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Are your parents racist?
Posted by gmoney • 3/18/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: barack, obama, race, religion
Barack Obama stated that his pastor Rev. Wright is like a father to him. So I am wondering how many people would say hey, my parents are racist. I guess the other question is that is Rev. Wright a racist.
User Comments
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Not really, and yes. -
My parents are racist at times and at other times not. Kind of a crap shoot on what they will resist. Obama = Good to them. Strange huh? -
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No, my parents are not racist...and yes, Rev. Wright is racist, judging from what he said, as well as the fact that he (actually, the entire church) honored and gave an award to Louis Farrakhan.-
When I was young I heard Louis Farrakhan speak..... My father took me to see him. I don't agree with Louis Farrakhan nor does my father, but does that make us less of a person or a American because we listened to Louis Farrakhan. I have listened to Pastor John Hagge say hateful and rude things about the catholic church and condemn Muslims. Now Farrakhan, Wright and Hagge are WRONG , but I think that because Wright is talking about America and white America it is more wrong than other sounds bites of racist white preachers or pastors.
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kristilinauer....
What did he say that you would consider racist??? -
There's quite a difference between seeing Louis Farrakhan once when you were little, and honoring him and giving him an award. Come on...I think you can see that.
And I don't understand this type of reasoning: "Well Farrakhan did it, but Hagge did it also" or "Sure, Obama's pastor said racist things, but so have Hannity and Limbaugh". Does that justify it? Does that make it right or okay? Why are we continually reasoning and justifying our bad behavior based on the bad behavior of others? No matter how much we do it, it doesn't make it right. -
Mark, are you asking what Louis Farrakhan said that I would consider racist?
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I think he is asking about REV Wright.
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This is the 2nd time you've mentioned this award given to Farrakhan and compared it to giving one to a member of the KKK. How do you know that awards have not been given to members of the KKK since they hide under sheets?
Why would a Christian church give a Muslim minister an award? Obviously it isn't about his religious teachings because they are not the same. Why isn't it possible that this church didn't give him this award based on his racist remarks either and that it was simply about his contributions to the Black community like the Million Man March?
Everyone has taken one clip of one sermon Rev. Wright gave and has instantly assumed that every sermon he gives is the same and that the church is a bunch of racist idiots led by a racist preacher. I don't get how someone can listen to Obama's speeches and his hopes for the future and America and then believe that for one minute he would sit in a church time after time listening to things he doesn't agree with on a continuous basis. In the clip Rev. Wright said there were white people in the cong regation. Do you think they would have sat through that Sunday after Sunday? Did anybody ask them what they felt about Rev. Wrights sermon or his previous sermons and why they are in his church?
I'm just saying there's a whole lot of gray area people don't stop to think about.
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I would more characterize the "rev" as an ignorant, power-hungry boob.
As far as parents being racist...I think people say things at times that can be consider racist. Does that make you a racist? Or do your actions make you a racist? Interesting topic.
Corrisa-
I think that actions make on a racist. Racist words make you ignorant, so what that means I have been ignorant many many many TIMES and will be again. I can forgive a pastor, I can forgive Farrakhan, I can forgive David Duke, I can forgive Wright, I can forgive Hagge. With all do respect to my white friends, I don't think that I would hear a white man speak the truth that Obama spoke of today on national TV, in a presidential race.
I think that we can take this moment and unite, see that there is a man that is not about fear, will say the tough stuff and is different. -
Gmoney, as for Obama being "different", dont underestimate the power of a man that speaks eloquently and gives great speeches. I could too if I had a team of PR people. His BS is just more believable than Hillary Clinton's BS.
He's not gonna save the world, he isnt even going to bring our troops back.
Dont misinterpret a good speech writer with a good politician, if he even writes his own speeches.
...the good ones are out of the race, as usual and were left with the Good Ol' Boys, that follow orders.
I dont see Obama as black, nor Hillary as a woman, just 2 more hypocrites that'll bleed this country some more. -
that is a pretty cynical view.... I am glad that I still have some hope left in my heart.
