Comments on: “Is Obama Black?” is the Wrong Question http://blogan.net/blog/2008/05/05/is-obama-black-is-the-wrong-question/ hot air powers the point >>––> by Brent Logan Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:38:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1-alpha By: Brent Logan http://blogan.net/blog/2008/05/05/is-obama-black-is-the-wrong-question/#comment-53573 Brent Logan Mon, 05 May 2008 21:12:02 +0000 http://blogan.net/blog/?p=1273#comment-53573 Kristin, thanks for the comment. Yeah, I agree, race is a factor in this election. I'd like to think that it's not as big a factor as some people think, though. Some people think that talking about Reverend Wright's statements or the <a href="http://blogan.net/blog/2007/02/21/what-does-obama-stand-for/" rel="nofollow">Trinity Lutheran's black value system</a> as racist. Some even want to label criticizing Obama as racist. But it's not necessarily so. We have to be able to talk about a candidate's associations, past, and political views without it being viewed as racist. I guess the statement you made that bothers me the most is you say "race is the <strong>deciding</strong> factor." [Emphasis added] I just can't believe that. Clinton voters are not voting for Hillary or against Obama because he's black. McCain voters are not going to be voting against Obama because he's black. Superdelegates wouldn't choose Clinton (wouldn't that be a mess!) because Obama is black. No matter what people say, there are substantial differences between these candidates other than their sex or race and I believe these are the differences that are the deciding factors. Call me an optimist. Kristin, thanks for the comment. Yeah, I agree, race is a factor in this election. I’d like to think that it’s not as big a factor as some people think, though. Some people think that talking about Reverend Wright’s statements or the Trinity Lutheran’s black value system as racist. Some even want to label criticizing Obama as racist. But it’s not necessarily so. We have to be able to talk about a candidate’s associations, past, and political views without it being viewed as racist.

I guess the statement you made that bothers me the most is you say “race is the deciding factor.” [Emphasis added] I just can’t believe that. Clinton voters are not voting for Hillary or against Obama because he’s black. McCain voters are not going to be voting against Obama because he’s black. Superdelegates wouldn’t choose Clinton (wouldn’t that be a mess!) because Obama is black. No matter what people say, there are substantial differences between these candidates other than their sex or race and I believe these are the differences that are the deciding factors.

Call me an optimist.

]]> By: Kristen Forbriger http://blogan.net/blog/2008/05/05/is-obama-black-is-the-wrong-question/#comment-53570 Kristen Forbriger Mon, 05 May 2008 19:36:39 +0000 http://blogan.net/blog/?p=1273#comment-53570 Brent, I look forward to that time of "colorblindness" too... but as someone who has been watching this campaign, and this election, very closely -- race matters. I realize that you are rhetorically asking "who cares?" but there's an answer to that question, and it's not simple. I'm planning to post on this sometime soon, and share my experience talking to voters in NC, but the truth is that in this election, race is a deciding factor. Sad, but true. Brent, I look forward to that time of “colorblindness” too… but as someone who has been watching this campaign, and this election, very closely — race matters.

I realize that you are rhetorically asking “who cares?” but there’s an answer to that question, and it’s not simple. I’m planning to post on this sometime soon, and share my experience talking to voters in NC, but the truth is that in this election, race is a deciding factor. Sad, but true.

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