Imagine the joy in the African American community if Obama wins.

It's something that so many African Americans hadn't thought they would ever see in their lifetimes. Yet after eight years of fear and darkness, we just might see an African American elected to the presidency of the United States. And it will be one of the greatest moments in our history as a nation. Martin Luther King dreamed of such a thing, and now we are on the verge of seeing that dream turn into a reality.

Of course there is a long way to go. Senator Clinton is still fighting for the Dem nomination, and then we have the Repukes waiting in the wings and we know that they will throw everything but the kitchen sink at us.

But if Senator Obama does pull it off, I, as I'm sure many of you will be, will be the proudest I have been of my country in my entire lifetime. It will mean that there really is hope in our nation.

But imagine the joy in the feminist community if Hillary wins. That would be a beautiful thing too, and there are plenty of women who have been carrying water for the feminist movement too.

We have two great opportunities here. That's why we have got to come together for the general election to make sure that one of these dreams comes true.

and make a lot of dreams come true.

When the field was narrowed to two, and they walked out together, it brought a tear to my eye (and I'd been an Edwards supporter). It truly made me happy. I don't know what's happened in the last few weeks, but joy has been eliminated from the equation for now. Because it doesn't seem that they can work as a team.

It would certainly be a moment in history. :toast:

be happy for them too.

very hard against him and to make sure he is NOT the one taking the oath of office January 20, 2009. I will work my heart out AGAINST Barack Obama.

I do not support him, and will never cast a vote for him.

And I am sick of my fellow brothers and sisters who think that you must pass some racial pride test by voting for Barack Obama.

I'm sick of people like Tom Joyner asking me to engage in group think and blindly get behind the Black candidate.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to clarify that.

"Imagine the pride......"

It's just like what Tavis Smiley said recently, when he said "We love and celebrate Barack Obama."

I was like, what Tavis? Who, exactly, is "we?" Because I am one African-American who doesn't "love and celebrate" Barack Obama.

I don't know any African american who HATES Barack as much as you. What's your problem? Even some Hillary supporters will admitt they do like him. Clarence Thomas, is that you? :hide:

You Obama supporters are something else!

AND wants a republican to win the election instead. However, anything is possible. The sheer hate is just sooo appalling.

statements, which always include a disclaimer that it's OK for her to say that, because she too is black. :eyes:

I finally had it with her when she accused Obama of being anti-semitic and anti-white. :crazy:

I don't have her on ignore, but I do mostly just scroll past her hateful posts.




Peace:thumbsup:

Some of them buy her argument of "ready to lead from day one" and others feel they'll waste their vote because of their belief that America will never elect a black man for President.

However, if he does become the 1st African American President, they will joyfully celebrate what will become an historic event for African Americans (and this country as a whole).

None of my friends seem to possess the MAD HATRED for the man as you do. :eyes:

That's why he was trying to punish Barack for not being able to attend
his Summit.

Barack had rallies scheduled for thousands of people and Tavis gave him a hard time.

Tavis was in no way trying to tell African Americans to vote for Barack.

He was supporting Maxine and Diane Watson FOR Hillary.

He was hiding behind the " we love and celebrate.." notice he didn't say endorse.

And no, Tom Joyner didn't influence my vote.


GOBAMA!

for Obama just because he's black, than I would for Hillary just because she's a woman.

She's one miserable, insulting piece of work.



Peace:thumbsup:

I voted for Obama because he has a lot to offer, not because he is a black man.

You and the OP speak for me too. :hi:

Granted, he has little in the way of specifics. No more than any other candidate.

As an orator and coordinator, his ability to draw people together is something akin to a gift. And it takes more than a leader to get things done.

He's got some key qualities of a leader. My only question is about specifics. But that can still be asked of any politician right now.

gone from here. What a joy that will be. Woot!!

i don't know how many more specifics you could handle. and without a telepromter. 45 minutes of nitty gritty.
the fact that he could do that off the cuff ought to tell you that he is out there saying it over and over. i hate to be one of those "but the media" types, but, the media....

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

your hatred of Obama is so disgusting.

