What if Obama Loses? ("reminiscent of the [1960s] riots")

thecitizen.com ^ | September 10, 2008 | Gary Fields and Jonathan Kaufman

[11th_VA]

An anxious murmur is rising among black voters as the presidential race tightens: What if Sen. Barack Obama loses?

Black talk-show hosts and black-themed Web sites are being flooded with callers and bloggers reflecting a nervousness—and anger—over the campaign. Monday night, Bev Smith, a nationally syndicated black talk-show host in Pittsburgh, devoted her entire three-hour show to the question: “If Obama doesn’t win, what will you think?”

“My audience is upset,” she said. “Some people said they would be so angry it would be reminiscent of the [1960s] riots—that is how despondent they would be.”

Warren Ballentine, a nationally syndicated black talk-radio-show host, added: “Once Sarah Palin was picked and African-Americans saw the Republicans ignited again, they got worried. We are scared now.”

Black nervousness could help Sen. Obama, the first African-American to head the Democratic—or any major party—ticket, by boosting black turnout in November. But if Sen. Obama loses, “African-Americans could be disappointed to the point of not engaging in the process anymore,” or consider forming a third political party, said Richard McIntire, communications director for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

The latest Wall Street Journal poll shows 88% of blacks backing Sen. Obama. Black voter registration has surged.

“If he loses, it will shake the very ground that we stand on mentally as far as what we need to be to succeed,” said Robert Gordon, a 48-year-old engineering surveyor from Dallas. “From day one, we’ve been told to be a certain way, to be neat, intellectual, speak clearly. He is the symbol of what we were told to be by our parents and by society as a whole. If this doesn’t work, what does that do to our psyche? What do I tell my sons? No matter what the hell we do, it doesn’t matter? We can only assimilate so far.”

Melvin Thomas, a professor at North Carolina State University and past president of the Association of Black Sociologists, said black response to the election likely will depend on “how African-Americans will see a vote against Mr. Obama. What does the racial distribution of that vote look like? If the answer for African-Americans to the question of why Obama lost is race, an Obama loss will have the potential to deepen the racial cut.”

Obama campaign adviser Valerie Jarrett said the campaign isn’t spending its time wondering what happens if the senator loses. “One of the life lessons I’ve learned from Barack is that you can’t have a fear of failure. It is debilitating,” said Ms. Jarrett. “You can’t go into any venture fearful of what will happen if you fail.”

She recalled that when Sen. Obama lost a House race in 2000, she and others suggested he give it more time before seeking another seat. Instead, he ran for the Senate and won in 2004.

[Crim]

Alan west for vp in 2012!

Palin/West 12’

Hell...there are a lot of gentlemen of color that I admire and read..

Walter Williams

Larry elder

JC watts

It’s not about color...it’s about world view...

[Fishrrman]

“If the riots really happened, the chasm between blacks and others will become permanently unbridgeable in this country.”

Serious question:
Considering that - after 40+ years of Euro-Americans doing everything within reason, and numerous things beyond the bounds of reason, to bridge that gap - don’t comments in the article above suggest that the chasm that remains is all-but-unbridgeable?

- John

[mjp]

If this doesn’t work, what does that do to our psyche? What do I tell my sons

well to start with
1)don't be a commie
2)don't be a muslim

[JrsyJack]

He has done all the right things but one. He is a card carrying liberal with Socialist leanings that make his political views at odds with those of a majority of Americans. Are we to overlook that fact and elect him simply because he would be the first black President?

Also, the tone of this article is similar in how it speaks for African Americans to the so-called “Arab Street.” While there will certainly be a minority of rabble rousers that create havoc I refuse to believe that a majority of African Americans will participate in riots. Such generalizations by the author infantilize an entire race of people.

[Thinkin]

“We can only assimilate so far.”
You call black liberation theology that blames every problem the black community has on whitey “assimilating”?

Stop this crap !!
There are black conservatives, black Republicans that you are insulting.....

You are so BUSY attacking the bad guys, that you fail to acknowledge the good guys....

Look within your own party for some really great people...
wake up and pay attention...

Just my opinion and I’m sticking to it !!

[autumnraine]

I mean articulate and college educated as opposed to gangsta signs and droopy pants.

[sassbox]

FWIW, there is a store in the next town over that can best be classified as a Rastafarian gift shop. In front of the store, they are hawking two or three tee-shirts with Obama on them. What always cracks me up when I pass by the store is that there is an enormous stoner tapestry of Bob Marley and a giant marijuana plant looming over the Obama shirts.

