Sexism/Racism Alive on Obama Campaign Trail

[counterblast]

Several weeks ago Barrack Obama held an "open forum" here in Michigan. A few of the womyn from a local feminist group my roommate is a part of decided to attend the forum, and against my better judgement, they somehow convinced me to go along, too.

Unexpectedly when we arrived, I was pulled aside from my friends by a local campaign worker, and asked if I'd like to ask the Senator a question. (I agreed.)

As expected, the forum proved to be less than "open". Those who asked questions were selected by campaign workers ahead of time and their questions were screened...

I was taken to a room with a short line where I was asked to present my question to some important campaign official for "approval" when it became time. When it got around to my turn, I stated "I would like to ask Senator Obama why he repeatedly refers to abortion as an 'emotionally painful decision', as though abortion was some necessary evil that womyn should feel guilty over?"

The disinterested look on the official's face, immediately let me know he had dismissed my question, probably without even hearing it through. "Abortion isn't a very important issue to the campaign or the American people, right now... the Middle East and religious persecution under the PATRIOT ACT... are..." he said, "We're trying to keep our campaign positive and upbeat, and besides, I think people would be interested to hear your story."




In other words; "Womens rights don't matter, all Arabs are Muslim, and as an Arab I expect you to speak with some authority on the Middle East."

[Pogue]

You're over-exagerating. It's border-line racist and stupid, but it's definatly not sexist.

[JimmyJazz]

As expected, the forum proved to be less than "open". Those who asked questions were selected by campaign workers ahead of time and their questions were screened...

TomK, are you reading this??

(We debated over whether John McCain's staff had pre-screened the lady that got the microphone on a televised rally and said "I don't trust Obama because I have read about him and he's a...he's an Arab.")

[counterblast]

You're over-exagerating. It's border-line racist and stupid, but it's definatly not sexist.

"Borderline racism" -- wow, thats a new one.

[Pogue]

Way to give a vague and meaningless response to me calling you up on something.

[rouchambeau]

Here, let me try to clarify what the issue is, HLVS.

Counterblast (who looks Mid-Eastern, I presume) walks into the screening room hoping to be able to ask a question of her choice. She submits her question to the screener, who then says something to the effect of, "I don't really care what you think is important. I want to hear you speak on the Middle East. I mean, obviously, you're an expert on the issue."

Does that clear it up?

[AAFCE]

That is Racist.

Did you get to ask a question in the end?

[Abluegreen7]

You're over-exagerating. It's border-line racist and stupid, but it's definatly not sexist.
Whether it is border line rascist or just plan rascist...

It should not be condoned.

[Abluegreen7]

CounterBlast good post BTW.

[Pogue]

Here, let me try to clarify what the issue is, HLVS.

Counterblast (who looks Mid-Eastern, I presume) walks into the screening room hoping to be able to ask a question of her choice. She submits her question to the screener, who then says something to the effect of, "I don't really care what you think is important. I want to hear you speak on the Middle East. I mean, obviously, you're an expert on the issue."

Does that clear it up?

It's rude and naive, and its a stupid thing to do, and I'd understand someone seeing it as racist, but I don't think its completely racist. The woman assumed that she knew stuff about the Middle-East based upon her appearance, which is making a big assumption, but I don't think it (as in the assumption of being Middle Eastern) was meant negatively, so its ignorant, not racist.
And it's definatly not sexist. Thats just a knee-jerk exageration, its not a logical conclusion.

I understand where you're coming from, I just don't think its racist, but very nearly so. The whole thing is being exagerated. Look at the thread title. One incident like this and it means sexism and racism is alive on the Obama campaign trail? Come on.

[Abluegreen7]

It's rude and naive, and its a stupid thing to do, and I'd understand someone seeing it as racist, but I don't think its completely racist. The woman assumed that she knew stuff about the Middle-East based upon her appearance, which is making a big assumption, but I don't think it (as in the assumption of being Middle Eastern) was meant negatively, so its ignorant, not racist.
And it's definatly not sexist. Thats just a knee-jerk exageration, its not a logical conclusion.

