REALLY? It NEVER Happened? Did We Imagine It?

United States
September 2, 2009 9:12am CST
Since last fall, I and MANY other people here at MyLot and out in the world have been falsely accused of racism for questioning 0bama's actions or opposing his agenda. Not only were we called "racist", but also "white sheet wearers" and other horrible things. It happened OFTEN. MyLot eventually deleted many of those hateful posts, but the fact remains that it happened and continues to happen. I recently attempted to illustrate that it is not right to do it by making sarcastic comparison to people who criticize the had of the GOP, Michael Steele who is also black. I said that if it is not racist to criticize Steele then it is not necessarily racist to criticize 0bama. Well that went over like a lead balloon and now I am being called a bigot for even bringing it up and I am being told that what happened to me and my friends when WE were falsely accused of racism never happened. I DID NOT IMAGINE IT AND NEITHER DID ANYONE ELSE! Pretending that it didn't happen and doesn't happen does not make it so. If you have been called a racist or "white sheet wearer" for opposing the president's agenda or questioning his actions, please post here and make your voice heard. It is not right for people to do this and it is NOT right to tell us it didn't happen when it did! I KNOW I DIDN'T IMAGINE IT, I saw it with my own eyes and so did a whole lot of other people who have also been wrongfully targeted by hateful individuals. It is NOT racist to acknowledge that it happens and it is NOT racist to talk about it. Please, don't be afraid of their low tactics. Stand up and speak out. I am asking you to please confirm that I am not hallucinating the events of the last 11 months. If you have seen what I have seen here at mylot and out in the world, please share your story here.
11 people like this
31 responses
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
2 Sep 09
If you imagined it, we are having a mass hallucination here. I do occasionally wonder if I am hallucinating when I see the venomous and vicious responses to logical and respectful posts about the issues - those occasions when these posts receive responses that say the poster is just a racist and that's why they hate Obama. I have received many on-topic responses to discussions but I have also received the incomprehensible charges of racism when it had nothing to do with the issue at hand. I am not a racist for thinking Obama is a bad president. I don't feel I disagree with him because I "can't stand the thought of a black man as president". It's a whole new era, alright. One in which you can't defend yourself or you are accused of starting the argument.
5 people like this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
3 Sep 09
I'd disagree with what he's doing and how he's doing it even if he were white. Or GREEN. Or BLUE. Or came here from Pluto. I don't care. No matter how it's packaged, it is the SAME BS so why wouldn't I feel the SAME way about it? At least I'm not like some people and I wouldn't change my opinion or how I felt based on whether he's black or white or green, blue, or from Pluto. THAT would make someone both a racist AND an idiot - and pretty shallow.
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
2 Sep 09
Oh heck YEH it happened. I was once called a "closet racist" and told I used code words for it like "oposing policies".....no....seriously, thats what I was told, I was a closet racist and was trying to hide it by using code words. And this was after I posted on some legislation I was working on to inoculate my state against federal intrusion, from a potential Obama or McCain and BUSH administrations. It's a battle you can't win. You can't defend against it, there is no reasoning, they just call you a racist and thats that, "i'm not a racist"...."yes you are yes you are yes you are....lalalalala can't hear you can't hear you, your a racist your a racist your a racist!"
3 people like this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
2 Sep 09
Yeah, I think I did a thread a while back on all our "code words". I joked that we need a "white racist decoder ring" to figure out what was and wasn't racist like "Joe Sixpack, hockey mom, and that one". I don't know if I even put "opposing policies" on that list because it's just so obvious that anyone saying that is a racist. I'm pretty sure you were attacked by the same person as me that kept saying "You better not put burning crosses on my lawn".
1 person likes this
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
2 Sep 09
yeh, I think we're talking about the same person. That one in particular has been banned here, but there is another one, a partner of hers that is still a member here, I just haven't seen them in a while.
1 person likes this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
2 Sep 09
So are you two saying that the ones calling conservatives are no longer here? Sorry I don't know the code words either.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
2 Sep 09
I laugh in the face of anyone who pulls the race card against anyone who opposes Prs. Obama. Most of us remember a time when it was much of the Black community who said he wasn't "really Black". ROFL
2 people like this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
2 Sep 09
Yes, I recall the SCLC saying something along the lines of him not having any "slave blood" and that his wife was being mistreated by the media because she did have slave blood. Oh well, Colin Powell wasn't part of the black community either until he endorsed Obama.
