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I see I have to clarify myself because some people seem to think just because I ask a question that's how I feel. I'm not asking these questions necessarily because that's the way I feel, but because it's something I'm wondering. Dee asked a question a couple of days go about what Obama has done, his actions, not just his words; and it got me to thinking. Are you and the black community supporting Obama simply because he's black? I mean, lets be real, how much is he actually going to be able to do for the black community? We keep talking about the president, the president, the president but the president has to call on congress for many of his(maybe one day her) policies to be enacted. Obama will not be able to focus directly on the black community. Regardless of if we want to believe it, he's going to have to maintain the status quo just like every other president has. So, other than the fact that he's a black man; why is everyone getting so excited?
Posted By: Ebone Evans
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 6:02PM
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So a white man would raise above the status quo, right? Please. First of all, I had my issues with Obama but I had to realize, the position he is in. As you know, when you are Black, you can't just be average or below average (George W. Bush) but you have to be super-duper. You have to go to the best colleges, surround yourself with good people, and not have a record. That's just the external features, that white people use to disqualify you. He passed the first test.
Now if George W. Bush can be president (for 2 terms), why are we even debating Obama's experience. The dude can't even put two words together without stumbling. He went to Yale because daddy had the dough and his grades were so bad, the powers at be, wouldn't release them. Compare George academic achievements to Obama's. It far exceed George performance.
For a brother to make it this far, in fact in any business or political endeavor, my hat goes off to him. Because their are so many obstacles in the way. Everything gets pick apart. Then black people want to pick apart, the part that the white people don't get too. Dam
Anyway, Ebone you need to read the earlier post on this subject. Many people have broken down the bills and the co-sponsered bills that Obama signed into law.
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 6:43PM
Kenneth X
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Mr. Maxwell, I hear you, but Ebone poses a very valid question. I say it's valid because I know a whole slew of people who know nothing about Obama except that he's black and that's enough to get them excited. I even had a couple of people tell me...point blank..that they'll vote for him just because he's black. So, the question is valid on a couple of levels: one-- this IS a historical first after all, and two-- we as black people have a tendency to come together in either tragic times (like funerals or protests about another black person being mistreated) or times of euphoria where it seems that one of us can make a difference for many of us (like this presidency, for instance).
The recent 2nd person to tell me he's good enough to vote for because he's black actually got mad at me for saying that it WASN'T enough for ME and that I have to know more about who the man is and what he stands for before I make a final decision.
And whether or not he's brought a million bills to the Senate, it doesn't rise to the scale of presidency. And I'm wondering who's voting for the man just because he's black myself. I know of a couple already...and they can't be the only two.
Blessings...
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 8:19PM
Dee Gray
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BTW, I say a whole slew and I mean that. I hear people talking about it on the bus to and from work and a couple of conversations at church. The two that told ME directly were people that I know and converse with regularly not strangers.
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 8:20PM
Dee Gray
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On this question of motivation and people deciding to vote for Obama just because he is black, I have a couple of reactions.
Reaction #1: The reality is that most of the people who do actually vote are not particularly high information voters. In other words, most voters are not casting their vote based on some detailed understanding of the candidate. They may be aware of or know one or two major items about the candidate, but by and large, very few people are voting for the candidate based on an in depth study of their positions.
Reaction #2: There are people who are going to vote for McCain just because he is a veteran and Obama is not. Is voting for Obama because he is black any different than a vote for McCain because he is a veteran? More to the point though, even people who say they are voting for Obama because he is black don't really mean that. Obama is black and so is Al Sharpton. But Obama is getting 95% plus of the black vote. Sharpton never approached numbers in the same hemisphere as that when he ran for president, but he was black. So I would suggest to you that what people are really saying is that they are voting for Barack because he is qualified, credible and bonus, he's black. In other words, people who say they are voting for Obama because he is black really mean more than that. What they are really saying is that he is qualified and credible and all things being equal, if its between him and opponents who are no better qualified, then I'll vote for him because bonus, he's black, on top of being qualified and credible. People who say they are voting for him because he is black are simply leaving unspoken the fact that he is qualified and credible. Those who would caricature black folks as voting in a politically unsophisticated manner based on race I would submit are simply wrong.
