It's been weirdly delightful to watch the racist invective roil out of the worst corners of Europe. I say delightful because it has no real sting--these guys are the dead-enders of the deadest of ends. They are rabid fans booing the visiting team--after the visiting team just stomped them 51-0. But this is the sort of thing that European folks need to remember the next time they're lecturing Americans on racism. As someone said in another comments thread, these people throw bananas at black players--their own black players--during soccer matches. The beauty of it all is that this it's their problem, not ours. This country should be proud, not that Obama won, but that he actually had an opportunity to compete. I can't imagine an Arab--or West African--President of, say, France. But maybe it'll happen. I don't know.
UPDATE: On another note, I better watch what I say. Didn't realize how many Euros I had reading. Better come hard if you're gonna go after the French.
The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood 
Copyright © 2009 by The Atlantic Monthly Group. All rights reserved.
Agreed. Although I must admit I could not stop laughing at Berlusconi's "joke". Not because it was really funny, but because it was so hilariously stupid.
Hmm. That Austrian guy is 80 years old, remember. I'm in Austria right now, I am not aware of this dude. I'll ask around. To be honest, until Election Day, a lot of Austrians I spoke with took it for granted that American would not be able to pull the trigger on Obama, an expectation that some Americans shared, otherwise there would have been no cause for jubilation on Tuesday night. But somehow I think these people were projecting. I would say "No no, Obama's chances are very good" but I think their own racism (homogeneous country, after all) was getting in the way.
I love your blog Ta-Nehisi, but you're wrong in what you say about Europe. Saying "this is the sort of thing that European folks need to remember the next time they're lecturing Americans on racism" is no different than me saying to you Americans shouldn't lecture Europeans on racism after the open racism expressed in Kentucky, Mississippi during the election. Berlusconi, I promise you does not represent the thoughts of any Italians I know and Poland is the most racist/fascistic place one could visit.
Too many Americans have used this to stick the middle finger up to Europe and say look, you could never do this - the battle against prejudice is global and Obama's victory is a hugely important symbol. Europe faces the same struggle against racism and Sentiments such as "its their problem not ours" are ignorant. Is an oppressed black man in Poland is less meaningful to you than one in San Francisco?
What James said. Anyway, my impression was that Obama was hugely popular in Europe. Remember 200,000 people went out to see him speak in Berlin?? There are still bigots in every country ... but that doesn't mean the world hasn't changed!
I'm still struck by "Obama is an approaching catastrophe. This marks the end of white man's civilisation,".
Katyn Forest, Warsaw Ghetto, Auschwitz. Where's the catastrophe?
I have said it twice and I will say it again: I am SO glad you are on The Atlantic!
My wife was incredulous that I did not think Obama could be elected president. I simply questioned whether White America was ready. In retrospect, that seems foolish. They seemed ready for a Black QB t win the national championship at Tennessee, for two Blacks to run Bush's foreign policy for the last eight years, and the vast majority appear to show not discomfort at a brotha running the federal government.
And about Bush: I contend that without affirmative action (created and championed by the Nixon administration) people like Colin Powell and Condi never get a chance to shine. Likewise, without their chance to shine, they never become GWB's cronies. White America never gets a chance to see Black people in non-"ghetto" political positions (HUD secretary? . . . thanks but not thanks). So in a weird way, GWB is as responsible for Obama winning as McCain is!
"I can't imagine an Arab--or West African--President of, say, France. But maybe it'll happen. I don't know."
Ta-Nehisi, be cool. Things are improving around the world on this respect, but still with pockets of prejudice here and there, both in Europe and the US. Meanwhile, the mayor of Paris is an out-of-the-closet gay man, the mayor of my own town, Lisbon, is an indian-portuguese man (unofficialy the second in line for the role of prime-minister). Brazil elected a worker as president. Bolivia elected an indian. Sarkozy, much as I dislike him, is the son of an immigrant. No reason to lecture back. Do not assume that "hings like this only happen in America": that's a nice thing for Obama to say on the stump, but still inaccurate, don't be fooled by that. By the way: Europe is still a very open continent, where dozens of languages are spoken and you don't need a passport to go from country to country. Berlusconi is an idiot; so George W. Bush was one.
I agree with Regina. There's bigotry everywhere, and though I feel I see more of it in the corner of Europe where I live now than I did in the US, such sentiments are on their way out. As the election showed, broad generalizing is risky and often wrong.
I agree with James too, on this one. Having just spent a year in Russia (where the bananas get flung), I can't really play the "that's a you problem" card here. Cause that problem got me threats on the subway, an African friend of mine beaten, a Roma friend hassled by the police, a Korean friend chased by skinheads on the streets in the middle of the day, and so on. It's a time to be proud, but I'm not sure that self-serving nationalism ever helps anyone out. Like the rest said, I am almost always a fan, but this post sorta struck a wrong note.
And forgot to say, Spain has a government more-than-half female. I would like to see Obama get even close to that.
"Saying "this is the sort of thing that European folks need to remember the next time they're lecturing Americans on racism" is no different than me saying to you Americans shouldn't lecture Europeans on racism after the open racism expressed in Kentucky, Mississippi during the election. Berlusconi, I promise you does not represent the thoughts of any Italians I know and Poland is the most racist/fascistic place one could visit."
But I'd agree with you...The point isn't that America is better. It's that we're all kinda dirty.
Indeed, one of the things that made segregation an issue after WWII was that it was an embarrassment to a country that went around claiming to rep the free world.
Also isn't the qualifier "the worst corners of.." worth anything?
One last thing! Atheists and agnostics: lots of them are, or have been, heads of state in Europe, including in the Catholic South. In fact, in Portugal we now have a catholic president after twenty years with one agnostic and one atheist, both serving two full terms and talking about their lack of faith when any journalist asked. Will I ever see an avowed atheist be the president of the US?
not president, but still...
Rachida Dati
French Justice Minister
The daughter of illiterate Algerian and Moroccan parents, Ms Dati is one of 12 children. She studied law at university and then accounting, working for oil giant, Elf.
Probably not. But it isn't "who is more bigoted..." it's that most societies with some level of diversity are going to have bigotry. The black are the niggers here. But there are niggers everywhere. Often, but not always, they are black. And they probably won't be black forever.
I agree with Mr. Coates, for the simple reason that while racism exists everywhere, Western Europeans seem to take particular delight in both lecturing Americans about their racism and reveling in their superiority over Americans in all things Moral and Good.
