Does Obama Insult His Momma?
June 26, 2008 – 12:44 amBarack Obama recently referred to himself as black. Allen Johnson and Mark Binker recently referred to him as African American. Why?
Does this description not insult, by omitting, the white heritage his mother played in his creation? The US Census Bureau identifies him as multiracial.
Allen Johnson and I recently had this exchange:
Tony Wilkins said: I’m curious Allen, why do you refer to Obama as “African American”? If he’s half white and half African American what determines your African American description?
Allen Johnson said: Good question, Tony. For better or for worse, in U.S. society, if you’re mixed-race black and white, you’re most traditionally considered black.
Now I respect and admire Allen Johnson, but that sounds like an answer from someone who should have just said they don’t know.
I mentioned this subject before and expected Blogworld’s Race Police to provide some type of answer. I also expected the same group to question why I would ask and why does it matter. What matters is that it appears to be deceptive.
Might “multiracial candidate” just not sound as appealing to some voters?
Here’s my question, plain and simple:
Is it misleading for Obama to describe himself as black when the US Census Bureau identifies him as multiracial?
32 Responses to “Does Obama Insult His Momma?”
Seeing as Obama was born to a Muslim couple, raised in a Muslim home and educated early on as a Muslim, I’d like to know just exactly when he began calling himself a “Christian.” What age was he when this evangelical “conversion” occurred? Was it prior to or after his entry into politics? Did he file any paperwork? When did he start attending a Christian church?
By jaycee on Jun 26, 2008
How do you answer the question? When do you find it fitting to refer to someone as black or African-American?
By Roch101 on Jun 26, 2008
When they are black or African American.
Roch, I thought you of all people (because of your respected attention to detail and accuracy) may have an “official” version of how a person can be multiracial and decide which one of the races they want to be recognized as.
Now Roch, you know from previous posts that I do have respect for you and your demand for precision. But if the role was reversed and John McCain was multiracial and called himself white you would salivate like a rabid dog.
I have to assume at this point there is no logical answer to my question.
By Tony Wilkins on Jun 26, 2008
Tony:
When you mentioned this subject before, I alluded to Obama’s white grandmother.
By my count, if a “typical white woman” raised the son of her white daughter, then that man she reared is at least half as white as me.
As a linguist, I’ve thoroughly studied human migration patterns, so I get ticked every time the feds want me to declare myself “Caucasian”.
No part of my bloodline traces to the Caucasus!
It’s typical; somebody’s always trying to hold the white woman down - just ask sista Hillary…
By Maria Barton on Jun 26, 2008
Tony wrote: “When they are black or African American.
Then, Tony wrote: “I have to assume at this point there is no logical answer to my question.”
Um.
By Roch101 on Jun 28, 2008
As common cunning liquists we frequently use devices to hold each other down. The terms black, white, mandingo, African American(used as a hyphenate in bad form) are functions of the human eye. There is no genetic, biological or scientific function for these terms. They are boxes to check on various institutional forms. My main concern is not Obama’s cult of hue but his membership in the same legislative cult as McCain and Hillary. All three will agree to spend taxes on wages yet to be earned by me, my yet to be born children and yet to be considered grandchildren. They will abrogate their Constitutional authority to make war on an ethnic group they dont understand with money they dont have. In the real work world these Plundercrats would be cuffed and prosecuted. In the play money world of politics they are given pensions and power by 50% of eligible voters calling their participation in the plunder “civic duty.” The marketing ploy used on the lumpen is an old effective one. “Put on our shackles and feel the freedom”, claims one plunder cult. ” “Our shackles will set you free” advertises the other. Race/color is a marketing scheme of the courtiers, used cruelly to create division and confusion while they go through your pockets. That must feel good to a lotta people but it makes me mad a wet cat.
By Kuntish Tonkins-Alston on Jun 28, 2008
No need to dance around Roch.
As one to push for answers it’s obvious you do not have one here.
Here it is again Roch, Ed, and Dave:
Tony Wilkins said: I’m curious Allen, why do you refer to Obama as “African American� If he’s half white and half African American what determines your African American description?
