In the weeks following Barack Obama's election, hateful racial incidents have surged. Some are more ominous than others, some with more impact, some just kinda stupid and annoying. Some examples: Idaho school kids chant "Assassinate Obama" on a school bus and school officials are slow to (barely) react. "They just hadn't heard anything like this before," said Whoolery. "They were chanting on the bus, 'Assassinate Obama. Assassinate Obama.' Then adding in a name sometimes of a classmate on the bus, 'Assassinate Obama and Kate.'" The Whoolery's explained to their kids what assassinate means then contacted the school about what was happening. Source "I think the thing that struck us was just like, 'Where did they get the word and why would they put that word and that person together?'" said Whoolery.Young white people (mostly young men) on Facebook post racial slurs and even assassination threats against President-elect Obama, and the young man of color who exposes them is threatened with account suspension. An excerpt from a soldier in uniform:
Taylor West wrote at 1:51am What do we do!?! The antichrist is in Office now!!! KILL OBAMA!!! I didnt get to vote out here, but I hate that Obama won. I dont want some dude with the name Hussein, as my president. He dont even stand up for the national anthem. I swear on everything hes a terrorists. Source: Honky Talk blog
And according to the Associated Press:
Four North Carolina State University students admitted writing anti-Obama comments in a tunnel designated for free speech expression, including one that said: "Let's shoot that (N-word) in the head." Obama has received more threats than any other president-elect, authorities say.Howard Witt, of the Chicago Tribune, reports that Klan membership is up, and the Southern Poverty Law Center is alarmed while the FBI and Secret Service are investigating:
At Standish, Maine, a sign inside the Oak Hill General Store read: "Osama Obama Shotgun Pool." Customers could sign up to bet $1 on a date when Obama would be killed. "Stabbing, shooting, roadside bombs, they all count," the sign said. At the bottom of the marker board was written "Let's hope someone wins." Source
"We've seen everything from cross burnings on lawns of interracial couples to effigies of Obama hanging from nooses to unpleasant exchanges in schoolyards," said Mark Potok, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center, based in Montgomery, Ala. "I think we're in a worrying situation right now, a perfect storm of conditions coming together that could easily favor the continued growth of these groups."It's that last graph above that caught my attention. It's good to know that the FBI and Secret Service are investigating any conspiracies or coordinated activity against our President-elect. I for one completely believe that Barack Obama will serve out the full term(s) of his presidency in good health. I am not worried and have pretty much read about these incidents with some head shaking and eye rolling in response. None of it surprises me.
The FBI is investigating the recent Klan-related incidents to determine the extent of any possible conspiracies. And the Secret Service is monitoring the apparent sudden surge in hate incidents "to try to stay ahead of any emerging threats," according to spokesman Darrin Blackford in Washington. Source
But it occurred to me that ignoring these incidents won't make them go away. What will make them "go away" to some extent is for each of us committed to anti-racism to make it very clear to those around us that racist talk or actions will not be tolerated. Don't stand for it. And if you hear something threatening, call law enforcement and report it.
Obama campaigned on "Yes we can." We proved we could. Don't let it slip now. Stand up and speak out.
Comments: (364)
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By: boredwell on 12/06/2008 3:07PM
Call me naive, but I'm shocked by the grotesque nature of these incidents. Putting them in perspective, while they are the most eqregious expressions of hatred, they are rampant and isolated rather than pervasive (though I can imagine many extrapolating these into generalizations to give fury to their worst fears). The most loathesome of them, however, is the Idaho kids chanting "assassinate obama." Racism is one thing, murder is another; unfit parents teaching their sickness to children is reprehensible and pornographic! As a person, Obama has worked to achieve his personal dream: I embrace and honor him of that success. I have always felt his only color was blue (democratic) and that his ethnicity was incidental not consequential (nor inconsequential)to me and others. I want him to succeed at being a good, just and reflective president. I pray that others will not act out against him. One John Wilkes Booth is all our history books can handle.
