General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I've finally figured out normal white people. [View all]mnhtnbb
(31,468 posts)that at least a majority of white people in the US think that the lack of melanin
in their skin makes them better than people with more melanin in their skin.
Honestly. Why do you suppose that great white southern bigot McConnell was so determined to obstruct Obama from the moment he
took office? It was not about the "audacity of hope"; it was about the audacity of a black man to think he could occupy the White House as President.
LBJ had it right 50 years ago when he said "If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you."
The divide and conquer southern strategy of the Republican party would not have worked if it weren't for the fact that so many white people take very little convincing that they are better--strictly because of their skin color--than black people.
I recently saw the documentary, I Am Not Your Negro, which is about James Baldwin. I wrote an OP about it
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028735086
and I highly recommend everyone see it.
It speaks to Tobin's OP directly, and to this 66 year old white woman, Tobin is right on the money with his observation.