here comes the racial divide again

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Posted by: garyfong1 Original: 6/24/2008 11:54 PM Views: 7131 Comments: 27 eProps: 20 Read Comments Post a Comment Back to Your Xanga Site

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2 eProps from: NUYOKA_AND_CO nvcec jillhiggins shotshot Texetalon xraytech1 fjblau Bruce_MacNeil edgerson Joe_Farrugia

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

here comes the racial divide again

I remember when I was a kid, and the civil rights thing was in full bloom. Martin Luther King Jr's speech, "I had a dream" of racial equality has words that sound so odd to me now, because where I sit, racism is gone.

I'm part of an inter-racial marriage. Doesn't seem like it because it's so normal these days. When Melissa comes with my family to Dim Sum, the only cultural divide is her asking what's in that bun. Friends who are black, I don't think of as "black". In my mind, racism is gone.

Except on the ski hill. I have to say this. Asians from Vancouver cannot ski or snowboard. They try to look cool with their spiky hair in weird colors and the expensive clothing, but they can't get down the hill so you have to maneuver around them.

If the U.S. wasn't divided enough - (are you saved? Are you a neoconservative? how do you feel about gay marriage, etc.) now we truly have a black candidate. Being in the primaries wasn't close enough to the REAL possibility of a black man in office. We started to see it in the primaries, where counties in WV overwhelmingly went for the white candidate. When it comes time to the real election, the race divide is going to erupt its ugly head once again.

That makes me sad. When the Cosby show came out, and America got a brand-new, all black "Brady Bunch" - professional, beautiful people with a beautiful family - we all climbed on board. I think the Cosby show did more to meld the racial divide than anything. We wanted to hang out with the Cosby's, and we did every Thursday night.

Oprah came into awareness - and we just love Oprah. We don't think of her as a black woman, at least I don't. I think of her as Oprah. Oprah can come into any country club, drink from any faucet, ride in the front of any bus. That might not have been so easy 50 years ago.

Now there is a broken United States needing a new leader to fix it. The great hope that Obama offers is "change". I think he is a great speaker. He can whip up a crowd like nobody I've seen in years. But for a President to have a lot of power, he has to have a mandate. A mandate is a complete popular backing that allows him to walk up to Congress and say, "the people like me... they back me... if you don't back me, then the people won't back you". That's how Clinton passed so much legislation - more than any President than Eisenhower. He had the popularity behind him.

Having Obama in the race is a fantastic leap forward, but I fear the racial divide. Without a mandate, people are going to fight any good ideas he comes up with with hesitation, will cover their ears to his proposals, simply because he is black. That makes me sad.

In the coming campaign, he warned that "They are going to make me into a monster!" Yes, this is politics, and I am sure it is going to get ugly.

The United States is a broken country on crumbling foundations, and it is about to go. It's gone geo-politically and it is about to crumble financially. I see it so clearly here in Greece. The next President will have to watch the wildfire holding nothing but a single bucket of water. In a way, I want Obama to win, but then I know there's not a lot he's going to be able to fix. The wildfire will spread, and people will say, "see?" and he'll lose popularity and the ability to steer anything.

Posted 6/24/2008 11:54 PM - 7131 Views - 20 eProps - 27 comments

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"because where I sit, racism is gone."

I want to sit where you are sitting...
I have been pulled over once, nothing found, License, registration, issurance everything upto date.

First thing that comes out the WHITE cop's mouth is "Does the owner of the vehical knows you're driving it"

A BMW 750Li, No "Bling Bling" rims, no "Hip Hop- Black music" being blasted, but I did just drive out of surburbia
in a $80,000 car... While being Hispanic.

I have been stopped in the streets while walking with 3 cameras after a shoot and asked who's equipment this was.

And that's just for starters.

Posted 6/25/2008 3:15 AM by NUYOKA_AND_CO - - reply

Nuyoka, that may be because you look young. In SNAPS I told about a time when I got pulled over with my Mercedes 500SEC, asked to lay face down on the concrete with my fingers laced behind my neck and my ankles crossed. I was 30 at the time and probably looked like 16.

Posted 6/25/2008 4:46 AM by garyfong1

- - reply

Nuyoka I believe what you are saying, but in Gary's defense he is telling his story also. As you get older, things change a little, but it does not mean things like you and Gary do not still exist because it does. I do believe that things are changing, but not have completely changed. Gary have you thought that one of the reasons Obama has got this far is because people want to use him as a "Scape Goat"?

