McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (Full Version)

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saved9201 -> McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/25/2008 7:10:59 AM)

Of course I'm addessing this question to my white brothers and sisters here.

In my office, which is a pretty racially diverse group, we sometimes discuss political issues around the water cooler, coffee pot or at lunch. However, it seems most of my white co-workers and bosses have totally avoided expressing any views on the upcoming election. I know during past elections there were ardent GOP supporters who had no problem expressing their feelings about their candidates or the candidates opponents.

Yesterday, I caught three white guys huddling in the corner of a cubicle whispering about Obama. Something about his views on abortion, and how he's trying to cover up the "fact" that he's a muslim. Okay, so they don't support Obama. But why whisper about it? Why be afraid to express their views in discussions like we've had in the past? I sometimes get the feeling that around blacks especially, whites want no part in discussions about the upcoming election.

Are some of you that afraid of being labeled a racist if you say something against Obama or express support for McCain openly? I'm not talking about here in this forum where we can hide behind our keyboards and our anonymity-I'm talking about at our jobs or in other open forums around people of color?

Do you assume, for example, that ALL blacks are for Obama? That ALL blacks will accuse you of racism if you speak out against him?

Little secret. Of the black folks that I know and that includes family members - it's about 50 -50. Some of my older family members still aren't sold on Obama.

This reluctance of some whites to publically express their true feelings about this election is one reason I think a huge, yes I said HUGE percentage of those white people polled who said they're voting for Obama are lying. Which means we are likely to see the Bradley effect in the upcoming election. Which is why I still say McCain will win in a landslide and Obama will be lucky to win 10 states.

But has anyone else noticed how some whites in diverse environments seem to be "walking on eggshells" when talking about this election, unless of course, they're Obama supporters and then they go out of their way to let other blacks know it?

- Julius



saved9201 -> RE: Is anyone concerned about being labeled a racist if they openly support McCain? (7/25/2008 7:21:43 AM)

Also, while we're on the subject, are there some blacks or whites for that matter, who are afraid of being labeled a radical or something worse, if they openly express their support for Obama?

- Julius



Leon_Figg3 -> RE: Is anyone concerned about being labeled a racist if they openly support McCain? (7/25/2008 9:22:03 AM)

saved9201,
It's sad to say that I believe that your observations are correct. People are affraid to discuss issues because some people, somewhere, have already decided that this election is not going to be decided about issues, or concerns about where America is headed, it will be decided on the basis of race.

To some degree, I believe that this is because there are many people in this country more concerned with being a part of history than in deciding what is best for all Americans.

I do not mean to stir this discussion off topic but I think that in the present political environment there seems to be a large number of people high up in both political parties who are more comfortable, and interested in playing on our human nature to be affraid of people who are not like us (race, ethnicity, nationality, properity, and/or creed/race) than in addressing issues and allowing all of us to discuss the issues and take part in problem solving.

If we all were allowed to discuss the issues and really do something about problems in our country, these people will loose their power and influence in their community. their political party and in the country.

Look at the immigration issue. There our many, many problems that need to be dealt with our out-dated approach to how many and what kind of foreigners we allow into the country . However, nothing is going to be done because the whole subject can not seem to be addressed in any way without people getting stirred up over claims of racism.

Somehow we need to find a way to get back to the sense of unity that we Americans tend to find when we are threatened, and even attacked from forces outside of our country. Then again, that may not work because of all the people who see America getting what it deserves, and all those people who see the government as all powerful and under the control of no one but greedy business people.

Maybe we should all study and learn how great powers, such as Ancient Rome fell so we can try to avoid the same mistakes they made. I say this not because I may feel that we are somehow perfect and better than anyone else. I say this because I really feel that we may very well be the last great hope of the world because of our diversity and the way (over much time and through much struggle) we have all learned to live together and prosper.

