August 28, 2008
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Obama and Racism
A $3 bill featuring Barack Obama is being called racist.
The bill features a photo of Barack Obama wearing an Arab headdress and the words “da man” under his photo. Here is the link: Link
Do you think the bill is racist?
Comments (118)
FIRST, and no
Yes. It makes false claims, or rather, implications, in the sense that it implies that Obama is muslim.
Second, and Yes
And, I would add fear-mongering too.
I’m surprised there’s no gay associations with it…
I mean the phrase “queer as a 3 dollar bill” does come to mind.
No. It is political satire……..get a clue and then a sense of humor if you think it is racist……..I hear more racism from the alleged victim than the supposed perpetrators. That has just been my experience, not a fact so please spare me the negative replies….
..:: dr. dante
@SuperEvilPopTart64 - Am I mistaken or wasn’t he Muslim earlier in his political career………
I think it’s a little stupid, and definitely exploits false perceptions about him that for some reason continue to exist. Maybe they continue to exist because people do things like this. A camel? Seriously? If people are going to attack him they could at least do it because of policy issues.
maybe the question is why if he is on the dollar bill that he looks like that? and why is “da man” there?
@askdante - Yes, you are mistaken.
Sure, but I can’t help laughing.
No. What about it implies that one race is superior to any other?
No, it’s politics.
yes
@AGraceB - maybe, but i was fairly confident that he was a Muslim, perhaps before the start of his political career.
not necessarily rascist, but definitely full of lies and ignorance. Look at the signatures, Teddy Kennedy and Al Sharpton. Obviously the author of this bill views all Liberals as traitors to the United States of America. The authors obviously view anything outside of their world view as threatening.
Most likely, the authors are xenophobic, and thus by putting him in traditional Sunni garb, they are trying to equate Liberalism and Obama with Terrorism and are trying to portray them as a threat. As a human, I find this offensive.
Finally, the authors obviously don’t believe the leaders of the Republican Party who have vouched for Obama’s faith. Obviously, the author is more inspired by fear than anything else.
…
yep, but it’s kind of funny even though I love Da Man
No, it’s just stupid.
yeah it’s offensive, i think. but the man is running for president. it’s par for the course.
Racism. Satire.
Satire. Racism.
Let’s call the whole thing beating a dead horse.
It just looks stupid
Oh they have one for McCain as well
@askdante - No. It is political satire…
It could be a “political satire” with racist undertones.
get a clue and then a sense of humor if you think it is racist…
Then explain to me– what is the satire here? To most, I’d imagine, the bill is no more than a racial and ethnic low blow.
yes. gee wiz.
Ignorant and misleading, but I’m not sure if I’d call it racist.
@askdante - he was never a Muslim. He went to school with Muslim children, but he himself was never Muslim.
@trunthepaige - Oh they have one for McCain as well
Really? Where did you see it?
Oh jeez, what’s next? Obama and McCain nailed to crosses on either side of Jesus? I’ll be so glad when this election is over.
@blanket_attack - I thought I heard something different, but with all the false info available these days you never can be sure….I am gonna have to do some research…not that it matters, his religion is not of a concern to me, and the furtherest thing from what i do not like about him…..it is not his race either, it is his experience……..
Mostly because of the Arab headdress. Esp. considering he is not Muslim. The ignorance surrounding race and culture is surely meant to be demeaning, so…yup, racist.
I’d lean more on the ignorant side… But whatever floats your boat.
God Bless,
Chris
because of it’s implications and false claims, yes.
Yes.
Actually, this made me lol a little.
@faerieshadow - No. What about it implies that one race is superior to any other?
The willful distortion of race and culture with demeaning intent is what makes it racist. It’s play on fears and ignorances is what makes it racist.
The implication is the sense of superiority of white-Christian Americans over Black-Muslims.
Racist AND stupid. Some poeple need to get their facts straight….
It’s stupid.
Wow, so republicans should really be in 4chan.org?