2 people like this
• United States
2 Sep 09
very good point about Powell. Many on the left called him an "uncle tom" until he endorsed Obama. Then all of a sudden they love him.
2 people like this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
2 Sep 09
Some how I feel like I'm stepping into a hornet's nest but, I've seen the ignorant statements said that people opposing the president were raciest. Which by the way doesn't make you raciest, well not for opposing his political ideas. Are you a white sheet wearer? I prefer to sleep in my white sheets, so I suppose I'm a white sheet sleeper LOL Sorry, I just had to find some humor in this irrational reasoning. I've made this comment before and I'll probably say it a thousand times more- liberals need to understand that just because conservatives don't agree with the political ideas of the person running the country doesn't mean that they don't like the US and the same can be said about conservatives. Just because conservatives don't support Obama's ideas doesn't make them raciest, and just because liberals didn't support Bush's wars didn't make them unamerican. One crazy conservative doesn't speak for whole just as one crazy liberal doesn't speak for the whole, EVERYONE seems to forget that all to often.
2 people like this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
3 Sep 09
See, I know from reading this that I am neither liberal NOR conservative. I don't support Obama's ideas yet I don't support Bush's wars LMAO!
1 person likes this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
3 Sep 09
Oh well. At least I know what I know and don't get swayed by other people
1 person likes this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
3 Sep 09
Wow then you would be a double whammy a raciest and unaerican
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Sep 09
Looks like we had the same dream. I have been called a racist for just disagreeing with his policies so many times it is not even funny. It happened here on this site and other places. Heck that actress Janeane Garofalo called everyone who went to the tax day tea party protests racist on live tv.
2 people like this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
3 Sep 09
Garofalo is an idiot. I think whats-his-face called her a pinhead - right after playing a clip of her calling people racists!
2 people like this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
2 Sep 09
I've only been here since July but I can say I've seen people call others racist and worse...for questioning Obama. How do these people think? Then can disrespect the head of the GOP and it is not racist...but we can't say a word against Obama without being labeled racist. It goes beyond politics and into fantasy if you ask me. No, I would call it Orwellian...if you say something enough, it becomes fact.
3 people like this
• United States
3 Sep 09
It was a very bitter war with the election even before the primaries, & yeah, it happened in real life, & has happened here also quite a lot on both sides. During the primaries, democrats were calling Obama supporters woman haters (I forgot the word that was used), & Hillary supporters were called racists. I am unsure if it happened here on MyLot though. I have not looked lately, but all we need to do is actually look, & we'll still find where people could not think of a good argument for their support for Obama, & then turned around & pulled the race card. In other words, the accusation of being racist was because of some of the Obama supporters losing arguments/debates, & the lack of anything intelligent to support their points was accusation of racism. At the same time, MyLot has deleted some of those discussions, & deleted some of the responses & comments. They also even suspended someone & cleaned out all of her discussions & responses, because she took things too far. I believe there was another who also got canceled because all this person was able to do was pretty much try to start flame wars. People who say that we imagined it probably just did not find the various discussions & responses from late 2008, or are recent sign-ups that missed it all.
2 people like this
• United States
3 Sep 09
Kitty as you have seen on a few occasions I have most unfairly been called a racist because I do not like Obama. If Obama was not black but white or yellow I would still dislike him. To be called a racist when I have (now) three great grandsons who I adore varying in skin color from dark brown (the oldest), golden (middle baby) to very dark (the baby) is ludicrous. At first I was hurt and insulted at these racial slurs aimed at me until I realized it was because the person did not have the intelligence to debate the issue in question. I wonder if the person making the insulting slurs realize they are instead only showing their own racism and ignorance.
2 people like this
@bdugas (3578)
• United States
4 Sep 09
Anyone that is a Obama supporter, and you say something about not liking what he is doing the first thing they do is yell you are racist. I'm not racist I don't give 2 hoots what color he is, if he is doing the wrong things for the american people he is not what this country needs, it is easier for them to yell racist than to face the fact that they screwed up when they voted for him and now instead of admitting that we have a nutcase in the white house everyone is a racist. Obama is the racist as I see it, I dont' think he cares for the white people and will do what ever it takes to bring them down. But you don't see anyone calling him a racist. There are always going to be people that aquise others of racism because it is easier to stand behind that than to actually except what is happening. Anytime you don't agree with them you racist, the color of his skin should not of mattered when it came to choosing a president, but that was what got him into the white house, not what he knew or how much experience he had he ran on racism. So those calling others racist better check out the Obama side before calling others racist.
