Minorities At Risk For Drowning
Obama Honors Fallen Troops
In a poll conducted by Public Policy Polling, whose function is to "put out highly accurate polling on key political races across the country," according to its website, 46 percent of Mississippians believe that interracial marriage should be illegal.
The poll also reveals that the majority of the poll participants are male (53 percent), very conservative (40 percent) and between the ages of 45 and 65 (36 percent).
One commenter wrote:
"I believe God made us a different color for a reason and should be honored by not marrying outside of the race that God picked for me, however the color of one's skin does not make him/her better than another color."
Right.
But before I even consider Mississippi's fascination with all things Jim Crow, let's explore the premise of the poll in the first place. The goal of the poll is to identify which Republican candidate Mississippians would vote for in the 2012 presidential election.
The infamously controversial Governor Haley Barbour is invariably the state's favorite among ignorant-media-whore Sarah Palin, the God-righteous Mike Huckabee, the-Mormon-most-refuse-to-embrace Mitt Romney, the-incessant-adulterer Newt Gingrich, I-think-the-founding-fathers-ended-slavery Michele Bachman, cap-and-trade-flip-flopper Tim Pawlenty and I-don't-believe-in-civil-rights Ron Paul.
What a lovely bunch.
So how on earth did Director and pollster Tom Jensen come up with that question? I mean, after asking about whether participants had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of the named candidates and how they identified themselves, why ask whether they are for interracial marriage?
Is it because our President is the product of an interracial union? Is it because they consciously wanted to rile people up? Is it because, he, himself, or Public Policy, is biased on the issue to begin with? I just have a difficult time focusing on the actual poll, when this reeks of someone's shameless effort for media attention.
And if I am to focus on the findings of this poll at all, are we really surprised to see that Barbour, known for saying he doesn't think the slavery conversation is important, would be the front runner in this state? Or what about his equally progressive brother, Jeppie, who lit-er-ally said:
"I guess they're [blacks] just goin' through a state of being rebellious and hard-nosed and not listenin' to white people like they used to."
I wish I was making this up.
Good ole Mississippi, the state where Medgar Evers was murdered. Good ole Mississippi, the state where three civil rights workers were killed by the Ku Klux Klan. Good ole Mississippi, the state where after President Obama won the 2008 election, racial slurs and bigotry reigned supreme.
One thing the poll did make clear, though, is that the racism of the past largely lives with the old. I just hope that once much of that embattled generation passes away, they will take their archaic mind-set about interracial relationships with them.
But I won't hold my breath.
Comments: (101)
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By: gary on 4/11/2011 3:04AM
I agree wholeheartedly with you, but...what does "hardcore Republicans" have to do with anything? Have you ever talked to one? I think your questions are valid and that the article is without merit. I would also argue that Blacks are the most "socially conservative" of any group, and that a poll of them would yield similar results. What say you? Further, does it really matter, and would the results be any different in any other state?
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By: gary on 4/11/2011 2:55AM
JREAVES. Thank you so very much for clearing that up for me professor. The education is priceless, and I feel so much better. Don't you think, though, that the cradle of civilization originated at the Tigris and Euphrates? That is what I always thought, but what do I know. I mean, I'm one of those who use race to "separate, alienate, discriminate to produce hate" (sic). Wait a minute--that is what you did! Does that make you, uh, White? Just wondered... It is truly gratifying to know just how insightful you are, and your ability to get inside the heads of the majority--only on BV!
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By: darlenerats on 4/11/2011 6:11AM
It doesnt matter who marries what race, if they are in love, happy with 1 another then who the hell cares?
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By: John Lindsay on 4/11/2011 8:58AM
gary: Could that be "a" reason why MS is backwards, poor and uneducated?
JohnL: Nope!
Because it was the same way...when Whites were the majority, dumbass.
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By: gary on 4/11/2011 9:06PM
JohnL. Hence my "a" reason, so not to suggest that Blacks are the only reason. By the way, I am very proud of my Mississippi heritage. I am educated; retired military and still serve the community of which I am a part. Sincerely, Dumb ass
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By: jerry on 4/11/2011 11:11AM
It's going to take a lot more than this article to rile up Black Folks. So, take a chill pill and relax. Beleive me you don't want to see the day when Black Folks get riled up. All you mofos better duck for cover. You want be able to hide on BV web site or any of the other Black sites you like to come on and spit your two cents. For now you get a pass but not for long. So have fun muther fucha while you can, but know this, you aint fooling nobody.
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By: duvance@aol.com on 5/10/2011 1:17AM
Oh KISS MY A$$, Jerry! You ain't about $hit!
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By: Blake on 4/11/2011 12:05PM
I agree jerry. You think this article will get black folks all "riled" up? Not a chance. But an article pointing out how well the police do their jobs, gentrification and how black women look like black men, now that will really get them riled up.
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By: riddelup on 4/11/2011 3:54PM
You also have to consider that 465 OF Mississippians ARE ILLITERATE.
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By: TNT on 4/11/2011 1:37PM
@Watcher Watchmen
I'll do to you as you did to billW, though, for sake of brevity, I'll only post a snippet. All are encouraged to find and view the comment in full.
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By: Watcher Watchmen on 4/11/2011 12:30PM
Neutral
@ billW,
Before we debunk you and those who share your foolish nonsense, we’ll capture your comment here, in case it “disappears” later’
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By: billW on 4/11/2011 9:59AMNeutral can you blame the 46%?? givin the fact that negroes are racist and violent,not to mention where the negro descended from.
only negroes can be racist
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NOW, we’ll proceed.
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billW's comment was WITHOUT A DOUBT absurd. That being said, take a step back and review your essay of a comment. Do you not realize how racist it is? As stupid as billW's comment was, you just gave it ground to stand on! That's terrible! Yes, he's speaking from ignorance. His comment was totally unjust and deserved to be 'debunked' and slaughtered, but, could you not have found a better way to do it? The VAST majority of your comment was racist.
Don't get me wrong, billW is still VERY much wrong, but so are you. Sadly, you two are more alike than either of you would like to believe, and you are both prime examples of why racism still exists in this country. Shame on you both! You two (and many others throughout this great nation) need to open your eyes, your minds, and, more importantly, your hearts, and close your mouths.
As for you, Ms. Abena Agyeman-Fisher, I agree with most everyone else, this article is trash and depicts a one-sided view. This is journalism at its worst. Though, you did succeed in stirring quite a debate...
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