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corysub -> RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is treated? (10/25/2008 6:00:35 AM)
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ORIGINAL: PlayfulOne
quote:
ORIGINAL: Elisabella I think one of the biggest problems in America today is that African-Americans are considered "black" before they are considered "Americans."
You've never spent time around certain groups of Italian Americans or Irish Americans?
quote:
ORIGINAL: meatcleaver
When you portray a white man as a chimp, everyone knows you portray him as a fool and an idiot. When you portray a blackman as a chimp, everyone knows you portray him as being left behind by evolution and hence, not fully human.
Right along with the old terms Porch Monkey and Yard Ape.
K
I'm of Italian decent but have never defined myself as an "Italian American"...My grandfather who came over in the early part of the last century did consider it an honor when he took the test and became a citizen. We grew up in an Italain ghetto and I understand the frictions that young people have in that environment when everyone not Italian is considered with suspician, and you were called dago, wop, dumb greasy haired "G"....It was a rough time, the gangs were big and well-armed, and some kids didn't make it.
However, family was always there, respect for older people and "don't bring shame on the family" was drilled into us. Every adult had unwritten permission to give a kid a boot in the ass if he was doing something wrong. Adults ruled, not children. The church was an important part of our lives, it provided "hope" for our dreams, and was the source of much of our entertainment with dances, outings, summer camps, etc. No one read Dr. Spock. and was concerned about the "long term feelings of the child being impacted by strick discipline. I know I am drifting off topic, but I am trying to give some definition to what MY experience was, and it may parallel the experience of others since the question was raised.
Today, my friends and I meet and talk about politics, talk about the Philly's, talk about sex and everything else under the sun. We never talk about our "Italian roots". Most of the people I know are voting for McCain/Palin, possibly splitting their vote for Congress since we have a good guy who just, unfortunately, happens to be a democrat. The fact that Obama's skin is black is not the issue...The issue is that we are not sure what the true color of his heart is, what radical path his ideology will take the nation, and the inexperience of the man with such great charisma who is so charming, so great with words.
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