Does Race Matter?

[drunkpirate66]

But they are black - 90% or more. So race does matter. I agree with everything you said. And, on a sidenote, I totally respect the Herald job - balls out! But they are black. I am not talking about "why they are black neighborhoods" (of course money is part of it) but the fact is they are in the year 2008- - - race matters. Sad but true. If race didn't matter in the real world or in this election the neighborhoods such as the aforementioned wouldn't exist. Would you like me to switch gears and talk about the Cambodian population in Lowell, MA (number 1 on the East Coast, I believe) . . . wonder why they all live in the same 2 mile radius. How bout the Irish in South Boston who all take care of each other in carpentry and plumbing work . . . . do Italian families flock together - um, yeah - what about the Jewish in Sharon, MA or Brookline . . . race matters. It still defines us. People choose to live amongst their "own" proven, atleast, in Boston by the demogragh of 2008. It does matter in this election. It matters.

When I read this thread, I read "Does race matter (to me)?". And I voted accordingly. No it doesn't. But that is not what the thread said.

You are right, race does matter in this election. Maybe not to people here, to you or I or others on this board, but it does matter. I posted a link in another thread to a Howard Stern clip. His show interviewed people in Harlem and asked for whom were they voting. The people interviewd stated Obama. Then the interviewer asked about his policies, except he took all of McCain's policies and said they were Obama's. For example, do you agree that fetal stem cell research is bad? Do you think we should keep troops in Iraq and Afghanistan for a long time? Will Sarah Palin be a good VP or even President if the worst happened. And each time they agreed wth what was supposedly Obama's position. Clearly they are voting for him not on his positions.

And if white people did that for McCain they would be called racist. Such a sad election in that regard.

[Frank4]

Honestly, regardless of race I most likely would have voted for the democrat, mainly because of my upbringing, including racial issues.
My son is bi-racial and about a year ago or so ago he had some issues with it. He's my bud and wants to look like me. He has had a problem with his curly hair and wanted a flat top like mine. One day though the chicks are gonna love his hair. Plus he aint ever got to worry about getting a nice tan. I remember a few years back when I was going to a tanning bed, he asked me if there was a bed he could go to to make him lighter. We've had some talks and it seems better now.
I do realize that even though he's bi-racial that "Joe Redneck" sees him as black or (insert racial slur here). A couple of years back some guys yelled "white power" out their car window at us when we were out bike riding. He did not know what it meant but I would have hurt those dudes if they would have had the guts to stop. Same thing happened with me and my wife years back but instead it was "N lover". A lot of this probably has to do with where we live, smack dab in republican territory. I don't neccesarily mean "Polo shirt" republicans but more like what you might call "trailer park trash rebel flag waving for the wrong reasons republicans".
It may sound crazy but that is one of the reasons that I would like to see Barrack win...for my family and everyone like us or everyone who feels like us. To show the whole world, "Hey look what we did".
I think that with today's music, culture and younger people not seeming to be as hung up on race as older generations that America as a whole is definitely getting better as far as race relations go.

Plus, I'm a democrat. what can I say

Extremely well said. I feel better for having read something like this.

My father in law called me a "n lover", because of voting for Obama last week in my house. I poured out his drink, and asked him to leave. Then he wouldn't and I threw him out of my house. I don't want that kind of crap or people poisioning my children.

Part of the reason I am voting for Obama, is it's time. It's time for this country to elect a black president. I think it will be a great day for America when this happens.

[Tiki Bar]

Part of the reason I am voting for Obama, is it's time. It's time for this country to elect a black president. I think it will be a great day for America when this happens.

