America, Why do you call Obama possibly the first black president? Over here we say that he is possibly the?

Question

next president, We don't think of him as being black. Are you trying to tell the world how liberal you are? As far as we can see in the UK he is just another American. Did you refer to Bush as being white?

Answer 1

For the first time in 232 years, the US has evolved enough that we can even nominate a black man for the Presidency. That is something to crow about.

Considering that many Blacks historically began their sojourn in the US as slaves, it is my opinion that the media SHOULD crow about it. It is a major leap for our nation as far as it's maturity level. It has been a long, slow, slog to the top for African -Americans in the US. They should be proud, and most of them are. But, the nation should be proud too. Obama is a fine, charismatic, native son and will be a wonderful president.

I understand you may be trying to make the point that we should ignore his ethnicity. But, as far as I can tell, ignoring the elephant in the room has never been proven an effective tactic. Obama's blackness is merely an interesting side note of this election, but a side note that has effects that will reverberate through our nation's future.  

Answer 2

We don't count our chickens till they are hatched. It is a very close race. He is half white and half Kenyan. His Father was a Kenyan Muslim with an Arabic last name. You tell me what that is. What we are faced with here is if you question his far left socialist agenda, you are called a racist to divert attention from his socialism.

Answer 3

IF that is how you REALLY feel If he does not make it,put a cork in it and don't post how racist Americans are as you are so advanced you do see coloUr

We feel you are just another smug Brit so full of yourself so envious of America Why do you 'people' think your opinion is so earth shacking I live with you and know how you really feel about people of coloUr h**l you don't even care for the whites living in the north of you and they really don't care for you and rightfully so

What is taking place now,today,could only happen in AMERICA would never happen here in the UK

Answer 4

He's possibly the first black President because he's the first person who looks black who is in the running for the Presidency.

Nixon had a tan occasionally but that doesn't count.

Answer 5

You will find liberals in this country need a label for everyone so they can keep up.

Answer 6

Interesting question ....  but it definitely could be culturally based... The situation in the UK with the people of African descent is very different from the situation in the USA ( btw I am making this a tri-nation whatsi-doo-hickey-thing I am an aussie) .....

As far as I am aware (but will happily stand corrected) ... African Descended people in the UK ... never had the battle that the african descended people of America had...

I don't THINK there was the segregation and quite the same racial issues .. Lynching, The KKK ( ok you guys had/have the skinheads.. BUT they didn't have public lynchings and cross burnings) ...

SO it is an issue in the USA .. That just four and a bit decades after the Martin Luther King "I HAVE A DREAM"speech that a Black man does have the possibility of becoming the First Black President in the white house......

It SHOULDN'T be an issue .. but then again neither your nation nor mine has yet had a non-white as Prime Minister ( though Disraeli was Jewish ... so that's an interesting point .. Has there ever been a Jewish President ... ???)...

I only see Obama as a Black man .. because of the situation in America.. because they has NEVER been a black president before ... and because it IS AN ISSUE in the USA..

a part of me thinks he won't get elected as President .. because I really don't believe America is READY to have a Black president ... ( more tactful than saying MATURE ENOUGH) .. .

THAT is not attacking those who generally do not like the man's politics

Answer 7

it's a positive thing.. heck about 50 years ago he couldn't even sit at the front of the bus... now he's one step away from president...

that's a long ways in 50 years... which really isn't that long...

we're proud of ourselves... maybe it's a bit silly... yes... but we think it's a good thing...

Answer 8

Because he's black. Why do we have to pretend to be colorblind? It would be a monumental moment for anyone who is not a white Protestant male to be elected president. Even Kennedy was kind of a big deal for being Catholic.

Obama IS just another American, but he is also black. People don't refer to Bush as being white because all the other presidents have been white.

Answer 9

Quite possibly because we are a country full of closet racists and we don't really understand that.

I don't know why it matters too.