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 9:01PM
Aaron Laramore
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You know to be completely honest, at first when I heard a black person was running for president, I was like yes I will vote for him because he is black.But, I had to do my research on each candidate and think about who truly has more to offer. Obama is promising to give his undivided attention to the black community and we shouldn't expect it. That is not and has not been his basis for this campaign. He hasn't promised anything really. He has talked about the possibilities, the changes that can be made if he were elected. He knows he can't do it alone, he says it all the time, why do you think he says YES WE CAN instead of YES I CAN. As proud as I am that for the first time in history someone who looks like could possibly be president, this election is so much bigger than that. What has happened to this country in the last 8 years is awful. As a working class, black single mother, I pray that Obama wins this election. He is offers so much hope and inspiration, and he's realistic. We need healthcare for all Americans. We should feel safe in our country. We should have good paying jobs. The education system should be changed. I had a good job at the post office as a letter carrier( or it should've been good). I left my job in March because I couldn't perform after I had my baby. I got no compensation, no unemployment, and I can't even get medical assistance without putting my boyfriend on child support. That is bull****. Excuse my language. But that is the truth. I pay taxes just like everybody else and what makes it worse it I can't even find a decent job. I've know what its like to sleep in a car at night and not know where you're next meal is going to come from. I WILL NOT have it happen to me again. Not only have their been some messed up foreclosures going on, but let's talk about evictions. Let's talk about this big companies that buy these apartment complexes (predominately black ones) and do illegal evictions, and start adding bills to your rent that aren't in your lease and expect you to pay it. Let's talk about how kids can't get enrolled in school because they haven't gotten immunizations their parents can't afford to pay for, or because the schools are overcrowded.Let's talk about the schools they've shut down. Let's talk about the increase in poverty, why gas is more expensive in the inner cities than it is in the suburbs. There are so many things that these damn republicans have done to this country it should be a crime, let's not forget Katrina and 911. Things that could have been AVOIDED. Guess who get rich off these things? So if Obama says that WE can CHANGE America and rebuild the dream you damn he's got my vote.
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 10:08PM
chivonne lawson
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We can not afford 4 more years of the Bush Administration. Color does not have anything to do with it.
God Bless
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 10:11PM
Mary Jackson
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For me Ebone, I am Democrat and have and will always vote that way. Fact is anyone is better that what is currently in the administration. I have had this same conversation with many people of all races and the thing that got me was the assumption that because I am a woman of color that I would automatically vote for a man of color and if it was Hillary, that I would vote for her because she is a woman. When in fact neither is the truth for me. You see Hillary in my opinion can not identify with my woman of color problems and Obama is a man he can not speak for me or identify with my issues either, but one thing that I know for certain is that McCain's ideology is so far removed from mine that it is no way in the world I would cast a vote for him.
What Obama possesses that Al Sharpton did not is mass appeal, it appears that his approach is not a one-sided militant approach. Despite what many want to believe or even agree with this is a season for everything and it is Obama's season.
Truth be told, it will be some people that will vote for him because he is a man of color, then there are others that are poltically educated and will because they believe in his policies and then there are others that will vote against him just because he is a man of color. This is the first time ever that the registered voters even have someone other than a white man to choose from and regardless to if he wins or loses. He has still made history. I for one and glad that it happened while I am still living to see it.
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 10:31PM
Marquerite Burgess
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I think that Obama is the best candidate...and he just happens to be black.
