Jimmy Carter racism charge triggers next US race debate
In asserting that some Obama foes are prejudiced, the ex-president rekindles a difficult discussion. The right sees it as a way to squelch legitimate opposition to administration policies.
By Patrik Jonsson | Staff writer/ September 16, 2009 edition
John Bazemore / AP
Jimmy Carter.
Atlanta
Former President Jimmy Carter’s assertion that racism is behind much of the political opposition to President Obama marks a stunning moment in America’s centuries-old racial drama.
In essence, one of the nation’s political elder statesmen has joined a chorus of Democrats, liberal pundits, and mainstream media asserting that the “birther” movement, Tea Party protests, town hall raucousness, and Rep. Joe Wilson’s “You lie!” outburst reflect a “Southern strain” of Americans who can’t support an “uppity” black as chief executive.
Note the ensuing piping of steam from two of America’s base camps: The Southern-based Republican Party that says the Democrats are trying to shut down all opposition to the president by invoking racism, and Democrats such as comedian Bill Maher who say, “Finally, we’re talking about this.”
But how will it all play in Peoria – especially with the hordes of independents, many recent defectors from the Republican Party?
White House downplays role of race
So far, the reaction from the White House has been to downplay the role of race – an indication of real concern that too much name-calling could light a powder keg of opposition from a middle America that doesn’t see itself as racist. At his briefing Wednesday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Mr. Obama doesn’t think that criticism of his policies is “based on the color of his skin.”
But it’s a conversation this former slave-holding nation may not be able to avoid, especially given 200 years of pent-up frustration, fueled by both real and perceived slights on a personal level for many Americans.
“In some sense, you are talking about people who are completely lost to the president, but will this make them dig in deeper? That could well be,” says Thomas Pettigrew, a social psychologist at the University of California-Santa Cruz, who studies American race relations. “But it could also bolster people who voted for Obama to further support him, because they’re saying, ‘I’m not racist.’ ”
To many liberals, Representative Wilson’s outburst while Obama was addressing Congress marked the opening of long-held beliefs that opposition to Obama – despite his presidential victory – has much to do with the fact that he’s black.
New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd said Wilson could easily have tacked on the word “boy” to his “You lie” yell, pointing out his ties to the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
She quoted Don Fowler, a South Carolina political scientist, as saying, “My father used to say to me, ‘Boy, don’t get above your raising.’ Some people are prejudiced anyway, and then they look at [Obama’s] education and mannerisms and get more angry at him.”
Rep. Hank Johnson (D) of Georgia went much further. He said Wilson’s subtle support of racist attitudes, if not rebuked, could spark people donning “white hoods again and riding through the countryside.”
Mr. Carter added perhaps the most serious charge on Tuesday when he said, “I live in the South and I’ve seen the South come a long way.” But, the former president added, “I think it’s bubbled up to the surface because of a belief among many white people not just in the South but around the country … that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country. It’s an abominable circumstance and grieves me and concerns me very deeply.”
Republican leaders strongly reject the charge
GOP chairman Michael Steele (who is African-American) called Carter’s comments “an outrage” and said opposition to Obama is based on policy, not race.
Meanwhile, conservatives see a different kind of proof of a hardening of racial attitudes. They point to Kanye West’s ripping the microphone out of white-dressed Taylor Swift at the MTV awards, which caused country singer John Rich to comment on Sean Hannity’s show last night, “He’s lucky there weren’t some good old country boys in the audience that night.”
The beating of a white teenager on a St. Louis bus, by two black teens, didn’t help, sending Rush Limbaugh into paroxysms on his Tuesday show. (Authorities backed off early assertions that the attack was racially motivated, calling it an argument over a seat.)
“Let’s just follow [US Attorney General] Eric Holder’s advice and not be cowards about all this. Let’s have an open conversation, an honest conversation about all of our typical white grandmothers. You had one, I had one. Obama had one. They’re racists just like our students are,” Mr. Limbaugh said on his show.
But the notion has infuriated many conservatives who see the “race card” played too easily by liberals. Even those who say America is still far from “postracial” worry about overusing the racism charge. “Racism is a very strong word and is thrown around too much and too easily,” says Mr. Pettigrew.
Playing the ‘race card’ could fuel further opposition to Obama
Cornell University law Prof. William Jacobsen wrote in a commentary that such accusations will only fuel opposition to the president, because many Americans see it as part of a tactic to shut down opposition in order to change core American principles.
“While the false accusation of racism is not a new tactic, it has been refined by Obama supporters into a toxic powder which is causing damage to the social fabric of the country by artificially injecting race into every political issue,” Mr. Jacobsen writes. “We are seeing for the first time a strong push-back against the race-card players. And that reaction is visceral, much like an allergic reaction, from people who have been stung before.”
To be sure, says Pettigrew, there is some truth to the idea that at least a part of the American electorate – especially some in the old reactionary South that the Republican Party has successfully energized over the past three decades – may harbor some animosity towards an African-American president.
But rather than racism, “I call it a subtle prejudice,” he says. “The general idea is that people who don’t recognize it in themselves look for legitimate means to carry out their subtle beliefs, sometimes even without awareness on their part that they’re doing it.”
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Is there a better way to talk about race?
Things America learned from the torrid national discourse over the recent Gates-Crowley flap.
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Comments
2. Rick Jackson | 09.16.09
I think that most people with “subtle prejudice” don’t believe they are prejudice or racists. Whenever I hear someone say “I’m not a racist but …” my racism radar goes off, because it’s almost always a racist comment.
3. l3lessed | 09.16.09
Because “subtle prejudice” is so much better than being a racist? How about when “subtle prejudice” leads to a hate crime like physically hurting a homosexual? is it any better then? Racism is racism. Just because you’re to blind or ignorant to see your own racist tendencies doesn’t make it any better than an admitted racist. Hate is hate no matter the form.
4. Michael | 09.16.09
“Quit hiding behind race and let’s have an honest debate of the issues”
OK, when is the GOP going to start doing this? The right has no ideas, all they are pushing is ignorance and fear. Are you telling me that holding up signs saying “Obama is a nazi” or a “Lying African” or claiming he is not a legal citizen is a “honest debate”?
I will believe it when the GOP starts repudiating the hate from Rush and Beck instead of taking their marching orders from them.
5. Jan | 09.16.09
Never during an address was the fool known as Bush attacked. There is a complete lack of respect that is expected when the President of the United States is speaking. If you were being addressed by your CEO, and yelled out..you would be fired. I am all for freedom of speech, but there is also norms in the workplace.
8. Just A Regular Guy | 09.16.09
I don’t even know who “Middle America” is anymore or who is supposed to be speaking for us? I’m pretty sure it isn’t politians, current and past, on either side. They stopped caring about what we think a long time ago. I’m just as sure that celebrities and media peronalities(they stopped being reporters a long time ago) also don’t care what we think.
I, like most, think that health care overhaul is obviously needed. I also have grave doubts that the government will make it better or cheaper. It doesn’t work that way in most government programs.
As to race, I am tired of trying to raise my kids not to judge on anything but actions and character, only to be told that if I don’t see things a certain way, I must be racist. Really? That means that everytime someone disagrees with someone of a different race, gender, or you name it group, we all have the right to claim bias is driving the disagreement and not critical thinking. If that becomes the “card” we all pull…then God help us all. Ooops, sorry about that. Now I’ve shown myself to be a religious bigot too.
9. Nby | 09.16.09
Oh….please stop this race card pathetic excuse to avoid the real issues-war in Iraq and bad Economy
10. Lori | 09.16.09
Oh stop already…If it were a white President changing our constitution and hiring 34 Czars there would be just as much of an out cry from Americans. No one cares if Obama is black white or purple. We all care about our constitution and our freedoms and we are all sick of the corruption in Washington DC. It isn’t even about democrats or republicans anymore. Move on to the problems of the country and stop with the race card.
11. Ian Monroe | 09.16.09
The “secret muslim” and birther movement are frankly openly racist, I don’t know how else you can explain them. It is true that the same thing pretty much happened to Clinton (eg he was accused of murder). This time right-wing radio and politicians are just using race as the tool.
Of course this article decides it can be excused from looking into all this by being entirely meta. Letting each side have their say and not researching any facts is cute on cable television, but just looks sad in print.
12. Jmatt | 09.16.09
I have great respect for Jimmy Carter as a human being but his view of a
working economy is in conflict with a group of Americans that are extremely
committed to being heard. President Carter is searching his own narrow
vision to explain the outcry over the policies he adhered to so strongly. His conclusion does not measure up to the America that I know and believe in.
Calling ones political opponents racists will get plenty of media coverage
but the fact is, so many Americans are legitimately concerned that adopting President Obama’s agenda Carte blanche will yield a bankrupt socialist state.
13. Robert | 09.16.09
Jimmy Carter has risen to the role of elder statesman and I think he is under-appreciated. He says his mind, and with his background, I feel he is right on. He just has the guts to actually say it and not hide behind obtuse words or arguments. Following his presidency he has gone on to work for Habitat for Humanity and other causes to improve the human condition. He has done more than most other past presidents who sit on their laurels. Jimmy Carter deserves more respect and we should be listening.
14. Pamala Reed-Marston | 09.16.09
The American people need to realize that we African-Americans have came a long way. We’re educated with better jobs than most Whites. So if most of you are prejudice or just plain ignorant you need to pray to GOD for forgiveness because you’re not right.And to the former President Mr. Jimmy Carter what made you think you were qualified to run this Country?