Not saying Obama is not qualified for the job, but to say that many expect him to fail in bringing this country to a place of prominence again. It seems in the past Blacks have always been underestimated but have somehow persevered over many obstacles which includes being stolen from their land, culture, religion and family. I can not predict the future, but having a black man in office and expecting some type of radical change for the US in the future, history shows the odds of something more likely happening to make us say...."I DIDNT THINK HE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT!" are very high. But in retrospect I would have made that same comment about Clinton and the recovery of the REAGONOMIC deficit that we lived it.

If Obama does make it to the Oval Office we can all say one thing, it will be interesting to watch.

Just out of curiosity, Gary what motivated you to make this post?

Just seems like you two are having a HELLA OF A TIME out of the US, to be thinking about race and politics.....

Cec

Posted 6/25/2008 6:27 AM by nvcec - - reply

"Having Obama in the race is a fantastic leap forward, but I fear the racial divide. Without a mandate, people are going to fight any good ideas he comes up with with hesitation, will cover their ears to his proposals, simply because he is black. That makes me sad."

It makes me sad that people will cover their ears and accuse people of not supporting Obama because he is black. I didn't support John Kerry either and it had nothing to do with his skin color.

Hmmm...I have got to figure out a way to block myself from reading your political posts - you get me all riled up. :D

Posted 6/25/2008 7:15 AM by jillhiggins - - reply

i can honestly say that i've NEVER been able to think in terms of race. ever since i was a kid my parents made it clear that there were no differences outside of a few physical quirks...just like those that any "race" (i hate that term, it's incorrect) have within their "race".

it's always been frustrating to me that i've never seen a distinction between people groups...but this racism thing still exists. somewhere. with some people. lots of people, really.

gah. i just don't get it. i've experienced racism, i've heard the idiot comments, etc. i just can't understand it. i was raised on the cosby show and i thought (and still do) that they were just like my family. no difference. i just don't get it. i was never taught that "black people" or "hispanics" were any different than myself.

anyway...i'm done rambling. gary, check out this video i saw about a week ago. i'll be honest, i'm not happy with either one of the candidates. i actually loathe them both - but you have to admit, much like you already have, that obama is really pretty powerful as a speaker...and this video is really, really inspiring.

check it.

or the direct link:

obama - "yes we can" video

Posted 6/25/2008 7:55 AM by shotshot - - reply

Hitler & Lenin were powerful speakers too.

Posted 6/25/2008 8:18 AM by Texetalon - - reply

@Texetalon -

Oh HELL NO!!!

You just did not pull that card.

Posted 6/25/2008 9:26 AM by xraytech1 - - reply

nvcec - having a great time here in Europe, but also being exposed to the news about the states from this end of the pond. I just can't help but think of things back home.

Posted 6/25/2008 9:37 AM by garyfong1

- - reply

"You can't handle the truth!" PS.......he's half black. Or is it half White?

Posted 6/25/2008 10:07 AM by Texetalon - - reply

Hey Gary!

Maybe it's because you've lived a sheltered life compared to most other non-white people. Asians Americans have long been considered the "Model Minority" so white America looks at us Asian Americans and think, There's no threat here.

Posted 6/25/2008 11:11 AM by xraytech1 - - reply

@nvcec -

I guess you guys are right, The country has come a long way in the last 50 years.
But our melting pot is too devided.

"Hitler & Lenin were powerful speakers too."- come on point given...

F**k! Gary! They ruffed you up?
Well don't tell I am ordering the book on Friday!

Posted 6/25/2008 11:47 AM by NUYOKA_AND_CO - - reply

I remember the undercurrent of predjuce against JFK because he was a Roman Catholic (Oops! I'm dating myself here). There had only been white-anglo-saxon-protestants elected before him. Obviously it didn't ruin his election. Likewise, the undercurrent of racism may play a part in this election, but I believe it will be minimal. So, if someone doesn't vote for Obama, please don't shrug it off as racism. To my mind, voting for a man based on the color of his skin is worse than absurd. It's the ideas in a person's mind that matter, not one's skin color, gender, or religion. It's the direction a person wants to take the country, his/her vision for the future, that matters. If your ideas match mine, I'll vote for you, no matter what your ethnicity. I know it sounds trite, but vote with your mind not your heart or feelings. Don't get caught up in the rush to support a candidate that is catholic or protestant, white or black, male or female, but know what he/she thinks on the issues. Then decide. But then you knew all that.... Lee

Posted 6/25/2008 8:52 PM by Larkinimages - - reply

If we truly are in that handbasket (and I don't think we are, personally), then I would rather have Barack Obama steering the ship with people that believe in the sanctity of the constitution, the power of collective experience, and a belief in the basic economic fairness we require of our leaders in times of crisis.