Well, I lived recently in some of of the most cosmopolitan of Western European capitals and witnessed racism to a degree unfathomable in a major American city. It is also quite indisputable that the election of a black or Turkish politician to the pinnacle of power is at this point an impossibility and even in the near future quite improbable. Thus, I take great pleasure at extending a particular appendage at my European friends on this matter.
to distinguish myself from the other james on this page...
Folks, remember that these are European leaders who are saying this crap, not the average high school drop out with a camera stuck in his face (the Austrian notwithstanding...)
TNC has been sympathetic in the past to the idea that media go into a neighborhood, find the craziest person to interview, get their nutso quote, and boost ratings (happens in the ghetto and trailer park both). And if this were a case of camera-at-celts-soccer-mob well, the a-few-nutcases argument would hold. But these are representative nutcases, elected by a majority.
Just as we own Obama today because a majority elected him, as a nation, we have to own George Bush because a majority elected him. And in that same spirit, Poland and Italy have to own their elected leaders because they elected them.
Still, I understand that accountability comes not now, but at their next election. So I'm not yet suspicious of our European friends - yet. As a country, we know what this is like, to see your president give a dismissive back-rub to Merkel. We didn't get the chance to rectify that until now, and we did.
The difference I see in Europe vs. USA isn't that there's less racism here, but that there is little to no legal recourse there.
Think about Title VII, Title IV, the EEOC (all of which impacted the ability of our system to produce the Condis and Colins and Oprahs and Baracks). In addition to the idealistic world view of equality posited by MLK and RFK (the carrot) we also developed a system that pushes white folks to see blacks as equals steadily over time (the stick). The more you get used to people of color sitting next to you at university or one cubicle over, the less they seem to be one of "them" and the more they become one of "us" -- and why wouldn't we trust one of "us" to run the State Department/Time Warner/The White House?
France, for example, has no equivalent anti-discrimination laws, because everyeone is equal (egalite) - if someone named Barack Hussein doesn't get the job he's qualified for in Paris, he's SOL. There's no way for him to prove discrimination, because in France, it does not officially exist. Anyone can get that engineering job. Anyone can go to the Sorbonne. The fact that a 1st/2nd/3rd generation Muslim or African immigrant doesn't get those things, well, c'est la vie.
Sure, there's racism everywhere. And non-racists everywhere. But hell, let us have a moment of gloating after eight years of shame! I'm a white American who's spent a lot of time in France, and I am absolutely sick of listening to white French people lecture us about how racist America is. These are the folks who think all black people in the US are on chain gangs. Meanwhile, the ceiling for anyone non-white in France is shockingly low. If you're Asian, good luck doing anything better than having a Chinese restaurant. And if you're black or North African? Good luck to you. Perhaps that's why all of the black and North African people I know in Paris dream about moving to the US. All of this is slowly changing, but the US is decades ahead of Europe in terms of opportunities for non-whites. I'm gonna gloat for a while.
eh the french have their own situation to come to terms with, you gotta recognize and acknowledge racism before you can overcome it and their entire system is built to avoid acknowledging it. kinda surprising (and depressing) for a people who produce such insightful philosophers and thinkers and who have such an egalitarian, pro-labor approach to things.
all that said, god damn do they ever know how to do political protests right over there. our left could learn a few dozen things from theirs. what say we start up a socialist exchange program?
@Rui: yeah, someday. not any time soon, though. remember, europe exported it's religious fanatics here. frankly, we've still got to deal with all your dumb shit from three centuries ago, we're still stuck in the same rut. that's why they're forcibly taking adopted children from stable homes in arkansas right now, 'cause their adopted parents are gay. still a long way to go yet.
Rui,
I think TNC is on base here. The day after the election there was a story in the Journal talking about French political soul searching re: race. As an Arab-American, I'm constantly asked if people in the US bother me about it. Except my race is only ever an issue when I'm in Europe (and at customs).
When you see bananas thrown at a Packers games, then we can compare and contrast.
I have to say that I agree with Coates on this one. When my Italian friend recently apologized to me about Berlusconi's remark I thought pretty much the same thing: "I'm happy with my president, I'm the one who should feel sorry for you".
As an American who has spent about half of the Bush administration living abroad in Europe and Asia, I have heard some pretty horrible things come from the mouths of otherwise upstanding, respectable people all over the world regarding race.
America is by no means a perfect post-racial place. Don't get me wrong on that, we've got lots work to do. But to be honest I'm very happy that America is as far along as we are. I really feel that most of the rest of the world hasn't even begun their own painful soul-searching racial healing journey.
I love how cosmopolitan the internet is....first discovered it discussing Harry Potter with people who read it in dozens of different languages.
Europe will have darker skinned people at the top, and the US will have women and atheists someday. (On a side note, this always bothered me from Clinton supporters, the notion that the whole world waited eagerly to see if we would elect a woman as a model for little girls everywhere--why couldn't those little girls look at Thatcher and Meir?)
America didn't elect Barack Obama simply because he is black, they elected him because he is extraordinaire, and in the right position -- with the best message -- at the right time. They elected him despite the fact that he is black; they elected him because in this election there were things they cared more about than their prejudices; they elected him because he was the best choice.
Over the next four years Obama has a wonderful opportunity to transform the way a number of rural folk think about minority groups -- getting elected was the easy part, now he needs to do a phenomenal job as president to finish the job.
Saying that you don't think the same thing could happen in France is bullshit for many reasons -- and coincidentally, the same thing that many Americans said about their own country. You just need the right guy/gal.
"But this is the sort of thing that European folks need to remember the next time they're lecturing Americans on racism."
Oi, are you trying to start a flame war?
Oh, by the way, this is Berlusconi:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2TRnDBI2o4
He is better ignored than referenced. He is, in a word, disgraceful.
That's "I'm happy with my president elect..." to clarify
you guys really put up with that shit from the french, of all people?
how about a "And you are lynching Negroes" equivalent for the banlieues? "and you are voting for Le Pen"
Interesting thread. The comparison between between African-Americans in the US and immigrants in Western Europe is never going to be a perfect one as the former have been in the US for centuries whereas the latter typically have arrived in their current nations in the past five decades. On the other hand slavery and then segregation meant that Africa Americans certainly weren't a part of American society in a way that is conducive to producing high-level politicians. Racism exists in Europe (where I live) and (I assume) in the US. Immigrant integration into the social, cultural, commercial and political spheres is lagging but not being held back by any apparent explicit bigotry. There are (in Sweden where I'm from) several mayors, parliamentarians, cabinet members etc who are foreign born and often even speak Swedish with heavy accents. That is not to say that there's no bigotry, racial stereotypes etc. Also it's difficult to separate different effects (liberal guilt, cultivating minority support etc) from a genuinly race-neutral society.