I do not give a fuck about this election. I am not going to vote. I don’t fucking care. Each night I consider my own suicide. I budget so I can get drugs.
Do you think the president will really affect your life? Wear a blue or red tshirt one day.
That is your vote, and the country, and your effect on it.
I am going to learn mandarin. That is more proactive.
FUCK YOU.
THAT IS AWESOME
Um, of course?
Those who haven’t, you know, looked at it might think it isn’t…
(snickers under breath) if he were white it’d be just as funny…
I’m all for people being president and such, but do the parties have to bash each other? Can’t a presidential candidate take the higher road and not bash the other?
They should focus on why they’re better…not find stupid things on why the other is worse. Making someone else look bad just to make yourself look better makes you look stupid.
I really am truly sick of hearing about McCain and Obama. And really, I think it’s mostly the parties and the media doing it, not the candidates themselves. But it all needs to stop. There will come a day when Presidents don’t run a nation, they just smile and look pretty and are “powerful” celebs. Oh wait, that day has come.
No. He is part arab, isnt he? Thats stupid to think its racist. So……if an asian and white person wore their asian’s heritage’s clothing, its racist? If an african/chinese (since chinese in africa are considered africans now) wore either that long african robe lookin thing, its racist?
The bill is not only racist, but it’s stereotypical, as well. Just because he’s part black, they put “Da Man” to label him as ghetto. And, just because he was RUMORED to be Muslim, they now automatically label him as Arab by having him wear a headdress. This infuriates me. Not all Muslims are Arabs.
Whoever created that fake bill is ignorant beyond belief. It’s not even funny in a stupid kind of way. It’s just sheer ignorance.
However, If he wasnt arab…..it would be racist.
Yes.
@oOBuBBLes711Oo - No, he is not Arab. The pun of the headdress was about him being rumored to be Muslim. He’s part black and white.
Mostly just stupid.
hell yeah.
I’m sure that was the intent.
It reminds me of the time that some news show messed up and said Osama instead of Obama.
Also, this may not be true, but I heard somewhere that sectors of the KKK are supporting his nomination because people would be more apt to “take action” in politics. I wasn’t entirely sure what to think of that…
if mc cain was on the bill with KKK attire will you be asking if it is racist? did you answer no? then answer is no for this incident. it is funny. obama is reinventing himself. biden should be the presidential nominee.
Sort of I guess, but isn’t most satire?
You could call it homophobic too as it is discouraging people from voting for the man who’s “like a three-dollar-bill” (queer, for you slow children).
@oOBuBBLes711Oo - No. He is part arab, isnt he?
He’s not. Barack’s mother is White-American. His father is Kenyan.
So……if an asian and white person wore their asian’s heritage’s clothing, its racist?
Even if Barack had some Middle-Eastern blood, this wouldn’t mean he self-identifies with Arabs. Barack Obama isn Christian, not Muslim; and he self-identifies as an African-American and not a Middle-Eastern. The bill photoshops and racially caricatures Barak Obama.
It’s not as if Obama willingly wore the garb.
@huginn - you seem a bit sensitive about the issue…..maybe we ought to leave it at that………
One of the great American rights is the right to be a moron and do moronic things.
no
ps. consider yourself an award winner. check my blog (cld0528.blogspot.com) for details.
I say yes.
nooo.
gosh.
so darn sensitive.
Indeed, there is no law against bad taste, offensiveness, being meanspirited, etc. Fortunately, we get to show our disapproval by voting the candidates of the party of the purveyors of such B.S. out of office. One more strong case for change.
@benjimau5 - A commendable comment
Free speech allows this kind of thing, and has to put up with it to stay free. It’s good: better laughter in public than rumours in private.
@huginn - It’s a local story for me so see better coverage in the local paper
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com
@trunthepaige - Thanks!
@askdante - Sorry, I’m allergic to stupidity.
