Proof that Obama is not Jesus: Racism still exists
Hope, progress and change have all been promised by President-elect Barack Obama. A young black man with minimal Washington experience, Obama proved that America is more than ready to move in a new direction. But amidst all the excitement, it has become increasingly apparent that some Americans have lost their sense of reality and are willing to believe that Obama can achieve more than is actually possible. While Obama’s election proves that America has matured since the eras of slavery and segregation, it does not mean that we have seen the end of racism in the states. Yet, this is exactly what some have argued.
Minutes after Obama was declared president-elect, CNN’s Anderson Cooper asked the CNN panel what his victory would mean for the United States. Correspondent Bill Bennett had this to say: “Well, I’ll tell you one thing it means, as a former Secretary of Education: You don’t take any excuses anymore from anybody who says, ‘the deck is stacked, I can’t do anything, there’s so much in-built this and that.’”
Minister Reverend Eugene Rivers later proclaimed that “racism is no longer the primary obstacle to black progress. With the election of a black man whose middle name is ‘Hussein’, the rhetoric of white racism is off the table.”
Barack Obama’s massive victory over John McCain is indeed an impressive indicator of how far America has come over the years. But what Bennett, Rivers and numerous others have explicitly said is that all barriers of race have dissipated. Poof. Gone. Overnight. The argument is a simple one. A black man has achieved the highest office in the country. If racism were still prevalent, there is no way that could be possible.
This is most certainly not true. If such discourse becomes prevalent, we may find that an Obama presidency will work to mask racism in the U.S. and through ignorance of the problem, make it worse. Whether it be the current economic crisis we face today, the crumbling of infrastructure in Afghanistan throughout the past two years or any other quagmire Americans have faced throughout the years, the ones that give us the swiftest kick in the butt are the ones we choose to ignore.
Those who believe great improvements have been made in terms of race cite that 78 percent of the nation’s counties voted more Democratic in this election than in 2004. However, there are differences between John Kerry and Barack Obama beyond race. There were some counties that voted in higher numbers for John McCain than they did for George W. Bush. These remaining counties were largely found in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Northern Texas. Eight in ten Arkansas voters are white, and seven out of ten of those voters cast ballots for McCain. The reverse was also true, as Obama won the support of 95 percent of all black Arkansas voters. It cannot be denied that partisan lines were drawn very closely along racial lines, meaning that different race groups perceive their needs differently. In a country where race is not a factor, race groups would not vote in such an overtly dichotomous fashion.
That particular exit poll question — “Was race a factor in determining who you voted for?” — is inherently flawed. Even if you are voting based on race, you are likely to respond with “no” to avoid inference that you are perhaps racist. Although it would be foolish to assume people voted solely on race, it is telling to draw upon the correlation between the race of the voter and the candidate that he or she voted for. To rely upon the “race factor” question only tells us how voters wish to be perceived.
Nationwide, white people voted for Obama only slightly more than they did for Kerry (43 to 41 percent). Obama’s windfall numbers actually came from an upswing in minority support. Sixty-seven percent of Latinos voted for Obama compared to 53 percent for John Kerry in 2004. Sixty-two percent of Asian voters supported Obama compared to 56 percent for Kerry. Black voters went for Obama in higher numbers as well: 95 percent to 88 percent. This minority support was augmented by a larger turnout of black voters, who comprised 13 percent of the electorate in this election compared to 11 percent in 2004.
While these numbers hardly prove America is racist, they cannot be used to prove that Americans have had some sort of epiphany that amounts to the eradication of racism. Changes in voting patterns in all areas could be dependent upon the perceived failures of the Bush Administration, differences in Obama’s and Kerry’s platforms or any other one of innumerable factors. To attempt to draw any conclusions about race and racism by comparing Obama’s success to that of his predecessors is therefore unfortunately arbitrary.
