Brainfade Posted July 19, 2013 Posted July 19, 2013 http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/07/19/obama-trayvon-marin-george-zimmerman/2568811/ President Obama said Friday that all Americans should respect the George Zimmerman verdict, but white Americans should also understand that African Americans continue to face racial discrimination. "Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago," Obama said during a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room. Obama said he himself has been subjected to casual prejudice, but also said African Americans need to address the problems of violence in their own communities. African-American males understand that they are more likely to be both "victims and perpetrators" of a crime, and "somebody like Trayvon Martin was probably statistically more likely to be shot by a peer than he was by somebody else," Obama said. The problem is that so many people paint with a "broad brush" and see all black males as potential criminals, added the first African-American president. More than a year after saying that Trayvon could have been his son, Obama told reporters that, like other African Americans, he has been followed by security guards while shopping, and has seen motorists lock their doors or women hold tighter to their purses as as he walked near them. "I don't want to exaggerate this, but those sets of experiences inform how the African-American community interprets what happened one night in Florida," Obama said. A Florida jury acquitted Zimmerman on Saturday night of murder in the 2012 death of 17-year-old Trayvon. In a 17-minute address that got emotional at times, Obama said he respects the different views of the verdict, but the trial was conducted professionally, and "once the jury's spoken, that's how our system works." As the Justice Department investigates whether to charge Zimmerman with civil rights violations in the wake of Trayvon's 2012 death, Obama said state and local governments should examine whether changes to laws can head off violent confrontations. That includes racial training for law enforcement in order to reduce tensions between police and minorities, he said. The president also questioned the wisdom of Florida's "stand your ground" law, which, in the view of critics, all but encourages confrontation that could turn deadly. Too many African Americans and other minorities distrust the justice system, Obama said, and view the Zimmerman-Trayvon case through "a set of experiences and a history that doesn't go away." Obama said all Americans should do "soul-searching" in the wake of the verdict and the reactions to it, but questioned whether a full-blown "national conversion" would do much good if too many politicians or pundits were involved. Borrowing a quote from Abraham Lincoln, Obama said people should appeal to "the better angels" of human natures, rather than using incidents like Trayvon's death and Zimmerman's acquittal to "heighten divisions." I agree with a lot of what he said in the speech, but where was this particular piece of advice in March 2012, Sir? Obama also said that Americans should realize that, over the course of decades, American race relations have improved. "I don't want us to lose sight of the fact that things are getting better," Obama said. Obama also paid tribute to Trayvon's parents, saying that "I can only imagine what they're going through and it's remarkable how they've handled it."
Swing_n_Speed Posted July 19, 2013 Posted July 19, 2013 Well Obama in that same America you became a President, yet you cannot brush aside 'alleged' incidents where women held on to their purses tightly as you walked by? Maybe 'Sir' the problem lies with you and how you perceive things. Obama is trying to extract maximum political gain off Trayvon's blood soaked shirt! The only searching that needs to be done by Americans is to wonder how on earth did someone like obama become President!
Swing_n_Speed Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 ICF republican vs democrat war to commence I'm neither.
FischerTal Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 I'm neither. i supported mccain in 2008 until he decided to make sarah palin VP nominee. from then on, i have been apolitical too :nice:
The Outsider Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 Well Obama in that same America you became a President, yet you cannot brush aside 'alleged' incidents where women held on to their purses tightly as you walked by? Maybe 'Sir' the problem lies with you and how you perceive things. Obama is trying to extract maximum political gain off Trayvon's blood soaked shirt! The only searching that needs to be done by Americans is to wonder how on earth did someone like obama become President! Yeah, because Obama became president racism has been eradicated from America. :nice:
Swing_n_Speed Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 Yeah' date=' because Obama became president racism has been eradicated from America. :nice:[/quote'] Maybe not. But he could've said: Yes I know that in this country racism exists but let me also point out that in this very country there are those of color like myself, who have risen through the ranks, lived life, made friends, and have become successful. Heck I became a president. So let's look at the future, let's reconcile and let's embrace our diversity which is what makes us great. Our diversity is not a tool of divisiveness (blah blah blah). But no he chose to take the route which would incite, aggravate and make an already tense situation even worse. He couldn't even cite a single example of where he faced racism. But good golly didn't he wanna say he suffered from racism at some point or the other.For obvious reasons.