Maybe, by some means or other, we need to realize and make clear to all that average, non-racist, issue oriented American representing a wide diversity of backgrounds are the real power. We may question one another's background but it is one's stand on the issues, and their views on what needs to be done that is important to us, in the end. From there we could discuss, and even solve some issues that seem to be ever present and never fully addressed or solved.



blessedinnyc -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/25/2008 10:06:54 AM)

Despite the fact that I am one of the resident liberals here on this forum, I am considered the resident conservative at work- the one guy who might be willing to vote for John McCain if he gets his act together on the war and the budget.

I am not all that worried about expressing my views on him. At the end of the day, if I vote for McCain, it will be because I'm voting for him, not against Obama. I think the less vociferous nature of this election as compared to 2004 probably means that the likelihood of either getting called anti-American or racist has decreased signifiicantly.

I think things might change a bit if your vote was being seen as a vote against a candidate. Spreading false rumours about Obama's religion at this point either seems extremely ignorant or rather low, IMHO. Likewise, spreading rumors about what McCain's experience in Vietnam (as was done in 2000) would also be a problem.



mapachito13 -> RE: Is anyone concerned about being labeled a racist if they openly support McCain? (7/25/2008 1:54:58 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Leon_Figg3

To some degree, I believe that this is because there are many people in this country more concerned with being a part of history than in deciding what is best for all Americans.


This infers that all Obama supporters are just voting for him because of his race?! I think what resonates with people is his message of change whereas McCain in many people's eyes (especially mine) represents the same old, same old.

quote:

I do not mean to stir this discussion off topic but I think that in the present political environment there seems to be a large number of people high up in both political parties who are more comfortable, and interested in playing on our human nature to be affraid of people who are not like us (race, ethnicity, nationality, properity, and/or creed/race) than in addressing issues and allowing all of us to discuss the issues and take part in problem solving.

If we all were allowed to discuss the issues and really do something about problems in our country, these people will loose their power and influence in their community. their political party and in the country.



I can't argue with you here!



cow451 -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/25/2008 2:01:47 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: saved9201

Yesterday, I caught three white guys huddling in the corner of a cubicle whispering about Obama. Something about his views on abortion, and how he's trying to cover up the "fact" that he's a muslim. Okay, so they don't support Obama. But why whisper about it? Why be afraid to express their views in discussions like we've had in the past? I sometimes get the feeling that around blacks especially, whites want no part in discussions about the upcoming election.



I would be whispering, too if I were voting based on the idiotic internet myths and rumors that Christians are supporting.

I support McCain and have no concern about being labeled a racist. The only people I know that are defensive are people that are racists and/or are so ill-informed as to be unable to come up with valid reasons for the manner in which they vote.



rlj -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/25/2008 2:36:00 PM)

quote:

Also, while we're on the subject, are there some blacks or whites for that matter, who are afraid of being labeled a radical or something worse, if they openly express their support for Obama?


For me at work which is on the border between suburbia and rurality there is much more support for Obama now than there would have been in '04 or definately '00. When the discussion of race comes into play you might get a "yeah he's a !@#$%^ but it's probably time for it." What you will get though is a comment that the Dems finnally did better than Gore or Kerry. [8|] I still think if Obama could have made Strickland his running mate and last I heard Strickland said he didn't want to Obama would have done very well in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Virginia.

No one is getting any flack for it one way or another here.



ljmac -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/25/2008 3:33:04 PM)

Obama is not black. He's mixed race. That's an undeniable genetic fact. His daddy was black. His mama was white.

An odd thing about Obama running as a "black man," is that he has so little in common with many American blacks. He grew up on a tropical island and in the south Pacific. He never lived with another black family member from the time his daddy ran away when he was about two to the time he married. His experience growing up was unlike the experience of children from Michigan, West Virginia, Missisippi, Illinois, or just about any place in America.

When it comes to race, what concerns me about Obama is not his genetics or his appearance. It's his values and attitudes. He seems racially ignorant. Rev. Wright, "typical white people" are afraid of blacks, the comments about rural (i.e. whites) people clinging to guns.

