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Em... not so sure I did. nossy Send a noteboard - 20/07/2013 10:19:54 PM

View original postAll of the things that you quoted just said "these are the things that define my (the President's) life. These are things I've experienced and define me like Trayvon Martin and not the mass of white people who innocently racially profile and are also my constituents."

You are again changing what he said to suit. I think you should remember that he is also half-white - he did not say that all white people are jerks; he pointed out that it wasn't uncommon for people perceived to be black to be treated as suspicious. Do you think he is wrong?

If you feel offended by his comments, can you tell me why? Is it because you cannot claim you don't "innocently racially profile?" Do you think it's fair to ignore that this does happen and may still color this sort of case? (I don't accuse you of anything that I don't do myself. I know and am ashamed that I cannot always control my instinctive reactions - sometimes based on color.)


View original postBut what is to be expected is for somebody like the President, a leader of all Americans and the Free World, to not vocalize these personal definitions that say I represent these people but I think these other people are bad because of their skin color and the actions they do. It provides a racial divide from the most powerful man on Earth. His comment empower racial tensions and divide more than anybody else can.

If we let them. If we, instead, choose to realize that he is coming from a different angle than we are used to, and that, perhaps, he may be right and has a right to comment, maybe we can learn something from him. He did not attack you - he pointed out that, in the past, unfortunate treatment has been directed at him because of color, and because of that he understands why some people may instinctively feel that the current situation arose from racism. He makes an attempt to explain his cultural baggage, so to speak, and I don't think that's wrong. Uncomfortable for me, yes, but not wrong.

I also found it uncomfortable when I first realized I was being a complete idiot about homosexuality. The first time I heard strong opposition from the other side, I was pissed. I mean, who were these people to tell me I was being small-minded and bigoted? Now I have a different opinion, but I imagine that if I still felt differently, I'd be pissed all over again each time someone powerful supported gay marriage. The point being that some things should be said even if they will make people uncomfortable.


View original postThe important thing for him to do is to remain neutral, support his justice system, encourage the free speech of people who don't agree with the outcome, and emphasize that free speech stays peaceful.

He didn't attack the justice system, try to direct the outcome of the case, or even comment on the results, that I have seen. Recognizing that some people are furious over that outcome, and giving them a nod of recognition isn't the same as upsetting the balance. It's also not neutrality; people are typically elected because we prefer the sides they have picked during the elections.

Many powerful people have supported the system and refused to shake the boat, but I prefer the group of founding fathers who decided enough was enough. Or a president who agreed that slavery was bad. Or a third, who thought schools should not be segregated. I shudder to think where we would be if all presidents stayed "neutral."

