Is Birther Controversy a Racism Issue?

[Mumbles]

Oh, please.

Of course racism is a factor here. Trump moved from Birtherism, to claiming that Obama couldn't be responsible for his autobiography and that a white gust have wrote it, to claiming that he was a terrible student and he shouldn't have gotten into Columbia or Harvard, to saying that Obama plays basketball instead of working at his job. How do you not think that racism is in play here?

 

[Arrow]

I wouldn't think that, and this recent questioning of grades to be racism, but appears some want to try and make that an issue.

"Bob Schieffer on Trump’s ‘Ugly Strain of Racism’ (Did Bob Call it an ‘Ugly Strain of Sexism’ When People Wanted to See Palin’s College Transcripts?)"

http://dougpowers.com/2011/04/28/bob-schieffer/

From the article:

Donald Trump wants to look at Barack Obama’s school grades. According to the uber-objective alleged journalist Bob Schieffer, that’s an “ugly strain of racism.”
I wish I would have thought of that one when I was in school and my parents asked about my grades.
“What did you get in social studies?”
“Racist!”
Take it away, Bob:

Schieffer’s acting as if Obama’s the first president or presidential/VP candidate to ever have his or her school performance called into question. There have been others who refused to release their college grades, but I don’t recall Bob Schieffer saying it was an “ugly strain of sexism” when people called for the release of Sarah Palin’s transcripts. As a matter of fact, not releasing her transcripts was used by some as “proof” that Palin must be an idiot. Obama’s political opponents aren’t free to make that assumption about him without enduring the media’s worn out covering fire of “racism.”

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

Anyone that has spent any time interacting with birthers on the internet will know that racism is a major factor in birtherism.

And you support the point I've been making.

The invalid deductive proof presented in the OP is not why many of us recognize racism in the Birther movement. At most, the observation that no one made these demands and allegations of white presidents (and candidates--let's not forget that McCain was born in Panama), is just another bit of evidence leading to the conclusion that racism is involved.

 

[aggle-rithm]

What does that even mean "a foriegn" sounding name?

Non-European.

(Except for Spain or Portugul)

 

[JWideman]

It's easy to see it that way, and I don't think you'll find any racists that aren't also birthers. Plus, there are doubtless birthers who use the controversy to justify their own hidden feelings of racism.
However, it doesn't really explain the black birthers.

 

[Dorian Gray]

It's easy to see it that way, and I don't think you'll find any racists that aren't also birthers. Plus, there are doubtless birthers who use the controversy to justify their own hidden feelings of racism.
However, it doesn't really explain the black birthers.

Did you forget that Obama is half white? Plenty of opportunities for racists of all stripes.

 

[johnny karate]

However, it doesn't really explain the black birthers.

Hey, there are also gay Republicans. For whatever reason, some people take positions that are completely contrary to their own interests.

 

[Dorian Gray]

Hey, there are also gay Republicans. For whatever reason, some people take positions that are completely contrary to their own interests.

Like not looking at porn.

 

[portlandatheist]

The way I see it, just about all racists are conspiracy theorists (at least in my experience) but not all conspiracy theorists are racists. I would not say that birtherism is racist at its core but there are racists pushing it and racism and conspiracy theorists are birds of feather in that they both have delusions of persecution from an out group (whether real or imagined like the reptialians or NWO), over simplify complex issues into a simple black/white issue(metaphorically speaking) and so on. In other words, racists and conspiracy theorists share similar issues so there is considerable cross over but its not racism per se.

 

[Tricky]

The way I see it, just about all racists are conspiracy theorists (at least in my experience) but not all conspiracy theorists are racists. I would not say that birtherism is racist at its core but there are racists pushing it and racism and conspiracy theorists are birds of feather in that they both have delusions of persecution from an out group (whether real or imagined like the reptialians or NWO), over simplify complex issues into a simple black/white issue(metaphorically speaking) and so on. In other words, racists and conspiracy theorists share similar issues so there is considerable cross over but its not racism per se.

That's a little too much mixing of the terminology for me. Who do racists think is conspiring? True, racists and CT-ists share an irrational hatred and distrust of some group, but I think we need to keep the terms separate. If they happen to overlap, mention them both, but let each be descriptive of the particular "phobia".

I'm pretty sure that there are birthers who are not racists, nor at least, not extreme racists. (I believe that everyone is a little bit racist.) Maybe they're not common, but they exist. But I do know this: Calling someone a racist is not likely to make them reconsider their opinions.

