I thought having the first Black President in history was suppose to be a good thing?

I agree; though I would go further that it is utter bullshit when anyone plays the racism (or any) card - regardless of the party.

Agreed, I don't mean to be one-sided here but it's the Democrats who are screaming racism the most this time around. Every time something happesns "it's racially motivated". Even Wilson's "liar" outburst is being played as racist.

Any mention about Kanye West's actions being racist?  I hear crickets.....

My wife said something about that. gonna look it up now.

White boy Wilson shouts out, "You Lie"  to a black man President during his speech. This by their def is racist.

White teen girl is up on stage accepting an award and giving her speach is interupted by a black man who straight up takes the mic from the girl and says, "Beyonce's video is the best all time."  When White teen was given the award for her video?  Hmmm, this has more hints of racism than Wilson's shout.

Gotta give props to Beyonce though.  I don't really like her music but I have more respect for her than ever!

Aw, come on.  'Single ladies' is awesome.  Kanye spoke the truth.  Just at the wrong place & time.

Kinda like Joe Wilson.

Note: I've gone back and read, and re-read what I wrote and have edited in hopes that what I'm intending to say/imply is coming across clear(er).

***

Been thinking about this over since late Monday when I got sick, so if I sound a bit disorganized, just speak up and ask me to clarify. I’ll make every attempt.
 

Boy 1 shouts "You're wrong!" as Boy 3 (class president is speaking).

Boy 2 shouts something as girl 1 (other race) accepts award.

Okay...so, you're probably wondering where I'm going with this (admittedly) simplistic example.

Racism = Belief = Motive (for said racism).

For one to truly believe that either case was racially based would mean you would have some knowledge of the individual's motive/thought pattern/intentions, etc. - (mens rea for short). Ideally summed up: Person A holds (racist) belief A, which leads to Act B, which leads to conclusion C. Ultimately, you would have to know the person well to know what they're thinking; all anyone can do is best guess, right? Though I dare say it isn't much that one at least attempt to analyze the situation before making rash remarks, like calling someone racist.

It's unfortunate that we're a society that mistakes pride in southern history and/or it's cultural highlights (which I'm proud to say that it's richness runs in my veins*) for the lingering venom that does still exists. We're also a society that mistakes northern liberalism (which I applaud as much as southern history/culture) )and other things (personal pride, youthful vanity and naiveness) for a heartfelt ideology.

In fact, it's sad because such barriers get in the way of communication, and with communication - nothing survives; just look out how our body is built (central nervous system/autonomic reactions, brain signals, etc.)

(*Minus minus slavery imho.)

Anyways, setting aside the possibility that the previous bit could become a tangent...

Was Kanye West being racist? How about Wilson? I doubt it with either of them; West, though I like two of his songs, has a tendency to be a dumbass. Wilson, likewise, has a tendency to be a dumbass, but of a congressional status.

To cut to the chase, both sides - the ones who say that Wilson is racist, and likewise West is racist, lost at the game of slap jacks; Their hands were out there, and when they saw what they thought was a Jack, they jumped on it…only hurting themselves.

That being said...

Does an issue involving two or more individuals who are of a different categorization's have to be always be because of such distinctions?

We're too quick in slapping the label of racism onto events like these and others - but we are also too quick (erring in both cases I feel) in ripping it off like a bad band-aide. Just as misapplied and abused the term racism can be and has been, it's just as easily not used when it is perfectly apt and is legitimate.

At the end of the day, I think people are just sick and tired of those who throw it around. Those very people, ironically, gut "their cause" and the truly legitimate cases there are; a step back is taken, therein many more are needed to make up the lost ground.

Communication is key; I'm finding that out more day by day. 

~AJ

Did anyone make the claim that West is a racist?

You mean like, "Kanye West hates white people"? What kind of ignoramus would say something like that????

There are of course, many opinions that claim that going around on the internet from what I've heard and read. Likewise, there was an assertion on this thread (by you AD) that said that you felt that there could possibilty be a hint of racism with the Kanye West deal.

Now, mind addressing the point of my previous comment? Please.

~AJ

If you'd note my WHOLE comment my 'hint' is in reference to 'their' definition of racism pointing out that if by 'their' definition Wilson's outburst was racially based.  Then by 'their' own standards West's actions...

So for clarification I didn't say nor do I make any assertion on this thread that West was/is racist.  With that said, I disagree with what you said. I do NOT see two sides call the other racist but rather see the left side calling Wilson racist when by their own definition doesn't carry over to their side. 

