Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell: Words Matter
PHOTO: Can You Spot An Obama?
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you see it? Nothing. Well, some say what should jump out at you is the "racism;" a ten dollar food stamp with Obama's head on a donkey surrounded by ribs, the Kool-Aid man and a KFC bucket.
But here is the kicker, the president of the group that distributed this says it's not so; She says there is nothing wrong with it.
Diane Fedele, President of the Chaffey Community Republican Women, says she simply wanted to deride a comment Obama made over the summer about how as an African-American he "doesn't look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills." Still, she says that she plans to send an apology letter to her members and to apologize at the club's meeting next week.
As quoted in the Press Enterprise:
"I didn't see it the way that it's being taken. I never connected," she said. "It was just food to me. It didn't mean anything else."That statement alone sums up the problem with this entire ad and the sheer ignorance that's behind it.
For all the polls and congratulations that are bestowed upon Barack Obama, this is what some people still think of him and the African-American race.
Lets hope things like this don't block Obama's growing chance of a seat in the White House and a place in history.
+ Obama Food Stamp - Bigots Never Get Tired
Community Discussion
Obama Food Stamps - Here We Go
First Obama Waffles Now This!
Comments: (215)
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By: Angela on 10/20/2008 5:35AM
What a stupid thing to do. She'll really look stupid when everyone votes, all votes are counted and we have President Obama.
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By: ally on 10/18/2008 8:38AM
This is a show of stupidity on the part of this women's organization. Have you seen anything like this in reference to McCain? White people are on welfare, too.
It's not Obama's fault he had to get assistance from the government. His mother needed help. Please this organization should wake up and beleive in the HUMAN MAN not the Black man,He was born into this situation, being Bi-racial.
Look in the mirror at yourself. We do not choose our color. A lot of Whites who say they are wWite are not, you are mixed just like we are and this goes back to Slavery.
The American people are sick of this racist and bigotry. Get a life. Give Obama a chance. He is a very, cool, calm, intelligent, smart, articulate and organized man who graduated with high honors at a very well known college, This sound like jealousy to me. He had a big challenge ahead of him, but he will think before he speaks. He wanted a positive campaign, but Mccain started this negativeness in his.
The American people want the "ISSUES" discussed not this other negative stuff going around.
On the other hand McCain graduate the 4th to the bottom of his class, why, he was not very smart otherwise he would have been at the top.
WE WANT CHANGE FOR AMERICAN. Insource jobs, Health Care, Medicare Improvements and Social Security raises, financial stability, Education and less money going to foreign countries, we need it here at home and stop borrowing money from China. Do we own anything in the USA anymore?
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By: Alisha on 10/18/2008 8:44AM
THERE ARE SO MANY WHITES WHO HAVE VOWED THEY WILL NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA BECAUSE HE IS BLACK. WHAT ABOUT ALL OF THE BLACKS WHO HAVE ALWAYS HAD TO VOTE FOR WHITES.SOME DIE HARD DEMOCRATS ARE NOW VOTING REPUBLICAN SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T IMAGINE THEMSELVES VOTING FOR A BLACK MAN. FORGET ABOUT HIS INTEGRITY,INTELLIGENCE,HISTORY IN POLITICS,FAIRNESS,GOOD CLEAN RACE, I COULD GO ON. YES,IT IS HONORABLE THAT MCCAIN WAS A WAR HERO. i RESPECTHIM FOR THAT. BUT, THAT DOES NOT MAKE HIM THE BEST CANDIDATE. TO BE HONEST, WHEN I VOTED IN THE PRIMARIES, I VOTED FOR HILLARY CLINTON BECAUSE I THOUGHT SHE WAS THE BETTER PERSON FOR THE WHITE HOUSE AND BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT OBAMA. AS TIME WENT ON AND I LISTENED TO OBAMA,I COULD HAVE KICKED MYSELF FOR NOT CASTING MY VOTE FOR OBAMA. THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO SUPPORT MCCAIN HAVE TO REALIZE THAT IF MCCAIN WINS AND FOR SOME REASON NO TBE ABLE TO FULFILL HIS TERM IN OFICE, SARA PALIN WILL BECOME OUR LEADER. I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT AND I WOULD NOT FEEL SAFE. COME ON NOW, I AM A BLACK 49 YEAR OLD FEMALE. WHERE I DO SUPPORT WOMENS RIGHTS AND WOMEN EQUALITY ISSUES ETC, I HAVE MY "FEMALE" DAYS WHERE I AM MOODY AND JUST WANT TO STAY IN BED AND JUST THROW IN THE TOWEL. WOMEN ARE COMPLICATED WE ARE UNPREDICTABLE AND WE ARE VINDICTIVE BY NATURE. THAT IS NOT A BAD THING IT IS JUST WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT FROM MEN. AS FAR AS HILLARY IS CONCERNED, SHE HAS ALREADY BEEN THE PRESIDENT FOR 2 TERMS ONCE BEFORE. IF I WERE A REPUBLICAN I WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR HILLARY AS OPPOSED TO MCCAIN JUST BASED ON HER PRIOR EXPERIENCE ALONE AND I THINK SHE WOULD HAVE MADE A BETTER CHOICE AS COMPARED TO MCCAIN. I THINK IF MCCAIN AND OBAMA HAD COVERED THEIR FACES AND ALTERED THEIR VOICES AND HAD THEIR DEBATES ON STAGE THAT OBAMA WOULD BE LEADING THE POLLS WITH AT LEAST 98% OF THE NATIONS SUPPORT. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.