Understanding that definitive conclusions about America’s relationship with race cannot be drawn from exit polls, it is necessary to look to other areas to come to terms with the continued prevalence of racial inequality in America. The evidence of racial inequality in the U.S. is still staggering. Disproportionate numbers of minorities, especially blacks and Latinos, live below the poverty line, live without health insurance, and attend schools that receive less funding and pay teachers less. They are underrepresented in the House and the Senate, and disproportionately portrayed by the news media as being violent, degenerate members of society . If racism were dead, such disparities would not exist in American culture. I abhor clichés, and will therefore avoid proclaiming that Barack Obama’s election is the exception that proves the rule. Rather, Barack Obama’s election is the exception that proves very little.
The claims that racism has met its end, while incorrect, are most likely not meant maliciously. Rather, some have most likely taken Obama’s message of hope and change beyond the boundaries of reality. Does this mean that Obama doesn’t bring hope for racial inequality? Karrie Snyder, Professor of Sociology at Northwestern University, and an unabashed Obama supporter, thinks it means a lot to Americans to finally have a black President.
“It’s evident that Obama is concerned about inequality in the United States, and not just racial inequality either. Looking at his platform, it’s clear that he understands how our education system can perpetuate this inequality, which betters our chances of dealing with inequality at one of its most basic levels,” she said.
“But to think that, come January 20, racism will simply cease to exist, well that’s clearly not the case. The amount of statistical evidence proving the existence of racism in the U.S. is overwhelming.”
Americans have a right to be hopeful over the coming months, as they anticipate moving in a new direction. It is refreshing to see a decrease in cynicism, especially when so many Americans find themselves in such dire straits. But, in striving for a better future, we must not lose sight of the hard realities that Obama’s sailing speeches sometimes allow us to forget. Racism will continue to exist even after Obama is inaugurated, and if allowed to go unchecked, will further damage the chances for equality in the future. This is the sort of change we don’t want to see.
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Check out photos from Grant Park on Election Day. Or you can return home.
The problem of Socialism is, that is and always will be rich people and poor people. So the class envy remains, no perfect Socialist Utopian society.
Melvin Leppla
November 16, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Racism will endure because the medial and people want it to. It’s something to speak about, to march against, to sue over and the media to keep on the table. After 62 years on this earth, having lived in racially charged times, living as a child (and I am white) in poor black neighborhoods, LOL I’ve really yet to see anyone mistreated, unless you consider me as a 6 years old getting beat up by blacks because I was a white kid in the neighborhood, but then that doesn’t count does it? It’s a joke. In every business environment I ever worked in blacks were treated with kid gloves for fear of them suing over the slighted issue. They have the upper hand in the entertainment world and sports industry. Ever hear of anyone complaining because we don’t have enought whites or hispanics or Asicans on a basketball team? No of course not. There is no one as racist as a disgruntled black and they are quite open and vocal about it, not hidden feelings there. After black tv, black AOL voices, black colleges, a new black president-elect, affermative action, welfare, special college funding, special housing programs, and so it goes, it will never be enough. It’s a business and it will flourish as long as the media and the word “racism” exists. If we banned the use of the word racism, some people and the media would literally be at a loss as to how to describe what they are complaining or promoting. LOL Let’s just ban the word and see if people care enough to come up with an equally discouraging word.
Maggie
November 16, 2008 at 11:02 pm
What?!?! racism has been over since Bill Cosby! LOL
I guess maggie never noticed what happened in philly in the sixties or MLK and Malcom X getting murdered. Never saw the KKK come marching through her town. Didn’t even watch the 2008 election. People have specifically stated they did not vote for Obama because he is black. How about the allegations that he’s a muslim? What if he was?!?!? Since when are all muslims evil…(wait I know the answer to that one even though its wrong) anyway Islam is a faith not a race. Same bigotry.
Charlie
November 17, 2008 at 12:03 am
Melvin, I’m curious how one makes the logical jump from racism to socialism. If your point is that the minorities are economically depressed then you infer that racism is the cause. Kind of makes the case that racism exists dosen’t it. The question you have to ask yourself is if you are comfortable living in a society that racism exists.
