Liz Wills remembers the unbelievable feeling when Barack Obama entered the White House in January 2009. Now she looks fearfully at the specter of his defeat by a Republican candidate she sees as gripped by the racist right.
"I'm old enough to have seen the 'black' and 'white' signs for bathrooms, schools segregated, you couldn't ride in the front of the bus or the train. I saw all of that. I lived through that," Wills, 73, of Durham, North Carolina, told AFP.
"It's not supposed to be segregated now but there's a lot like that still. Racism is alive and well and thriving," she said, speaking in Charlotte, where Democrats are gathering to formally nominate Obama for re-election in November.
Wills was overcome with emotion when a nation struggling to turn the hard-won gains of the civil rights era into real economic change for poor African Americans elected its first black president.
"There are no words that can tell you the true feeling. It was just so exciting. I didn't think I would ever see the day," she told AFP. "They were so beautiful and their hearts looked like they were so warm."
Her tone changes markedly when asked about the prospect of Republican challenger Mitt Romney ousting Obama after one term, an eventuality she said would be akin to a racist backlash.
"I would be depressed if Mitt Romney was elected. I have to be honest with you, I would be depressed," she said. "A lot of it's racism, we have to be truthful, a lot of it would be racism."
"Most people know that Obama has done a good job or has at least tried to do a good job, and a lot of the things that he wanted for all people could not be done because Republicans were just determined to get him out of office."
Behind Wills, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture chronicles the stories of the civil rights struggle that made Obama's election possible.
Wills' hometown of Durham, a railroad hub for slave labor in the 19th century, saw sit-ins and visits from Martin Luther King Jr., en route to its transformation into part of today's booming Research Triangle zone.
Her cousin Dorothea Jones, 69, recognized those gains but said people of different ethnicities are still being discriminated against.
She recalled in horror a racist incident at the Republican National Convention last week in Tampa, Florida that the Romney campaign strongly condemned and will hope is quickly forgotten.
Two attendees on the floor of the convention hall, who were later ejected, threw peanuts at a black CNN camerawoman and said "this is how we feed animals."
"You have to look at everyone around those two people who allowed that kind of thing to happen," said Jones, who was born in North Carolina but is now a Democratic delegate for Massachusetts.
"Our history as African Americans is that people were taken out and lynched. It might have been one or two people that dragged those people out and lynched them, but there was a whole group of people that stood silent, egged them on. That's how racism flourishes."
US blacks and Hispanics are far poorer on average than Asian and white counterparts. In 2010, 27.4 percent of blacks and 26.6 percent of Hispanics were poor, compared to 9.9 percent of non-Hispanic whites and 12.1 percent of Asians.
Politically at least, gains have been made though.
David Goldfield, history professor at the University of North Carolina and author of several books on politics and race, said it would have been impossible for a black man to run for president 30 or 40 years ago, let alone be elected.
The 2008 Obama campaign succeeded in energizing a black electorate that generally didn't vote, but it is unclear if he can expect the same turnout this time around.
And while 2008 was undoubtedly historic, the 2012 election could hold even greater significance.
"Electing a black man as president of the United States, that's really hard to top in terms of history," said Goldfield. "But I think this election is more important in the sense that the Republican Party really has been captured by the right-wing.
"I believe that voters will be presented with a very stark choice in November. This is going to be a very different country if Republicans come in. George W. Bush's Republican Party is not the Republican Party out there today."
If Romney is elected it would have serious implications for the judicial sphere, Goldfield warned, pointing to his belief that the candidate has rented a party with strong doubts about his conservative credentials.
"One of the best ways to prove his bonafides as a conservative is to nominate really conservative federal judges not just at the Supreme Court but also at the federal district court level," he said.
The whiteness of the audience as Romney picked up the Republican nod in Tampa last week was staggering, as is polling data that shows anywhere between 90 and 100 percent of blacks prefer Obama over his rival.
Nationwide surveys of all American voters show the pair neck-and-neck with nine weeks to go until election day.
There still is (anti-black) racism, and will be even if Obama is re-elected .... and even if he makes us all rich and well-fed and healthy. But, the more Obama succeeds the less racism there will be (even if the difference seems to be a small amount), especially in future generations.
Unfortunately, if Obama fails - especially if he gets re-elected but his second term runs into bad luck (or bad decisions), the after-effect will be the opposite.
even if he makes us all rich and well-fed and healthy.
Damn, what color is the sky on your home planet?
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. Lord Acton
The human herd stampedes on the fields of facts and the valleys of truth to get to the desert of ignorance. Saman Mohammadi
"If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner." Mencken
"..if the military is going to defend our freedoms, then we need freedoms to defend. Our freedoms must be restored before the military can defend them..." Lawrence M. Vance
Você me trata desse jeito só porque eu sou preto. Junior (my youngest son)
But, the more Obama succeeds the less racism there will be
With the exception of Whites, the rule among the peoples of the world, whether residing in their homelands or settled in Western democracies, is ethnocentrism and moral particularism: they stick together and good means what is good for their ethnic group." -Alex Kurtagic
Give Liberia a chance: follow your Great Emancipator's guidance.