When it comes to gender and sex issues I would argue that there are differences between our two sides of the Atlantic. i would add the mayor of Berlin as another prominent openly gay politican and 50% or more of Swedish governmnets have been female since 15 years back. These kind of things can be affected by electoral systems though. Proportional elections tend to lead to greater representation for women, minorities etc. compared to the Anglo-Saxon norm of first past the post single seat districts. If only one guy wins, it's a male that represent the majority ethnicity and race....except now with Obama...which is why we are happy, right? :)
I was feeling TNC on the post, and now am a bit chastened reading the comments. James, that was a great post, eloquently put, a good reality check.
But I think those Americans who spend time in Europe would agree with me when I say: we've sat through way too many dinners and over way too many pints during the past 8 years, listening to Europeans tell us how irretrievably broken our culture and our system of government is, how the Bush administration was just a symptom of a deeper, underlying menace they knew would eventually consume us, and how America's best days are behind it. Said much more politely and obliquely than I just did, of course, but the message was unmistakable. And always, always with the addition of, "Of course, that sort of thing never happens here in [The UK/The Czech Republic/Germany]."
So, James, that "It only happens in my country, not in yours" sentiment you objected to in TNC's post cuts both ways. Your point about it being a counterproductive and foolish sentiment still stands as true.
You'll have to forgive Americans our euphoria for a couple of weeks; we just proved to ourselves and to the world that we can repair ourselves, that we can live up to the ideals we espouse. It's an amazing feeling.
"Oi, are you trying to start a flame war?"
Are you new here?
Oh, and about the "worst corners" part: whatever happened to good old "New Europe"?
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2687403.stm
All joking aside,racism in Russia and other "new" parts of the continent is really frightening.
Coincidentally, Russia's best friend in the EU is Sign. Berlusconi. Corrupt, Racist, Idiotic, Allied with former fascists, nice guy all around.
Wow, such a great post, I had to temporarily leave lurker status.
I've thought for a long time that as bad as things still are here, we're come a lot further than some other places have.
Rui: I don't think, frankly, any of that matters. Who cares how many athiests or women a country elects when we are discussing racism? Also, here you can also travel across a lot of borders without a passport. About 50 of them. Remember, you guys are still playing catch-up on that.
When you see bananas thrown at a Packers games, then we can compare and contrast.
We've got plenty to think about here, too, Mo.
American exceptionalism is pretty ugly. Maybe every country does this to some extent, but as an American it bothers me most here.
On the one hand, we seem to believe in spreading the universal virtues of Democracy and Freedom all over the world (even if we now realize that invading countries isn't the way to do it). On the other hand, when take a big step forward in dealing with institutional racism, one of our main reactions is to say, essentially, "In your FACE, Europe! Only in America! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!"
We're not the Last, Best Hope of Mankind. We're not the "greatest country in the world." We're a nation with our own problems and strengths and justices and injustices. We can teach others, and learn from them, too. It's fine to be proud, but it's not fine to be haughty.
Obama marks no more of an end to anti-Americanism in Europe than he does an end to racism in the US.
A significant step forward, yes, but by no means the last.
- Troy, Blake et al.
I totally agree with your points that the reflexive anti-americanism and twisted ideas about what America is like is bad, has gotten worse but hopefully will get better soon/now. it always makes me cringe when I hear a fellow European decry the pitiful state of the US and its race relations/mass culture/whatever, like we don't have (usually more) work to do over here on those fronts ourselves. I guess it has three components: people here get their ideas about the US through people that are usually hostile to America (politicians, the media); we feel kind of left behind - you're doing pretty well in a lot of areas compared to us - so there's some resentment and sour grapes there; the people who have the stupidest views and are the least informed will always be the ones who are sure that they know what the deal is and shout it out loud.
Anyway, on behalf of my continent...apologies...
Bear in mind that most sane Europeans are completely thrilled with the outcome.
The racist dead-enders over here are really not all that much different than the racist dead-enders Stateside, although they can hide behind a few barricades American politicians can't since the USA is by definition a nation of very diverse immigrant populations.
Yet in Europe President Obama will also serve as a powerful role model. The overwhelming reaction is "That's great - so why couldn't that happen here?" Aside from a few total losers (Peter Hitchens and Melanie Phillips I'm looking at you!), there is almost zero talk of this being a bad thing for the United States. Frankly, there is more shock and awe that we Americans were really ready to pull the trigger on this when all was said and done.
I don't have time to read the comments before I head to work, but I look forward to reading an impassioned defense of the banana tossing from one of your European readers.
I completely disagree Pesto. First off, while you may find the FSU chant offensive, the school has close ties with the Florida Seminole Tribe and is officially sanctioned by the tribe, so it's not really comparable to throwing bananas at black players.
Just because there is a lot to be fixed about this country doesn't mean it isn't pretty great as well. Aside from the color of his skin, it's pretty astounding that the some of an immigrant can be elected. Among first world nations, the US is exceptional in its relatively universal immigration policy, path to citizenship and integration.
I am so with Ta-Nahesi here. While I have met many delightful Europeans, I often felt as if I had to answer for all the sins of America when I lived there, while many people painted their own histories in the best light possible. Often I would be criticized for slavery and massacreing the Indians, while Europe's brutal history of colonization was ignored or treated as a great gift of civilization to the colonized (not to mention it was a long time ago). I would be amazed at how sentimental certain Europeans would be about African-Americans, while at the same time treating recent African immigrants in their own countries as if they were all thieves and illegals. At times I felt that the justifiable criticism of American policy and practices of recent years was just an excuse to have a brutal contempt for all American people, treating us as a nation of brutal, racist savages. So, since we have proven that the story is a little more complex than that by the election of our man Obama, the next move is yours, Europe. Check and mate.
*Among first world nations, the US is exceptional in its relatively universal immigration policy, path to citizenship and integration.*
What about Canada? Not only do we have a better record of integration, but a much higher proportion of our population consists of immigrants. Same is true of Australia.
Don't dislocate your shoulder patting yourselves on the back.