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 11:22PM
Emmanuel Brown
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Mr. Maxwell, my statement was not to suggest that he's not bringing anything to the table...or that he's only bringing his blackness to the table. ...not at all. **I'm** aware of the fact that Obama is very intelligent, educated, savvy and accomplished. I was just up in the air about him because I feel like he hadn't let anyone into his PERSON. I wanted to get to know the MAN. It's not enough that he's all of those things if I know nothing about him as a PERSON. I know a lot of people with those same accomplishments who are stuck up and unbecoming and who don't think anybody can do what they've done or have what they have because other people are not good enough. It's seeming to turn out that Barack is not one of THOSE people. And THANK GOD.
Blessings...
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 12:12PM
Dee Gray
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I hear all of you.
***Aaron, you explanation made perfect sense to me. I can see that. Someone else said this, "Dee, its a valid question but I don't have a high opinion of such question posed in that manner. It presumes that black pepole don't have the werewithal to make an informed decision."
And to that I say, not ALL black do have the wherewithal to make an informed decision. When the two people I talked to told me that they were voting for him just because he's black, I believe them. There were a lot of questions asked in my debate, like, "What if he doesn't believe in a woman's right to choose, or what if he has no interest in pulling out of Iraq or what if he was a black Republican and was just going to be another Bush...etc." And the answers was a RESOUNDING, "I DON'T CARE. HE'S BLACK. THIS IS A FIRST. AND THAT'S IT!!!"
There are many, many black folks (like me since Barack and Bill have helped me make a decision) who ARE making an informed decision, but there are many others who don't CARE what the man stands for-- he's black and that's all that matters.
And I'm not being down on our people. I'm being a realist. Just like we all don't read the fine print of contracts before we sign them, we are not ALL making an informed decision. Just like some of us women will lay up unprotected with a guy we barely know and wind up with an STD, a baby or worse, HIV/AIDS, we're not ALL making an informed decision. Just like some of the black men will lay up with a woman without protection because she claims she's on birth control who end up with an STD, a baby or HIV/AIDS, we're not ALL making informed decisions. Just like some of us went into ARMs (Adjustable Rate Mortgages) not really understanding that ONE late payment will almost double the current payment with the sole the purpose of putting us into foreclosure, we're not ALL making informed decisions.
I give credit to the bulk of us for making informed decisions about this election, but I still stand on the fact that many of us ARE voting for him just because he's black.
And Aaron, you're right about one other thing: it's no different that the people who WON'T vote for him because he's black (or the people voting for John McCain because he's white).
Blessings...
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 12:15PM
Dee Gray
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Mr. Maxwell
Like I said before, just because I ask the question doesn't mean I feel that way.
I'm so tired of people trying to act like his race doesn't matter. Lets be real about it. The fact that he's a black man does matter. You might want to sweep that up under the rug, but it does. I'm also tired of the tired rebuttal of if he was white would you be asking that same question. Well....no...duh. If the two choices, both republican and democrat, are white why would you ask if you are supporting him because he is white. If all you had to choose from was white then of course race would not play a factor. It's irrational and a lame rebuttal, so please, come up with something different.
Now, regardless of if people want to face the fact, there are a lot of black people and non black people supporting him simply because he is black. There are a lot of people who are going to vote this year who have never voted before because a black man is running. There are also a lot of non black democrats who are going to vote another way because a black man is running. So, you may not like it, but the fact of the matter is Obama's race plays a big factor. Maybe not in your decision, but in others.
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 1:35PM
Ebone Evans
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X,
I'm aware of what Obama has and has not done. Don't think because I ask the questions that others want asked but don't have the guts to that I'm ignorant. Trust me I'm not.
Also, I agree with most of what you said.
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 1:38PM
Ebone Evans
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Mozell,
I always enjoy your responses. I do agree with you. What amazes me about some of these responses is that they assume that once race steps into the picture then qualification, and ability goes out the window, even when speaking with other black people. I never said that Obama wasn't qualified. I brought up another blog and how it inspired me to write this one, but no where in it did I say that Obama isn't qualified. The simple fact is race is a factor, regardless of if any of you want to accept that fact; because he will be seen as a black man, black first, in everything he does.