The ONLY bright idea Lincoln ever conceived.
With the exception of Whites, the rule among the peoples of the world, whether residing in their homelands or settled in Western democracies, is ethnocentrism and moral particularism: they stick together and good means what is good for their ethnic group." -Alex Kurtagic
I knew it would happen, sooner or later, you Marxist f**kheads would find a way to define racism as anything and everything that has or might happen.
No one is buying it, now run along Shlomo.
"I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it." - William S Burroughs
I'm good to stand at the dock and wave and wish them all the luck in the world in their preferred new home.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. Lord Acton
The human herd stampedes on the fields of facts and the valleys of truth to get to the desert of ignorance. Saman Mohammadi
"If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner." Mencken
"..if the military is going to defend our freedoms, then we need freedoms to defend. Our freedoms must be restored before the military can defend them..." Lawrence M. Vance
Você me trata desse jeito só porque eu sou preto. Junior (my youngest son)
LOL, he really has jumped the shark. I knew it was just a matter of time.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. Lord Acton
The human herd stampedes on the fields of facts and the valleys of truth to get to the desert of ignorance. Saman Mohammadi
"If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner." Mencken
"..if the military is going to defend our freedoms, then we need freedoms to defend. Our freedoms must be restored before the military can defend them..." Lawrence M. Vance
Você me trata desse jeito só porque eu sou preto. Junior (my youngest son)
Two attendees on the floor of the convention hall, who were later ejected, threw peanuts at a black CNN camerawoman and said "this is how we feed animals."
Did this really happen or is it just an Urban Legend? I vote Urban Legend.
Or else Democrat operatives.
I sense a disturbance in the farce. Much gnashing will ensue.
And of course there is no corresponding racism against whitey by black folks. Nah, couldn't be. Only by the 90 some per cent of blacks who will vote for the Kenyan solely because he is half black.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. Lord Acton
The human herd stampedes on the fields of facts and the valleys of truth to get to the desert of ignorance. Saman Mohammadi
"If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner." Mencken
"..if the military is going to defend our freedoms, then we need freedoms to defend. Our freedoms must be restored before the military can defend them..." Lawrence M. Vance
Você me trata desse jeito só porque eu sou preto. Junior (my youngest son)
With the exception of Whites, the rule among the peoples of the world, whether residing in their homelands or settled in Western democracies, is ethnocentrism and moral particularism: they stick together and good means what is good for their ethnic group." -Alex Kurtagic
I, too, would like to see the 'tube of this event. (You'd think that the camera-person would have filmed it...)
It sounds too whacky for even the rnc.
The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable. ~ H. L. Mencken
The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable. ~ H. L. Mencken
Dak, I think the term you're looking for is Precognitive Racial Intuition. It's an imaginary condition the uber Left develops as they journey through life heavily damaged by the corporate media, Ivory Tower academics and crippling government programs.
"I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it." - William S Burroughs
Damn Dakkie, that was funny. Feel free to give yourself an Official 4um Prize Cake with the yummy whipped icing.
Godfrey Smith: Mike, I wouldn't worry. Prosperity is just around the corner. Mike Flaherty: Yeah, it's been there a long time. I wish I knew which corner. My Man Godfrey (1936)
Hey JT, good to see you back. Are you doing ok now?
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. Lord Acton
The human herd stampedes on the fields of facts and the valleys of truth to get to the desert of ignorance. Saman Mohammadi
"If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner." Mencken
"..if the military is going to defend our freedoms, then we need freedoms to defend. Our freedoms must be restored before the military can defend them..." Lawrence M. Vance
Você me trata desse jeito só porque eu sou preto. Junior (my youngest son)
When you feel like it, tell us about your time-out.
Great to see'ya!
The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable. ~ H. L. Mencken
Damn Dakkie, that was funny. Feel free to give yourself an Official 4um Prize Cake with the yummy whipped icing.
What's with this "4um" prize, Esso?
I originated this whole prize concept and I alone reserve the right to review and revise all rules governing. Don't hate America, Esso, vote YES on rules allowing Dakmar to review and revise.
"I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it." - William S Burroughs
#27. To: James Deffenbach, Lod, Cyni, Esso, 4um (#23)
Hey all, back from a brush with the Grim Reaper, with two stents in my left anterior descending coronary artery (affectionately known as the Widow maker) as proof.
