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Obama's victory shifts black identity _ 'to be seen simply as Americans'
New York Newsday/The Associated Press ^ | November 8, 2008 | Jesse Washington

Posted on 11/08/2008 11:06:10 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

Shortly after leaving the voting booth, 70-year-old community activist Donald E. Robinson had a thought: "Why do I have to be listed as African-American? Why can't I just be American?"

The answer used to be simple: because a race-obsessed society made the decision for him. But after Barack Obama's mind-bending presidential victory, there are rumblings of change in the nature of black identity and the path to economic equality for black Americans.

Before Tuesday, black identity and community were largely rooted in the shared experience of the struggle — real or perceived — against a hostile white majority. Even as late as Election Day, many blacks still harbored deep doubts about whether whites would vote for Obama.

Obama's overwhelming triumph cast America in a different light. There was no sign of the "Bradley Effect," when whites mislead pollsters about their intent to vote for black candidates. Nationwide, Obama collected 44 percent of the white vote, more than John Kerry, Al Gore or even Bill Clinton, exit polls show.

In Ohio, domain of the fabled working-class white swing voter, where journalists unearthed multitudes of racist quotes during the campaign, 46 percent of white voters backed Obama's bid to become the first black president, more than the three previous Democratic candidates.

Obama did not define himself as a black candidate. So Robinson now feels free to define himself as something more than a black community activist.

"We've taken that next step. It's moving toward what we call universal brotherhood and sisterhood," Robinson said after voting for Obama in his northwest Washington, D.C., neighborhood. "We shouldn't be split and have all these divisions. That's why I say it's a bright day."

(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Front Page News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; africanamericans; bho2008; blacks; election; elections; obama; obamatransitionfile; presidentelectobama; racism
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I don't know what to make of this. It seems positive, but is it really?
1 posted on 11/08/2008 11:06:10 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

One positive about Obama’s election: the professional race pimps are now out of work.


2 posted on 11/08/2008 11:09:45 PM PST by Ultra Sonic 007 (Halo 3: Recon - Due out in Fall 2009!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

“Why do I have to be listed as African-American? Why can’t I just be American?”

not when 95% vote the same way


3 posted on 11/08/2008 11:10:59 PM PST by ari-freedom (So this is how Liberty dies... with thunderous applause)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
MLK must be spinning in his grave. The first black president voted into office because he is black, not for the content of his character.

The McCain campaign could have produced pictures of BO in bed with a male child and he still would have won the election!

4 posted on 11/08/2008 11:11:15 PM PST by TheDon
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

The article doesn’t tell the truth. The Obama camp continually defined him as black, which in and of itself is untrue as he is by or multi-racial. They continually framed objections to his policies as ‘racist’ and took things that were anything but racist and twisted them to sound as if they were. McCain/Palin against redistribution of wealth...racist. In the end, we see clearly that the racists in this country are a small minority (this is reality, not what the left wants to portray), and they come from every conceivable race.


5 posted on 11/08/2008 11:11:31 PM PST by Blogger
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I agree - no more barriers - no more affirmative action!


6 posted on 11/08/2008 11:12:21 PM PST by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA (Tagline scrubbed to prevent invitation to indoctrinization camp)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

**Donald E. Robinson had a thought: “Why do I have to be listed as African-American? Why can’t I just be American?”**

Because the LIBERALS Won’t LET YOU ...

We “Republicans” have been trying to get people to understand that, every since MLK said those words “Judged by the Content of their Character”

Welcome to AMERICA, Mr. Robinson


7 posted on 11/08/2008 11:12:48 PM PST by gwilhelm56 (HITLER offered Hope and Change!!)
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To: ari-freedom

That’s not a racial issue. That’s an educational and cultural issue. Think about your average video that a young black person watches. what kind of values does that instill? Think about what goes on in way too many black homes. We do not have significant racial divides in this country. We do have significant cultural divides.


8 posted on 11/08/2008 11:13:14 PM PST by Blogger
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

They segregate themselves. They love to designate themselves as “African American.”


9 posted on 11/08/2008 11:16:52 PM PST by conservativeinferno (My SUV is the urban squirrel's worst predator.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
I don't know what to make of this. It seems positive, but is it really

Not really. If the Messiah isn't "black enough" (i.e. transferred enough wealth to his brothers and sisters, and/or reestablished welfare & affirmative action as entitlements), or if he is denied reelection (no matter what shape the country's in come 2012), we'll be back to the old black vs white "struggle".

10 posted on 11/08/2008 11:16:52 PM PST by pawdoggie
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
I think it is... blacks in this country doubted they would ever really be equal. This election has proven the race hustlers and poverty pimps wrong!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

11 posted on 11/08/2008 11:17:03 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: TheDon

Yeah it’s kinda funny...MLK was a Republican as well..ain’t that a hoot


12 posted on 11/08/2008 11:19:03 PM PST by garykfd (American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God!)
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To: ari-freedom
Don't the scientists tell us that all humans came from Africa? So why aren't we all considered African-American here in the United States? I encourage everyone, from now on, to mark that ethnicity on job application, census rolls, government applications, etc...
13 posted on 11/08/2008 11:19:26 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (Barack Obama: In Error and arrogant -- he's errogant!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

We gotta stick it to THE MAN!

Oh, wait a minute, I am the man.

So what I’m saying is, I’m gonna stick it to myself???????


14 posted on 11/08/2008 11:23:21 PM PST by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
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To: Eric Blair 2084

Sticking it to “The Man” commercial..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sICrLV1px5s


15 posted on 11/08/2008 11:28:31 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (Barack Obama: In Error and arrogant -- he's errogant!)
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To: Eric Blair 2084

Here’s the one I meant to post:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG-VB5xb6KM&feature=related


16 posted on 11/08/2008 11:30:08 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (Barack Obama: In Error and arrogant -- he's errogant!)
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To: garykfd

It is a hoot, since it isn’t true.


17 posted on 11/08/2008 11:30:22 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps !"~~)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Now any condemnation of obama will be treated as a personal slap to millions who feel entitled and who hate America and whites. Nothing good to come of his campaign, in which cries of racism were tossed hither and yon. This will continue till the end of his reign.


18 posted on 11/08/2008 11:31:17 PM PST by PghBaldy (Palin is the winner of the election. Obama has to deal with the economy, and will destroy it.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

The only color I care about is the COMMUNIST RED which I keep seeing...


19 posted on 11/08/2008 11:32:01 PM PST by Tzimisce (How Would Mohammed Vote? Obama for President!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

bttt. That’s what I’m talking about.


20 posted on 11/08/2008 11:32:21 PM PST by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
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