Wow. Where do theyfind these people?

[lovesfortune]

Okay, this is a video I just watched online. It's rather disturbing about thoughts on the campaign about Obama from McCain/Palin supporters.

I'm all for the freedom to choose whoever you want to vote for.. but how about making some INFORMED decisions on both parties?

YouTube - Misconceptions of Obama fuel Republican campaign - 13 Oct 08

[Arrow]

Racism is alive and well in America. It's decreasing, but it will take a long, long time before we get there. You need laws to give people equal protection under the law, but laws don't change attitudes. That takes a lot more time. Maybe if Obama becomes president and does a great job, we'll see more change at a faster pace.

Also racism is alive and well among Democrats, too! I see racism as an American problem, not a conservative problem or a southern problem, or whatever. You will find racists in all political parties and in all regions of the country. Racism isn't just black/white either--it's any time one groups defines another as "the other." Us vs. them will never go away--it's human nature, I think. But humans are supposed to be rational beings--feelings and instincts can be controlled.

[lovesfortune]

I know racism is a fact in this country. I have just never seen anyone talk like this in a while... much less anywhere around here. I don't know what I would say to someone if they said any of that stuff to me in person...

[Arrow]

I know--I didn't mean to diminish your feelings! I once saw some footage taken in Kent, Ohio, the day after May 4, and to see prim ladies with handgloves and purses saying, "well of course we feel bad for the parents, but when young people just won't listen, tragedies happen..." One after another, headshaking and "they got what they deserve"--blech! So I know how you feel, really.

You might argue that bringing this stuff out in the open is a good thing--folks who think racism is no longer a factor should see this footage!

[vicklynn]

Ive lived Racism, and it aint pretty.
I have been on both sides of the fence and called names from both blacks and whites.
I think that this being put out in the open is a bunch of crud, why?
Well, you dont know what the other side is saying behind your back.
Thats the truth. You don't.
I dont dislike Obama cause of his color.
I dont dislike McCain cause of his color.
I dont like either, but still willing to take the better of the 2 evils.
Racism happens every day, every where, you just may not see it or hear it.
I hate that they put that vid up. That just makes those that dont see or hear it, think its something new.

[Arrow]

No one called you a racist, vicklynn, no one at all. Of course people who don't like Obama can dislike him for reasons have nothing to do with his skin color. But there are also folks who do hate him for that, too. I'm sure there are blacks who dislike McCain because he's white.

It should be put out in the open because a lot of people do deny it exists--folks not as well informed as you.

[WashingtonBay]

I don't necessarily believe, or disbelieve any of it as actually authentic, or really relevant.

There's all kinds of weirdos in this country. And I think it was actually a good thing that the media used to filter out the fringes lest people think they were more common than they are. Nowadays... any of them can get on the internet and get spread around, the crazier the better.

And now, Arrow, the media has lost some of its ability to filter out the bizarre and the fake, and they get sucked into feeding some of it, just to stay relevant.

[Arrow]

Those people didn't look weird, they looked pretty normal to me. Filters are bad things if it keeps people from seeing the truth. I think those ideas are a lot more common than you think. I have an adopted brother who is black, and the stories he tells me...

By the way--I can watch youtube here now! No idea what happened, but hooray!:)

We had footage like that on a mainstream Cleveland newscast a month ago--not the racial stuff, they didn't air that, but the "he's a Muslim" stuff--they aired those comments, and they're just wrong.

[Tens Legacy]

I'm horrified if that was indeed real. Those comments those people making, thinking they are better than someone else!! I honestly have never seen nor been around real racism. What they were saying is scary and incredibly nieve. There are good and bad people in every race and every color.

[rums_mom]

I know racism is a fact in this country. I have just never seen anyone talk like this in a while... much less anywhere around here. I don't know what I would say to someone if they said any of that stuff to me in person...


Maybe not about black or whites around you, but how do people near you feel about the Indians?

[vicklynn]

Oh Arrow. I didnt think anyone was calling me a racist. Sorry if you thought thats what Im saying.

[Arrow]

No prob, pax!:)

[WashingtonBay]

Those people didn't look weird, they looked pretty normal to me. Filters are bad things if it keeps people from seeing the truth.

