Obama Attempts to Clarify "Typical White Person" and Which Offensive Comments He Heard at Church

Unfortunately, our country views politics and politicians as a pastime instead of looking at it as seriously as they should. Despite what any candidate says in speeches, we need to look at the reality of the situation.

My father and I had a conversation recently about this. He brought up Obama's "typical white person" comment and said that he was worried that if Obama were president that white people would become second class citizens. I tried to explain why exactly this wouldn't happen (checks and balances with congress and the supreme court, the, you know, bill of rights, which prevents anyone from being a literal "second class citizen" anymore, also in a more realistic sense, population density), but more or less there's no changing views about candidates.

The reason we form such powerful views and ideas about our candidates is not necessarily because they'll be in power or because we wonder whether or not they'll be good for the country as leaders; they are celebrities. Politicians are consistently in the lime-light, giving speeches, shaking hands, etc. So, of course our celebrity-obsessed American spirits would be interested in digging up dirt on politicians, seeing them make mistakes, watching them fumble in speeches, etc., etc., etc.

Reason behind this: we want to know they're human.

So, why don't we disregard idle, stray comments and focus on the issues? The only reason any of our candidates feel the need to justify any comments they've made is because we force them to. I'm looking forward to this election, honestly, simply because more Americans will be participating this year. My age demographic (18-25) finally actually pulled itself out of its self imposed apathy and decided, "Hey, maybe I should try to make a difference." So let's not tarnish things before they start.

Obama and Hillary are both hypocrites and liars. I'm not too crazy about McCain either, but if chooses Mitt as his running Mate this country might just have a chance at survival!

Sally.. I am a 60 year old W.F... and to answer your question; No I have not gotten a "Fair" shake in this country, for that reason.
With the Equal Rights bill, all my rights were taken away from me, and given to you and your people.
Yet you continue to complain and want more.
You have been given every opportunity to succeed, so if you fall short of success, look in the mirror. That is the only excuse you have.
I think I can safely say I am no angrier than you are.
And I do believe Obama is as big a racist as his preacher, and if elected, we will find that out after it's too late. But I won't be in the country if that happens.

For all his 'freshness & youth', Obama is still a 'typical' politician; he makes speeches, watches how it affects people, then adjusts (clarifies) the meanings of his statements to get the more votes, watches for the reactions of his 'clarifications' and readjusts accordingly (A.K.A. 'damage control').
His wonderful, uplifting orations remind me (now that I'm catching on) of the 'typical' TV preacher who only wants your money for his own creature comforts and a few 'token' good works (this does not defame the genuine preachers, only the self-interested). The prize, in this case, is your vote for Obama.
His words of 'change' and 'a united America' are 'typical' also. How many times have those same words been used in political campaigns over the years? But some act like Obama has come up with this 'new' idea (Wow, why didn't we think of this before?! How could we have missed it?!?!")
As for why didn't he leave the church earlier? Well, he seems to have missed most of the racist preaching (Obama says); either he seldom went or perhaps one padded pew is as good to sleep on as another. Or maybe he thought sermons are just words, after all; that 'sticks & stones, words can never hurt you' thing. And it seems he might have been confused & thinks Rev. Wright saved his soul instead of Jesus (Jesus doesn't require you to have a sponser, Obama!). Jesus never preached like that! Jesus preached regarding our souls, not our race.
I will not vote for Hillery because she's a woman and gosh, we've never had a woman president before. I will not vote for McCain because he's white and we've always had white, male presidents. I will not vote for Obama because he's black and, gosh, we've never had a black president before. Nor will my vote go to the Democrat just because I'm a Democrat or the Republican just because I'm a Republican. It will go to the one who I think will do the most good and/or the least harm to this country as a whole.
THIS IS NOT AMERICAN IDOL, PEOPLE. IT'S NOT ABOUT VOICE QUALITY, SONG CHOICE AND 'CUTENESS'!!!
IT'S ABOUT THIS DAMN WAR IN IRAQ, THE ECONOMY AND TAXES (to name just 3 issues)...AND OUR COUNTRY!!!
Obama & Hillery both promise to 'end the war in Iraq' & to give us 'universal health care'.
If either one of them yanks us out of Iraq as quickly as they 'promise', it will only make the present situation much, much worse in the long run. The war in Iraq seems to be the major thing they try to defame McCain with, "Oh, McCain is a Republican JUST LIKE BUSH, WHO SENT US INTO IRAQ. ANOTHER 4 YEARS OF BUSH!". Bush should not have invaded Iraq but should have stayed focused on the Al-Qaida who, unfortunately for the Afghanis, were hiding in Afghanistan with the Taliban. This was Bush's own choice; no one twisted HIS arm. Unfortunately, THAT Pandora's box (Iraq) has already been opened; we have to deal with the present situation, not 'what might have been'. We can't just slam the box lid closed on this one (Which is what Obama & Hillery seem to be implying they can do).
Universal health care? And just who will pay for that? Why, the average taxpayer, of course; taxes, taxes, taxes! No offense, but the liberal Democrats in office seem to be so generous spending other people's (we taxpayers) hard-earned dollars (Who cried the loudest against the elimination of earmarks???) but seem to give much less of their own money to deserving charities (unless they're campaigning for office, that is.). And Obama is one of the most liberal Democrats there is (from what I've read.... & taken with a grain of salt... but actions speak louder than words.)
I urge you all to look beyond the pretty words, promises & 'endorsements'. Pay attention to what's said and what's NOT said; there's other words between them lines in many cases. Watch out for those smooth words meant to get your knee-jerk reaction (& vote), pay close attention to those 'clarifications' & vote for who YOU feel will do their best for our country.
IT'S NOT ABOUT RACE, IT'S ABOUT AMERICA!

