My point is more toward criticizing a tired British Tory rag in approving a story that was well-played-out in the actual country-in-question well before the primaries ended, and is much more the province of that country's actual citizens to discuss. To seriously criticize America's enthusiasm for this achievement on the basis that the candidate doesn't fit a white, British dude's expectation of "how black is enough black" is arrogant, and intellectually dishonest, especially considering that paper's history.

In simpler terms, you do understand that I'm criticizing a supposedly conservative, hoary British News Magazine for the hypocrisy of running a lame, dated, quasi-tabloid story, while their masthead is fashioned as a bulwark against social change, and that I'm not talking about anyone's opinion here, right?

This is exactly why -- contrary to popular belief -- the election of Obama does not signal an end to racism in the U.S.

Or prejudice, in general. Sadly, that's for certain.

Being bi-racial I can say that I am black. My birth certificate says I am black even though my mother is white. It is really rude to say that he is not black...he is...that is the bottom line.

I guess I just look foward to the day when we can happily say we are all Homo sapien



Maybe my grandchildren eh.

Many, many generations.


Thing is, we'd always have something to divide us. Race, socioeconomic status, religion, etc.

Sad and true.

if it really matters, he could start referring to himself as Bi.

Wow, Obama is the most famous person in the world.

Yes, superficially he is black... but I'm just not sure that's the way we should be looking at him. I mean, that's pretty "book by its cover," no? What about the guy who can tan really well? What if he had been more light-skinned... would he still be black?

Also, I found the article to be insulting. We aren't discriminating against anyone because we never elected someone from the "ghetto" to a position of power (though I would like to see how he knows this, there have been hundreds of people elected all over the country; it'd be hard to keep track). The people have to put someone forward that is competent and then the people have to elect them. The racists don't have enough of a vote to keep any one race out of politics. He's forcing his view on race and racism on our society, as one who doesn't even live here. I'd like to see how he came to his perspective.[/quote]That's why I initially said the author was only "half right." I agree with what you've said here.


Well, I understand what you're saying, and I too don't see labels like that... but in this instance, I think the issue is "black" from a historical perspective. We have to look at it that way, or else the election of Barack Obama as a black man means we just elected a guy with darker skin than some people... and I think, at least from a historical perspective, there's more significance than that.


Very true... but as to the American experience, as a black or African-American, his experience was different than many others, and I think that's why his "blackness" is so important to so many. Where the country was, and where it is now shows huge progress... but it's because of the historical American attitude towards blacks that makes it significant.
HAHAHAHHAHAHA! Very funny!

Well said.


I think you really hit the nail on the head here. Obama doesn't really need to have been part of that stereotypical experience, because it doesn't seem to matter to the public at large.

If by Obama's election, the folks who have been part of that experience, the folks I lived with when I was living in the projects (yes, I lived in project housing for a while), the folks who perhaps thought they couldn't break free of a perceived (real or not) "racial handicap," are inspired to better themselves and pursue the "American dream," then Obama's "blackness" is irrelevant... it has led to a very good thing. I've seen many people who have the, "this is as far as I can go" attitude... and if this election makes them think otherwise, then this will be Obama's greatest legacy.

I just was confused as to why everyone (loosely) was saying 'this is not about race. this is about the man himself.'

and then as soon as he was elected it was 'yay! it's a black man in office'

...I thought it wasn't about race?

*quirk* o_0

me too

President-Elect Obama is more of a 'mocha brown' than black. You could probably also get away with 'coconut husk' or 'lemon pepper.'

Me? I'm sort of an 'applesauce.'

Excellent. I've always considered myself to be "speckled."

Good responses everyone. I'm glad you all showed up. I really like it when there is this much crosstalk on a post.

My eyes are mainly blue, but they have a slight greenish tinge and some gold flecks. I guess I'm not really blue-eyed. OMG, what will I put in the eye color box?