Long story short, two weeks ago I developed chest pains on a Sunday night. Given my thick Irish skull, I chalked it up to nothing serious and went to bed. Well it woke me up at 5AM, only this time I was in severe pain. My wife drove me to the ER and before I knew it they were threading a catheter into my right femoral artery and placing the stents where I was occluded. I was under local, so I was awake and aware during the entire procedure. The occlusion was nearly 100% and believe it or not, once open to blood flow, I felt better almost immediately. I subsequently spent one night in the ICU followed by one in the CCU, then a discharge that Wednesday. I spent two days in the hospital when three to four is the norm. Thank god I went into this sitch in good cardio shape (I was running daily for much of the summer) as it appears the damage I sustained is minimal and my current ejection fraction is nearly within normal limits, this even before the two (+/-) months of rehab Im about to enter. I fully expect a complete recovery, albeit it with new life-long diet changes. Gone is cholesterol and the bad fats, traded out for fruit, fish, veggies, oatmeal and other foods that I havent eaten in years, and truthfully forgotten how very good tasting they are. The American Heart Association is my new rulebook regarding food choices.
Anyway, enough BS from me. You guys will never know how very wonderful it is to be back among the politically sane :)
"I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it." - William S Burroughs
Welcome back, and I'm glad you're on the mend with a healthy outlook!!!
With the exception of Whites, the rule among the peoples of the world, whether residing in their homelands or settled in Western democracies, is ethnocentrism and moral particularism: they stick together and good means what is good for their ethnic group." -Alex Kurtagic
Thanks for the report and the most excellent prognosis!
Remain safe and well.
The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable. ~ H. L. Mencken
But, the more Obama succeeds the less racism there will be
That's actually correct.
Anti-racist is code for anti-white.
"Mr. Prime Minister, there is only one important question facing us, and that is the question whether the white race will survive." -- Leonid Brezhnev to James Callahan
Did this really happen or is it just an Urban Legend? I vote Urban Legend.
I vote: She had it coming, and we won't be told what she did.
"Mr. Prime Minister, there is only one important question facing us, and that is the question whether the white race will survive." -- Leonid Brezhnev to James Callahan
Stents might not work long term. Strongly consider chelation.
Get some EDTA, you can buy it OTC. It was invented during WWII to cure the munitions plant workers who were getting sick from metal poisoning. It will clean out your arteries. Probably not for long term use or as a prophylactic I don't think, because it sucks out calcium from your bones too, over time, not just the arterial plaques.
"Mr. Prime Minister, there is only one important question facing us, and that is the question whether the white race will survive." -- Leonid Brezhnev to James Callahan
Thanks for the excellent news. Wonderful to know you had good care and are feeling good.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. Lord Acton
The human herd stampedes on the fields of facts and the valleys of truth to get to the desert of ignorance. Saman Mohammadi
"If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner." Mencken
"..if the military is going to defend our freedoms, then we need freedoms to defend. Our freedoms must be restored before the military can defend them..." Lawrence M. Vance
Você me trata desse jeito só porque eu sou preto. Junior (my youngest son)
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. Lord Acton
The human herd stampedes on the fields of facts and the valleys of truth to get to the desert of ignorance. Saman Mohammadi
"If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner." Mencken
"..if the military is going to defend our freedoms, then we need freedoms to defend. Our freedoms must be restored before the military can defend them..." Lawrence M. Vance
Você me trata desse jeito só porque eu sou preto. Junior (my youngest son)
Gone is cholesterol and the bad fats, traded out for fruit, fish, veggies, oatmeal and other foods that I havent eaten in years, and truthfully forgotten how very good tasting they are.
Before I even read your post this evening, I had this strange feeling that you had been ill lately. Can't explain it at all. Glad to hear you're in full recovery mode.
I eat raw vegetables and fruits. I try to avoid the fried foods and stick with grilled chicken and fish.
I eat raw vegetables and fruits. I try to avoid the fried foods and stick with grilled chicken and fish.
Pffft!! I eat a lb of bacon every day!!!! ;-)
With the exception of Whites, the rule among the peoples of the world, whether residing in their homelands or settled in Western democracies, is ethnocentrism and moral particularism: they stick together and good means what is good for their ethnic group." -Alex Kurtagic
we used to go to this resturant & theyd always give our dog bacon. She's 17 & seemingly immortal. I think bacon grease is good for you. :-) Halliburton knows my dog & he always said bacons not good for her. So full of shit, lol. Great for their coat.
"Even to the death fight for truth, and the LORD your God will battle for you".Sirach 4:28
I've got a kitty-cat who's going to be 15 in November and between the free- range mice he catches and me spoiling him with the occasional bit of milk/cream cheese/kitchen meat he's doing OK except that he misses his deceased brother.
With the exception of Whites, the rule among the peoples of the world, whether residing in their homelands or settled in Western democracies, is ethnocentrism and moral particularism: they stick together and good means what is good for their ethnic group." -Alex Kurtagic
I don't know what it is but I have never found ham or bacon appealing. I'm the only one in my family who does not eat pork. In fact, I find it too sweet and salty for my taste. I prefer to eat quail, duck or lamb chops.