HOWEVER, THIS IS JUST ONE BLACK WOMAN'S OPINION.OH AND BY THE WAY, I AM A FOOTBALL MOM AND A TRACK MOM I JUST DON'T SHOOT MOOSE.
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By: Alisha on 10/18/2008 8:48AM
AND ANOTHER THING. IF DIAND FEDELE DID NOT MEAN ANY HARM ABOUT HER AD,WHY DID SHE NOT SELECT CAVIAR,SHRIMP,T-BONE STEAKS OR ASPARAGUS AND MAYBE EVEN CHOCOLATE ECLAIRS ON HER TEN DOLLAR FOOD STAMP.
OH SHE KNEW EXACTALY WHAT SHE WAS DOING. THERE IS NO WAY SHE CAN BE IN A POSITION SUCH AS HER'S AND NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH THE DIFFERENT STEROETYPES THAT HAVE BEEN ATTACHED TO BLACKS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. IF SHE IS THAT IGNORRANT THEN SHE SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY.
AND BY THE WAY I DON'T EAT KFC OR WATERMELON. AGAIN, THIS IS JUST ONE BLACK WOMAN'S OPINION.
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By: D.L. Brooks on 10/18/2008 8:47AM
I don't understand why everyone seem so surprise by this and others tactics. I mean, come on, did you really expect for McCain and his Followers to run a positively clean campaign?? Ah, no!
I am certain BV readers knows and understand that prejudice and racism is alive and well around the globe. It's very well hidden. Nothing surprise me and who the perp is doesn't surprise me. I was taught a long time ago, if a person is unable to beat you fair and squar, then the only thing most people feel compelled to do is go negative, especially it is a white person that is being spanked by a black. That's public humiliation.
What we cannot do is be so consumed with all the negativity that we forget about from whence we came; how it was our ancestors sweat and blood that built this country; and they and we continue to be a big part of why this country is successful. And one of the most important memories we should hold on to: WE WERE KINGS AND QUEENS. And that my friends should be a major reason to hold your heads high.
Stay strong!
D.L. Brooks
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By: shebakescheesecakes.com on 10/18/2008 9:15AM
Im so sick and tired of this foolishness...Why are people not loosing there jobs for things like this...Its really sad because once he wins the election and believe me he will win, these things are only going to get worse...The ignorant people will not see the good he will do for this country, they will only see his skin color.
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By: Cathie Jackson on 10/18/2008 9:18AM
Oh my, Ms. Fedele:
There must have been some reason that you bedecked your Obamabuck with fried chicken and watermelon! Why not quiche and steak instead? You vividly underscore why this born 'n raised Republican has been unable to support the party for some years now. I will continue to avoid mean-spirited, hypocritical, hate-mongers and proudly cast my Obamavote.
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By: Rev. Branch on 10/18/2008 9:29AM
Are you unhappy about what the Republicans are doing to smear Obama in the news and the negective ads?
This how you combat their dirty tacts.
MAKE SURE TO VOTE GET EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO VOTE AND MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION TO OBAMA/BIDEN 2008
Everytime I hear or see a negative ad about Obama I make a donation. It will help your anger and help the campaign.
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THE OBAMA/BIDEN 2008
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By: Mary on 10/18/2008 9:30AM
It is amazing to me how everyone from all walks of life and every race and nationality here in the US is crying over the same thing relating to the economy, but for some instead of being focused on the issue, they are focused on the color of the candidates. They would rather have more of the same than to vote for change if the candidate for change does not look like them. Simply amazing.
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By: Elaine on 10/18/2008 9:32AM
This is blatant racism and it is disgusting, for her to claim it was 'just food' is insulting to our collective intelligence.
For many years, and with good reason, I think many african americans have assumed most white people harbored racist thoughts in their heart of hearts.
I think one of the more wonderful aspects of Obamas campaign is that finally, our fellow citizens of color will see that hundreds of thousands of white Americans will be proud to vote for Barack Obama as our president. Me included, obviously.
I think it will prove that the vast majority of us want to be one country, not seperated by race or religion. There will always be idiots around as evidenced by this childish food stamp thing, but they are only making themselves look bad, the rest of us are looking forward to moving on, together.
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