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crisstar...
I think actions speak louder than words. -
My dad's an equal-opportunity racist
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kristilinauer...
I referring to your statement about Rev. Wright.-
Oh my gosh...you're going to make me watch all of those videos again...and TAKE NOTES this time???
Sorry, I'm not going to do it. So I'll just be annoying and answer your question with a question.
Do you agree with the things he said? Do you not think they were offensive and divisive?
And do you not think it's very "telling" that this Reverend would honor a man like Louis Farrakhan--a man who called white people "unevolved" and who called Judaism a "gutter religion"? -
I think that Rev Wright was wrong, BUT does that make him a horrible person. His remarks are about shock value. Unfortunately black people spend to much time talking about what white people have done.
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No, it doesn't make Rev. Wright a horrible person. But to get to the larger issue, I would question the wisdom of a person who would place themselves under the spiritual leadership of such a man for 20+ years, and involve this same man in major events and decisions of his life (including receiving counsel from the Rev. before running for Congress, and then again before deciding to run for president).
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I think that Obama's judement is this case is not bad at all. He thinks of Rev Wright as a father. I know my father is a great person BUT I don't agree with everything that he says.
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And that was my point on the other thread about Obama thinking he can say anything to smooth this over.
Saying that he simply thinks of this man as a father seems like a cop out to me. People don't place themselves under the spiritual leadership--for 20+ years--of a person with whom they differ on the most fundamental of beliefs. Sorry...but that only happens in cults where people are basically held hostage and not allowed to leave. Obama stayed willingly. Now he realizes what a mistake that was, and is willing to say anything to make it seem like less of an issue than it really is. -
I actually agree with alot of what the Reverend said, I truly believe a lot of white people would too, expect many white american are automatically defensive when they see a african-amercian preacher speaking strongly against government, their "warning flags" go up and they feel threatened.
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If his comments were so racist, you'd think one would remember.
Anyhow, I view his comments as pro Black rather than anti White...but that's just me.-
WOW, but mark is Pro Black the same as Anti white..... some would say I would guess. On the flip side, when people speak about black unity they are not saying they are against white people. They are saying that blacks need to clean up there own community before..... they criticize white people and expect respect.
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I don't believe that pro black is the same as anti white. But it becomes questionable in my mind when that "pro black" action is at the expense of another group of people.
To me, it's similar to this: I think it's great for a child to have self-esteem. Self-esteem is important, as it helps them grow and have confidence to become who they want to be. However, when that self-esteem is gained by being condescending to other children, or criticizing others, or being the playground bully, that's wrong. -
kristilinauer...... I guess my question to you would be if a white pastor or preacher said similar things would people be in a uproar. The answer is NO.... it is only a issue because it affects white America... right?
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I completely disagree. It's an issue because it involves a man who wants to be the leader of this country.
And I fully believe if information came out that Hillary or McCain had been members of a church for 20+ years where the pastor, whose counsel they had sought before running for Congress and for president, had made racially divisive comments about black Americans time and time again, and had recently honored a known KKK member (for example), that their run for presidency would be over. -
So supporting a school that preaches it should be illegal for whites and blacks to date or marry is ok. Baby Bush spoke at that school and President Regan defended the school.
McCain's pastor speaks in very derogatory terms about gays and muslims but that is ok because Christian conservatives hate those 2 groups.....
Baby Bush has never spoken in front of the NAACP or other black organizations? Is that a lack of respect or those organizations are not important? -
I have no idea what school you're talking about. You'll have to enlighten me.
I have never heard McCain's pastor speak. But if the pastor is preaching divisiveness from the pulpit, I think (if you've read my previous comments regarding using other people's bad behavior to justify my own--scroll up to read), you'd know how I feel about that.
Has Bush ever been INVITED to speak for those organizations? -
yes Bush has been invited........ and that is exactly what I am talking about.....
