First Read goes there - Growing perception that RACE is driving elements of opposition to Obama.

[jefferson_dem]

*** The Elephant In The Room: At what point do what a bunch of folks in D.C. believe privately become more public -- that there is a dramatic divide between how people in the South view Obama versus the rest of the country? Sure, the South has always been more conservative and has been increasingly more Republican, so it shouldn't be a surprise this region is less open to a Democratic president's ideas; it's no different than folks in New York City and San Francisco not being open to a Republican president's proposals. But is it really the “D” next to Obama’s name that has folks upset in the South? Yes, there was a "coastal" divide when it came to George W. Bush, and the election results of 2004, 2006, and 2008 proved that. But is it ALL just ideological? It's truly subjective... As defiant as some on the right are about the fact that this has nothing to do with race, there’s an equal group of folks who believe it's ONLY grounded in race. Bottom line: Whether it's fair or not, there is a perception growing that race is driving some elements of the opposition to Obama. It probably means this tumult will only grow for the time being.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/09/11/2063954.aspx

[BeyondGeography]

1. Watch how quickly this morphs into "Obama is divisive" with the MSM

Not ultimately the fault of the child racists and their deformed souls. Oh no. Obama, you see, is black. What do you expect?

That's among the many reasons why Obama will never bite when asked about this.

[Uzybone]

12. yep, see the Gates incident

as proof of what the establishment (almost 100% white) mainstream media will do to him if he dares point out the reality of race issues in this country.

[OHdem10]

2. Duh???

There is no doubt, racial undertones are driving things
right now.

Divide and Conquer.

[Solomon]

13. Wait a few. The racism deniers will be here soon to disabuse you

of that notion.

[rocktivity]

3. It's not a growing perception, First Read. It's a growing REALITY.

And it's been growing since Obama got the Dem nomination. Congratulations on finally starting to notice, though.

:eyes:
rocktivity

[DevonRex]

4. It's a rather tepid beginning, but at least it IS a beginning to the discussion.

One of my sisters floored me with a racist email she sent me during the campaign. I didn't even KNOW she was racist. And that's my own SISTER. Sure, I knew she was a RW wacko. But I had no idea her hatred of African Americans was so close to the surface.

I knew she hated gays, since she's a Dobson follower. But I thought she had been sort of brainwashed by that evil man into believing the stuff he says.

Now, I know that there's something inside HER that makes her hate all sorts of people. And let me tell you, is is NOT fear. It's that she wants to feel that she is BETTER than other people and the only way she can do that is to tear other people down.

[Lilyeye]

I know what you mean. I know people like your sister.

"Now, I know that there's something inside HER that makes her hate all sorts of people. And let me tell you, is is NOT fear. It's that she wants to feel that she is BETTER than other people and the only way she can do that is to tear other people down."

This is true. These people are miserable and have a deep self hatred of themselves.

[DevonRex]

8. I could feel some sort of sympathy for them if they weren't so destructive.

I've racked my brain trying to figure out what made her the way she is. But in the end I finally just had to tell her that her hatred wasn't welcome - not in my inbox, not in our phone calls, not in my house when she visits. And my life is much better for it. We still talk on occasion but she knows I cannot tolerate her bigotry any longer. That was the most difficult thing I've ever had to do regarding my siblings and I hope that's the only time it has to happen.

And, that sister is in D.C., at a teabagger protest, as we speak. :eyes:

[Lilyeye]

6. I know what you mean. I know people like your sister.

"Now, I know that there's something inside HER that makes her hate all sorts of people. And let me tell you, is is NOT fear. It's that she wants to feel that she is BETTER than other people and the only way she can do that is to tear other people down."

This is true. These people are miserable and have a deep self hatred of themselves.

[Cha]

20. See post # 16, Devon..

:hug: Sorry, about your sis.

[newfie11]

5. It is a sad thing in this country

when a person cannot be judged by their deeds and not the color of their skin. Obama is the perfect person for this job. God help us if mcinsane or palin had won.

I am white but I have seen the racial injustice with Indians, Latinos, and Blacks and not just in the south.

Yes there are some very narrow minded holier than thou types in the south but they also exist elsewhere.

I live in a rural area in the far western part of the Nebraska Panhandle and the same thing goes on here.

I have lived all over this country. Given the opportunity I would have left it during shrubs occupation.

[Raineyb]

7. A good many of us have pointed this out only to be told that we're "playing

the race card."

I suspect that most people here won't care and don't give a shit.

I do appreciate the link. Thanks! Maybe seeing someone else point this out will help since apparently I and others like me don't warrant enough respect to have the possibility considered when we bring it up.

[Me.]

10. We Have Recently Experienced That, Have We Not?

I'm glad to see the 'elephant in the room' bring pulled out of the corner

[Becky72]

15. I disagree with your view that most DU'ers "don't give a shit"

Most here might not see the very specific "you lie" remark as racist, but this doesn't mean that other views such as birtherism present in the South aren't racist.

[Raineyb]

22. Delete

[Hepburn]

9. I was pretty shocked the other day when I learned that someone I know...

...actually voted for McCain and Palin. The man is pretty liberal in his social ideas ~~ like he totally supports gay marriage, has no problem with women's reproductive rights, thinks prostitution and drugs should be legalized, etc. However, I knew (unfortunately) where he came from when he referred to Obama as that "n*gg*r" who got in the WH.

I just walked away from this person and have decided that he is not someone I wish to have in my life in any manner. And I told him why I wished to have nothing to do with him. Luckily, he is mostly just an acquaintence and therefore I can avoid contact with him with little effort on my part.

This is a man who grew up in West L.A., not terribly religious, but was raised a Catholic, and who converted to Judism because his wife is Jewish and who seemed to be for about the 10 years I have known him, a pretty squared away person. Great with kids, loves animals, great cook, termendous family guy, etc.

Ya just never know what kind of ugly bullshit lurks in the minds of some seemingly OK people. I was just shocked...and he did not seem the least bit apologetic about the views he hold in regard to persons of color. In fact, he seemed kind of confused that me, as a white person, would not have a concern in the world about the color of the skin of the POTUS.

Sad...really sad...and ugly beyond belief.

[Cha]

21. The human psyche never fails

to astound me.

[rocktivity]

11. Didn't Janeane Garofalo catch grief for making this exact same point

a couple of MONTHS ago????

x(
rocktivity

[musiclawyer]

14. The growing demographic is anti-racism

Let the GOP keep the racists. It's a formula for spectacular long-term failure/extinction.

[Sebastian Doyle]

16. This map from the 2008 election pretty much says it all

Just look where the red areas are, and you'll find moonshine stills, cross burnings, and family trees that don't fork.

[thoughtcrime1984]

17. LOL! Family trees that don't fork...

Hard to believe McCain didn't lose by a bigger margin with a map like that. Looks like a blue nation to me. How is it that we always get the short end of the stick, then?

[CBR]

23. I am originally from and grew up,largely, in one of those red counties (in WV)

and I married an African-American and forked our family tree up to Delaware! So much of this is about race... it is sickening.

[Cha]

18. Imv, "conservative" =

lying hypocrites, now..they're making sure of that.

These poor racists who are so insecure in their manhood or womanhood that the only way to feel better about themselves is to try and belittle someone of another race.

No wonder they don't believe in evolution(that's what they say anyway..who knows, all they do is lie) they're not evolving.

[obama196186]

19. repukes

hate blacks,no surprise