Comments on: Race and Identity

By: Lacey Babekuhl

Lacey Babekuhl — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:27:10 +0000

I find that “neither black nor white yet both” should not be a problem, as many would probably agree. However, it seems to be extremely interesting to me that this problem is being considered a new one. Somehow, I believe that in this day and age literature has a slightly more open mind than the rest of the world because in literature we focus more upon the content of the novel rather than the pigment of the author’s skin, whereas in the real world a large amount of racial discrimination still exists. Yet to be both is an anomaly that still baffles many and makes them feel uneasy, which in turn one may only slightly scoff at as it is an anomaly which has existed for hundreds of years.

By: Justin Heyd

Justin Heyd — Sat, 03 May 2008 08:36:26 +0000

I believe that though race is a very important topic today as it was eighty years ago, however, when it comes to your campaign, I feel that the color of your skin has nothing to do with what type of leader you’ll be. I believe that in today’s society, too much emphasis is put on Obama’s race. The American people should be more worried about the type of leader that he is, and if he would make America a better place to live in. I know that race relations have come an tremendously long way from what it used to be and that I hope that race issues will continue to improve in the future.

By: Danielle Baker

Danielle Baker — Sat, 03 May 2008 02:47:29 +0000

I think this post goes back to the core issue of what it means to be a “minority” or a person who is not phenotypically white in America and the struggles a person had and has to go through to succeed in our society. I once read that there is a socail heirachry represented in a triangle. With colored women on the bottom, white women on the next level, colored men on the next with white men at the top. I think our society still holds onto a “hierarchy” somewhat like this, and I think the only way to improve race-relations is better education. Now I’m not talking about assimilating everyone into carbon copied Americans, but people who know the past. Yes that does mean the racist and violent past of the American Government. I still like to think that race-relations have gotten better, but that’s really not saying much because hate crimes are still a constant.

By: Hannah Prentice

Hannah Prentice — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:19:54 +0000

I find it hard to believe that with all of the progress that has been made in the past 40 years regarding race, that it is still a defining factor in today’s society. In another class, I had a discussion with other students about racism. Some students thought that it would be impossible to completely be rid of racism. Others thought that it would disappear over time. But we all agreed that race is just an adjective, a way to describe someone; not who they are. I don’t believe that identity relies on race, but please stop me if I’m wrong. Especially in the case of Senator Obama, people say “he isn’t black enough”. What does that even mean? I find it ridiculous that people are willing to relinquish their chance to vote based primarily on the fact that the candidate has black skin or that one of them is a woman. I just hope that I will live to see the day that race is not a deciding factor of a person’s identity.

By: Ashley Schleusener

Ashley Schleusener — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:55:18 +0000

Its hard to look back on history and feel like we have learned nothing. For me it’s very difficult to understand why race makes a difference. I think Obama is just a good as a candidiate (if not better) than the rest of them. I agree that he hasn’t used it to throw in people’s faces as a way to get some sort of sympathy. On the other hand, he hasn’t avoided it. I’m sure by now unfortunately, he is use to the idea of defending himself in regards to his race. Maybe that has made him want to try harder. It is still crazy that it has taken our country this long to just get use to the idea of having a black man or woman as president!

By: ashley pearson

ashley pearson — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:42:46 +0000

Our country has come a long way in the past 50 years with its racial views, but sadly there are still alot of people out there who still judge people on their race. I sincerely hope that someday our country can get to a point where everybody realizes that the color of someones skin has absolutely no impact on what kind of a person they are. I think its great that we have a black man running for president and that there is a likely chance that he could win the 2008 presidential election, it shows that our country is growing as a whole towards the idea that race is no longer an issue.

By: Patrick Boustead

Patrick Boustead — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:03:05 +0000

I find the idea of Race and Identity very prevelent, mainly because its something that comes up within my own family. My sister married a man and share to beautiful boys and a girl from a previous marriage. My sister is white and my brother in-law is black. Both boys look white so it is constant struggle when going out in public and people don’t know them, they have a hard time believing that theyare both really his sons.

By: Amy Kraayenhof

Amy Kraayenhof — Fri, 02 May 2008 05:25:44 +0000

not too long ago in my soc class my professor talked about mixed race marriages and how they were highly socially discouraged up until very recently and they are still looked down upon a little. So really this idea of being of mixed race causing conflict really does not surprise me. While it is becoming more common than it was in the past people will really never get used to it because there will always be feelings of one race being better than the other. I really don’t think people should define themselves entirely on their race, they should embrace it yes, but not use it as a crutch or platform.

By: Kevin G. Myrmoe

Kevin G. Myrmoe — Fri, 02 May 2008 05:09:27 +0000

There will always be racial tensions in the world. How can individuals beliefs be haulted. It is sad to think that the world will always have this conflict between individuals, considering we are all equal. Yes racial tensions have declined through the Civil Rights Movement. If Obama were to be elected President, I feel that the country is moving in a positive direction regarding race relations. Yes, skin color should not play a factor when voting for anyone. I feel that Obama has done a great job throughout his campaigning to not ride on the issue of his race, but rather his views. I believe that the effort that Obama is making is opening the door to help the racial tensions not so much of a factor in society today.

By: Trenton Mendelson

Trenton Mendelson — Fri, 02 May 2008 04:08:32 +0000

Unfortunately race still remains a major form of identification in America. It is sad to think that the Civil Rights riots were occurring barely over half a century ago. The country has a long way to go to overcome some of the racial problems it created for itself hundreds of years ago. Obviously looking at Obama it is evident he is of African-American descent, but I am glad this is a topic he has absolutely no fear in addressing. He doesn’t use it as an excuse, while at the same time does not constantly throw it in people’s faces. The way he approaches racial problems is the way we all should hope to someday.