Why White People Like Barack Obama

The New Republic: Race May Be An Issue, But It's Good News For Obama

(The New Republic)  This column was written by Peter Beinart.

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In 1994, two sociologists went to Red Hook, Brooklyn, to solve a mystery. Red Hook abutted the East River, and along the waterfront sat shipping companies and warehouses — all in need of low-skilled labor. Next door sat a housing project teeming with exactly that. But the locals — primarily African Americans — didn't get hired. Instead, the jobs went to workers from outside the neighborhood, often Caribbean immigrants. Employers, wrote The New Yorker's Malcolm Gladwell in summarizing the sociologists' findings, "had developed an elaborate mechanism for distinguishing between those who they felt were 'good' blacks and those they felt were 'bad' blacks." Were the employers racist? Yes and no. They clearly held anti-black stereotypes. And they discriminated against those who conformed to them, even by association. But they discriminated in favor of blacks who defied those stereotypes. A man named Bruce Llewellyn described the phenomenon this way: "White people love to believe they're fair."

As it happens, Llewellyn wasn't talking about Red Hook. He was talking about his cousin, Colin Powell — whose prospective presidential bid enjoyed mass white support roughly a decade ago. Like the employers in Red Hook, whites discriminated in Powell's favor because he challenged their negative stereotypes of blacks. First, he had succeeded in a respected white institution: the military. Second, he was the child of immigrants, a man whose family history highlighted America's opportunities, not its racism. Third, he wasn't ideologically radical. And, fourth, he didn't look or sound stereotypically black. No one was blunter about this than Powell himself. Asked in 1995 to explain his appeal to whites, he volunteered that "I speak reasonably well, like a white person," and, visually, "I ain't that black."

Barack Obama would never put it that way. But he surely understands the uncomfortable subtext behind the adoration being showered upon him by white America. Obama, too, succeeded at a prestigious white institution: Harvard Law School. He, too, is a child of immigration, able to declare in his 2004 Democratic convention speech — in words that could have come from Michael Dukakis or Joe Lieberman (but not from a descendant of slaves, without heavy irony) — that "in no other country on Earth is my story even possible." And he, too, doesn't sound or look too black. Fifteen years ago, a State University of New York political scientist named Nayda Terkildsen doctored photos of a fictitious gubernatorial candidate to make him lighter- or darker-skinned and then showed them to Kentucky focus groups. "The dark-skinned black candidate," she noted, "was evaluated much more harshly than his lighter skinned peer." Powell knew what he was talking about.

In U.S. politics, as in Red Hook, there are no "good" blacks without "bad" blacks. In the mid-'90s, reporters frequently compared Powell with Jesse Jackson: a man who fit all the stereotypes he defied. Today, it probably helps Obama that Al Sharpton, with his 2004 presidential run, became the "president of black America." For many white Americans, it's a twofer. Elect Obama, and you not only dethrone George W. Bush, you dethrone Sharpton, too.

But being the "good" black is tricky. The more whites love you, the more you must reassure your own community that you are still one of them. And the more you do that, the more you jeopardize your white support. In 2002, when the highly articulate, light-skinned, Yale-educated Cory Booker ran for mayor of Newark, New Jersey — becoming a darling of the white press — incumbent Sharpe James used that support against him, tarring him as inauthentically black. Last fall, when the well-spoken, light-skinned, St. Albans-educated Harold Ford Jr. ran for Senate in Tennessee, his family's political prominence in the Memphis black community made such accusations impossible. But it was those very connections — to a family viewed negatively by many whites — that may have cost him the race.

For Obama, walking the tightrope is a little easier. Unlike Booker, Obama's African American wife, his connection to the black church, and his work as a community organizer give him racial credibility. But, unlike Ford, he has no obvious ties to Jackson/Sharpton style "bad" blacks. And, compared with Powell, he benefits enormously from changes in the political climate. The first big change is the collapse of crime as a political issue. In the 1980s and early '90s, Democrats had to adopt ultra-hard line stances on crime to reassure anxious white voters. And blacks had to go even further. Had Obama run for president in 1992, he would have had do to something akin to Bill Clinton's infamous execution of mentally retarded murderer Ricky Ray Rector — which would have hurt him with blacks. Today, by contrast, he can largely oppose the death penalty with hardly anyone seeming to mind.

The second big change is welfare reform, which has significantly de-racialized the debate over taxing and spending. Because of welfare reform, the percentage of whites saying "poor people have become too dependent on government assistance" has dropped markedly. That's good news for all Democrats, but especially for Obama, who would be particularly vulnerable to suspicions that he was trying to redistribute money from whites to blacks.

But Obama doesn't merely benefit from the decline of racially saturated issues like welfare and crime. He also benefits from the fact that, as racial polarization has declined, religious polarization has increased. When the culture war was primarily about race, black candidates were inherently divisive (and when they tried to reach out, they risked seeming insufficiently black). Today, however, it is white liberals who seem divisive, because they are perceived as secular. Black liberals, by contrast, are considered authentically devout, and, thus, bridge-builders. In the '80s, it would have been virtually impossible for a black candidate with substantial black support to credibly promise to span America's cultural divide. Today, it is at the heart of Obama's appeal.