I hope you chose the poll option that race was a factor in your vote, because it seems it was. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[drunkpirate66]

Honestly, regardless of race I most likely would have voted for the democrat, mainly because of my upbringing, including racial issues.
My son is bi-racial and about a year ago or so ago he had some issues with it. He's my bud and wants to look like me. He has had a problem with his curly hair and wanted a flat top like mine. One day though the chicks are gonna love his hair. Plus he aint ever got to worry about getting a nice tan. I remember a few years back when I was going to a tanning bed, he asked me if there was a bed he could go to to make him lighter. We've had some talks and it seems better now.
I do realize that even though he's bi-racial that "Joe Redneck" sees him as black or (insert racial slur here). A couple of years back some guys yelled "white power" out their car window at us when we were out bike riding. He did not know what it meant but I would have hurt those dudes if they would have had the guts to stop. Same thing happened with me and my wife years back but instead it was "N lover". A lot of this probably has to do with where we live, smack dab in republican territory. I don't neccesarily mean "Polo shirt" republicans but more like what you might call "trailer park trash rebel flag waving for the wrong reasons republicans".
It may sound crazy but that is one of the reasons that I would like to see Barrack win...for my family and everyone like us or everyone who feels like us. To show the whole world, "Hey look what we did".
I think that with today's music, culture and younger people not seeming to be as hung up on race as older generations that America as a whole is definitely getting better as far as race relations go.

Plus, I'm a democrat. what can I say

Extremely well said. I feel better for having read something like this.

My father in law called me a "n lover", because of voting for Obama last week in my house. I poured out his drink, and asked him to leave. Then he wouldn't and I threw him out of my house. I don't want that kind of crap or people poisioning my children.

Part of the reason I am voting for Obama, is it's time. It's time for this country to elect a black president. I think it will be a great day for America when this happens.

I still think what McCain has done for the United States in terms of service throughout his life beats some guy being born with darker skin. If it doesn't matter then it doesn't matter; one way or the other: on the negative end OR the positive end (but it does - see). There are far better choices for an African American President, then Obama (IMO).

[ph4ever]

Honestly, regardless of race I most likely would have voted for the democrat, mainly because of my upbringing, including racial issues.
My son is bi-racial and about a year ago or so ago he had some issues with it. He's my bud and wants to look like me. He has had a problem with his curly hair and wanted a flat top like mine. One day though the chicks are gonna love his hair. Plus he aint ever got to worry about getting a nice tan. I remember a few years back when I was going to a tanning bed, he asked me if there was a bed he could go to to make him lighter. We've had some talks and it seems better now.
I do realize that even though he's bi-racial that "Joe Redneck" sees him as black or (insert racial slur here). A couple of years back some guys yelled "white power" out their car window at us when we were out bike riding. He did not know what it meant but I would have hurt those dudes if they would have had the guts to stop. Same thing happened with me and my wife years back but instead it was "N lover". A lot of this probably has to do with where we live, smack dab in republican territory. I don't neccesarily mean "Polo shirt" republicans but more like what you might call "trailer park trash rebel flag waving for the wrong reasons republicans".
It may sound crazy but that is one of the reasons that I would like to see Barrack win...for my family and everyone like us or everyone who feels like us. To show the whole world, "Hey look what we did".
I think that with today's music, culture and younger people not seeming to be as hung up on race as older generations that America as a whole is definitely getting better as far as race relations go.

Plus, I'm a democrat. what can I say

Extremely well said. I feel better for having read something like this.

My father in law called me a "n lover", because of voting for Obama last week in my house. I poured out his drink, and asked him to leave. Then he wouldn't and I threw him out of my house. I don't want that kind of crap or people poisioning my children.

Part of the reason I am voting for Obama, is it's time. It's time for this country to elect a black president. I think it will be a great day for America when this happens.

Frank - I have to admire you for standing up for your convictions to your father in law. It's sometimes not easy to do, as it does have the potential to cause problems within your household.

That being said, IMHO voting for a person because of their skin color or gender is just as wrong as not voting for someone for those reasons. I realize that you said part. You seem to be a well rounded individual with a good head on your shoulders so I don't want it to sound as if I'm jumping on you for that statement - more of an observation.