’s clear this country is not ready to elect a woman for president – conservative or liberal. Clinton was portrayed as a power hungry witch and Palin as a hair brained ditz. Either way, as a woman, you’re going to lose. The media and the good ol’ boys are going to stand in your way at every turn.
I’m glad Obama has broken so many barriers but there’s still a lot more to be broken and he can’t break the hardest and toughest one, the glass ceiling – only a woman can do that.
I was driving my daughter’s friend home the other night and she said to me, out of the blue, that she hopes someday they’ll be a girl president. My daughter hopes so too. This election affected our daughters and their perception on the world – don’t think it didn’t. It’s hard telling your daughter that women aren’t seen as equal, just like it’s hard for black parents to explain racism to their children.
Yep, we saw a totally different election. I saw no sexism in that election. And believe me I know what sexism is I’ve lived it. The Clintons BOTH of them have long had a reputation as political knife fighters that would do anything to win. And Hillary started the race with high negatives. Even Byers (a republican) early on was saying Obama would give the Democrats a better chance at winning given her high negatives. Personally I like both Hillary and Bill. But the view of Hillary being power hungry did not relate to femaleness in one iota. It is a commonly held view of both of them. And I already said my opinion of Palin – she came off on the attack and when you start an attack you usually get one back. Where as Obama has an overall style that listens and discusses in an non-accusatory manner.
I heard Obama way way back on Byers show – when he was still a State Senator. He easily handled the give and take and indepth discussion of a wide range of political issues. The man is very knowledgeable. I’m not sure Palin could do that – she was not really given that chance to prove she could – by the McCain campaign. They kept her tightly under wraps only giving the same speech over and over.
Sorry I just do and did not see sexism in this AT ALL. I see different personalities and for Hillary just some bad luck. And I think I am a gut honest enough person I would admit it if I did even if I wished it wasn’t so.
Also, should say I am absolutely sure there are still people who will not vote for a woman just as there are still people who will not vote for a black. I think that group of more ignorant people were probably pretty much one in the same and when it came down to it choose female over black. But I don’t think you are going to find much biase against women in power in the “liberal press”. In their eyes I would think being female and/or being minority would be a plus not a minus. Any “liberal press” biase again Palin was idealogical not sexism. Not right either but people are human so you take that combined with her being completely new on the scene and attacks on the press and lack of open exposure to interviews… Infact I think she thrived on it, encouraged it and used it to her advantage with her base.
Sue, I so disagree with you, I can’t put it in words. I’d been looking forward to voting for Clinton since she became a senator. Millions of other women were looking forward to voting for her too. She’s the first woman who had a real chance at the presidency and it hurts that she didn’t make it. I don’t know if another woman will ever have that good of a chance again. I’m happy for those who found so much hope in Obama, but you know, there were some of us who found hope elsewhere and we’re now being called ignorant and racist. That’s not right.
I think my last message was a bit melodramatic and if I’m sounding like a nutcase, well I am to a certain degree; but I’m not really that delusional about Clinton or Palin. They both had their flaws and people found fault in them that had nothing to do with their gender — but there’s no denying that being a woman doesn’t make the road to the White House any easier.
Kris, in NO WAY do I think you or many many of those who supported Hillary did so because they were racist. My parents supported her then went for Obama – I know they were in NO way racist either. But my choice of Obama over Hillary did NOT have to do with sexism either. I really liked her too. I just liked Obama better. It wasn’t because he was new or because the press treated him better I’ve been watching him since 2004 – it is a couple things I think I have mentioned before – his ability to listen to both sides which to me seemed much less polarizing. And he did not lack experience in this – ANYONE in Illinois politics who knew and worked with him respected him – no matter if they were Republican or Democrat. His speaking and writing ability – I just love poetry and he is a poet – it is inspiring to hear someone who is a great orator and I think our country needs some inspiration right now. And no matter what anyone tried to say his message stayed the same from the time of his community organizing to today! In fact the speech that made him famous was the same one he gave over and over in neighborhoods for years even to just a handful of people. They had a couple of people who had worked with him laughing about that on PBS special on the history of both Obama and McCain.
I also like that he does not talk down to people regarding complex issues he tries to explain his views even though the “sound bytes” may hurt him and they did. And I believe he listens to those who differ.
