Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell: Words Matter
PHOTO: Can You Spot An Obama?
First, they characterized Sen. Barack Obama as Curious George on a T-shirt. Then they put him and his wife Michelle on the cover of the New Yorker characterizing them as a radical militant Islamist. Okay, we get it, there are people who really don't dig that a black man has a serious shot at becoming President of the United States. No surprise, we've seen people mixing that haterade since Rev. Jesse Jackson ran in 1984.
Now, a woman in a California conservative group, the Chaffee Community of Republican Women, has been distributing a mock food stamp with Obama's picture on it, complete with Kool-Aid, ribs, a bucket of chicken and a Watermelon. I mean, damn! Will it stop? In fact, let me answer my own question: probably not. ...
The closer Obama's presidency comes to being a reality, the more we'll probably see of garbage like this. And if he's elected, you can best believe the fringe nuts will come out of the woodwork, snivelling and drooling in their anger that for the first time in history the Commander in Chief is not a white male.
I saw a clue of that at rallies for Sen. John McCain where people all but screamed: 'you have to stop that black guy from getting into office!' To his credit, Sen. McCain has rebuked his followers for saying such things.
But unfortunately, this is probably the beginning of years of racist garbage the likes of which we haven't seen since the early 60s. I'm not fanning any flames, but I think people of all backgrounds, creeds, orientations and nationalities should be prepared for a certain sector of America to show its ugly a$$.
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By: VBOX on 10/21/2008 5:14PM
Monday, October 20, 2008
WHO IS AMERICA?
America is an ideal and she is real. She exist in all of our thought processes and decisions. She is part of our likes and dislikes, our views and beliefs.
America is religious. Whether you are Christian, Catholic, Jewish, or Muslim, she remains and she flexes to suite all our needs. Question: Why does politics in this election and in general dictate that being a Muslim is some how taboo? Being a Muslim is not the same as being a radical, anti America crazo. Plus, there are no religious restrictions on the presidency. Why do some think that calling someone a Muslim an insult? In the 1960s, the fact that Kennedy was catholic was considered "not cool." Since some think we have the past point in time when race can be used as a negative, is being Muslim in the 2000s the same as being African American in the 1960s? Reinventing and redirecting discrimination uncovers America's wounded past and destroys her beauty. It doesn't seem like America's babies want to grown up. Are we still crawling? America is waiting for us to walk, heck let's run.
America is politics. Whether you are a disgruntled McCain supporter or a change agent for Obama, you have to agree that America is different for almost every person who occupies its borders. Whether one agrees with the democratic or the republican party, America does not change. She remains true and she has matured over the years. She corrects herself when she is wrong and continues to move forward. In the 1960s, everyone who stood against racial discrimination was called a communist (even Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) The language of this campaign cannot set America back 40 years. Using divisive language to spark fear that the African American candidate will take money from rich (code word white) and give it to the poor (code word black) is ridiculous on its face and a disgrace to America. Raising taxes is one thing. Reparations is another and will never happen. Are we, Americas babies, so ashamed of our past sins that we can not perceive that an African American actually loves America? Does racial hatred exist as it did in the early 1900s? Are there some who really wish Jim crow would make come back? At the end of the day, America excepts us just as we are even if we do not.
America is, like it or not, distinctly African American because it history does not exist without the brown hues of their skin and their will to overcome. America is also immeasurably Caucasian, from the luck of the Irish to Good old boy in Alabama, Ellis island to the Golden Gate Bridge. America is also colorful and vibrant like Latinos who strives to learn to speak English so their kids can have a better life. America is Asian as well. From coast to coast, their strength is ever present like to Great Wall. It would not be hard to continue lamenting about the people of this great nation. She is a great nation.
When we say something is "American as apple pie", we are not only speaking to white people, but to the fabric of which this country is tailored. We, however, the citizen of this nation are the ones who seem to not know Who America Is. None of us fit perfectly into the molds of perfection that we have formed. America herself is not perfect. She erupts and floods and storms and burns. Yet she is perfectly suite for all of us.
America is not a trifle, but "We The People," have gotten so far down in the weeds that one must question wonder whether we are who we say we are.
America has taken on a life of her own. She is patriotic. She is valiant and courageous. She is honest and truthful and compassionate. Yet she is inherently tough and scared. She has battle and won and battle and lost.
But it is her babies that disgrace her. Race matters not because America dictates that it does. It matters because some of her children have decided that they know better than America what she is about. America is hope when their is none to be found and compassionate beyond measure. Yet her people are also unforgiving and untruthful at times.
Parts of America hold ideals near and dear to their hearts that make others cringe. For example, the southern tradition of the rebel flag to some is pride in their heritage. To others, it is a reminder of a time that needs to be forgotten. I cannot dispute someone's right to their personal beliefs. I do however doubt that the pride is well placed and completely directed at its alleged target(patriotism?). Believe how you will, just don't hide behind America's skirt tails calling it pride. Plus, pride comes before the fall. Heritage and tradition are great, but they don't have to be angry and painful. Many Americans celebrate Independence day. Whether their family were citizens during the revolution or they came many years later they still love the stars and strips.