So here is the truth
www.commondreams.org/views/020900-101.htm
www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,399921,00.html
query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D02E7DC133FF930A35751C0A9669C8B63
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Regarding Obama's spiritual guidance...
I don't agree with every syllable Rev. Wright spoke....just as I won't with most religious clergy.
But I will not submit to the fear mongering spread by the paranoid.
First, it was the Muslim connection to Obama...that fizzled out.
Now, the fear about the Wright's comments.
That is why our early political pioneers established the separation of church and state. It's a two way street. -
Look... I'm a white atheist. If I have no problem with Obama's religious beliefs, why should anyone else?
Rev. Wright isn't the candidate...Obama is.-
@MarkPogue
Because you coomen sense, cognitive thinking, and using your brain on more productive ways than most.
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gmoney quoted:
"So supporting a school that preaches it should be illegal for whites and blacks to date or marry is ok. Baby Bush spoke at that school and President Regan defended the school.
McCain's pastor speaks in very derogatory terms about gays and muslims but that is ok because Christian conservatives hate those 2 groups.....
Baby Bush has never spoken in front of the NAACP or other black organizations? Is that a lack of respect or those organizations are not important?"
How about the anti-gay and anti atheist remarks??? -
mark.... I think we are getting to deep, we should stick to 1 min sound bites that are on CNN and FOX and also we cannot forget the emails...... hey did you see the one that says Obama is a Mexican, wait he is gay.... NO NO he is Black, wait a Black, Mexican Muslim.
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Wow...I thought we were having a conversation...a discussion...in a calm, adult manner.
If you're going to start with the condescending, snide remarks toward me, I'm out. -
it was tongue in cheek, we are having a real conversation. I did not mean to offend but it is the truth, it is amazing that the one min sound bites control the American public.
I spent today listening to Obama and what he said was the truth from all sides. America wants to sweep this all under the rug, but it has to be talked about. Obama cannot make everyone happy. Rev Wright is no longer part of Obama's inner-circle, not at the church and Obama has distanced himself from his Pastor..... what more do people want. What happens is we spend to much time on the past.
At the end of the day, if the words of Rev Wright can make people question Obama and his judgment imagine what kind of sentiments and feelings slavery, the right not to vote, lynchings, and segregation can invoke in a race of people.
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Hey gmoney!! You made me miss O'Reilly!!!lol!
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I think everyone is racist to some degree.
Think about all the generalizations that float around that have nothing to do with race - and yet - some of us go about our day thinking that it's other people that are racist.. it's certainly not us.
I hear generalizations about women, men, political parties, media sources.. Americans... hell, you name it, people are prejudiced. But they aren't racist.
Right. Whatever.
Meh.-
Love your name and your avatar. Very stylish, m'dear.
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My father is anything he wants to be depending on his mood. He'll insult the asians one second, then the next he's watching anime.-
anok, i love your honesty, it's amazing how i walk out the door and observe racism everywhere, but when asked everbody deny racism and almost on cue start singing " We are The World"...this is why it will take a long time, because people hide.
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Yup. my parents are racist, although they hide it well.
I'd say, actually to be fair they are more bigoted than racist, since they have similar reactions to various groups of people, not just certain races. -
My parents raised us basically color blind. I did the same for my kids. I think until we really look at people from a standpoint of the human condition, rather than by skin color, we'll continue to be harmed by hatred and anger. My parents didn't have a lot of money. Their only prejudice was economic, as in "rich people." best, Kay -
My parents aren't, but my grandmother sometimes said things that raised my eyebrows. Regardless, Obama's talk about family worked for me.
I can't say if Wright is racist based on those statements, though the hatred could certainly lead in that direction. -
Definitely NOT! -
My father was, may still be... he did grow up in the south though. And my cousins had gone to a racist Baptist church in Houston -
My parents are genuinely good people, warm hearted and care for others.
...and theyre racist.
not in a way where they actually act out on it, nor are they fanatical with their beliefs.
I merely have just heard them say racist remarks throughout my life, nothing like " All Jews must die!", but more like "What do you expect from a jew (black, puerto rican etc.)