as for obama and hilliary i don't trust neither canidates for presidency. their both liars and don't back any of their words. now as for african americans, when asked where their from they can't even tell you where. true africans can't even stand american blacks. as for racism all of us that are born in america are consider americans not different races. if that is the case, i would be puerto rican american not the other way around. i was born in america not puerto rico thus making me american of latin descent not puerto rican american. wake up people, if you want to be called something else other than american than move out to the country you so proudly yell you are..

Upon READING the Barack Obama speech I was extremely moved and impressed. However, I understood (as I am sure he understood) the backlash that it would cause. He spoke candidly, sympathetically, and honestly to Blacks about the issues within the Black community. He challenged us to cast off mentalities of hopelessness AND anti-white sentiments that some may harbor. He attempted to explain to the Black community the feelings that the racial majority may feel when he says, "Most working- and middle-class white Americans don't feel that they have been particularly privileged by their race." He demanded that Blacks look at life through the eyes of White America as well as the African Diaspora that we are used to. He asked us, the Black Community to reach out to our "young men and, increasingly, young women who we see standing on street corners or languishing in our prisons, without hope or prospects for the future", but he also reminds that often times the anger or negativity we harbor (due to racism & discrimination) is "not always productive; indeed, all too often it distracts attention from solving real problems; it keeps us from squarely facing our own complicity in our condition, and prevents the African-American community from forging the alliances it needs to bring about real change". I am black, and I don't think that the moral, spiritual, or political demands he posed to our community were unwarranted. And I don't hear ANYONE saying that he was too hard on the Black Community. I don't think anyone said he stereotyped Black America. No, there were no issues with those statements, so I can only assume that the majority of America had not problem when he told Black America to acknowledge their shortcomings. What he said about Blacks was considered accurate and correct. But when he ALSO asked the same of White America the overwhelming reaction seemed much different to me. A couple of my white coworkers were offended and immediately became defensive that Obama highlighted injustices and problems that they may contribute to (knowingly AND unknowingly). As I attempted to explain that he pointed out the flaws of BOTH minorities AND majorities in America I was reprimanded harshly. I just wish people were focusing on the true reason for his speech. To sum it up he was saying, "Race is STILL an issue that America ignores and downplays. We, as a nation, have not decided whether we are color-conscious OR color-blind. It is time to address the issues of the past in order to move forward. Racism STILL exist, and it's not going away unless we all take a moment to introspect! It is time out for appearances of equality, and it it time that we get HONEST!" He said the things that Blacks, Whites, Latinos, Asians, and everyone else says when they don't have to be politically correct. We, as Americans, claim we want an honest politician, but when we have a man stand up as address the very REAL discontentment felt by most of the minorities in this country HE is labeled a racist? If someone did not understand WHY he said the things he said they should have made it their duty to find someone who SHARED his views and try to UNDERSTAND the life experiences that birth these mentalities. At the same time you could express your point of view. This speech was given to encourage open and honest dialogue amongst and within racial and socio-econimic classes. Instead we have resorted to politics as usual. We continue to bash each other, degrade each other, and dismiss the emotions, opinions, and feelings that don't line up with our own. In a country that claims to be tolerant enough to cherish free speech, it amazes me that we are not intelligent enough to accept words spoken freely.

I can tell by the comments made here that the majority of White People have hatred and resentment for anyone other than white in their DNA. You also have a problem reading and interpeting what you read.

I'm sure that most of these comments are made by people under the age of 35 yrars. So where does all that hatred and resentment come from?

Do most of you feel that you have not gotten a fare shake in this country. Do you not feel priviledge? Do you feel you should be richer than you are? What is your problem?