Peace

Jim

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Answer 10

I think you must be looking at mainstream US media. That's controlled by Zionist, like yours is, and it's either they're saying he might be the first black to fill their empty space with something to say of interest, or they're doing social engineering to create conflict in our society, just like your ranting.

Answer 11

You Commonwealths will use anything, absolutely anything that you can to insult Americans.  There have been Brits all over the place asking questions about whether Americans will vote for a black president, and how people feel about it.  You're aware, and interested, that he's black as much as the people of any country.

You guys always try make yourselves out to be so perfect and so much more enlightened than Americans.  Nobody's buying your holier-than-thou attitude anymore.  It just makes you look desperate.

Answer 12

Good luck to whoever becomes the next president of the USA whatever his colour or creed.

As George Bush is the 43rd president, and all previous 42 have been white, there would be no need to point out that fact.

I'm Welsh, God bless America!!

Answer 13

Hello Michael,

I certainly agree that it makes no difference whether Obama is black, white, pink or purple.

The main thing is that he makes a good and trustworthy president and he surrounds himself with trustworthy people.

However, here in the UK I have seen him referred to as 'possibly the first black US president' on a number of occasions in the British media.

I do feel that few, if any, of those who refer to him as possibly the next black president only refer to him as such because he may well  be the first US president who is black, and they do not mean it in a derogative or racist way.

Just think it is only 40 years since Martin Luther King delivered his 'I have a dream' speech. The US have come a long way since that, but we are still waiting for the first female US president.

Several countries, including we Brits have had a female leader of the country.

Of course we have yet to vote in a black PM, male or female'

Poseidon

Answer 14

Over here, skin color is a huge issue among liberals.  They trip over themselves trying to prove that they're not racist, and that everyone else is.

Answer 15

well because he is. i dont support voting for/against him for this reason , but those are the facts. America's dirty history is a long one of segregation and discrimination, much of which still exists today. There for it is historical when an african american is able to break down some of the racial barriers. same way if hillary had won shed be the 1st female president.

Answer 16

He could be the first blck president, SO WHAT?  Because I say this it means I am being a rascist?  Or is it you for trying to ignore the fact.  America loves winners, being 1st means a lot.  We don't care if you think we are liberal or conservative, we are electing OUR leader and by our I mean the US not the world.  You tell me that the first possible Black Prime Minister  would not be such a big story for you?

Answer 17

good point, but having said that, he will make history if elected, as he will be the first black man to gain the Presidency, whereas all the others have been white, so no need to mention that fact. Its a given that only white men have ruled in US, but that could be about to change, but don;t hold your breath.  

Answer 18

I don't know much about what is going on in the states!!........ I am in the uk too...... Personally I think he's a nice man, what Ive read about him!! and he's a lovely looking guy!! ...........There will always be arguments about race, but I just don't go into all that stuff!! Hope you get the answers your looking for...

Answer 19

It is a race baiting issue. The Obama supporters like to go on and on about history and how he will be the first black President to win votes. they also say that whites that don't vote are racist... all race baiting.  

Answer 20

It's a quirk of American politics. All the talk of Affirmative Action, Race Equality, Gender Equality, etc is suppose to make us all 'equal'. In reality it has created barriers, lead to resentments and a lot of ridiculous lawsuits because it makes everyone a victim of someone.

For example. I work at a large retail store. In the employee handbook it sates customers should be treated with respect regardless of; "Origin, Race, Color, Age, s*x, Sexual Orientation, Education, Religion, Disability, Ethnicity, National Origin, Marital Status Veteran Status, or Other Protected Status".  

Good grief! With all those qualifications it is impossible not to offend someone. First, you should treat people with respect because it's the right thing to do. Second, I am not going to know even half of that unless I ask! Third, I could care less about any of that as long as they are buying things and keeping me employed.

I understand your confusion. Somehow in America the idea has taken root that everyone needs to have a label. No one can just be a human being and be judged by their own merits.