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Skinner

(63,645 posts)
29. While I appreciate you are giving the President the benefit of the doubt, this post bothers me.
Thu Mar 22, 2012, 09:54 AM
Mar 2012

For one thing, I don't see President Obama as "kowtowing to whatever powers that be" the way some here on DU have portrayed him the last three years. I see him as a politician who understands the need for compromise in order to get things done. And frankly, I think he has already lined up a record of accomplishment that beats any President since LBJ.

Now, I think it is true that many of the people who oppose him are racists, and the intensity of the hate toward him is due in part to his race. But that does not mean that the President of the United States has been treating his opponents as if he had been pulled over by a racist white police officer, staring at his feet mumbling "yes sir" and all that. The comparison feels emasculating and deeply disrespectful to our President.

There is a difference between keeping your cool and being deferential to authority. President Obama has an extraordinary ability to keep his cool and keep a level head even when everyone else seems to have gone completely insane. This is a very admirable quality, and it makes him a better and more successful president.

Context: I'm a white man, so that may or may not have some bearing on how I read your post. I guess I would be curious to hear how some African-American DUers feel about this.

+ 1,000,000 ! Surya Gayatri Mar 2012 #1
As far as your comment about President Obama, I don't see it that way. madaboutharry Mar 2012 #2
I think it is a bit of both. nevergiveup Mar 2012 #3
There have been times when I wanted him to play hardball - and not bend over backwards for Boehner. ehrnst Mar 2012 #4
Again, ehrnst, I couldn't agree more... Surya Gayatri Mar 2012 #17
Ooooh, Nooooo you have it all wrong A wise Man Mar 2012 #33
It's less a question of some imagined "TALK" that Surya Gayatri Mar 2012 #5
Don't underestimate white mothers - my sister had this talk with her 3 black daughters. Because it jwirr Mar 2012 #49
Certainly not underestimating the Surya Gayatri Mar 2012 #59
You cant have a reasonable and intellectually honest debate rhett o rick Mar 2012 #6
I think it's some of both frazzled Mar 2012 #9
I DO see him not wanting to perpetuate the "angry black man" perception in his uponit7771 Mar 2012 #12
I would imagine it is in the back of his mind - TBF Mar 2012 #20
I prefer this man's approach to Barack's. It was more genuine, honest, and dignified. leveymg Mar 2012 #7
This man could never have been elected Surya Gayatri Mar 2012 #21
Absolutely, not even in Harlem, then. That points something out about the US political process leveymg Mar 2012 #40
IMO Mr Dixon Mar 2012 #62
The "liberal" New York media (when it was still really NY based and liberal) demonized the Muslims leveymg Mar 2012 #65
I've been doing a lot of studying on the Civil Rights Movement lately boxman15 Mar 2012 #74
Agree. Without those pushing for radical change, there is no reason to accomodate reform. leveymg Mar 2012 #75
Well every parent gives their kids 'the talk' at some point lunatica Mar 2012 #8
A coworker dealt with DWB on the way home from the airport LynneSin Mar 2012 #10
By law, a person has to give consent for their car to be searched unless they have a warrant. FourScore Mar 2012 #35
This was about 10 years ago and the MD state police were investigated LynneSin Mar 2012 #39
THOUSAND TIMES marshall gaines Mar 2012 #66
When it happens to you in the dead of the night KeepItReal Mar 2012 #72
Unfortunately, that is the reality. You nailed it. n/t FourScore Mar 2012 #76
SMH Mr Dixon Mar 2012 #64
lol uponit7771 Mar 2012 #11
What's funny? DURHAM D Mar 2012 #13
Post removed Post removed Mar 2012 #18
Enjoy your stay ecstatic Mar 2012 #23
Post removed Post removed Mar 2012 #24
If you believe there was no trauma in Kenya under the British, you need to go back to school leveymg Mar 2012 #43
You would think a right wing troll would know by now DFW Mar 2012 #45
Yeah, you're right! FourScore Mar 2012 #28
Wow, does he have zebra stripes? Are his Surya Gayatri Mar 2012 #31
What's funny? (nt) ehrnst Mar 2012 #15
What's funny? n/t FourScore Mar 2012 #22
My white husband was stopped in a "well to do" neighborhood HockeyMom Mar 2012 #14
That kind of incident is not limited to the USA DFW Mar 2012 #44
obsfucation marshall gaines Mar 2012 #67
K & R! lonestarnot Mar 2012 #16
It's acceptable to use "crackers" handy hannah Mar 2012 #19
Are you at the library again? nt DURHAM D Mar 2012 #26
Post removed Post removed Mar 2012 #27
I will say goodbye now. DURHAM D Mar 2012 #30
I was just on a jury voting to hide that post. Hope the other five agreed. yardwork Mar 2012 #34
She has now been PPRed. DURHAM D Mar 2012 #37
I'm sure freepers would find it hilarious. They live in opposite world. yardwork Mar 2012 #41
I miss the tombstones. TahitiNut Mar 2012 #54
The tombstones were a nice a touch. n/t FourScore Mar 2012 #68
Mr. President is one of the greatest Presidents, possibly 2nd or 3rd in line despite rich crackers. lonestarnot Mar 2012 #32
Yes. ehrnst Mar 2012 #46
I was always puzzled by people who pressed Obama to "get angry" . . . janet118 Mar 2012 #25
While I appreciate you are giving the President the benefit of the doubt, this post bothers me. Skinner Mar 2012 #29
I agree 100% nt ecstatic Mar 2012 #42
I agree with both the original post and your post... Frustratedlady Mar 2012 #47
That's why I wrote "perceived Kowtowing." (nt) ehrnst Mar 2012 #48
You have articulated this very well, Skinner. FourScore Mar 2012 #51
I agree Blue_Roses Mar 2012 #53
I see it exactly the same way. TahitiNut Mar 2012 #55
I agree with you 100%. . . daligirl519 Mar 2012 #56
I completely agree with you Skinner and I am African American goclark Mar 2012 #57
Finally a post with a clue aside from the LOL one which I had to agree with. n/t vaberella Mar 2012 #61
Absolutely right. NYC Liberal Mar 2012 #73
Great post. However, I don't think anyone had "The Talk" with Barack. Tatiana Mar 2012 #36
I also stated that these experiences, along with the symbolic "talk" have influenced him.(nt) ehrnst Mar 2012 #52
if that were true, than we should have not elected him, because he's black Enrique Mar 2012 #38
I don't see why that means we should not vote for him. ehrnst Mar 2012 #50
IMO Mr Dixon Mar 2012 #58
In all honesty I don't think Obama ever got the "talk." I know Black parents do this. vaberella Mar 2012 #60
I know white parents that give the talk to their brown adopted sons. ehrnst Mar 2012 #70
As I stated I don't know if White parents do. vaberella Mar 2012 #71
Chris Rock - How not to get your ass kicked by the police! Swede Mar 2012 #63
That was great. I love Chris Rock! FourScore Mar 2012 #69
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