Does this mean that U.S. politics have transcended race? Not at all. In a presidential campaign, as in Red Hook, blacks must still defy white stereotypes to succeed. What has changed is that defying those stereotypes doesn't require moving as far to the right. That's hardly utopia, but it's progress. And, for Obama in 2008, it may be enough.

[josiegeo]

For Gray Owl: Is it possible to look forward for a little while? I'm only a 2nd generation American, my ancestors did not have slaves, nor did they defeat the American Indians. History is full of injustices. It saddens me to think that any human could treat another in the ways that history has recorded. Perhaps it is time to move forward, to find our common binds, appreciate or minimally learn from our differences. If it helps, I am sorry for slavery, sorry for the Holocost, sorry for the American Indians. I am sorry for all of the injustices in the world. May we PLEASE move on? I look beyond the color of skin, these constant reminders make it increasingly more difficult. I can't help but wonder how much these "reminders" actually keep racism alive.
I repeat, what encourages and nourishes the respect I have for Barack Obama has nothing to do with the shade of his skin, nothing to do with the mistakes of early America. It has everything to do with where I believe he could lead our country in today's struggling times.

[cdegolier]

By saying Obama acts "white" what exactly do you mean? He doesn't talk like boys in the hood, doesn't use ebonics, in other words he acts and sounds educated. Why does that mean he is acting "white"? There are plenty of educated black men and women who chose to speak in complete sentences and pronounce words correctly without making up new ones.

Frankly I would never ever vote for anyone that uses ebonics, talks or acts like boys in the hood because frankly people who talk and act like that regardless of your race sound and look stupid.

[gray_owl_55]

The mear fact that Sen. Obama is percieved as an "acceptable" black man by white people is itself evidence that race still matters. Do we make as big a deal out of it when blacks or hispanics support a white candidate? NO!

Racism is no longer as overt as it once was. It has become institutionalized. A black person in the justice system is percieved guilty until proven innocent. Black schools do not recieve the same resources white schools recieve because of local and state govt funding policies. Black homeowners and business are "red-lined" by lending institutions and subject to preditory lending practices. Regardless of education or income level if a black professional walks in a store wearing athletic gear it is assumed that they are another one of "those people". My point is these things make it easier for whites to say I'm not a racist, I haven't done anything to blacks. But you do reap the benefit of not having to overcome these obsticals and therefore gain an advantage simply by being born white.

America have never honestly acknowledged and taken responsibility for the inhumane way it treated African-Americans for 200 years.

[realadam1]

This is absolutely ridiculous. The ignorance displayed here is a harsh reminder of how shallow and foolish people can be.
Instead of examining actual issues or considering a candidate's abilities as a leader, people love to focus on the trivial aspects, like race or middle names. This kind of approach to politics is detrimental to our country.
Listen to Obama's statements, see his actions, hear his key note speech, and then judge him. It is so perplexing to me that there is a man who is so passionate, so sincere, and so bright running for office, and yet all the public seems to see is some black guy with a muslim name.
I feel like great leaders are few and far between. Passionate, visionary leaders, that honestly care about this country and the people. Leaders that are loved by their people. When is the last time Americans have seen such a man?
Well, here stands Obama, in the wake of one of the most disappointing presidential terms in history. He offers fresh ideas, American unity, a new path from our current self destructive situation. A Harvard grad, with an incredible background. He is intelligent, charismatic, and, a man that wants to see good things happen in this country.
Yet, all I hear is, "Hes a black guy. And I heard his middle name is Hussein. Im not voting for some black terrorist." Be smarter than that!
He would very likely be one of the greatest American leaders we have seen, and people refuse to pay attention because of his middle name?

[josiegeo]

I'm shocked & amazed by some of the ignorance I've been reading here. Race, nor his middle name have anything to do why Obama will have my vote. It was the speech that he gave at the Democratic Convention a few yrs ago. It literally made me stop in my tracks, I said then and there, "that kid needs to run for president." The fact that he is NOT a seasoned politician is another thing I find refreshing and trustworthy. I love what he said... I can't quote exactly, but we are not black, white, liberal, or conservative, we are Americans. I'd like to see that catch on. United we stand, as Americans... divided, I'm afraid, we are falling.

[notconvinced-2009]

Back in the day of slavery when the black woman gave birth to the master's child, that child took on the race of the mother no matter what the race of the father was, by all rights Obama should be classified as WHITE. Whether Obama is white or black is not important to me, I feel that at this time it is NOT the right time for him to run for the highest office; When we as U.S. citizens cast THIS vote, we must keep in mind that whomever we put in office will have to serve eight years, we should be very cognitive of how we CAST this vote. I believe Mr. Obama would make a wonderful vice-president, thus giving him the experience for his run in 2020, yes "W" showed us that you do not have to have experience to be president, and you see where we are with the lack of experience and compassion in our elected leader, please let us not make this mistake again. Racisim is alive and striving in the world I exist in, we can close our eyes to it, but it still exist, when "W" addressed the NAACP he made mention of that
FACT, please let us stop lying to ourselves, and just be the best person we can be.