That aside, rather than saying that there is “no perfect Socialist Utopian society” you could just as easily say that there is no perfect society of any type. Labeling any concept as “Socialist” without exploring it’s effect on our society cuts off many options toward perfecting our society. You see the real story is that we have real problems, requiring real solutions, the final solution will not be purely anything. I for one advocate clearly defining the problems that exist within our society and tailoring a solution to them that is free from labels. Do I believe pure socialism is the answer? No, but I do believe that some socialist concepts exist in our society today and that taking anything off the table by labeling it as socialism is short sighted.
chris
November 17, 2008 at 2:09 am
I wonder if Arkansas went McCain because of how they thought Obama treated Hillary during the primaries. Arkansas still loves the Clinton’s and as everyone knows the Clinton’s and Obama had disagreements to the very end.
Joe Anonymous
November 17, 2008 at 3:01 am
If Utopia could relinquish the devilish perception of the race card and clean the socialology of wisdom to make a man’s race his strength and a man’s intellect an inconvenience for understanding humanity and progressive thinkers then I would agree with the claim that “racism” is gone.
Judith
November 17, 2008 at 3:13 am
Racism is not over…
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-oppay175930631nov17,0,2264981.column
Hussein
November 17, 2008 at 11:57 am
It really bothers me when people say the ONLY thing that could possibly account for any predominantly white county going more republican in this election is race. Typically, it’s by a small margin, and it doesn’t account at all for lots of other potential reasons. Like, dissatisfaction with Bush in ‘04, but optimism about McCain’s qualifications. Or concerns about Obama’s experience.
Besides, the argument that – since McCain and Palin would have won if only white voters had come out because nationally there was a 12-point gap between white McCain and Obama voters – it’s WHITE voters who are racist is absurd. Don’t tell me that unprecedented numbers of minority voters and 96% of the black vote going to Obama wasn’t racially motivated.
I didn’t vote for Obama, and it had nothing to do with the color of his skin.
Katherine
November 17, 2008 at 7:21 pm
IT STATED IN THE GREAT DOCUMENT FOR A MORE PERFECT UNION. PROBLEMS AMERICA DOES HAVE BUT INSTEAD OF HIGHLIGHTING THE PROMBLEMS LETS ILLUMANTE THE SOLUTIONS. YES RACISM IS A A SAD REALITY OF THE WORLD. HOWEVER, WE ALL BLEED RED AND HAVE TWO EYES SO LETS STOP THIS NONSENSE AND STRAT TO CREATE A MORE PERFECT UNION. JUDGE A MAN ON THE CONTENT OF HIS CHARACTER NOT THE COLOR OF HIS SKIN.
kid
November 18, 2008 at 1:19 am
Serious Question: Is discrimination a one way street?
Fully 96 percent of black voters supported Obama.
96 percent!
Were blacks color blind when they cast their vote?
Did they follow Martin Luther King’s words and judge the candidates by “the content of their character rather than the color of their skin?”
No. Many had an informed opinion…but many more voted for Obama simply because he has the same skin color as they do.
Here’s another FACT for you: (something your article needs more of)
70% of blacks who came out to vote for Obama in California also voted to ban gay marriage. It was because of the black vote that gay people in California will NOT recieve the same rights as straight people. Translation: the majority of black people in California voted FOR discrimination against gay people.
I am reminded of something Jesus said:
“Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.”
Obama could not have won without the white vote. The black vote only represented 13 percent of the total electorate.
Do the math.
Obama’s victory does not signal the end of all discrimination. But it does signal that the vast majority of white people (especially younger generations) are NOT racist. (The exit pools showed that 54 percent of young white voters supported Obama, compared with 44 percent who went for McCain)
And Obama’s victory DOES signal that black men can achieve anything they want in this country without “the white man holding them down”.
Why do you diminish the significance of this historic moment in American history with such a lame argument? “Racism still exists”. Sure it does. Obama’s victory does NOT signal an end to ignorance. Racists are ignorant. There will always be ignorance where there is lack of education and therefore there will always be racism.
But back to my original question: Is discrimination a one-way street?