I love them, but i will not deny that a few "harmless remarks" doesnt keep you from being labeled a racist in my book.
I actually think Obama made an amazing statement on racism the other day.
PS Ive also said racist remarks in my life
but i am also being very honest when i say, i feel alot of you who claim their parents are not racist are much more than your willing to admit, or perhaps we have a different idea of the term racism-
My parents (and myself) grew up in Eastern Europe and their attitude towards other people relies on a few principles amongst which: "never judge anyone", "all human beings are equal", "diversity makes life interesting"... the idea of racism was not encountered very often... and then, I came to the US and all of a sudden I am overwhelmed: I hear about racism almost every day! To me it doesn't really matter the color of your eyes or skin, your religion, who you sleep with as long as you have GOOD HEART and common sense.
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my parents were racist in very different ways. my father was a very vocal, very obvious racist who spent some time with the klan. he used the n-word frequently, talked about a guy at work who was "so normal" when talking with the higher-ups, but go down to programming and he "talked jigaboo." (my jaw hit the floor the day i heard him say that.) he delighted in watching sanford & son where "them people" were "in their place." he hated different strokes because "them people were uppity."
my mother was quieter in her racism and it was years before i realized that she, too, was racist. but i will give her a lot of credit anyway. she wanted to raise her children to not be mindlessly prejudiced. she tried very hard to keep her fears from us, but we saw her lock her car doors when a black man walked across the street. when she talked about "those people" who went to their "church" on saturday instead of sunday.
but, i will say this ... it worked. neither my sister nor myself are racist, so far as we can tell.
what do i think about obama and his preacher? personally, i adored obama's speech and think it will go down as an important speech in history regardless of the outcome of this election. i have not heard wright's words in context, so i cannot say one way or another what my opinion is on that.
but i can say that there are some of us who will admit that our parents are racists. i distance myself greatly from my father's hate-based racism. i pity my mother for being trapped in a fear-based racism, but i also admire her for recognizing intellectually that her racism was not a good way to be, and for trying to be strong enough to overcome her fear so that her children would not be trapped in that narrow-thinking world.-
I think each of us is being as honest as possible about this question. I don't doubt those who say their parents are racist nor do I doubt those who say they aren't. What's sort of surprising is that people who have been raised that way assume everyone was.
I have a sort of testament to my parents' attitudes. One of the first essays I ever published was a piece in my hometown newspaper. I was in the 6th grade and the topic was none other than racism. The piece was published with my parents' written approval.
Even in the South there were many people who did not teach their children racism.
How do you define racism? I define it as a person who puts another person down or ridicules another because of race. It's really the complete reversal of the golden rule. In my opinion.
best, Kay
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Absolutely not! My parents went out of their way to instill the idea of equality in we children, so we would never judge someone by their skin tone nor belittle a physically or mentally challenged person.
Why all this fuss about race? The way I see Obama is a white man who happens to have a black father. Essentially, he was raised by his mother and in his speech, he says he has a good perspective on the differences, because he is mixed. I am sure he is a great young man, however, I am voting for my gal, Hillary.
As for Reverend Wright, I do not know what he said, but since it wasn't flattering, I will let him decide whether he is a Christian or a bigot or racist. The important thing is Obama put him in his place. Well done. -
My parents were not racist and they did not pass along any racial hatred but I do know of things they faced and I am surprised there was not more bitterness.
I don't know what to think of Rev. Wright because I only saw one clip of one sermon. To me there is a difference between someone being paid to be on the radio with America listening saying something racially stupid and someone standing among his congregation saying something stupid that winds up being shown to America.
From what I've seen of Obama and heard him say I find it difficult to believe that he would belong to a church that spewed anything like that on a regular basis. I'm sorry but it doesn't make sense. -
I want to thank everyone for a open, honest and for the most part mature discussion on race.
I personally don't remember my parents being racist or stating racist remarks.-
i'm jealous, gmoney. that's awesome that you weren't raised with that. i know for me, it was stressful to have to be around it.