Well, being weird is not just a look. :cool: And I guess what I'm saying about filtering it is that it loses all perspective without them. One person saying something ignorant in Tuscaloosa isn't a national trend. Put it on the internet and pass it around, and suddenly people are saying "boy - this is all over the place!"

The "he's a Muslim" stuff is just like that. That all started on the internet, had no filters, just got forwarded and posted all over the place until we all think a lot of people are saying it, and now even when the broadcast media try to correct and debunk it, half the people hearing it being talked about again, now on the national media, think the opposite, that it must have some reality to it. Talking about it gives it reality.

Many of the conspiracy type theories about Bush are the same thing.

I'm not saying we can really stop any of this from making it's rounds, but we do need to figure out how to filter out the noise in this day and age, or we end up constantly distracted by things that are not worth our time.

And I'm not saying there's no racism anywhere. But I don't think focusing on it THIS way helps, and I don't think tying these kind of people to McCain and Palin is fair, any more than it's fair to find the most bizarre leftist videos on the internet and saying "see, this is who likes Obama - freaks".

[Arrow]

But I don't think focusing on it THIS way helps, and I don't think tying these kind of people to McCain and Palin is fair, any more than it's fair to find the most bizarre leftist videos on the internet and saying "see, this is who likes Obama" is fair.

Agreed--hence my first post in this thread.:)

[lovesfortune]

I can take my video down if everyone finds it offensive. Or someone is more than happy to post a video of Obama supporters making McCain comments to have an equal point of view.

Rumsmom - true, there aren't necessarily a lot of black people around here, there are more indians, but honestly I don't hear too many comments in either direction. But then again, I'm not out that much.

[WashingtonBay]

Naw - don't take it down. I'm not going to go out and find embarrassing Obama supporters either (in fact I think someone already did that on another thread so maybe it's this one that makes it "even".)

I just think it's good to talk about perspective and filtering out the noise, for any of the wacky things that gets passed around.

[lovesfortune]

Alright, WB. I just didn't want to offend anyone. Maybe it's just a small town thing for me. I'm not exposed to much.

[zoel_222]

That made me sick. I hate that people ACTUALLY still think like that.

[JackieB]

I grew up in an environment along the lines of what this video depicts, so I understand it well. But, over time, it is changing and that's a wonderful thing. I've managed to turn away from the racism that some of my family members embraced and I've seen my friends do the same. Their children are even better off because they didn't grow up with those attitudes in their homes.

So, it is improving, but these types of changes unfortunately take generations to occur.

[lovesfortune]

Very good point. Kids learn from their parents. If parents have this attitude, then the kids tend to think it's okay until they know other people out there have different views. But you are right, it does take a looong time to change.

[TLC97]

Ok, I will go out on a limb here. These people were very disturbing mostly in that their "facts" were so distorted. Racism is still huge, while we do not see it up here in ME to much it is still around. But it is not just racism, on the few occassions I have traveled South I have found 2 things. One some people showed me what true southern hospitality was all about, others showed me that they are still fighting the Civil War and were NOT happy with my "northern accent".

People need to be educated about TRUE facts about the candidates, not what main stream or back door media provides.

[Tatesgram]

I can't watch the video at work, will have to wait till I get home. I did see a mention of Tuscaloosa, so I'm assuming we're talking about Alabama.

Yes, racism is still around and yes there is resentment for northerns from SOME southerns, not necessarily about THE war. But I have been north of the mason/dixon myself and the same can be said. Some people treated me very well and some treated me like I was a half-wit because I was from Alabama. I hate it when non-southern people try to talk like we do :doh:. YA'LL.

Back to the racism, it's not just in the south. As a matter of fact, the KKK didn't originate in the south, I just can't remember off the top of my head which state it did originate in. And, it's not limited to one color, or one race. I guess you could say it's an equal opportunity hatred.

[WashingtonBay]

I did see a mention of Tuscaloosa, so I'm assuming we're talking about Alabama.

