Race Relations in America, Well at least on the Houston Chronicle

Why use code-names if everyone knows what they are?

 

After that Bellaire cop shot Robbie Tolan the comments section on the article about it were horrific. Some people should never reproduce.

 

That doesn't make any sense.

 

Thank you.

I have lived in the Houston area since 1989 which is probably before some of the people here posting were born. Up until the last few years I had no major problems with the city or the state of Texas and had no plans to move. Recently, however, it's becoming more obvious to me that there is a disproportionate number of people here who have no respect for science, reason or facts in general. I know that there are people like that everywhere but it doesn't take much digging to see that there are more creationists, evangelical Christians and right-wing loonies here than in most other parts of the country.

It seems like it got worse after Obama won the election. People who I thought were somewhat moderate but leaning to the right I am discovering are full blown right-wing nutjobs as well as racists. A lot of people think these morons make up just a small part of the community but that doesn't seem to be the case. Don't believe me? Go to downtown Houston, a place full of college graduates and professionals and just listen to some of the insane things they believe in or some of the racist things they speak in a matter of fact manner. We have some of Houston's supposed best and brightest actually thinking the state of Texas should secede from the United States. LOL

 

I know exactly how you feel. I'm starting to believe the country became more divided along racial lines due to Obama becoming President. Or maybe the quiet racists who "have friends that are black" became a little threatened when a black dude started running the country so they decided to speak up. I call them kitchen table racists because they act like it's his policies they are at odds with when they are not among friends or family but once they are at home and comfortable they suddenly have problems with his race.

I have a really good friend (27 years old, college graduate and very successful) who is pretty progressive . She worries about the environment, is trying to become a vegetarian (out of compassion for animals), supports gay rights and would even like to see some form of universal health care but she just can't get behind Obama as President. When I asked why I got this answer:

"He just frightens me. I like all the things he says and I feel like the country is definitely better off now than it was under Bush but I just don't trust him."

I pressed her a little more and got this:

"My friend said he heard some black ladies at work talking about how now they don't have to work and that Obama is going to take care of the blacks first. Then, my dad said he heard some black lady (I guess he can tell race by how they sound) calling in to a radio show and saying the same thing. Maybe I could believe Obama isn't out to just help black people if he would give a speech telling the blacks they have to work and won't get special treatment now that he is President."

I think the way she feels is completely $%@$ stupid and I have a feeling she represents a much larger majority than before. I don't even think she realized she was this racist until Obama won the election.

 

I think that because a comment online does not have a face behind it; It makes it easy for a person with hate to get his point across. I'm kind of stating the obvious but it's true. It's scary to think that they walk among us.

 

He has done this in his campaign (and before that I believe). You could always try to find it on YouTube and show her the link. I'm not so sure it would help, but you could try.

To answer pgabriel's question, yes it is absolutely worth it. Sure, it might be harder to get things done, and it might intensify existing fears and prejudices, but it also exposes them and marginalizes them. That's progress whether the agenda gets accomplished or not.

I think Obama's race is not as much of a factor as some might believe. Perhaps xenophobia is a better term than racism, but I really think it's a combination of that and fear in general (fear of government, fear of socialism, fear of immorality, etc). Most of these fears would have still been in play with a white democrat as president. And there is good reason to avoid using the term "racism" to cover all those fears, since more than any of the others it makes people defensive and really obscures and derails the true conversation.

 

Even without the first minority president, our country's going through a drastic demographic shift. Self proclaimed Protestant Christians are declining. Hispanic populations are increasing beyond border states. Boomers are retiring.

The first black president carries the promise that the children of these "kitchen table racists" have a contradicting viewpoint that's readily available.

Realistically, it's hard to break centuries of culturally entrenched thought. I'm pretty sure the Obamas knew the mortal risks that came attached to running and being president. It still takes courage to dream. I'm still confident that it has been worth it. If only for the reason to know that it's possible.

As for political progress, Bush Admin dynamited any sense of civility for the opposing sides. With tough times at hand and an uncertain economic future, everyone's more willing to blame the other. Racial tensions are easy and primal. Not sure if it's more of a symptom than the cause.

 

this is the face i put with it...

 

I put this with your face.

 

My Grandfather, who is a very intelligent and educted man & owns two very successfull businesses in Houston told me this last night when I called to say hello.

He told me that even though he thought Bush was an idiot, Obama is worse because he has appointed only blacks to the higher positions in the government and that the blacks were taking over and that they will take care of the black people first and let the white people suffer. He told me that Obama was going to tax us all to death and give our tax money to the blacks. He said the country is going down the tubes and that the white people are now a minority and have no power.

I couldn't believe it. My grandfather does have a few black business partners and friends. This proves that this Obama election has brought out the worst in people. I would have never thought my Grandfather would have such views. This is probably the exact thing Dave_78 is talking about.

 

That is just really depressing.

 

Luckily, my grandfathers on my mother's side are dead.

 

Especially for me. I always looked up to and learned so much from my grandfather. I'm completly bummed out about it.

 

Maybe you will get lucky like Lil Pun and he will die.

 

I was not implying that he would be lucky if his grandfather died.

 

I dont know you bro. But based on your rhetoric I'm discerning that you are of the Big Texx, Basso, Trader Yilk. Correct?