Hey people, gloat all you want, you've earned it and we're happy that you voted right! But just don't forget that in Europe Obama would have probably had much more than 52 percent of the vote, and had we an electoral college over here I suppose he would have won in all the "states", Poland included. You know that, you've seen the polls, imperfect though they may be. In fact, Europe would have voted overwhelmingly for Gore and Kerry as well. We were kept waiting for eight years, so don't ruin this moment for us anymore than Berlusconi does it for the italian — many of them are ashamed of them, as many americans were of Bush calling for a "crusade", which in the middle east does not go down very well anymore.
Keep in mind that, if anything, the majority of Europeans have been scolded (by both the American Right and the parts of the European Right that Mr. Berlusconi comes from) for being too enthusiastic about Obama.
And always a fan, Ta-Nehisi.
as someone who grew up in and has roots on both continents i've always tried to encourage americans to come over and sample the food, fantastic art, architecture and general european ways of life and to euros to explore americas spectacular natural beauty and enjoy the wonderful friendliness and informality that most americans will happily offer.
just do it, i think we all gain from being invited to view slightly different ways of life firsthand.
Not that Canadians don't have problems with racism and intolerance. There's bigotry everywhere. But I wish y'all would stop dishing out the "only in America" bullshit.
Mo-
I think the point Pesto was making was exactly that even great countries need some work, nations tend to be works in progress rather than the garden of eden which cannot be improved on and that there are things that we can all learn from other countries and that it serves no purpose to get defensive and overly patriotic about who is better at what (mainly because aggregating a diverse group of individuals to an abstract construct like a nation state is kind of, well...)
US immigration and citizenship policies that you mention can be evaluated on the merits and what you'll think of them probably depends on what you think normatively about immigration. As an empirical point though I don't think that the main gists of US immigration or citizenship policies are unique but rather similar to most countries with similar histories (Canada, Australia, Brazil etc.). Just because they are non-exceptional doesn't mean they are not perfect of course just as the opposite would be true. Right?
I completely disagree Pesto. First off, while you may find the FSU chant offensive, the school has close ties with the Florida Seminole Tribe and is officially sanctioned by the tribe, so it's not really comparable to throwing bananas at black players.
Point taken on FSU and the Seminoles -- but we could also talk about Chief Wahoo and the Cleveland Indians, the recently-retired Chief Noc-A-Homa and the Atlanta Braves (the other prominent "chop" team), and the Washington Redskins. The phenomenon goes beyond Tallahassee.
It's not the same thing as throwing bananas at black soccer players. But it's still shitty and reflects racism to me, and to portions of the Native American communities in the US.
Just because there is a lot to be fixed about this country doesn't mean it isn't pretty great as well.
I agree. I never said any different. I just think everyone, us included, can maintain some humility.
Aside from the color of his skin, it's pretty astounding that the some of an immigrant can be elected.
Sarkozy's the son of a Hungarian immigrant, and grandson of a Greek Jew -- not bad for a country that gave the world the Dreyfus affair just over a century ago, even if I do think that Sarko is an asshole.
I can only speak for myself, and my experiences as a exile-iranian living in Sweden for more than twenty years. I can tell you, there's a lot of love going on in this country. Alot of immigrants (yes middle-easterners too) look up to the US, when it's done right, and we hate on the US, when it's done wrong (subjectively speaking). Obama was objectivly speaking done right. I give alot of props to the US (black and white, hispanic, etc) for that. Regarding race/equality in sweden, historically, it has been abysmal. Sweden was "neutral" (aided germany, in exchange for clemency) during WWII. started the first racial-biological institute in the world (you know, measuring up heads/noses of jews , swedish inuites, black, vallons, romany's...etc), considered homosexuality to be a clinical desease until 1979 (People actually used it as an excuse for not coming in to work,"Hey, im feeling kind of gay today....i'm not coming in). Allowed coersed sterelization of women who claimed their sexual independence and had a racist party voted into congress (swedish "riksdagen") as late as the 1990's. HOWEVER, we have already had a syrian-born head of departement of education from the social-democratic party (left-leaning liberal). A head of departement of youth-and equality (kind symptomatic) who is born in exile in burundi (the right-center coalition in power today) . So all is not bad. We as swedes have made alot of progress from the dark ages of the last century. I remember fighting people in school who were openly neonazi-affiliated (they still exist, but to the same extent). I think we will have a non-european head of state in sweden within 20 years. It's always a matter of the right candidate (one can argue that a lesser man than Pres-Elect Obama, would have failed in the US), of course, party structures here in sweden are more rigid than in the US, which prioritizes seniority not primairy results, (which to me is a great plus for the american electoral structure). And this is the fundamental problem for sweden, the structures are in place for people that have been around for a while (white people). If you're an immigrant, chances are, you are a new-comer in the party, and is placed at the bottom of the ballot (for congressional consideration).
As for the soccer references. I don't consider those idiots in the stands as the norm. Stadium-culture is very different in Europe, than in the U.S. the die-hard fringe in many clubs (roman Lazio fans in Italy are deeply connected to fascist elements/party's), Baskian club de Atletico Bilbao is deeply connected to the Baskian liberation movement. In Europe, soccer is politics (it's not just a game). Silvio Berlusconi, OWNS A.C. Milan , and has done so for the last 20 years. In GB, two of the biggest clubs have been bought by one american (Man U, Malcolm Glazer), and a neo-riche russian ( Chelsea Roman Abramovich). Man U was rumored to be bought by Rupert Murdoch, who wanted to redo the whole colour theme of the club (from red to a more burgoise blue). And this in a club who for the last 80 years has been run by a commitee elected by the members. Same goes for spanish clubs, powerhouses F.C. Barcelona and Real Madrid have elected presidents (by the fans). Take these facts into consideration, and then remember that for the last century europe, was a harem for extremism on both sides. Specially in regards to soccer, alot of die-hard fan-clubs have had or still have a very dangerous flirt with almost-fascist elements in their respective country. this is especially true the balkans, and eastern europe, which has had deeply rooted racism on grassroot level for atleast 200 years (the persecution of romanys is probably the best example). The rot is deep indeed, but some of us still see hope.
Alexandra -
You had me until the last sentence (see my post at 10:07) but I agree with Pesto that the whole thing about using a admirable departure from the unfortunate human tendency to divide people into ingroup/outgroup (race) leads to aa strengthening of another ingroup/outgroup (nationality) is unflattering. In that I can recognize canuck's sentiment.