15. Garrett | 09.16.09
It seems to me that many of those who are screaming the loudest, e.g. town hall participants, Glenn Beck, have racial overtones. It is undeniable that there are many in the republican camp who are infuriated by losing, but all the more because he is African American. Racism is a subtle thing that is not easily understood in oneself. Just ask yourself, do you describe someone as American when you mean white? If you do, then you have racial prejudices that you are unaware of.
16. gene | 09.16.09
President Obama is in a ‘damned-if-he-does’ position. If he calls out racial prejudice, he opens himself up to ‘race-card’ rhetorical attacks from sophists on the political Right.
At the same time, there’s a pattern in the calumnies: secretly a Muslim, not born in this country, a “socialist” and so on. Also note the association of health-care reform with “Obamacare”, rather than with the Democratic party or the political Left generally.
Does anybody believe these tropes would be as effective politically if there wasn’t a current of racial bias just waiting to be tapped?
17. Chris in NC | 09.16.09
I think there are legitimate concerns amongst the Tea-Baggers, but most of the vitriol seems to be spewed by those who - maybe outside of their own understanding why - simply hate Obama. I was no fan of Bush, nor do I constantly sing Obama’s praises, but the accusations and out-right craziness that is on display for the entire country to see is rooted in something. There is a reason as to why some of the outrageous claims - palling around with terrorists, socialist/Marxist/facist/word-of-the-day-ist, Hitler, - stick to him better than some of the ridiculous things coming from the left did to Bush; Obama is different. Different in ways that to some are misunderstood/unfathomable. The clearest difference as to why people cannot or do not want to understand the man, or simply listen that he is trying to speak to all Americans, is because he IS different. These folksy people pouring out from their small towns have probably not had to deal with black people outside of avoiding certain areas of town or giving change to the bum on the corner. To them, there is a perception that someone who is half-black is all-militant and all-angry at the white man. Then they bemoan the left of caving to “white-guilt.” Well, as a white man, I have nothing to feel guilty about, but certainly things to feel sympathetic towards. To me, the right is projecting onto those of us who have made it into the 21st century of race relations their own guilt.
So no, it’s not ALL racism, and I understand the fear of the concentration of power in the government (AND in corporations), but I think it is safe to say that the most seething individuals - and therefore the most likely to make it on TV and into the American public’s perception - are in fact acting out of racism.
18. PK | 09.16.09
This will become an issue of who trumps whom depending on the card played and when they play it. IF you oppose Obama…you will be questioned as to whether you do so because of his policy or his skin. The Obama camp is lying in wait for those opposers readily willing to trump your opposition by accusing you of the race card. NOT because they have a bad idea or something just might be plain ol wrong…but because of his race. I have heard many high profile people state they voted for Obama simply because he is black (ignoring the fact that he is bi-racial)….not because of his beliefs or policies but ONLY because he’s “black” Case in point: Steve Harvey said this. IF this is NOT racism reversed, I don’t what is! Had a white person of high profile said he/she was voting for someone simply because they were white, the marches would be on….lead by those whom feel it’s OK if THEY say it, but whites cannot? I am ALL for equal rights….key word: EQUAL.
NOT a double standard practiced today by those very ones whom seek to give an unfair advantage to persons of color. Jimmy Carter SHOULD be able to say what HE feels w/o ramifications of being as labled racist comments….let’s make the same rules apply for all pundits and politicians. Not just the black ones holding a hand full of race cards. Woe unto Jimmy had he said waht Steve Harvey said!!! Again, just another example of the double standard.
19. Dan Browning | 09.16.09
While there are some genuine policy differences between President Obama and many Republicans, what’s inescapable is the underlying fear of “The Other” (whether that Other is black, gay, or an immigrant) that permeates so much of today’s rancor (see my website for an extended consideration of this issue).
20. wendi | 09.16.09
I agree with so many of you and can’t say it better. Racism?…Jimmy Carter I am embarrassed for you. Has anyone else wondered, where is the ACLU? I guess they only protect liberal free speech. Not that I agree with what the guy did but this is just too much. Watch out folks, it will soon be illegal to disagree with your government, welcome to the USSA (that’s not a typo).
21. OLD SUBMARINER | 09.16.09
“Whenever I hear someone say “I’m not a racist but …” my racism radar goes off”.
So tell us Rick, how’d you come by your “racism radar”?
How do you calibrate it?
Which frequency spectrum does it operate in?
Is it Analog or Digital?
What kind of maintenance does it require?
Did you trade your credibility for it?
Was it worth it?
22. Al | 09.16.09
Yes, we yell racism, and believe it to be so. Lets be clear, Rep Wilson had an outburst because he believes that Barack Obama as president doesn’t have to be respected and he could get away with it. For the most part he did get away with it. Never has an ELECTED President been heckled during an address to the congress. Calling the President a liar on the steps of congress during a press conference is quite a different thing than interrupting The President during an address to Congress. The only difference, in this example, between Barack H. Obama and George W. Bush is the color of their skin. Yes the left disagreed with the former on a lot of issues but interrupting him during an address to congress never. In Iraq a man spent 9 months in jail for throwing a shoe at a FOREIGN leader during a press conference. If the Iraqi’s don’t tolerate disrespect of FOREIGN leaders why do we tolerate disrespect of our leader. Lets remember that the Presidency is bigger than one man regardless of his policies. It’s and American institution that is supposed to represent the best of us all.
23. publius | 09.16.09
George Bush was never called a liar while he was speaking to Congress. The Rules for Congress are clear and rep Wilson broke the rules. As fare as this all coming from a position of racism I do believe there is a a measure of racism fueling some people, not all. Americans need to stop screaming and start talking to fix problems. We need Americans in government not Republicans and Democrats
24. Jared, a non-racist Southerner | 09.16.09
I’ve written diatribes elsewhere, but I’ll be short here… why is the ‘South’ the poster-child for racism? What proof do we have, that Southerners suffer from this irrational predilection to prejudice? When people are struggling with poverty, it’s easy to lash out at other identifiable groups, sure - see the Weimar Republic, Hitler’s ascendancy to power and the plight of the Jews - but to equate that to a systemic issue with an entire region? That’s painting with the same broad brush that is the premise of the negative racial stereotypes which brought us here originally.
Racists exist everywhere. Certainly the South has more than its fair share, but for the 85-90% who aren’t racist, it’s impossibly irritating to have your opinion’s value demeaned because of where you were born or chose to live. Of course the South - and the Midwest, too, for that matter - is most staunchly against the President’s agenda. But, here’s a thought, perhaps it is because this region is almost irrationally, certainly overwhelmingly, conservative. That’s religiously, socially and FISCALLY conservative. It’s no small wonder that they are most opposed to Obama, as Obama’s core set of ideologies conflict with these conservative ideals. I suppose the thought that the South’s dislike of Obama stems from their ideological differences is much less attractive than invoking the fact that, almost two centuries ago, the South suffered under the bane of slavery - much as did the rest of this country.
Visit my alma mater in Oxford, Mississippi - the site of the first presidential debate. You will see no more a penitent group of individuals; a microcosm of the mourning of the distant past (statutes commemorating the fallen University Greys, a group of University students who were wiped out, to the man) mixed with sorrow and celebration of what has transpired in the past fifty years. Indeed, the statute honoring the University Greys is but a stone’s toss away from the prominently displayed monument to James Meredith, honoring both his achievement and what he accomplished symbolically for the civil rights movement.
The professor in the article was correct, Obama is wise to run the from the race issue. I’m a moderate, myself, but I am becoming increasingly resentful to those “outsiders” who are quick to brand disagreement of any sort as a latent form of racism.
Racism exists and it must be combated every day. It is not so much a jungle as it is a wilderness, that will absolutely retake the cleared land if allowed to do so… But to invoke the term talismanically? Without justification? Against those innocent of the charge? That only leads to more hate, more resentment… this is not what our country needs. It’s certainly no way for the Democratic party to make headway into the area.
25. Tom from California | 09.16.09
Carter was so very wrong to express his personal opinion in the fashion that he did. He should realize that as a former president he carries a lot of weight (at least he did with me, before his remarks about people who honestly disagree with some Democrat positions are doing so based upon the fact that the elected President of the United States is, in part, of African descent. There are racists in this country to be sure, but they are both white and black.
26. g from California | 09.16.09
I believe Mr. Carter is probably right and this is a very difficult subject but we must address it as a nation. I don’t think that if you don’t support President Obama you are a racist, no more than I believed that if I didn’t support Pres. G W Bush I was a communist or Anti-American. There is truth to what Mr. Carter is saying, and as a Southerner, he knows where this prejudice comes from. I’m just glad we’re talking about it. Hopefully, civilly.
27. JD | 09.16.09
Bush was called a liar every time he was caught in a blatant, obvious lie; especially the lies that cost us trillions of dollars and thousands of American lives. This is not prejudice, this is fact.
28. Hb | 09.16.09
I Agree with Mr Carter.There are many americans that Still are Quite Racist . Not all are That way
But Most definitely are. He Continues To be Disrespected by many But He Is Our President Whom we’ve elected
29. Laura | 09.16.09
Oh stop this racism thing…Mr. Carter, I am embarrassed with your words. Now who is prejudice. Eventhough I voted for you I was embarrssed with your preformance as the President. Get on with the real issues America.
