Race, Racism, and the Media in the John McCain-Barack Obama Election
I direct your attention to Friday's edition of National Public Radio's All Things Considered. The program conducted a fascinating roundtable discussion with 15 voters from York, Pa. Race and the election was the main topic of conversation. The 15 voters were disarmingly honest, yet thoughtful and considered in their comments. One white woman admitted she feared street violence by some African-Americans if Sen. Barack Obama wins next week, as most polls predict he will:
"I don't want to sound racist, and I'm not racist.... But I feel if we put Obama in the White House, there will be chaos."
She went on to explain that she feared poor, young black men might take to the streets and carouse (or worse) if Obama wins next Tuesday. An African-American Republican (who's voting for Obama) countered that was not a realistic fear. He said instead what concerns him is the possibility African-Americans will feel victory has been stolen from them if Sen. John McCain wins, despite polls showing the Arizona Republican trailing. Good point.
This is the height of responsible journalism on an issue that permeates everyone's perspective and yet has been all too rarely addressed honestly and fairly by the media this campaign season.
More often, we see it discussed in irresponsible terms. For example, this posting on HuffingtonPost.com:
The only threat to the Obama campaign in the next week is the festering threat that Americans will take to the streets and riot if McCain wins.
The writer never explains what he means by this, and it should never have been allowed to be posted in this fashion.
- Click here to read more by Bonnie Erbe .
- Click here to read more about Campaign 2008 .
- Click here to read more about race.
- Click here to read more about racism.
Tags: media | presidential election 2008 | Barack Obama | John McCain | race | racism
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Reader Comments
Republican Party Racism
Well, the reason I left the Republican Party to become a Decline to State is because of the obvious racist inclinations of people who make up the Republican Party base. Whether you like it or not – or whether you want to admit it or not – most Republicans are racist. We know that most Republicans are racist because there are 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Not one is both black and Republican. There are 100 members of the U.S. Senate. Not one is both black and Republican. In order to be a candidate for Congress, a person must first run in a primary election. Republicans vote in Republican Party primaries. The unwillingness of the Republican Party faithful to nominate and elect a black person to represent them in the U.S. Congress is strong and compelling evidence that the vast majority of Republicans are racist. This is one of the reasons why I have left the Republican Party and it should be a reason why you leave the Republican Party.
Obama
This man is so damn phoney, and dosen"t care one bit about you, me, or any one other than his "friends" that hate the United States of America. If you folks are stupid enough to elect him president, then you deserve him. Then we can sit back and watch this country go to hell in a hand basket. By the way, how long do you think it will take before he wants to chancge the flag waving over the White House and Capitol? You voted for him, not me!
Reverse Racism
First of all by the definition of racism there is no such thing as reverse racism cause the african american population does not have enough power to do to the caucasian race what what was done to so many african american during the slavery era. Second of all by definition as defined by the laws of our government you are considered black if you have 1/4 of black blood. That law was passed to keep the lighter skinned black from passing as white. So by our own laws( passed by white people) we have defined Obama as black. A law which is still on the books today
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