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It was and still is stressful for me too, Ender. Considering I married one of the people my parents so adamantly hate and fear.
Makes family get-togethers a little on the rough side... -
yeah, it's a good thing my dad doesn't have anything to do with us. neither my choice of spouse nor my sister's would go over well with him.
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Gmoney, me too. This was a really enlightening discussion and it was done with civility. What a nice statement about us BCers.
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I think we can have discussion that are open, real and honest
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Nope they're not. -
they don't care about it -
Nope and Nope
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my parent are pretty unaware about that issue, they have never been confronted to race/ culture issue.
myself in not racist id rather say im racialist meaning : i think some cutlure are not make to live together. (not all culture are the same and some have fondamental difference and will always be in fight together) -
Nah my folks are way cool, they dont see in colors! Although my dad has a tendency in his old age to say "Cotton picker" when he messes something up. I usually say "Hey old man, quit that shit!" to which he replies.."Errr? What did I say?"
I read a bit on the Obama/Wright stuff, was wondering when that would emerge in this campaign, truth is I don't see what his being black has to do with anything, If I were currently living back in the states the man would get my vote straight up, based on him, not his skin type!
Great quote by Mitch Hedberg for you all; "Some people say "I don't care if people are white, black, purple or green". Ah hold on now... purple or green? You gotta draw the line somwhere. To hell with purple people! Unless they're suffocatin'... then, help 'em!"-
I like the quote......
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No, but I do have people in my family I find to have racist tendencies. -
Naay, why should they?! and thanks GOD for that..
I think racism is just a fear, when people felt that their superiority was being threatened, they reacted. This fear is fuled by truly ignorant and selfish people.-
great point
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They are not fans of white people. I can’t lie about that. They have had really bad experiences from the days when English Colonialists ruled Zimbabwe. I guess for them and a number of other people it is really hard to forget some things. -
what a honest answer
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im working in a nightclub for many years now and all the main trouble/fight are coming from black people, they always searching for trouble or trying to talk to girls that are already with another guys.if a girls refuse to be or sleep with them they automatically call her a racist (if she's not attracted by dark skin male doesn't mean she's a racist WTF !). those same black guy always coming at my DJ boots asking for their shitty rap/hip-hop song and the club rules are NO HIP HOP! rock , techno, industrial all kinda music but no rap/hip-hop and related music!
but they don't understand and always coming at me asking for their song and i have tell them so many time that we don't play that music at our club..
if i ever go to a black r'n'b club i ll never go to the dj boots and ask for metal or industrial music!!!!but they are to stupid to understand that basic rule!
the manager begin seriously thinking to not let them enter the club anymore-
wow really........
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So ttiger, you're saying because you've had these experiences, that all black people are like this? Seems so when I read phrases like "all the main trouble . . ." in the first line and "they" in the seventh line and . . . And all of that in this particular thread that asks a different question.
I'm with gmoney. Wow. Seems like you are expressing and attempting to justify some latent racism, even though in the fourth line you demonstrate that you think racism is wrong. -
as i write in another threat i considered myself as a racilist and not a racist
i mean, some culture are not made for coexistence and wil lead to a perpetual fight and shout because those culture and way of thinking are too different -
Racialism is an emphasis on race or racial considerations.[1]
Racialism entails a belief in the existence and significance of racial categories, but not necessarily in a hierarchy between the races, or in any political or ideological position of racial supremacy.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racialism -
I read the wiki entry on racialism and there doesn't seem to be much difference from having racist held beliefs. "One racialist position is the controversial claim of a measurable correlation between race and intelligence. Less controversial observations on correlations of e.g. race and height or race and disease are strictly speaking also racialist positions."
Intelligence, and many diseases are not based on race but on where a particular race lives, their dietary options,geography, economics, temperature, cultural and religious conditioning etc. Likewise you state "some culture are not made for coexistence" but that has nothing to do with race and everything to do with cultural conditioning, hegemony and an homogeneous society whose fears are exploited and breed intolerance, bigotry and racism. -
Jafabrit writes, "there doesn't seem to be much difference from having racist held beliefs" --- Yeah, that term just seems like window dressing to me. And the window dressing is ugly.
