Are white people just angry that Barack Obama 'chose' his 'Black side' (2 questions)?

Question

I'm just curious.

He's half-white, raised by his White grandmother in Hawaii, but he has seemed to embrace his 'Black roots' more than his 'White roots', which is a phrase that bothers me and most other mixed race people.

I am genuinely curious and not trying to promote any kind of ignorance.

WQ 1: Do some White people dislike Obama simply because he chose his 'Black side'?

WQ 2: Would you like him more if he married a White woman instead of a Black one?

I seriously hope to get some honest answers. And I'm not looking for people to agree with me. I'm just curious for some real answers to both of my questions.

Answer 1

I don't dislike Obama because he is black. He seems like a nice guy.

I dislike his campaign because the only thing it is about is him being black.

The only change he will bring about is his race, what exactly is his stand on any issue? So far it is neutral.

Answer 2

People of mixed ethnic backgrounds don't always get to "choose."   Often, their physical appearance results in others categorizing them.  If he was viewed as "black" from an early age, it would have been difficult for him to resist this identification.  Not too long ago individuals of a black parent and a white parent might try to "pass" as white, especially if they were fair skinned.  Isn't good that people no longer feel obliged to do so?  In our world, where everyone seems to want to categorized people neatly, individuals of mixed race can confuse others.  In some ways, it has probably been easier for Obama to be "black."  As well, as an intelligent and ambitious man, being "black" may have actually conferred some advantages.  As someone who is (mostly) "white," I have no trouble with his self identification, nor with his choice of a spouse.  Such things are distractions from what he stands for and what he wants to do as a leader.  Those are the truly important issues.

Answer 3

He didn't choose it, society chose it for him because of how he looks.  Most people don't care that he is half white because he looks black.  Kids who are of mixed race run into this sometimes when they are forced to choose between two minorities.  People ask them what they are and they usually will say the one that will make the most sense visually to the person they are talking to.  I really like that he is trying to de-emphasize the race factor.  It should not be that important and people are giving it a lot more attention than it deserves.  

1.  I'm white and not mad at all that Obama is being himself.  Race does not matter to me at all.  Part of the problem we have in society is that it is being put in terms of 'sides' which does nothing for our progress.  

2.  I'm glad he married someone he loves and respects.  Society probably would have sanctioned him for dating/marrying a white woman because of his age and where he started his career.  Chicago is one of the most racially turbulent metropolitan cities in America.

Answer 4

I dislike his policies and socialist ideas.  It has nothing to do with what race(s) he is or claims to be or which "roots" he is identifying with.

It's the left-wing liberal tax and spend socialist roots that bug me, not to mention the possible connection to Muslims.

Did you see the news article where now he claims he will bring Bin Laden to justice if elected?  Do you think he can claim that because Obama knows where Osama is when nobody else seems to?  And if so, how scary is that?  Does that mean it's his cousins he's holed up with or something?

P.S.  Again I'm not trying to profile here, but you do have to be concerned when you are talking about ties to potential terrorists.

Answer 5

I'm sure there are ppl that dislike him bc of this.  But, honestly who you are is a result of how ur raised and who ur around.  Him looking black resulted in him "embracing his black roots." He looked black...so he was treated black.  

I rly couldn't care less what color his wife is.  He loves her and that's all that matters in their marriage.  Color shouldn't play such a large role in the sanctity of marriage.

None of these things bother me about him, the things that do bother me are his socialist ideas.  Also, the fact that he's Muslim.  I'm not trying to judge him based on his religion, b/c I wouldn't want anyone to do that to me, but seriously, look at the war we're in right now and who we are at war with.  

It's the important issues that people should be concerned with, not anyone's color.

Answer 6

I think that if you look into the history of this country, you'll find that most mixed people were considered black, no matter how "little" African heritage they have.

While I think that's changing to some degree, it seems an odd label that we place on people - Obama is black and white. I believe that in this day and age it's time we started looking at people differently and some of the labelling has got to go.

But to answer your questions:

1) I think Obama (as far as I can tell) is embracing all of his heritage. If not, he probably wouldn't be talking about his white grandmother. And I think that in this great mixture of a country, it's important that he embrace both. If he prefers to identify himself as "black" then more power to him, because frankly - it's about time someone of color has the opportunity to run this country.

2) I'm pleased that he married someone he loves. Race is just a non-issue for me. But I think it's a little easier for me because I'm white. I don't have all the same stereotypes to fight that others do.

Answer 7

im sure some people DO dislike him because he chose his black side, but i doubt that poeple really focus on which shid he 'chose' then what he looks like cuz he does look black.

no iwouldnt like him more cuz i honestly dont like white people haha. even thought im half white...ummm..haha. yaaa...anyways i hope this helped...even tho it probally didnt lol!

Answer 8

I dont care what roots he chooses to embrace more. I think he is a socialist and a coward. You marry who your attracted to, he fell for his wife, doesn't matter to me what color she is! what does matter to me is that she was never proud of this country until he husband ran for president! I think Obama needs to salute our flag also. I just basically don't like anything about him as a person.

Answer 9

I don't dislike Obama.  He is actually very like-able.  I'm not voting for him, because I disagree with his policies.

In answer to both of your questions:

1) No

2) Doesn't matter.

Answer 10

all im going to say is what if any white presidential candidate went to kkk meetings for 20 years then came out and said "its ok my grandmother is black." and i have heard her say bad things about whites.

Answer 11

O'bama didn't need to choose his black side ... it chose him .

   Is you were walking down the street and ,you didn't know who O'bama was ,you would say to yourself ,he's a black man .... that is what America sees ... not someone of mixed racial background.

  I don't care who he's married to ... she's not running for president ... Mrs. Bush ,carter, clinton, nixon , eisenhower etc. ... none of them were elected. and nobody cared about them .

  And O'bama IS NOT A MUSLIM...he has a long past of practicing Christianity ...pay attention to the facts.

Answer 12

I don't dislike him, I fear him...I fear the consequences of someone harming him...Thats where I see this going... There will be a race war that will make the MLK riots look like a walk in nthe park if someone harms him.

Answer 13

I'm white...

That said, I don't give a rat's back end what color he or his wife is. One of the things that concern me is his perception of effective international politics, specifically in regards to the most effective way to deal with terrorists and despots.

They're bullies- you can't appease or bargain with a bully. Even a contract doesn't work (Neville Chamberlain proved that one!)! It doesn't work. The only thing that works with a chronic bully is kicking their trash.

Another thing that concerns me is his understanding of the economy. He said recently that the problem isn't that gas prices are too high, but that they're rising too quickly.

Uh, has he been the one to fill the family car? Does he realize what $4/gal does to the average American family? Is he seeing what it's doing to the housing market, to grocery prices, to prices of everything (trucking industry, transportation costs)????

Oh, and his slip about campaigning in all 57 states.. Uh, that wasn't just tired. There happen to be 57 Islamic states. Not that I'm anti-Muslim, but coming from a man who claims to be Christian, that's a tad fishy.