 

[joobz]

Yes. Racism is the primary motivator in birtherism.
Questioning his birth is ok. Many candidates have had to demonstrate their eligibility.
However, doubting the state certified short form Certificate and demanding to see the long form IS motivated by racism. Why would anyone demand more proof from Obama than any other president or presidential candidate?

I've seen too many times, friends, who because they are brown (either Indian or asian), had people initially think they weren't born here.
the conversation typically goes:
"So Where you from?"
"Indianapolis"
"No, I mean where were you born"
"Indianapolis"
"Oh, ....."

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

I'm pretty sure that there are birthers who are not racists, nor at least, not extreme racists. (I believe that everyone is a little bit racist.) Maybe they're not common, but they exist. But I do know this: Calling someone a racist is not likely to make them reconsider their opinions.

But then again, neither is calm, rational discourse, so why not at least ostracize them?

 

[Brainster]

And you support the point I've been making.

The invalid deductive proof presented in the OP is not why many of us recognize racism in the Birther movement. At most, the observation that no one made these demands and allegations of white presidents (and candidates--let's not forget that McCain was born in Panama), is just another bit of evidence leading to the conclusion that racism is involved.

Yes, because nobody ever questioned McCain's eligibility.

 

[joobz]

Yes, because nobody ever questioned McCain's eligibility.

yes, but the story of McCain's eligibility died when lawyers met and confirmed he was eligible.
For Obama, the state certified birth certificate was deemed not good enough and the issue persisted. Why would extra requirements be placed on Obama?

 

[Kid Eager]

The constant accusation from the Right that the Left is claiming that everything and everyone on the Right is always racist is a vicious, hateful, deliberate, defamatory lie and does nothing but minimize legitimate claims of racism, but they don't care.

 

[Emet]

yes, but the story of McCain's eligibility died when lawyers met and confirmed he was eligible.
For Obama, the state certified birth certificate was deemed not good enough and the issue persisted. Why would extra requirements be placed on Obama?

Because he's Black Muslim a Democrat a communist a socialist tall.

 

[aggle-rithm]

Yes. Racism is the primary motivator in birtherism.
Questioning his birth is ok. Many candidates have had to demonstrate their eligibility.
However, doubting the state certified short form Certificate and demanding to see the long form IS motivated by racism. Why would anyone demand more proof from Obama than any other president or presidential candidate?

You may be right, but if it were NOT motivated by racism, then how would you know? What would it look like, and why?

I've seen the pattern you describe here -- demanding evidence, then moving the goalposts once the evidence is produced -- many times, and it rarely has anything to do with race. Just strong beliefs (which may include racist beliefs, but not necessarily).

 

[aggle-rithm]

I've seen too many times, friends, who because they are brown (either Indian or asian), had people initially think they weren't born here.
the conversation typically goes:
"So Where you from?"
"Indianapolis"
"No, I mean where were you born"
"Indianapolis"
"Oh, ....."

Reminds me of a classic scene from Barney Miller:

Dietrich: You must miss the pagodas and gardens of your homeland.
Yemana: I'm from Omaha.
Dietrich: Hey, we've got a city with that name in Nebraska.

 

[joobz]

You may be right, but if it were NOT motivated by racism, then how would you know? What would it look like, and why?

Excellent question.
All I can do is think to other cases where citizenship was doubted and what was required to disprove those instances. In those, we didn't see the continual push of the story.

And then, look at other accusations made. Secretly a Muslim. Terrorist Sympathizer. Manchurian candidate. Each having a racial element involved.

I've seen the pattern you describe here -- demanding evidence, then moving the goalposts once the evidence is produced -- many times, and it rarely has anything to do with race. Just strong beliefs (which may include racist beliefs, but not necessarily).

Yes, but those strong beliefs have a root in something inherent in the person.
It could simply be a belief that Bush is big oil there for cause 9-11. Can't deny this belief, becuase Bush DID come from oil. Of course the conspiracy is utter nonsense, but the root is in a belief that is there.

With Obama, What is it about him that makes the concept of him being "not truly a natural born citizen" have legs? The answer to that question is why I call birtherism a racist movement.

 

[thaiboxerken]

The constant accusation from the Right that the Left is claiming that everything and everyone on the Right is always racist is a vicious, hateful, deliberate, defamatory lie and does nothing but minimize legitimate claims of racism, but they don't care.

They do care. Their goal is to minimize legitimate claims of racism.