I understand where you're coming from, I just don't think its racist, but very nearly so. The whole thing is being exagerated. Look at the thread title. One incident like this and it means sexism and racism is alive on the Obama campaign trail? Come on.
HVLS makes an intresting point indeed.

Yet I feel the urge to side with the OP on this one.

[Chapter 24]

HLVS, the whole point of the OP is that counterblast wanting to ask a legitimate question concerning abortion and received, in return, a rejection to ask that question. Instead, she was told to ask about the Middle East, as if the entire campaign for her rests upon the question, "What are Obama's views on the Middle East?". They assumed that because she was Middle Eastern that this was of a bigger concern to her than abortion.
Now it may not appear to be racist to you, but when someone asks a question pertaining to a specific issue and is then rejected that opportunity based upon their race, ethnicity, or otherwise, that is a questionable act. Indeed, what if a black man wanted to ask Obama about his educational policies and in turn was told by a campaign staffer, "Alright well... we'd much prefer if you'd ask about (insert predominantly African-American issue here)."
Also, I find it troubling that you're going out of your way to defend Obama's campaign as being untainted of racism. Even if this were true Obama is still not eligible to lead this nation of pesudo-democractic principles, nor is anyone else.

[rouchambeau]

I don't think it (as in the assumption of being Middle Eastern) was meant negatively, so its ignorant, not racist. Intent has nothing to do with racism. People participate in and support racism all of the time without having malevolent feelings or intentions towards any race.


One incident like this and it means sexism and racism is alive on the Obama campaign trail?Yes, it does. An Obama worker did something racist, so there is racism on the campaign trail.

[ifeelyou]

You're over-exagerating. It's border-line racist and stupid, but it's definatly not sexist.

Could you please explain what the hell is "border-line" racism and how it's not sexist?

[benhur]

Goes on to show that most liberals/democrats are as racists/sexist as republicans. My friend had a similar experience, when she didn't quite agree with certain ideas in the democratic party. Immediately, she was insulted as a half breed by the democrats.:( On the outside, they may look ok because they suppress their racist tendencies. But give them an opportunity, and they'll show their real nature.

[Decolonize The Left]

Goes on to show that most liberals/democrats are as racists/sexist as republicans. My friend had a similar experience, when she didn't quite agree with certain ideas in the democratic party. Immediately, she was insulted as a half breed by the democrats.:( On the outside, they may look ok because they suppress their racist tendencies. But give them an opportunity, and they'll show their real nature.

I will acknowledge that democrats and republicans share many traits, but you ignore a great amount of differences between the two with this post.

Furthermore, there is a difference between democrat/republican and liberal/conservative.

- August

[Module]

You're over-exagerating. It's border-line racist and stupid, but it's definatly not sexist.
It's not sexist to reject a legitimate question about women's abortion rights because it apparently "isn't a very important issue"?
Give me a break.
And, as others have said, making a judgement about somebody based on their ethnicity, and disregarding somebody's personal concerns because you only approached them expecting them to talk about their ethnicity is definitely racist.

[STI]

I will acknowledge that democrats and republicans share many traits, but you ignore a great amount of differences between the two with this post.

Furthermore, there is a difference between democrat/republican and liberal/conservative.

- August

I'd agree that there is a degree of ideological difference between liberals and conservatives, but take issue with your characterization of Democrats and Republicans as different.

Their rhetoric may be more "liberal-sounding", but in practice the democrats are just as conservative as the republicans.

After all, LBJ was quite content to keep the Vietnam War going. No Democrat ever made serious moves to repeal Taft-Hartley (though Truman spoke against it, he was happy to invoke it in several instances). Obama worked to increase troop deployment in Iraq.

As communists, we have to cut through the abstracted ideology of each party and analyze what they do. In reality, it's never a difference worth acting differently upon.