And, as Skinner so rightfully said, few will miss you.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4798898&mesg_id=4798898

I can hardly think of something more destructive to the principles of DU than what you just posted.

... you will "fight" to ensure that the Democratic nominee isn't elected?

I think you might be on the WRONG website ...

And then there'll be you.




All alone.



:cry:






:rofl:

on my mind.

I could care less which way the wind is blowing.

You, on the other hand, apparently need to be lead and need to be told who to support.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

C'ya!

You being a journalist, I must ask ... exactly how does one do that?

:crazy:

should he win the nomination, was not as well known. Your claim that you will work against him in order to elect a rethug, is telling. I hope you are able to rid yourself of such debilitating behavior in your future endeavors.

black surrogates (Bob Johnson, Andrew Jackson, Stephanie Tubb Jones, Tavis Smiley, etc.), you have made a fool of yourself with this shameful post.

Why will you personally work very hard against him even if he is the Democratic nominee. What am I missing?

You've made the mistake of giving this poster too much credit. ;)

to make sure the democratic nominee doesn't become the POTUS?

What am I missing?

I guess they're thinking they'll undermine Obama so they can try again to elect their "girl" in 2012. :eyes:

arbitrarily insulting other people for a difference of opinion? Or declaring you will work against your party's nominee?

Please.

Where the streets of Tehran are littered with American shell casings and Chief Justice Roberts brings back alley abortions into vogue again.

Smart analysis.

I'm voting for him because I believe he is the best person IN the RACE for President of the entire United States.

I won't think of him as the first Black President, Bill Clinton was already given that crown.

I want him to be the BEST PRESIDENT of the UNITED States.

I see him as a universal figure with a WORLD view. Something that our country needs to see again.

After 8 looooooooooooog years of Bush, we need a breath of fresh air.
And we need YOUTH. I am so tired of seeing the same old faces singing the same old songs and inspiring the same old tired voters that are my age.

The beauty of this election is that once again we are getting young voters to believe in the political process. Young Voters of all colors, religions and creeds that want to make this world a better place.

I attended the uplifting rally at UCLA (Oprah, Caroline Kennedy,Michelle Obama.) What I loved was seeing a rainbow of ages and hues. It was not all black people -- like John McCain's rallies are all white people.

Frankly,Tom Joyner doesn't tell me how to think or what to do.

Oprah doesn't tell me what to do!

I am not stuck on stupid and neither are the millions of people of every color that are supporting Obama.

And, the millions that are voting for Clinton are not stuck on stupid either.

You say you will work against HIM. Huuuum, Nader maybe?

I know one thing, McCain certainly is not in the corner of the core beliefs that I feel will work in this country.

If you choose to think he would be a better choice, go right on and support him.

For me, if Obama doesn't win and Hillary does ~ I'm with Hillary because I most certainly am not voting for Mc Cain.

Good luck!

May the best man or woman win.

:toast:

You just stated: "I will work my heart out AGAINST Barack Obama."

This website is for supporters of democrats, and there is no room for someone who will
work against a democrat.

Just so you will know.

I'm glad you're not voting for him, we don't need you. One good and true thing is, if Obama is the eventual nominee, you won't be allowed to come to DU spouting your damned vile hatred. You need help...it's not nice to HATE.

As well you should be.

the democratic candidate for the president? really? then why are you here at the democratic underground?

so have fun campaigning for the john......

Let's all give her a hug:

:grouphug:

Then, let's give her some of this:

www.freerepublic.com

Don't let the keyboard hit you in the ass.

I don't care if you're white, black, green, red, or the color of the rainbow. That's just idiotic.

:hi:

:rofl:

If you will work against Obama if he is the nominee, you belong on another board. This is a board to support either Clinton or Obama, whomever wins the nomination. If you can't agree with that, than obviously you're in the wrong place.

Should speak for all Black people. The opportunist, the race baiter's, those who say everyday don't trust the man, he's the one keeping you down. Obama really seems to want to heal the division between Black and White. I can see where some would want to keep the status quo where its at. There are other types of slavery other than physical. There is also slavery of the mind. The slavery of low expatiations. With Obama, I see the iron grip of the old style Black "leadership" slipping away. I understand their fear. Thats why you see some of them rushing to catch up to the Obama parade after it has already passed by them by.

