Obama's Inaguration

[Sinestra]

Ok so an update from the front lines its still insane here at 5:32pm and its getting colder but considering that my 4 cool ass Germans shared there beer with me im not feeling it as much.

I was hoping to get a picture of Obama in the motorcade but i had a very horrible position and even being tall i couldn't get a decent shot. A lot of people are actually starting to file out now because of the cold but the real parties are later at the hotels which im not sure if i can make some of them because of work tomorrow.

Im going around trying to basically find people who came from other countries to see the Inauguration and get their opinions on the future of the US under Obama so far i have met people from Japan, Germany, the UK, Africa, Sweden (those guys were nuts had no shirts on lol) Greenland and Pueto Rico.

I heard that the finally count were about 2.5 million people showed up for the speech and there were more security details on duty than there are troops in Afghanistan. WOW I did see a couple Snipers up roofs near PA ave.

[CarleyGee]

Originally Posted by MMM

You live in the South and don't get this?

Just because his mother is white doesn't mean Obama isn't black.
Race isn't a math formula, it's a social construct.

Here's the real math:

White man + white woman = white baby.
Black man + white woman = black baby.
White man + black woman = black baby.
Black man + white woman = black baby.

There are no fractions or percentages that are signifigant. Very few black people in America have only African blood running through their veins...just like our new president. That doesn't mean they aren't black, or a "half" something this or "quarter" something that. Racism doesn't see percentages.

That's why the election and today's inauguration are so significant. America got over that high hurdle it was unable to until now. I am sure you are mature and intelligent enough to get that.

No, I wasn't saying he wasn't black, it just appears that
everyone is only focusing on his black half.
I'd rather people talk more about his politics and future
decisions besides the fact that he's the first "black"
president.

[LinnyLo]

Originally Posted by Onyx

Anyways, i just hope you fixes what bush destroyed.

I think that is what gives so many people hope. As most people know, ex-president Bush's approval ratings went way down over the last eight years. Most older Americans are excited to see Obama as president because he is African American, but I know that as an American teenager (and extreme Obama supporter) that that's not what really makes him special especially to the younger generation. He brings hope and change. Mainly the hope that people have lost over the past few years. I am amazed at people who can complain about Obama without understanding the politics behind all this. I think America needs to smarten up.

Sorry, I know this thread really isn't for politics. I watched the innaguration, and I thought it was amazing (minus the poem). Obama's acceptance speech was really inspiring, and I can fully understand why people were crying. He is really an inspirational man.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by CarleyGee

No, I wasn't saying he wasn't black, it just appears that
everyone is only focusing on his black half.
I'd rather people talk more about his politics and future
decisions besides the fact that he's the first "black"
president.

People aren't fractions. They don't come in halves and quarters.

And people are talking about both things. The historical signifigance of his race is history-making, but what he does from tomorrow on is what people are really concerned about and are hopeful for. His history is important in that respect because he has had experiences no other president has. No one thinks he can be successful JUST because he is black, but he has made it this far DESPITE the fact that his race would have been a disadvantage, and STILL made it to the top seat in the country. Now we'll see what he can do.

[zed]

I'm kind of mad at myself for not waking up on time, I saw the parade,
and was kind of nevious when he got out of the limusine,
just becouse a coworker say that alot of people were trying to kill him
this co worker is african american and I got to think that maybe he is the one that is not ready for change.
I realy think he is the right person to deliver change to america

[CarleyGee]

Originally Posted by MMM

People aren't fractions. They don't come in halves and quarters.

And people are talking about both things. The historical signifigance of his race is history-making, but what he does from tomorrow on is what people are really concerned about and are hopeful for. His history is important in that respect because he has had experiences no other president has. No one thinks he can be successful JUST because he is black, but he has made it this far DESPITE the fact that his race would have been a disadvantage, and STILL made it to the top seat in the country. Now we'll see what he can do.

Fractions? lol.
Well then, how do I put this? I'm a fraction.
1/4 Native American 1/4 Italian 1/4 Egyptian 1/4 French

It's just your heritage, and he is half African American
(or was it Muslim?)

Eh, I don't see it.
That's all the teacher's talked about, and what everybody
at school talked about. The newspapers (my city) don't
mention anything about it, but that's just around here.

Anytime I was unfortunate enough to catch the news,
those were the words out of a News Anchor's mouth.

I must just only be seeing part of it.

[Onyx]

Originally Posted by CarleyGee

I don't understand why everyone is making a big deal out
of him being "BLACK" when he's not even full black. That's
what I don't get. He's just as much white as he is black.
That's all I was saying.

