Why is Obama Black?

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

He does not have that choice anymore. He became President of the United States.

I know. Which ...as a black man was one hell of a forward step.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by DanaC

I know. Which ...as a black man was one hell of a forward step.

Which brings us full circle, is he black or half-black?

[DanaC]

And again: it isnt that simple. 'Black' isn't actually an accurate description for anybody. But as we know it is far more then a simple visual description.

According to my understanding of the term 'black' when applied to people, Obama looks like a black man to me. And that's the thing about looking black: the one thing it absolutely means is that you don't look white. he could stand there and say he is a white man: and nobody wuold see a white man. He can stand there and say he is a black man: and his appearance matches that. To say he is half-black carries with it the idea that he is half white: but it doesn't work like that. Never has.

[TheMercenary]

Fair enough. If he would make an attempt to say that he is half white I think it would go a long way in bringing much of our country together on the issue of race. The thing is he rarely says it.

[Shawnee123]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Fair enough. If he would make an attempt to say that he is half white I think it would go a long way in bringing much of our country together on the issue of race. The thing is he rarely says it.

How do you think this will work? Obama has a press conference, and says "I am half WHITE." Half the people won't care and will find it gauche, the whities who do care will probably only care that he dare associate himself with the whities (uppity); the black folks who care will think he is dissassociating himself from his black heritage: but most people don't care.

So how will this bring us together on the issue of race? We'll have a sudden epiphany "OMG blacks and whites not only living together as one, but sometimes in the same body? Where have we gone wrong? I finally see it doesn't matter what "color" someone is."

I'd really like to hear your viewpoint on this: how it should be done and what changes it will effect.

Because, it is my belief, that only those who care about race to begin with want this to be an issue. As Dana said before: it doesn't matter. If it matters to an individual, I have to wonder why. The racist people I know will not change their feelings: they can't even get the fact that he is not muslim through their skulls.

But if your idea brings hand-holding and kumbaya, I'd love to hear how it should happen.

[Lamplighter]

While we are not on the subject.

Monday is Martin L King Day. It is a US federal holiday

His birthday has also become something more...

What is the MLK Day of Service?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said,
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'"

Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together
on the King Holiday to serve their neighbors and communities.

The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President's national call to service initiative.
It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems.

[DanaC]

*nods* I can see how a more open recognition of that dual heritage might be a good thing.

[TheMercenary]

MLK Day is a joke. But if it gives some of you an extra day off more power to ya....

[Lamplighter]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

MLK Day is a joke. But if it gives some of you an extra day off more power to ya....

A joke ?

How is it different than other federal holidays, such as Columbus Day or Veteran's Day, or any other ?

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

A joke ?

How is it different than other federal holidays, such as Columbus Day or Veteran's Day, or any other ?

Just a personal opinion. Nothing more. I don't get holidays off in my job so it is just another day to me.

[DanaC]

So all public holidays are a joke to you?

[TheMercenary]

No. Not all. Just that one and a few others. Like I said it is a personal opinion.

The meaning of them is lost on most people, they just care if they get another day off from work.

[DanaC]

Yah I understand that it's your personal opinion. I'm curious about why you hold that opinion about that holiday and the few others you think are a joke.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Maybe because it's the third Monday in January, instead of the 15th.
Federal holidays, except 4th of July, and Christmas, the government has made most of them long weekends.
So people can Honor Dr King for three days instead of one? No, so people have three days to plan other things instead of honoring Dr King. It's not just this holiday, most holidays, have lost their meaning except a three day weekend. We celebrate Memorial Day and Labor Day by taking to the road, and killing more people.


Oh, and by putting mattresses on sale.

[TheMercenary]

Correct. And more importantly I believe they are paid days off. No one cares why they are off, they just care that they get to be off.