:crazy:

Edit: Oh, and welcome to my ignore list.

I think it would do a lot to heal the bush wounds

of them watching us turn the page!

who have run for president have lost.

If Obama loses, people will certainly try to claim that it's because he's black - and use that as an excuse to keep black people from running any time in the near future ("We'd better not take a chance - you remember what happened the LAST time a black man ran!"). Of course, this "someone who looks a certain way lost before so we'd better not let someone else who looks that way run again" argument only applies to brown and female people. White men try and fail over and over and over, but that doesn't ever stand in the way of other white men jumping into the game.

Win or lose, IMO BO and his supporters have to deal with that. :shrug:

It's not only Obama supporters who have to deal with that.

Archaic and old-boy demeaning statements referring to "female overemotional moments" make me wonder if the day of true liberation will ever happen in my or my daughter's lifetime.

Many women could have done the job better than George Bush, king of the old-boy network.
I agree with you, just relate your words with gender rather than ethnicity.
------

Not the same country as the US, mind you...

It is long past the time this country had a female president. But of the two Dem candidates still left standing, I prefer Barack Obama. And it has nothing to do with gender or race. If Hillary was to become the nominee, I would support her.

Yes, many feminists have also had a dream and their dream of course is just as legitimate.

:kick:

....

It would prove to the world that America backs up its "democracy" talk with action. No oligarchies....

about the same thing many of them do. That their hopes will be cruelly dashed because someone will not allow it to happen.

But that would never make me decide not to vote for him.

blue collar, white boy.

But on the day Barack Obama puts his hand on the Bible and takes the oath of office, I will be bursting with joy and hope for the future! I will be sooo proud to be an American on that day!

This whole country is groaning under the weight of George Bush's oppressive regime. Our 8 year long national nightmare will finally be over!

I dare say that most of the rest of the world will join us in pride and celebration!!:toast:

with everything but the nitemare being over......we will have a HELL of a hangover for a long time....it will take more than 4 years to clean up this shit. We will, however, be on our way to being proud of our nation once again.

know America has finally come to their senses...Real Hope and Change...is a Woman President...It is Hillary! This above all would comfort the masses.

I will be elated! And Journalist--- has the right to his or her opinions, that is called progress.

I plan in being in DC next January with my two white overpriveleged kids and their white WASP mother raised by far right wingers, at the Obama inauguration, and that is called progress.

Democratic National Convention or Inauguration?:dilemma: :D

It will be a great moment and a huge event for my kids to see. A historic moment and as a plus there are going to be some great bands.

If Obama is elected, I'm grabbing my son and heading to D.C.

But, it would be really interesting to go to Denver. :dilemma:

for the Inauguration. :bounce::bounce::bounce:

:)

I hope we get to start a tab somewhere. I met some DUers a few DC marches ago and had a great time with them. :)

The night of the Potomac Primaries, I went to an Obama victory party in downtown DC. It was an extremely diverse crowd - blacks, whites, and Latinos of all ages. Some of the African Americans there who I would guess are local high school students started chanting "Oh-oh-oh-oh-bama" over and over, as if he were basketball player or a rock star. At first it felt a little strange, but then I realized that to these kids, he is a rock star. It was obvious that the African Americans of all ages are so proud of him, and it was pretty moving.

I've done a fair amount of reading and research about the problems in inner city schools, and I can't help but think that if those kids could see someone who looks like them become president of the United States, maybe some things would change for the better.

did you see many gay or lesbian people there?

I saw some people with rainbow Obama stickers. And there were a lot of GLBT people at a fundraiser I went to last week in DC.

we will have extricated ourselves from years of hell - the worst years in the 230 year history of the US.

As I child, I loved to hear my parents and grandparents talk about the absolutely pride and joy they felt when Joe Louis won the heavyweight championship and Jackie Robinson moved to the big leagues.

The night Joe Louis won, everyone in the neighborhood ran out into the street and danced.