I want to thank Dee, Che, and Mozell for being real about it. They admitted the fact that race is an issue even if it is not a direct issue to them.
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 1:54PM
Ebone Evans
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Dee,
Right on point. Everything you said was right on point, especially this.....
" And to that I say, not ALL black do have the wherewithal to make an informed decision. When the two people I talked to told me that they were voting for him just because he's black, I believe them. There were a lot of questions asked in my debate, like, "What if he doesn't believe in a woman's right to choose, or what if he has no interest in pulling out of Iraq or what if he was a black Republican and was just going to be another Bush...etc." And the answers was a RESOUNDING, "I DON'T CARE. HE'S BLACK. THIS IS A FIRST. AND THAT'S IT!!!""
I don't even feel the need to agree him again because you did it so well. I also enjoy your responses. Thanks for keeping it real.
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 1:56PM
Ebone Evans
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Irma,
It's funny you called this blog a joke yet you responded 6 times.
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 1:57PM
Ebone Evans
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Irma,
Make that 7 times.
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 2:03PM
Ebone Evans
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Irma, I've asked before and sistah, I must ask again. What are you saying?
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 3:16PM
Dee Gray
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Mr. Maxwell, I respect your position and I mean what I'm about to say with all due respect.
The question you pose is absurd. It's absurd because you know what I mean when I say what I said and there's no way a man as intelligent as yourself missed or misunderstood it.
Obama seemed shifty and insincere to me at first. I said it. I meant it. I'm not apologizing or amending my statement (not that you or anyone else is calling for one, but just saying just in case). Hopefully tonight, he really talks about his HISTORY...not the political but the personal...HOW he became the man he is today. I will be really interested to hear it from his mouth directly. He's becoming more and more likeable to me.
And frankly, YES, I research and listen out for such PERSONAL characteristics about anyone that I vote for.
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 3:49PM
Dee Gray
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Mr. Maxwell, you said: "Dee, please. Who seeks to know a candidate on a personal level? And how else is that statement supposed to be taken? "
Anyone with GOOD COMMON SENSE wants to know something about PERSONal about someone they're voting for...ESPECIALLY when it's something as serious as being President of the United States.
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 4:57PM
Dee Gray
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And Irma, I wouldn't use Jeremiah Wright to sell Obama. Thank God he has sense enough not to.
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 4:59PM
Dee Gray
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Retha: "We always vote our conscious and for who we believe will lead us the best." No, we don't always vote our conscience. No one ALWAYS does anything. It's unreaslistic and at some point that ALWAYS abruptly changes to SOMETIMES.
George Bush and Bill Clinton were nothing alike...but yes, I absolutely remember Bill Clinton.
And regardless of how much we talk about it or debate, the fact remains that there are some black people who will vote for him BECAUSE he's black and some white people who WON'T vote for him for the same reason.
It's reality. Not accepting it doesn't make it any less real.
Blessings...
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 5:59PM
Dee Gray
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Mr. Maxwell, "Dee, no need to have a hissy."
Wow. Okay. For the record, I'm not, but you'd have to know me to know that. I'm not one to have a hissy over a matter of opinion. It ain't that deep for me, let alone with someone I don't know and who doesn't know me.
But I AM LMBAO though that you would see it that way.
Blessings...
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 6:02PM
Dee Gray
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Mr. Maxwell,
I agree that Obama's race is not the only reason to vote for him, I never said it was. I asked if his race was why some where supporting him. The fact is, yes, his race is a reason and the only reason for a lot of people as to why they are supporting him. Not all black people are as educated or informed as you are. A lot of them know absolutely nothing about politics or Obama other then the fact that he is black. And for them, that's all that counts.
"It doesn’t matter if both are white, you STILL have a choice to decide to support them or not. Its still a choice to NOT support either one for that reason. That there are those who have decided to NOT support Obama because he is black, means that the will only support white or non-black candidates. You need to check your “logic.”"