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I have some relatives I love dearly but I hate their attitude about race and I can understand and respect why my husband wants nothing to do with them. I certainly have no problem denouncing their attitude but I have had a lifetime with them (wasn't aware they had negative race attitudes until I was older) and can't just not love them.
As for my parents, not an issue. We lived in London and most of my classmates were Indian, west Indian, Vietnamese, African, so I was exposed to and enjoyed people of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
I think in response to ttiger complaint, there is always a danger that when one is exposed to a particular group in a particular setting there is a tendency to assume that is how all people of that group behave. If our only experience with a group is in dealing with them as migrant workers (I am thinking Turks in Germany, Irish in England, Mexicans in America) or as customers in a particular setting then unfortunately many people narrow down their understanding of a people based on their limited experience/exposure with them.
Trouble making in clubs/bars is not limited to one culture, or one race so I think trying to say ALL people of one race cause trouble makes me want to groan, and say WOW too. -
Yes my mother is against people of color... and she's not vision impaired... I'm Black. -
Not intentionally. It is easy to say things in this world that is the way life is. -
Do bears poo in woods
My Dad is, but he is of that generation (UK, 65 years old) - old school beliefs, white is right and all that ballony.
I think black people are the most racist people. The sooner we stop talking about racism the sooner we can move on and unite as one.
I don't care if you're black, white or purple. You are still a human being in my eyes. That's all there is to it.
Racism is a result of centuries of tyranny and oppression put in place by the totalitarian regimes.-
"I think Black people are the most racist people."
This is interesting.
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My parents would say they aren't racist, and they aren't in a big way, but occasionally they would say things that were subtly racist.
I can sort of understand why, even if I don't agree with the things they said. I try not to be racist, and I believe that racism is wrong, but I get more nervous seeing a group black men standing in front of my door then a group of white men. It's not 'fair' of me, and I never say anything about it my kids, in hopes that they will grow up less prejudiced then I am, but it's the way I feel.-
what a very honest view point
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Thank you, I work hard to keep it that way. Nice to know the work is paying off.
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making a statement about a group of people's stereotype doesn't have to make you a racist and it doesn't have to be considered a racist comment. everyone's different. people of different nationalities are different just as much as i'm different from my brother. i think we need to stop associating the word 'racism' with pointing out the differences between groups of people and sometimes making harmless jokes. no one should be offended by a joke. however, when jokes are meant to be hurtful and are intended to cause harm, or when a comment is said and it's full of hate, that constitutes racism. as jessica said previously, you sommetimes associate certain feelings with certain groups of people. it doesn't mean she's racist to be fearful of a group of black men standing at her door. noticing differences between people is part of human nature. it's obviously not right to be condescending towards someone else because they're different than you, which is why racism (hate) should be abolished. can't we all just get along? -
My parents are racist. I have to give them props for growth because they're not nearly as racist as they used to be. They used to say it is immoral to date outside your race. Now they say it's NOT immoral but they do find it distasteful. Funny thing though, they only seem to be racist against black people. If one of their daughters were to come home with a black boyfriend, they would be totally against it. If one of their daughters came home with a Latino boyfriend, they would only be against it if he was Catholic. I don't get it... -
My Dad and Step-mom are not racist. My dad did twenty years in the Air Force. All he saw was the color of your uniform. That rubbed me the right way (I spent time in the Navy).
My biological mom, was/is a racist. To this day I still remember her saying "There is nothing wrong with black people or Mexican people, they just need to stick to their own." (She always said crap like that when my dad wasn't around).
Thank goodness I decided to listen and admire how my dad carried on with his life.
Sidebar - I have heard that it is easier to hate than NOT to hate. I have always found it easier to get along with people than to hate them. Hating is a LOT of hard work, in my mind.
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