...on the other hand, I can also sympathize with the first sentence of Rui Tavares' post above:
"Hey people, gloat all you want, you've earned it and we're happy that you voted right"
Bruce-
Nice to see that we Swedes are completely taking over ta-nehisi's comments section. I agree with you in almost everything but if I may nit-pick: non-european heads of STATE is not something I see on the horizon as the crown princess seems to be marrying a native born young man (although she is herself part Brazilian so...). But head of government definately: my guess is that it will be Nyamko Sabuni (makes Obama's name seem positively aryan), Luciano Astudillo, Mahmood Fahmi or Yilmas Kerimo.
On behalf of my fellow Americans, I apologize for our ignorance, arrogance, violence, dishonesty, and greed.
Now I expect an apology from our Euro friends for their having sided with Rambo Reagan against the socialist bloc and the ‘third world’. (What did you think Rambo was gonna do?)
I think we all of us have excellent reasons to be proud of ourselves. However, we of the U.S. sorta-left-leaning persuasion have been embarrassed and trying to sputter out excuses and nuances and "we're not all like that" for eight years now -- you gotta let us have our few weeks of stomach-ulcer-curing euphoria.
(Oh, and I'm sorry, but as a little Northeastern Coastal lefty I take no responsibility for the "Old Europe" bullshit. Call me "divisive" if you must, but that's a right-wing thing and I merrily wash my hands of it. Or would if it had ever been on my hands. That would be the individualistic, guilt-based and not shame-based culture, there... ;-D)
As a French living in the US, I was becoming really pissed off at the antiamericanism of my fellow Europeans. I don't mean the opposition to the Iraq war and the rest, but, you know, the "Americans are racists" stuff.
Well, now, it's our turn to do some soul-searching. And it has begun. One of the most common reaction in France to Obama's election, in the news, the blogs, the people I talked to, was "could it happen here ?" That's a realy good question to be asking.
France is changing, too, and fast. Yeah, we don't like to talk about races. But we're beginning to do it, to aknowledge our own racialized society (with a different structure than the American one: North-African immigrants from the former colonies are obviously very important here), and to see virtues in practical actions against racial inequalities (like, say, new laws..), and not just in color-blind formal equality.
So don't say "it won't happen in Europe". If there's one lesson from this election, isn't it that it can be a bad idea to bet on the stupidity of people? Even Europeans... European's racism is our problem, but when we'll go forward in the direction of overcoming it, I'll give you the right to brag: you showed the way.
Oscar! Yeah...your right...didn't remember to put that one in. Head of state is of course (for you non-swedes) in sweden the king (or queen)...maybe that's something to adress?? But any way. I personally like Nyamko, not all that fond of her rampant secularism, but all in all she's been a good politician. I'm leftist, but i like her political vigour and passion.
@Alexandra...
I'm apologize for my fellow Europeans, but if i may, you and i know, that europe is not a country, it is a big place, much like the US. But the resemblance stops there. I don't know who you have been talking to, but i pity the fools.
Slavery, was started by the dutch, who spread the idea of a mercantilistic trade of human capital to use a sanitized term. it went from there to the rest of europe...portugal, spain, italy, GB and then when the idea of the united states was formed, the cruelties went on. In western Europe, we have for the last 40 years, had a vast indoctrination of where organized racism was born. mainly, 2 sources are used. germany, and the US. no mention of spanish invasion and looting of sout h america, no mention of the algerian immigrants who fought for the french when even the french wouldn't fight for the french (they were later deported, and used as an excuse to invade and recolonize Algeria). The reason for this is simple...guilt...for the lack of action in their own past, for the inequalities they cannot bridge right now. Now i have my own beefs with the U.S. as well, but to generalize that into comtempt of all(???!) americans is beyond stupid. Oh, and by the way, not check mate, it's not a game....we're in this together, your sucess, makes me want to achieve more and realize the promises that were made to my parents!
I will say that Europeans are often (not always, lots of exceptions as usual when one generalizes...) happy to lecture the USA on its many flaws while ignoring their own brutal history of oppression. I remember a Belgian complaining about how nasty the US was towards the Indians and blacks, and how defensive he got when I brought up the Congo....
Since the Muslim riots of a few years ago, it seems like many Europeans have toned down their lecturing of American on race. After those riots, I read about how in the French and German legislatures, there were almost no people of color. It is also striking to see the comparisons of Arabs in the US and those in Europe. They seem to be consigned to the slums and unemployment lines in Europe, while in the US, many have thrived, assimilated, gained wealth and power.
I recall a socialist party member in France bemoaning that there were enough white people on France's World Cup team. Sure a bunch of Germans showed up to an Obama rally and a lot of Europe clearly prefered him to McCain, but by European standards, Obama would not be that welcomed in the left wing parties. His position on the death penalty, gun control, Afghanistan and health care would be considered barbaric by many in the EU. His economic team is to the right of what passes for mainstream European thought on taxation and regulation.
I apologize if it seems like I am taking swipes at Europeans, that isn't my point. The larger point is that people all have weaknesses, faults and sins. Just like when we Americans preach that Europeans are a Godless lot, we really are in no position to judge either.
This Peter Hitchens piece I found particularly disturbing, I guess partly because of the tony "educated Brit" pedigree (he's that other gasbag Christopher Hitchens' brother and has a background in leftist and Labour politics, prior to his "conservative" conversion), and because it is, in substance, an only slightly disguised tirade at the level of David Duke:
http://tinyurl.com/5pvzv5
Since there's a long, tiresome prelude, here's the money quote finale to that putrid essay by P. Hitchens:
There had been a few white people blowing car horns and shouting, as the result became clear. But among the Mexicans, Salvadorans and the other Third World nationalities, there was something like ecstasy.
They grasped the real significance of this moment. They knew it meant that America had finally switched sides in a global cultural war. Forget the Cold War, or even the Iraq War. The United States, having for the most part a deeply conservative people, had until now just about stood out against many of the mistakes which have ruined so much of the rest of the world.
Suspicious of welfare addiction, feeble justice and high taxes, totally committed to preserving its own national sovereignty, unabashedly Christian in a world part secular and part Muslim, suspicious of the Great Global Warming panic, it was unique.
These strengths had been fading for some time, mainly due to poorly controlled mass immigration and to the march of political correctness. They had also been weakened by the failure of America’s conservative party – the Republicans – to fight on the cultural and moral fronts.
They preferred to posture on the world stage. Scared of confronting Left-wing teachers and sexual revolutionaries at home, they could order soldiers to be brave on their behalf in far-off deserts. And now the US, like Britain before it, has begun the long slow descent into the Third World. How sad. Where now is our last best hope on Earth?