Ryan
November 18, 2008 at 1:52 am
Let’s define racism; In my view a racist is a person who can make a change in someone else’s life with the choices they make. Maggie is bitter because she was beat up by some Blacks back in the day because her parents couldn’t afford to live around their own kind. Or maybe because her family was poor just like the rest of the people in the neighborhood. Do you think that Black children didn’t get beat up too! I am a Malian American and I got my behind kicked too! (if you don’t know what my ethnicity is then shame on you)
Racism is when a person can go to the police and lie and say that a Black man raped her and the police ride around looking for a Black man to hang from a tree. The words that come out of the mouth of Blacks do not change the lives of whites. How many laws have been put into place to limit the lives of whites? Blacks have always known that whites will always feel that anything that is remotely equal to them is deemed as reverse racsim. I can stand on the street and scream about racism and nobody will give a rats behind. However let a white person tell a lie and the whole state gets in an uproar. Okay who’s going to go to jail for hanging my uncle in SC? Who’s going to jail for running over my uncle with a T-model for years ago? No one white person did time for what was done then. The chicken’s have come home to roost. Yes we’re real vocal because we have rights now. It seems to me that whites want things to remain the same, white privilege black servitude……..forget about it. Black men did not always play in the NBA, or NFL and was not allowed by LAW……… to do a lot of things. Now since we have rights whites don’t like it. So many whites claim to be Christian and claim that they love God whom they have never seen…. However “some” whites say they’re Christian yet hate on others who have rights in this country. Illegal immigration?…………the Mexicans are the Native Americans trying to claim the land that was theirs from the beginning. Blacks had to fight and die for their freedom in a country of their own birth.
A real person
November 20, 2008 at 10:40 am
“Real person”: I find your definition of racism unclear and confusing. To me…discrimination takes many forms. You can discriminate against someone because of their skin color, what religion they belong to, what country they call home, what their sexual orientation is, what ‘class’ they are a part of and what gender they happen to be. Discrimination occurs every time a certain group of people are treated differently for whatever reason. Discrimination happens every day. Study human history…and you will find it is a story of discrimination. People treating other people differently…waging war on them….trying to exterminate them through genocide…..because they happen to be of a different religion, color, race or territory. My point is that discrimination does not flow in one direction. Sometimes it feels as though African Amercian’s think they are the only persecuted people on the planet. Like its them against everyone else. But its not. Discrimination is a daily occurrence…all over the world. For every example you give me of a black person being treated differently because they are black…I can give you an example of a white person being treated differently because they are white…. a Jew being treated differently because they are Jewish….a Catholic being treated differently by protestants because they are Catholic…..a Sunni Muslim being treated differently then a Shiite Muslim….a woman being treated differently because they are a female….or a gay person being treated differently because they are gay. It happens every day all around the world. If you are waiting for a day when there are NO instances of racism or discrimination….then you will be waiting a very long time. The REAL ISSUE should not be whether there are zero instances of racism or discrimination in America. The REAL ISSUE is what the MAJORITY of people in America think. Obama’s victory might not prove that “he is Jesus”…but what it does show is that SYSTEMATIC racism in America is over. Once a black man becomes President (arguably the highest position of power in the world and certainly the country) there is no longer an argument that the STRUCTURE, LAWS or SYSTEMS of AMERICA are inherently racist. It does not mean that there will no longer be instances of racism or discrimination. But like I said…the day EVERYONE is treated equally by ALL PERSONS is unfortunately a distant dream. My point is this: the argument made in this article “that racism still exists” is irrelevant and silly in the context of the bigger picture. Obama’s victory shows us that the majority of Americans are not racist…and that SYSTEMATIC racism in the United States is over. We can now move forward. “White-guilt” can be put to the side. My kids don’t have to feel guilty over what happened hundreds of years before they were born. African-American kids don’t have to feel as though there are limits to what they can achieve. As AMERICANS we can welcome a new day and move forward with Obama.
Ryan
November 23, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Real Person
You are living in the past. I have personally never felt the need to hold anyone down because of the color of their skin. I have also never felt it was fair for someone whom I have done nothing to to receive preferential treatment.
I have never enslaved anyone, beat anyone up because of their race or religion. I was not alive during segregation yet I am made to feel guilty about it because i am white??
Almost all of the young adults I know are NOT racist. Let’s keep discrimination of ANY kind in the past.
anonymous
January 24, 2009 at 3:42 pm