Is Barack Obama racist for suggesting people of color can't be successful without employing racism towards white and Asian people?

[Anonymous]

Updates

+1 y

Or more specifically, is he racist against people of color? His racism towards white and "white adjacent" people has been rather clear.

[D_Bone_Steak]

Yes, he is being racist. If having to displace people that have the test scores in order to allow people that simply do not have the test scores... simply because of race. Well, that's racist. Judging people based on skin color is racist. Judging people based on test scores is a meritocracy.

Take the names, race, and gender off and give them a number. Submit an application for anything like that and see what happens. Do you think a hairdressing shop is going to suddenly fill up with a perfect ratio of different types of people, or do you think a bunch of women speckled with gay guys will still fill it up? I say do that with admissions to college... Neil D'Grass Tyson type brainiacs are still going to get in there.

Also note, you take a black man of average intelligence just like me, and put him in a place where he doesn't belong just to fill a quota... he's going to fail just like I would in that environment. That's not doing that black man any favors. It just makes the problem worse. ... think about that... if they started sticking a bunch of average white and Asian guys in some Ivy league school, you'd just end up with a bunch of white and Asian dropouts with intense debt that now don't have a degree to help them get the job to pay off that debt. Why would that be any different for the average black man?

[GreatBigCircles]

One of the biggest criticisms levied against affirmative action by those who would stand to benefit from it materially, is that it demeans the labor and work of black people and institutionalizes the concept of 'blackness' as being separate and unequal.

Fixing societal woes and the legacy of racism is a much more complex and nuanced topic, because it simultaneous deals with very real demographic and institutional problems while trying not to objectify or deny the agency of the individuals affected. (It also doesn't help that politicians run on promises of fast miracle fixes because that's what gets votes, but most of the worst issues are generational problems that require generational struggles and change).

That said, I don't think he was being racist in that comment. Regarldess on what stance you take on affirmative action, a lot of people who have suffered from the increased racial tensions over the last decade are likely going to see the decision reversal as a scary continuation of racially charged rhetoric, not a change towards an equitable alternative for ensuring meritocracy as some people say it is.

[jennifer_bloom]

Black people can still succeed very well without affirmative action but more will succeed if they are given the benefits of affirmative action. It's not an exclusionary statement, it's a relative statement.

[Asker]

Then why would black people be wondering what the future holds if they, as a whole, can and will be successful without affirmative action?

[jennifer_bloom]

The excellent ones don't need affirmative action, but the less successful ones, might need a boost to get into the schools that they want for their job. In every community and group, you have leaders, you have neutrals, and you have followers who are less powerful than the neutrals. This is not a purely black people variable, it's a global all races and religions rule, that diversity is in every community and there is always variation in intelligence and ability and work standards.

[Agagagagaga]

@jennifer_bloom “The less successful ones”

You mean the ones who weren’t smart enough, industrious enough, or good enough to make the grade—like EVERYONE else.

Because that works out so well. Giving PEOLE who can’t do the job or even pass the test a leg up on everyone else who can.

So much for meritocracy. Or studying hard. Or working hard. Some people just can’t make it.

And that’s why you need to promote them and give them scholarships and free money.

🤦‍♂️ 🙄

[Asker]

Oh, I wasn't make it "black people thing", I initially said "people of color", as affirmative action regards. You're the one who began with "black people", I simply responded in kind.

And it seems like you're actually putting words in his mouth. And I can help but wonder why you seem to support "boosts" for specific races, but not for anyone who might require a boost. That's a peculiar, and officially incriminating, preference, if you don't mind me saying.

[jennifer_bloom]

The goal of affirmative action isn't based on singular allocations of beneficial wealth or depository education to arbitrarily chosen targets, the goal of affirmative action is collective integrative community immersion into higher systems of academic and work to neutralize the circumstantial limits that have hindered underfunded communities of rising to the potential that more circumstantially supported communities have.

[Asker]

Yes. Or in other words, provide an advantage for specific races, sees, or genders (often, regardless of class or financial/educational well-being).

You can say pretty words all you want, word however you like, but the fact of the matter is you support a racist system that would not advantage a struggling white boy but would advantage a struggling black boy. With all due respect, that's racist. Let alone sexist.

[Asker]

Sexes*

[jennifer_bloom]

Struggling white people might not be able to benefit from racially determined college prioritizes but they can get remedial support through other targeted measures specifically designed and inclusive of them, such as mental health support or tutorial support systems. It's true that affirmative account is not a totally equal strategy but the counter balancing efforts of affirmative action are less unequal then the circumstantial inequalities that would target minorities if those affirmative action mandates were not there to release some of those pressures. The medicine is never stronger then the disease, and not everyone gets medicine, but those without medicine, can find relief by accessing nutritious food in the gardens near heir home, that is the metaphor I'm using.

[Asker]

Can black people (for example) also get remedial support that doesn't include only benefit black people, just like the white person can?

[Asker]

Benefitting*

[Anonymous]

It’s not racist. It’s an acknowledgment that people of color are not always treated equitably when policies are not in place to counteract it.

[Asker]

So, if these policies were in place (of which I question), it's your opinion that people of color couldn't overcome them? How many things have communities, entire countries, or humanity as a whole overcome throughout history? Why do you feel people of color are unique and unable to overcome adversity? I'd argue that will and human ingenuity nearly always preserves. I don't think people of color lack that will and perseverance.

