Memo to Chris Matthews - African Americans are regular people, too (and we go to college, to boot!)

[EffieBlack]

Unbelieveably, Chris Matthews actually asked Claire McGaskill on today's "Hardball:"

"How's he {Obama} connect to regular people. Does he? Or does he only appeal to people who come from the African-American community or people who have college or advanced degrees?"

Excuse me?

I urge everyone to write to Chris Matthews and Hardball producers to remind them that African Americans are regular people and also have college and, even advanced, degrees. You might want to suggest that, if he wants to know how "Obama connect to uneducated white people," he should say so rather than insulting black folk by suggesting that we're neither "regular" nor educated.

[email protected]

[BeyondGeography]

1. Another older white guy making an ass out of himself

What an insult...I don't care if it's generational; a guy who works with words for a living should understand how disgraceful that is.

[woolldog]

2. Do you have an email address for them?

[dsc]

3. some of us tired to tell you all that matthews is a bigotted snake

but when it was sexism directed at Hillary we were told he was fine and dandy. Glad to see some of you all are catching on.

[EffieBlack]

5. You certainly aren't including me in your "you" are you?

If so, you're way off-base.

[dsc]

12. and I apologize for implying you weren't then

but several times threads about Matthew's and his cohorts antics were treated very derisively when it was sexism and Hillary.

[woolldog]

7. Look, I don't think Matthews is a bigotted snake

But he grew up in a different era and I'm not surprised he doesn't view black people as "regular people."

He does need to be set straight however. So much of racism is subtle, unconscious racism and institutional. His slip is a perfect example of the kind of mentality that perpetuates institutional racism. Who would you rather give a job to: someone of color or someone you see as a "regular person"?

[EffieBlack]

9. You nailed it!

[ecstatic]

19. He's full of sexist/racist ideas/stereotypes, but I don't get the hateful vibe

from him as I do if I hear Hannity, Boortz, or even Lou Dobbs or O'Reilly.

[cali]

8. really? How odd. I distinctly remember expressing disgust

over sexism toward Hillary to the point where I was repeatedly called a hillbot. Never seen you object to the masses of rank racism on this board. Funny how sensitive you are about sexism and homophobia and how nonchalant you are about racism. This post alone says quite a bit.

[Buzz Clik]

4. Oy. Poor Tweety. His mouth always running at a higher rpm than his brain.

[Muttocracy]

18. Hah!

as he would say. Yeah, he needs a time delay worse than the superbowl halftime show

[Irishonly]

6. Leave It To Tweety

You can always count on him to say at least one unbelievably stupid thing on each show when he isn't spitting on his guests.

[FlyingSquirrel]

24. yup nt

[pettypace]

10. What's the % of AA's that have college degrees

compared to that of the general population.

I think the answer may shed light on Chris' comments.

Matthews is the biggest Barack guy on cable news...leave him be.

[EffieBlack]

11. What does THAT have to do with anything?

[woolldog]

16. No it doesn't shed light on his comments

A close reading of his comments make that clear.

He is juxtaposing those who have college/graduate degrees and blacks on the one hand and "regular people" on the other hand.

That implies that blacks aren't regular people regardless of whether they have a degree. And neither are college educated people of any color....the %of AAs who have college degrees irrelevant since they would all be lumped into the same category of "non regular people."

[TexasLady]

13. as the beautiful one time Governor of Texas put it

he was born with a silver FOOT in his mouth!

[my2sense]

14. He Is Clueless

I was taken aback by that ignorant statement as well. It amazes me that folk like him and Pat Buchanan are still employed at MSNBC. They are clearly "color aroused" (racist). Then they act as if they don't understand why the black community is offended and or angry.....SMDH.

[TexasLady]

15. was it him>? or someone else that said to two guests

'you are both African Americans...why do you both feel so differently about the party's nominations?'

answer...'cause we are PEOPLE?'
:rofl:

edited to add an 's'

[Berry Cool]

17. Oh please. Don't pull my leg.

Next thing you'll be doing is claiming that black people actually have normal restaurants where people talk and laugh and order and have fun, and don't scream "M-Fer, I want more iced tea.'"

[BzaDem]

20. Ugh. Disgusting.

[AlinPA]

21. That slobbering gasbag is rotten. I am so pissed, that I am having a hard time

putting the words together to let MSNBC know how I feel.

[knixphan]

22. I'm AA and have an advanced degree...

Dang,

If I could only get that 'regular' thing figured out,

Maybe tweety could allow me into the mainstream...

[AlinPA]

23. Email to MSNBC sent.