What If 'Them' Were Really Us?

[MassLiberal]

Originally published in the Hartford Courant

Frank Harris III
October 16, 2008

It didn't start out this way. When the campaign season began, race was a faint shadow beneath calm waters. But as Election Day has neared, a dorsal fin has appeared.

It has broken the surface.

It is circling, revealing itself in all its ferocity.

I have concluded that regardless of who wins this presidential election between Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain, the result will be a referendum, a benchmark on race.

My conclusion came before McCain and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin all but called Democratic presidential nominee Obama a terrorist.

It came before some supporters at McCain rallies came to resemble screaming lynch mobs driven by fear, hate and controlled ignorance about "who Barack Obama is."

More at: http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/columnists/hc-opedharris-1016,0,7711710.column

[liberalmuse]

1. Palin is their 'Grand Wizard'.

Racists recognize each other, and they know Palin is one of them.

[dgibby]

2. She probably scares the shit out of Bobby Byrd!

[Skittles]

5. oh hell yes

that is one nasty, UGLY woman

[notaboutus]

3. There will be no benchmark on race

I don't agree. Obama is bi-racial and was raised by his white grandparents. Were he born of two black parents, I don't think he would have won. He keeps race out of it because while he doesn't mind being called black since that is the standard by which America judges him. He owes who he is to his white side of the family and to bring race into it and deny them would be a dishonor not only to them but himself.

[MassLiberal]

4. Read the whole piece

The writer, who is African American, is talking about how a comment by a white voter about "them" -- meaning black Americans -- made him realize that he is one of "them" and therefore seen as part of a marginal group in his own country. He's not really talking about Obama.