Revealing Biases Against Obama

By Daniel Miessler on September 10th, 2008: Tagged as Politics | Race

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Many white people I speak with have a visceral reaction to Obama. Their faces crinkle up when even considering the idea of him being President. Yet when I ask them what policies of his they don’t like, I get the gaze of nothingness. Many of these same people can’t name the three branches of government.

So what’s the real reason for the near-hostile reaction?

Try this thought experiment: What percentage of white people who severely dislike Obama (for whatever reason) would feel comfortable with their daughter, under any circumstances, marrying a black guy?

Let’s be clear: I’m not saying that anyone who doesn’t like Obama is definitely making the entire decision based on race; that’s a severe overextension. What I’m saying is that if:

  1. You “really” don’t like Obama, in an emotional sense, and…
  2. You’d be highly adverse to having your daughter marry a black guy (regardless of who he is)…

…then you should re-evaluate your thoughts/feelings regarding Obama. In short, if both of the above are true you are likely making a significant portion of your decision based on race—not consciously, but subconsciously.

Don’t feel guilty about it. It’s quite natural to make these sorts of background-process decisions about risk and danger. It’s built into us. But it’s the job of our logic and reason to try and counteract these impulses when they are unfounded.

I ask only that you consider it.:

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Viewing 10 Comments

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    Humorously enough, when I told my boss I would not be voting Obama her reaction was "Because you are a racist."


    Why is it so hard to understand I do not vote Obama because I don't like his energy policy (though improving), his 2A policies (Constitutional Scholar my Bum), or the fact he wishes to take from me (since I can afford it) and give it to those who "need" (not work) for it.


    If I voted for Obama, it would be to simply elect a black man, and that in my opinion WOULD be racist.

    • ^
    • v

    Dan,


    Right on.


    Brooks: Do you like the Republican position on our 1A,4A and 5A?

    • ^
    • v

    Dan,


    Is the bottom line of this piece that anyone who has a strong negative reaction to Obama an anti-black racist?


    That would equate to everyone who has a strong positive reaction to Obama being a pro-black racist.


    I suppose it is concievable to believe that everyone who doesn't like something does so outrightly from an ignorant basis, for no good reason, carelessly. Of course, this implies the reason why you don't like McCain.


    I don't support this position. In fact, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you've thought out your views on the candidates.


    -=T=-

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    Tim, you should read/re-read my post before asking questions that are addressing within it.

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    • v

    No Tim, Dan is saying if you have a negative reaction to Obama and no rationale from it, it might be from racism. Now ponder.

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    Adam,


    I don't see anybody stumping against Obama on the basis that they have no rationale or that they are against their daughters dating blacks. It's an open field on those points, or lack thereof.


    Dan,


    Read it a few times before you assumed I didn't, thank you.


    Both of you,


    If you are willing to propose that the possibility exists that voters are against Obama because they are racist to any extent, it follows logically that the possibility exists that other voters who are for Obama are also equally racist. You cannot accept one and deny the other, no matter how convenient. Logic does not permit this.


    -=T=-

    • ^
    • v

    /s/white/liberal/g
    /s/Obama/McCain/g


    Your political posts really smack of the same closed mindedness you go on about on your religious posts.

    • ^
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    @Tim,


    I said the following in the original post:


    Let’s be clear: I’m not saying that anyone who doesn’t like Obama is definitely making the entire decision based on race; that’s a severe overextension.

    Then you asked:


    Is the bottom line of this piece that anyone who has a strong negative reaction to Obama an anti-black racist?

    If you can't see the problem here then I can't really help you.

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    Daniel,


    I'll take that as a no.


    However, when you say:


    "In short, if both of the above are true you are likely
    making a significant portion of your decision based on
    race—not consciously, but subconsciously."


    the very clear implication is that the beholder of such decision IS a racist, even if so by subconscious means, unaware of who they are, and that you are telling them so, since they have such strong opinions towards Obama.


    I've got one better. You DID mention two qualifiers, (1) not wanting your daughter to marry a black under any circumstances, AND (2) "really" not liking Obama.


    Since the first qualifier is a defining racist trait, we could leave it at that. A racist to any extent that doesn't like Obama is still a racist. It's like saying a clown who drives a Lexus is still a clown.


    Yet, why is this post about people who strongly dislike Obama? To tie the two together, and join those in both categories, making them mutually inclusive, establishing more relation between the two than actually exists.


    We can extend this exercise in another parallel direction. If you (a) strongly dislike Obama AND (b) strongly dislike Muslims, you might find him a convenient person to vent your hatred upon, "…then you should re-evaluate your thoughts/feelings regarding Obama. In short, if both of the above are true you are likely making a significant portion of your decision based on" --religion--"—not consciously, but subconsciously." This is your logic, I understand it very well.


    Although I have an adverse reaction to the mentioning of Obama for President, primarily because of his policy proposals, I would not be adverse to having such an influential young man capture my daughter's future affections, and not to spite his dark complection and the fate it "deserves", but because that young man is enterprising, educated, and successful, (even if so by exploitative means, which too often are rewarded these days, especially if they are lawyers). I have no reason to believe that he would mistreat my daughter. Obama is not Othello, and there is no evidence of that concerning Obama, and should such qualities her happy, I would be satisfied. Also, Obama lacks the experience to be President, but inexperience is a worthwhile commodity in the suitors of a father's daughter.


    No help needed. I'm just enjoying the conversation.


    -=T=-

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    My question is: Why is everything about race? If you were drowning or burning in a building would it matter if Obama or McCain rescued you? In fact, if you were a victim of Hurricane Katrina how would react to a Republican president, white or black? It should be about the person, not the color of the person. But then again this is America and who am I kidding?

 

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