Actually... that was just me. I don't know where the video is. I just like using Tuscaloosa as an example town because it's a cool name for "somewhere in America:.. Like Walla Walla Washington. :)

[Tatesgram]

Actually... that was just me. I don't know where the video is. I just like using Tuscaloosa as an example town because it's a cool name for "somewhere in America:.. Like Walla Walla Washington. :)

:hysterical::hysterical: Oh, we have some good ones down here? Tuscaloosa is actually Native American, just not sure which tribe. I personally like Eastaboga, Alabama :)

[WashingtonBay]

Oooh I like that!.... ~makes note~

Some of our cool Native American names none but the locals can pronounce... like Puyallup and Wahkiakum. :)

[Tatesgram]

Oooh I like that!.... ~makes note~

Some of our cool Native American names none but the locals can pronounce... like Puyallup and Wahkiakum. :)


Not even gonna try:eek:. My husband speaks Cherokee, we are both decendents, but I can't get my tongue around the words.

[twofingers]

pew-al-ip
wah-key-come

[Tiz]

Pew al up, and Wah kia kum, just like it's spelled.

Anyone have any idea whether the video is staged? I saw an interesting news story about the Palestinians, and how they stage it, when depicting an alleged Israeli attack. They are referred to as Pallywood.

[WashingtonBay]

I don't have any idea... but I've learned to be suspect of everything. It's just too pat, and made to look like a real news story.

On edit... Al Jezeera? Sheesh - I didn't know what the little symbol was the first time through.

[Aina]

I think that there are always misconceptions about both candidate in every election. This time they have just been bought out more because the majority of the people are more connected via internet. There are kooks everywhere and it doesn't matter how "normal" they look. Then there are those who just believe what they have been told and don't spend hours on the internet researching things. The media doesn't help. If anything they propagate these misconceptions. It makes for a good story and a crappy election because it is all based on misconceptions.
People don't get ellected because of campaign promises and what candidates actually stand for. They get elected because of the emotions of the people.
I live in a town where whites are a minority so I know racism can exist. But most of the people here have gotten over it and if anything are overly nice to those of a different race. There isn't as much racism in the south as people make there out to be. Now, I heard in Montgomery there is a lot more racism, and I know there will be people who don't vote for Obama because he is black, but there are also those who will vote for him because of his skin color.

[Tiz]

Isn't it amazing, WB? A person really cannot believe 80% of what he or she hears nowadays. That's why Fox News is so important. Did you hear Obama say his lead in the polls would be bigger if not for Fox?

[lovesfortune]

Wow. I didn't know what that symbol was either.

I'm with you Tiz, you have to be suspect with everything.

[Sundays Man]

Good grief. Did you see who put that out? Wonder if they had ANYTHING to gain by putting out that kind of propaganda. Of course racism is still alive on all sides of the line. It's not just a black and white issue anymore. I'm a little prejudiced against the people in that video clip, but hey, it's America. We have come a long way and will go farther. I guess you could film a bunch of people saying anything you wanted and then make it look like the Pope was there if you wanted to.

[missdixie]

Wow, that's pathetic. I wish that one guy wasn't wearing a Navy shirt.....

[missdixie]

Oooh I like that!.... ~makes note~

Some of our cool Native American names none but the locals can pronounce... like Puyallup and Wahkiakum. :)

Okay seriously I still cannot pronounce Puyallup and half the other Indian names in WA! I swear it's a Washington consipracy to confuse the relocating Californians....kind of like the steep drop off without guardrails going up to Baker.... :p

[cloedoll]

Racism or any form of discrimination is one thing I can't stand. I was discriminated because of my ethnicity all of middle school, I was pulled out of school because it got to a point of being unbearable. That's obviously not the point of this thread, though. I'm just saying, it's still very well out there, it will be for a long while. Are racists bad people in my eyes because I was affected by it in a negative way so badly? No, I just think they need to re-think some things, all people have something to work on. Another thing some people often forget, it's not just African Americans and Caucasians that are discriminated because of their ethnicity, it's all races - Mexicans, Asians, Native Americans, Indians, etc. We are all affected, we are all discriminated one point in our lives because of our sexuality, race, religion, etc. I also think racists are racists because of their upbringing, I don't think it's a natural instinct for a human to discriminate another human for something as simple as their appearance or beliefs. Back to the video, it is pretty ridiculous, I hope people open their eyes and see one another for who they are, not what they look like or what they think and feel.

ETA: Fake or not (referring to the footage), someone had to think the things that are coming out of those people (or actors, who knows) mouths.

That's my say on that. ^_^

[Vibe]

If it is between two different races.. Take McCain and Obama White and Black(Or mixed..)
Its going to be a racism issue.. *Sigh* I guess American hasn't changed as much as we would like to
think huh.