30. Anthony Nweke | 09.16.09
Republican or Democrats, Liberal or Conservatives, White or Black,Hispanics or Jew, please, dont forget we all are been created equal by God. Non of us whose blood is black or white irrespect of race or gender. The general color of blood still remain red and always will be.
How do we think we are doing the right thing when we spread hatred amongst ourselves? How can’t we be wrong when political parties are attacking each other? No longer can both parties come together discuss how the country and citizens they claimed they love so much can move forwad.If we truly love our country, I think we need to go back to history and find how this nation was built in unity under God by our founding fathers. United we stand and divided we fall. God bless us and God bless America.
31. Dave | 09.16.09
JD,
Please give us the facts and references as to where Bush lied. Cost us Trillions? That was Bush’s fault? Sorry but nho not know your facts.
32. Davfe | 09.16.09
G,
Amost all that prejudice from the south came from the democrats not the republicans. What party did Carter come from? I know my brother-in-law and sister are from his state.
33. Jared, a non-racist Southerner | 09.16.09
G, how does the fact Mr. Carter was a Southerner allow him to divine from where this prejudice is derived? He’s simply a man with an opinion. Unless Mr. Carter, due to his advanced age, was actively involved in the civil rights movement he has had no first-hand experience with the struggle. What’s more, that time has passed. 2009 is not 1960. Racism still exists, obviously - but comments suggesting grown men will suddenly begin to don hoods and act like animals once more? Those are clothes outgrown, hopefully never to be worn by any person, anywhere and of any nationality.
34. Dave | 09.16.09
Anthony, This is not about parties attacking each other any more. It is about distinct philosophical differences in what type of government we should have, the one the Founding Fathers gave us (a democracy within a republic) or the one the the so-called democrats want to install which is European socialism. That is the fight now.
35. Stephen W. | 09.16.09
Racism is insidious, and we are all affected. It’s not just racism — it’s any difference in appearance, status, dialect, culture or essence. Women treat women differently than they treat men, and so on. Simply put, a thought goes through your head, “She is white and obese, and highly educated” or “He is tall and dark black, and his English sounds like he came recently from Africa.” We treat people differently based on all sorts of differences. The fact that we make those distinctions is inevitable — and if they lead to any change in behavior (including internal reactions like concern or fear), then we’ve allowed them to result in racism, sexism, etc.
Do Kanye West and Pete Wilson see themselves as racists? Do you? But you are, and so are Barack Obama, Stevie Wonder and Jimmy Carter — and (sadly) so am I. You treat people differently based on all sorts of factors, including race, sex, height, weight, attractiveness, smell, dialect, perceived intelligence, religion (or anti-religion or non-religion), politics and so on. Strictly speaking, you’re a sexist, a racist, and many other “ists.” You might have been raised to hate racism (etc.), but it still affects you.
The problem is not them. It is us. It is our challenge.
36. Gary Fowler | 09.16.09
I am very saddened by Mr. Carters very stupid comment. Just stupid, that’s all that can be said of that.
I am not an Obama supporter. I did not vote for him. I disagree with almost everything he is and has recommended and those things he is doing and has done to supposedly help our economy.
The color of my skin is not important. The color of his skin is not important. I am anti-Obama because his views, his actions, and his demeanor all point to socialism pure and simple. I am opposed to socialism.
Mr. Carter, you need to just retire quietly. You have done enough damage to our country in your many years of socialist service. Just go back Plains, raise some more peanuts, and enjoy the golden years of your life. No one cares anymore what you think.
37. James | 09.16.09
Yeah Obama is playing the race card through proxy. I have to applaud the great underhanded political moves of the democratic party.
Vote Liberatian, or you vote won’t count.
38. Nanci | 09.16.09
11% of white voters in Alabama voted for Obama, 14% in Mississippi, 12% in Georgia, 43% in the rest of the country. OF COURSE, IT’S ABOUT RACE!!!!!
39. Rand | 09.16.09
Carter’s comments are so offensive– now people who genuinely disagree with ideologically or politically are racist? George Bush’s leadership and policies were pathetic and I opposed him. Obama is worse. So do I hate white people?
40. Lisa | 09.16.09
I’m tired of everyone who says that if you don’t vote for/agree with President Obama that means you are a racist. That is simply reverse bigotry. How is that any better than what you are accusing?
The man had just over half of the vote, not 99%. It wasn’t a vast majority that voted him in only a barely a majority, there will always be opposition, get used to it. Suck it up and roll with the punches. I have never heard him call anyone on Capitol Hill a racist publically, and I don’t think he would. He came to play with the big boys (and girls). Let him do it his way. If you want to gripe VOTE in the upcoming elections. I did not like President Bush’s politics. I do however respect any man who holds his position, unlike the so called ‘liberal but unbiased’ media. Show respect! This includes respect for President Carter. If you can do a better job get your butt from in front of the computer and run for office. Whining is never constructive.
41. Jo Anne | 09.16.09
Oh, Mr. Carter, I am so disappointed in you! I freely admit that I am a lifetime Republican and did not vote for you. I can with a free conscience say, however, that I came to respect you as an honorable and honest man with a good heart. Your comment yesterday on “racism against President Obama”
has completely wiped out any of the good thoughts and feelings I had for you. Do you care, at all, about the people you offended with that stupid remark? You should because there are millions of them. You embarrassed yourself also by showing the world an ugly side that I think blindsided many of us. Thank you for your previous service to our country. Now, please, just fade into retirement and stay away from any more tv cameras….please.
42. LGS | 09.16.09
Shouting “racism!” to avoid honest debate over issues is a cheater’s way out. The president and his surrogates have played the race card every time it was politically advantageous throughout the primary and general election and now they’ve adopted the tactic as a way to incite the press and bully fellow Americans who might not agree with their policies. Sadly, this cynical, self-serving political strategy has a high price for our society - IMHO, they have set back race relations perhaps 25 years.
44. Rudy Haugeneder, Victoria, Canada | 09.16.09
President Carter’s observations on racism are generally correct and should also have included racism against darker-skinned Hispanics living in the USA — legally or illegally.
Carter’s conclusions about skin colour (including people of East Indian ancestry or those of a different religion like Islam) could be equally applied to the UK, Russia, China and Canada.
The world is becoming increasingly tribal.
Rudy Haugeneder
Victoria, BC, Canada
45. nate terrel | 09.16.09
i agree with president Carter.the main reason the south became repubican is based on racism.remember the civil rights movement.forced integration.no blacks could go to school with whites.segregated wash rooms,blacks forced to sit in the back of the bus.do i need to go on.before president JFK the south was democrat & that was based on race because president lincoln was a republican.the white house is in denial.get real.
46. Michelle Phillips | 09.16.09
Race debates will go on until the day the world is no more. Some things are based on race, and others are not; how does one know the difference? When is the offender just being a mean person and when is the person that makes a deragatory comment or denies the job, the home loan, the promotion, a racist?
How can anyone tell? When we come up with that answer, perhaps the people that have never had to deal with racism, will be a little more understanding.
47. Mogul | 09.16.09
It’s a no brainer to say that racism exists amongst the Republicans and probably to a lesser degree amongst the Democrats. Racism is a disease and abomination of the American culture. And one hopes that it will be cured.
However, at stake here is an issue that is affecting the quality of life of the American people. People who can’t put aside this sickness of spirit, mind and culture in dealing with what affects American nation as a whole should not seek or be in office. They are an impediment to the country.
48. Lina | 09.16.09
Why are they keep injecting this race thing to every issue. Pres. Obama is a mixed race person. How come all of a sudden he is just black? His mother was white, raised by white grandparents, yet now all of sudden he is just black. As a mixed race person myself, I don’t deny the half of me, just because nowadays being white is a bad thing, you are automatically racist if you disagree with the president. I don’t see him as the first black president, I see him as the first mixed race - Kenyan father and Caucasian Mother.
49. Marylyn | 09.16.09
I’m sorry, but, Jimmy, you weren’t a very good president and you are not very good former president.
50. Steve851 | 09.16.09
This racism debate is putting it mildly silly. BO wins by a huge majority. He has approval numbers in the 70’s in January. The approval numbers fall to the low 50’s in response to his Lib policies. All of a sudden, people are racist? I don’t think so. This sort of ridiculous attack will just drive BO’s numbers lower. Please get real and address the issues.
51. Galileo | 09.16.09
The unmentioned elephant in the room is the racism of black Americans. 90%+ of the black vote went to Obama. Had they voted in the same proportion as the rest of America, he would not be president.
The proportion of black on white violence far exceeds the reverse. Their political comments (see Van Jones, and Obama’s Pastor Wright) are littered with anti-white rhetoric that would throw the media into a frothing frenzy if anything comparable was said by a white in relation to a black.
52. Olaf | 09.16.09
I’m a white guy married to a black woman. I have three bi-racial kids. That doesn’t prove I’m free of prejudice, but it provides at least some evidence that I probably try not to harbor malevolent thoughts and feelings toward blacks. I did not vote for McCain. If a “birther” is someone who is not fully convinced that Obama’s “Certification of Live Birth” is adequate documentation of his status as “natural born US citizen”, then I’m a birther.
Rather than ad hominem attacks against “birthers” or beside-the-point retorts about how tiresome the question is, I would like the “anti-birthers” to give a logical answer to one simple question: Why hasn’t Obama authorized the release of his original “long-form” birth certificate by the state of Hawaii?
