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TeaParty.org, a Houston-based group founded by Dale Robertson, has decided to further play the race card by sending out an e-mail portraying President Barack Obama wearing a pimp hat, with a mustache painted on his face. The hat has zebra stripes and even includes a feather. The subject line of the e-mail states, "Obama Pimpin Obama-care, one last time!"
Robertson's group was taken to task recently for a sign that the founder held up at a rally that used the word "niggars" in reference to tax payers under the regime of the Obama administration.
When you have outlandish protesters like Robertson, it's difficult to believe that the tea party protests against the president aren't at least a little bit racist. I am sure that every legitimate protester, who at least thinks that race has nothing to do with his or her disdain for Obama, is disgusted by the actions of Robertson. To that effect, many other tea partiers are partying as far away from Robertson as they possibly can.
But events like this do beg additional questions regarding just how much race has to do with the extreme hatred being shown toward President Barack Obama. Do they just happen to hate the president because they think he is too liberal or because they are not accustomed to dealing with African American authority figures? Many black scholars document fundamental disrespect in the classroom from white students who've never had a black teacher before. The disrespect from students is heightened when your teaching style differs from what students are accustomed to. It is not inconceivable that many people who hate Obama because he's black are not even aware that race has something to do with their disdain.
While we will never know the origins or the intent of the tea party protests (they seem to be more determined to undermine Obama than to sway his opinion), we do know that protesters like Robertson are not good for our country. At the same time, I'm sure that the president knows that these kinds of attacks simply come with the territory. I'm sure he can handle it, and so can we.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (221)
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By: Phyllis on 2/01/2010 2:20PM
Where were the teabaggers when Bush destroyed this country eight years ago. There are some WHITE Americans that cannot accept the fact that a black man is running this sorry country. I have never seen so much disrepect for a leader in American before in my life. Vice President Biden said the same exact thing. It is really said that some white people think we live back in slavery days. Boyce is speaking the truth that so many people hide behind racism. It really makes me sick that people like you try to lie about racism. This is the same country that did not want Black Americans to vote or yet live in this country. I don't know what planet you live on but racism is alive so deal with it. Dr. Boyce was not pointing fingers at anyone he was just telling the truth about what is really goning on with some of the teabaggers.
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By: Elizabeth Powell on 2/02/2010 8:42PM
I play bingo on a free site called Blowout Bingo. The name obama can not be used there if you write it it will not be seen. Some players talked about his ears. ( duh ) the man is half white and have a White Person's ears. White people look around at your friends and yourself you all have big ears.
oh and don't forget those big front teeth. I am of mixed blood and made the mistake of saying so. The names I was called really hurt so I let them know the names other races had for White People. That happened about 9 years ago. I have tried to forgive and forget but I guess they never knew that other races have names for them too. These racist people have even said Black slaves were never raped by the slave owners. They need to face up to reality and try reading a little history they may find that they have ancestors that were slaves,, oh noo. As for Our president they want him to fail to prove that a Black man can't run this country just like they couldn't fly a plane.
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By: Rachel on 2/04/2010 8:18PM
So what exactly do you consider a "genuine American"?? Sorry, but that comment in itself sounds pretty biased. I also think "slavery and tyranny" is a bit of an exaggeration to describe the current plight of Americans. Ever been abroad?? Lastly, judging on your inability to distinguish a broad generalization from a simple observation, I think you're hardly the credible source to decide if Boyce is worthy of his Phd! The following statement doesn't say all tea-baggers are racist..."When you have outlandish protesters like Robertson, it's difficult to believe that the tea party protests against the president aren't at least a little bit racist." In fact, like Obama, Boyce is way too gracious when referring to disrespectful, ignorant and angry individuals like yourself and SOME tea-baggers.
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By: Ron Thomas on 2/01/2010 11:37AM
I took a look at the poll results and saw that some folks said no or not sure whether this is racism. What planet are they on?
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By: Sally on 2/01/2010 12:15PM
This is part of being in the public eye, give me a break and for Dr. Boyce to portray all tea parties members as racist is rediculous and for people to call them "tea baggers" is a total lack of respect. People have the right to express their ideas and beliefs and disagree with policies, whether presidental or not. Take a look at the Presidential poll numbers, I think more people agree with the tea party than you are willing to admit.
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By: Hunter on 2/01/2010 6:00PM
Why do you automatically assume it's racist? If the president had been white, would you have cried racism then? That's the problem with you blacks. You always look for racism even if it's not there. Whites are tired of it.
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By: black conservative on 2/02/2010 3:11AM
Earth, we just hope OB`s policies FAIL.............
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By: Brenda Carter on 2/01/2010 12:31PM
We know that a certain amount of insults will come with being a President, simply because you cannot please everyone. When I see what the Teabaggers are doing, I see racism. Not only do you see it with Rush and the Teabaggers, you see it on the faces of the Republican Senators.
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By: Sally on 2/01/2010 12:39PM
Brenda, that is a sweeping generalization. Rush does not claim to support the Tea Party Patriots. They are simply fed up with business as usual. And on the faces of the Republican Sentaors - please, with your attitude we will never have bi partisanship, you are the problem, not the solution.
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By: Phyllis on 2/01/2010 2:29PM
This response is to Sally.
Sally you are missing the point. Stop trying to justify what the teabaggers are doing. It is called racism. Again, the teabaggers did not show up when BUSH put this country in the red. RUSH is the biggest racist in America and it is simple minded people like you that listen to his crap. RUSH is a drug addict that appeal to older and some young white people that seems to think that White people should control this country. Btrenda did not say that RUSH was with the teabaggers but believe me he support those crazy people 100%. RUSH is against anything that President Obama is doing for this country.
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