What's driving me nuts about Obama....

[dankir96]

This will probably be a "touchy" subject, so I'll be gentle.

First of all...I VOTED FOR OBAMA and I am a 44 year old white male. While it won't be quick and easy, I believe he can turn around the mess that Bush left for him. There are a couple things that have been driving me nuts though.

If you think race had nothing to do with this election, you're naive and I've got some ocean front property in Arizona I'd like to sell you.

Why are we referring to him as the first African-American President? Was he not born in the USA? His father is African-American and his mother is white. Don't both parents have to be black to be considered black? So in my opinion, he's not even black. He's 50% black and 50% white. So technically he could be a white president. I could care less what color he is. I just want him to do a good job in office and I believe that he will.

The last thing that really drives me crazy is that I keep hearing slavery brought up when referring to Obama. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't slavery end in this country back in 1865? That's over 140 years ago, yet some folks are talking like it ended last week.

Again, I VOTED FOR OBAMA and I truly believe he can clean up this mess we're in, but please stop bringing up slavery.

[TheTGB]

Moved to the forum de Politicos.

[aw00d05]

yeah i agree, he's half black not full black and i absolutely hate when people talk about slavery considering they've never known anyone who was a part of it...maybe segregation which wasn't even close to slavery but not slavery its self...

[WilyWestbrook0]

I agree we should be try to be more specific if a person has very clear biracial or multiracial ancestry, but people usually aren't. The majority of blacks in the United States have at least some white ancestry, but since the old days, a person with any black blood - the "one drop rule" - has been considered black. It's ironic this terminology is still perpetuated today since it has its roots in slavery laws (if a white man had a child with one of his black slaves, the child usually was still bred as a "black" slave and wasn't even recognized as being "partly white").

Another example besides Obama is Tiger Woods. The guy is multiracial and actually has more Asian ancestry than African or Caucasian ancestry, but he's usually referred to as a "black golfer."

I wonder how far it should apply, though - should it be based on appearance or rough percentage estimates? Jason Kidd looks much more Caucasian than African, so should we just refer to him as white or biracial? Heck, I am 1/12th Native American and an unspecified portion of Mongolian, but should I specify that all the time? I'm as pale and as white as appearances can be, and only my shovel shaped incisor teeth are proof of having any Native American background.

Finally, as far as slavery is concerned in Obama discussions, I also agree that it seems out of place. Yes, blacks were enslaved in America, but Obama's father was Kenyan - there is no American slavery in his background.

[FootballCardFreak]

Yes, I agree with the "1st black president." thing.

[Aharvey]

yeah i agree, he's half black not full black and i absolutely hate when people talk about slavery considering they've never known anyone who was a part of it...maybe segregation which wasn't even close to slavery but not slavery its self...

He's half white as well.

I agree. Race does not matter to me, but what makes him black not white?

[aw00d05]

He's half white as well.

I agree. Race does not matter to me, but what makes him black not white?

half white half black, so give him the benefit of the doubt i guess?

[RedGoneWILD]

I'm not exactly sure what this thread is about...

Are we trying to deny Obama the designation of "first black president"??? Would you prefer if he was referred to as the first 50% black, 50% white president?

And JammingJames makes a very valid point...if any drop of black ancestry used to prevent people from voting or having equal rights, or even being a free human, then why now does barack obama have to be 100% black to hold the title of "first black president"? Are we really that threatened by the fact a black man is holding office? Are you trying to say that a black man is still not president of the US, and maybe someday it will happen???

Also, Barack Obama's father was not an African-American...he was Kenyan, or simply African. As far as I know, he was never an American.

And not to offend you or anybody else, but in my opinion the only people who still say African-American is white people trying to be politically correct so as not to offend. If you know black people, then you would just say black people. It's just a skin color, not that big of a deal. I mean, black people don't refer to white people as Irish-American, Russian-American, German-American, etc...In fact, since the first humans to walk this earth were from Africa, I guess we are all just really African-Americans?

[dankir96]

I'm not exactly sure what this thread is about...

Are we trying to deny Obama the designation of "first black president"??? Would you prefer if he was referred to as the first 50% black, 50% white president?

And JammingJames makes a very valid point...if any drop of black ancestry used to prevent people from voting or having equal rights, or even being a free human, then why now does barack obama have to be 100% black to hold the title of "first black president"? Are we really that threatened by the fact a black man is holding office? Are you trying to say that a black man is still not president of the US, and maybe someday it will happen???

Also, Barack Obama's father was not an African-American...he was Kenyan, or simply African. As far as I know, he was never an American.

And not to offend you or anybody else, but in my opinion the only people who still say African-American is white people trying to be politically correct so as not to offend. If you know black people, then you would just say black people. It's just a skin color, not that big of a deal. I mean, black people don't refer to white people as Irish-American, Russian-American, German-American, etc...In fact, since the first humans to walk this earth were from Africa, I guess we are all just really African-Americans?

I'm not trying to deny anything from Obama. My point is that he is not 100% black. Hey, if his victory helps some young black child believe that he too can grow up to be president someday, I'm on board.

I agree with your statement that white people are the ones calling blacks African-American's to be politically correct.

[cubsarelife]

First of all, I would bet that most blacks are not 100% 'black', but that is besides the point.... and do you really think Obama would have been nearly as successful if he was in Joe Biden's body? If you say yes, IMO, you are naive for believing that