[getserious1]

josefremonde:

CBS news has estimated Bush's IQ at about 124, which is well above normal...so who is it to whom you refer to as to having a lower than average IQ???
****
Just because you do not like the man and his policies and his actions in office is no reason to start making up lies about him, this just causes you to lose credibility.
****

[gunownerdan]

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA.
He seems to be ashamed of his middle name, I wonder if there's any relation to Saddam.....

[vancouverboo]

Racism is the answer.

Whites like him because he's black.

Blacks like him because he is black.

Racists, all.

The Blacks are voting for one of their own because they think they will get something out of it.

The Whites are voting for him because they think It's the "nice" thing to do.

[bigwhtpony]

1/31/07 - I just read where Obama said, "the arguments of liberals are more often grounded in reason and fact."

I now know the he is an unintelligent man and not fit to be president of KFC let alone the United States.

Anyone with half a brain knows that liberal arguments are illogical and emotional with little or no basis in actual fact. Every argument they have comes from Al (I'm Fired) Frankin and liberal blogs. They never have original ideas of their own.

[big_helmet]

Only if he were running against the likes of a Hugo Chavez would he get my vote.

[bluestardad]

As long as he portrays himself as an American and not something else America will support him. But it is scary what Rove will do with this guy!

[knyghtwolf]

No racism going on in this forum eh? Why does race or skin color have to factor in at all? How about whether or not the candidate actually has the ABILITIES to lead a country such as ours? Will that ever factor in to the equation?

[davey214]

The man would make a nice president if he wasn't a democrat or abortionist.

[josefremonde]

White American elected a man with a low IQ and little or no political experience and many are
happy with his disasterous reign. Senator Obama
certainly could not do worse. Notwithstanding he has an above average IQ. Whites like him because "HE IS NOT BLACK." Obama is the son of a
white Jewish American mother and an East African father and has no DNA or racial kinship to black
Americans who do not descend from Jews nor East
Africans. Moreover, Obama grew up in Indonesia
and Hawaii and was reared up by his white material grandparents. His life experiences are light years away from black America. These facts do not make black America happy but if black America is expecting a Jesse Jackson type
to one day be elected president is never going to happen. Barack Obama is the nearest thing to black you are ever going to get for the presidency.

[jipoku]

Other than age and being born in the U.S., there are few prerequisites for becoming president. It's a tough job, but it's the kind of job where we don't know what kind a president a person will be until after they are already president. When we vote, we're trying to guess as well as we can who will do the best job with all that we know about the candidate in an unforeseeable future. Is Obama the best person for the job? I don't know. But two years as a Senator versus four years or forty years won't change a person's natural ability to lead and grapple with today's complex world.

I think trying to explain why someone has presidential buzz is an utterly useless conversation. Some say that the reason that Obama is in the running for president is because he's black. But I would argue that the reason why people considered electing almost every other major presidential candidate up to this point is because of their race--white and not black, Asian or Latino. There are probably tens, if not hundreds, of people who could run the country better than the Dimwit in Chief currently in the office. But being considered for president is due a little bit to skill and experience but a whole lot more to political savvy, image and plain old serendipity.

[cmp271]

This is for swe190n, does it matter what race I am? Jackson and Sharpton are always bringing up race, it has no place. Thank you for making me a Saint, as long as I am not associated with being a New Orleans Saint....

There are some rather darker shades out there who would also be great candidates. what is odd is we never look at whites and say "he or she is too dark or light to be considered." So why do we do this to blacks. By the way the blacks have been in America too long to be called African American, and so have the whites who want to be known as Irish or Italian American. We get diluted after awhile-know what I mean??? Obama can say he is African, his Daddy is really from there. Who knows where some of the brothers have been or who their Mama's are, same for the ladies (oh ladies-Mercedes-lol).

Thank you for thinking I am black (or am I really white or other?). I have successfully achieved bridging the race gap.

[destardi2]

I live in Chicago; Obama has potential, but he's only been in office for 2 full years. I am a progressive, liberal, whatever, and it disgusts me to see extreme leftists push for Obama, based on race...and to some degree, one poster is correct in saying people "only see race." I agree in the sense that Obama is deemed "white enough," or how about "proper enough," and he's called BLACK, when in fact he's of a black African, and Caucasion background.

It disgusts me how a man who has darker skin than others, is perceived as "black," and "proper(white)" manners, so therefore he is electable.

I disagree that only liberals see things like this, because conservatives do the same hero-worshipping on other characteristics; it's the human way, unfortunately.

Obama is not ready; he's not done much, he hasn't said much, and he's not all that. His record is identical to Hillary Clinton's, and I rest my case.

[cmayes2]

What is acting white, I've never understood that. So, if you ride a fine car, is educated, don't say yo'mama, then that's white; so,if you do the above then you're black. In other words white man have excepted that how we are portrayed on TV and in books is how we are. Well, that's not how we are, and have never been. We've always owned land, bought houses ( my parents built their first house from the ground in the early 1950's). It was 12 of us and we all finished high school, and entered institutions of higher learning. There's different goups of Black people, as their are different groups of whites.

[drsweener]

Where did you read that, Redneck's Illustrated?