By Eric K. Ward –
This election proves that many white voters are signaling their willingness to trade in old-fashioned white supremacy for an inclusive American identity.
While many TV pundits were quick to point out that the president did not win the majority of the white vote, they failed to point out that no Democratic candidate for the White House has won a majority of the white vote since the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
What’s more, there is no such thing as “the white vote.”
Yes, Romney won the majority of the white vote but in the midst of a racially charged campaign run by Republicans in hopes of derailing the first African-American president, 40 percent of white voters unequivocally chose to cast their ballots for Barack Obama. In a country with a long history of racial discrimination and discord, that vote says something.
In fact, Romney gained only 3 percent more white votes than Republican John McCain won in 2008. Republicans attempted to organize white voters into a virtually all-white political party, but they failed.
Obama actually did better among white voters than what John Kerry or Al Gore were able to achieve in their campaigns.
White male union members carried Obama in the state of Ohio. According to the AFL-CIO, Ohio union members increased their support by 5 percent over 2008. And 83 percent of union members in Ohio are white.
And look at Iowa: It’s 93 percent white, and Obama still managed to carry that state.
Luckily for America, neither the pundits nor the Republican Party have been able to stall this growing momentum towards a society where each person has access and opportunity.
Instead a new inclusive American identity is taking shape, and fortunately, a large portion of whites is just as committed to that identity as everyone else.
The problem with this article is you are just expanding a class and race problem. Why does their have to be a white vote, women, vote, black vote, hispanic vote. Why can the politicians and the media quit putting people in to groups and just work on what is best for Iowa and America. The only reason race, color or sex should be mention in an article is in a description of someone wanted for a crime.
The KKK started in the Democrat dominated south…which stayed that way well into the 60s. So to color the Republican party as KKK is factually incorrect.
It was, by the way, the party that freed the slaves! And the Democrat Party who enslaved them all over again with its welfare programs of the LBJ administration.
Bodacious, you are so full of shit. Observer has it right on the money. This diversity bull is just a bunch of hype so people have something to complain about and ask for money from the government because they are part of some minority group. What a crock.
As the American landscape has changed now I am the minority and I am not complaining nor do I want sympathy or special privileges.
In reality Diversity is really divisive!
Sounds like you are complaining to me. Have a nice day.
“What’s more, there is no such thing as “the white vote.”
Yes, Romney won the majority of the white vote…”
You just said there wasn’t a white vote right before you said there was a white vote… Fail.
“We are a multi-cultured, multi-colored country that should rejoice in its diversity.
I never rejoiced or threw a party (celebrate) diversity. Ever! Why?
Where most of my formative years were spent, I was part of the five families in a four block area that did not speak Polish. We were minorities. Yet, no one complained, set about marching, or protested. Like it or not, it was life.
No one rejoiced when the first Arabs and their weird habits moved into the neighborhood. Nor the first Italians, Germans, Slovaks, Lugans, or Serbs.
We sure did not throw a party when the town’s only Frenchman or several Spaniards moved in. In fact, it went without much notice when those from Mexico, Brazil, and Cuba became residents (other than the fact they did not know Polish either).
Mom never made porgies or matzo ball soup, Salvador’s wife never made pizza, and Gram-pa Wisniewski probably never had gnocchi in his life. So?
Diversity is a made up term to describe life as normal. A foolish concoction at that! It is making a big thing over absolutely nothing.
In High School, my colored friends did not like Emerson Lake and Palmer, kippers and eggs, or watching Hogan’s Heroes. In fact, they reacted the same as folks here do when offering cream soup on every food group imaginable (yuk!). We were not the same. Fine!
Yet we had fun going to movies, escaping to the Dunes, joking around, laughing at each other, nice dames, doing basketball games, and fast cars. In other words, normal stuff High School aged guys do. Yet not one award, no ‘rejoicing’, no ‘celebrations’ (as in celebrate diversity ), not even a newspaper article about a bunch of guys from different backgrounds being friends.
Humbug!