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"Trayvon Martin could have been me." President Obama - 19/07/2013 11:27:21 PM 1469 Views
My interpretation is that he's being incredibly racist...against blacks - 19/07/2013 11:52:37 PM 786 Views
I think you're right - 19/07/2013 11:54:41 PM 736 Views
From the litlle I heard on NPR I had a couple real problems with it - 20/07/2013 12:53:40 AM 757 Views
Would he just shut up about it already? *pukes a little in mouth* *NM* - 20/07/2013 04:20:07 AM 319 Views
Yeah. As someone who voted for Obama and would do so again, this is embarrassing. - 20/07/2013 10:10:53 AM 657 Views
Ditto. Except I didn't vote for him a second time. - 21/07/2013 01:34:54 AM 762 Views
Does it matter now? Martin is still dead and Zimmerman will stay free. It's over. - 20/07/2013 04:24:43 AM 662 Views
It makes a great deal of difference - 20/07/2013 04:40:55 AM 705 Views
C'mon guys. It's sounding very "I'm not a racist, I swear!" in here. - 20/07/2013 03:32:08 PM 844 Views
I can't like your reply enough. *NM* - 20/07/2013 03:42:00 PM 334 Views
"I am not a racist I swear it" is what we are reduced for not agreeing on race - 20/07/2013 04:44:52 PM 702 Views
No. As I'll say to Isaac in a minute, I'll apologize for lumping everyone in - 20/07/2013 08:06:49 PM 696 Views
for me his about what will work not what is fair - 22/07/2013 06:06:13 PM 757 Views
It has to be both. Period. Nobody will accept someone else trying to change them - 22/07/2013 07:29:15 PM 746 Views
sorry I don't see where he says a change in behaviour is part of the solution - 23/07/2013 06:29:16 PM 643 Views
He did not talk about the case - 23/07/2013 07:32:44 PM 658 Views
A touch over the top don't you think? - 20/07/2013 05:20:21 PM 677 Views
One comment, maybe. If anyone has taken offense - 20/07/2013 09:09:45 PM 683 Views
Re: One comment, maybe. If anyone has taken offense - 20/07/2013 11:53:08 PM 712 Views
As mentioned - 21/07/2013 12:18:14 AM 759 Views
Re: As mentioned - 21/07/2013 02:25:30 PM 681 Views
You just EXACTLY quoted the point I was making - 20/07/2013 06:04:25 PM 751 Views
Em... not so sure I did. - 20/07/2013 10:19:54 PM 607 Views
I think he's wrong for continuing to talk about it, and doing so in this manner - 21/07/2013 06:59:11 AM 776 Views
We will also have to agree to disagree. - 21/07/2013 10:25:13 AM 809 Views
There are more important things for him to be focusing on, I think. That said, I think you're right. *NM* - 21/07/2013 08:16:34 AM 331 Views
There will always be something "more important." *NM* - 21/07/2013 10:25:46 AM 301 Views
That's specious reasoning. - 21/07/2013 12:02:17 PM 641 Views
It is if you sidestep my point. - 21/07/2013 05:15:19 PM 609 Views
I am of two minds on the issue. *edit* - 21/07/2013 02:04:48 PM 700 Views
Well, that's good. I feel like I'm working on 3 or 4 at this point. - 21/07/2013 05:41:21 PM 735 Views
I'm one of those annoying people who corrects others with "biracial". - 22/07/2013 08:03:10 PM 763 Views
That's not appropriate. Obama identifies as black. *NM* - 23/07/2013 06:22:06 AM 357 Views
So do lots of white kids. - 23/07/2013 08:50:12 AM 603 Views
It is the truth, though. - 23/07/2013 06:30:53 PM 655 Views
I do not agree. - 23/07/2013 07:06:33 PM 687 Views
I know, and I find that weird. - 23/07/2013 12:57:39 PM 699 Views
This is a complex issue. - 23/07/2013 01:09:00 PM 608 Views
Because he looks black, he's been treated like a black person. - 23/07/2013 06:28:41 PM 606 Views
Yes - 23/07/2013 07:11:54 PM 772 Views
Perusing. - 24/07/2013 04:02:53 AM 681 Views
That makes sense. Generally, though, one should go by whatever the person in question identifies as. *NM* - 24/07/2013 06:13:28 AM 313 Views
I noticed the press wasn't aboard with idea when it came to Zimmerman - 24/07/2013 12:49:00 PM 645 Views
Which is silly, because anyone can be racist. You are right, though. *NM* - 24/07/2013 10:32:55 PM 315 Views
No, only white people can be racist. /sarcasm - 25/07/2013 04:38:13 PM 677 Views
No, not really. - 26/07/2013 07:40:45 AM 596 Views
My reply to Nossy above. - 24/07/2013 02:25:49 PM 638 Views
As always, the voice of reason when I am about to discount the US as fucking mental. *NM* - 21/07/2013 03:17:15 PM 304 Views
That's not very nice. - 21/07/2013 09:03:55 PM 698 Views
No, probably not. - 21/07/2013 10:01:36 PM 662 Views
Its unfortunate you see us the way you do - 22/07/2013 06:05:30 AM 712 Views
So Obama smoked weed, punched school bus drivers, and got arrested for theft? - 21/07/2013 05:10:26 AM 637 Views
No, but he could have. - 21/07/2013 01:08:26 PM 606 Views

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