1 person likes this
@bdugas (3578)
• United States
5 Sep 09
My not supporting Obama had nothing to do with his color. I am not a racist, I have 2 bi racial grand children that I love the same as the rest they are all my grand children, none above the other. I did not like what I was hearing out of his mouth, to me he was a smooth talker that said what he thought the people wanted to hear. Had nothing to do with his color. I often wonder why he is so proud of his black color but never hear him mention his white half, after all his mother was white, but maybe I missed it when he bragged about being white too. No I do not believe he has any love for the white people. If that makes me a racist then so be it, I just have to state it as I see it. When we was picking a president, some voted just because of his color, to me that was about the dumbest thing I ever heard of, just because he was a black man did not mean he was the best man for the job. I thought we went on experience, knowledge, the one best suited for the job, not that he is going to be the first black man in the white house. I have seen the cartoons about him being black and living in the whitehouse. I think they are discusting. My husband is racist, yes I have to admit it he hates any one not white, for what reason, just cause that is the way it is in the south. To me that is pure stupidity. If I am wrong, then I am sorry, to me my hubby would be racist or the ones that only voted because he is black, not caring if he had the ability to run the country. I would not vote for a white man if I knew there was a black one that had the eperience we needed in the whitehouse to keep this country safe.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Sep 09
I did not infer you were a racist, some people may, because they are ignorant. Other people are racist. This is why this thread, and others similar to it are like a raging inferno. People are not even doing anything wrong, and in some way, people are either accusing them of being racist, OR, people are generalizing and saying all Obama supporters claim false accusations of being racist. Either way, its wrong!
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Sep 09
Bdugas - Some people that are Obama supporters might say that you are racist if you don't support him. I do not agree with them. Generalizing and saying ANYONE that is an Obama supporter will accuse you of racism is a fairly accusatory statement itself. Its these generalizations that spawned this thread, and the "you racist" thread. Obama does not hate "the white man". These kind of statements and threads are what continue to add to the racial disharmony already in the states.
1 person likes this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
2 Sep 09
It was NOT your imagination. I remember it well and it wasn't all that long ago. I got called a "white sheet wearer" for making the observation that Michelle Obama's election night outfit looked like it had a blood splatter pattern. Got called a racist too. Someone called me a racist not that long ago and anniepa came to my defense. There have been several of us who have been called these names.
2 people like this
• Regina, Saskatchewan
7 Sep 09
See this is the kind of thing I really really can't stand. Selective freedom of speech. We are talking about a politician here. WHO CARES WHAT COLOR HE IS? It's his policies under fire, and to pull the race card and use it against people who speak out against those policies simply because they come from a skin other than white, makes THEM guilty of fostering racism. WHY can't they see that?
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
2 Sep 09
It hasn't happened to me, but I can see it. There is definitely an element in the black community that believes if you criticize anything about a black person you are racist and that black people can't be racist. How do you fight that?
1 person likes this
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
2 Sep 09
On the flip side, there is an element in the white community that believes that people will consider them racist for disagreeing with a black person, when there is no need to fear that accusation. These are two polar opposites, and in the middle ground there is actual racism, which remains nicely hidden in between, and can be closeted by pretending to suffer a false accusation. The only way to fight it is to see everyone as human. Don't call them white, black, gay, straight, man, woman, etc. The only way to fight absurd reactionism and ignorance is to have everyone fully integrated, and not always have to preface Obama as the Black president. Ah yes, the "white guilt" syndrom. I know what your saying and I think your right, it can be pretty prevelent, in fact, I would even go as far as to say some of the false acusations in here and out there have been made by people suffering from it. But I can assure you, the acusations the vast majority in here have suffered have been false and childish and they can be impossible to defend against.
3 people like this
• United States
2 Sep 09
On the flip side, there is an element in the white community that believes that people will consider them racist for disagreeing with a black person, when there is no need to fear that accusation. These are two polar opposites, and in the middle ground there is actual racism, which remains nicely hidden in between, and can be closeted by pretending to suffer a false accusation. The only way to fight it is to see everyone as human. Don't call them white, black, gay, straight, man, woman, etc. The only way to fight absurd reactionism and ignorance is to have everyone fully integrated, and not always have to preface Obama as the Black president.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Sep 09
X - if they are so childish and ridiculous, why would you even need to dignify their accusations with a response? If people are going to be dumb, and denounce a valid point by calling you a racist without it being warranted, let other readers see them for what idiots they are. What is the context in which it has happened? Do you have a post I could look at?