@huginn - Better yet i found the web site that sells it
http://www.slick.com/mccain.asp
blanket_attack he was registered as a Muslim throughout all of his schooling,He is not a muslim now, but you are comepletely incorrect when you say he never was. He even has admitted to it on more than one occasion.
how is that racist?
it MIGHT, very slim might, be racist if his face was on a quarter
@huginn - you seem very angry….thanks for the insult……I am sorry that my comment affected you so much….
@askdante - You made a general charge of the intelligent of the people of this board:“get a clue and then a sense of humor if you think it is racist”
I disagreed and asked you to explain yourself. At the point you decline, I thought it was fiar to retort your own charge back at you.
“I am sorry that my comment affected you so much”
No you’re not.
uh.. maybe a little.
@huginn - This is getting funny….I hang here for laughs, if I want to yell at people, i would spend my spare time stuck in traffic……..don’t be a downer, I am on vacation this week…….smile, it is good for you…….It don’ make no damn bit o’ difference who the president is, you and I will have our same problem no matter who wins, that is unfortunately what all Americans have in common.
Lolz. If it was an actual bill that was to be minted, I’d say yes, but it’s just humor. XD
Racist and stupid.
@askdante - I am on vacation this week
Oh. Good luck with it then.
….smile, it is good for you….
Beer works too. =)
It don’ make no damn bit o’ difference who the president is, you and I will have our same problem no matter who wins, that is unfortunately what all Americans have in common.
It would–really. The sort term impacts would be like in the big decisions. Bush Jr’s decision to enter the Iraq Ward has had long-ranging implications in the economy, in diplomacy, and in American lives lost.
Supreme Court nominations would have long-term implications.
In the medium term, the part of the sitting President would effect the sort of work that gets done in Congress. Particularily, if the Democrats were able to control both houses and the White House, legislation would be flying through like lemmings down a cliff.
its racist
but whats even worse is that now being a Muslim is considered a bad thing.
Not racist, but not tasteful.
@huginn - I have been alive for many Presidents, and I have learned that none of them have as much impact over the quality of my life as I do……since I can not vote for me, then in the grand scheme of things, it is just not that important personally…….but I applaud your patriotism and your believe that what happens in DC effects your personally…if everyone thought like that, maybe it would mean more…..have a nice evening……..
Ignorant, most definitely. If I were Arab, it might have offended me.
Racist? How can that be called racist? Because it has a black person on it?
I guess if you’re the type of person who sees racism in the fact that white snow is considered beautiful, you might think that it’s racist…
It’s not very clever, if anything. Because of the phrase “queer than a $3 bill”, if Obama was gay, having him on a $3 bill would be a bit more extreme. This is just a picture of Obama in a headdress. So what? The guy who made it is most likely some inbred hillbilly who’s resorted to “name calling” tactics.
This is also a case of the media blowing stupid crap way out of proportion. They really should just report the news like they used to.
without a doubt it is.
why would rebublicans think this is ok to sell these things, and the excuse they gave on the news was scary. but why should that shock me?
Nope, it just shows how stupid people are that actually believe he is an Arab, muslim or anything else but an American with true African roots.
Pretty much.
Kind of..
Mostly I just think it’s stupid.
No but it’s funny.
Yes.
@la_faerie_joyeuse - what she said.
It’s ignorant and stupid. “Da man?” really? A three year old could have come up with that.
It is impossible for a dollar bill to be racist. Racism is a human trait alone, not a piece of paper’s.
um no but think the bill is hideous
definitely.
No. Its more about religion than race.
Although its more about comedy than anything. These dollar bills come out with most presidential candidates. Some of the Bill & Hillary ones are pretty funny. People tho, seem to be looking for racism. Which makes it harder for people to legitimately against them in society, because then they are called racist.
@la_faerie_joyeuse - RIGHT ON!
He’s half black and half white… yet they have him wearing a turban? Retarded, but not insulting.
” Is this bill racist “
In my opinion. NO it is prejudicial against Mr. Obama and against Muslims and Afro American’s.