My family used to join a caravan of black folk driving to the nearest big league city whenever the Dodgers came to town "to see our Jackie play." They were SO proud of him.

That's the sense I get now from my parents and their friends about Obama. They are swelling with pride and excitement. While the younger people think it's great that he's doing so well, his political success is within the realm of their experience and expectations. But for my parents and others of their generation - who grew up during the harshest days of segregation, discrimination and degradation - this is an absolutely AMAZING occurrence. My father - who, whenever he returned to his Army base during World War II, was ordered off the train and forced to reboard, in his military uniform, on the segregated Jim Crow car for the trip across the Mason-Dixon line - practically bursts wide open with joy every time Obama wins a primary.

I think that, unless you've walked in their shoes, it's really hard to imagine how this must feel. I am really enjoying this primary season - watching the Democrats' outstanding candidates run such strong races is very exciting to me. But I am absolutely delighted to see what this campaign means to so many of the people that I love, people who never thought they'd ever see anything like this.

I really wish my grandmother were here to see this!

that the pride you will feel is not so much because a brother got over, but because America did as Dr. King said. Judge the man by the content of his character.

In other words, he's our man too.

:toast:

:toast:

you try to claim him.

What up with that?

:sarcasm:

:rofl:

He's all of ours, I tell ya! :hi:

LOL!

if you had one drop of "black" blood, you were black.

I'm going to track down Henry Louis Gates so he can find my drop. :)

He is 1/2 African. Much "purer" African than most of the rest of us are.

If someone has a great-grandparent who is black - even if everyone else in their family is white - they are considered black, i.e., if they have "one drop" of black blood, they are contaminated, and, thus, can never be considered white.

That explains why children of mixed marriages are considered black, even though they may be half white.

We shook hands with everyone's DNA and it's truly funny to watch the Census Bureau try to describe us. :)

is that some of the people who are so closed minded about the one drop rule are also extreme fundamentalists.

But if you take that creation garbage literally, that brings us to the inescapable conclusion that all of us are children of Adam and Eve who did the nasty 6000 years ago. If you believe Biblical creation literally, then we are all in the same family and the family tree only goes back 6000 years.

I'm sure the irony of that position escapes 100% of the fundie adherents.

Anyway, regarding Obama, how about the brothers and sisters can have him the second and 4th weekends each month. The white folks get him the other weekends. That's fair, isn't it?

So many people only remember the first half (important as it is) but the second half needs to be heard more often.

:loveya:

:cry:

I'm not black and I don't support Obama at all but I certainly can feel the ecstasy that I'm sure will reign.

I will grieve greatly if Clinton does not get the nomination. But that doesn't change the delight that I know so many are entitled to if Obama goes all the way.

I love it when I see true empathy - it seems all too rare anymore. But it is wonderful to be able to say, "I don't feel that way, but I understand that other people do and I'm happy for them."

That's a lovely post - thanks!

May we change the world one person at a time.

One person at a time I hope to convince people that none of us lose of Obama is the nominee just as none of us lose if Hillary is. We must keep our eyes on the prize - a Democrat in the White House.

:crazy:

know it will, most unfortunately

I'm beginning to think Obama has the stamina to deal with what will be the clean up jobs of all times.

I have an incredible problem with this line of thinking. People voting for someone because of their race or gender is just as bad as voting against someone for those reasons. The "I'm a woman voting for a woman" mentality was what originally gave the world Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. A few short years ago it looked like the first Black presidential candidate would be Colin Powell- would that have made anyone here happy?


I have also tired of the "history making" aspect of this campaign. We as a party have decided to try to make history in a year in which the White House should have been a victory lap, yet because there are still plenty of people out there who won't vote for a Black or a woman we might very well lose. What good does it do to "make history" if you end up losing?

