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Roland S. Martin debates issue of racism against President Obama on CNN

09/15/2009 8:17 pm 13 comments

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  • Thomas

    Why do American’s (Black American’s in particular) born in this country keep separating themselves by using the version of African-American? I mean seriously, if you were born in Africa and moved to the United States of American to become I a citizen I can understand using “African-American” to describe yourself but if you were born in the United States of American you’re American in my eyes (black, yellow, blue, purple, green or red). The fact is American’s, Black American’s want to be seen as equals yet they keep separating themselves time and time again. Look at Obama for example, he’s not an African-American (unless he wasn’t born in the United States) he’s an American, his Mom was White and his Dad was Black… Either you’re proud of being an American and stop the separation or just move back to this country that you love so much called Africa. I for one am sick and tired of all this color crap; it’s a pigment of skin nothing else, it has nothing to do with the character of the individual/person.

  • Stephanie

    EXCELLENT! Thank you, Roland. My ancestors died so I would not have to be living this and seeing this. I, with you & millions of other Americans, will call RACISTS OUT wherever they are–black, white, asian, or latino. There’s no place for that in 21st century America.

  • Cathy

    Hello Roland,

    After watching the debate between you and Mark Williams earlier on AC360 with Anderson Cooper, I shook my head in disgust. Mr. Williams’s agenda appears to be much more than he is willing to admit in public and is not limited to his concern about the growing debt and a government takeover of our country. The undertones are very clear to me even though I have never dealt with race on a personal level as a white woman, but I have been around the block a time or two in my 55 years on this earth and can spot racial undertones when I hear it or see it. I am so glad you pointedly asked this man if he would denounce those who carry racial signs like those I saw in last weekends Tea Party protest and inform these protesters that this type of behavior is not welcome. Mr. Williams response was telling. He said he didn’t have the right to tell anyone what they may do in this regard and then proceeded to scorn those who he claims use the race card such as Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton in order to pad their pockets. Very, very telling in my opinion as to his feelings.

    What I find so disturbing in recent weeks and for that matter since Barrack Obama announced his candidacy for president is the silence on the part of the opposition when a situation arises whether it was at a Republican campaign event, a town hall meeting or a Tea Party protest where it is so obvious that race is being interjected in a disparaging manner, be it on signs or vocally, rarely, if ever have I witnessed the opposition rising up and denouncing this kind of behavior. This is also telling to me. It would seem to me that if those who are in a situation whereby they have a clear opportunity to take offense and reprimand those who incite this type of behavior, and state clearly that racism will not be tolerated, they would certainly use that opportunity to decry it. Apparently Mr. Williams doesn’t see the need to do so, and I can only conclude that by his silence, he condones it.

    Mr. Willliams stated that he is afraid for our country and where we are headed. So am I. But for a very different reason. I do believe that there is a segment of our society that would very much like to see our president fail…..or worse. And I am frightened that at sometime in the future this country may face a divide that is not only notable as we have seen in the polarization due to politics, but more devastating and more destructive, a racial divide that will turn our nation inside out and set us on a course that we haven’t witnessed since the civil rights movement. Some may say I am being an alarmist. But I would argue that when people who are in a responsible position, as our politicians, the media and media pundents, organizations like The Tea Party and their spokes people do not stand up and denounce racism in all its ugly forms, we are headed in that direction.

    I speak from what I have witnessed in my own family since the election. I have several brothers & sisters some of whom are Democrats and others Republicans. Never have I seen the divide more heated not just on party lines, but on the issue of race where the end result is that several no longer speak to me or other members of my family because we voted for Barrack Obama. We are just one family, but I have no doubt that this situation has played out in other families across this country. And I am sorry to say that there probably will not be a reconciliation due to their bigotry any time soon. That be as it may, I, my husband and our children will continue to stand up to anyone at anytime and denounce those whose behavior even suggests racism whether it be in my home or in a public setting, and many other family members and friends who share our stance are willing to do likewise.

    I am so glad that CNN has given this subject the serious recognition it deserves and will continue to report on this issue in the future. Thank you Roland for your contributions as well and for your thoughtful insights on this issue. Your sense of decency and proper decorum speaks volumes as to the kind of person you are, a gentlemen and true professional.