hhunaeh Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 Maybe not. But he could've said: Yes I know that in this country racism exists but let me also point out that in this very country there are those of color like myself, who have risen through the ranks, lived life, made friends, and have become successful. Heck I became a president. So let's look at the future, let's reconcile and let's embrace our diversity which is what makes us great. Our diversity is not a tool of divisiveness (blah blah blah). But no he chose to take the route which would incite, aggravate and make an already tense situation even worse. He couldn't even cite a single example of where he faced racism. But good golly didn't he wanna say he suffered from racism at some point or the other.For obvious reasons. he is gently nudging and chiding them to change. He doesn't want to pat them on the back and say everyon'e doing an awesome job. That's what's your proposed speech sounds like.
FischerTal Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 Yeah' date=' [b']because Obama became president racism has been eradicated from America. :nice: that was the precise mindset of many dem supporters back in 2008, when America elected the first "Black" president of America . the irony is, he is just as black as zimmerman is latino. :hysterical: the biggest joke was when he was given the Nobel Prize :giggle:
hhunaeh Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 ^^That sounds like a repub excuse/fallback option when questioned about racism in america rather than a dem mindset during the elections.
FischerTal Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 ^^That sounds like a repub excuse/fallback option when questioned about racism in america rather than a dem claim. then you havent been to america my friend..... :two_thumbs_up: i live in uber blue state of California... enough experience with Obama supporters :dontmentionit: i remember when Obama's inaugration ceremony took place, I watched it in my classroom because my hippie history teacher wanted to experience this epic moment.... dude was literally crying.
The Outsider Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 that was the precise mindset of many dem supporters back in 2008, when America elected the first "Black" president of America . the irony is, he is just as black as zimmerman is latino. :hysterical: the biggest joke was when he was given the Nobel Prize :giggle: You must move around in weird circles.
FischerTal Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 You must move around in weird circles. whole of California has pretty weird people tbh... especially the hobos at Berkeley :agree:
The Outsider Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 whole of California has pretty weird people tbh... especially the hobos at Berkeley :agree: As weird as they might be, I am yet to meet a single person who saw Obama's election as eradication of racism in America. Many did consider it a great step in the right direction, a historic moment etc. etc. but I suspect you are just making up stuff.
hhunaeh Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 i remember when Obama's inaugration ceremony took place, I watched it in my classroom because my hippie history teacher wanted to experience this epic moment.... dude was literally crying. I never thought it was possible, that a black man would be elected president. I would have cried too if i was american.
FischerTal Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 As weird as they might be' date=' I am yet to meet a single person who saw Obama's election as eradication of racism in America.[b'] Many did consider it a great step in the right direction, a historic moment etc. etc. but I suspect you are just making up stuff. you can suspect all you want but i know from personal experience, many dem supporters thought this event was symbolic of a new america where race doesnt matter.
FischerTal Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 I never thought it was possible' date=' that a black man would be elected president. I would have cried too if i was american.[/quote'] With the changing demographics of America, it was just a matter of time. Dont be surprised if you see the first Latino president in 2016.
vvvslaxman Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 Maybe not. But he could've said: Yes I know that in this country racism exists but let me also point out that in this very country there are those of color like myself, who have risen through the ranks, lived life, made friends, and have become successful. Heck I became a president. So let's look at the future, let's reconcile and let's embrace our diversity which is what makes us great. Our diversity is not a tool of divisiveness (blah blah blah). But no he chose to take the route which would incite, aggravate and make an already tense situation even worse. He couldn't even cite a single example of where he faced racism. But good golly didn't he wanna say he suffered from racism at some point or the other.For obvious reasons. That wil portray him as phony. An innocent life lost and the criminal got away. He cannot gloat in such a scenario.
hhunaeh Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 With the changing demographics of America' date=' it was just a matter of time. Dont be surprised if you see the first Latino president in 2016.[/quote'] wasn't it young america that gave him the presidency? What percentage of white voters voted for obama?
FischerTal Posted July 20, 2013 Posted July 20, 2013 wasn't it young america that gave him the presidency? What percentage of white voters voted for obama? IIRC it was around 43 percent but his two biggest votebanks were the young and minorites. 95 percent of African Americans voted for him back in 2008 with 67 percent of Hispanics also voting for him. Edit: it should be three votebanks with women as well, especially young women.
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