There is nothing wrong about being mixed race.



jkdjr25 -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/25/2008 3:40:48 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ljmac

Obama is not black. He's mixed race. That's an undeniable genetic fact. His daddy was black. His mama was white.

An odd thing about Obama running as a "black man," is that he has so little in common with many American blacks. He grew up on a tropical island and in the south Pacific. He never lived with another black family member from the time his daddy ran away when he was about two to the time he married. His experience growing up was unlike the experience of children from Michigan, West Virginia, Missisippi, Illinois, or just about any place in America.

When it comes to race, what concerns me about Obama is not his genetics or his appearance. It's his values and attitudes. He seems racially ignorant. Rev. Wright, "typical white people" are afraid of blacks, the comments about rural (i.e. whites) people clinging to guns.

There is nothing wrong about being mixed race.


And by the census law, an incrediblly stupid one mind you, that means he's black. Why is that such an issue?

Of course the other problem is that some of McCain's supporters are racist, or at least use race baiting to try and scare people into not voting for Obama. I'm not saying everyone is but there is a vocal minority who are and, whether it's fair or not. that paints everyone because no one is trying to tell those vocal few to shut up.



cow451 -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/25/2008 3:49:56 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: jkdjr25

Of course the other problem is that some of McCain's supporters are racist, or at least use race baiting to try and scare people into not voting for Obama. I'm not saying everyone is but there is a vocal minority who are and, whether it's fair or not. that paints everyone because no one is trying to tell those vocal few to shut up.


Note to Morons per above: SHUT UP!

See, they don't listen.



TaoPoohBear -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/26/2008 2:26:48 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: cow451

quote:

ORIGINAL: jkdjr25

Of course the other problem is that some of McCain's supporters are racist, or at least use race baiting to try and scare people into not voting for Obama. I'm not saying everyone is but there is a vocal minority who are and, whether it's fair or not. that paints everyone because no one is trying to tell those vocal few to shut up.


Note to Morons per above: SHUT UP!

See, they don't listen.

But they do listen to "back off"[:D]620,127 signatures

For my part, I've always thought of FoxNews as a Republican shill, their half-truths & fear-mongering simply a marketing ploy to turn popular beliefs into buck$; They're more rapacious than racist.
But it's funny how people can look at things, believing that slogans like "fair & balanced" should be more than a marketing slogan.[:D]



3cappuccinosmom -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/26/2008 6:58:00 AM)

quote:

This infers that all Obama supporters are just voting for him because of his race?!


No. But some of them certainly are. I have heard directly from their own mouths. I have also been questioned as to why I wouldn't vote for Obama--I have mixed race children, don't I want them to have him as an example to look up to? don't I want them to see me participate in getting a black man into the presidency? I'm white. When I'm out alone, nobody approaches me about "voter registration" (register so you can vote for Obama!). When I'm with my husband (black) or children (biracial) I am approached by registration volunteers any time they are around. [&:]

Of course I would love to. [8|] Except that his policies are so outrageously different from what I want to see in a president.

And yes, it is awkward for me to state that I'm not voting for Obama. Both white and black supporters of him are baffled that I'd rather vote for an "old white guy" and generally assume that those who don't support Obama must have at least some latent racisim issues.



Jhud -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/28/2008 3:17:16 PM)

White people are certainly concerned about being called racist, particularly in the workplace - it is a death sentence from an employment perspective.

And the fact is there is no hard and fast line to define such a thing, since it is often predicated on how words or actions might make a presumed victim 'feel', whatever the content or intention of those words or actions.

So it follows that many would feel uncomfortable discussing this election openly in the workplace, being uncertain as to whether one's words might be interpreted wrongly.



HighPlainsDrifter -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/28/2008 4:21:44 PM)

quote:


Do you assume, for example, that ALL blacks are for Obama?


No, not all, I believe he'll be lucky to get 96% of the African American vote.



cow451 -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/28/2008 5:12:35 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jhud

So it follows that many would feel uncomfortable discussing this election openly in the workplace, being uncertain as to whether one's words might be interpreted wrongly.