As opposed to the neocons, that just want to pillage and plunder as much as they can before jumping ship.

Posted 6/25/2008 10:13 PM by fjblau - - reply

@Texetalon -

"... you don't want me on that wall, you need me on that wall."

Hey I can quote movies with the best of them.

How about this one from "Predator" by California Governor Schwarzenegger

"RUUUUN! GET TO DA CHOPPPA!"

Posted 6/26/2008 12:39 AM by xraytech1 - - reply

The US is akin to a bunch of frogs sitting happily in a pot of water on the stove. The heat is on and the water is getting hotter but the party goes on.

The US people need care and compassion and a solid move away from mistrust and derision. Nationalism built upon fear and serial invasions fades. There ties that bind the longest are aspirations, desire and joy at the success of a neighbor regardless of race, country of origin or sexual preference. The first step forward is proper health care for all.

Posted 6/26/2008 4:25 AM by Bruce_MacNeil - - reply

Bruce! That was a good comment!

Posted 6/26/2008 5:07 AM by garyfong1

- - reply

@Bruce_MacNeil - Hey Bruce, the people in the US don't need care and compassion, we need a swift boot in the <$$ to wake us up and get us moving. Our debt is titanic and our spending is out of control. We spend over $400 million a day just on a the war alone. Entitlements are drowning us. Medicare and social security are always in jeopardy. And what do we do? We refuse to rein in spending and just print more money like we had it. No wonder the dollar is falling. America is not only broke, it's so far in debt we may never be able to climb out of it. Trouble is, most people haven't realized it yet. We live in our bubble and keep selling off our assets to the highest bidder in the name of free trade. Or we build up a huge trade deficit with a country like China, enabling them to produce a first rate military that in the long run will threaten our very existence. If and when the US collapses economically, we'll be lucky if it's not as bad as the great depression of the 1930's. The US could even break up like the Soviet Union did. And Nationalism gets a bad rap - its about putting America first; realizing that the world is not a utopia and that people would like to see us vaporized. Don't confuse it with Imperialism, even if it is an imperialism that preemptively seeks to transplant democracy around the globe. One last parting shot - Keep the government out of health care, it can't even take care of itself....

Posted 6/26/2008 5:58 AM by Larkinimages - - reply

This is a great blog Gary, you always keep us on our toes....I gotta go look at those ranch pictures again, that place is like a little piece of Wonderland =)

I hear ya on the homesick thing.

Thanks Nuyoka.

Bruce....man your a poet....good words.

Posted 6/26/2008 8:04 AM by nvcec - - reply

I was curious about the references to WV voting for the "white" candidate. If you talk to Hillary's supporters, and they are livid, WV is interpreted as having voted for the "woman" candidate.

Gary's open and blanket cultural bias against WV is regrettable prejudice, but correctable. West Virginia stayed in the Union during the Civil War, opposing slavery. The state now also has one of the highest computer to student percentages in the US.

Barack Obama is an accomplished lecturer and frankly very likable. He is an appealing candidate and I think he is also a brilliant guy.

His campaign has been plagued by race card tactics, beginning with the senseless race card slap down of Sen. Biden early on. Biden is now mentioned as a possible VP candidate. Now that he knows his place, he's on the team.

The most amazing race card slap down has been towards the Clintons. No other President had such a generous and gracious, at times fawning and gushing, policy toward blacks as did Bill and Hillary Clinton. Every day seemed like it had its MLK symbolic moment: visiting shrines, taking the podium at black churches where MLK spoke, welcoming black leadership in the White House, dinners, fund-raisers. Now the Clintons are just another white racist couple. Huh?

What is it in the Obama camp, indeed the black caucus network, that so flippantly would discard longtime allies such as the Clintons?

The Clintons have been deserted by the American black body politic?

Barack Obama is a very appealing and attractive candidate who's against the establishment. As Groucho used to say, gosh I wish I'd said that first. Everyone's repeating it around the clubhouse.

No serious contenders showed up for the primary except Barack and Hillary. Most of his proposals are just shallow grasping for filler material following the big drum beats of health care, Iraq, and the wealthy. This is a "Dancing with the Stars" moment.

We have a blog financed movement running the country behind that country's back if BO is elected.