I don't know whether Euro whites are more or less racist than American whites, but its true that there is more racism in Europe than many Europeans will admit. I've found that because Euros haven't had the long history of civil rights and dealing with race they tend to not recognize their own prejudices and they don't know how to talk about racism in their own countries. They pretend racism doesn't exist there while simultaneously calling third generation Frenchmen of Algerian descent "immigrants" and talking about going to the arab du coin (Arab on the corner) for smokes. As an American who has lived and worked in Europe I would constantly get lectured about how racist America is. A year or two ago I would tell people I was for Obama, and they would give me skeptical looks, "but America iz sooo racist!".
So it gives me great pleasure to think of those pretentious bastards looking at the face of president Obama on the front page of their paper as they drink their morning coffee.
I think you're right. France seems to be going through its own equivalent of America's problems in the '60s, with the race riots and all, and they're really in no position to criticize.
The "only in America" reaction to Obama bugs me a little, because I'm Canadian and think there's just as much potential here - the US and Canada are both less inclined to define nationality around ethnicity than most of Europe is.
But that said, we haven't ever had a plausible non-white contender for being Prime Minister, or even for being leader of a major party, or had a plausible female candidate for PM. So, kudos to you guys.
Boy, Peter Hitchens is an asshole.
All of this foofooraw will necessarily fade, as it has with other pioneers. Thatcher's being a woman very quickly became the least noticeable or interesting thing about her--her radically conservative orthodoxy and startling cruelty outweighed her demographics. So it will be with Obama, in quite the other direction. As he simply buckles down and does the job, in his intelligent, pragmatic way, he'll swiftly cease to be "the black president" except on the level of quiet satisfaction at a milestone smashed. He will be the president.
America's myths met reality on November 4, 2008.
You have no idea how it still takes my breath away to contemplate that.
As for 'foreigners', they'll have to deal with their racial problems. I'm not looking my nose down at them. But, they better stop looking their noses down at us.
I think you're generalizing here. Sure, there's racism in Europe, but to state that immigrants can't make it in politics here like Obama did is without merit. In the Netherlands one of the major parties was led by a Moroccan muslim, Mohamed Rabbae, as early as 1994. The Dutch cabinet has two muslims and the city councils of the major cities are in some cases (e.g. Amsterdam) over 50% made up by immigrants or their children. Laetitia Griffith, a black woman from Suriname, is leading the conservative party for the next Dutch elections.
I'm not saying Europe is perfect - and I live with an American so I see a lot of unfounded hatred towards the US by Europeans who get their information from the occasional Michael Moore documentary and Jerry Springer. Having said that, I think when the right person comes along, most western nations are ready to make the leap to install a person of different ethnicity in their highest office, as long as the culture shock is not too great (bear in mind European immigrants are often muslim too, which makes them even harder to 'sell' to uneducated masses)
Being that the banana throwing town is my birthplace, ironic given my Black and Spanish ancestry, I have to clarify:
The bananas were not thrown at "their own" players--Real Zaragoza fans threw bananas at Futbol Club Barcelona (FCB / Barca) players. Now given that the RZ / FCB rivalry is nowhere near as storied, historical or hate-filled as the Real Madrid / Barca rivalry (which spawned from Fascist dictator Generalissimo Franciso Franco's attempt to eradicate the Catalonian language and culture) its puzzling why E'too or Ronaldinho would command such ugly racism but then that is far too often Zaragoza's xenophobia and provincialism rearing its ugly head.
Spain and Italy have a long way to come on racial enlightenment, and of course being a few generations away from North Africa and Islam are probably a key component to their antipathy to the darker hue (not to mention darker than blue).
Its there as it is here--the youth are the hope. They are the ones questioning xenophobic hate, violence thru bullfighting, and the Catholic Church's cobra clutch on the minds ad values of their forefathers. I hope my cousins will be a part of that growth, in fact Im sure they will as they have been firing off congratulatory emails to me over the Barry O / Joe Cooley win for a straight week.
Re: Slavery, was started by the dutch, who spread the idea of a mercantilistic trade of human capital to use a sanitized term.
Slavery was started by the ancient Sumerians (if not in prehistory), and was general throughout most of history. In the European Middle Ages slavery became rare (in Europe), but never quite died out. When the Spanish (not the Dutch) began trying to build a 16th century civilization in the Stone Age New World, they needed lots of labor and since Native American were dying out fast from European diseases they turned to Africa, which had already been the principle source of slaves (for the Islamic world) for some centuries, since the flow of slaves from Russia was choked off c. 1000 AD. It was Spain and Portugal that brought slavery to the Americas. The English, French and Dutch just followed in their footsteps.
@JonF
Yes i concede your point, slavery has been around for a while. but i didn't actually talk about slavery in general. I was discussing the mercantilistic trade that was introduced by well...if your sources are correct, spain. Either way. There is a vast difference between the two, and of course one prescedes the other, so we don't need to argue that without Hannurabi we wouldn't have it at all. But then again, it wasn't my point, im talking about slavery as an phenomenon of industrialization (much like nazi-germany, there had always been a hatred for jews in europe, but nobody was that much of a ideologue to industrialize it). If were talking about slavery as a general idea, then well, every nation has taken a part of it, and every nation has benefited from it. But I'm not. And i wouldn't use ther term "just followed" in their footsteps". It was an active choice to take part in it. No if's, but's or maybe's.
But this is the sort of thing that European folks need to remember the next time they're lecturing Americans on racism. As someone said in another comments thread, these people throw bananas at black players--their own black players--during soccer matches. The beauty of it all is that this it's their problem, not ours. This country should be proud, not that Obama won, but that he actually had an opportunity to compete. I can't imagine an Arab--or West African--President of, say, France. But maybe it'll happen. I don't know.
Europe's much less monolithic than people think. Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland--these places I could imagine a black person doing well politically (they don't directly elect their prime ministers, so the comparison's not quite right).
Italy, Spain, France--they're straight up racist. A black friend (who'd grown up in the rural American South) of mine who lived in France said she'd never encountered racism in Alabama like she did on the south coast of France.
Eastern Europe is a mixed bag--more xenophobic than racist per se, but that's a bit of a distinction without a difference.
But some of the things that we perceive as obviously racist (the reference to Uncle Tom's Cabin by the German newspaper) are likely just misunderstandings about how sensitive certain topics are. Similarly, my (Swiss) wife is constantly shocked and offended that people will use the term Nazi casually here--it's just not acceptable in Germanic countries, even in a toung-in-cheek Seinfeldesque "don't be a beer nazi" sort of way.