But, his open inclusion of the Christian side of his beliefs in his politics is what really sold me. I have FOREVER thought the Republicans seized this based on a just a couple issues (abortion and gay marriage) yet they could be so callous to the poor and those who struggle. In MY Christian faith (not saying I am more Christian anyone) reaching out to the kids that are ALREADY here and the adults that are struggling with problems is more much much more line for me. Just say I am a value voter but on the left. When I read his book – especially the Audacity of Hope – I was blown away. And still am.
They can try to pretend it is “star power” or minimize it some way but that is not so. He just speaks for me – in depth, like no Democrat has in a long long time including Hillary – who I really respect and like. And I am not alone in this. And the fact that he is black was also a plus for me. That we could break that horrible barrier and put behind us one more piece in our shameful history. And it has been SHAMEFUL even into modern times – as recently as the 1970’s when we were STILL allowing our government to experiment on poor black men.
Sue
Sue, I understand your point of view. The first time I ever heard Obama speak was in Springfield when he launched his campaign. I was blown away by his speech and honestly never felt that inspired by another political figure. I was actually trembling and I my heart skipped a few beats! I understand why people find Obama so appealing. It wasn’t until I saw how biased the reporting was in favor of Obama during the primary, and later in the general election, that I began to see him in a dimmer light. It just seemed like he could do no wrong in the liberal media’s eyes, and everyone else was scrutinized and picked apart beyond belief.
It all seemed incredibly unfair. I don’t think anything bothers me more than unfairness. I guess I just like to stand up for the underdog, and compared to Obama, every political figure is the underdog!
You and I listen to different media. I don’t even have cable I get my new from PBS, talk radio and internet and books, newspapers and magazines. And I am on the road all time in my job and listen – as much as I can stand to talk radio. Gallagher, Limbaud, Hannedy, Ingram who all long ago started calling him “Barack HUSSEIN Obama” long long ago as soon as they felt threatened by him. They thought they could take Hillary down but Barack scared them with his big crowds and strong emotions. And accusing him of being Muslim. Do you know someone I really love and respect – a Democrat always before- told me she voted against Obama because he was Muslim!!! The lady is checking out the Nostradamus thinking he is the anti-christ. While he may have gotten a pass the in the main stream media he got clobbered for very unfair things elsewhere – in the real world. In a very underhanded dirty way – emails sent out with no truth to them – rumor that were spread by word of mouth. Do you have any idea how many good people I heard from who believed the email going around that he wanted to change the national anthem because it was “too aggressive” or something like that? Just a bunch of BS ALL of it!! So what he was hit and hit hard believe me – by something that was not any fairer than what Hillary faced.
Many reasonable republicans – while disagreeing with his political positions 100% including McCain claimed all along that he was a decent guy. And the fact that he wants to work with people building a conscientious WHERE we do agree whether or not we agrees on EVERY issue – his biggest plus in my books – also hurt him – (Rev Wright, Ayers) because of our microwave society and our focus on sound bytes and laziness when it comes to checking out the truth.
Sue
Or to put it specifically – the fact that he see the good in people more than the bad hurt him in the election.
Kris, tell me honestly, would you snub Bill Ayers if he was part of a group focusing and coming up with good ideas on trying to educate and bring poor kids up especially black kids and help them succeed in the school system? Would you snub Rev Wright knowing he had built a very large church in the poor South Side Chicago that supported many many needed things like after-school programs and re-entry programs and food banks supported by many upper-class blacks? I wouldn’t.
I believe this:
How do you tell the good trees from the bad trees? you will know them by their fruits
Sue
judge not least ye be judged.
Judging is supposed to be left to God.
I don’t know why your comments aren’t being automatically approved but anyway…
It was so blatantly obvious that the mainstream media had fallen in love with Obama and everyone else was pond scum in their view. You could just see their disgust or snickering every time Clinton’s name was mentioned in a news story (later when speaking of McCain) and Palin…Well, at least she swung back at them and didn’t give a rat’s patootie what the media thought of her.
Some of the concerns about Palin were ridiculous. People questioned whether she was a bad mother for having a demanding career. Nobody thought Obama was a bad father for his demanding schedule. Women have to walk a fine line in politics. If you’re too tough, you’re a bitch; if you’re too emotional, you’ll be accused of being weak and hormonal. Men just don’t face the same challenges in politics as women do.
I would most certainly snub Ayres. He’s way to radical for me and to have knowledge of what he said after the 9/11 attacks – it would be adios for sure. Rev. Wright on the other hand, I’m sure has good qualities. I’ve sat through sermons that weren’t to my liking too.
I don’t in any way think Obama is radical like Ayres and Wright. If he can do what Lincoln did and put a “team of rivals” in his administration, I’ll have a great deal of respect for him.