53. Katie | 09.16.09
The opposition to Obamacare began with concerns about cost. When people asked how we were going to pay for all this, liberals responded with fluffy non answers and accusations of hard heartedness (only selfish people oppose health care reform).
This naturally made people angry and suspicious. The liberals still aren’t willing to address hard questions about cost, so they’ve pulled out their trump card: phony accusations of racism intended to avoid talking about costs.
Bad news: There are only three ways to pay for Obamacare: huge deficits, huge tax increases (even if you call the increases fees or penalties or premiums), or rationing.
Choose one, or give up on Obamacare.
54. Monte | 09.16.09
I think racism sowed these seeds of the fruit that you now see. It’s common sense. You kick a dog and he’s likely to bite you. In any case, this proportionality argument is bogus. It is bogus because because:
a) you have a population which has been subject to privations, alienation, and discrimination to an extent that greater than any other population within the USA.
b) when you look at crime, it represents a miniscule of the total population. Even if Blacks over-represent in the criminal population that still translates into something like 95% or more are AOK. Even better when you factor in repeat offenders. And even better still when you factor in (a).
It’s time for racists to give up the ghost. Their arguments just damn them everytime they air their sickened souls.
55. Jason | 09.16.09
The new racism is the practice of accusing people of racism that one disagrees with. Most of America is really tired of it and the cries of racism are beginning to fall on deaf ears.
56. Big Mac | 09.16.09
People need to realize how serious a problem this is. The so-called Race Card is partially responsible for our economic meltdown, as it was brandished when Republicans tried to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2004. It was used before that to strong arm the mortgage industry into dropping tried and true lending standards.
Critisism of our leaders, whatever their skin color, must not be suspect of this without empirical proof. When there are crowds, some will exhibit bad sentiment. The group must not be judged. We should instead, regardless of our ideology, be celebrating our freedom of expression. Prejudice is what it is, regardles of where it comes from.
57. Hari Seldon | 09.16.09
When you are the President of The United States, arguably the most powerful man in the world, you can’t claim racism…you just can’t.
58. Michelle C | 09.16.09
Jimmy Carter is right. The guns at his speaking events, the Hitler signs and Joker signs; the open threats to kill our President to “take back our country”; all of the people that do these things are racist. Carter is not pulling any punches - he is telling the truth. Thank you Prez Carter! (I am a white middle class Mom from GA)
59. Ken Dexter | 09.16.09
I am not a racist. I am a middle-aged white man (from the south no less). I am fed up by people calling me racist. I am not. If you think I am what are you basing it on? Other than what I just stated? Am I a Democrat, Republican, Independent? Who did I vote for?
I AM FED UP. I AM NOT A RACIST.
61. Tired of the Race Canard | 09.17.09
I am an African American who is tired of hearing every issue boil down to race. There is not that level of Agreement amongst Blacks.
If we really want to deal with the real racist issue in America, lets deal with the school choice issue. This is the civil rights issue of our decade.
62. IWantMyCountryBack | 09.17.09
It is not about race! It’s about bailouts, spending more than we can afford, changing healthcare to make it worse, cap and tax and on and on and on! When Dems can’t get us to be quiet, they say we’re racist! What a cheap, underhanded excuse for their own failures!
Jimmy go back into retirement if you have nothing more intelligent to say.
63. IWantMyCountryBack | 09.17.09
It is not about race! It’s about bailouts, spending more than we can afford, changing healthcare to make it worse, cap and tax and on and on and on! When Dems can’t get us to be quiet, they say we’re racist! What a cheap, underhanded excuse for their own failures!
Jimmy go back into retirement if you have nothing more intelligent to say.
64. Andy | 09.17.09
Mr. Carter still thinks the South is the place he grew up. The world and country has moved on. Its not that there aren’t still biggots and the congressman might be one. But if Obama doesn’t lie, he, like a former President who said he didn’t have sex, certainly knows how to avoid full disclosure. He has an agenda and he is using all the tools at his disposal, even misleading us to advance it. After all he’s a lawyer trained at Harvard and boy (oops can I even use the word when I’m thinking about Obama?) can he wow you when he has a tele-prompter.
65. PashaG | 09.17.09
There is a reason that Carter (and others) say what they said.
People either have a good idea of how the world works, or they at least have a better idea that they can get what they what by dealing with people. Carter is one of the later types (I think his record shows that fairly well).
Carter deals with the world through people. The way he gets a handle on things that are not going as he thinks they ought to is by trying to figure out who is to blame and who is a friend. It is very primitive.
He is a “feeling” person. Not much for thinking however.
On the other hand, those thinking types work by making mental models of the world that they distill to “principles”. Can you guess who they are?
So we have the feelers v. the thinkers. The pattern repeats.
66. salsipuedes | 09.17.09
Watching things from abroad as a foreigner, it is clear theres something more behind the attitude of some Obama critics. Something you didn’t see or feel in any other presidential terms. Off course those that are in that group will strongly deny it. But its there. People have always criticized presidents, god knows Bush was a target all the time. But even if many tought Bush was an idiot, or a bad president. The respect was there. With Obama is different, theres a lack of respect that goes well beyond any opposition to his performance as prsident. A certain “you don’t belong here attitude”. Its just my opinion as a non american looking from outside.
67. JJ | 09.17.09
As a 37 yr old woman raised as an upper middle class, highly educated, Northeast
Republican, I can assert that Hardly
Anyone I grew up with, including my parents .
is not supportive of what the new administration
is working hard to achieve. We respect and admire Obama and are saddened deeply by the seemingly needless “bs” that is standing in the way of benefits for our fellow Americans.
As a child, I was taught taunting rhymes about Carter but education and maturity lead us all to make our own decisions regarding the situation at hand. I believe in President Carter’s efforts for our planet and YES I Believe he is correct that Most criticism against our president, Barack Obama, who actually won popular vote , is racially motivated. God bless them both with strength and confidence to carry on.
68. Andrew P | 09.17.09
President Obama’s race is completely irrelevant. Only the tiniest number of opponents oppose him because of his skin color. The opposition is entirely over policy, but group identity is a prime motivator of policy disagreements. The ethnicity, race, and economic status of who will benefit from his proposed policies is something that both his supporters and his opponents are very mindful of, but haven’t been willing to discuss much in the open. Who most wants socialized medicine? Answer - Obama’s deepest core supporters who are mostly poor, black, hispanic, and muslim, - and the SEIU which will organize the workers. Well what about the white college students who helped put him in office? Answer - For them it was mostly mindless feel-good and war opposition. They will be paying for health reform, and are kind of absent on the issue. Why should wealthier whites support policy that will transfer their wealth to groups they don’t like? Answer - they shouldn’t. This Salon article says it well.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2009/09/15/race/
69. waldo5 | 09.17.09
Mr. Carter is correct and we should listen to him. When Mr. Obama was elected, some said this was “the end of racism in America.” Another said, “This will bring racism to the surface,” in other words–stir the muddy stream in order that the impurities flow away. The innate, subtle, and hidden racism can be more dangerous than the open kind because it has pressure behind it. The pressure builds up into something more violent. Now the USA has a golden opportunity to heal its racism. 200 unfortunate and shameful years of slavery in the past will not make this task easy, but if we succeeded in freeing the slaves in 1865 and passed civil rights legislation 100 years later—then there is nothing this country can’t do to eliminate all other forms of racism.
70. don atkinson | 09.17.09
come on Carter was righton, most white americans are racist, they think that its ok as long as white americans think its thier country and that everyone else is not american. please white american should learn about true american history
71. Murph | 09.17.09
I stopped listening to the Democrats whine about racism after they accused Bill Clinton of being a racist after the South Carolina primary. Mr. Clinton is a lot of things, but a racist is NOT one of them. If they’ll call Clinton a racist for political gain, they’ll call anyone a racist for political gain.
72. kingyar | 09.17.09
Galileo,
I’m black, a universal citizen, yet i agree with you completely. most of the Black responses including Obama makes me ashame. Obama would not be in the white house if “Redcard” racecard was in play as Carter asserts.
Well, America may win all wars, but the race war is capable of bringing down America. Wash out for not only terrorists, but racists.Carter should know this.
73. cknob | 09.17.09
I’m a 50 year old white male from the Northeast. Growing up in the 60s and 70s, I have seen our sensitivities to, and the threshold for, identification of what is racism become finer and more nuanced. This is a good thing in that it indicates partial victory in the crusade to end the more obvious race based outrages that plagued this nation and gave rise to the race riots of 1967-68 which burned sections of Newark, Watts and Detroit to the ground. If we are focusing on nuance in conversation and parsing through personal histories like a CSI-like investigation to find evidence to support a racism claim, then we can relax in the knowlege that most of the primary issues addressed in the Civil Rights legislation of the 1960s have been acheived. I am skeptical of the left’s motivations in this. There is an obvious political component and when politics are mixed with ethical stances, the politics almost always wins. If the left’s outrage and racism meter is truly as sensitive as they have demonstrated, how come there is not even a hint of racism injected into he conversation as to why Serens Williams uncharacteristically and profanely lost it over a critical call made by an Asian line judge given the long standing tensions between African Americans and Americans of Asian ancestry? How come when Barack Obama deemed sounding more black than white (by incorporating more characteristic, urban African American speech patterns and locquations into his speechmaking)or more white than black was selectively advantagous at different times on the campaign trail last year this tactic was completely ignored by the mainstream media? It makes me deeply suspicious as to the real motivations behind red-faced (blood pressure related, not ethnically indicative!)accusations of conservative racism by the left.
