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Original poster

Surely the most important thing about Obama is not the colour of his skin?

43 replies

sameagain · 20/01/2009 21:59

I really do get the significance of him being the first African American president, but we need this man to save the world (a big ask I know) surely there are more important qualities than his skin colour.

OP posts:
SweetestThing · 20/01/2009 22:02

There was an interesting article in the Times (I think) at the weekend asking how long it would be before he could just be referred to as the President of America, with his skin colour being not relevant to his actions and achievements.

seeker · 20/01/2009 22:03

It is pretty bloody important though!

SmallShips · 20/01/2009 22:04

Well it is important really.

tiggerlovestobounce · 20/01/2009 22:06

I would have thought so, but it doesnt seem like anyone can do a news report without mentioning it.

IMO it is far more remarkable that America has a president who appears to be intelligent.

Washersaurus · 20/01/2009 22:07

You are right - apparently he is left handed too

LoveMyLapTop · 20/01/2009 22:08

It is important because in his lifetime, Black people have gone from being segragated to oorunning the Country, i think it is very significant.

mousehole · 20/01/2009 22:20

This reply has been withdrawn

withdrawn at poster's request

seething · 20/01/2009 22:32

But he is NOT black. He is mixed race, 'duel heritage' or 'of colour'.

As the white mother of mixed race children who is bringing up her children as a lone parent I am getting really irritated by this constant reference to him being black because he's not. If he were my son I would feel that my influence in his life was of no interest or importance. I do wonder how his (white) mother feels. Very proud generally I'm but does she feel that she her input into his upbringing is being whitewashed !!!! (sorry bad pun) out of his life!!

As he was born and bred in the US by one white parent and one black parent he is surely duel heritage and neither more one than the other??

Original poster
sameagain · 20/01/2009 22:36

Actually, as I understand it he was raised by his white grandparents, but I agree it is a very significant moment. I'd just like to hear a little about why he's going to be good at the job too.

OP posts:
liath · 20/01/2009 22:36

His mother is dead, sadly. I'm reading his autobiography and it's interesting on this point of whether he considers himself black or mixed race. Well worth the read.

GrimmaTheNome · 20/01/2009 22:36

The important thing? Unashamedly unoriginal:

The content of his character, not the colour of his skin.

It is however, an important thing about the American people, that they have finally got to the point of being able to make this choice.

StarlightMcKenzie · 20/01/2009 22:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LoveMyLapTop · 20/01/2009 22:52

I think he was voted in because he is a very charasmatic, and emotiv speaker, I dont believe he was voted in because of the colour of his skin.

seething · 20/01/2009 22:56

Liath. Oh interesting. I did get his biography for Christmas but it's still in my pile of books to read. I will move it up the pecking order.

I must admit I was trying to explain to DS1 (8 years) why Obama being made President was significant and I did say and still think that it is actually incredibly sad that the colour of his skin is worthy of note when we are here in the 21st century which of course conversely is why it is so important.

MrsGrouchoMarxMerryHenry · 20/01/2009 22:59

Seething, I'm black with a white DH so my DS is mulit-ethnic, too. However I don't have a problem with The Big O being referred to as 'black', and although obviously the most important credentials he brings to the job have nothing to do with his skin colour, it is bloody significant that a black (or multi-ethnic) person has been elected Pres of the USA. Bloody significant. I don't think it's possible to overemphasise the significance. It's as big a deal as Nelson Mandela being elected President of S.A.

One thing to bear in mind (my response to LoveMylaptop about why he was voted in) is that being black (like being a woman), it wasn't enough for him to be a good candidate; he had to be the absolute bloody best candidate in every possible way in order to be taken seriously. That is why the first non-white (or non-male) US president would have to be an extraordinarily talented person.

whomovedmychocolate · 20/01/2009 22:59

I'm finding it entertaining how the US media are referring to him as Barrack H Obama.

Is it to fit in with the outgoing George W Bush, or is it because they can't find it within themselves to utter the name Hussein?

Tis mad - he's a good feller, let's hope he actually can do the job and make some differences. I do feel he's got a rather poisoned chalice here but good luck to him I say.

MrsGrouchoMarxMerryHenry · 20/01/2009 23:04

Haha - well observed, chocolate! I hate that middle initial thing; I had a boss who used to do it (but then he was rather poncey ).

It's a Yankee thing, I believe. William H Macy. Homer J Simpson.

Wonderstuff · 20/01/2009 23:05

I think seething that in the US they actually passed a law stating that if you had one drop of African blood you were legally black, the segregation laws meant they had to define it. You are right that it is sad that his skin is important but it is VERY important, the history of African Americans is a very, very sad one. It is amazing that whilst it took so long to get from slavery to emancipation we have a black president so soon after the civil rights movement. I think it is difficult to understand because in the UK although we had racism it wasn't on the scale of the black oppression in the US.

DetectiveInspectorLittleBella · 20/01/2009 23:07

LOL at the intelligent president thing.

Agree, he is the first real intellectual president for ages.

onager · 20/01/2009 23:08

I think electing a black president is a significant step. Of course he could turn out to be a corrupt maniac (doesn't seem it so far). Just being black doesn't automatically make him noble and honest.

I must admit I get an extra thrill to think of all the racists who will be pounding their fists in fury at the result. And the Pro Life fanatics wishing he had been aborted.

MrsMerryHenry · 20/01/2009 23:11

Gasp! Onager! What a horrible thought - that someone might wish anyone had been aborted! Sadly there'll be many twisted old gits in the world who think that way.

Also sadly I think we'll discover at some point that Barack is corrupt, (though hopefully not a maniac) after all he is a politician. Goes with the territory, doesn't it?

GrandPoobahKayHarker · 20/01/2009 23:15

'Pro-life fanatics wishing he was aborted?' WTF?

onager · 20/01/2009 23:36

That was kind of black humour (no reference to skin color) because I have seen some of the vile ranting about him being elected. It's amazing some of the stuff being said about the idea of a black president and worse a pro choice president being elected. I hope the secret service are very alert.

MrsMerryHenry · 20/01/2009 23:39

My God I'm glad I haven't seen any of that stuff you mentioned, onager. Blissful ignorance over here.

KayHarkerIsNotAnAuthority · 20/01/2009 23:42

Has a pro-lifer said they wished he'd been aborted? Because that is a truly vile suggestion.