  • Shawn

    I’m sick of the MSM and radioi personalities not calling it what it is “RACISM”. Where were all these so called protesters when the country was going to hell in a hand basket for over 25 or more years. Why didn’t these same people come out when Bush was messing up this country. As a minority I’m sick and tired of the Media not calling it what it is. The media is no longer in the journalist business they are in the business of profits. Where are all the minorities why the hell aren’t we standing up against this crap. As a mother of 2 minority young men this stuff is sicking. We are teaching our sons different and now they have to deal with racism all over again. We knew this was going on since Prez start running for office and the media played it like it isn’t a big deal. CNN used blacks for their special but where the hell are they are the crap that is going on now? YES ROLAND I’M CALLING OUT EVERYONE THAT LET’S THIS CONTINUE. Republican think because they have Steele as their RNC chairman they can get away with the crap. What I really don’t understand is why the Black Republicans who see this crap don’t stand the hell up either. When Steele and other black republicans were approached about this what did they do, HIDE AND AGREE WITH THE IDIOTS SPREADING THIS STUFF. I am sick of black media people letting this stuff slide and not calling it as it is.

  • beej

    roland, i’m a 60 year old white guy who’s not your biggest fan. but i caught you on AC360 last night and found that for once i could agree with you 100%. it seems that the only thing keeping people like teabagger master mark, limbaugh, beck and so many like them high on their soapboxes speaking against our president is their racist ways. they told us in the past that if we didn’t support our president (at that time Dubya himself), that we were not american. they told us that we should support our government in all things at all times or we were not american. now it’s their turn to step up and support their government and wher are these holier than thou self proclaimed purist of american patriots? calling our president liar in an inappropiate forum, a communist and they liken him to hitler. now i want to know who are the real americans, those of us who weathered the storm during the bush years or those whiners who can only accept things their way. they seem to forget that obama was elected by more than 50% of the voting public. bush’s first term in office was stolen from the american public in that mr bush lost the popular vote to mr gore and that the election came down to his brothers state in total contraversy.

    well anyway, thanx for last night

  • Mark Hernandez

    Roland,

    I am greatly disturbed over the somewhat glib manner in which Mr. Williams dismissed the fringe element in his party. In the south where I live there are countless fringe elements. Where has he been? Does he have his head up his nose? Any well-informed reader cannot miss what is happening. My son attended a “private Christian” high school and he repeatedly told me about fellow students who called for Obama’s demise.
    We have conservative talk show hosts who are indirectly and directly responsible for inciting the fringe lunacy. I read excerpts from Max Blumenthal’s book the “Republican Gomorrah,” where the Christian Right and their extreme views on moral issues now run the Republican party. Mr. Williams in my opinion is a contributor and catalyst to the on-going fringe lunacy and extreme, nonsensical conspiracy theories that are circulating in Republican circles.

  • Thomas

    BeeJ and Shawn,

    Seriously? BeeJ and Shawn, You missed the boat, this is about our Government in general, nothing to do with Obama (other than the fact everyone thinks he’s black when he came out of a white woman! Hello!!! He’s an American Black and White) it’s got to do with were this country is headed; it just so happens that Obama is in the seat right now. In my humble opinion Obama should take on one challenge at a time, first let’s focus on the economy and then healthcare. Get over this color pigment of skin crap; it’s very childish and an excuse in my eyes! I for one am tired of hearing about black and white… BeeJ and Shawn are you not Americans or what!? Then act like Americans, do you care about where the country is heading? Let us focus on one thing at a time, the economy and then the healthcare issues. By the way who’s going to pay for this healthcare? We are… Gosh I really wish the Americans specifically Black Americans would get over this racism crap, I for one have no time for it nor do I respect those who keep falling back on it! News flash, all humans no matter what their background had hardship from the beginning of time, let’s move on shall we because they way I see it, you guys are holding this country from moving forward. Before I go, may I suggest you watch/see the movie called “The Express” a very touching and great movie. Mr. Ernie Davis was above color and maybe you should take a note from his life, God Bless His Soul.

    God Bless America!

  • Pamela

    I never quite understood why people of color, any color, are hyphenated, not 100% American. Who decides who should be hyphenated? Is it self-imposed? Internalized racism? Symptoms of a deeper issues that must be addressed by a united America. When Europeans are hyphenated it is only used in the context of cultural heritage, it seems. Hum.

