Comments on: Obama For Your Mama http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/01/obama/ Carlos Whittaker's Weblog Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:21:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Well Wishes for Africa in 2009 | Synaptic Light - a Journey in Filmmaking and Social Media http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/01/obama/#comment-335024 Well Wishes for Africa in 2009 | Synaptic Light - a Journey in Filmmaking and Social Media Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:03:53 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=6671#comment-335024 [...] Check this Blog Post; Should we be Colour Blind,  from my friend Just Plain Ron he wrote in response to Ragamuffinsoul’s post. [...] [...] Check this Blog Post; Should we be Colour Blind,  from my friend Just Plain Ron he wrote in response to Ragamuffinsoul’s post. [...]

]]> By: James http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/01/obama/#comment-256444 James Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:00:05 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=6671#comment-256444 Just to put some perspective on this: Obama is a much white as he is black. Why do we choose to focus on his black half? Just to put some perspective on this:

Obama is a much white as he is black.

Why do we choose to focus on his black half?

]]> By: Clayman http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/01/obama/#comment-256447 Clayman Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:00:05 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=6671#comment-256447 Regardless of his race, this guy scares me more than Clinton did. It's Obama's promises that scare me. On November 5, I changed all of my online avatars to a hammer and sickle because I believe that's the direction he's going to take our country. The avatars have returned to normal, but I'm still scared. All the people shouting "He's going to pay for my gas and my mortgage," scare me. If the government pays for your house, who will own it? Certainly not you! Kinda reminds me of the Soviet Union. Modern houses in St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) still have community thermostats. They monitor the temperature in every house, but a city official sets the thermostat. I do not want to see this country embrace the atheist ideals of socialism. The USA has pushed God out of so much of our lives already. I have little hope that we will recover as a nation. Like Aaron before me, I put my hope in Jesus. God remains sovereign. We belong to Him. Adios, Clay Regardless of his race, this guy scares me more than Clinton did. It's Obama's promises that scare me. On November 5, I changed all of my online avatars to a hammer and sickle because I believe that's the direction he's going to take our country. The avatars have returned to normal, but I'm still scared.

All the people shouting "He's going to pay for my gas and my mortgage," scare me. If the government pays for your house, who will own it? Certainly not you! Kinda reminds me of the Soviet Union. Modern houses in St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) still have community thermostats. They monitor the temperature in every house, but a city official sets the thermostat.

I do not want to see this country embrace the atheist ideals of socialism. The USA has pushed God out of so much of our lives already. I have little hope that we will recover as a nation.

Like Aaron before me, I put my hope in Jesus. God remains sovereign. We belong to Him.

Adios,
Clay

]]> By: BenofBenandJacq http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/01/obama/#comment-256449 BenofBenandJacq Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:00:05 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=6671#comment-256449 I watched Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech (which, by the way, I think should be called the "Let Freedom Ring" speech, because that's when I teared up...) yesterday, and was overwhelmed by what I heard (again... I'm certain I had to listen to that speech for a class in college). From a policy standpoint (as a fiscal libertarian and social moderate), I could not possibly disagree with President Obama any more than I do, without him becoming a full-on socialist (that admits it). But that does not change the significance of this day. As a commenter above said, we are still far from Dr. King's dream, but this day takes us one step closer. This day means to me that no longer can someone use the color of their skin as an excuse. No American can say from a stage that the government has a plot against their race. It is my sincere hope that today, America can celebrate that a person of color is our leader, and then move on. Today is a day of celebration, but it also has to be a day where we change trajectory. The goal can no longer be "a black man in office." The goal must be, as Dr. King said, to judge the man not by the color of his skin, but the content of his character. I watched Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech (which, by the way, I think should be called the "Let Freedom Ring" speech, because that's when I teared up…) yesterday, and was overwhelmed by what I heard (again… I'm certain I had to listen to that speech for a class in college).

From a policy standpoint (as a fiscal libertarian and social moderate), I could not possibly disagree with President Obama any more than I do, without him becoming a full-on socialist (that admits it). But that does not change the significance of this day. As a commenter above said, we are still far from Dr. King's dream, but this day takes us one step closer.

This day means to me that no longer can someone use the color of their skin as an excuse. No American can say from a stage that the government has a plot against their race. It is my sincere hope that today, America can celebrate that a person of color is our leader, and then move on. Today is a day of celebration, but it also has to be a day where we change trajectory. The goal can no longer be "a black man in office." The goal must be, as Dr. King said, to judge the man not by the color of his skin, but the content of his character.