Kris, we just have different views. I was 17 when Vietnam ended and I can remember having the discussion with my then boyfriend of what we would do if he was drafted, We actually seriously discussed Canada.
I cannot say how grateful I am to the men and women who have chosen and been forced to serve my country (even if the war was wrong) I still say Thank you and they should NEVER have been mistreated by protesters.
But myself I am also very grateful to those who chose to protest the war and GET IT STOPPED. It was a bad war – it was a mistake – we should never have been there. Millions of men both white and black overwhelmingly poor lost their lives for NOTHING. And, you may forget it was a draft – this was NOT a volunteer army going. Sending our citizens to die in a poorly thought out war with little real consequence to our country and its future is also WRONG. And if you truly believe it is wrong and people are dieing because of it then isn’t doing nothing to stop it wrong?
I don’t say that justifies violence but it sure is not any black and white picture of good vs. evil in my book. And it DID seem to take violence in both in the anti-war movement AND the civil rights movement to get the right things to happen. I believe Ayers was involved in both movements.
I don’t know much about Ayers but he is certainly a well respected man now. He was an education advisor to Mayor Daley and was named Chicago Citizen of the year in 1997 for his efforts in education. The little I do know is that some of the programs he was working on were focused on educating kids who are in prisons.
Again I have a real problem with the “sound byte” and “short excerpt” of a book or speech mentality I see it as intellectual laziness that has overtaken our country. The suggestion that he made his comments after the 9/11 attacks was a lie. The comment referred to were part of an interview he did for NY Times months prior to 9/11 that just happened to be published in the NY Times on Sept 11 2001. Below is a letter to the editor that Bill Ayers sent to the New York Times after reading the article claiming that the interviewer misrepresented what he said.
http://billayers.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/clarifying-the-facts-a-letter-to-the-new-york-times-9-15-2001
By the way, Ayers thinks the “liberal media” was unfair to him too.
I’m just not that quick to see the worst in everyone. Most of us have both good and bad in us. Like my neighbor said – they were radical times….. And much of what came out of them was good.
Well, I just think a person has to draw the line somewhere. My great-uncle was a decorated World War II pilot; his plane is hanging in a museum, and even though he was justified in shooting the enemy down, he never got over the horror of killing another man. It haunted him for the rest of his life and he died a broken man. My aunt’s ex-husband fought in Vietnam and was completely destroyed emotionally by it. He’s been on Public Aid and unable to support himself for decades because of PTSD. Wars can be justified but not having sorrow or remorse for those who died at your hands is something I don’t understand. I’m not trying to be judgmental but you can’t just have an anything goes attitude either. I don’t think the Obama/Ayres relationship was that significant and I don’t hold it against him; but if someone asked me to join forces with Ayres, I’d say no.
I agree completely regarding no remorse but again I am not completely sure that is true. I think it is possible the statement that “we didnt’ do enough” was taken out of context and it meant regarding what ever they could do to stop the war. I don’t know for sure this is true but according to some accounts the only people they ever killed were their own members. When a bomb they were making blew up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather_Underground_Organization
They also claim that the bombings were planned so as to avoid hurting anyone and please read the link on Fred Hampton BlackPanther killed by Chicago police.
Remember this is completely true – for 40 years clear up until 1972 our goverment was still allowing black men to be used in an experment on syphillis. President Clinton just publically apologized for this in 1996. There were lots of terrible terrible things that led to this kind of radicalism.
Yeah, who knows what the truth is about Ayres. There was plenty to be angry about during the 60′s and people were radical for a reason. I’m not justifying what he did but it had to have been crazy times. If it wasn’t for my oldest brother being born in the mid-60′s, my Dad probably would have been drafted. My parents were both very much against the war in Vietnam. I can understand people’s anger during that time. I sure as heck wouldn’t want to be sent off to possibly die for a cause I didn’t believe in.
Just an interesting FYI – did you know that Obama lost overwhelmingly a race for the US congress in 2000 to former Black Panther Bobby Rush who has been a congressman since 1993 before he ran for the US Senate?
I think Obama’s politics was probably more influenced by Harold Washington and his “coalition building” than he was by any of the real radical left people.
Sorry if I’m writing so much – those times just fascinate me – I remember them but was just barely too young to be part or even really comprehend most of it while it was going on – probably a good thing!!
Vietnam ended when I was 17. Then I read about much of it just cause I didn’t really understand it much while it was happening!! Sounds like your parents are close to my age.