There is no denying it...no pretending it’s only isolated incidents, racism is alive and well in America.
For those that are not blinded by their own ideology, there are mounting ugly expressions of racism and bigotry around us that are occurring with alarming frequency. Under the white hood of online anonymity some propagate their own brand of racism as they breed hatred and intolerance within internet comments. Instead of taking responsibility for their statements they claim instead to be defending freedom of speech and with that twisted logic they falsely demand that they have the right to voice intolerance.
Their claim that the expression of bigotry is somehow protected by the First Amendment quickly becomes transparent and hollow, leaving them with the meager defense that those that point out their racism are “race baiting”. It is not, nor was it ever “race baiting “to stand against racism and intolerance in this country. Standing against racism, marching against racism, protesting against racism, is part of our legacy to the world. America stands for equality; America protects the dignity of all people regardless of gender, race, or religion.
Moderators at news websites usually delete individual racist comments but the expression of hate filled bigotry has become so prevalent that moderators are often forced to take down an entire thread. A growing number of newspapers disable an entire comments section beforehand if the article in any way relates to topics such as affirmative action or Planned Parenthood that consistently draw unashamed bigotry. These topics in particular open an online window for anonymous racial comments.
The opportunity for online anonymous comments empowers racism and that is why if any person chooses to comment on a news site they should use their full name, therefore removing the hood that hides their identity.
The danger of racist comments is that words coupled with hatred have the ability to generate action. Over the month of October, one ugly racial incident after another has occurred. Beginning in early October an anti-President Obama campaign rally in Santa Clara, California, featured clear racial undertones, including a noose, watermelons and a sign that read "Go back to Kenya [1]."
A few days later, Jason Thompson, campaigning for his father, a Wisconsin GOP Senate candidate, echoed the same statement when he told followers at a rally that, “We have the opportunity to send the President back to Kenya”. [2] Then on October 12, a shot was fired into the window of President Obama’s Campaign Headquarters in Denver, Colorado [3], and finally on October 18, someone spray-painted swastikas on at least one window of President Barack Obama's campaign office in Conifer, Colorado [4].
The emotional nature of this national election has pushed some to step over the racial line into open expressions of hatred and bigotry. President Obama has adamantly remained above the fog of petty racial slings, but as a nation, we will need to examine the real consequences of racism when that fog clears and the emotions of this campaign fade. But one fact is becoming clear; we have won important battles in the fight for equality, but not the war.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/14/jason-thompson-obama_n_1965692.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/15/us-usa-campaign-thompson-idUSBRE89E18D20121015
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/13/shot-denver-campaign-obama/1631125/
http://www.pressherald.com/news/Swastika-painted-on-Obama-campaign-office-in-Colo.html
Just look at our (hopefully soon to be gone racist president) Obama, "typical white person reaction" Its this type of racist comment, grouping people of a certain race(white) as having "typical" reactions that needs to stop Thank you bob for highlighting this type of racist behavior exhibited by our president!
..."Tim was not a conscious brother. Tim wore argyle sweaters and pressed jeans and talked like Beaver Cleaver. He planned to major in business. His white girlfriend was probably waiting for him up in his room, listening to country music." Talked like Beaver Cleaver, argyle sweater, white girlfriend, country music..all racist stereotypes from our president. Again... thank you Bob for giving a forum to draw attention to the racist comments and quotes from Obama. The people should know what kind racist attitudes Obama displays. YOURE A PATRIOT BOB!!!
Just about every person experiences some form of bigotry whether is is race, religion, waist size or any other differentiating human feature. The "playing of the race card" (by Chris Matthews, etc.) because Obama's polls are slipping is a disservice to every person who succeeds despite adversity.
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2012/08/30/the_bigotry_and_racism_of_msnbc In 2008, Hillary Clinton attempted to make an issue of Obama's lack of experience. Obama et al tried to twist it into an issue of race. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPNdIrnwyfE. Is all criticism, even within your own party, racism?
I would also point out that weak, morally weak and intellectually weak statements are frequently made by identified posters.
There are differences between races based off of social and community variations. Comedians are constantly pointing them out and it is still hilarious today because it has such a ring of truth to it. Why do we have to hide from these differences, why can they not be embraced and celebrated? The point is every person is not the same and we should be able to laugh at our differences. This is not an outlet of hate and separation but something that makes our country so great. Racism plays on all ends of our country. The fact that Obama holds 90% of the black vote in this country is a fine example. Are you telling me that 90% of this countries black population agrees with his policies over his opponent? I doubt it I think it is more obvious that he is a predetermined choice based off of his skin color.
Do I think it is morally and socially correct? No, I think it is disgusting and they should be ashamed of themselves. But does that mean I think their right to speak should be taken away from them? Absolutely not. I might not share their beliefs but that does not mean I believe that there right to speak it should be taken away. That to me sounds like communism and our country has taken to many steps towards stripping our freedoms to be allowed any further.
