 dulios says: Progress has outpaced vocabulary. not really- a lot of people voted for him simply because he was black enough. a lot of people voted for him simply because he was black enough.I honestly have no idea what that means. Can you elaborate? Just for curiosity's sake, when has Obama specifically referred to himself as the first black man elected President? I don't believe Obama has ever called himself "the first black president", but he self-identifies as black. I was always under the impression that he self-identified as bi-racial. Interesting. One of the racial problems in Australia was the reaction to "part" aboriginals saying they were not white and so were black. The run of racism from that showed the ignorance of two generations ( over 50yos and over 70yos). As the author points out, the language is dated. But only if we consider we have made progress towards treating all without pride or prejudice. Without the change in attitudes, the language will not change. @rvnurse - not really- a lot of people voted for him simply because he was black enough.the same could be said for McCain/Palin supporters ignorant of their politics but motivated to vote for them because they were white enough. Voting for Barack because he was black enough had one singular virtue: the end of over 200 years of de facto racial discrimination for the job of President of the U.S. @dulios - that's my impression as well. @tabsey - Without the change in attitudes, the language will not change.Agreed. It is strange, being multi-racial as well as considered black in America. In the rest of the world I am white, half-cast, mulatto or a ... There still is a vestige of the "one-drop rule" in effect - in the US, you're black if you look black to the slightest degree. It's interesting to note that many blacks consider hispanics white, but many whites and hispanics do not (I have no documentation for this other than my own observations, but I've heard enough to accept it as more than just an overreaching generalization). My Hispanic husband considers himself white. Hispanics (descendants of Spanish bloodlines) are Caucasian, though it is now utilized on a much broader scale. Like I said, it was just something I have observed, but it's by no means a universal thing, nor did I intend it as such. Some people also distinguish sharply between Hispanics (i.e., people of Spanish linguistic & cultural origins whose more immediate ancestry is Latin American) and Spaniards (people whose ancestry derives directly from Spain). Ethnographically, most Indians (that is, from India) are also Caucasian, which comes as a surprise to a lot of people, probably due to their darker skin tone. The 2000 US census, on which I worked, had separate categories for "Hispanic" and "White", but it was up to the respondents to decide which one to check. If you're not doing anything importa... what really gets me is no one seems to give Bush the recognition he deserves. It amazes me that people don't see it. So we got a "so called" black man for president. I kinda doubt it really. I bet when he sings the song "Mammies lil babies love shawtnin bread" he sings "Mothers little babies love short-ning, short-ning. Mothers little babies love short-ning bread." The real issue to be discussed is Bush being the luckiest man ever elected President. I mean how many men with the intellect of a pig farmer can say they were President of the United States of America? That is one hell of an accomplishment! All hail the Chosen One. He has moved the country beyond race - except for navel-gazing liberals who want to discuss the shade of his skin, his genetic makeup, and whether this means that blacks can still claim victim status. Even with the Most High and Holy Ego installed into the Presidency. Colorado, thank you for your contribution to this discussion of race, language and progress in America. As you live in a small town where the population is over 90% white and less than 1% black (all hail the Wiki), your insights are invaluable. It's obvious you have spent countless hours agonizing over issues of race and justice. I'm sure it was a powerful and humbling moment when you first recognized your own white privilege. Thank you again for your contribution. OMG Dulios, you are The One and I mean that with utmost respect. |
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