The left seems to think it is okay to throw this card around like it's some sort of 'trump' card.   So unless you are including yourself with the left and speaking for the left and others who are playing the race card, I accept your point and support it.  If you are including those of us on this thread as being too quick in slapping the label of racism then I disagree with your delusion.

I'm not viewing it as a "left" thing. You get your share of its use on both sides. I would venture to say that it is more so a...personality or maturity (intelligence? How hard is it to analyze something and determine whether it was out right racism or not) thing.

~AJ

Really? Who on the right is claiming racism against them?

So in a weird round about way did you just say the left has bad personalit, is immature, and poor intellegence?

I agree that the specific incident regarding Sen Wilson was not racially motivated (probably), but I think it would be naive to think that those who already hate Obama for being black wouldn't be just that bit more motivated to protest against his policies than if he were a white man. That said, I imagine most of them would have probably opposed the health care reforms anyway. However, we should remember that President Obama himself has publicly disagreed with Jimmy Carter's view, so not everyone is playing the race card.

But that's like saying that anti-Semites were a bit more motivated to protest against George W. Bush's policies because George Bush was pro-Israel...

I agree with you.

If Condy Rice runs for President and wins, Obama, whose mother was white, will not have been the first black but the last white President.

Wow, I'm in agreement with you Champas.  I disagree with the health care reform.... period.  I haven't heard Obama publicly disagree with Carter's assessment.  Based on what you have told me, I give kudos to Obama for doing so.  I also give Obama kudos for accepting Wilson's apology and left it at that.

Agreed. That, however, does not mean race is always part of it and therefor should take center stage of the real issue. I am curious to know if Black people protested Bush's policies would that have been considered racist?

I ask because I seem to notice this recurring concept that racism seems to only mean whites (or everyone else) against Blacks but nowhere does it seem to show that racism is also Blacks against Whites (or everyone else). This whole notion that Blacks are the only ones who suffer from racist mentalities is insulting to me as many Latinos have also had to deal with racism, including me. I may not have been a slave or of a slave ancestry but these days we Latinos are as likely to have difficulties getting jobs and not being seen as criminals as Black people do.

(Sorry all, I just moved into a dorm and have had to deal with the first few weeks of the school term)

Mmm, yes actually, though I'm not saying that the left is stupid or not intelligent. I think I should have used critical thinking in place of intelligence.

My point simply put: You have types of people who feel that others use racism too much and hence become reactionary in that they simply dismiss any time someone claims racism has happened. There is some truth in their beliefs in that there are, at times, those who use the term way too often. If someone uses a term too often and too much - it dilutes the very meaning and impact behind the word. Before long, people will just turn a deaf ear to racism period because they'll get sick and tired of the boy crying wolf scenarios. It is then, at that point that the real, god honest cases where someone has been the victim of racism (black/white/etc.) become...meaningless.

It is similar to what one of my instructor, Mrs. Jasheway-Bryant, said today, "You are here because you want to write; as magicians of the pen, your wand is the word. So, remember, words like awesome, totally, seriously, and so on have lost all meaning. They've been used again, and again, and again to the point where when someone does use them - there is no impact, no stirring of the soul."

Do you understand what I mean?

Now, off to PoliSci homework, then bed and an early rise.

Later, ~AJ

And this is what i believe has already happened.  Take the Duke boys case. Take the Cambridge police officer.  Take the Joe Wilson case. Take the ACORN tapes. All of these 'false' racist cases are making the true racism meaningless. It's meaningless because those that are exclaiming racism are being the racist.  In the first two cases I mentioned reverse racism took place and it was disregarded. 

When I was in college I had a black gentleman tell me that this place was racist.  I laughed and told him he doesn't know what racism is.  He was shocked hearing that from a white guy.  I came from an area where it was predominately hispanic and they hated whitey.  I got a pretty good taste of racism when I was high school.  My junior year in high school I didn't make the varsity basketball team.  The reason from the coaches mouth, "I need to have more mexicans on the varsity squad."  To add insult to injury I had coaches from other treams ask me why I didn't suit for varsity.  Thankfully my senior year my mom and I were able to move outta there.  

Unless they band up and throw rockets at your university to kill as many of you as possible, it isn't racism.

Anything below that level doesn't impress me.

He was just whinning.  He was a football player who didn't like how he was treated at a notoriously known restaurant for bad service.

Been offline for a couple of weeks, but that's just too funny (probably).