1 person likes this
@anklesmash (1412)
2 Sep 09
i am from the uk and i think that he should have been voted in for his policies not his colour as i beleive he was to make him the first black president and i think it is only right to question his policies as you would any other leader dare i say a white leader to make sure he is truly representing the people who put him in power
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
2 Sep 09
I'll defend Obama on that one. I do this often myself, it's just the way I was raised, I believe he was being polite and a gentlman.
2 people like this
• United States
2 Sep 09
X - you helped me illustrate a point. If we didn't see them as a Male candidate and a Female candidate, we are able to see it as a polite gesture and not a sexist one. Why can't everyone do that with the race issue, on any of the multiple sides?
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Sep 09
There is something very intriguing and strategic that Obama did during the debates. He drew Hillary Clinton's chair back for her, in a sly and subtle way to insinuate that he is a big brawny man, and she is a dainty little woman who needs a man to look after her. Or, he was just being polite. This is where politics get dirty, and I think the only way to conquer it is to give everyone an even standing point. Eliminate words that imply a difference. Don't racially or sexually profile, and we could move past this and get to a state of a country we are proud to live in.
• Philippines
3 Sep 09
oh, my true colors are starting to emerge already. and i thought you-tube was the worst site when it comes to racism and hatred. and now, they're here too. how can they be so sensitive when people are trying to say something that they believe is a fact. instead of accusing you of that, they should counter the argument and point out why you are wrong and not simply just call you a racist. it' just a cheap ultimate act of spike if they have no or little capacity to argue...Who are these people, certainly i have also the right "not" to participate in their topics, or responses.
1 person likes this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
3 Sep 09
Even in past administrations there have been some good things accomplished over time that helped to negate the bad things and mistakes and soothed the feelings of Americans who felt they were getting the raw end of the deal. These things also took place over longer periods of time. Here it is just what... 8 months since inauguration and look at the mess. It took other presidents and administrations a couple years to bungle things up. This has all happened in the span of EIGHT MONTHS. Doesn't that scare you? It scares me lol. If BUSH had done this I'd be just as angry. Same with Clinton. Reagan. Carter. Heh.
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
2 Sep 09
Hey Kitty, Iam from India and its a country which was colonized and tortured by the British rulers for more than 150 years. You may find it very amusing that if an Indian says or write anything about it then they are called as 'Racist'. The point which iam trying to make is you are not the one who goes through all this. Well I remember when Bush was the President of America, white, non whites & everyone else had some thing to say about him. And mostly something appalling. That time no one had this racism issue. So why people are making so many noises if someone have some things against Obama. Well in Politics, healthy criticism is extremely important as far as iam concerned. People are always going to have their opinion, but then they are just opinions. You have every right to say what you feel. There cannot be any restrictions on that. I always condemn English and the adjacent countries for what they did to us. And if they find it ' racial ' I don’t care a damn about it. A fact is a fact and everyone should know about it. Cheers, Tutul
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Sep 09
Thanks for your reply, Tutul. I too have people in my family tree who were oppressed, tortured and enslaved by the British, I am Irish-Catholic-American. You're right, facts are facts and it doesn't make you a racist to point out the FACTS.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
21 Sep 09
Kitty, I'm so sorry I hadn't seen this discussion until now because it's a good one! No, you didn't imagine anything, what you've written really happened and it's a shame. I think it's tragic that, with all the serious problems we have, so much time has to be wasted on all this divisiveness and polarization. For the purpose of this post let's say there are two groups of people - Obama supporters and Obama detractors or whatever word should be used to describe them. There doesn't seem to be anyone who is neutral on this subject! I'd guess that, like with other groups, most of those on both sides are basically good and decent people with their own legitimate reasons for feeling as they do. Some are "smarter" than others, some are better educated and better informed and all have their own priorities and their own standards by which they judge political leaders. MOST people from either side can disagree with those on the opposite side without feeling hate or anger; they can discuss and debate the individual issues respectfully and civilly. However, again as with any group, there are those from both sides who make the rest of us look bad. There are racists on both sides and there are those who unfairly accuse the other side of racism. I can really understand how you and other must feel when you're accused of being racists. I know it would really p1ss me off big time! It DOES irritate me when someone accuses me of "worshiping" President Obama or any politician because I certainly have never felt that way about anyone in politics! There have been those I've admired and those I've liked and respected but WORSHIP? Hardly! I know nobody is perfect and if I ever were to find a politician with whom I agreed 100% on everything the problem would be with me because no two people could honestly agree totally on everything. Having read through this whole discussion I don't believe there is anyone who responded here who is a racist. There are some with whom I disagree on some political views but that doesn't mean I disrespect them or think they're less intelligent than I am or less caring and compassionate that I am. I think most of us here love our families and our country and want what's best for both. We may not all agree on what that "best" is or how to achieve it but if we did it would sure be boring, wouldn't it? MOST of us would agree that people like Drew Peterson is a murderous scumbag, so as long as we have that things can't be too bad, can they...lol? Annie
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Sep 09
Thanks for a great post, Annie! Drew Peterson totally sucks! We'll always have THAT!