74. foofighter | 09.17.09
Former Pres. Carter is a refined, brilliant and astute man. And he was probably, unfortunately, exactly right in his analysis. President Obama is also a fine brilliant man. And threats against this dear man’s life have gone up 400% since he has taken office. I have to say I’m not impressed enough with the “intelligence” factor in our general population right now to think that this anger is all about policy. In fact I think our general public is on the verge of flipping their lids. Listen to Rick Sanchez’s report on the hateful Pastor from Tempe Arizona who wants Obama dead and says so in a church!!!! (thanks to my brother, another fine brilliant man, who shared this with me). Go to dailykos.com/storyonly/2009//9/12/780953/. What kind of insanity is trying to poison our society? If we want a country like our forefathers perceived, we have to start with care and respect for one another. There MUST be dignity and there MUST be noble respect for one another. Nothing progressively good is going to happen before this basic moral bridge is in place. Joe Wilson should be fined. He is an embarrassment to refinement and civility. His attitude has no place in a civil nation’s governmental process. And I do so want to think of my nation as civil.
Thank you #17 Chris in NC for your thoughtful blog. And to #21 Old Submarine, I might listen to you if you were not so sarcastic.
75. G Gleason | 09.17.09
I’d be so grateful to see moderate, respectful, intelligent Republicans take back the party from the crazies. Frankly as long as the party has fringe extremists like Limbaugh, Beck, Coulter, ‘tea baggers’ and ‘birthers’ defining the agenda, we will continue to see a decay in reason, reasonableness and common courtesy. Without these simple qualities, we will never conquer an economy that needs fixing, a broken healthcare system much less prevailing in the fight against terrorism here and abroad.
76. Dr.Phillips | 09.17.09
The administration is wise to steer clear of comments from Jimmy Carter on racism which is at best without analysis or foundation in fact. His comments are quickly disabused by the recent election of President Obama. It might come as a revelation to Mr. Carter that many whites voted for the new president who previously had rejected him.
As an American, a conservative and former administrator, I object to Carter’s divisive comments and generalization on racism. I strongly differ in political philosophy with the former president and resent his generalization from a small sample and pathetic analysis of President Obama’s erosion of popularity due to issues.
My mother was a phenomenal woman, born in the south she was one of the most caring and accepting people I have ever known. While in her late years, teaching elementary school in Illinois, she taught a fourth grader who would eventually play basketball in the NBA and set many records. She loved this young man, his parents and family very much. She lived in a community, south of Chicago, which was overwhelmingly white and middle class, yet she often had this young African American’s parents to her home for dinner in spite of personal threats and anonymous objections. One night, someone knocked down her side door and broke windows in an attempt to intimidate her. None of this mattered, up until the time she passed away she viewed her many friends of color as wonderful people, family and great Americans. As a conservative, I will not be lectured by a former president who chose to ride with a *** leader to a meeting in Georgia, during a campaign for governor, perhaps seeking a political endorsement.
It’s my understanding that the former president in commenting on representative Wilson’s comment in the house supposedly said “I think it’s based on racism…There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president…Those kinds of things are not just casual outcomes of a sincere debate on whether we should have a national program on health care…It’s deeper than that!”
Yes, it is deeper than that Mr. Carter but it is issue based not racism. So many mistaken voices have tried to characterize concerned Americans with serious reservations about healthcare reforms as simply mobs, even Nazis. These Americans are not mobs and the town hall meetings simply reveal the deeper problem you have erroneously attempted to identify. One of the problems appears to be lack of credibility resulting from administrative incompetence and a lack of transparency. The second issue, whether correct or incorrect, seems to be one of concern on the part of many Americans that our constitutional principles, in fact the American way of life, including entrepreneurship and individualism may be in danger of elimination.
Please Mr. Carter, prior to speaking in the future; give some thought to what you are wanting to say. The comment you made can quickly become the core of division which can result in mistrust and destructive outcomes, and an undesirable legacy.
77. alice c. smith | 09.17.09
I have ALWAYS had the deepest respect for President Carter–until now. I do wonder if he is actually trying to stir up racial unrest. Sure, there are racial problems in America, but for Mr. Carter to use this incident as proof of a racial bias to me is ludicrous. I agree with President Obama on this one!
78. Don | 09.17.09
Excuse me, when 90% of southern black Democrats voted for Obama over Hillary Clinton in the primaries, while a vastly larger percentage of white Democrats voted for Obama, did anyone claim racism? When 95% of Blacks voted for Obama over McCain in the general election, did anyone claim racism? Clealy, these facts indicate black racism.
Those who disagree with Obama are simply objecting to socialism, regardless of who is promoting it.
79. Robert Davis | 09.17.09
I guess I am now a racist because I strongly disagree with President Obama’s policies.
I always thought of Mr. Carter as a thoughtful person. I believe he should reflect on what he has said. I do hope he is not just another politician.
80. JT | 09.17.09
Stop pointing fingers at each other and stop putting labels on “groups” of people who as far as I know do not ALL have the same opinion on anything. There are just too many diverse beliefs and ideas out there for any group to represent everything for everyone. It is NOT about everyone having to have the same ideas or beliefs at all. As far as I know, the United States of America has it founding principals based on liberty and freedom. Not fear or judgment. Every 4 years we have the privilege to elect our top leader based on the hope that they can lead this country in a direction that we as a people have chosen as a majority. That is the American process. The USA, in my opinion, has been and continues to be constantly faced with many diverse new ideas and social and political factors and has many strong leaders from many differing view points and objectives. This country however has only one President. The USA has chosen a new leader once again and here we go again, creating fear and judgment as fast as we can and grouping people into “groups” and pinning one against the other. If an idea has merit, then work on it together. If not, then voice your opinion and provide another solution. Decide for yourself what is factual or fictitious. Our decisions as a country have enormous consequences and should be thoughtfully discussed and decided without the pressure of fear or incomplete information.
81. Milani | 09.17.09
President Carter is right on the money! He is only stating what so many Americans already know. Bush turned the first budget surplus in 30yrs to the largest deficit in American history. Where was the outrage? He gave the richest people in the country 70 billion a year in tax cuts. Expanded government dramatically! Most arguments against Obama are not based on policy differences that is a fact.
82. Roland Olsen | 09.17.09
OK, I accept the new Obama Age definition of racism - “any opposition to Obama policies or actions.” Using the new Obama age definition, I am a proud racist. Please feel free to insert the word “boy” behind every statement I make (this is the Maureen Dowd rule) so that you can then point to my racsist language in your support of labeling me as a racist. Don’t forget to call Merriam-Webster to have them update the definition in the dictionary.
83. John Westra | 09.17.09
When in doubt, Play the Race Card!
The Left knows that Obama and their Radical Liberal Agenda are in deep trouble. The ever-growing grass-roots opposition to a further takeover of American’s lives, by a cadre of extremist, socialist “Czars,” has left them with a dilemma. How do they appose those who appose them, without further exposing their true “colors” and agenda.
The answer is the same as it has been for years. When in doubt, play the “Race Card.” The goal; use the same self-serving, race baiting techniques perfected by the likes of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, to polarize the electorate along racial lines and distract people of all colors from scrutinizing the President and Democratic Leadership’s failing and unwelcome agenda for “change.”
CNN’s Situation Room Story Charging: Racial Tinge to Tea Movement is a blatant example of how the liberal media is actively involved in this campaign of cover-ups (presidential credentials), misinformation and censorship. Compare the photos featured by CNN, ABC, CBS, etc. to the thousands of photos posted on the Internet by average citizens who attended local & regional tea parties, including the 9/12 event in Washington D.C. and you will quickly spot the tremendous bias and a propaganda-style of “reporting” that would make Joseph Goebbels proud!
The most recent example of this ploy to use race as a lever to move their agenda forward comes from the very floor of Congress, where Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., says that “people will put on white hoods and ride through the countryside” if emerging racist attitudes, which he says were subtly supported by Rep. Joe Wilson, are not rebuked. He said Wilson must be disciplined as an example.
Our nation is facing incredible challenges, including the ongoing challenge of race relations. Continuing to play the “Race Card” will only further polarize the debate and make fundamental, positive change that lessons, rather than strengthens government’s stranglehold on our freedoms, that much harder to achieve.
84. Amy | 09.17.09
It seems like no matter what happens, there will always be an issue of racism to some degree.
86. Jason | 09.17.09
“If it were a white President changing our constitution and hiring 34 Czars there would be just as much of an out cry from Americans.”
Except we know from the last President, that this is utterly false. None of these “fauxtesters” said a thing during the Bushie CZAR spree, or when he enacted the Patriot Act. So yes, considering that we’re left to conclude that the problem may be only “skin deep” here.
“Racism, Really??? How many times was George Bush called a Liar from the left in the hallowed halls of Congress?”
Ummm… by a Democratic Rep. while he was giving an address let’s see…. that’s right, none. Can you cite an example please?
87. Rick | 09.17.09
Let’s be honest here, if Obama’s father would be a blue blood English chap as opposed to a black Kenyan chap there would be no birther movement.
