Why is Obama not considered black enough?

Question

Debra Dickinson (a black writer) says he's doesn't have the black American experience. She even said that on Stephen Colbert's show. What is going on?

"Barack Obama would be the great black hope in the next presidential race -- if he were actually black."

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2007/01/22/obama/index_np.html

Answer 1

In regards to your article, Debra Dickinson is expressing a very weighted opinion that I'm sure is not shared by most educated Black Americans. When other blacks consider other blacks 'not black enough' it has little regard to their actual ethnic background, but more so the way they carry themselves. Debra Dickinson is expressing this belief because he is half white and half African (not African-American).
I disagree with Debra Dickinson's opinion! Mr. Barack Obama was feature on "60 Minutes" and he addressed this issue of "blackness". Here is a dialogue with correspondent Steve Kroft in which he clearly negates Debra Dickinson:



"There are African-Americans who don't think that you're black enough, who don't think that you have had the required experience," Kroft remarks.

"The truth of the matter is, you know, when I'm walking down the south side of Chicago and, visiting my barbershop, and playing basketball in some of these neighborhoods, those aren't those aren't questions I get asked," Obama says.

"They think you're black," Kroft asks.

"As far as they can tell, yeah. I also notice when I'm catching a cab, nobody's confused about that either," he says.

He doesn’t like it, but it’s something he had to come to terms with a long time ago.

Answer 2

Why is it that everyone is focused on the black thing, he is as much black as he is white. For decades we have been told to ignore someones color or gender, now the candidates are trying to play that card to their advantage. I am sick of it. Who cares what color or sex they are. I want to hear real solutions and opinions and ideas. Not nonsense that is spewed about "audacity" and "Waking up from a slumber". No one has said anything about Obama having "audacity" but himself. No one that I know in this prosperous economy that has been on the rise for 4 years has been in a slumber. No one who is outraged (although uneducated about the consequences of leaving) about the war is in a slumber.

Anything that happens on Stephen Colberts show can be considered a joke. It is a funny show, I will give it that, but it cannot be taken seriously in a political forum.

Answer 3

Isn't just like the whiners to continue to whine? They finally have someone vialble to at least be considered a civilized Black Man to run for the Highest seat in America, and they make comments like that! Ridicule and whining that is all of the problem in elections? Stick to the issues in Politics? That is not an issue for an intelligent person eh? But consider the source, someone with a ghetto mentality observes the only real black man is a ghetto person than he has suffered enough? Get over it already! Who wants a blues singer in the white house, we all suffered and we are still suffering so what next? Duh? I think it is marvelous he is a mix! That is the American way compromise and blend. instead of pure blood Euro trash and third world Africans? How about the blend and make it no hypenated words, but an American eh? do you hear the Black man in Great Britain talking I am an African Brit? Duh? Or the Irish saying I am an Irish Brit? duh? Waht's up with that anyway on the real? Get over it! Tune those whining people out and turn on to the creative mode of life without the stereo typing to identify their names on their place cards like at a dinner party? eh?

Answer 4

Cause he's not part of the civil rights movement. He's not in the Jesse Jackson / Al Sharpton crowd. I don't support Obama but it's disgraceful that the NAACP community does not support this man. It was never about race with these people, the civil rights movement and the NAACP is nothing but a sham nowadays. They are nothing but a bunch of race baiting hacks who deserve to go the way of the Doo-Doo bird.

Answer 5

Because He's successful. When a black man actually succeeds on His own without Government assistance He is vilified by those of His own race who choose to remain "Victims" and modern day "Slaves" to the Socialist establishment of Welfare Programs.
Barak Obama will never be raised up by the Black Community as a role model for the simple fact that He does record Hip Hop, Does not sell Drugs, Has'nt killed anyone, Is actually a Father to His children and actually knows who all His children are, and who their Mother is......Well, as far as I know.

Answer 6

Maybe he has pulled a Michael Jackson and been bleaching . Obama is not qualified to be President. Besides, really think Hillary will stand by and let him win, no, people that are a threat to the Clinton's , disappear, one way or the other. Like the Kennedy's.

Answer 7

Well everyone is considered something by somebody. For me to know Debra Dickenson's reasons is beyond my capability. Have you ever noticed that Colbert's show is satire, and he brings on an occasional nutjob or two?

Answer 8

at the same time as people are really extreme of Obama because he's black, Obama is knowledgeable and not in any respect some individual who grow to be raised in the 'ghetto' who likes rap music and grilles on his teeth.

Answer 9

Obama, is half black half white. Now, I don't know what they mean by not black enough. Who really care, no matter if you half or whole in this country you are treated the same.

Answer 10

The people that spew this hate are so ignorant. For people that say skin color shouldn't matter sure make a big deal about it.

http://www.conservativeworld.us/