I'm not that old but I am terribly cynical. Unlike many on this board (from what I can tell anyway), I have actually worked on political campaigns, since the age of 8 in fact. I have worked for elected officials in local offices and in DC, and have run coordinated campaigns for county Dem parties. I will be pleasantly shocked if we win with either Clinton or Obama in Nov, but I'm not counting on it in the least. I've worked among the bigots and had to beg for their very votes in the past, and I just don't think that some of you believe those people actually exist. But there are far too many people out there who won't vote for a woman or a Black, even a great number of Dems. As an astonishing example, a Black female Obama supporter was quoted in our local paper as refusing to vote for Clinton because a woman as leader goes against the biblical leadership role for women. I certainly have issues with Cinton's votes in the past, but I find it absolutely appalling that someone would make such a mornic statement. I also know someone who normally votes Dem but isn't a party activist, and although he has said he'll vote for Obama in Nov, I just don't believe him. You can see it in his eyes when discussing the election, and he'll easily be swayed to McCain. I hope everyone who wanted to make history is happy when or if we are stuck with McCain next January.

And I hope I am completely and utterly wrong about the bigots of all stripes and that we win in November. And I know many/most here will disagree with my thinking that we should have played it safe and gone for the guaranteed win this year, you're certainly entitled to disagree with me. And I hope you're right. :)

That's the first mistake.

And since we have not been governed by President Sharpton or President Jackson or President Keyes or President Wilder or President Moseley-Braun, it should be clear that people - especially black people - have not gone around voting for people just because they're black.

But when all other things are equal, when the candidates are all objectively qualified, we all apply a number of subjective factors to determine for whom we will vote. Does he connect with me? Is he from my part of the country? Does she care about people like me? Do I like his wife? etc. In such instances, it is certainly reaonable to consider all kinds of factors. And while I don't think it's right - although it's perfectly legal - to vote AGAINST someone because they are a particular race or gender, I think it's quite fair to take into consideration someone's race or gender in a context such as this when we've never had a minority or female president. That is NOT racism or discrimination or playing the race card.

And, I have no doubt that, if the next five presidents were black, many people would figure that it might be time for a change and seriously consider voting for a white candidate the next time around.

And I know that SE Texas is energized about politics for the first time in a long time, so I am grateful for that.

I really think I am just disillusioned today, and it spilled out into that post. Someone I know and thought I liked told me today that she couldn't vote for Obama because he'd get in the White House and then "only support the Blacks." Uh, wth? First of all, it isn't true, secondly, how the hell would the president of the United States support only one particular racial group without the world turning upside down and Jim Crowe type laws being passed? I've just been reminded on too personal a level today that the bigots are still out in full force and I am beginning to worry more about November than ever before. :(

would be 2028. Considering the way the population is growing I'd be willing to wager the next ethic president might just be a latino one.

No problemo though! Latinos got plenty of very talented people already preparing for that possibility! :)


Texas is Obama country! VIVA OBAMA!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fd-MVU4vtU

Imagine the despair if he loses to a person/ party that will NEVER advance the "agenda" of social change and progress.

As an African-American, I will certainly be proud if Obama is the nominee. However, I must state that I was a Hillary supporter until a month or so ago. I truly believe he is the best candidate and what American needs at this time.




Peace:thumbsup:

Just as valid.

There will be Joy in my house!

there have been two female governors of texas so far:
1. Miriam "Ma" Ferguson
2. Ann Richards

How many in the rest of the country? I bet a while lot more than only the 2 for blacks.

As of 1/2007, there have been only 2 black governors in the entire US!
1. Lawrence Douglas Wilder, Governor of Virginia
2. Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts


Just 45 years ago, (2008-45=1963), black people were getting murdered for wanting to register to vote, they were getting beat up by local authorities for wanting the same rights as white, and there were still whites only place through out the south (I saw them myself as a student at that time). Remember that it was so bad that the US feared it was in for a race war during the mid-60s with major race riots through out the country. Blacks were not allowed to be in my town after dark or they risked, at the very least, getting beat up badly by the cops and local thugs.

http://college.hmco.com/polisci/resources/psn/students/documents/norton_0937.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_racial_violence_in_the_United_States
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/6/newsid_2902000/2902487.stm

No white majority country has ever had a black leader, but there have been white female leaders already of a white majority country.
Obama will be the first elected black over a white majority country. That is what will amaze the world.


