Obama derangement syndrome - coincidence?

[cilla4progress]

There is more manifest, overt, and insidious racism toward African-Americans specifically apparent now in our culture than I can remember since the 1950s when I was born, and the beginning of great civil rights movements in our country.

Is it any surprise, or coincidence, that this is occurring at a time when we elected our first African-American President?

I feared this would be the case when Mr. Obama was elected. The first ANYone (African-American, woman, gay - think Harvey Milk) in a high position, who breaks through, is always subject to the most vicious blowback. I'm sure this is why Michelle Obama was not particularly enthusiastic - because she, too, knows this.

In a sense, the Obamas are sacrificing themselves in the hope and high ideals that their service would, will, move us forward. The arc of history and all that.

Hope that proves to be the case.

[polichick]

1. Agreed - he opened a big heavy door and some whites...

especially white men, can't stand the thought of people other than themselves walking through it. They'll go crazy with the first woman president too - already are with their anti-women legislation.

[cilla4progress]

3. 'zactly

That's exACTly what I'm talking about!!

Great minds (thinking alike) and all that!

[Cal33]

6. As far as women presidents and prime ministers are concerned, countries as diverse as Israel,

Pakistan, The Philippines, Great Britain...etc... began having them some 50 years ago.
This is old stuff.

We are way, way, way behind!! Thanks to those so-called "Conservative" Republicans.
They are not only standing still. They are trying to force our country backwards. Perhaps
they would like to bring back another King George III-- and with themselves as the titled
nobility with all their privileges!

[EC]

2. Reminds me of when Harold Washington won in Chicago.

First Black Mayor of Chicago..they did everything to discredit his term and the racists came out in force. Look up the Council Wars causing the city to decline because of not allowing initiatives (like the blocking repubs are doing now) by repubs and dems alike. Just blocking anything he wanted to do. couldn't get his appointees approved (sound fimiliar?) So the playbook already existed. Washington was totally discredited and died in office. Even after his death the discrediting didn't stop..saying he died from cocaine...not a heart attack from hypertension. Since the emt's gave him lidocaine, they used that to say it was cocaine.

[cilla4progress]

4. Oh F****

I am so sick of this.

One step forward TEN steps back.

[Cal33]

5. Obama was raised by his mother and his maternal grandparents, who were white. He had

seen his father only once at the age of ten, and only for a month, when the latter came
to visit him. His father left when Obama was about 1-year-old -- too young to have any
personal memories of his dad. Also, his father was a Kenyan, not an Afro-American.

It's known that our basic attitudes towards life are already formed to a large extent at a
very young age. I wouldn't be surprised if Obama's basic attitudes are more like those of
a white- than Afro-American. I don't mean to imply that all white Americans and Afro-
Americans think alike, since each individual is different. But there are certain broad
inclinations and general tendencies that result from one's upbringing.

Yes, there are many whites who hate him simply because of his race, and as president of
the country he draws their fire more than most -- no matter what he does. And this is the
exact opposite of the loving and intimate caring he had received from his mother and grand-
parents during his growing-up years.

I wonder how all this affects him, consciously, and especially sub-consciously.

[cilla4progress]

7. Really appreciate your perspective

and thoughtfulness. Thank you.

[Always Randy]

8. Thank you for this post cilla4progress

Barack and Michelle Obama will be viewed as two of the strongest people in our country's history. I agree with you right on that the bigots are running rampant over the fact that there are black people in their white house. But the Obama's are the undoing of all of their racial stereotypes. The President is home with his family a lot. He and Michelle go on date nights---I know this seems like simple stuff---but it is exactly what the bigots hate. This is a very happy family(that happens to be black) and things are going good for them. If you live the life of a bigot and wake up every day with hate, Barack and Michelle are your undoing. I don't think that the Obama's get a vicarious thrill out of watching it, but I would not blame them if they did. IMHO Martin Luther King did as much to free white people from their bigotry as he did for the civil rights of blacks. The Obama's will do the same----and the good part is that they will free a lot of people from waking up every morning with hatred. When John Kennedy ran for president his haters said that the Pope would run our country----but that just didn't happen---kind of ironic but the Pope and RCC is more into our politics under the same haters.

So here is what I see happening----Obama will be on the right side of history on healthcare, immigration, gay marriage, women's rights(he first bill was Lilly Ledbetter)---more progressive things will happen under his watch(in spite of what some his detractors---even some on this site say) ---he will be judged as a President who set a moral tone for the country after an administration that was criminal. He will be remembered as a valiant protector of country in that he captured and killed Osama Bin Laden.

It get's better---they both could move to South Carolina at the end of their term, Michelle could win the Governor election there. The Confederate flag would be taken down from the statehouse ----in a respectful manner ----and preserved as a symbol of what once was. ---She could then become a US Senator-----serve on the foreign relations committee ---run for President ----and they're back at the White House----it certainly is possible ----Barack won two terms ---why couldn't she.

[ancianita]

9. There's much to be said for this. Using a black president as an excuse to spew race hate

/\/\/\/\/\ Awesome idea, AR!


is still racism. If this syndrome opens up a festering psychic sickness in millions, then it's out in the open now and other whites of good will can finally see what black people have known all along.

[Always Randy]

10. I think it is better when it goes beyond "good will"

better still when people are no longer thought of as a certain group or race---but just as people-----I am blessed because I grew up in a house that would not tolerate bigotry-------oh , there were a few things said by some in the house but it was not put down by a punishment, but rather a full discussion as to why someone would feel the way they do, and further discussion to a point where an ethnic slur was identified for what it was -----a slur----and had no valid reason to continue with it------my father was born in 1912-we grew up in the 50's and 60's ----we liked JFK----maybe we didn't get it all right----but man ----we were the progressives of the day--------and it has helped me---and my children evolve-----race does not matter to us-----but constructive engagement on any and all issue does----------this is a new millennium and all of that other stuff is ancient thinking and it gets in the way of our own progress-----about 30 years ago I was at a party and heard someone use the "n" word-----rather than chastise them for being evil----I said ---out load "Oh ---how passé! "----it was probably the best way because this person was so wanting to "be with it"
-----and it is probably the way we have to be now----let's get on to the business of living our lives----it really has nothing to do with all the things that trip us up on our pursuit of being happy-----

the way I see the Obama's is that they are too smart for stupid bigotry----take a look at her profile and you will see that she has bigger fish to fry------and the bigots know it----how sweet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Obama


there is nothing worse for a hater than to find out that they are irrelevant---push that issue---and you will see progress

[lillypaddle]

11. The ultimate in "uppityness"

Not only did he have the gall to think he could become president, he BECAME president.

I can just imagine idiots like Rick Perry & Michele Bachman are thinking, "If this guy could become president, anyone can - including me."

[Always Randy]

13. the fact that he was elected twice just breaks them

they can't say it was a fluke that he won-once-----but twice --oh no --he proved his running motto

"YES, I CAN!-------

[lillypaddle]

14. You're right on nt

[JoePhilly]

12. The Obama family destroys many sterotypes that the right clings to dearly.

Those stereotypes are powerful weapons and they simply MUST apply to the Obama family.

Zimmerman doesn't get off if black men aren't scary.