Also, QUESTION?
Did any of our past presidents have other ethnicity's in them?
Just curious...

... I don't really want to go into this further, because
most people on here are Obama Supporters, so I guess
it's all just on your opinions.

Anyone supporting Obama won't understand where I'm
coming from and I won't understand where they're
coming from.

It's too much controversy.
Also, I don't think just because I'm "young" I won't
understand topics like this, because for my age, I'm
actually very mature and intelligent.

=]

Well, he's not all black, not to sure how many African Americans in these days are "all black" even if they look darker than him. The sad fact is, people usually stick you in the group that is most dominantly shown in your physical attributes.. So Obviously, hes a person of color, his "Black" features are more dominant that his "white" features, most people would just call people who look like him a "light skinned black guy/girl" Bob Marley was lighter than Obama , but he was still considered black.. I guess we do this to keep the groups more simple, i dunno. I mix a see allot are Asian-Japanese/Spanish, usually, they're branded as Asian based on their looks, no 1 wants to start a new category called "Japanic"

Just for the record, im not a supporter, im not a citizen so i couldn't vote, i just understand why they are making a big deal out of it. But from what I've seen you post, it seems as if your only gripe with him is he's "not all black" but i dunno. We can drop this Now that he is actually the president people will stop talking about the color of his skin and how he made history. Now they will talk about what he has done, or is doing with the country.

[Onyx]

Originally Posted by MMM

You live in the South and don't get this?

Just because his mother is white doesn't mean Obama isn't black.
Race isn't a math formula, it's a social construct.

Here's the real math:

White man + white woman = white baby.
Black man + white woman = black baby.
White man + black woman = black baby.
Black man + white woman = black baby.
Key: Black anything + any other ethic group = black baby

There are no fractions or percentages that are signifigant. Very few black people in America have only African blood running through their veins...just like our new president. That doesn't mean they aren't black, or a "half" something this or "quarter" something that. Racism doesn't see percentages.

That's why the election and today's inauguration are so significant. America got over that high hurdle it was unable to until now. I am sure you are mature and intelligent enough to get that.

lol brilliant formula, i just had to add the key.

[CarleyGee]

Originally Posted by Onyx

Well, he's not all black, not to sure how many African Americans in these days are "all black" even if they look darker than him. The sad fact is, people usually stick you in the group that is most dominantly shown in your physical attributes.. So Obviously, hes a person of color, his "Black" features are more dominant that his "white" features, most people would just call people who look like him a "light skinned black guy/girl" Bob Marley was lighter than Obama , but he was still considered black.. I guess we do this to keep the groups more simple, i dunno. I mix a see allot are Asian-Japanese/Spanish, usually, they're branded as Asian based on their looks, no 1 wants to start a new category called "Japanic"

Just for the record, im not a supporter, im not a citizen so i couldn't vote, i just understand why they are making a big deal out of it. But from what I've seen you post, it seems as if your only gripe with him is he's "not all black" but i dunno. We can drop this Now that he is actually the president people will stop talking about the color of his skin and how he made history. Now they will talk about what he has done, or is doing with the country.

I'm a very un-racist person, which I guess it's not at all
a big deal to me. I have the idea that he made history
just as much as the rest of the presidents have. I'm just
stubborn like that, I guess.

"Japanic" --- LOL.

It's not the only thing I'm griping about, it's just whenever
people talk about him, I don't hear anything about his politics
or decisions, etc, and that is what I would rather hear so I
can have more faith in him as our president, but if all I'm
hearing is "He's the 1st black president" then I don't know much
about him at all.

---I'm not sure if I can put it any way other than that.

=/

I'm a very paranoid and suspicious person, and I don't trust
much, which is why I'm very skeptical. I would be no matter
who became president, it's just my personality.

Originally Posted by MMM

White man + white woman = white baby.
Black man + white woman = black baby.
White man + black woman = black baby.
Black man + white woman = black baby.

Also, I would like to mention :
This is only describing skin color, I'm thinking
more along the lines of ethnicity and heritage.

[LinnyLo]

Originally Posted by CarleyGee

It's just your heritage, and he is half African American
(or was it Muslim?)

His father was born in Kenya, and his mother is of English and Irish descent. He is Christian not Muslim.

"Rosa sat so Martin could walk; Martin walked so Obama could run; Obama is running so our children can fly."
That just shows how much hope Americans have now. He is a change and so we associate that with the idea that he will bring change.