]]> By: Tina Dula http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/01/obama/#comment-256450 Tina Dula Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:00:05 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=6671#comment-256450 Wow. I am astonished at the flippancy with which today is being treated by many of those posting. As an African-American woman with much white in my blood, I have never been tempted to consider myself anything other than black. Why? Because when I walk down the street, there is no sign on my back saying 1/4 white, or 1/8 Native American. People see a black woman. I didn't hear the masses calling for us to "acknowledge our whiteness" when LEGALLY even one drop of black blood "tainted" us into being black. I didn't hear anyone encouraging us to acknowledge our whiteness when by law the child LEGALLY had to go the way of the mother because masters were raping slaves but didn't want to take responsibility for their mixed blood offspring. Obama considers himself black because in America, when people looked at him, they didn't see his white mother or grandmother. They saw a black man. Believe it or not, most whites in the 60s weren't eager to embrace a black boy running around crying I'm white. We know that man is half white, but his very appearance drew him into the black experience and into our collective conscience. We didn't get our 40 acres and a mule. We built the White House as slaves, but couldn't be guests there. We fought alongside whites in the Civil War for our own freedom, and still had to later flee the Jim Crow South where black life was worthless and extinguished with impunity. We lived through being considered 3/5 of a human and seeing our family structure completely splintered, and believe it or not, TO THIS DAY, are still recovering as a people from the effects of more than 200 years of subjugation, abuse, disenfranchisement and systemic theivery. Can we at least celebrate our first black president without having that taken away, too? I am ready to move on, but we cannot move on until we have a clear view of what is behind and how it affects where we are now. I am glad there are not more black people logging in to read some of these posts. I am praying that they are ready to move forward with an open, clear-minded dialogue with good people who don't look like us. But DANG! Ya'll make it hard to let go with such idiocy! You cannot even hear yourself through our ears, can you? I hope you find some "black" brains to pick; some folks you can sit down with and learn from and make more than just superficial judgments. I rejoice in seeing a diverse patchwork of people celebrating THEIR new president, no matter their ethnicity. Today, it is one of the most historically significant things we have seen. Today, his ethnicity may actually obscure the reason I voted for him - he is a brilliant man and an excellent leader, with a unique ability to get things done from the bottom up and collaboratively. Tomorrow, he'll be under the same scrutiny and fierce expectations as his white predecessors. But the man IS black. I won't let you take that away from us. Wow. I am astonished at the flippancy with which today is being treated by many of those posting. As an African-American woman with much white in my blood, I have never been tempted to consider myself anything other than black. Why? Because when I walk down the street, there is no sign on my back saying 1/4 white, or 1/8 Native American. People see a black woman. I didn't hear the masses calling for us to "acknowledge our whiteness" when LEGALLY even one drop of black blood "tainted" us into being black. I didn't hear anyone encouraging us to acknowledge our whiteness when by law the child LEGALLY had to go the way of the mother because masters were raping slaves but didn't want to take responsibility for their mixed blood offspring. Obama considers himself black because in America, when people looked at him, they didn't see his white mother or grandmother. They saw a black man. Believe it or not, most whites in the 60s weren't eager to embrace a black boy running around crying I'm white. We know that man is half white, but his very appearance drew him into the black experience and into our collective conscience. We didn't get our 40 acres and a mule. We built the White House as slaves, but couldn't be guests there. We fought alongside whites in the Civil War for our own freedom, and still had to later flee the Jim Crow South where black life was worthless and extinguished with impunity. We lived through being considered 3/5 of a human and seeing our family structure completely splintered, and believe it or not, TO THIS DAY, are still recovering as a people from the effects of more than 200 years of subjugation, abuse, disenfranchisement and systemic theivery. Can we at least celebrate our first black president without having that taken away, too? I am ready to move on, but we cannot move on until we have a clear view of what is behind and how it affects where we are now. I am glad there are not more black people logging in to read some of these posts. I am praying that they are ready to move forward with an open, clear-minded dialogue with good people who don't look like us. But DANG! Ya'll make it hard to let go with such idiocy! You cannot even hear yourself through our ears, can you? I hope you find some "black" brains to pick; some folks you can sit down with and learn from and make more than just superficial judgments. I rejoice in seeing a diverse patchwork of people celebrating THEIR new president, no matter their ethnicity. Today, it is one of the most historically significant things we have seen. Today, his ethnicity may actually obscure the reason I voted for him – he is a brilliant man and an excellent leader, with a unique ability to get things done from the bottom up and collaboratively. Tomorrow, he'll be under the same scrutiny and fierce expectations as his white predecessors. But the man IS black. I won't let you take that away from us.

]]> By: Shifty http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/01/obama/#comment-256451 Shifty Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:00:05 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=6671#comment-256451 I think the hope always existed for that black kid living in South Atlanta (hereafter referred to as TBKLISA pronounced 'tee-bock-lu-sah'). Why does TBKLISA have to hinge his hope on a human being? And why can't we as a SINGLE HUMAN RACE stop counting firsts? It almost feels like we're keeping score - the whole "us" vs. "them" mentality. And Los knows whats that makes me wanna do - blah blah blah vomit. Right? Saying his hope hinged on President Obama is not a smart thing. What happens if (God forbid) Pres. Obama has a TERRIBLE 4 years? What if it's the worst 4 years of any president ever in the history of oval offices or even circular shaped offices for that matter? What does that say about poor TBKLISA's hope? Is it dashed? Does he have to start all over and wait for the next black "first" so he can once again have hope? So his food can taste better and his minimum wage job seem great? TBKLISA should be finding his hope in one place and one place only. Ya know what? Tonight I am praying for TBKLISA. And his hope. I think the hope always existed for that black kid living in South Atlanta (hereafter referred to as TBKLISA pronounced 'tee-bock-lu-sah'). Why does TBKLISA have to hinge his hope on a human being? And why can't we as a SINGLE HUMAN RACE stop counting firsts? It almost feels like we're keeping score – the whole "us" vs. "them" mentality.