[Ethrane]

“If he loses, it will shake the very ground that we stand on mentally as far as what we need to be to succeed,” said Robert Gordon, a 48-year-old engineering surveyor from Dallas. “From day one, we’ve been told to be a certain way, to be neat, intellectual, speak clearly. He is the symbol of what we were told to be by our parents and by society as a whole. If this doesn’t work, what does that do to our psyche? What do I tell my sons? No matter what the hell we do, it doesn’t matter? We can only assimilate so far.”

What drivel...neat? Clean? speak clearly? Sure, these are important...

But it ain't just 'appearance' and 'demeanor' that gets you to the WH.

Teach your kids that Americans aren't socialists by nature, or particularly inclined toward class-warfare. Teach them to love their country, not run on negatives and hate.

And WTF does 'we can only assimilate so far' mean? AFAIK, American culture ain't 'white' or any other color...it is a set of principles and beliefs in equality, personal freedom and adherence to the rule of law. Are you saying that blacks incapable of accepting this?

I've read some stupid sh*t before, but this ranks right up there.

[Hot Tabasco]

You may be joking, but I don’t whine because

I have a right to whine, we never caught any fish.....My grandfather was the worst fisherman in northern Michigan...

[Marie2]

Maybe I’ll riot if a reasonable percentage of blacks don’t vote for McCain.

[khnyny]

You owe it to your Fellow Americans to post that picture on FR. Pleeeeeze.

[ROTB]

Where do I begin?

>Some people said they would be so angry

Black people I would back like Palin in a heartbeat include J.C. Watts, Thomas Sowell, Clarence Thomas, ...

You have the right to PURSUE happiness! No guarantees!

>We are scared now.

Don’t be scared. We won’t raise taxes as much as the Communists, and thus kill businesses, which would kill jobs, which would kill people.

>shows 88% of blacks backing Sen. Obama.

Obama is something like 50% White, 7% black, and 43% Arab. Why don’t they know this?

[Noumenon]

Same for Northern Idaho. The nonsense stops at the state line. Now Spokane, WA - that’s a different story. Might see a few loons there, but look out, Seattle. Wouldn’t want to be there. Might be a good idea to take a little vacation one you pull the lever.

Still, a little extra practice with my shorty FAL-O heavy barrel couldn’t hurt, though.

[Northern Yankee]

How is it that obama, who is half black and half white, is considered African American?

He must really be conflicted.

[word_warrior_bob]

I live in a nice town in Bergen County, NJ. BUT, Paterson is a stone’s throw from my house.

Just in case, I’m going to go to my mother’s house in heavy red Hopatcong for the celebration. Actually, I would like to leave my dog there and go to a GOP event or maybe we can have a Free Republic Victory Party somewhere?

[Marie2]

I think race is a factor for some whites AND some blacks, and they pretty much wipe each other out.

I could never prove it, but that’s my assumption.

[bestintxas]

Past riots are an excuse by lowlifes to steal.

The first shops broken into are liquor stores and gun shops.

I for one will protect my family and property with resources at my disposal.

[Stoat]

Wine?...bleh...to metrosexual..

Agreed.  I can't say that I've had any in quite a long while, and only when it was the only beverage on offer from my host.  Although the lovely imagery of vivacious Italian ladies stomping grapes has universal appeal, and I'm sure that I would have some if offered a glass by a Lovely Italian Lady,

 

I'll pass on the red wine under other circumstances  :-)

I prefer Mr James beam.

Always a fine choice, guaranteed to augment the overall constitution and brace the inner man for the tasks at hand.

I still remember my great grandfather say to me when I was a kid when I saw him do a shot after dinner...(with his full scot accent)

“never trust a drunkard nor a man who wont touch the stuff...as neither man can trust himself”

Words I still live by...

Your great grandfather was a man of wisdom and vision.

Wine?...bleh...to metrosexual..

Agreed.  I can't say that I've had any in quite a long while, and only when it was the only beverage on offer from my host.  Although the lovely imagery of vivacious Italian ladies stomping grapes has universal appeal, and I'm sure that I would have some if offered a glass by a Lovely Italian Lady,

 

I'll pass on the red wine under other circumstances  :-)

I prefer Mr James beam.

Always a fine choice, guaranteed to augment the overall constitution and brace the inner man for the tasks at hand.

I still remember my great grandfather say to me when I was a kid when I saw him do a shot after dinner...(with his full scot accent)

“never trust a drunkard nor a man who wont touch the stuff...as neither man can trust himself”

Words I still live by...

[ROTB]

Colin Powell could (and thinking on it, maybe SHOULD just to dispense with this garbage) have run and WOULD have won

******8

He’s a pro-abort, right?

[Dr.Deth]

Urban Renewal... to the EXTREME