The read of the day is a Washington Post story, Racist Incidents Give Some Obama Campaigners Pause. Finally, the mainstream media is taking a serious, long look at the undercurrents in some places.
Reporter Kevin Merida writes about racism in Kokomo and Muncie IN, from vandalism at an Obama office to unabashed bigotry. He spoke with a 20-year old white Obama supporter who was campaigning in a Wal-Mart parking lot:
“The first person I encountered was like, ‘I’ll never vote for a black person,…People just weren’t receptive.”
He also tells the story of retiree Victoria Switzer, who was working the phone bank one night:
One caller, Switzer remembers, said he couldn’t possibly vote for Obama and concluded: “Hang that darky from a tree!”
Vile, vile stuff and inexcusable in the 21st Century. When will America grow up and move on?
In another town, in West Virginia, an AP reporter spoke to voters who, after hearing it in their own words, leave me shaking my head.
7 comments
May 14, 2008 at 9:48 am
Will Rhodes
To be honest, Ella – before this race I thought that the racism card was played too lightly in the US and too often. I really didn’t have a full understanding of how racist some sections of the US citizenry really is.
The thing is with Obama running it is not as much under the concrete floor but under the carpet and is creeping out into the open. We will have to wait to see if this is a good or bad thing.
May 14, 2008 at 10:23 am
America racist? « The Will Rhodes Portmanteau
[...] anything about her dwindling campaign is a surprise. She won a state that a friend of mine calls bigoted. He also tells the story of retiree Victoria Switzer, who was working the phone bank one [...]
May 14, 2008 at 11:22 am
ellaella
Hi, Will..thanks for writing about this too — and for the link.
I’ve encountered your surprise about this before, usually from people (like you) for whom it’s not an issue and in countries (again, like you) that are more evolved than we are. I’ve said many times there are plenty of Dems who will vote for McCain or not vote rather than vote for Obama. Sad truth.
Equally sad is the anti-semitism that persists in this country, but we’re certainly not alone in that regard. Grrr.
May 15, 2008 at 3:39 pm
thebeadden
Because of the colour of skin? You would think a person should be looked upon for their actions or inaction.
Words are pretty much meaningless when it comes to government and politics but who is going to do what is best for the citizens of the United States of America, should be the question. A crystal ball would be nice.
To judge on skin colour alone, it seems archaic.
May 15, 2008 at 4:27 pm
ellaella
Because of the colour of skin? You would think a person should be looked upon for their actions or inaction.
Dr. King expressed a similar hope in his I Have a Dream speech. Almost half a century ago. Sigh.
Archaic, yes, but this is a coutry with millions of blacks whose ancestors were enslaved by the ancestors of millions of whites who talk about the Civil War as if it were in their lifetimes.
Then there are others who are just ignorant, bigoted jackasses.
Thanks for coming by, beadden. Don’t be a stranger!
May 15, 2008 at 5:07 pm
thebeadden
You’re welcome, Ella. I didn’t even know you had this site. I won’t be a stranger but must warn you my punctuation and writing skills are lacking.
May 15, 2008 at 5:50 pm
ellaella