Whether we are talking about religion, politics, socialism, race, or patriotism, there is no one earth who can pick a true patriot out of a crowd. What does a true patriot look like. Did he or she serve in the military? Is she African American? Is he white? Are they from Turkey or India? Is he or she a Democrat or Republican?
You tell me. Who is America?
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By: puppylondonblack on 10/21/2008 5:37PM
What is so damn wrong with electing a candidate who's a few shades darker for president? I mean just sit down and really think about it quite a few people are using the fact that they don't like Obama's tax plan as an excuse not to vote for him when in reality the color of the man's skin is the real reason. People come on aren't you tired of the white man always at the ultimate top of politics? Have'nt we endured enough of the republicans messing things up for the middle and not so middle class americans? Dammit it's time for change...big time. The Chaffee Community Of Republican Women distributing mock food stamps with Obama's picture on it, what was the thought behind that? It just goes to show how ignorant people can be.
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By: Irish on 10/22/2008 9:55AM
Mike: Your comments only substantiates the claim that racism is alive and well in this country. First of all, ALL Muslims are NOT bad people. In fact, the majority of Muslims are peace-loving people. I happen to be a white middle-aged Christian woman, so don't go off on a defensive rant claiming I, too, must be a Muslim that supports those who attacked us. A few Muslims attacked us; therefore, all Muslims are horrible human beings? This is a racist statement if I ever heard of one. As for Obama not caring for our country - where do you get off making such a statement? Is it that, perhaps, you're believing every rant and rave by those despicable racists claiming such lies? You are the epitome of what is WRONG with our country. What is sad, is that Obama actually cares about your sorry arse. When Obama gets into office, and he will, and America begins to heal itself and things turn around for everyone, will you eat your words? Or will you let your hatred blind you from the truth? Obama wants us to be united and statements like yours only seperate us - so who doesn't care about America? I'd say you.
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By: Felecia on 10/22/2008 2:11PM
Can someone tell me why are these Rupblicans acting like 2 year olds just getting off the bus? Come on people get a grip, our economy is failing, our healthcare is off the chain when will you all get it that even now 2 incomes are not enough and there are no increase in pay going on right about now..We need change and Bush is juts not cutting it, adn if McSane voted with him 95%-90% then waht the heck do you think he'll do giving 100% power..We spend 10 billion dollars a month in Irq and we are in debt, don't you think the troops will be better off and safe at home with money to pay their mortgage, or buy food!
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By: L Smith on 10/22/2008 2:19PM
RACISM STILL EXIST IN AMERICA.WHAT WAS WRITTEN ABOUT OBAMA DOES NOT SURPRISE ME.IGNORE THE IGNORANCE AND VOTE.OBAMA/BIDEN2008
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By: Rhonda on 10/22/2008 5:53PM
HAHAHAHAHAHA ROTFLMAO LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
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By: Rhonda on 10/22/2008 5:54PM
I am afraid peeps. Hip Hop Rap and Ho's are banned in Islam. SLAVERY IS LEGAL UNDER ISLAM. Muslims still have slaves!!! Have we lost our minds, to make a muslim president? VOTE OBAMA=VOTE SLAVERY!!! COLOR MEANS NOTHING TO ISLAM,THE POOR ARE THE SLAVES.
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By: Phyllis on 10/23/2008 7:35AM
I don't care what they say Food Stamps fed my family and I do not care who is on the stamps as long as they are useable at the grocery store. Don't knock it till you tried it.
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By: Sherry on 10/25/2008 3:36PM
May God Bless You All, but those who vote for Barack" Insane" Obama will dam this country to hell. Our great grandchildren will still be paying the bill for his plans to share the wealth. Liberalism Socialism Communism is there a difference!
Be afraid very afraid of this man and the type of change he will be force feeding our families now and in the future.
Pray for McCain to save us from the devil Obama, our lives depend on it. Go Sara Go!!!!! Go Sara Go!!!!! Go Sara Go!!!!! Go Sara Go!!!!! Go Sara Go!!!! Sherry
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By: BETSY PEARL on 11/17/2008 11:49AM
WELL THE BIG, BIG BIGOTS ARE STILL OUT THERE AND NOW THE CHAFFEE COMMUNITY OF REPUBLICAN WOMEN ARE OUT FRONT LEADING THE HATRED PARADE. IF THESE IDIOTS CAN'T REALIZE THE STUPIDITY OF THEIR FOOD STAMP SLAM OF PEOPLE OF ANOTHER RACE THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE WIND WHISTLING THRU THEIR HEADS, BECAUSE THEY ARE MINUS BRAINS AND UNDERSTANDING.
JUST TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT, I AM A 76 YEAR OLD 'WHITE' WOMAN AND AM OUTRAGED .
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