I like him, he's young and upward, yet I don't have the slightest idea who he really is or who is riding on his coat tails. I've got a feeling that blog politics will run the White House, that's how he gets his money supposedly.

There is a very good chance he will be elected president. Then perhaps we will know who Barack Obama is.

Posted 6/26/2008 8:07 AM by edgerson - - reply

@edgerson - Isn't that a little too late to be finding out who Obama is and what he believes? It's the thing that annoys me most - people grasping for change and not being sure how he'll change things. Kind of reminds me of how I voted for a Christian peanut farmer from GA. Look what a mess that turned out to be. The candidates have track records. He'll likely stick to the same agenda when President. For an unbiased assessment, check out: www.selectsmart.com/president/2008/comparethem.html. To paraphrase Winston Churchill: Its a good thing for a young man to be a liberal. It shows he has compassion. But if the man isn't a conservative by the time he's 30, it shows he has no brain.... Oh oh, I'm probably going to catch it for this post! Lee

Posted 6/26/2008 10:38 AM by Larkinimages - - reply

I grew up in a small Midwest town and I remember everyone talking about their heritage with joy. "Well, I'm Norwegian and German. What are you?"

I did go to school in California in First and Second Grade and my best freind was Latina. I'm white. I knew no difference.

When I went to school in Wisconsin, one of the two black kids was the most popular.

I've always gone up to interational students and internationals and brought a smile to their face as I talk about their culture too. I really enjoy our differences.

It's really the people who want to identify as being the same that really have a hard time when I talk about our differences. My neighbor who is hispanic said that she was really struggling with every black person! My co-worker who is black and jewish always talks about how we are putting all the hard work on her because she is black. She jokes, because we are just asking for her to do what is required, but it is weird to hear it! And you know what, in all honesty, when my pastor who is black started a day care and didn't get many clients, I assumed it was because she was black or because she is international. I haven't ever lost a job because they wanted to diversify or anything.

When I've traveled to the Philippines, Thailand and Turkey, I was treated like royalty because I was a white american. The black canadian that came with me didn't get the attention I did when I was in Turkey.

So personally, I've never felt the pain of racism and would love a black president or woman or man or Native American or...I would just love one that is fair, loving and wise.

Posted 6/26/2008 1:42 PM by desiredfocus - - reply

@Larkinimages -

You voted for Jimmy Carter too eh? Lot of us did. What we got was Billy Beer, the Iranian hostage crisis, the collapse of US steel industry, and, for the first time, people were buying cars with credit cards because of tight money and world-wide oil shortages. Europeans were rewarded with more Middle East oil in exchange for allowing more Middle East immigration into Europe. Oh, Bert Lance. Remember that name? And there you have it.

Posted 6/26/2008 3:01 PM by edgerson - - reply

@edgerson - Appreciate your comments. We're drifting off topic, but what I remember most about Carter was the double digit inflation. I was fresh out of college and worked for my dad who was a building contractor. He got caught with a number of spec homes he couldn't sell because of outrageous interest rates due to inflation and almost had to eat them. He managed to break even and got out of the business. It was a tough time to be a contractor! Never voted for a democrat since....

Posted 6/26/2008 5:52 PM by Larkinimages - - reply

The fact that some people need to mention race/ethnicity whenever they have an argument or are in disagreement with somebody, shows that THEY are racist themselves.

So many, many times I've seen people (including members of my rather large multi-ethnic family) bring up "race" when they've run out of arguments; or when they feel they are losing one.

We should see what Obama has to offer, rather than the color of his skin....or the color of his underwear for that matter :))

Posted 6/28/2008 3:17 AM by Joe_Farrugia - - reply

@Joe_Farrugia -

Baloney.

@Larkinimages -

Baloney. I have the right to bring up race anytime I want to and so does your family I gather.

Obama's team has repeatedly used the race card. Examples: Sen. Joe Biden and the Clintons. Biden used the word "clean" and look what happened to him.

I know people who will or will not vote for Obama because of his ethnicity. Both viewpoints are racial supremacist in origin.

Btw, I grew up in a segregated society, witnessed first hand a lunch counter sit-in, and as a kid was subjected to black racism as well as black friendship, as were my relatives. My family is somewhat multi-cultural as well.

I am not a big fan of racial prejudice because it hurts people who do not deserve to be hurt and perpetuates even more stupidity in the aggressor.

My point about Obama's campaign is that he is by all appearances is a good and decent guy, brilliant and likable, but what goes on behind the scenes is the same old race game.

Posted 6/28/2008 7:10 AM by edgerson - - reply

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