THIS is a comment on racism and the current president. Let me define racism as I use it, as I may use it in a non-conventional way. Racism is treating a person differently because of his race. This is NOT necessarily bad. I am a believer in some kinds of non-governmental affirmative action. If one can do something, that is something extra, to help Blacks to have a better opinions of White, then doing it is simply virtuous.
I assume that Bambam will run for reelection. I see one of two possible factors having a significant effect on the election. I hold that a good number of people voted for him to prove, mostly to themselves, that they were not bigots. This was the prime factor with many people. It is now likely that this cause has been eliminated. Having voted once for a Black guy counts forever, and makes a person a permanent non-bigot. The race factor is no longer a major reason to elect a president, at least for some of these people.
Before Kennedy was elected it was assumed that a Catholic could not be elected president. Before Reagan the same was assumed with regard to divorced men. Both of these factors have been, pretty much, eliminated. This also means that people no longer feel obligated to vote for, or are inclined to vote against, divorced men, simply to prove a point. These barriers, once overcome, are removed. I hope that this neutrality applies to Bambam, meaning that, from now onward, he should be measured by the same standards a White man would be. Should this actually apply to Bambam, then there is a chance that not so many voters would vote for him, automatically. And if he is treated fairly, based upon his record, then not only will he not be reelected, but also he will be impeached or lynched, or both.
On the other hand… despite the fact that Bambam’s favorable ratings are falling his race, in a reverse way, may benefit him. If the polls are to be trusted, the populace is annoyed with his failures. Things are getting worse. However, the majority of voters, automatically, assume that American Blacks are usually not as smart as other Americans. This may be cultural in its origin. That is, Blacks do not think that it is “cool” to do well in school, or act intelligently. Because of affirmative action, they can be given better marks in school with less effort, and be hired with fewer qualifications. The Black cultural attitude thus becomes “Why bother?”
The collective judgment of the public may well be that this poor overwhelmed dumb Negro is doing the very best he can. He is being asked to handle problems for which he has no training or ability. So there may well be a sympathy reaction. That is, people might want to “give the little guy a break,” and elect him again, despite his incompetence, in order not to hurt his feelings. They might feel, patronizingly so, that it might not be fair to judge him by normal human standards.
If I am right, then Bambam’s race may well work against him, or will cause people, literally, to bestow upon him the gift of the presidency… or vice versa. Which factor is more likely to have a greater effect? I am not smart enough to determine that. But we can all hope… and pray.
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