In Case You Missed It: Obamas Reflect on Personal Incidents of Racial Discrimination - ABC News “Barack Obama was a black man that lived on the South Side of Chicago, who had his share of troubles catching cabs, Michelle Obama told the magazine. On one occasion, she said, her husband “was wearing a tuxedo at a black-tie dinner, and somebody asked him to get coffee.” President Obama said hes even been mistakenly treated as a valet. “There’s no black male my age, who’s a professional, who hasn’t come out of a restaurant and is waiting for their car and somebody didn’t hand them their car keys, he said, according to excerpts of the interview released today. MY VIEWS I recall Denzel Washington talking about racism as it relates to cabs and roles in Hollywood. The difference is that Denzel spoke with conviction and then highlighted how he overcame it and became a voice of inspiration. He was careful to express that not every instance of perceived racism is actual racism. He was balanced, unlike the President and the first lady in this narrative of theirs. I can also say that I have often been mistaken as the help in a clothing store, department store, etc. But it is because I am usually in a suit or am well dressed and well mannered. People just assume I am a manager or employee on a moments notice when they need immediate help and look around and there I stand I never get offended. I always smile and politely tell them I dont work there and try to help if I may know the solution to their question. No big deal. The fact is that, while personal and institutional prejudice are real, we also must learn to differentiate between real and perceived prejudice. The examples offered by the Obamas do not constitute real prejudice, but instead highlight a deep sense of self importance, privilege and a profound arrogance. They sound like unto elitists to me. Not victims. I mean, have only Blacks been mistaken as the help in a store? I get the cab thing and agree that its an issue, but I have been to N.Y. many times and I can tell you that no one can easily get a cab in downtown Manhattan unless the hotel bellman helps you get one! So sometimes prejudice may be a factor, but it is a mistake to assume prejudice is always applicable when you are Black and cant get a cab in a busy city. Its disappointing that the Obamas dont use their bully pulpit to educate and inspire determination and unity. Instead, they often embellish and drop the ball in deciding to promote more distrust, disunity and bitterness. YOUR VIEWS? abcnews.go/Politics/obamas-reflect-personal-incidents-racial-discrimination/story?id=27636612
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 20:06:13 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015