Is the “my president is black” thing a problem?
Apparently the meme of “my president is black” is making its rounds. T-shirts are selling out:
According to Malkin:
Outside, cars drove across campus, honking triumphal horns as passengers leaned out windows heralding the news of Obama’s unprecedented win. Students giddily repeated the refrain, “My president is black.”
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You couldn’t find a single copy of the Chicago Tribune or Chicago Sun-Times on newsstands or in boxes anywhere in the city, from Hyde Park up to Evanston. And at least two tricked-out cars on shiny rims that rolled slowly down Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood on the city’s gritty South Side were blasting what appeared to be the city’s new unofficial hip-hop presidential anthem: Young Jeezy’s “My President Is Black.”
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The energy around Benedict’s campus was palpable Wednesday, as students walking to and from classes excitedly discussed the election, some shouting “President Obama!” and singing lyrics to a popular song about Obama by the rapper Young Jeezy, “My President is Black.”
So here’s the question. Is this a good sign or a bad sign?
Obama’s presidency is progress, for sure. But is this type of discourse productive toward that progress or regressive? Thoughts?
I can tell you one thing. I already like “my president is black” better than this enlightened nonsense:
November 6th, 2008 21:40
I certainly don’t condone censorship, but these shirts/sweatshirts are stupid. Like the shirt that said: “Don’t blame me, I voted for Kerry,” in 12 different languages. I recognize that it’s historic to have our first black President and that feat should be celebrated, but I see this as more of a divisive type shirt than celebratory.
November 6th, 2008 21:41
Does the black community deserve a little gloating time?
November 6th, 2008 21:49
Why gloat? Directed at whom? You? Me? What did we do?
November 6th, 2008 21:50
Well I gloated to some people because Obama won. I would imagine that since black Americans have, throughout their history in this country, been rather downtrodden, a little gloating in terms of “we made it” may not be out of line.
November 6th, 2008 21:52
We’ll agree to disagree then…I’d be interested to get Obama’s reaction to something like that since he has the very difficult job of trying to get McCain’s supporters (many of whom apparently are biggoted..naive me) to rally behind him.
November 6th, 2008 21:54
Well the problem is that the bigots aren’t going to stop being bigots. There is a population in this country (most of it in Texas I guess) that believes Obama is a Muslim and will nominate Farakhan to Dept of State. You can’t do anything about those psychos.
November 6th, 2008 21:59
Yeah, but this just gives them fodder.
November 6th, 2008 22:00
Do you feel that the “My President Is Black” says anything about latent racial divides in this country?
November 6th, 2008 22:02
absolutely…in fact it seems pretty patent. Kind of like that clothing brand FUBU.
November 6th, 2008 22:12
That’s true.
November 6th, 2008 23:36
The “Not my President” shirt is mine and you can get them here
http://www.cafepress.com/dequalss/5041295
Its has nothing to do with race, I know you won’t accept that but its the truth, he’s not my president because he’s a commie….
Okay, you can delete this now, just wanted to see if you would leave up a link to my site since you left one to yours at mine………
But to comment on your original question, yes, I think Obama has set back race relations at least 50 years, not by himself mind you, dumb dumb’s like PDiddy and the rest of the poor me, victim mentality black folks helped
search youtube for machosauceproductions and listen to a black guy that gets it…..
MLK would not have approved of this shirt or Obama’s liberal agenda…
November 6th, 2008 23:37
I’ll leave your link up. If people want to buy it, that’s their choice. I personally think the idea is stupid. But then again, so are most Americans, so you might have a cash cow here.
November 6th, 2008 23:41
Yes, I think it is problematic. I wonder if I wore a “my President is white” shirt around for the next few weeks, how that would go over?
I guess racism is only ok when it is practiced by minorities? I thought that Mr. Obama was a “post racial” candidate – guess not.
I”m a McCain supporter, but I am not a bigot. I don’t support Mr. Obama because I disagree with his world view, and with his stated positions on issues.
Why would I rally behind someone who I believe will enact policies which will be disastrous for the nation’s economy and foreign policy?
Did any of you “rally behind” President Bush when he was elected? Somehow, I doubt it.
Why is it that when liberals get elected, we’re all supposed to rally around them, but when conservatives get elected, it’s total war, derision and disdain?
November 7th, 2008 02:21
Are the ideas of both t-shirts stupid or just the one not “pro-Obama?”
November 8th, 2008 10:03
Obama has only just been elected.. and not yet our president .. Its going to be a hard haul with the way things are .. and the courage to tackle that is admirable.. it would not matter what color the president is .. it just so happens that the “change” has won and is backed by a true American .. He is comfortable with talking about race .. and I have seen no ‘gloating’ .. I think he will be hoping for non-bigotry on both the white and black communities. But he has been elected because most Americans agree with his ideas… thats a good start..
my family can claim to be the united nations.. LOL .. the blood from grandparents to grandchildren runs truly mixed.. and includes .. German, french, norwegian, swedish, puerto rican, and black …
and sooo .. I don’t take issue with any racial slurs or talk .. most of it to me is just stupid .. I consider us all Americans… so lets all make it a better America !!!
November 8th, 2008 10:29
Oh .. I forgot to comment on the shirt.. LOL .. Don’t particularly care for them … its too much one. Obama is both black and white ..I don’t think he would approve that message .. LOL …..He himself said he’s a mutt …. and if anyone would truly think …Americans are not just one race…it is so mixed … from even the time we came over here ..and ancestors were landing on these shores because they wanted change… does that sound familiar.. hehehe .. and have been intermingling ever since ..
My President is Black … My President is White .. both of these are wrong .. and I don’t think I would wear either one .. sorry ..it would have to be a shirt that’s more American and indicate all the “mutts” among us .. LOL
January 24th, 2009 15:36
TO WHITE AMERICANS THAT MAY FEEL THREATENED BY A T SHIRT…. MAYBE YOU SHOULD CONSIDER YOUR FEARS MAY BE A RESULT OF YOUR FORE-FATHERS HANGING BLACK PEOPLE FROM TREES FOR FUN… GIVE US A EFFING BREAK!!
B THE HARDWAY REPRESENTING OUTLAW GANG
February 7th, 2009 00:35
It’s not just the gloating that is a problem, its all the dang songs that blacks are coming up with that have subtle if not blatant insults to white people. Listen to Jay-Z’s “my president is black” and you will hear him talk about “no more white lies” , etc. etc. Hey, if a white radio show host calls somebody nappy headed hoes ( and the rutgers basketball team is, everyone saw them) he loses he show and is almost crucified. People are getting sick and tired of the double standards, you got a black president, what else do you want from us?