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
2 Sep 09
It happens often that people opposing Obama's agenda are called racist. The reason they fall back so often on the racist claims is because they know to defend many of his policies would make them look like complete idiots. The racist claims are a more effective as a distraction from real political questions and helps them save face from trying to defend his bad politics.
• United States
3 Sep 09
guess im not sure what too think anymore :( thats how i think about it.
1 person likes this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
2 Sep 09
I can't tell you how many times I've been called a racist on mylot. I had a few members who used to call me "grand wizard" and "grand dragon" all the time before they were banned. One person used to even say garbage like "you'd better not put burning crosses on my lawn". Funny you mention Michael Steele since there actually were a few attacks on him based on his race by liberals on these forums calling him a "token negro" and "uncle tom".
1 person likes this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
2 Sep 09
Well see Taskr in you're the "grand wizard and/or grand dragon" than you would be what a "purple sheet wearer"? LOL
1 person likes this
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
3 Sep 09
Taskr, don't you know that all conservative blacks are "uncle toms"? I know this is probably going to be call raciest, but I'm going to say it anyway. They're also the only ones with a lick of sense.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Sep 09
Being a newbie around here, I have not seen it here. But I wouldn't doubt that it has happened, as its rampant anymore..and not just with Obama. Our society is full of..oh..mindless(?)..folks who defy social logic. (I'm not sure I said that right, but please bear with me.) They've lost sight of constitutional values! They've either forgotten, overlooked or openly ignored that this country was set up to be '..of, by AND for the people' as in 'WE the PEOPLE' which means all of us! They've forgotten that the rights and freedoms of the individual can only be protected when the rights and freedoms of ALL individuals are protected. As an example..I have often told folks that 'the freedom of speech' regardless of how its worded has far less to do with the right to talk. It gives us the responsibility to listen! Only thru listening do we support the freedom of speech and thereby assure ourselves the freedom to speak when, as individuals, we have something to say. I suspect (believe) that social hate terms like 'racist' are control tactics to keep you offguard..Why control?..Its a human condition to try to control what we fear. What we don't fear we don't try to control. While you're fussin' and fumin' over this racism thing you're paying less attention and the folks who slammed you have the opportunity to continue uninterupted. It may sound silly to you, but rather than reacting hostilely take it as a sign that you're making headway and continue to push and prod as you have done before. By crumbling to their tactics (as in this case) you're giving more validity to the tactic and you are giving control of your actions over to them and giving these folks more opportunity to get their activities in motion. So, to counteract these activities don't do what these folks expect you to do. Do what keeps them offguard and looking over their shoulders by doing what brought on the attack in the first place..got it? ENJOY!!
• United States
3 Sep 09
After I wrote the above I was talking with Liz about it (she's my main support and backboard that I bounce these writings off of), about the racist comments and such that she'd been privvy to when this notion occured to me (I now have a new axiom for my collection.) Don't ever let folkis screw you to justify their ignorance! I like it, of course, I'm biased. If you like it, use it, paraphase it! 'sokay by me.. Gotta get on with getting ready for work...ENJOY ALL!
1 person likes this
3 Sep 09
I am new here but I know you aren't imagining it. I have seen many people demonized for disagreeing with Obama. It is wrong to call someone racist simply because they do not believe in the policies of one man. And I have also noticed that if a black person is conservative they are fair game, it is not wonder Colin Powell turned his coat he just wanted to be liked for once. Keep it strong Angry Kitty. You aren't a racist for not lapping up every word Obama says.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Sep 09
Thank you, satorrence, and welcome to mylot, I'm honored to be the one who got your first post! Apparently, according to at least one person, not only am I imagining the false accusations of racism, I am racist for even discussion it! LOL Glad to see I am not all alone on this one.