You seem to always take your frustrations out on other people as well as yourselves. Why are you so Angry?

PS When I say you, I mean you plural and not singular.

I just wish that to justify his comment he would have left his grandmother, the woman who raised and supported him, out of it. He put her in danger. Recently a mob marched to her home and burned an effigy of her. Jesus! How could he have done that to her. She's old, bedridden and now in danger. I feel so sorry for her.

Ah, first is anything Obama say the truth?

Anyone walking down a street and get harassed by an aggressive panhandle is going to get nervous! just like his grandmother.

Why is Obama bringing race into the mix, we now know he is a racist.

Please not there is an article where Rev Jesse Jackson made a comment that if he is walking down a street at nite in Washington and hears someone behind him he feels relief if it is a White person!

Obama is getting caught up with his lies!

B. Obama said - "The point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity, but that she is a typical white person. If she sees somebody on the street that she doesn't know - there's a reaction in her that's been bred into our experiences that don't go away and sometimes come out in the wrong way and that's just the nature of race in our society.
B. Obama can explain it away however he wants but there is no "typical white person" other than the phantom white he has shrunk down and exists only in his own psyche. If his white family (or indeed he himself)is racist and/or ignorant that does not mean that racism is universal among the majority of whites. If B. Obama feels that he belongs to "one of the finest churches in Chicago", even though hate, racial superiority, warped conspiracy theories and anarchy are preached there, that is his right - in turn it is the right of Americans to gauge his suitability to be our next president by the very same ideals.

Uhhhhh, anybody ever notice that Rev Wright looks ... rather pale?

Maybe racial confusion turns into rage the older you get?

Hey dotheresearch -- If Rev.Wright's comments were not racist, reprehensible, hateful and incendiary, then why did Obama reject and repudiate them? Because they are hateful and disgusting and devised to separate, brainwash and anger his congregation... if not, they would not be called incendiary. Get it? Your fearless leader even thought they were out of line. This is the real problem here. You can NOT be on the Unity ticket and be anti-American and justify your idiotic, naive, hateful position as you are doing. By the way, Wright's comments against Hillary and Bill were just as hateful and yes, racist. Too bad you are too naive not to know that.

I believe the dilemma Obama finds himself in, is this stalemate he spoke about in his speech. The stalemate of attitudes and perceptions. Xenophobia, Racism and other types of hatreds exist in all people. But it's the ability to act on these inate feelings that separates victim from victimizer. The victimizer is unlikely to acknowledge his/her deviate behavior. And the victim may ascribe all his/her problems and failures to the individuals and institutions which afflict him/her.
Concerning the dynamics of black/white relationships in America, you can find fault on both sides, and I think this is what Obama was trying to get at. But many White people don't want to hear about their side - period. Because to do so is to give up a certain amount of power. There's also a resistance among Blacks, but this has more to do with ego and moving outside one's comfort zone, and accepting personal responsibility.

dotheresearch...Unfortunately I have listened to the whole thing. Do you read what you write? Doesn't seem like you're moving forward-and the Jesus comment was just plain out there. The stage reference was for Obama and his Reverend not you. I'm sorry you're confused.

Hey RL from Illinois - I don't have to stand on any stage and I am certainly not standing on my own. :-) I do appreciate your concern.

Research this stuff on your own (not sound bites 30 sec sound bites) the complete information. It doesn't take much. Look it up, listen or read and draw your conclusions from there. Then make the decision to help move this country forward or be happy with status quo. Up to you.

Hey Dan from Pensacola -- You said -- If John McCain went to a church for twenty years, that openly proclaimed hatred for black people, he'd be run out of town.

My challenge to you -- Provide proof on Obama or Rev Wright proclaiming hatred for any racial group.

Regarding the McCain statement - I will give you one name - you can do the research HAGEE. McCain seeked his support in this 2008 nomination. Look it up. I personally don't hold McCain accountable for Hagee or any of his controversial supporters stances. To do so is completely irrational and unreasonable. But to respond to your statement -- Hagee. That is just 1 individual. I am sure you will come across more on your own if you honestly do the research.

Blessings to all. I am out.

Hey dotheresearch...When you are on stage-you make the song your own.

one last thing. . . .lolol (I am contributing to this madness). I found nothing offensive in Rev Wrights sermon. It was all true. His sermon pales against some of the ones preached by Jesus. Read the bible.

It isn't always pretty but . . . truth is truth.

How is Obama or Rev Wright a racist? Provide one fact that shows either one is racist. Just one.

WHO CARES? Do you know how much consumers are paying for chicken in Giant these days? HOW ABOUT THE ECONOMY? Sheezzz ENOUGH ALREADY