Texas is Obama country! VIVA OBAMA!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fd-MVU4vtU

if he does indeed in November, you can't in all honesty use Ferguson as an example of a female governor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam_A._Ferguson

Miriam Amanda Wallace "Ma" Ferguson (June 13, 1875 – June 25, 1961) became the first female governor of Texas in 1925.<1> She was born in Bell County, Texas. Her husband, James Edward Ferguson, the governor from 1915 to 1917, was impeached, convicted, and removed from office during his second term. Under terms of the conviction, he was not allowed to hold state office again.<2>

After her husband's impeachment and conviction, she ran as a Democrat for the office herself. During the campaign she said she would follow the advice of her husband and that Texas would get "two governors for the price of one."<3> Against what would have seemed insurmountable odds, another Ferguson was elected not only as governor, but the first woman governor of Texas.<4> She was the second female state governor in the United States. Two weeks before her inauguration, Nellie Tayloe Ross was sworn in as governor of Wyoming to finish the expired term of her late husband.<5>



Texas is Obama country! VIVA OBAMA!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fd-MVU4vtU

People voted for her knowing that her husband would be governor in fact. Ma Ferguson was an ineresting character no doubt, but I wouldn't use her "election" as any kind of proof that women have come a long way baby.

I agree that Richards' election was something of a watershed moment in Texas. Even with Williams being the asshole that he is, I was still wary of that election and pleasantly surprised by my fellow Texans. Too bad 1994 was so dismal.

the governor of Texas. Regardless of anything else, she was elected and she was a female. And she was the 1st female governor of Texas.


Have I said anything about "coming a long way baby"?

I was listing facts which show that there have been 2 female governors for Texas alone, which matches the number of black governors in the entire US history.

I'm showing the blacks are still trying to "come a long way baby" since just 45 years ago.


Texas is Obama country! VIVA OBAMA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fd-MVU4vtU

There has also been an extraordinary small number of black Senators in our history.

(I am assuming Alaska is majority male)

Needless to say, there is a shortage of black men and women of any hue in statewide offices, but women not getting elected despite being the MAJORITY is somewhat more notable than the failure to elect many people of color to statewide office in majority non-black states, which is all of them. (Until DC gets proper status)

When a majority group gets few offices for a century after century it's noteworthy. Women are the only group that does not assert itself politically.

The thing is, it seems perfectly natural to us... it is so ingrained that we don't even question it.

But in my state of WA we have two female US Senators AND a female Governor!

:yourock: :woohoo: :bounce:

experience as a white woman if they went into the same store at the same time? Or would the experience of the black women be closer to what a black man experienced?

I don't remember the US about to enter into a sex war when women got the pill and throw off their bras back in the 60s. However, I do remember the fear in our town about the racial violence spreading to our town. Between Nam and the riots, we thought the US was going to pieces. Our town actually had police stationed at the outskirts to turn back any black groups trying to enter. And we were only a small town in OK and didn't experience anywhere close to the problems in other parts of the country.

Woman are not anywhere close to being a monolithic group which has a shared experiences which could come anywhere close to the shared experience of being a Black, Latino, or Asian person. The same case as with men. After all, the men in prisons don't form as one group, they form along racial lines for protection from other racial groups. Gang affiliation is secondary. Did you know the KKK, and other race based groups, have enough membership in the military that it causes problems. They had the same problems back in the 70s and 80s when I served and it is still going on.


Texas is Obama country! VIVA OBAMA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fd-MVU4vtU

same for many other minorities that should have greater representation in elected office. I gladly celebrate all these pioneers!

Rightfully so.

that's going to be some major let down...but I guess we got used to it with Gore and Kerry. What's another 8 years more?

special attributes that will guarantee his loss. People will be voting against the war, not necessarily for Barack or Hillary, although many of us are lined up behind a particular candidate at this point.

Obama becomes President, begins to repair the debacle and makes history.

Ali Dumbass and the 40 Theives pack their shit and GET OUT.

And if anyone from this point forward votes Republican again (there will be no more Eisenhower conservatives from this point on, this party's beyond hope) after 20 goddamned country ruining years of Reagan and The Von Bewshes, please just make it official and get a lobotomy. Stupid shit.