That's they way I felt at church in 2004.[:D]

I don't much discuss politics at work anymore, so it's irrelevant to me. It seems that people are less able to "talk" anymore. Every "discussion" turns into a live action FOX News program.



Jhud -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/28/2008 5:18:07 PM)

quote:

I don't much discuss politics at work anymore, so it's irrelevant to me. It seems that people are less able to "talk" anymore. Every "discussion" turns into a live action FOX News program.


This is true, though I don't think it's just the workplace - you should have been at the family Thanksgiving dinner last year.



daisies4u -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/28/2008 5:21:14 PM)

For me, it is the absence of acceptable Republican candidate. I don't really want to criticize Obama when I am not really behind his opposition. That would be complaining just to be complaining. I mean really...what is the alternative?

There will always be racists, but most racists are not afraid to show it. I guess there are closet racists, but anyone who doesn't have enough backbone to stand behind their opinions, IMO, should NOT give their opinion at all.



SovereignIsHe -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/28/2008 5:38:06 PM)

Who really cars since those who say you are a bigot for not voting for Obama based simply on color are bigots themselves...

John



cow451 -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/28/2008 6:09:27 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jhud

quote:

I don't much discuss politics at work anymore, so it's irrelevant to me. It seems that people are less able to "talk" anymore. Every "discussion" turns into a live action FOX News program.


This is true, though I don't think it's just the workplace - you should have been at the family Thanksgiving dinner last year.


"Just shut up and pass the dressing" is now my mantra. [sm=chicken.gif]



Christ_Logic -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/31/2008 10:31:50 AM)

I don't really care, people can think what ever the heck they want.
But, just because I don't want ot vote for flip-flopping, air-headed, big-eared Obama; does not make me racist. I don't care how black or white Obama is (actually he is mostly arab), I would not vote for the guy!



3cappuccinosmom -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/31/2008 1:15:02 PM)

quote:

I don't care how black or white Obama is (actually he is mostly arab)


Ummmm....how's that???? [&:]



jkdjr25 -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (7/31/2008 1:38:45 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Christ_Logic

I don't really care, people can think what ever the heck they want.
But, just because I don't want ot vote for flip-flopping, air-headed, big-eared Obama; does not make me racist. I don't care how black or white Obama is (actually he is mostly arab), I would not vote for the guy!


Actually it's statements like that, that DO make you racist.



3cappuccinosmom -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (8/2/2008 6:58:17 AM)

quote:

Actually it's statements like that, that DO make you racist.


Maybe just completely ignorant. [8D]



saved9201 -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (8/2/2008 10:31:19 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: 3cappuccinosmom

quote:

Actually it's statements like that, that DO make you racist.


Maybe just completely ignorant. [8D]


Well, racists and ignorant people do get to vote too. So do uneducated people, those who stand up and pump their fists watching Jerry Springer, think "wraslin'" is real, and those who think Obama is a Muslim terrorist. How many people are there like that out there? I believe more than some people think. Sad to say, but it's these people who will decide this election because they are the ones who are "skerd" of Obama the most. This is why McCain is trying to scare voters in his latest ad by hinting Obama may be Satan himself - hinting that he's declaring he's like God. To me it's brilliant strategy, pandering to those who don't know any better and don't know how to check the facts for themselves. McCain already has the vote of those diehard republicans and those who have legitimate concerns about Obama's stand on issues. What he's going for now is the knuckledragger vote, and as a result, he's ahead in the polls and may ride these poor ignorant souls right into the White House.

- Julius



HighPlainsDrifter -> RE: McCain Supporters: Concerned about being labeled a racist? (8/2/2008 1:11:36 PM)

Ah yes...McCain's base then, evidently, isn't only racists, but also knuckle-draggers. I don't believe I've ever felt any sort of hate in my heart for any other ethnic group, so I can only assume I'm a knuckle-dragger.



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