I've made no bones about the fact that I'm not an Obama supporter because I don't like his policies or views and disagree with where he's going to take the country, but what's going on in some parts of the country is horrendous. This kind of hatred is disgraceful. It is beyond me how, in this day and age, fellow Americans can be this hateful towards another race, and it sadly cuts both ways. I guess we really haven’t come all that far after all.

 

Cross burnings. Schoolchildren chanting "Assassinate Obama." Black figures hung from nooses. Racial epithets scrawled on homes and cars.

Incidents around the country referring to President-elect Barack Obama are dampening the postelection glow of racial progress and harmony, highlighting the stubborn racism that remains in America.

 

From California to Maine, police have documented a range of alleged crimes, from vandalism and vague threats to at least one physical attack. Insults and taunts have been delivered by adults, college students and second-graders.[/Quote]

 

The student's mother, Eshe Riviears, said the principal told her: "Whether you like it or not, we're in the South, and there are a lot of people who are not happy with this decision."

 

Other incidents include:

 

• Four North Carolina State University students admitted writing anti-Obama comments in a tunnel designated for free speech expression, including one that said: "Let's shoot that (racist slur) in the head." Obama has received more threats than any other president-elect, authorities say.
   
  
• At Standish, Maine, a sign inside the Oak Hill General Store read: "Osama Obama Shotgun Pool." Customers could sign up to bet $1 on a date when Obama would be killed. "Stabbing, shooting, roadside bombs, they all count," the sign said. At the bottom of the marker board was written "Let's hope someone wins."
   
  
• Racist graffiti was found in places including New York's Long Island, where two dozen cars were spray-painted; Kilgore, Texas, where the local high school and skate park were defaced; and the Los Angeles area, where swastikas, racial slurs and "Go Back To Africa" were spray painted on sidewalks, houses and cars.
   
  
• Second- and third-grade students on a school bus in Rexburg, Idaho, chanted "assassinate Obama," a district official said.
   
  
• University of Alabama professor Marsha L. Houston said a poster of the Obama family was ripped off her office door. A replacement poster was defaced with a death threat and a racial slur. "It seems the election brought the racist rats out of the woodwork," Houston said.
   
  
• Black figures were hanged by nooses from trees on Mount Desert Island, Maine, the Bangor Daily News reported. The president of Baylor University in Waco, Texas said a rope found hanging from a campus tree was apparently an abandoned swing and not a noose.
   
  
• Crosses were burned in yards of Obama supporters in Hardwick, N.J., and Apolacan Township, Pa.
   
  
• A black teenager in New York City said he was attacked with a bat on election night by four white men who shouted 'Obama.'
   
  
• In the Pittsburgh suburb of Forest Hills, a black man said he found a note with a racial slur on his car windshield, saying "now that you voted for Obama, just watch out for your house."
  

[/Quote]

 

This is beyond appalling folks. I fear for this country and of its chance of ever getting past the evils of its history.

 

Link

That's terrible to read. The stupidity of some people never ceases to amaze me.

That's terrible to read. The stupidity of some people never ceases to amaze me.

I'm with you 100%. :thumb:

Truely a very sad commentary on our society!! Unfortunately there were tons of stories of intimidation from the Obama/Biden side as well.

 

Though no Obama fan, I'd prefer to hear stories such as Bill Cosby's, where he talked about how he took his brother (who died when he was 8), Mom & Dad's pictures into the voting booth with him, so they could see how far we've come!!

Words alone cannot express how awful some of those examples are that you listed.

Words alone cannot express how awful some of those examples are that you listed.

Agreed, the absolute bottom of the barrel. I feel bad about how hateful this country still is.

That's terrible. Sadly, there will always be ignorant people or all races living in this country.

My 10-year-old nephew found a button (like a political pin) at the game last night. It had a racist word (yes, that one) on it, and some other writing. His grandpa asked him what he did with it. He said he destroyed it. We tried not to make a big deal out of the incident, but were happy to see he did the right thing.

All we can do his hope and pray that he's able to change things, not only in Washington, but how race issues may be viewed in time. Of course, Obama alone can't change views of those who choose to be racist, but in my opinion he will play a huge part.

There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behavior. Obama has been elected as President and I will support him.

There always has and always will be racism and hatred like this. Sad but true.

Can I assume that all of you who are so shocked were equally shocked by the attacks on Sarah Palin merely because she had the audacity to be a strong woman with strong Judeo-Christian beliefs?

 

We have plenty of racism, sexism, anti-Christian beliefs, etc. That is not going to change.

 

All who enter the political arena, including Obama, must accept what we call "assumption of the risk". Than is reality. And, in fact, he has a long way to go before he is abused and threatened remotely as much as has been directed at Bush. In a "diversified" society, it goes with the territory.

Can I assume that all of you who are so shocked were equally shocked by the attacks on Sarah Palin merely because she had the audacity to be a strong woman with strong Judeo-Christian beliefs?

We have plenty of racism, sexism, anti-Christian beliefs, etc. That is not going to change.

 

All who enter the political arena, including Obama, must accept what we call "assumption of the risk". Than is reality. And, in fact, he has a long way to go before he is abused and threatened remotely as much as has been directed at Bush. In a "diversified" society, it goes with the territory.

Can I assume that all of you who are so shocked were equally shocked by the attacks on Sarah Palin merely because she had the audacity to be a strong woman with strong Judeo-Christian beliefs?

 

We have plenty of racism, sexism, anti-Christian beliefs, etc. That is not going to change.

 

All who enter the political arena, including Obama, must accept what we call "assumption of the risk". Than is reality. And, in fact, he has a long way to go before he is abused and threatened remotely as much as has been directed at Bush. In a "diversified" society, it goes with the territory.

 

First of all, I've never heard of a death threat towards President Bush.

 

Secondly, Obama probably expects these types of things, but his supporters should not have to.

 

And the things that were said about Sarah Palin do not compare to the things listed at the beginning of this thread. Not even close!

All we can do his hope and pray that he's able to change things, not only in Washington, but how race issues may be viewed in time. Of course, Obama alone can't change views of those who choose to be racist, but in my opinion he will play a huge part.

 

As I stated above, this is a very sad commentary on our society!! I'm curious however, if anyone thought the "campaign retoric", often unspoken but very obvious nonetheless, basically suggesting any voter not of color, of being racist if they did not support Obama/Biden; was at all racist in nature?? Remember "racism" moves in multiple directions, not just one, as traditionally defined in the US!!

 

I would also disagree somewhat with the bolded quote above. As I stated in another thread, I believe Obama has an opportunity to bring the country much closer together and further bury racism, than any president in memory, if not history (excuse me Abe); simply due to his race and the unique place he holds in our Presidential history.

 

If he governs as the President of all the people, and not just the Reid/Pelosi hard left; he can fulfill the idealism of most of his supporters and followers, bring on board many of his political opponents, and perhaps bring the country much closer together. If he choses to move our democracy closer to socialism as many of his detractors (and perhaps his brief voting history in the Senate) suggest; he may serve to drive a divide in this country that we haven't seen in a 150 years!! Overly dramatic--Possibly??

 

Personally I pray he choses the former option, and my political opposition aside, I'll fully support my President!!