You miss the point. We have many cultures here. Each is different. If we were all alike, then we wouldn’t have much of what we have today. We couldn’t go to the Greek Festival in Mason City – ever been to it Observer? Do you think the Greeks who live in Mason CIty haven’t contributed to the growth of this town? Do you think they shouldn’t celebrate their heritage? How about the Hispanics? Or the Norse up in Winnebago County? Or the Catholics?
Two of your statements stand out – “the first Arabs and their weird habits” and “In High School, my colored friends”. Both show a lack of tolerance and a lack of class.
Well, I could have used other terms such as negro or black as they did back in that time. As a matter of fact, folks today use the term “people of colour”.
But most telling is that they called themselves colored boys, in jest and out of general habit.
And no, I will never ever “celebrate” the Norse, with their penchant of soaking fish in Drano, then eating it (as bad as putting cream soups on everything). No Scot will ever force me to “rejoice” their love of taking the hearts, liver, and lungs of sheep, cooking them in it’s stomach and eating it.
If people want to do such things, I shall not stop them. Just as they cannot stop me from enjoying kim chee, kippers, or goat cheese.
I for one do not need to be told about different cultures, it was made clear from my comment. And there is no requirement for made up words or terms to explain what happens naturally in society. So go throw a party (celebrate), but count me out.
I will count you out. Gladly.
http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/assets_c/2009/10/InjunSummer-12769.html
this isn’t a ‘white’ nation anymore therefore a ‘white’ vote isn’t a big deal. We are a multi-cultured, multi-colored country that should rejoice in its diversity. The author of the article seems to have missed the point. Republicans, Democrats, and Independents are made up of many different peoples. Once we can get past the white vote, Latino vote, black vote, we will be better off.
This is one of the most racist articles I have read. It assumes people are Republicans because they don’t like black people. How wrong is that? People are Republicans because they are conservatives about social, legal, and/or fiscal policies. That’s the way it has always been and Obama’s candidacy did not change that. If people voted against Obama because he is black, that has nothing to do with party affiliation. Those people are racists. The Republican party is not a racist party.
Not all republicans are racists but most of the white racists are republican
Well, we also know at least 93% of blacks are raciest! They voted for Obama strictly on skin color. That’s a fact, jack!
Anonymous I am sure there are some black racists but to claim that 93% are would be a total untruth. How about the latinos and young women? Couldn’t it just be that the democrates welcome all people into their ranks while the republicans seem cater to older white upper income, NRA members, and the extreme religious right?
@HappyGuy-I must disagree with you on this subject as I have a ton of personal experience with racism. Yes, there are a lot of white people that are racist and the Republican party when originally formed was a offshoot of the KKK. Howebver, over the years it has changed to a conservative paty that is NOT racist. In fact, I can assure you that there is much more predudice in the black community and the hispanic community then there is in the white community. At least the whites try to hide it, the other don’t even try. Don’t tell me it’s not true. I have lived it for over 50 years.
LVS there are way to many racists be it black or white. I never said the republican party is racist. Read my posts. I said most white racists belong to the republican party. The republican party is the party of white racists. I think I could say all but I will leave it at most. I’m not sure how you can claim there is more predudice in the black community and the hispanic community then there is in the white community. My life experiences (I remember back well over 50 years) have been just the opposite.
@happyguy-the races other than the blacks are much more subdued about their feelings as they don’t think the whites owe them anything. However, they do think they are looked down on and held back in some of the things they do. Not as much anymore, but certainly in the past. They are correct in that as I have seen it happen where a better qualified Mexican was passed over just because he was a Mexican. I do remember the KKK in Mason City and the crap that went with them. That is why I am so much against the so called religious right.
LVS…I don’t get it. You seem to be arguing both sides. And if you aren’t you lost me. “That is why I am so much against the so called religious right.” If this is true how can you support the republican party? They are not only the party racists prefer but also the party of the extreme reigious right. See where I am confused?
What was the percentage of blacks who voted for obama because he is black? I love when people play that race card and only blames “whitey”
i pray that that the whites who want this new “american identity” tell all the white ones who dont to get on board with this.
the worlds a changing and white supremacy is a fools ideal,but while they wont admit it. plenty people voted for obama and still arent “okay” with a black man sitting on their couch.