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By: Doni Whitley on 12/06/2008 2:57PM
As an American I am appalled by racial hatred in any form. However, directing such vile thoughts and suggestions against our President-elect angers and terrorfies me! What 'right' do these people claim to extol such ugliness?
I was taught as a child that it's what we are on the inside that determines our value as a person and that education began with the example of the oyster. "The oyster is not pretty to look at or even to pleasant to touch but on the inside is where we find the pearl which has great value and is loved by many over the centuries. Like the pearl is to the oyster, our character, or our heart, is what determines our value as a human being." That was written in a letter to me, then 6 years old, by my father, a Marine, in 1945. I still carry that letter and the many other lessons that were taught to me as a child. My greatest wish would be that everyone could have that kind of up-bringing. Perhaps those that chant for Obama's death or who hold raffles waging on his time of death would see how beautiful the world would be if we could see through the eyes of a child. A child brought up in love, not hate.
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By: Toni Williams on 12/06/2008 4:48PM
I am not surprise.
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By: docdhatesoprah on 12/06/2008 9:50PM
what is wrong with some people come on now we need to stop this race nonsense its so stupid im white i voted for Obama i dont care about color i care about that person getting the job done!!!!! thats what matters to me.
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By: Tim on 12/06/2008 11:38PM
Why in the world do we need a section of AOL called Black Voices? That is pure racism as far as I'm concerned. Let's get rid of this ridiculous section!!!
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By: clarissa on 12/06/2008 11:52PM
Obama's election leveled the playing field in my eyes. In my heart I would like to see us heal but, that may take another generation to do. My generation was raised by the generation who still remembers the for colored only signs everywhere. But thoses children on the bus, they will be dysfunctional to say the least. After all is said and done, He (Obama) is their President too.........
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By: raydawg on 12/07/2008 12:36AM
Speaking of race hate how come AOL has black voices what about white voices? Or can only whites be racist?
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By: Shirley on 12/07/2008 9:25AM
Posters #5 and #7, this blog is about racial incidents, not about why is there a Black Voices. And to answer your question Black Voicwes is where we can read, blog and talk about things that are affecting us in OUR communities. If you don't like it then feel free to leave. Now I have a question for you? Why is it a problem to you? You all have your own sites, heck AOL is your site period, so why is there a problem.Why is this section ridiculous? Because you can't stand to see African-Americans having the freedom to voice our opinions againist racists like you? Hate the fact that you see many articulate African-Americans, cause you thought we were all stupid and couldn't put together a thought? It bothers you that you can't come in here and truly say the racist, prejudiced things, because we here are a community and we will come out strong againist you and types like you and get your behinds banned from here. People like you are the ones that are responsible for racism. You don't want to accept that we have a right to have a place to discuss things that bother us or be happy for the achievements that people in our community have accomplished.
And as far as you all not having White Voices, I suggest you tell AOL about this and maybe they will give you want you want, believe me you'll have that all to yourself. And some whites have been racistand will continue to be racist, what does that have to do with us and Black Voices. You're coming here starting a problem. Get a grip.
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By: silverfox on 12/07/2008 11:35AM
Those folks out there voicing threats against President-Elect Obama ought to be reminded that comes January 20, 2009 he becomes Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States during a time of war, and various threats against him can be regarded as "giving aid and comfort to the enemy" which is an act of Treason. Most loyal, patriotic citizens will very quicky tire of this dangerous talk and be equally quick to start turning against these traitors.
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By: Debbie Kaser on 12/07/2008 12:00PM
I do not tolerate descrimination in any form. But, having lived my 53 years of life feeling punished for being white I must say that I have encountered more prejudice from african-americans that I have ever seen in the reverse. I can't tell you how many times I have been refered to as "whitie" or "white bread" among other expletives. It is disgusting. further, I PAID to have my son go to med school, where he had to have a gpa and m-cat HIGHER than those required for african-americans. We are not a rich family and my son is the first to graduate college, let along grad school. Where is the equality there? Let's level the playing field for all, not just those of "COLOR."
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