Obama's Inauguration

[ESP]

I don't know. It's less confusing that way?

 

[Dannichu]

People who celebrate the fact that he's black aren't seeing the larger picture. Did we celebrate the first president with green eyes?

Alex Andrade, 24, an unemployed black Brazilian living in the Cantaglo slum of Rio de Janeiro, expressed some of the new US president's appeal to the wider world.

"Blacks face so much discrimination here," he told the Associated Press.
"Now with a black man in charge of such an important country, it might help decrease the racism in Brazil."

Last time I checked, people with green eyes didn't have to put up with daily harassment. I agree completely that a president should be chosen for their ability to lead the people and nothing else, but the fact he's black is a massive leap forward for a huge number of communities and gives hope to millions of people, so making it out to be an insignificant detail is a little insensitive. :/

 

[Alexi]

I watched it in Government, it was cool, though I felt like I had just gone to church after. >> Whatever, it was cool.

 

[Valor]

Last time I checked, people with green eyes didn't have to put up with daily harassment. I agree completely that a president should be chosen for their ability to lead the people and nothing else, but the fact he's black is a massive leap forward for a huge number of communities and gives hope to millions of people, so making it out to be an insignificant detail is a little insensitive. :/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRYmudWEUSo

The fact that people still SEE skin color as a difference is discrimination in itself. All you're doing is "HEY HE'S BLACK LET'S REMIND OURSELVES WE NEED TO BE EQUAL". We shouldn't be needing to point out skin color to show that we're advancing from the cesspools of discrimination. That's still pointing out the differences in people. Which, as always, is discrimination. So! What did we learn today?

 

[Butterfree]

You are trying too hard. Yes, of course, in an ideal world the president's race should be just as trivial as the color of his eyes, but this is not an ideal world, and precisely that makes his race tremendously important. Before we can achieve the ideal world in which race doesn't matter at all, we first need to achieve a world where a member of a racial minority is capable of being elected by a majority vote, and face it, before his election, we all feared that we were not yet living even in that world.

The United States electing a black president proves that we are getting there, and therefore should rightfully strike hope into the hearts of those who care about equality. Yes, of course we all hope that in the future the election of a black president will be no more of a cause for special regard than the election of a green-eyed one, but if you can't accept that today, yes, it is a very momentous occasion, you are merely deluding yourself.

The fact that people still SEE skin color as a difference is discrimination in itself.

No, it is not. Are you discriminating when you notice a person's eye color? Pretending people aren't different or that we can't identify a black person as being black is silly. Discrimination is not about recognizing those differences; it's about when we treat these differences like they intrinsically mean something more about the person than what they actually do.

Eye colors exist; they're just another bit of a person's appearance, and generally we treat eye color as just being, well, eye color. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. Race exists as well; it's a simple matter of descent, and there is no reason to think that recognizing the existence of different races is harmful to anyone. Racism is when people consciously or subconsciously think of race as transcending just that matter of where your ancestors happen to have come from. Acknowledging that Obama is black and that we all feared the US was fundamentally too racist for him to have a chance before they proved us wrong is not remotely discriminatory.

 

[Dannichu]

^ Thank you :)

Minorities gaining recognition on such a massive scale as the president is absolutely huge. I remember Obama mentioning gays in his victory speech back in November (just after the amendment to ban gay marriage in California et al was made); it was a small mention, something along the lines of "...and all people; white, black, male, female, [...] gay, straight..." and it sent massive shockwaves through the LGBT community;

"Oh my God, I cried, I screamed, I stayed up until four in the morning and then went to sleep. When I woke up at eight I was so happy.
"I cannot ever remember an American statesman, never mind President, even mentioning anybody gay. I cannot tell you how chuffed I am."

"Admittedly our new start turned out to be something of a damp squib. The fact that in his speech spoke not just of the diversity and ethnicity of the States but mentioned gay people and straight people – he is the first President to address the wider community and not everyone is a gun-toting, tobacco-chewing redneck from Texas. May he live long and prosper."

Maybe one day there will be a time when human beings are recognised by everyone for who they are and not what they are. But until that happens, people can and should celebrate the baby steps (or, indeed, great leaps forward) the world as a whole is taking towards achieving equality.

 

[see ya]

Obama's inauguration was broadcast farther than anyone had really expected.

 

[Valerunner]

Obama's inauguration was broadcast farther than anyone had really expected.

Fiddlesticks.

They forgot to show the party in New Earth.