And:
Is it misleading for Obama to describe himself as black when the US Census Bureau identifies him as multiracial?
I see there is no further comment on the role reversal if John McCain was multiracial.
Your “non answers” speak volumes.
Personally, I don’t care if he was green. But if he was green he should say he was green.
By Tony Wilkins on Jun 28, 2008
John McCain is multiracial as his lineage can be traced back to Africa. If you prefer the Noahic myth, back to Anatolia.
By Beelzebubba on Jun 28, 2008
If the US Census Bureau states it..it must be true. I know the USG would not intentionally lay down the foundation for conflict, violence, disorder and further confusion. If the USG recognizes race as a genuine specific, who can argue with that?
By chuck atkinson on Jun 28, 2008
Two Caucasian woman walk into a bar..the third one ducks. How many Caucasian women does it take to change a light bulb? Only one…”Wheres all the Caucasian women?”~Dave Chapelle…”All you Caucasian women looks alike to me.”~ Charlie Murphy….HCWIC(Head Caucasian Woman in Charge). These are a few examples of what Caucasian women must endure. Where is the outrage. This should cause enough dissonance to make everyone vomit in their mouth.
By Beelzebubba on Jun 28, 2008
One day Obama was breaking in his new polo pony and a bright light knocked him off his steed, blinding him. And a Voice from the light said, “Hey, you, why all the Obamadrama” ..and Obama said..”It’s for the chirruns” and the Voice from the light said, “But you’re just turning over a new leaf in the same old book. Will the lumpen fall for that?” and Obama answered, “The system is strained and the lumpen on both sides of the same devalued coin are desperate, looking for solutions-outside of themselves-of all places. They have been made subservient to organizational interests and they believe their rights are institutionally- bestowed. They deserve what they get.” Then the light went out and the Voice was speechless.~ Book of Obamadrama 4:15-23 “The Conversion Chapter”
By Kuntisha Tonkins-Alston on Jun 29, 2008
Humans think in herds, go mad in herds, but come back to their senses slowly, one at a time~Osama bin Chuckie
By chuck atkinson on Jun 29, 2008
Tony:
The premise of your question is wrong.
The U.S. Census Bureau would not “identify” Obama as being multiracial unless he chose this category himself. For the decennial census and for nearly all other Census Bureau survey instruments, respondents self-identify their race. People can choose whether they want to identify a single race or whether they would prefer to identify as a multi-racial background. Specifically, the Census short-form questionnaire (see, e.g., http://www.census.gov/dmd/www/pdf/d61a.pdf) instructs people to “Mark one or more races to
indicate what this person considers himself/herself to be.”
From the Bureau’s FAQ on race and ethnicity (http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/raceqandas.html), you can also find the following:
Question: How does the Census Bureau define race and ethnicity?
Answer: Census Bureau complies with the Office of Management and Budget’s standards for maintaining, collecting, and presenting data on race, which were revised in October 1997. They generally reflect a social definition of race recognized in this country. They do not conform to any biological, anthropological or genetic criteria.
The bottom line is that the Census Bureau (at the direction of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget) ALLOWS people to identify themselves as multi-racial if they wish but does not require them to do this. It also uses a “social” definition of race rather than a strict biological or genetic definition.
By Dave Ribar on Jun 30, 2008
So it’s up to the person what they want to be.
That explains it Dave. Thanks for your time as that is the most detailed explanation I have seen in any report, national or local.
I might go for Cherokee next time.
By Tony Wilkins on Jul 1, 2008
That would make me more of a Redneckian than Caucasian. I’m no longer ethnically conflicted.
By chuck atkinson on Jul 1, 2008
Tony:
Things depend on the survey and the organization conducting it. Most of the Census surveys rely on self-reports. People can claim just about anything that they want (and often do). It’s surprising that as many people are as honest as they are given the sensitive questions that some surveys ask.
For a recent survey that I helped with, we had both self-reports and separate interviewer reports of people’s racial backgrounds. There were a fair number of disagreements in these reports.