I believe that within our society some Afro American’s (Blacks) have created a personification on themselves within the media to be uneducated, rappers, drug dealers, gang bangers and thugs … Which is why the words ‘DA MAN’ is a sad mockery.
Race has nothing to do with this … He could be blue and the turban has nothing to do with this matter.
His father is Muslim Christian and his name is Obama like Osama hence the turban.
Nevertheless, he is Christian…Rumers have when he was sworn as Senator of Chicago he was Oathed withe the Koran and not the Bible.
@ryoma136 - Yep, 4chan and some cursing as well as teen angst, all into one!
I agree with askdante – political satire…As for him being a Muslim-he says he’s not. However, being raised by a Muslim, and attending a Muslim school…[hmmmm]. They say “if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then…it must be…”
My concern with him lies more im the fact that his ideas seem very close to Socialism, which is just a small step away from being Communism.
I despair of my countrymen sometimes….
We all knew this would happen.
Anyone who criticised Hillary was a sexist.
Anyone who criticises Obama is a racist.
Thay way they don’t have to address any issues, like the fact that they’re corrupt, morally destitute communists.
And Obama’s clearly more of a racist than any of his detractors.
Maybe maybe not.
@benjimau5 - wow, 8:11pm. So when you drink 8oz of 80 proof liquor in about 1.5 hours, are tired and worn out and hung over for four days already, THIS is what comes out of your head.
How’s that working out for you?
Keep it up then, keep it right on up…
and this is why we dont mess with peoples sacred cows.
Sure is. Idiotic, too.
@ICONSS_quotesxx - I laughed too.
I’m saddened by the hateration directed at Obama. Yes, it’s racism, and it’s also uncalled for.
Racist for sure.
inanimate objects are incapable of having disgust for another race; they do not have a race or a mind.
NO.
The guy who made it? perhaps.
It’s a joke, like this:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y75/fffangirl/racecard.jpg
No. It’s political satire. That doesn’t make it right, but every newspaper and publication in America is filled with political satire. It’s not like there haven’t been endless cartoons created in the likes of Bush or McCain.
People need to learn the definition of racism. I don’t see how this piece says one race is more superior than another.
I personally believe it’s stupid. Just because it’s satire doesn’t mean we all think it’s funny.
Now, the picture of Obama as the Pied Piper? That’s funny. And not racist.
Whether or not it’s racist is beside the point, which is that a lot of people seem to have lost it in the face of the prospect of real, effective, leadership.
Obama put it very well himself last night:
“If you don’t have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent
as someone people should run from. You make a big election about small
things…. And you know what? It’s worked before.”
@MidnightExotica - But you can be a Christian Arab and wear that headdress and you can be a non-Arab and wear it as well. The bill plays on the much simpler implied criticism: He is different. And for most white voters, that is enough reason not to vote for him.
Who cares? Where can I get one and can I cash it to help pay for gasoline? Obama said he was going to help me with the high cost of fuel!!!
@huginn - I found this about Obama, slow morning, what can I say:
“I’ve always been a Christian,” said Obama, focusing on his own
personal lack of practice of Islam as a child to deny any connection to
Islam. But Muslims do not see practice as key. For them, that he was
born to a line of Muslim males makes him born a Muslim. Further, all
children born with an Arabic name based on the H-S-N trilateral root
(Hussein, Hassan, and others) can be assumed to be Muslim, so they will
understand Obama’s full name, Barack Hussein Obama, to proclaim him a
born Muslim.
No way!
lol, it’s just a joke.
It is satire. Anyone who calls it racist needs to up their meds and get a life.
Personally, I find it racist and insensitive, just like how Republicans like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity keep harping on the fact that Obama’s middle name is Hussein. So what? Does coincidentally having the same name as a ruthless dictator make you one too? It’s like calling Arabs and Middle Easterners who wear turbans towelheads and camel jockeys. Obama is not Muslim, so why do people insist on constructing evil parallel universes in which he is?