 

[Valor]

You are trying too hard. Yes, of course, in an ideal world the president's race should be just as trivial as the color of his eyes, but this is not an ideal world, and precisely that makes his race tremendously important. Before we can achieve the ideal world in which race doesn't matter at all, we first need to achieve a world where a member of a racial minority is capable of being elected by a majority vote, and face it, before his election, we all feared that we were not yet living even in that world.

Oh, so we should give up on living in a perfect world, huh?

HEY GUYS, CANCEL RESEARCHING BETTER TREATMENT FOR CANCER, FOREGO ON FINDING A BETTER SOURCE FOR POWER, AND FOR GOD'S SAKE GET RID OF ANY HELP FOR THOSE WITH AIDS.

The United States electing a black president proves that we are getting there, and therefore should rightfully strike hope into the hearts of those who care about equality. Yes, of course we all hope that in the future the election of a black president will be no more of a cause for special regard than the election of a green-eyed one, but if you can't accept that today, yes, it is a very momentous occasion, you are merely deluding yourself.

Why should we have to settle for less? There's no reason. The baby steps you're claiming we're making is not enough. We still have gays that are racist, Asians that despise Christianity, and oh God all of those religious organizations that are against each other. Why not start with an actual example for everyone else to follow? Otherwise it's going to be small step, everyone makes a small step, silence until someone else makes a small step and everyone else follows that same small step.

No, it is not. Are you discriminating when you notice a person's eye color? Pretending people aren't different or that we can't identify a black person as being black is silly. Discrimination is not about recognizing those differences; it's about when we treat these differences like they intrinsically mean something more about the person than what they actually do.

I never notice one's eye color myself, but that's not the point. Well, actually, it is, but still.

Discrimination doesn't just mean hating a group of people. It can mean anything that involves an illogical basis of an entire group of a species, be it gender, race, religion, sexuality, whatever. Voting Obama in because he's half black isn't just discrimination, it's reverse discrimination. It's actually rather common, usually because people panic and try to prove that they are, in fact, not discriminate. The result is just a different degree.

Eye colors exist; they're just another bit of a person's appearance, and generally we treat eye color as just being, well, eye color. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. Race exists as well; it's a simple matter of descent, and there is no reason to think that recognizing the existence of different races is harmful to anyone. Racism is when people consciously or subconsciously think of race as transcending just that matter of where your ancestors happen to have come from. Acknowledging that Obama is black and that we all feared the US was fundamentally too racist for him to have a chance before they proved us wrong is not remotely discriminatory.

Once a person starts comparing their past to someone else's, they're going to wonder who's the better one. It's instinct to be competitive, but sadly it tends to boil down to one's accomplishments in life.

Why wouldn't we be ready? Why should America be based off of stereotypical racist curs in the South? That right there is discrimination.

^ Thank you :)

Boy, you just love hiding behind someone else in order to make your point, don't you?

Minorities gaining recognition on such a massive scale as the president is absolutely huge. I remember Obama mentioning gays in his victory speech back in November (just after the amendment to ban gay marriage in California et al was made); it was a small mention, something along the lines of "...and all people; white, black, male, female, [...] gay, straight..." and it sent massive shockwaves through the LGBT community;

Yeah, I'm sure all of them just loved seeing Obama get elected.

A small mention? They're getting riled up over a reference? That there is settling for less than what people deserve.

Maybe one day there will be a time when human beings are recognised by everyone for who they are and not what they are. But until that happens, people can and should celebrate the baby steps (or, indeed, great leaps forward) the world as a whole is taking towards achieving equality.

Aaaaaand you're just repeating what I just responded to. Way to go.

 

[Vladimir Putin's LJ]

Oh, so we should give up on living in a perfect world, huh?

HEY GUYS, CANCEL RESEARCHING BETTER TREATMENT FOR CANCER, FOREGO ON FINDING A BETTER SOURCE FOR POWER, AND FOR GOD'S SAKE GET RID OF ANY HELP FOR THOSE WITH AIDS.

Haha yes that's exactly what she said!

What she, and other people like myself, are saying is that the world isn't perfect or ideal, it will never be, but in a case like racism, getting people of races other than the predominant in the country elected into places of power is a great step because it shows people can get over what should be a small difference to get to the important aspects, i.e. the policies of said person.
Because seriously, ignoring our differences is stupid, what's important is accepting them.

I seriously don't see how you got to 'LET'S NOT MAKE PROGRESS' from 'Hey a guy got elected despite being different, that's great'.

Why should we have to settle for less? There's no reason. The baby steps you're claiming we're making is not enough. We still have gays that are racist, Asians that despise Christianity, and oh God all of those religious organizations that are against each other. Why not start with an actual example for everyone else to follow? Otherwise it's going to be small step, everyone makes a small step, silence until someone else makes a small step and everyone else follows that same small step.

