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Talking Race With Columnists James Ragland and Steve Blow
 
10:02
James Ragland/Columnist -  Good morning, Steve. Hope you had a good weekend.
I'm delighted to see that my email basket wasn't full of hateful comments. There were a few. But most were level-headed -- which gives me hope that we can talk about race without throwing rocks.
How was your basket?
10:03
Steve Blow/Columnist -  

Good morning. I'd say almost all I have had time to read were civil.

But I'm distressed that so many still seem to think that any criticism of Obama is being called racism. I don't think anyone is saying that.

Are they?

10:04
[Comment From Peggy Hornberger]
I read your article about the couple and the problems they had with trying to get their passport. My husband and I had a different kind of trouble in 1998 when we tried to get our passports.
10:05
Steve Blow/Columnist -  

Thanks for reading my columns, Peggy. Was your passport problem related to our topic today of race and politics?

10:05
[Comment From Peggy Hornberger]
If you are interested contact me and I will give you the story.
10:05
Steve Blow/Columnist -  Will do, Peggy. Shoot me an e-mail at sblow@dallasnews.com.
10:07
[Comment From Peggy Hornberger]
No not today but when the subject of passports comes up again then I will give you a good story.
10:07
[Comment From PatGreenberg]
Well, that was off topic.
10:07
James Ragland/Columnist -  You know, Steve, I do think that too many readers (especially partisans) think we in the media are apologists for Obama when we note that comments or signs at demonstrations are laced with racist hate. Like I've said before, Obmam is not above criticism and deserves as much scrutiny as anybody who has held the office before him. That said, you can't dismiss some of the savage comments and imagery put forth by some detractors; it is what it is.
10:08
[Comment From fbanyon]
Don't you think that in america race is always an issue and in the back of people's mind when they make certain decisions
10:10
Steve Blow/Columnist -  

I think Obama said it pretty well on one of the talk shows yesterday when he said race will always be part of the backdrop to any issue.

So the issue is when do we decide it's useful, necessary or productive to move it to center stage for discussion.

I don't think race has been a huge factor in the recent heated debate. But I sure think it's worth a little discussion.

10:10
[Comment From Matt]
Race has nothing to do with the disagreements to President Obama's agenda. We can disagree without being racist. I do understand their are those who have those beliefs but not the vast majority of us. Why didn't sexism or ageism get this much play during the election in how Palin/McCain were being treated?
10:11
James Ragland/Columnist -  Well, fbanyon, I'm not sure that's true. I do know that we're all affected by our perceptions of people, which is why stereotypes can work against us. But on some levels, yes, race has always been a skeleton in America's closet; in other words, the color line has always been a dividing point -- even if it's not as deep now as it was half a century ago.
10:12
Steve Blow/Columnist -  Matt, can you really say "nothing to do with"? Not for anybody?

That's an awfully broad-brush comment.

Why would some carry posters showing him portrayed as an African warrior?
10:12
[Comment From DeSoto]
Racist is a particularly invidious accusation. We can't see in each other's hearts. When we label each other as racist we aren't helping at all.
10:12
[Comment From Matt Puckett]
Race is interwoven into our history and into our culture as americans. It always has been and always will be.
10:12
[Comment From Greg]
I wanted to chime in on this topic. It amazes me when politicians and news reporters alike always want to side step the issue of racisim when dealing with the Obama situation. If it's not racism, then what is it? As much as Bush deliberately lied about everything, no one ever stood up and shouted 'you lie' while in that type of setting or any other. Regardless of how in over his head he was, he was still respected as the president of the US. What other reason can you attribute all this contempt to?
10:13
[Comment From PatGreenberg]
Alas, Matt, the comments sections right here at the DMN prove you wrong. No, I don't think everyone who opposes Obama is racist, but I do think it's a pretty huge subtext, and I appreciate Blow and Ragland bringing it out into the open.
10:13
[Comment From Matt Puckett]
With that said, I think when Carter brought that up as the main reason for the tea party movement's objection to the administrations agenda that he was HORRIBLY wrong. Given, some people out there had racially motivated objects (ie obamabucks), but their main reason was to protest out of control government spending and unnecessary reach into our personal lives
10:14
Steve Blow/Columnist -  I agree, Matt. I said that in my talk with James yesterday. Carter overstated the degree of the problem, in my estimation.
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