    And to Thomas’s question “Why do American’s (Black American’s in particular) born in this country keep separating themselves by using the version of African-American?” Well it’s institutionalized for one. As long as race in on our birth certificates, passport from, etc. race matters. As long as people of color are denied loans or are offered worse rates regardless of education and income, race matters. As long as people of color are asked “What are you?”, race matters. I can provide a list of reason that illustrated why race still matters in America. Race still matters in America, but for less and less logical reasons.

    But not everyone sees people through colored lenses. We are starting to not see the world the way the last few generations have. But as long as “that” way of seeing the world survives magnified by the people in power and lived out by so many everyday American who still remember, who still feel and who still continue to make decision, consciously or unconsciously, race will continue to matter. This stuff is passed on like tradition, but it’s fraying badly and it will be sheered off.

    Who’s argument is this anyway? Not mine. But we know race is there and we can call it when we see it too. I know that race still matters to a lot of people. I’m not denying that. We’ve come a long way, but it’s not over yet. Change is coming like a thief in the night. It’s happening while you sleep and argue with demons past. When full internal integration of happens this kind of conversation won’t happen, it won’t even occur to us to have it… unless we are talking about history or talking to our grandparents.

  • Cathy

    Thomas,

    I would say you are missing the point. Certainly there are those who have the right to speak out against POLICIES of any administration. But the subject for debate here as I see it is regarding those who openly display signs at rallies, protests, town halls etc. that are clearly racial affronts on our president, while others turn a blind eye and allow these folks to continue their hate fest. I would argue that this behavior and mindset is un-American. And your remark that “Gosh I really wish Americans SPECIFICALLY Black Americans would get over this racism crap” is not only condescending but is yet another example of wanting to bury your head in the sand and deny what is taking place. We’ve come a long way in this country to dispel racism since the struggle of the fifties & sixties where many put their lives on the line and some ultimately lost their lives as a result of their struggle to bring equality to ALL Americans. I’m old enough to remember those days and I for one am not willing to stay mum and allow hate mongers to ride in on the shirt tails of a protest to incite their hate for minorities no matter the pigment of their skin. And how could you possibly know what people of color face in this regard simply because by virtue of their birth they are treated with disrespect and contempt?

    The debate about whether or not President Obama is tackling too much at once is one thing and certainly as merit. But let us not IGNORE the undercurrents that are so obviously taking place across our nation that do nothing to perpetuate civility and only further an attempt to divide our country. If we choose to not speak out, then we also are to blame for the consequences of our inaction.

  • Charles

    I’m so tired of the right wing trying to play the rest of America as fools. We see every day the hatred and racism being displayed by people who say they don’t like Obama’s policies but watched GW Bush sell our country to China, failed to vindicate the people for 9/11 but instead took our country to Iraq , who was no threat to us, therefore breaking his oath of office when he did not vindicate the American people by protecting us from all enemies, foreign and domestic. There was no outcry against the massive debts and lies he told at the cost of 4.600 lives lost in Iraq. Where is the outcry about the Iraqui oil we should be receiving as a gift from that country for their liberation? Why is this oil being sold to China instead of us? Where is the outcry about the torture and the deception about Valerie Plame and the Supreme Court justices that were fired. Where is the outcry for the Patriot Act that took away all your rights to privacy? Where is the outcry about the unfair trade agreements and the outsourcing of American jobs at the tune of 97,000 per month? Where is the outcry about the borders that have not been secured and the inaction of the Bush Administration to implement the E-Verify system for all landlords, employers and social programs? That alone would solve the illegal immigrant problem in this country without closing borders when they cannot work, get welfare, social security, section 8, medical care or housing. There is no outcry about any of these issues and have never been, but they disrespect President Obama at every turn when his policies are nowhere CLOSE to being as devstating as the Bush Administration. These are the things that make any sensible American know that the Tea parties, the disrespect for the office of the President Of The United States is no more than BLATANT RACISM and they are in denial about calling it what it really is. Thank you Roland for calling Mr Williams out and i hope you get some more racists on your show and call them out as well. This is the only way we can get to the root and the abolishment of Racism and that is to CALL OUT those who practice it under some lame guise of policies that have taken this country from recession and near depression, and is starting to turn it around by re-regulating the idiots on Wall St that caused this financial meltdown, and now it’s time to punish them instead of rewarding them for their bad behavior and bad judgement. TO ALL RACIST, OBAMA CAN AND WILL SUCCEED IN FIXING THIS COUNTRY, BECAUSE WE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE YOUR HATE, FEAR AND DIVISIVE TACTICS.

