Obama and Prejudice in the USA?

Question

With MLK Day just past, I wonder about the race issue in a potential Obama presidential campaign. Is there a distinction (based on deep seated prejudice) that Obama is somehow *different* than the rank and file of US black people, because his father was directly from east Africa, and so has little/none of the historical and cultural baggage associated with American slavery, Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws, the civil rights era, etc.?

Answer 1

I think the fact he is Muslim will make a bigger difference than where his father is from.

Answer 2

I am afraid that some people will see only color instead of looking at qualifications. The same thing with Hillary - instead of seeing an intelligent experienced person who happens to be a woman - its "oh my god a femi-nazi". If I had to make a decision right now I would pick Hillary as president, Obama as VP. I am hoping that people will for once just concentrate on who is the best person to get our country out of the mess it is in, and set us back on the right track. I will probably make some people mad by saying this, but Condileeza Rice proved to us that you don't have to be a middle aged white man to be corrupt.

Answer 3

These are all interesting facts

Bottom line is America wants a better president. I like Colin Powell but he does not want the job.

Next pres. should be a retired General. a older man with more experience.

Sorry Obama maybe next time. America needs experience and calm.

Go big Red Go

Answer 4

The prejudice is coming from African American groups which have commented about Obama skirting around issues which effect the black community, such as profiling, police abuse, HIV in the African American community,single parent households , teenage pregnancy, Etc...
"So when black Americans refer to Obama as "one of us," I do not know what they are talking about. In his new book, "The
Audacity of Hope," Obama makes it clear that, while he has experienced some light versions of typical racial stereotypes, he cannot
claim those problems as his own - nor has he lived the life of a black American"

Answer 5

I believe he is set aside and being hailed as the next savior of the American Political Arena because of his ethnicity and heritage. His story wouldn't be remarkable if he was another WASP like Kerry and Bush.

Answer 6

No one cares what the black people think of Obama.
Because the News Media and white liberals love him.
He can never be as black as Bill Clinton. Clinton declared himself as " the First Black President".

Answer 7

the black community always says they want equality and to be looked at the same but then when people like Secretary Rice, Colin Powell and Larry Elder grow in popularity but they dont fit the standards the black community wants them to fit they scream they are not representing them. It makes no sense. you cant have it both ways.

Answer 8

Obama is a senator in my state and I don't like him for many reasons and being black isn't one of them. I'm afraid people will be accused of being "racist" if they don't jump on the Obama band wagon. I can, not like someone from my own race. Why can't I simply not like someone from another race? I don't care what color they are. There's things I'm looking for and I'm not voting for or against anybody based on their sex or race.

Answer 9

Obama is wealthy. That makes him (and all other politicians) "different" than the rank and file of the majority of Americans.

Answer 10

Oh so now we all gotta be racists if we don't vote for Obama? Take that and shove it sideways.The man is an ex junky .

Answer 11

Actually, there is...

Article titled "What Obama isn't: black like me ": http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ideas_opinions/story/467300p-393261c.html

There have been some others as well. But it is stupid. People shouldn't care about someone's colour... just their credentials.