No, I don't need to check my logic. Why would anyone ask another person if they were supporting a candidate because they were white if all the candidates are white? Please explain that to me.
Also I made no assumptions. There are many people who think Obama is going to some how miraculously fix the black community. Also, regardless of if you want to accept it, he like every other president before him will have to maintain the status quo.
Let me ask you this, and please try to be real and honest with your answer, if Obama was white yet saying and doing the same stuff that he is; do you honestly think that people would be getting as excited as they are?
Also, I addressed what I wanted to address when speaking to you. Whether or not you felt it was the most important....well to each its own. I'm going to speak on what I want to speak on just like you will. So you felt the other points you made were more important, well obviously I didn't. I really don't need you implying what I should or should not address.
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 6:03PM
Ebone Evans
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Ebone: "Let me ask you this, and please try to be real and honest with your answer, if Obama was white yet saying and doing the same stuff that he is; do you honestly think that people would be getting as excited as they are? "
The short answer is NO. And be careful Ebone...your succinct, disagreeable response might give the impression that you're have a "hissy fit". (You KNOW how overemotional we women are...) LMBAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (giggle) ;-)
Blessings...
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 6:06PM
Dee Gray
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Mr. Maxwell, LOL. ;-)
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 7:02PM
Dee Gray
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Very interesting point about Hiv-aides. Has anyone come out and asked the Clintons if they practice "safe s*x" Me, there is no way I would allow Bill Clinton to have s*x with me short of rape even if I was married to him.
I am so glad this point was brought up and it would have been a great vetting question about Hillary's being ready to make safe and sane decissions for our nation. Or does it not count because it is the Black female with aides?!?
Again great question even with us leaving out the " shall not commit adultry", huh?????
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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Obama is the "man" he is today because of his counsel with Rev. J. Wright.!!!!!!As did Oprah!!!!LIVE WITH IT....
America is not ready for this truth, so let them continue to say this man is a muslim ,unknown (have you ever known of another Black man in Obama's position;he has 8 years to become known in America)and or any thing else as he is going to be the next president of these U.S.A. Please try your best to get over yourselves, even the two Clintons and notwal Gore have been able to do this at this late date...or just continue to deny-ignore what the Kennedy dynasty is calling him. Even Germany with its majority skin heads are also calling him the modern day black JFK.
May be in the next run by Obama for president this planet will be ready for the God's truth about Obama's real life fight to survive half black and half white....and his rights as a Constitutional attorney to have freedom of religion.....IT IS TIME TO MOVE On. THE oBAMA SUPPORTERS HAVE OF ALL RACES, CREEDS AND COLORS BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS HISTORICAL FEAT!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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..It is very interesting that one can only count the times I have responded and still not know a word I have said:aides, Obama has been cover for over 18 months, a joke but not having mentioned about which side are you supporting,as I have yet to hear you even bring up his mother as even a part of Obama's life...but this takes us right back to no one knows anything about Obama, correct???(smile)
A closed mind is a closed mind and any thing not wanted in it will not be allowed there....under stand this?????
Next, Irma is not speaking the 'truth' she is trying to send out insults...CORRECT again??????Been there done that.(smile)freedom of speech not allowed either....
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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"NO", I am only supporting his White half...Just a joke like this question is....
And, by the way is there any others in this race for the White House besides Obama and Biden any way...(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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Ebone, Obama may not be able to help directly in "your", "my" community but you can ...I always have and always will do this on a daily basis...You see I call the Black community "the Black race" it self.
From what I heard Obama say is that he also see the Black community as the Black race itself. Try and find out about Obama the man/person beyond, Obama the media news sound bite for the day-month ....Please if only for your own self.
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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I can not change Obama's or Oprah's past nor will the truth hurt him.He and Oprah are the two most powerful and best loved and most respected people on earth TODAY!!!!!!!!