  • Ic

    I have been watching the Conservatives for a while and I did say that they have been brewing trouble for a while. What I find to be stupid is the lack of real questions, I mean has anyone ever asked all these guys shouting and portraying the President as a witch doctor the following questions

    1. What is Socialism
    2. Which Socialist Nations do they know
    3. Why do they think Socialism is bad
    4. How has Government grown in the past year
    5. What does an African Witch Doctor have to do with the President & Health Care

    The Protesters have said that the President is taking their Country in the wrong direction but I can bet 90% of those saying that have never left the USA at any point in their lives. If Government is growing big, what does that have to do with the President being a monkey or being buried with Kennedy.

    The nature of the protests is identical to what I have seen in the most unruly countries in Africa, it is similar to Mugabe’s war veterans taking land from White farmers. It is shocking that a Nation like USA can be so unruly in their behavior, how dare America lectures other nations about the rule of law when they can not protest in a civilized manner.

    It is a shame that the people of America are so divided to the point that a law maker can shout down the Commander in Chief in the middle of his speech in Congress. I last saw or heard of such an irresponsible act when I was in school, a teenager for that matter. To dismiss Joe Wilson as just angry at the Presidents Policy is wrong, he disrespected the President and that spells out how he really feels about his leader, no respect whatsoever.

    Joe Wilson acted the way he felt and his apology is because people made an issue of it, if nothing was said it would have gone without him apologizing. Its one to many things happening, for Mr. Steele to dismiss racism is double standard same as calling everyone a racist who is protesting. You cannot ignore both ends, the fringe right and the genuine protests, the racists and the true concerns people have.

    If America wants to lead the world, let everyone learn the art of disagreeing, the art of respecting those in authority and not making symbols of animals for the President no matter how you disagree with him.

  • beej

    thomas;

    i think it is you who misses the point. you also show your true colors in your statement. when you say that obama is an american black and white you make me think of none other than the black version of archie bunker , george jefferson himself, calling his neighbors daughter a zebra. bigotry is bigotry and not easy to hide when someone says something you don’t quite agree with. like so many say, it is what it is. (that can be a good thing or a bad thing) there is nothing wrong with any people of any race or ethnicity to be proud of their roots and heritage. african americans are not the only people who place the origin of their ethnic background along with the fact that they are american. italion americans, mexican americans and asian americans born right here in the good old us of a often like to make the statement that they are proud of their heritage. i’m sorry thomas but racism is alive and well living right here at home. it’s practiced in our political arena as well as in our churches. (which is by the way why i have very little use for organized religion) treating people in a christian manner is proper and the right thing to do, but our churches instead teach intolerance for others who don’t believe exactly like us. they are suposed to be teaching love of their brother (sisters included) and yet it’s the same people who pray for obama to meet his demise. it’s those same people who call our president LIAR, HITLER and a communist , where is the love they have been supposidly taught. we can disagree and still be civil. we don’t have to be name callers and be argumentative at every turn.

    as to getting one thing done at a time, way too much needs fixing to waste time by not getting everyone working on all the problem that need fixin’ an dats all i got ta say on dat.

  • tyrone

    Roland!!! roland!I think Micheal steele is a disgrace of a man. I wish everybody on here would send him some emails and let him know whats on your mind. Me and some poeple are really angry at steele on how he can sit there and act like he dont hear the racist Joke or do he just ignore them to be with the Crowd. Racism is a dead issue poeple why we keep talking about tht .WE just have to be Smarter with our words. Like John legend say We just 12% black in this country we want win that fight but we can let all our BLACK REPUBLICANS KNOW where we stand…. WE can do tht . MY first Target is Micheal STeele his office will beflooded with emails http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bil-browning/steele-gop-woos-blacks-wi_b_231534.html CHECK OUT THIS LINK

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