Weak soup from the Europeans on this thread. It's been just over 10 years since the US has been called upon to stop ethnic cleansing and genocide on their continent. The worst insult Obama received in his campaign was not be called a nigger, it was to be called Neville Chamberlain.
@TW Andrews
Your'e quite correct...but eastern europe has a dark history with both a jewish oppression after WWII (partly connected to communism) and a historic oppression of romanys (an oppression that is spread throughout europe, but never talked about). The northern countries are much more tolerant (although we have our own problems with racism). I don't like the notion of strictly reducing racism to blackness (especially in europe). It's a much bigger issue than that (specially in eastern europe, where there are basically no black people around). Central Europe, is FUBAR. They've botched every chance of integrating a big portion of the influx of immigrants. Much because of the systemic failiure to put people to work, and make sure they learn the language. This is a problem in sweden also, and i do concede that we as immigrants have a responsiblity for our own success and well-being.
One example of the difference is Le Pen, The thought of a major party like Le-Pen in the US is quite startling to me. But again, a fringe of the Republicans are starting to migrate towards that direction, which isn't exacly reassuring either!
"It's been just over 10 years since the US has been called upon to stop ethnic cleansing and genocide on their continent."
If I'm not willing to take personal responsibility for what goes down in North Dakota or Florida, I'm a bit loathe to blame all Europe for a conflict rooted (in time and in location) in the erstwhile Byzantine Empire.
Jewish oppression after WWII (partly connected to communism)
There undoubtedly was anti-Semitism in the Soviet bloc. It exists everywhere. But as far as I could tell, as measured by bias incidents or political advancement, it was no worse there than in the USA.
The USSR establishment challenged critics to compare the standard of living of Native Americans in the US with that of Jews in the Soviet bloc. Their numbers were about equal.
Anti-communists often appealed to anti-Semitism by noting the prominence and over-representation of Jews in the CPs of Eastern Europe and Russia.
Galleymac,
When was the last time the US needed Europe to come to N. Dakota or Florida or even Mississippi to dig up our mass graves? The idea of some moral equivalency is a joke. Especially since somewhere in Europe has needed this kind of help for every generation of the last 100 years.
When was the last time the US needed Europe to come to N. Dakota or Florida or even Mississippi to dig up our mass graves?
No, you're absolutely freaking right, it isn't moral equivalence -- my point being, exactly that if I'm not willing to take responsibility for the things MY OWN COUNTRYMEN do, I'm not going to bitch at all of Europe for not fixing all the problems of foreigners. (Not that it wouldn't be nice of them to help, but I mean really. Europe is not a monolith. Er, yet.)
I went and read that article. They're saying those nasty things because they are j.e.a.l.o.u.s.
I noted this in another thread but this is a better place for it.
Not to defend Berlusconi overmuch, but to get his joke you probably need to know that he tends to have a bit of an orange George Hamilton tan himself. There's even, I'm sad to say I've learned, a full-frontal shot of him on the web, presumably taken while he was sunbathing.
I think his joke was that, after saying Obama was "handsome and suntanned", there was an implied, unspoken kicker: "like me". Probably with a waggled eyebrow or wink.
The word 'tan' was probably chosen specifically to create a vain, self-flattering linkage to Obama.
I was born in the UK, but grew up here. Based on the trips I've made to Europe and people I know, the impression I've taken away is social interaction is more integrated, relaxed, and a bit easier. Plus, no one acted like I was going to mug them and what-not.
However, Obama is a pure product of America. He's a nerd (who happens to be black / biracial, whatever).
I still can't believe people can write that he became President despite being black. Maybe that was not meant to be insulting, but still.... Damn, I hate it when people make it seem like being of African descent is some kind of bloody curse.
@Katherine the Canadian
But that said, we haven't ever had a plausible non-white contender for being Prime Minister, or even for being leader of a major party, or had a plausible female candidate for PM. So, kudos to you guys.
Forgotten Kim Campbell already?
Whereever there are light skinned and dark skinned peoples living side by side, there is color prejudice and racism on the part of many of the lighter skinned folks. I've traveled wide and far, and have yet to come across an exception to this. US, Europe, Mexico, Brazil, India, Australia, Afghanistan, Turkey, Sudan-you name it. Racism sprouts like weeds in the garden of human nature, it seems like, and takes active effort to root it out or control it.
A gloomy assessment, admittedly, and I'm hoping against hope that its just my humble mistaken opinion.
@ William Burns
Nope, haven't forgotten Kim. But we never actually elected her PM - she was just there to take the fall for Mulroney.
@Watson...correct and noted! But Anti-semitism of old Russia/soviet cannot be swept under the rugg, neither can anti-semitism of the west.
But dont forget the chilling effect on foreign relations a document such as The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Which is used still today as a pamphlet to drum up anti-semitism in the middle-east...needless to say, this false prophecy, much like many other, causes real and severe damage to both chances of peace, and also the very notion of middle-easterners can move on to a more secularized society.
>All of this is slowly changing, but the US is decades ahead of Europe in terms of opportunities for non-whites. I'm gonna gloat for a while.
Hi there :D. Well said, TNC. And True.
New reader, second posting here.
I'm a Black Brit, (a lawyer)and here in the UK they have been a) WAY over excited about Obama's win. You'd think he had been running for office here. In fact, leaders of the Conservative party- our equivalent of Republicans- had come out for him BEFORE the vote.Wierd- given the ideological difference.(And that the mayor of London has referred to us-on record- as piccaninies..)
b)These last few days, they've been going on and on, on the BBC about whether we could have an Obama here.Conclusion- no.But they want one.
Today, the innocent, 'minding his own business' first black presdient of Oxford University students' union was dragged onto the radio and interrogated by over excited BBC hacks about whether we could have a Barack here, were there obstacles,whether HE wanted to run for office some day, etc etc. The poor guy was cringing.
Europe is very racist.Very. I'd feel more comfortable visiting the US than most of Eastern Europe, Germany, and I wouldnt set foot in Russia or Poland unless surrounded by white friends. France..well, Sarkhozy's wife has in the last couple of days point blank talked of the country needing to tackle its racism and inequality..
Obama's victory has caused many societies to hold up a mirror to their own racism. More need to do so. I want to know if in India anyone has asked if a member of the Dalit community(who are African in origin)formerly known as 'untouchables' could have become PM.I want to know if anyone thinks that an Aboriginal person in Australia could become PM.
