Obama calls his grandmother a "typical white person"

aliadam · **Obama calls his grandmother a "typical white person"**

Obama was being interviewed and talked about his grandmother with the term "typical white person". I don't think what he was talking about was that controversial, except for that phrase. I just wonder what would happen if a candidate said a "typical black person" during an interview. Would they be jumped on for stereotyping all black people into one category?? The racial tensions this is causing are starting to worry me.

Here's the video of him saying it:

NewsMax - America's News Page

melsb · 03-22-2008, 10:20 AM

Everyone stereotypes. Some are probably better about it than others but I believe everyone and anyone is capable of stereotyping someone else. Those who say they don't I figure are lying!

I will write more but I have to go.

jen4 · 03-22-2008, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliadam

I just wonder what would happen if a candidate said a "typical black person" during an interview. Would they be jumped on for stereotyping all black people into one category??

A white person would be politically crucified for saying this

Obama is really keeping his toes in his mouth lately,
by himself and by some of his affiliations.

melsb · 03-22-2008, 11:05 AM

Ok I'm back!

But I do feel everyone stereotypes to a degree - it is part of human nature. And let's face it, stereotyping isn't always wrong, in fact a lot of times, it is right. Of course it isn't always right either! But people don't like to admit that, they don't like to admit that they think the guy at the grocery with the 'limp wrist' is secretly gay, even though he has a wife and four, biological kids, or that the 25 year old that married a guy that was twice her age could actually love her husband and wasn't looking for money, and so they hide behind a nice little phrase called "political correctness". It doesn't mean they don't believe it, it just means that they aren't willing to say it in public.

Obama at least had the gutts to come out and say what was on his mind. And I give him credit for that. Truthfully, I like Obama, I've liked him since I first heard him speak back in 2004, I think. We even own one of his books. I do wish he had waited and not ran in this election but maybe that would have been political suicide, I don't know. But I wish he had kept his current position and stayed in the public eye and made sure we knew every good thing that he had accomplished because I do believe he is capable of accomplishing some good stuff. That is one thing I liked about Clinton. She, after leaving the White House with her husband, ran for political office and managed to stay in the public. Of course, I'm not sure if she accomplished as much as I would have liked during her time in the Senate and that is probably why I have some concerns about her in the White House. But at least I know her! I don't feel I know Obama -- and I don't believe I want to know his pastor!

Claire · 03-22-2008, 11:24 AM

Yep, couldn't say that about a black person, that's for sure. Nor should you. . .

allgirls · 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melsb

But I do feel everyone stereotypes to a degree - it is part of human nature. And let's face it, stereotyping isn't always wrong, in fact a lot of times, it is right. Of course it isn't always right either! But people don't like to admit that, they don't like to admit that they think the guy at the grocery with the 'limp wrist' is secretly gay, even though he has a wife and four, biological kids, or that the 25 year old that married a guy that was twice her age could actually love her husband and wasn't looking for money, and so they hide behind a nice little phrase called "political correctness". It doesn't mean they don't believe it, it just means that they aren't willing to say it in public.

BUT it is much easier for someone of color to say this. I also agree that if he was white like say Ferraro he would have been called a racist. hmmm, I do believe Obama was one of those calling her a racist. I guess he is immune?

calimari · 03-22-2008, 05:22 PM

I don't see the problem with it. He IS talking about his OWN grandmother, and he is half white. It's no different than someone saying their mom is a "typical Jewish mother". We know the stereotype. When I talk about my father, I describe him as a typical arab. Arabs do not consider themselves white. I think it's funny how the very people who so often say the world is going overboard with political correctness are freaking out when this man just lays it out and speaks the truth about race in America.

jcnmom · 03-22-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calimari

I don't see the problem with it. He IS talking about his OWN grandmother, and he is half white. It's no different than someone saying their mom is a "typical Jewish mother". We know the stereotype. When I talk about my father, I describe him as a typical arab. Arabs do not consider themselves white. I think it's funny how the very people who so often say the world is going overboard with political correctness are freaking out when this man just lays it out and speaks the truth about race in America.

I completely agree!!!

deemom · 03-22-2008, 09:57 PM

I just wish they would stop blowing every comment out of proportion and talking on and on about it. Talk about the issues that are important to me and other Americans: education, healthcare, the economy, border security, etc. Not about what someone said about their own family member. Personally I don't care.

ChickyHip · 03-22-2008, 10:04 PM

I think the "typical white person" comment was blown waaaaaaaaaaay out of proportion. As are a lot of the comments candidates make. I saw when he spoke about his Grandma in a speech and didn't think one word of it until this post.