Home » Barack Obama, Fighting Racism, Hate Crimes, Language

Race Hate: How many incidents equal a trend?

By Carmen D. on Monday, November 24th, 2008, 7:50 am Comments

In the days following Barack Obama’s election, hateful racial incidents have surged. Some are more ominous than others, some with more impact, some just kinda stupid and annoying. Some examples:

Idaho school kids chant “Assassinate Obama” on a school bus and school officials are slow to (barely) react.

“They just hadn’t heard anything like this before,” said Whoolery. “They were chanting on the bus, ‘Assassinate Obama. Assassinate Obama.’ Then adding in a name sometimes of a classmate on the bus, ‘Assassinate Obama and Kate.’”

The Whoolery’s explained to their kids what assassinate means then contacted the school about what was happening. Source

“I think the thing that struck us was just like, ‘Where did they get the word and why would they put that word and that person together?’” said Whoolery.

Young white people (mostly young men) on Facebook post racial slurs and even assassination threats against President-elect Obama, and the young man of color who exposes them is threatened with account suspension. An excerpt from a soldier in uniform:

Taylor West wrote at 1:51am
What do we do!?! The antichrist is in Office now!!! KILL OBAMA!!! I didnt get to vote out here, but I hate that Obama won. I dont want some dude with the name Hussein, as my president. He dont even stand up for the national anthem. I swear on everything hes a terrorists. Source: Honky Talk blog

And according to the Associated Press:

Four North Carolina State University students admitted writing anti-Obama comments in a tunnel designated for free speech expression, including one that said: “Let’s shoot that (N-word) in the head.” Obama has received more threats than any other president-elect, authorities say.

At Standish, Maine, a sign inside the Oak Hill General Store read: “Osama Obama Shotgun Pool.” Customers could sign up to bet $1 on a date when Obama would be killed. “Stabbing, shooting, roadside bombs, they all count,” the sign said. At the bottom of the marker board was written “Let’s hope someone wins.” Source

Howard Witt, of the Chicago Tribune, reports that Klan membership is up, and the Southern Poverty Law Center is alarmed while the FBI and Secret Service are investigating:

“We’ve seen everything from cross burnings on lawns of interracial couples to effigies of Obama hanging from nooses to unpleasant exchanges in schoolyards,” said Mark Potok, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center, based in Montgomery, Ala. “I think we’re in a worrying situation right now, a perfect storm of conditions coming together that could easily favor the continued growth of these groups.”

Among the factors experts say are contributing to white supremacist anxieties: The rapidly worsening economic crisis; demographic trends indicating that whites will cease to compose a majority of Americans within a generation; and the impending arrival of a black family in the White House.

The FBI is investigating the recent Klan-related incidents to determine the extent of any possible conspiracies. And the Secret Service is monitoring the apparent sudden surge in hate incidents “to try to stay ahead of any emerging threats,” according to spokesman Darrin Blackford in Washington. Source

It’s that last graph above that caught my attention. It’s good to know that the FBI and Secret Service are investigating any conspiracies or coordinated activity against our President-elect. I for one completely believe that Barack Obama will serve out the full term(s) of his presidency in good health. I am not worried and have pretty much read about these incidents with some head shaking and eye rolling in response. None of it surprises me.

But it occurred to me that ignoring these incidents won’t make them go away. What will make them “go away” to some extent is for each of us committed to anti-racism to make it very clear to those around us that racist talk or actions will not be tolerated. Don’t stand for it. And if you hear something threatening, call law enforcement and report it.

Obama campaigned on “Yes we can.” We proved we could. Don’t let it slip now. Stand up and speak out.

  • Mike
    It’s amazing, the current president has more death threats against him than any previous president. Why, for he is a complete moron with an anti-American attitude…that is why!!! I would first hang Bush on a tree, and then put Obama next to his side, and keep an open noose with a sign above it for any other president that intends to screw up the American people. It’s not a matter of black or white, but of being a stupid person being in office screwing up our entire country.
  • awill2
    I'm trying to understand, Mike, what it is that you find so "stupid" about Pres. Obama? He has barely been in office a year and so far everything he has done or has tried to do is help us out of this nightmare, this financial hurricane that Bush has inflicted upon us. Obama didn't do this, BUSH did. He was the one morally blinded people voted in for 2 terms. Pres. Obama has just inherited the mess that was already in place when he took office. I wish people would give him a break and let him do his job the best he can. Look at what he's got to put up with for cryin out loud! Hate mongers in every corner, nay sayers in his own meetings, and disrespect so thick and putrid you'd think those who are showing such disrespect just walked out of the sewer after eating refuse. Really, "it's not a matter of black or white"? I say it is; because there truly has not been any president that I know of, Dem or Rep, that has had to endure such atrocity just for trying to do good.
  • In 2042 it is estimated that there will be more brown and black people in the United States than whites, Its important to continue to getting an education, saving your money, and try to close wealth gap. What goes around comes around, i think its important to remember that.
  • mike
    I know first hand that racism is alive and well in America. In the latter part of Oct 2008, while at work, I made the commit that we just might have a Black President. One of my white co workers heard this and started dancin as if she was in a minstrel show saying "kill the black man shoot the black man we don't need a n-word as president" After I calmed down, I decided to turn it in to my supervisor. To make a long story short, two weeks later I was fired for misuse of conpany time. I would have thought nothing of it if I had not been the only black working for the company in this area. Yes racism is alive and well and we are going to see more of it in the future. Unfortunately however now that it has come to the forefront most of it will be done clandestinely.
  • I just noticed this today. I read this post--it's been reposted several times around the intarwebs.

    Thank you so much for linking to my blog! I really appreciate it.
  • There does seem to be a backlash against an Obama presidency. My daughter told me that the kids at her high school said many of the same things and are now shaving their heads bald. We are indeed living in some troubling times. What we must do now as parents is focus on preparing ourselves and our children to deal with racial hatred: role-play and walk through some scenarios and how to handle them, teach your children how to interact with public officials--especially the police, review their civil rights with them, and finally pray with them.
  • n-2-me-i-c
    Carmen, you are right. Americans should stand up, and speak out against racism. Silence only enables racists to continue their offensive hurtful behaviors. To not say anything is, in a sense, being complicit with them. As the saying goes, “The bad guys win when the good guys say and do nothing”- (it’s something like that).

    The surge in racial incidents along with increased KKK membership is bothersome--but it doesn’t surprise me. Racism is an ongoing spiritually sick disease. IMO, the Feds are going to be very busy during Obama’s Presidency. I am counting on them to perform their job IMPECCABLY! (I don’t want to think about what might follow if anything should happen to PEBO).
  • Dear ChiChi, I love your comment. We (with God's help) WILL keep him safe. Mmmm...that felt good to envision. Thank you.
  • Hey Sauda Voice, welcome to the conversation. You know, I am of a mixed feeling regarding having the hate "all out in the open." People in denial still deny that it's an issue.

    I hope you are right about demanding accountability. I do believe we are all empowered every time we hear about people like Dawncita confronting racism when they hear it.
  • Hey RawDawg, thanks for breaking it all down scientifically! ;)
blog comments powered by Disqus