Black Lawmakers Asked: Does Race Matter?

Published by Pamela Gentry on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 12:55 pm.

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Poliltical Producer

Sept. 24, 2008 – Today, Black lawmakers will gather for their annual legislative weekend and face some of the gravest situations the body has experienced since forming in 1976.

The 42 members who represent more than 40 percent of the African Americans in the United States will use this week to examine the impact the slowed economy, home foreclosures and job loss have on the communities they represent. The four days of workshops, legislative brainstorming coupled with community input is designed to give Black lawmaker the information needed to be responsive to the folks they represent.

But that’s not all they’ll focus on this year.

During the 38th annual conference, lawmakers have decided to open the weekend with a panel to address the historic nomination of their colleague, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), and discuss the role race plays in national politics. 

The panelists will include lawmakers, academics and activists who will be asked to answer “Does Race Matter?”

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus

A survey released by CNN/Opinion Research Corp. earlier this week, revealed that race will be a big factor in the upcoming presidential race.  According to CNN, the results suggested that 40 percent of White Americans have a negative view of Black folks.  With those feelings, few would be comfortable voting for Obama.

Walter Shapiro, the bureau chief for Salon.com, told CNN, “The hardest thing in the world for pollsters to poll for, with the exception of sexual behavior, is racial attitudes and how it affects behavior.  Shapiro said that while people might say things differently off the record, racial issues cannot easily be quantified.

Over the weekend, more than 18,000 people will converge on the nation’s capital to address issues affecting African Americans.  Forums will be held on education, health care, the environment, housing, transportation and international affairs.
 

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Comments

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Alex Said on

Yeah lynn I’m “BLACK” LOL



Mandell Said on

It’s called the “White House” for a reason,Blacks and deliveries aruond the back.In all my years on this Planet I’v never seen such crime as bush has gotten away with.As he’s leavening he throwing money to all his friends who helped him to get in position to completely bring this country down.The U.S. has I think never been this HATED by just about every other Nation on this planet as it is now.He(bush) came in making money on his oil fields.Gas goes up and down,but not much.



MrMarques72 Said on

It amazes me that many white folk can see the obvious existence of racsim on this campaigm and in the country in general but still wanna insist that it doesn’t exist or is negligible. On this campaign, we have seen Obama T-Shirts with the senator portrayed as a monkey, Obama Waffles in typical Aunt Jemima fashion, we’ve seen FOX refer to Michelle Obama as Barack’s “Baby Mama”. There have also been reports about racist comments made by voters in midwestern states in reference to Barack. I think this campaign shows white America’s true feelings about black folk in this country. NPR and CNN have both featured whites who were honest enough to admit that they would not vote for him just because he’s black. America, let’s be honest about this!

http://www.afrobrasilamerica.com

MrMarques’08



Earl Said on

It amazes me that some poor white people would rather eat potted meat and sardines for dinner because it’s all they can afford in this economy; rather than to vote for a black man who wants to help them to be able to afford chicken and hamburger and maybe even a steak or pork chop sometimes! It just amazes me.



david Said on

Is his fathers sperm.



Shiela Said on

Why is it that if a white person doesn’t want to vote for Barrack he is a racist? Ever thought there are some legit reasons why a white person would not want to vote for Obama? If Obama was white and not black but spoke the same words and led the same life, would ya’ll be as passionate about voting this year? Of course there are white racist but black people shouldn’t be so quick to point fingers.



seschris Said on

Sheila,

I can honestly say that if Obama was a white man I would still vote for him. This isn’t just about race for me but I’m also honest enough to admit that his race makes me proud. But let me ask you; how many whites are voting against him simply because he’s black…while at the same time belittling us blacks by saying that we are ONLY voting for him because he’s black?
NEWS FLASH: The black community is just as capable of researching and learning about Obama’s stance on the important issues as the next white person. Obama has written two books and I have read both in addition to doing other research on him and McCain. Black people have critical thinking and analytical skills just like white people. We can read and interpret political jargon and determine who we would like to be in the White House just like white people do. So what’s the problem with some of us deciding to vote for Obama? This is still America and we have the SAME rights that you white people do SO WE ARE GONNA VOTE HOW WE WANT TO VOTE …JUST LIKE YOU DO. And we don’t have to keep defending our choice to you. And by the way…I vote in every election…with or without passion.



Bryan Said on

You mean I can not wear my Obama shirt on vote date. IS THIS A FORM OF RACISM



EA Said on

Yes, Race matters because we as people are making it matter. This Whole BET coverage is a bunch of crap, as a young black man I am appalled. Everything, we as a people have worked so hard to fight for, is being torn down. Not by the white people, but by us. When I see an overwhelming backing by BET and black people in general, who (for the most part), with few exceptions have absolutely no knowledge on any of the issues and are completely naïve, to believe that just because a black man gets into the White House that suddenly black people in America will have an easier time. Suddenly, the ghettos will disappear and the government will pay attention to more of the issues facing the inner city children of this nation, it’s simply not going to change anything. When I see my neighbors with Obama shirts, caps, or signs, and I ask them why they are supporting him, and the reply I get is “because he’s black”, I am left shaking my head because I know, I am not the only one who is seeing this. Whites are seeing this on the news, when the reporters on the streets ask people why they are supporting Obama they get the same answer. Now on BET you see the entire black community who seems to be following this man only because of his race. What does this look like from the outside in… RACISM!! Something that we have worked so hard to overcome has now become something we are participating in; and I will tell you that white people are losing respect and dignity for us as a whole for this simple fact. It is brewing a lot of tense feelings out there. So please get educated on the issues, and no I’m not talking about what you heard on the corner or in the barber shop, I mean for real, read a paper, watch the news, watch a different channel on tv to get both sides. And remember one thing, If we as a whole vote for Obama in the 80%-90% we can no longer call whites a racist people, because more white Americans would have voted for a black man, than we voted for a white man when we had a choice!