In addition, why is the claim that Obama holds 90% of the Black vote somehow a racist statement as you also imply, maybe Romney does not offer any solutions to the issues and problems that impact most on Black voters, or Hispanics, or recent immigrants, and one more thing, where did you get this figure of 90%?
Look at the polls. YOUR statement is ridiculous. Gallop, Marist, Monmouth said it all.
Im sure Bob was getting to that in his next post. 94% NOT 90% of blacks support Obama(nyt poll), Im sure its because of his "policies" and not his race (lol) http://www.examiner.com/article/liberals-on-twitter-threaten-to-attack-burn-white-house-if-romney-wins
WHEN will these attacks by LIBERALS stop? http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/police-investigate-attack-on-senators-son-over-romneyryan-sign-qt7anlm-175324501.html
WHEN will this intolerance by liberal Obama supporters stop? Bob was getting to this Im sure. Sorry if Im stepping on your toes by getting to it first Bob, I KNOW this is a topic you care deeply about. I wonder how much racism was to blame in this horrific arson by liberals/Obama supporters? I wonder how prevalent this intolerant/dangerous attitude is on the part of liberals/Obama supporters? http://www.wtop.com/120/3091012/Va-couple-Romney-yard-sign-set-on-fire
New standards are needed to address the growing plague of Internet speech that plants the seeds of hatred, by combining information and incitementthat ultimately enables others to commit violence. We have not even touched on the morality of the issue.
And under your belief about the 1st amendment, I could say that any hate speech could incite violence and than should be banned. This would allow the government to stop any speech at all if it isnt nice and fluffy because someone else could take it to far and than bring it to a violent point. That obviously doesnt make any sense. The path to more government control and regulation is a slippery slope. And as for the shots fired in his office and the go back to Kenya remark I am not saying that they are definitely not racist, it is all about the intent of the one who did it. I am saying that lets not automatically jump to racism as the answer to every one of our problems. The go back to Kenya remark has to do with him not being a natural citizen not the color of his skin. But people automatically jump to racism because people fear to receive that title of being "Racist". It is meant to squash and instill fear in people so that they will be bent to others will. Its a scare tactic. And the fact that you would say that 94% of black americans agree with his policies is a joke and you know it. No 1 social group is so completely conformed.
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/hatespeech.htm In 2011, the Supreme Court's announced its decision in Snyder v Phelps. Writing for an 8 to 1 Court, Chief Justice Roberts noted that the Westboro group's speech generally related to a matter of public concern, that the group complied with all city ordinances and police department requests, and that the funeral itself was not disrupted. Given these facts, Roberts wrote, "We cannot react to [Snyder's] pain by punishing the speaker. As a nation we have chosen a different course--to protect even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate."
Isn't it odd that Bob would would up this very old beaten to death topic of racism against Obama the last few days of the campaign? Don't fall for it. Leave the racism debate for after the election. Leave it the where Obama supporters want to leave the discussion about Libya and the cover up. Come on, Bob. Tell us how we are all better off today, explain to our children why it is fair they should pay for our comforts, defend Obama's handling of the murders in Libya and his cover up. To all others: Do not be drawn into his attempt to highjack the debate from the real issues.
"New standards are needed to monitor the morality and to ensure the information/incitement ratios are maintained!" Oh boy....
...as for Benghazi: I might remind you that the Republican House Chairman on security, Darrell Issa was instrumental in cutting $500M from the State Dept Security budget, but listen...I don't want to confuse you with facts!
People who are racist, however despicable their thoughts are, are allowed to be racist. As unfortunate as it is you cannot police people into being moral, in America they are allowed to feel however they want and share those feelings in a peaceful way. And people should stop jumping to racism as the cure for every disease. Look just because someone points out the differences between races does not mean they are racist! Their is such fear of the word in this country it is ridiculous. All men are created equal, not the same. The differences between us should be celebrated not feared. And people shouldn't fear being automatically deemed Racist from people like Bob. It is a scare tactic and so widely utilized that this country is suffering from it. Everyone has to tip toe around their words in hope they dont get labeled this. You know when people are racist, when they are holding hatred in themselves for a certain group just because they of who they are. Someone who is not racist is someone who points out differences in people or who mentions that someone is from another country.
racist ? Why not get off your horse and rally the genuinely oppressed people in this country and our world ? The preposterous assumptions in your treatsie are both sophomoric and ill advised in a time when healing the wounds of racism, past and present,are at the very top of any one of conscience in America... Whenever we cure the abuses built into social welfare,for one matter, we can begin to move on together and remove racism from both sides. It's the penned thoughts of people, much like yourself,who insist on fanning the flames of racism citing an argument by the invisible. Tom Durkin