Politics Of Race - USA

November 2008

Is America ready for a black president? Obama has distanced himself from the race question, but it has been the big issue. We ask the question how many Americans are voting on racial grounds?

Half a century ago students at a black college in Jackson State took to the streets demanding an end to segregation. They won, but little has changed. At the Jackson State football match there are no white faces in the crowd. Large parts of America are still split along race lines. Richard Barratt, a pro-segregation campaigner, finds the idea of a black man ruling America repugnant. But he suspects that Obama will be elected and that this will cause a rightwing backlash. When he goes in people are going to say; What have we done? For many Obama supporters race is also the deciding factor. Im not switching from the party, Im just a Republican supporting Obama, says Charles Evers. Its a matter of race. Atlantas former mayor Andrew Young sees the election as a referendum of how courageous America can be in taking a risk on the future. It's a frightening future for Americans. We've never had a weak dollar, never not been in control of the price of oil, never felt that close to half of the world hates us. For him colour is not the issue; Obama is the man for the job. But is America ready to take that leap?

Produced by SBS/Dateline
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Barack
• obama
• election
• 2008
• race
• black
• journeyman
• pictures
• news
• documentary
• current affairs
• journeyman pictures

[FrejIbnSkye]

The most qualified human became President Elect of the United States of America yesterday in a democratically decided election. The opposing candidate bowed down with grace and honor and all Americans face more tough times ahead. Let's all start playing like grown folks and get back to things we can do to improve the world, recycle, replace incandescent bulbs, watch out for your elderly neighbor and drive nonaggressively to consume gas and your arteries. May Peace be with you.

[lovelyirene2001]

Then what are your views on the issues - you misspelling, ungrammatical & uncouth simpleton?

"your" - you're

"then" - than

"core" - corps

So answer me moron! What are your views on the issues regarding the topic of this year's election & of this video? Spell/write it out, if you can - you trolling fucktard!

[Mr40acresandamule]

To say Obama is the worst is historically inaccurate. You would place Obama directly under previous presidents who were openly white supremacists, who ordered the removal of 500,000 Native Americans leading to their slaughter, presidents who had slaves? You need to do some research instead of being so bitter and racist.

[adgw1423]

The societal perception of race is so ridiculous - Obama, in therms of ethnicity, is just as much white as he is black. Also, a white person voting for a white person due to race is "racist", but black people voting for obama isn't "racist". People are so weird.

[blueiguy1]

@Luigi84289 300 years ago? how about 40 years ago (civil rights laws) no matter how much you DON'T like racial tensions exist because of context. Also black people in america still put up with a degree of racism--hence the youtube comments,--I don't like the fact that all white people are called racist ,although white surpremecy has existed and MANY whites fought against. The point is to end racism and untill blacks have improved, the fight for racial equality continues.

[Luigi84289]

@lovelyirene2001 Obama is the worst president because he is making things worse and he isn't a US citizen not because he's black. It's childish and immature to look at things like race and make sweeping judgments on one person. Every individual is different.

[Luigi84289]

@blueiguy1 History is a bullshit excuse. My ancestors were enslaved by romans big deal. I am white and am proud of what I am just like all the minorities I don't care what people did 300 years ago this is 2011. Ise every race to be held to this standard of ultimate perfection in order for it's members to be proud and feel like they should exist? It's insane. If my dad kills someone that doesn't effect me.

[Luigi84289]

@davincibaby Racist is just being pro white. Only weak minded people try to curb racial pride out of fear. There is nothing wrong with proud white people. They are not all out to kill you. If you would accept them you might actually be able to put an end to racial hatred and racial based violence. The only way to end "racism" is to castrate/enslave or kill all white people. This is what you believe. The only good whites are your bitches or dead ones. Whites can't even say nigger on TV.

[blueiguy1]

@Luigi84289 beacause are history is different and thus causes different results among people

[fuge000]

prolly because they are crazy

[CoolScoobydoo]

Obama's election was a referendum on white America.

[ExposeZionistCrimes]

@FrejIbnSkye hows that working out for you?