When I was growing up, a colleague of my Dad’s was married to a woman that he had met while serving in Vietnam. As near as anyone could determine, she appeared to be Asian (both parents were clearly Asian, and she was born and raised in Vietnam). However, anytime the subject of ethnicity came up, she would vehemently assert “I’m French!”
By Dave Ribar on Jul 1, 2008
Not dancing, Tony. It appears as if it is you who won’t take this head on. Let me try again. You are chastising others for having what you see as an ambiguous definition of African-American, yet when asked when you decide to call someone an African-American, you offer the circular and nonsensical reply, “When they are African-American.”
So, I don’t get what it is you are criticizing. You think some people’s use of the term is faulty, okay, so tell us when it is appropriate to use the term. “When I say so,” isn’t adequate. Tell us Tony’s measure for when someone can be identified as African-American.
By Roch101 on Jul 2, 2008
No hyphen in the “African American” please..or it reduces the subject to a “hyphenate”. You may use any symbol or letter except the hyphen to avoid the pejorative. such as African?American, African+American, African*American….no hyphens please..or you’ll start a truth and reconciliation inquiry..which arrives at neither.
By Kuntisha Tonkins-Alston on Jul 2, 2008
KTA, we get it. You are an insensitive pig. Must you keep reminding us?
By Roch101 on Jul 3, 2008
Roch: I teach sensitivity at a well known, respected Charm School in NC. I instruct my clients to avoid the porcine pejoratives as it reflects harshly on the user and adds to the form/substance conflict in human debate and dialogue. You can cut and paste this thread for a voucher worth $2500.00 for the next session which begins in August of this year. I look forward to seeing you there and assisting you with life skills that will camouflage your obstacles to rational debate on irrational subjects such as religion, markets and polity. This voucher cannot be used with any other program or promotion.
By Kuntisha Tonkins-Alston on Jul 3, 2008
Hello everyone:
I have remained silent,long enough. Obama’s mamma is backing him one hundred percent. Just think, if you had a son who was running for the President of the United States of America would you not back him one hundred pecent of the way. If you ansewer this any other way you are not a mother……I have absolutely no use for this man,nor what he stands for. We as the American People have to get off our ass, and assist a common person to run for this office. This person has to have no money(race is not a factor, the person has to beleve in a supreme being and this is not alah,you did notice I did not spell alah with a capitol letter,being this in my opinion does not deserve one. And this person has to believe in the American way….. This is the problem,if we the American People do not step up and take command,sell your soles cause you do not belong here) We have to take controll back of our country that out ansesters fought for………..May God assist us any way possible. In other words to hell with all other religions. Folks we must step up to the plate and stop all this CRAP>>>>>>>>>>
By Reece Coble on Jul 3, 2008
Reece..good to hear from you..allah has big brown shoulders and can handle anything thrown in that direction..my anscestors fought mostly over women and drink debts at local establishments. They didnt feel the need for a leader of sorts..just someone to protect them from the leaders other peole chose for themselves….from TV ads approved by the power mongers themselves. The Constitution was designed to do that but little is left of it because other peoples’ leaders have found a way to circumvent the Charter. Leaders are good if you really lack the capacity to listen to your own inner voice and lead yourself…but keep them in your yard and subject to the restraints which flawed but enlightened men felt were needed to protect humans from power mongers.
By chuck atkinson on Jul 3, 2008
I would like to thank all the veterans of the Unites States of America for their service. Folks if you have not defended your country in wartime or peace time you have no idea what these people have done. They have left their community,familys and loved ones, went to foreighn lands killed been killed,but we have not properly gave a proper homecoming either dead or alive.
A lot of these troops are loosing their homes,familys and a lot more while our government just stands by(I mean our elected officials)folks we have to do something…….
Contact our elected offficals,do not take no for a ansewer.
Make these folks accountable……….If you do not want to do any of this, stop writting and bitching about everything on these blogs. or anywhere else… Lets help these folks, let me know what you think. Please make comments thru this blog……..Tony is a great person…….