Progress in the UK-(45% of blacks =middle class, but you'd never know it due to media featuring us only as entertainers, sportsmen or criminals)has partly been due to our own political and legal struggles in the 60s,70s and 80s and partly due to us benefiting from (and being inspired by) African-Americans' struggles,which featured prominently in the press and tv here at the time.Some of my earliest memories are as a 10 year old watching black men women and children being hosed down and attacked by dogs in the South during civil rights marches.We had a branch of the Panthers here,and grass roots black nationalist groups were set up here in the 70s modelled on yours.Laws were passed here- much weakened- in the late 60s, early 70s based on your anti-discrimination ones.
Thus-we will feel and benefit from the Obama effect over here.
And for those defending things on this side of the pond,saying we've only been in England/Europe over the last 50 years,check your JA Rogers- blacks have been in the UK (on and off)since Roman times.Ditto Europe.
And finally, I do think GWB has to be given partial credit. Not just for messing things up so comprehensively, but also for having TWO black SOSs. I note that Clinton, the 'black' president, (hah!) didnt do that.That got white people both inside and outside the US used to seeing blacks - other than African heads of state-functioning at the highest political level. In that, GWB was smarter than his Dad who replaced Thurgood Marshall in the Supreme Court with..Clarence Thomas, the Sarah Palin of the judiciary.
In the UK, the likelihood is that the first black Prime Minister will be a Conservative. Through them we had our first jewish Prime Minister, and first female one..
I'd imagine this does vary from European nation to European nation so we might be being a bit too monolithic.
I thought Austria was, traditionally, somewhat more racist than average for Europe. They did have Jorg Haider. Going by the World Values Survey in the 1990s the Finnish were the most likely to someone of a different race was an undesirable neighbor. Below them were the Belgians, then Italians, Norwegians, and French. Austrians were tied with Americans. The Swiss and Australians were the lowest. Still I don't know how much I trust it.
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/lif_und_nei_dif_rac-lifestyle-undesirable-neighbours-different-race
"But some of the things that we perceive as obviously racist (the reference to Uncle Tom's Cabin by the German newspaper) are likely just misunderstandings about how sensitive certain topics are."
This gets to the core of the problem - not that Europeans are tin-eared with American terms and expressions, and generally ignorant of American realities, but that they are so ignorant of their ignorance. They are supremely confident that they understand us and this country thoroughly, when so often they are just pathetically clueless.
"I want to know if in India anyone has asked if a member of the Dalit community(who are African in origin)formerly known as 'untouchables' could have become PM..."
Actually, Yinka, Dalits are of African origin only to the extent the rest of us are, at least genetically. However the rest is right on point. India is rotten with racism. Just look in on a board where north Indians and south Indians slang each other - the stereotypes are hideous - and events in society mirror these attitudes. Just now there has been a lot of KKK-style terrorism in India against Christians and Christian communiites, mostly because it is Dalits who are converting and opting out of the caste system, and the system is retaliating.
"There undoubtedly was anti-Semitism in the Soviet bloc. It exists everywhere. But as far as I could tell, as measured by bias incidents or political advancement, it was no worse there than in the USA."
That's right, of course - Jews in the US had to have their Jewish nationality printed onto their driver's licenses and other identity documents just as in the SU. The US set up a separate homeland in Alaska for Jews. Jews were purged from government positions and positions of power in the only legal political orgainzation in the US. Jews have emigrated en masse from the US to other countries as soon as those countries opened to them.
What historicaly illiterate twaddle.
The Jewish autonomous zone was set up in the mid 1930s, when Jews were nearly as segregated as Blacks in the American ‘melting pot’, and when prominent Americans were doing business with Nazis. Its remote Pacific location was certainly no favor to Jews, but it was part of a multi-ethnic state’s approach to the ‘national question’. (The government was organized in part by ethnic zones, which is officially why ethnicity was on IDs.) Jews weren’t required to live there, and few ever did. They were over-represented in the CP, the paramount repository of power, and the ‘joke’ was that the number two guy in every ministry was Jewish.
I don’t deny the anti-Semitism in the Soviet bloc, but I don’t think it was worse than that in the West, including the USA. The Western establishment preferred Nazis to communists to the extent that it can be said that the West didn't ignore Europe's Jews; it sacrificed them on the altar of anti-communism.
India does have the Siddis who are of East African, or partial East African, origin. In High School I read a book about Malik Ambar who was an Ethiopian slave who became a major soldier in Bengal.
You're right though that the Dalits aren't African.
"I don’t deny the anti-Semitism in the Soviet bloc, but I don’t think it was worse than that in the West, including the USA. "
There are lots of recent Jewish immigrants to the US who would set you straight on that, and there are lots of descendants of other Jewish immigrnats to the US in the early 1900s who could expand on that.
Anti-semitism in the Us has a lways been diluted and moderated by Puritan and now Fundamentalist/Evangelical identification with ancient Israel. It was the main 'justification" = ego-defense rationalization for Manifest Destiny. And it also led to one from of Ameircan anti-Semitism - the skinhead white supremacist BS about how the Angl-Saxons are the true sons of Abraham blah blah. It has also led to another form of anti-Semitism, the Christian Zionist (!) wing among the Evangelicals, who are anti-Semitic because their Zionism calls for the conversion of the Jews. And then there was plain old tribal anti-Semitism, where the WASP oligarchy keep Jews out of finance and universities.
But for a comparison between the two societies, you might want to check with the ADL or people like that rather than trusting your own judgment.
With respect, Jim, anti-Semitism is a grave matter, and I’m not trying to minimize it.
You’ve identified three variants of anti-Semitism in the USA; the prevalence of the rapture ideology is small comfort.
And the testimony of Jewish immigrants to the US has to be taken with a grain of salt. Like other light-skinned immigrants, they can grab a perch in our skin-color hierarchy, and then pat themselves and their hosts on the back for their success on their newfound ‘level playing field’.
I did not vote for Obama (or McCain), but I'm loving the world shocked into its senses over the notion of a color blind America. For decades the antiAmerican crowd (Hollywood, artists, musicians, artists, writers, journalists) has been selling the snake oil that America is the world's most racist nation--as if we needed Obama to prove otherwise! It goes to show that the left and antiAmericans see in America only what they wish. Unfortunately, the winds of antiAmericanism will pervail and Obama's win, though momentarily silencing the Left into shock, it will rise up again, stronger than ever. It's the Left's faith to hate America--they must hate America--it's the devil in their religion.