88. independent | 09.17.09
I agree with former President Carter that there are quite a few Republicans who dislike Obama because of his color. I am a supporter of Obama who lives in Sarah Palin country, Wasilla Alaska and I hear it day in and day out. We aren’t the South, but people are definitely racist. I’m all for having an honest debate about the issues and policies, but when my coworkers say that Obama is the n word and that someone needs to cap him. I know that this isn’t the way people normally speak about the president. It offends me a great deal, with my children being of mixed race. There was even an email going around that compared Sarah Palin to Jesus and Michelle Obama to a monkey. I don’t feel that this is serious debate about the issues. This is blatant racism and unfortunately I know quite a few hundred people that feel that way. So we can’t ignore the fact that racism exists and maybe not everyone who opposes him are racist, but enough of them are.
89. YankeeLiberty | 09.17.09
The real question is, How badly is Obama damaged by having Jimmy Carter come to his defense?
If I were Obama, I would shudder at being mentioned in the same story as Jimmy Carter. There are parallels with the failure of the Carter Administration that would make me very uncomfortable.
To succeed, Obama must come to realize that nuanced (or just plain wishy-washy) positions spell doom for any leader’s agenda, for better or worse. Carter never did.
Obama will be young when he finishes his term. One can only hope that he will find a nice, quiet hobby. W and Jimmy should, too.
90. HWyatt | 09.17.09
Carter is right.
I am a middle-aged white, rural voter, from the far West. Carter has said what I have been observing all along. Its not Obama’s ideas that have people’s tails in a knot, its his race. I’m not seeing disagreement with what Obama is trying to do, but I see racial hatred dressed up as “I don’t like his policies.” It is the vehemence, the spitting anger, the threats of violence, the name calling, the faces of Obama changed to make him look like hitler or the joker….that are the tells.
Duck and weave all you want, but if Obama was not black this health care debate would be much more civil. Shame on the republican party for whipping up the racial hate, no matter how they chose to disguise it. Shame on all of us for not loudly protesting it. Our country, our people deserve more. We are better then this.
HWyatt
91. EVE | 09.17.09
AS A BLACK MAN BORN N AMERICA I AM SHOOCKED TO SEE THE RISE N HATE BECAUSE OF A PRESIDENT(WHO HAPPEN TO BE BORN BLACK)DUE TO ONE DROP OF BLOOD N HIS BODY AND THIS HAS ALWAYS PUZZELED ME? WHO CAN HELP WHAT THEIR BORN?IT SHOULD BE AGAINST THE LAW!!TO SHOW RACISM!!! N A PUBLIC SETTING WHERE CHILDREN BECOME MORE CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT IS WRIGHT AND WRONG AND AMERICA MUST BE REEDUCATED ABOUT WHAT RACISM IS BECAUSE MOST OF U LIVE N FEAR AND SILANCE AND DO NOTHING!!!!!WE AS THE HUMAN RACE MUST END HATRED OF OUR OWN KIND!!!! EVE
92. David | 09.17.09
I live in a “blue” state in the Midwest, and yet there are people practically in my backyard who mutter how “n***ers should go climb back into the trees.” You think that racism doesn’t affect how they voted? Or how they approach, oh, ANYTHING that Obama says? They are absolutely fuming there isn’t a white man as president. Carter’s right. We’ve moved forward but also managed to sweep a lot of our racism under the rug. Now it’s bubbling up to the surface.
93. frank cantu (Vietnam Vet) | 09.17.09
Jimmy Carter a Southerner he is just calling the kettle black it comes from experience. If this racial issues are not resolve or put into perspective. Mr. Obama administration will not be very affective for the rest of his term. Bear in mind folks this black man half white came out of nowhere. I be honest with you, I never thought that I would ever vote for a black person, guys like the so call REV, Jackson and alike has always turn me completely off.
I like the way Mr. Obama talks and also his sincerity for a better America, bring the boys home from foreign wars…
94. CANTRELL | 09.17.09
You can read all the racism and hate on this post. Mr Carter is right.The repubs don’t won’t Obama to do anything at all not because he is Black. They want to be the ones who set the rules not the Dems. So they insert race into it to get the country reved up and cause a lot of trouble and hope they can straighten it out when they get their power back. Then they will want the people to forget all that has happen. Just like now they want us to forget that they are the ones and G W Bush are the ones who bought this country to it’s knees. We as a people can not forget that the repubs are for the corporations, BIG BUSINESS AND WHITE SUPREMACY. They want the BIG BUSINESS TO RUN THE COUNTRY SO THEY CAN KEEP GETTING PAID. All of them are paid for from big business.It’s hard for them to stop. We the people need to stop this and make our GOVERNMENT take care of it’s people. If Bacaus gets his way for that 3 million dollars the PHARMA gave him; we all are in trouble, cause we will pay much, much more for insurance. So wake up people!!!!! Public Option now.
95. strangelet | 09.17.09
Reading the comments here, I am struck by how many people seem to take President Carter’s remarks as an insult to them personally. You know, he did not say that all Americans, or all white Americans, are racist. He didn’t say that anyone who is not a 100% supporter of President Obama is racist. Why do you think he was talking about you?
What he did say was that he believes that much of the the more *virulent* opposition to the President (that would be attacks based on his person, rather than on his policies) is significantly racial in nature. I don’t think there is any doubt that the “acting-out” opposition is mostly based on personal dislike — people just do not get that excited over policy disagreements. And I presume that most of the dislike arises because of fear of the “Other”. But President Obama is “the Other” in two ways: he is bi-racial, but he is also a Democrat.
So, while I agree with Carter that race is a factor, I also think that much of the visceral objection of Republicans is partly due to fear of having lost control of the levers of government. Perhaps Joe Wilson is totally non-racist — as his son says — and is merely a classless jerk. Although, if so, it’s probably high time he joined the stream of non-white-supremacists who have been leaving the SCV since 2002.
But anyhow, to all the commenters who say, roughly, “I am not a racist and therefore Carter is wrong and I’ve lost all respect for him”: Hey, if you’re not a racist, then he wasn’t talking about you. Do you think that because you are not a racist, that means that there are NO more racists in the US? Because that’s what you are implying.
Cheers.
96. Californian | 09.17.09
It’s a sad world when just because you disagree with someone you are automactically a racist. People have clearly forgotten the meaning of the word. So when Blacks, Hispanics, Chinese, etc disagreed with Bush they were exercising the “Freedom of Speech”. PATHETIC world we live in today.
97. Susie | 09.17.09
‘I’m a white guy married to a black woman. I have three bi-racial kids. That doesn’t prove I’m free of prejudice, but it provides at least some evidence that I probably try not to harbor malevolent thoughts and feelings toward blacks. I did not vote for McCain. If a “birther” is someone who is not fully convinced that Obama’s “Certification of Live Birth” is adequate documentation of his status as “natural born US citizen”, then I’m a birther.
Rather than ad hominem attacks against “birthers” or beside-the-point retorts about how tiresome the question is, I would like the “anti-birthers” to give a logical answer to one simple question: Why hasn’t Obama authorized the release of his original “long-form” birth certificate by the state of Hawaii?’
Because Obama probably doesn’t have the long form anymore, that’s why he doesn’t present it. Unless his mother or grandparents hung onto it by putting it into storage somewhere, he’s not going to be able to get a long form copy. Hawaii doesn’t keep the long form copies anymore, so it’s impossible to get those. Look it up, Hawaii only has the short-form version.
Now can we lay this really stupid birth certificate issue to rest?
Carter is right, by the way. People would not be freaking out as much if Obama were white.
98. K.L. | 09.17.09
How can SOME of this not be about race?
Look at all the protesters that show up that are protesting issues that have NOTHING to do about the issue at hand? What about the signs with a Monkey on them? Or people showing up with guns? Or at a health care rally calling him a muslim? What does that have to do with health care?
What about “You Lie!”? Calling the President a liar in and of itself is NOT racist. Let me be clear about that. BUT when you believe that a black person is beneath you, you feel no shame in being that disrespectful in that forum.
I am an African American woman and this rhetoric is REALLY scaring me. I don’t mean the people who are against the health care bill for well thought out reasons. I mean the “birthers”. The people( that one black was a tool) who are bringing guns with in range of our president> People who bring signs like “Africa has Lions. We have a Lying African” People who say put Obama (or was it Obamacare?)in the grave with Kennedy.
I’m also concerned by the lack of outrage by those who don’t agree with this. I’m concerned about our leadership who show up to these rallies. This is just emboldens them. It gives them legitimacy and fuels them to keep going. My mother and Grandmother participated in the civil rights movement. THey were firehosed and had dogs sicked (sp?) on them. They are starting to get scared. They remember that the violence didn’t start over night. There were a lot of incidents that built up to it. We can not let this continue.
We as a nation regardless of our skin color have to stand up and stand TOGETHER and demand this behavior be stopped. We have to demand that civility and reason be brought back to these discussions. I believe in freedom of speech. But when you are bringing guns near our president. Enough! When you disrespect in the house chamber - like no one in the HISTORY of this country has done before - Enough. Calling him a Kenyan Monkey - ENOUGH. Calling him Hitler - ENOUGH.
