Post Racial President?

[loco4dis]

Obama didn't say those things, but you already know that, right?

Those racist, offensive remarks were made in Obama's name. His staff vetted each and every speaker as to what they would say. We all knew Rick Warren would invoke Jesus. The poem was approved in advance. Every single word was scripted and timed. These inappropriate, divisive remarks, while not said by President Obama, were approved by him. Therefore, his "post-racial" status is certainly in question at this point.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm still waiting. Hillary, Biden, Emanuel, 3/4 of Bill Clinton's Cabinet. Exactly when does "change" arrive?

When Bush drove away.

 

[okeydokey]

Post number 5.

Why not post #1?

 

[bicker]

Ostensibly, those arguably racist, offensive remarks were made in Christ's name. The people who made them were actually ordained Christian ministers. Their remarks reflect poorly on Christ, as much as they reflect poorly on Obama (i.e., not very much).

 

[TinklednPants]

Those words were straight from the Civil Rights movement, and I thought it moving for Lowery to use them even if they are dated and inappropriate from our contemporary perspective. The opening lines about "God of our years, God of our tears" were from a very popular Civil Rights era song that I imagine had special meaning for many in attendance today.

Genuinely sorry that some people took offense, but I think think they were directed to a more particular set of individuals for whom they would have meaning and not just sound like a bunch of odd phrases from an old man. Today came full circle for so many.

Thank you.
There was nothing racist about Lowerys words. By referencing these famous words he was celebrating the inclusiveness we have reached on this historic day.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I'm still waiting. Hillary, Biden, Emanuel, 3/4 of Bill Clinton's Cabinet. Exactly when does "change" arrive?

When Bush drove away.

Hallelujah!!

 

[Goofyluver]

When Bush drove away.

I'm gonna give that a hell yea.

 

[Mikelly1221]

I've never heard that phrase before (too young I guess.. ), but IMO it has no place in the inauguration of America's 1st black president. I thought the idea was to put those days behind and move on to a brighter future? Not to forget the struggle, but to continue onward and upward because of the struggle?

All that kind of rhetoric does in this day and age is divide, not bring together. It's not helpful at all in solving any race problems we still have.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I in no way hold Obama responsible for Lowery's racist statement in his prayer.

 

[JasonDVC]

When Bush drove away.

Typical Liberal. You know you are wrong so you avoid the question. Nice try

 

[lillygator]

never heard that before either....and I think it was highly inappropriate, even moreso that it was prescreened and approved.

 

[jacksonsmom]

Erm. Being part "red" myself, it's no worse or better than anything else. (Anyone here still sing "Jesus loves the little children of the world?")

My point is though that we moved away from that (or people like to think we have). When I went to school (in the 70s) yes we colored people black, brown, white, yellow and red.

I know for a fact if I asked my son what a "yellow" or "red" person was he would have no idea what I am talking about.

People that lived through the 60s/70s understand that saying. Yes, I heard it many times before. Yes I know it was from the civil rights movement.

But I still think it was done in very poor taste.
People in general are more accepting of other races now then in the 60s/70s.
Why act like we are no better now then in the 60s?

 

[Magic Mom]

Bingo!!!

...it was racist, but because it was at Obama's inauguration it must be A-OK. God forbid there is any criticism of the event at all.

 

[Darsa]

Those words were straight from the Civil Rights movement, and I thought it moving for Lowery to use them even if they are dated and inappropriate from our contemporary perspective. The opening lines about "God of our years, God of our tears" were from a very popular Civil Rights era song that I imagine had special meaning for many in attendance today.

Genuinely sorry that some people took offense, but I think think they were directed to a more particular set of individuals for whom they would have meaning and not just sound like a bunch of odd phrases from an old man.

I am very glad to know that I wasn't the only person who didn't find Lowery's speech racist. I was questioning myself for a few minutes there, wondering if I might actually, unconciously, be racist!

It is sad, to me, that people assume that he meant those words in a derogatory way; it is the way the United States is these days, however; everything is perceived as an insult.

I know for a fact if I asked my son what a "yellow" or "red" person was he would have no idea what I am talking about.

Neither would my daughter.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

...it was racist, but because it was at Obama's inauguration it must be A-OK. God forbid there is any criticism of the event at all.

I was agreeing with the poster who said it was referencing the civil rights movement.

Terribly racist that we even acknowledge our not so distant past with a man who lived through it.

 

[TinklednPants]

People in general are more accepting of other races now then in the 60s/70s.
Why act like we are no better now then in the 60s?

And THAT is exactly why the words were spoken today. Because we have come so far.
Everyone (most here) are taking this out of context.

 

[Terry36]

I am very glad to know that I wasn't the only person who didn't find Lowery's speech racist. I was questioning myself for a few minutes there, wondering if I might actually, unconciously, be racist!

It is sad, to me, that people assume that he meant those words in a derogatory way; it is the way the United States is these days, however; everything is perceived as an insult.

Neither would my daughter.

DITTO!

 

[DawnCt1]

Why not post #1?

I assumed that you all heard the speech and the benediction and that ridiculous poem.

 

[jacksonsmom]

And THAT is exactly why the words were spoken today. Because we have come so far.
Everyone (most here) are taking this out of context.

but the Rev. could have pick something else to say to get that point across.

(example Obama making a point in his speech that his father would not have been service in a diner 50 years ago ---that was not tasteless in IMO)

I will always think that was very poor choice of words the Rev used.

People born in the 80s or after probably even never heard that saying before.

 

[bicker]

I thought the idea was to put those days behind and move on to a brighter future?

Indeed, yet there is no way, and no reason, to prohibit those of African American descent from reveling in the fact that someone they consider one of their own has achieved high office. Just because someone is a member of a racial minority doesn't mean that that they will necessarily hear, understand, internalize, acknowledge, agree, ratify, and agree to abide by President Obama's perspectives. President Obama surely will be working to project the message to all Americans that they should move beyond these issues, but it is unreasonable to expect that he will need only to move Caucasians to that post-racial perspective -- he'll also need to move folks like Rev. Lowrey to the post-racial perspective as well. President Obama is there (mostly). Many folks, like myself, are there (mostly). But clearly many people, of all colors and persuasions, are not there, yet.

And to be honest, I don't think President Obama is completely there yet. His use of the term "non-believers", while constituting welcome recognition that many in our nation are Atheists, also constituted evidence of his own deep misunderstanding, at best, or disparaging regard, at worst, for Atheists. They are not, and should not be, defined by their lack of belief. Referring to them in that manner is as disparaging as something things that the ministers said.

Personally, I'm annoyed that President Obama gave a shout-out to Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Atheists, but didn't acknowledge us UUs or our friends, the Buddhists. There are actually more Buddhists in the United States than Hindus, and UUs are the next largest religious group after the ones that President Obama mentioned.