JaMarquatrion Jenkins Said on

Race matters big times. I am proud of obama, but he have zero experience compared to them otha peeps. I think he has made enough history but the show is over. I will vote for him when he proves to me he can fix the black community first. Right now Ill just vote for McCains, or not vote at all.
Yo nigg,
Ja-Man



Victor Said on

EA,

You are young and immature to think that you know why ALL black people are voting for Obama. You are a disgrace to your own race that you don’t give black people any credit for having brains enough to decide who we want to vote for and why. We are not stupid. Obama is NOT a messiah or a magician…he can’t wave a magic wand and fix all of our issues. Shame on you for even posting such stupid SHYT!!!



EA Said on

Victor,
Just as I expected someone to belittle me, accusing me of being immature, and oh yes, my favorite part… I’m a disgrace to my own race for having my own thoughts and disagreements with black people. Oh, by the way I’m 35 years old, a Dartmouth grad, and a small business owner who stands to gain a $35,000 tax increase if Obama gets into office and puts his tax plan in place…But after all I am a disgrace to my own race even though I have given hundreds of thousands of dollars, and hundreds of hours back into my community to make it a better place so someone else can also get the education I got, fulfill their dream, then express their mind and then be called a disgrace. I’m such a horrible person!



Victor Said on

EA,

Very impressive…now pat yourself on the back. Your not the only successful black person so don’t get your head too pumped up. I am a college professor; there are educators and business owners in my family. Now that being said…you’re even more of a disgrace because you are a successful black and have the gall to tell other black people to “please get educated on the issues”. Why can’t you understand that blacks are EDUCATED AND HAVE STILL CHOSEN OBAMA? Have you questioned all the white people about who they are voting for and why and come to any valid conclusions?



clint Said on

EA,

Blacks, have been voting for white candidates mostly all of their voting lives, now, why in the heck , when a candidate comes along, who is qualified just like the white man, highly educated more than the white, affluent and eloquent and able to lead this country without any doubt or question, and this man just so happens to be black, Then why must some people assume that I am voting for him based on the merit that he is a black man!!!!?????

When Al Sharpton, and Carol-Mosely Braun, ran back in 04 did they get support like this from the black community????? I dont think so, especially not from me!!!!!

Noone ever questions why whites always vote for whites, its just never an issue!!!!

We as blacks, have not reached heights, and opportunities, that America has so afforded others, and I think blacks as whole are proud right now, and you cant take that away from us…..This is a movement!!!! Of course we have not reached the promised land, or will end racism,

And you know that you are going to have some that are voting for him solely on race, but that is only a small percentage of us, as long as you know that you are voting for him on the issues, and you can go further, pull those people aside and educate them on the issues, on what Obama stands for……..Let them be your assignment and educate and enlighten them., These are your people, and we have to help one another!!!!!

Obama-Biden 08



Kay Said on

BLACK PEOPLE DON’T HAVE STAND BACK IN THE SHADOWS NOW, AND LET SOMEONE ELSE TELL US HOW TO LIVE. I WILL NOT LET THAT HAPPEN TO ME, I HAVE RIGHTS TO VOTE FOR WHOMEVER I CHOOSE. AND IF YOU THINK OBAMA ISN’T WORTHY OF THE WHITE HOUSE, YOU ARE SO WRONG. HE HAS EARNED HIS RIGHT TO BE THERE,BY BEING EDUCATED,WORKING HARD TO ACOMPLISHED THE UNTHOUGHT OF PLACE FOR ANY BLACK PERSON TO BE. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE AFRAID OF US,WE AREN’T HERE TO STEAL,KILL AND DESTROY YOU. YOU HAVE ENOUGH OF YOUR OWN KIND TO DO THAT, BELIEVE IT OR NOT YOU HAVE SOME OF THE SAME KIND OF PEOPLE WE HAVE IN OUR RACE. THE ONES THAT DON’T WANT TO WORK, LOOKING TO TAKE YOUR STUFF, THE DOPE HEADS, THE NONE WORKING WELFARE GROUP,AND ALSO THE ONES THAT KEEP HAVING BABIES FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO TAKE CARE OF! YES, YOU HAVE THEM IN YOUR RACE ALSO! SO LET’S GIVE OBAMA A TRY, HE CAN’T BE ANY WORSE THAN THE IDIOT WE HAVE IN THERE NOW. AND SPEAKING OF IDIOTS WHAT ABOUT McCAIN/PALIN? THAT PALIN IS REALLY SOMETHING, I DON’T KNOW WHAT!



david Said on

Who’s people are red necks.



david Said on

Vote McCain.



Jerry Said on

All I want to say is are you all American or African because you cant be both. You can be American of African decent. Like me I concider myself American of German decent. I am American first and foremost. I think terms like African-American , Latino-American, and Asian-American ios what keeps issues with race alive and kicking. If we all just thought of ourselve as only Americans and nothing else than that is what we are.

So I ask are you Americans or are you not Americans?



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