99. Ken | 09.17.09
Every president has faced opposition during their term in office, from George Washington to Obama. Not everyone agreed with their policies and decisions. Why is Obama any different? Why can’t he be criticized or his policies opposed? - Because he is a black man? Those who are quick to cry “racism” whenever there is opposition to President Obama’s policies is actually doing the president harm. The “racism” charge will only cripple his credibility to lead, because the premise is that a president who happens to be black should be treated differently than a president who happens to be white. And that only reinforces the ridiculous notion that a black man is incapable of leading this country.
Are there those who resent a black man being president? Of course there is. But to suggest that ALL criticism and opposition directed at Obama is “racist” - is absurd. And for those who argue that they are not saying ALL opposition to Obama is racist – tell me this, how to you distinguish between opposition to Obama that is indeed racial in its intent and opposition that is sincerely based upon ideological differences only? This is why Carters comments are irresponsible and dangerous. Has Mr. Carter and others playing this race card forgotten that Barack Obama was voted into office with the help of whites? If every black individual on the planet had voted for him (and most did) he still would not have won if whites did not vote for him.
100. Dan Eastwood | 09.17.09
Racist??? I’d have sooner voted Thomas Sowell, Clarence Thomas, Alan Keyes, Walter Williams, J.C. Watts, or even Michaele Steele for president before I would have voted even for John McCain! These are all conservative black thinkers, and every white conservative I’ve asked (southerners included) have agreed with this statement. Our objection to Obama’s cabinet and direction have nothing to do with skin color and everything to do with wanting to see integrity in our highest elected office.
101. R.H. | 09.17.09
I have an idea. How about we all start a “grass-roots” campian and NOT re-elect any current sitting Congressman, Congresswoman, nor Senator. It’s really time for term limits. It’s time to stop lining the pockets of this entire group. Back to the basics this great country was founded on for ALL of us Americans.
102. gary crum | 09.17.09
President Carter has used his “bully pulpit” to bring forth a topic many americans find very uncomfortable. I applaud him for doing so. there is absolutely no doubt that a significant amount of racism still exists in our nation…and there is no doubt that much of the opposition to President Obama is fueled by that racism. Michael Steele, as Chair of the GOP, is, himself, a manifestation of that racism. He’s the GOP’s answer to President Obama,…”hey, look, we’re not racist, we’ve got Michael here as our chairperson…..hey, Michael, stand out front here so everyone can see you!”
Look at the demographics of the GOP and look at the demographics of racism and see the match. Look at the red states and look at racism…..it’s not brain surgery or rocket science…..the old “Dixiecrats” are not right’wing republicans and the new GOP is under their control…..but hey, don’t say anything about it or you’ll be accused of playing the race card
103. Michael Williams | 09.17.09
Look I don’t care what the issues are at this time.The FBI is checking presidential death threats at 10 times the normal rate folks. It is my hope that we can recover from this sickness but maybe we can’t.You simply have to
face some facts. The vitriol that you see is not unexpected, nor is it
that unknown to blacks or other minorities. For some (not all by any means)
a well spoken black man is disconcerting.We are not totally unprepared for or blind to this backlash. When terrorism experts claimed the next problems
would come from within as reactionary attacks;these talk hosts went ballistic,but then the guy shot up the Smithsonion. The hatred is real!
May God save our country.
104. Tom Bowman | 09.17.09
I have spent the last couple of years working to bring Boy Scout training to inner city kids. I loved the work and found the kids’ intellectual profile identical to the profile of a very wealthy Boy Scout troop I was associated with for about ten years prior. This work allowed me to lose the racist roots of my childhood. Now that Obama is in office I find my thoughts drifting back to racism. His policies have a common goal. He intends to redistribute wealth. His remarks over the Gates/Crawley incident displayed a deep sense of disrespect for the work of a good policeman. It was pretty simple. He played the race card. Many of his nominees and his czars appear to be racists. I am very unhappy about it and believe if he is unchecked the economic greatness of this country and its social fabric will be relegated to a third world country. It makes me sick. It makes me angry. I can certainly see why people are so mad. I am a racist again.
105. D.M. | 09.17.09
As a person of mixed heritage… (raised black… and looks white), I have on countless occasions been exposed to peoples’ racist remarks that would be censored if in public or if a black person was around. When I was younger, I lost friends when their families found out that I wasn’t actually white. As an adult, I listen to white coworkers make racist comments when they think that I am one of them. Just in the last few months, I have heard the “N” word used in general conversation way more times many would admit to using it. Even though the comments cut deeply, I have decided that it is better to know the true character of a person before choosing to be their friend. So, when I meet them, I make it a point to avoid saying: “Hi, my name is…, by the way, I am not white.” I don’t think that would make much sense.
I learned a long time ago that there are many people who view the world and judge people through a veil of prejudice. They don’t always realize how much their negative views of other groups affects their reactions and judgments. There is no doubt that that same veil is affecting a lot of the public outcry against our President. For example, one person I know, truly felt that the election of a black president was the end of America (his words not mine). That is not to say that all people who dissent are all prejudiced. However, the yelling and paranoia that has dominated the media coverage this summer has certainly energized those who are. It has empowered them to be more public with their views.
So here is the point. President Carter is correct. There is a vein of racism in much of the public outcry. He is also correct that we need to start airing out our dirty laundry and talk about race. I don’t think he is playing the “race card” as some people here would like to think. He is simply sharing an observation that is pointed and true. I don’t see anything in the article where he states that ALL dissenting views are colored by racism. However, I think that he has been brave enough to point out something that should be obvious to us all. If, in fact, we are a nation where most people have been able to overcome their prejudices based on race, then there should be more people who recognize this phenomenon for what it is, and less who play the defensive “race card” blame game.
106. Webb | 09.17.09
This is an incredibly unpresidential discourse for Carter to engage in. It is extraordinarily hypocritical to call a nation and a person racist and seek to shame them for simply a human mistake, with much of the behaviour we see daily from the democratic officials. Wilson immediately apologized and asked forgiveness in both a personal and public manner. Should he have done it..no, but I highly doubt he planned this with malice. This was a clear cut case of revenge and divergence seeking by democrats, all of which should be ashamed. But, for a former president to stir this up is reprehensible. A a former leader of this nation, he should be working for healing of the nation, and yet he has let us all down. Shame on him more than any.
107. mme | 09.17.09
I’m neither black nor white, but I do agree with president Carter’s remark that the excessive anger and opposition presented by people who attended town hall meetings, Joe Wilson’s outburst during Pres. Obama’s address at Congress and the most recent march to Washington has something to do with our President’s racial background. I watched an elderly woman interviewed during the rally in Washington,she was talking about Pres. Obama being a Muslim and that she is afraid that Muslims are going to run the country. How idiotic was that. I sense that no matter how many times you try to reason with these group of people and prove them wrong, it will just fall on deaf ears.
108. JonO | 09.17.09
I am southern. I am white. I am male.
I have worked in MS, TN, KY, VA, GA, PA, NJ, and NY is the staffing industry.
I saw more deep seated racism in NJ, PA, and NY than at any other time in the south. The South may have more visible displays of confederate symbols, ergo overt racism, but up North….OH MY…the racial hatred and segregation is 10 times worse and all under a guise of snicker and chuckle.
So, how about stereotypes being wrong, eh?
109. laura j | 09.17.09
I totally agree with Dan Eastwood!!! Walter Williams, Thomas Sowell yes! There are many other wonderful African Americans I would vote for–Condoleeza Rice! To say in this article “America’s history of slavery” is ridiculous in the sense that MOST nations had some form of slavery until it was abolished–in fact, I think the US may have been one of the first places to abolish slavery–in fact I think we may had led the way. Perhaps the reason why people focussed so heavily on it here in America is that we have a large African American population that decided that life could be good here–and stayed! In fact my African American neighborhood is home to successful doctors, lawyers, bank presidents, actors, architects, etc. ALL AFRICAN AMERICAN! and great people–who do not see themselves as oppressed. It’s just the white LIBERAL media that seems to think they have amounted to nothing really! It is the Al Sharpton’s and Jesse Jacksons too, who want everyone to believe that African Americans are making it here–and that is a LIE!! Yes, there are a few racist people out there–of every color, but they are generally ignorant. The worst are the ones who are patronizing and denying your worth at the same time–LIBERALS!!!Like Jimmy Carter. I respect Obama for distancing himself from that loser!
110. EH | 09.17.09
Sidney.George W was never yelled at and called a liar. He was booed once when he wanted to allow us to gamble with our retirement. Also this story didn’t mention the part where Limbaugh said “We need segregated buses”
111. Teresaleej | 09.17.09
No one is calling George Voinivich a racist because he opposes Obama’s plan based on economic principals. No one is calling Dennis Kucinich a racist because he opposes Obama’s plan for not being liberal enough. Those that are suspicious of racism are those who are irrational, over-reactive, and or hate-mongering. The level of intensity on the part of these extremists must be based in some sort of hidden agenda. They’re obviously frightened of something.
112. TJ | 09.18.09
I think a poster saying, “There’s an African in the Zoo ( a picture of a monkey), and An African Lying In The White House”, is racist. I think a poster that says “God Bless White America” at the April 15 Tea Party is racist. Why was it felt the need to bring a poster saying that? Because a black man is in the White House, that’s why.
I think continuing to allege that he was born in Kenya, is a Muslim, etc, is an attempt at racism or prejudice because he is “different”. Instead of his father having been born in Ireland or his grandfather, his was born in Kenya and because he knows a little something more about Islam and the Muslim culture, he is “different” from the white Southern fellows. Frankly, anyone who espouses to be the Leader of the Free World today should know a little something about the Arab world besides Oil and Terror.