And Los knows whats that makes me wanna do – blah blah blah vomit. Right?

Saying his hope hinged on President Obama is not a smart thing. What happens if (God forbid) Pres. Obama has a TERRIBLE 4 years? What if it's the worst 4 years of any president ever in the history of oval offices or even circular shaped offices for that matter?

What does that say about poor TBKLISA's hope? Is it dashed? Does he have to start all over and wait for the next black "first" so he can once again have hope? So his food can taste better and his minimum wage job seem great? TBKLISA should be finding his hope in one place and one place only.

Ya know what? Tonight I am praying for TBKLISA. And his hope.

]]> By: Brandon http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/01/obama/#comment-256457 Brandon Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:00:05 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=6671#comment-256457 Los - got a question for you man. As someone who follows North Point Ministries very closely I know that Andy works hard to create a politically neutral climate out of respect for the laws regarding non-profit ministries. Even though this is your personal blog and probably has a disclaimer somewhere on it about your views not reflecting those of NPM, I wonder what/if there is a policy about something like posting a picture of yourself holding an Obama (or any Presidents) logo? Could someone make a case that because you are a high profile leader, that act represents an endorsement. I'm no lawyer and it doesn't bother me in the least. I simply ask because this is a scenario I will no doubt have to deal with in the future as a pastor. If you don't want to answer the question, that's fine too. Love the blog, love the work you guys are doing in ATL and around the world, and love the fact that you're leveraging your influence for the Gospel. Los – got a question for you man. As someone who follows North Point Ministries very closely I know that Andy works hard to create a politically neutral climate out of respect for the laws regarding non-profit ministries. Even though this is your personal blog and probably has a disclaimer somewhere on it about your views not reflecting those of NPM, I wonder what/if there is a policy about something like posting a picture of yourself holding an Obama (or any Presidents) logo? Could someone make a case that because you are a high profile leader, that act represents an endorsement. I'm no lawyer and it doesn't bother me in the least. I simply ask because this is a scenario I will no doubt have to deal with in the future as a pastor. If you don't want to answer the question, that's fine too. Love the blog, love the work you guys are doing in ATL and around the world, and love the fact that you're leveraging your influence for the Gospel.

]]> By: Vicki S. http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/01/obama/#comment-256466 Vicki S. Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:00:05 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=6671#comment-256466 I agree LuLu. Looking at folks through the prism of color for any reason is bad. I'm also disturbed that while all of us who don't agree with Obama's policies are being told to be respectful by the same folks who were leaving shoes outside the White House for President Bush and would certainly throw them at him if given the chance. It's the double standard that really bothers...actually angers me. I didn't always agree with Bush, I respected the office as I will continue to respect the office of president after noon today. The problem is...that respect is never reciprocated towards Republicans or conservatives. Actual downright hate speech towards Bush has not only been tolerated it hasbeen praised and encouraged. While I did not agree with all of Bush's decisions I believe he is a good man, and if anyone needs a vacation from the hater's it's GWB. I agree LuLu. Looking at folks through the prism of color for any reason is bad. I'm also disturbed that while all of us who don't agree with Obama's policies are being told to be respectful by the same folks who were leaving shoes outside the White House for President Bush and would certainly throw them at him if given the chance. It's the double standard that really bothers…actually angers me. I didn't always agree with Bush, I respected the office as I will continue to respect the office of president after noon today. The problem is…that respect is never reciprocated towards Republicans or conservatives. Actual downright hate speech towards Bush has not only been tolerated it hasbeen praised and encouraged. While I did not agree with all of Bush's decisions I believe he is a good man, and if anyone needs a vacation from the hater's it's GWB.

]]> By: mrsDeb http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/01/obama/#comment-256479 mrsDeb Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:00:04 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=6671#comment-256479 :) This just about sums up my thoughts.... "The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife,—this longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self. In this merging he wishes neither of the older selves to be lost. He would not Africanize America, for America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message for the world. He simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American, without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of Opportunity closed roughly in his face." W. E. B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folks :) This just about sums up my thoughts….
"The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife,—this longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self. In this merging he wishes neither of the older selves to be lost. He would not Africanize America, for America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message for the world. He simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American, without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of Opportunity closed roughly in his face."

W. E. B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folks

]]> By: mrsDeb http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/01/obama/#comment-256480 mrsDeb Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:00:04 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=6671#comment-256480 Thank you :) Thank you :)

]]>