Racism in Politics

[priyap09]

Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant, 9/23/2008

The cartoon illustrates the two Republican candidates sitting together in a campaign bus. However, McCain informs the driver to “stop the bus” since they “don’t have to campaign anymore.” Both McCain and Palin seem ecstatic with their big, cheesy smiles about the fact that they can win this election due to the “white racism” present within America. The theme of the cartoon is to confirm and demonstrate how racism still exists in American politics. In order to prove this, the cartoonist refers to an “AP/Yahoo poll on white racism” as evidence. The poll states that ”one-third of white Democrats harbor negative views toward blacks - many calling them "lazy," "violent" or responsible for their own troubles” and that "40 percent of all white Americans hold at least a partly negative view toward blacks, and that includes many Democrats and independents."
Obama stated that race is not going to be a determining factor in the election since the Americans are looking for “somebody who can solve their problems.” However, the AP/Yahoo Poll indicates that his statement is mistaken. Being black or white should have nothing to do with the election. Presidential elections are about choosing a candidate that is capable and eligible to run the country, not what race and ethnicity they belong to. Voter’s decision should rely on the candidate’s skills, views and understanding. The racism issue might cost Obama this election but it is going to be an extremely close outcome. Bush’s unpopular views on many issues such as war in Iraq and economic trouble might compel the citizens to look forth the Democrats for a brighter future. After eight years of Bush's reign, America is looking for a change and that is what Obama promises.

[ruthlanden92]

Most voters are basing this election on race. America has never had a black man as their president before. So, most blacks are going to vote for the black man in order to make history. But than theres the white people. They probably think that Obama would not make a good president due to the fact that he is black and most whites think blacks are violent and "ghetto". But we shouldn't base this election on race or the color of your skin no matter what color you are, black, white, blue, purple, or red. As long as you have the right idea in mind, you plan to change America for the better, and make it easier for people to live, than you should be allowed to run for president. You shouldn't be judge on your race or skin type. This election should be base on the ability to lead America on the right path and what you can do to make this country better. America needs a change.

[samuellajsupercool]

I have to disagree with one of your statements, ruthlanden92. I don't believe that "most blacks are going to vote for the black man in order to make history." This statement has a ring of negativity around it. Black democrats have been voting for white democrats for years; picking the candidate that represents what they stand for prior to this presidential election. What do you think was the basis for the black vote for the white candidates then? I don't believe that black Americans would vote for ANY black man just because they are black. Obama has shown to America that he is an educated, determined, and well mannered man, one that can better this country and bring us out of this economic crisis that we are going through. Those are the reasons why citizens are voting for him. Your statement makes it seems as if black Americans are not educated enough in politics to base their decision on the presidential candidate's views on taxes, health care, and the war on Iraq.

[anthonyb]

I agree that race does indeed play a large role in the election of the president. I would love to believe that race has nothing to do with it, but sadly that would make me naive. For example, a few weeks back I was at a friends house and we were watching a random show that was airing a Barack Obama ad. My friends dad happened to be walking by and asked us in the room who we would vote for. We all respectively said Obama. After our replies he sighed and said "that would be like me rooting against my own team," a slightly racist comment. Clearly, he's willing to vote for someone based on race and nothing else. As in the past, for every white racist there's normally another black racist. This obviously shows that, in a little less cogent manner, that more black citizens will vote for a black candidate and more whites for a white candidate.

[Mr. Wells]

I have to chime in here, as a similar comment was made on a previous cartoon. The assertion that "most" whites think poorly of blacks is not true. There are segments of the white population who do look down upon minorities, and there are segments of the white population who hold some prejudice (malicious or not) toward minorities, but to suggest that most - or even a simple majority - of white people would not vote for a candidate because he is black is erroneous. The poll numbers bear that out, if nothing else. We have a long way to go in terms of racism and prejudice. Truth be told, we may never exist in a society in which people are judged solely on the "content of their character" (King Jr., 1961). I would argue, in fact, that no society has ever existed in which different ethnicities and backgrounds have all been freely accepted without so much as a hint of prejudice. Nevertheless, we only exacerbate the problem by suggesting that "all" or "most" of any group thinks something about any other group. Prejudice and ignorance and racism are cyclical, and language often does more to perpetuate the cycle than it does to end it.

Choose your words carefully and without haste, lest you want to be part of the problem and not part of the solution.

[Mr. Wells]

25/25 Great work.