I think there is ignorance, prejudice, racism, and just plain anger at the mess their “boy” left them in. I think that some people, perhaps the 20% that the Republicans are catering to, think like this all of the time. They have been given permission, however, by Republicans, Conservatives, Evangelicals, and The Catholic Church, to display behaviors that were heretofore unacceptable in polite society. And so, if it is to stop, it needs to come from Republicans, Conservatives, Evangelicals, and The Catholic Bishops, who have been spreading hate and divisiveness and vitriole and bringing out the worst amongst us. If something happens, I will hold them responsible and cannot see how there could be any forgiveness.
113. TJ | 09.18.09
I also question why some believed they had to bring armed weapons to Town Hall meetings, or, across the street from them….I believe there is a fringe element that includes a lot of different people doing a lot of ugly things for different reasons, and some of it is, racism.
My problem is that supposedly responsible people, elected officials, started this in the presidential campaign, and continue to enable and encourage it and have given permission and I find that totally unacceptable and unforgivable because it is weakening to our domestic and national security. There are many ways to register disagreement with political policies, etc. But even the elected officials are not being a responsible or an effective opposition party. These people are taking their lead from those elected to public office and others in formal or informal leadership positions. Because of this, even if those in Congress had a legitimate disagreement or a good plan, I would not recognize it nor would I trust them.
114. Jan | 09.18.09
Anything negative any black person does is considered a slur against the whole black race. Kanye West harrasses a white girl and the whole black race is to blame. On the same token, Mel Gibson outright made racist remarks and he is forgiven and he is judged as Mel, not the whole white race of America. How strange?
The truth is, if you don’t have a job or if you lose your job, guess what? Your health care goes away. That’s the end of the story. Most of the people complaining about healthcare obviously have no foresight to see into the future. Guess what, it could happen to you and you could find yourself with no medical insurance and then what?
115. Joe Lammers | 09.18.09
It should be clear that most of the charges of racism are designed to shut off debate on Obama’s policies. The left, although it considers itself morally superior to anyone not in agreement with it, usually resorts to ad hominem attacks instead of reasoned argument. Most of the charges of racism is of this stripe. Carter’s definitely is.
Of course racism still exists, and I’m opposed to it. It is much less a factor, however, than leftists typically make it out to be. The left needs to get off their bad habit of trying to shut down debate by shouting “racism”. Unfortunately I don’t expect this to happen.
116. Joe Lammers | 09.18.09
“So here is the point. President Carter is correct. There is a vein of racism in much of the public outcry”
Carter is a leftist. He is primarily using this as a tactic to shut down debate.
117. Stan Wright | 09.18.09
This argument is true enough, as far as it goes. In the short term, it is usually a more prudent strategy to turn the other cheek than to allege racism that cannot be proven, as Patrick Jonsson claims. This is certainly the reason for the White House’s reticence on this issue.
However, Jimmy Carter is not part of the Obama White House, and almost alone among the players, he is free to play a medium to long game. If the right’s race baiting is never confronted, nothing will ever change. As Carter recognises, the US has, some how, to get to a place where this kind of politics is seen as something as out of place as a loud belch at a funeral. The only to make that happen is to confront the racism, repeatedly.
Which Carter is doing. Good for him!
118. James Bowers | 09.18.09
Of course, there are still racists in America. Of course, there are still those who cannot accept a bi-racial President (he isn’t actually black).
Neither of those obvious facts prove Joe Wilson was motivated by racism. He was, to be sure, disrespectful and out of order. He did apologize, as I recall. What he did was motivated by anger, but it isn’t clear that anger had racial overtones. After all, the health care debate is one of the most hotly contested issues in recent times. A “post-racial President” can respond to criticism — even disrespectful criticism — by pointing to racism. Barack Obama, to his credit, knows this. Jimmy Carter, a man of admirable integrity if misguided ideas, is stuck in the past.
119. Simplicio T. Soriao | 09.18.09
Both the Democrats and the Republicans are in a state of denial with regard to the race issue. There are certain subjects that are non-sequiturs and dwelling with and discussing them result in endless and extreme arguments: religion, politics, and race.
120. Greg | 09.18.09
The Congressional Black Caucus is racist for targeting Joe, who is white. He would not have been targeted if he were black. In fact, ANYONE who claims Joe is racist is in fact being racist, because there is no shred of evidence that “You Lie!” has anything to do with race, so the race card attack itself is a racist tactic to smear an innocent white man.
121. ladycwalk | 09.18.09
No matter how you slice it or dice it, it’s racism in both forms (overt and covert). Racism is so prevalent in our country, how do you know it is not racism. After all, most Blacks are judged by the color of their skin instead of their character.
122. erling | 09.18.09
Carter didn’t say that all of the opposition to Obama was racist. Here is what he said, in a discussion about the overtly racist imagery that was displayed at the 9/12 rallies:
“I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward president Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he’s African American.”
Those of you who haven’t been paying attention need to read that quote again. This is very different from broadly characterizing political opposition to Obama’s policies as racist. But manipulative right wing media types promptly reduced his statement to: “Hey, white conservatives! If you oppose Obama, they’re calling you a racist!” And a bunch of defensive white people are falling for it.
It’s not Carter who’s exploiting race here - the people exploiting race are the ones who are cynically trying to convince anyone who opposes Obama that they’re being falsely and unjustly accused of racism. Disappointingly (but unsurprisingly) they’ve been largely successful.
123. Sam | 09.18.09
You, the American Public, are being manipulated once again. Choose to disregard silly remarks by all individuals. Choose to do the right thing, to look at every person as equal until proven otherwise. Choose to prefer one thing or another based on its merits as observed by you, and not be manipulated into labeling it as “racist” or any other label. Choose freedom, not manipulation.
124. Ken | 09.18.09
It’s a little strange that the criticism of Carter is because of the view that the words “You lie” are not inherently racist, and therefor Carter is a racist. Carter was observing the disrespect of his actions, and how our _culture_ makes allowances for it depending on race.
It seems to be a double standard that is inherently racist, and whether or not Joe Wilson himself is a racist (you can’t conclude he was from this), his comfort in deciding that this outburst was allowable _might_ have to do with the different level of respect due to people of different races, as a cultural phenomenon.
Carter has merely pointed out this cultural phenomenon, and its subtle effect on our people. Specifically, how the more visible “tea-bag” protesters and their explicit racism may empower politicians to be more disrespectful then is appropriate (hence the root cause being racism).
In a nutshell, and in plain english: “The outburst wouldn’t have happened had Obama been white”.
125. Eriemaster | 09.18.09
My gut is that some do not accept Obama as President at a deep level. Many Democrats felt that Bush stole the first election in Florida and deeply disliked him but they did support his wars. They did not act like the rabid-appearing mobs you see on TV most days.
126. onlein | 09.18.09
I’m afraid Carter is right. There is also sexism. At least these two isms. Racist and sexist jokes and comments still circulate. You hear some mean spirited things. Look at how Rush Limbaugh lost his football “color” job for his racist remarks. He’s clueless as are many people. A lot of denial going on, the white folks who say racism is all in the past. I wish it were.
127. Linda | 09.18.09
While I agree with the president that republican opposition to his policies is not based on the color of his skin, I believe the way in which many have chosen to express their opposition is rooted in racism. Unprecedented liberties have been taken in expressing opposition to this president’s policies with no regard or respect for the office for which he stands. The hate is so visceral, for a minute you might think you’re watching and listening to protesters in Afghanistan, or Iraq, or other some other country that hates us… If you juxtaposed pictures of protest signs of whites in the south during the civil rights movement with those who oppose the president’s policies today, I’m sure you’d see similar language and images. If it’s not racism, it sure feels like it. ..and anyone who has ever experienced it would tell you the same thing.
128. richard potter | 09.18.09
It is unfortunate that America faced with so many critical issues on the economy, energy,. environment, and international challenges, should once again divide this nation with racism. Every president in the last one hundred years has sought to end discrimination in America. Whatever the good intentions of these groups may be let us remember that it is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-racial America that elected our president. Let this nation move on to its calling as a compassionate, and Christian nation that we stand as one nation under God, indivisible, with justice to all.
129. Ben | 09.21.09
On 9/16 Anthony wrote:
“Southern boys can’t accept Obama is smarter and more refined than they are.”
Anthony, you can’t possibly know every “southern boy,” so how could you know this? I think what you mean to say is that “southern boys” as a class are inferior to Obama.
I want to thank you for taking the time to demonstrate to us how not to be prejudiced (dare I say racist?).
130. William Eberwein | 09.22.09
The racism is withholding adult, legitimate criticism for fear of appearing racist. Attacking Obama’s hasty, unread and expansive proposals assumes the man is worthy of dialog. Suggesting that criticism is masking “subtle racism” is simply the ancient tactic of poisoning the well. Obama started this, by launching his campaign with the statement, “Now… some people… .will say that you shouldn’t vote for me…. because I don’t look… like the guys… on the dollar bill.. .that I have… the wrong complexion….” He accused his future, yet unnamed opponents of racism before they had even spoken!
Who is the racist?
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1. sidney | 09.16.09
Racism, Really??? How many times was George Bush called a Liar from the left in the hallowed halls of Congress? Quit hiding behind race and let’s have an honest debate of the issues.