By Reece Coble on Jul 3, 2008
Chuck:
Thank you for your response. But we as the shot up,abused abused American soldiers of the United States of Ameica want streight ansewers. We do appreciate your comments, but just where do you stand, I myself do not like beat around the bush ansewers. Just put it out where us good old vets can understand. Either you are with us or against us……….
Have you ever fought in the jungle,worked for thirty two years in law-enforcement. Or have you ever been shot at or knows whats its like to be assaulted. Just let us know in laymens terms……..In other words put it out where every one understands what you are saying. A whole lot of us have never had a college educations, but we know street smarts,and I might ad goes a lot futher in staying alive……………
By Reece Coble on Jul 3, 2008
Chuck:
Oh, by the way while I was jumping out of airplanes,fighting in the jungles of Vietnam and all the while attempting to stay alive,and afterwards,in law enforcement for thirty two years, somehow I managed to get a degree from Carolina,various schools in law enforcement, and incidentely am enrolled as a assistant in the Carry Concealed Weapon,licensing folks,in the proper way to discharge and carry weapons. I have done nothing with my life. And I may ask what have you done?
By Reece Coble on Jul 3, 2008
Users of this blog
If I have insulted or hurt anyone I cetanially do apologize. Folks I just believe in the American Way. And Chuck if I was in the way you believed, I am so sorry.
However if I am correct go to another country, and I do believe a lot of people will agree with me. Please let me know along with the folks who read this blog.
Please do not beat around the bush, just let us (me know) exactly how you feel and that is in laymans terms not in that crap you have been putting out.
However I do know, if you do not wish to reply its your wright. ‘MAY GOD BE WITH YOU”
Sir I do mean God. Not the other being…..
Member of the 82nd, Airborne,retired,Special Forces,Ranger Division(hurahh) as they say now…….
By Reece Coble on Jul 3, 2008
Roch,
I think you may have misinterpreted my last comment on this subject.
Actually what you just stated “Tell us Tony’s measure for when someone can be identified as African-American.” is a form of the question I’m asking.
In as simple of terms I can put it:
If he is half white and half black (do we at last agree on this Roch?) then why would he (and the national media)consider him black instead of multiracial?
IMO to call him black completely ignores his mother’s role in his creation.
By Tony Wilkins on Jul 5, 2008
Reece, Why would anyone jump out of a perfectly good airplane? Why do some men dress up like other men and march at other men dressed alike who are trying to kill them? And why do some men like to dress up like women every third Saturday night, get in Tony’s hot tub and play sissy splash. Beats the baby Rambo bejeezus outta me. We all take ourselves really serious every now and then and forget how to get home. Not only do we get in our own way, but we step on compasses that don’t belong to us. Maybe we should limit ourselves to one ego barrier at a time..and we cannot attach ourselves to a second one until we have died for the first one. We might all get home sooner.
By chuck atkinson on Jul 6, 2008
Chuck:
I have waited for someone else to respond. But they have not. So to me this means you are STILL dancing around, and not saying anything.
In other words all the people who read and use this blog has no comment to your response. This lets me know we have a lot of folks who do not agree with things you say.
So Good Bye…..
By Reece Coble on Jul 17, 2008
Reece: there’s not a lot you can say about Chuck’s rants. If you take time to read them they become like the science fiction tinglers…worms which eat whats left of your brain. I’m sure he intended for the hyphen protocol advisory to be more of a public service announcement.
By Kuntisha Tonkins-Alston on Jul 17, 2008
Mr. Coble, It is time that someone called Chuck’s bluff. It sounds like youre just the man to do it. The only time you’ll see him dancing is with the devil..and Chuck never allows the Devil to lead. To respond to anything Chuck says is to open yourself to possession and exposure to the dark side of the Dark Side.
By Beelzebubba on Jul 17, 2008
Insult Chuck? Ain’t possible. Allah’s shoulders are too wide and strong to be hurt by mere words.
By Robin Leskovitch on Jul 18, 2008