Wow, again, people are different. People have different opinions: holy shit. Contact the fucking press. In other headlines: sky blue, water wet. Obviously, different opinions can be wrong, but we're not discriminating against anyone by saying 'yes, black people can set their sights as high as any white person and succeed.'
What example do you want to set? Again: a person, who fifty years ago wouldn't have found work in a restaurant, has been elected leader of the most powerful country on Earth. It's a big step. Seriously, we could ignore the fact that a black guy got elected and pretend we're all the same colour but that's dumb and creepy. Differences makes people who they are. There's just douchebags who think those who are different are inferior, so celebrating the fact that those people were proven wrong is perfectly normal.
I mean I'd personally be celebrating even if he was white or whatever, just having a Democrat leading the country is awesome.

I never notice one's eye color myself, but that's not the point. Well, actually, it is, but still.

Discrimination doesn't just mean hating a group of people. It can mean anything that involves an illogical basis of an entire group of a species, be it gender, race, religion, sexuality, whatever. Voting Obama in because he's half black isn't just discrimination, it's reverse discrimination. It's actually rather common, usually because people panic and try to prove that they are, in fact, not discriminate. The result is just a different degree.

Oh yeah, we should just pretend everyone's the same and live in a flat, grey world. Awesome!
Sure, people who didn't vote for Obama because he's black are stupid. People who voted for Obama just because he's black are stupid. Recognizing that he's black and still got elected and that there's less racism then before isn't stupid. Do you want him to renounce his blackness? Should we end Martin Luther King Day, because it reminds us of how some black guy complained about how black people were (and often still are) mistreated in society? Should he just have shut up? Yeah, I'm sure we'd be very far if no one ever talked about differences.
By that logic, any activist should shut up. Gay rights activists? Fuck them, talking about why they're different. Black activists? Fuck off, how dare they remind us that they're different. Women's rights? Jesus, don't get me started.

Why wouldn't we be ready? Why should America be based off of stereotypical racist curs in the South? That right there is discrimination.

white man's burden

Because the west as a whole (yes, even Europe!) is shitty and discriminatory. If a black man got elected president in France tomorrow, I'd still be happy because hey, France got over itself and elected someone who isn't a white man! Hell, I was disappointed when Segolene didn't get elected because I knew it was because she's a woman.
There's a man who's going to run for President in a couple of year. He's very popular, especially in Paris, good policies, and he has great chances of being the next French leader. He happens to be gay, and he's already gotten shot because of it. You can bet I'll be happy that France got over itself and elected a homosexual man if he wins.

Boy, you just love hiding behind someone else in order to make your point, don't you?

Why so bitter. Dannichu just agreed with someone.

Yeah, I'm sure all of them just loved seeing Obama get elected.

People who are different also have different opinions? Holy ffffuuucckkk, amazing!
It couldn't be that Dannichu was talking about the vast majority and not some group who thinks everyone's against them. Sure, I thought Rick Warren was a shitty choice as well but saying Obama's a homophobe is retarded and those people just like to pretend everyone's against them.

A small mention? They're getting riled up over a reference? That there is settling for less than what people deserve.

Considering gay people are treated like shit in many parts of America, getting mentioned in one of the most important speeches in America is a pretty big deal, yeah.

This part and the above one about blacks settling for small things kind of perplexes me. Do you want people to ignore small steps and only react to huge things (like 'Gay marriage legal in the whole world as from now!' and shunning those who get happy when one country legalizes it)? We'd never get anywhere! Rome wasn't built in a day and acceptance takes a shitload of time to even start.

 

[Valor]

Ah, you're right. Rather assholeish of me to undermine these steps. If they're working together that well, then it essentially is one big step.

I concede. I'm wrong.

 

[opaltiger]

He happens to be gay, and he's already gotten shot because of it. You can bet I'll be happy that France got over itself and elected a homosexual man if he wins.

Stabbed, wasn't it?

 

[Vladimir Putin's LJ]

Ah, you're right. Rather assholeish of me to undermine these steps. If they're working together that well, then it essentially is one big step.

I concede. I'm wrong.

It's okay, I'm sorry if I seemed a bit rude. I always do.

Stabbed, wasn't it?

Oh yeah, durr. For some reason I thought he got shot, may have read it somewhere. Well, better to get stabbed than shot, I supposed.
Guy who stabbed him said he did it because he 'hated politicians, the Socialist Party, and the homosexuals' so I guess Bertrand just got the unlucky number thrice.