[Asker]

Like, why didn't you, and Barack, say "despite people's (alleged) efforts to keep people of color down, we are capable and we will persevere!"

[Opinion Owner]

Sometimes people can overcome direct or indirect racism against them and sometimes they cannot. What’s wrong with policies that strive to maintain equality? People should not have to overcome race based (or gender) obstacles.

[Asker]

Because it's racist. Are we no longer of the opinion that treating races differently is racist? Especially government-sanctioned programs that allocate favor/benefit to some races and not others?

And why is it race and not class, anyways? Is a black homeless man in more need than a white homeless man? Does Will Smith's children have more struggles in need of compensation than a dirt-poor white boy from the backwoods of Alabama?

And I agree, people should not have to overcome race based (or gender) obstacles, so why are you in support of making it harder for white and Asian people to attend Harvard?

[Agagagagaga]

Democrats believe that Black folk are less capable than White people.

They can’t get a job on their own merits.
They can’t get into college on their own
And they can’t even be counted on to know how to get identification to vote.

Pretty, pretty racist.

But the Dems were the party of the Confederacy. And the Ku Klux Klan. And the party of Jim Crow. And the party of the segregationist “Dixiecrats.”

[Opinion Owner]

It’s racist to implement policies that foster equality when that equality doesn’t exist organically? That’s just some gaslighting bullshit. I’d have more respect if you just said you support discrimination, which is the truth here.

[Asker]

Well, I don't really mind whether I have your respect. And to be clear, me, the one advocating for NOT treating races differently, is the racist, and you, condoning treating races differently, is not the racist?

[Asker]

And I agree, Agaga.

[Opinion Owner]

See the gaslighting? Racism exists in measurable ways with disparities in wages, promotions, school admissions, etc but you claim it’s racist to do anything about it. You completely ignore historical context. You’re just another coward who wants to be racist without owning it. Your motives are not a mystery here.

[Asker]

It's not gaslighting, you are literally advocating for treating races differently. You are the indisputable, literal, by definition, racist. You can point to disparities all you want, but it is YOU who is saying races should be treated differently. You are not for equality, you are for racism.

And no, I didn't say "it's racist to do anything about disparity" I said "it's racist to treat races differently." I even mentioned in a prior comment that "disparity" could be better considered a class issue, not a race issue. As Will Smith's children do not need race-based advantages over a dirt-poor white boy from the backwoods of Alabama. That quite literally makes NO sense and I know for absolute certainty that you agree. You just don't want to admit your racism is misplaced and unjustified. If someone needs help, they need help, regardless of their race. Offering help to some races and not others is racist and EXCEPTIONALLY immoral. And while I'd imagine your intentions are good, what you are doing is evil. As the saying goes, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions."

And please, PLEASE point DIRECTLY to the alleged "racism" I've enacted. No, this is not a rhetorical question. I know you've been VERY selective with what points and questions you want to acknowledge. But you're an adult and it's time you take responsibility for your actions. Quote me being racist. Literally quote me. Do it.

[jshm2]

The Obamas aren't suggesting any such thing, you bigoted fuck. They are onpoint that the Trump appointed judges have just fucked up the prospects of young teens who are looking to go into advanced education.

The judges decision actually affects White females, more than "PoC". Mainly as most PoC can't afford to go Ivy league anyway.

[Asker]

Then what was he suggesting, you bigoted fuck?

[Red_Arrow]

Barack Obama has never suggested that "people of color can't be successful without employing racism towards white and Asian people". That is a total lie. The Faulkner Focus is another program that promotes right wing lies and agendas, so it is not surprising that Scott used it to push his bullshit to people dumb enough to believe anything he say.

[Asker]

Okay, then what did Obama mean?

[Red_Arrow]

Really simple if you bother to read it. They said their hearts break for the young people who are wondering what their future holds after the decision. Their hearts break for the young people who will be subject to racism. Absolutely no racism from the Obamas, instead fear of the racism from others. Not a single word suggesting that people of color can't be successful without employing racism towards anybody, and not a word about white and Asian people.

[LiamJHayden]

Mr. Obama is just like every other politician, framing issues in a way to make him or his party more popular with his base. How else can I explain his railing about "climate change and rising sea levels" while buying a hige property that sits 10 feet above current sea level?

[rigmarole]

His family were slave owners... That's his heritage... It's in his blood... But he'll take every opportunity to tell the world how oppressed he is while he tweets on a yacht in Greece... That's what 95% of Black people vote for. They love the Democrat plantation.

[loveslongnails]

Tim Scott is an echo chamber for white supremacy, only his skin happens to be black. He's smart enough to know that the way he stays in power is to appease white voters enough that they "feel good about themselves when they vote for the black man". They can say " I'm no racist - I voted for Tim Scott" !! LOL The mind will play any tune you want it to.

[Asker]

I can't help but notice you didn't answer the question. Is that a coincidence?

[loveslongnails]

Nope, and my answer is no because I don't believe he or Michelle were suggesting that.

[BlackJeep]

It would seem that the former president does not think certain ethnic groups can get into college on merit. It does seem a little condescending

[exitseven]

Obama is the main cause of the current racism problem in America. He has set race relations back 50 years.

[Dargil]

No just corrupt and dishonest. He wants entitlements for blacks, not achievement.

[gorydetails]

yeah they also typed those words of wisdom from a luxury yacht

[DextroShade]

Yes, affirmative action is pure racism so you are racist if you support it.

[Jamie05rhs]

Yes.

[FunkyMonkee]

Yes!