He was with this man for 20 years and (counting)out of his own mouth came how he could no more leave this man than he could the Black community. No I do not know either of these men, but I am grateful that I am a member of the same race as they are.
I still wonder why Obama can not go to a Black Liberation minister and Hillary and Bill can? These two ministers went to the same preacher training college and are PERSONAL friends. Their only crime is to say that the Black slaves did not pray to the same God as those who put them into slavery.and, never forget that our culture did not begin in slavery, but in the city states of Mother Africa.
About the Blacks marching to a different drummer, if you are not still sulking then listen to Ms. Huston sing the National Anthem as only one marching to a different beat can do this. And, if possible take part in history and join the whole(majority that will count on the planet Earth in real time) to give acceptance to this out standing man...UNKNOWN AS HE IS..THIS PLANET NO LONGER CARE ANY THING BUT RECORDING BEING A PART OF THE FUTUREof/in our government's renewal...get over your self today is Obama's day....the Biden's day and Oprah and Rev. J. Wright's day and my day as a proud Black woman who has worked all of her life to reach this point in BLACK IN AMERICA(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...to better explain about Obama considering the Black race, the Black community. I got this from when I saw and heard him say that He could no more leave Rev. J. Wright than he could leave the Black community!!! Yes, Ebony, this man did say this...there is a code that Black people really talk to each other with. I am able to get past what the White media says that Obama is all about, like being elite, unAmerican, his name,etc. How I love rubbing it back into their face by way of the Clintons and the Bushes. Watch tomorrow as Bush get accused of war crimes...T-H-I-N-K B-L-A-C-K...It is good for your Black culture...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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Barack H. Obama has two beautiful daughters, can anyone picture one or both of his children introducing this man? Now someone knows something about Obama. He has a wife and no public saying he has ever cheated on her. Does this make him not qualified to be in the White house????Obama will be following the last Democrats into the White house will he not...
I still want to know from some of the "personal" friends of Hillary Clinton's if she and Bill practice safe s*x...she is still wanted as VP/ New York senator or the Supreme Court or some place in Obama's administratiion...Am I correct???? here...let us hear it as this woman is well, well known....CORRECT?????(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...man landing on the moon, mars..beyond our universe and so on and so forth. This is Barack H. Obama's accomplishment for a member of the Black race former slaves in America with Black skin going into the office of (only White skin)President of the most powerful nation on earth to try and gain back a few former friendly nations to help us get our homes, jobs back and keep our elementary schools from closing so fast...Obama is like having your cake and being able to eat it at the same time....Every thing Obama touch turns to something good for America and for Africa...WAKE UP
Once again good night and good by to this post.
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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Ebone, I just reread what you asked about why so excited about Obama getting the Presidential nomination. My dear have you ever heard of Integration-seprate is not equal, Affirmative Action-the Civil Rights Movement,the Civil War, WWWII, American Revolutition War, the American Constitution etc.? If this is possibale you have heard these words or eras then why /what/ whree di you come up with such a ====? in the first place??????I ask in the name of all that is good and holy......
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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I will say this then shut up. It is amasing how no one knows about B.H. Obama not even thought he was news 24-7 after the FOX sound bite about his connection with Rev. J. Wright...that is like saying I do not know who Don Imus or Dog the Bounty hunter is after all of the media bull 24-7...Here Obama has been major news headline talked about for over 18 months straight!!!!May God (because Obama attended the same church)be with them when it comes to this as these need extra, extra, extra help to shine a light on and into the brain areas....Me, I just give up and will now ignore any more of this. I just woke up from that bad nightmare along with the Bill Clinton's admition that htere is a qualified B.H.O. ready to move into the White House as our next President of the United States of America..
good night and good by until 2009, after White house moving in day of the as M. Obama says "Camelot"with a tan ....
Oh, do any of you believe that Oprah will be introducing Obama tomorrow? night????
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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