Racism no longer exists in America.

[LiberalFighter]

MSNBC: Martin Bashir's topic Cain's belief that it is not a problem.

[CakeGrrl]

1. And this delusional fool thinks he can deliver 1/3 of the black vote to the GOP?

Wow.

[saras]

7. Sure thing. The third that doesn't get to vote themselves.

[brewens]

2. I've had many people ask about "2012 Don't Renig" shirts and sticker

at several events. Mostly gun shows. My girlfriend carries quite a lot of stuff that appeals to right-wingers but nothing as blatantly racist as that. Even if I was a racist I wouldn't be a dumb enough one to think that is funny. Evidently some people don't know very many words or how to spell.

I'm around enough racist half-wits to know that it is still thriving in this country. Guys like Cain must grow up in somewhat privileged circumstances or be lying to appeal to teabagger types.

[boppers]

8. "must grow up in somewhat privileged circumstances"

I was curious about that, here's wikipedia's take:
--
Herman Cain was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Luther Cain, Jr., who was raised on a farm and worked as a chauffeur, barber and janitor, and to Lenora Caine (née Davis), a cleaning woman. Cain has said that as he was growing up that his family was "poor" but "happy". Cain related that his mother taught him about her belief that "success was not a function of what you start out with materially, but what you start out with spiritually". His father worked three jobs to own his own home—something he achieved during Cain's childhood—and to see his two sons graduate.<9><10><4>
He grew up in Georgia<11> and graduated from Morehouse College in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics. Cain married Gloria Etchison, of Atlanta, soon after her graduation from Morris Brown College in 1968.<12>
Cain, accepted for graduate studies at Purdue, received a Masters in computer science there in 1971,<13> while he also worked full-time in ballistics for the U.S. Department of the Navy.<14>
--

[brewens]

9. I suppose I could have looked into that myself. It was what he

wrote about his experiences in the civil rights movement that gave me that impression. He said he just tried to stay out of trouble. He was in college at the time so I just assumed a maybe upper middle class background.

So knowing his background, I would now think he must be lying. He couldn't have avoided experiencing discrimination and wouldn't really think it was a thing of the past. He's been above it, in positions where people don't mess with him because of his money and power for quite some time. He denies it now to please the Republican base.

[boppers]

10. He was in an insulated environment, though, not always a wealthy one.

Morehouse = All Male Black College.
Atlanta = One of the better places in the US to grow up black, provided you stayed in the upper social strata. Not as true of the suburbs, or surrounding areas, but it's actually a pretty good place.
Military = Already long integrated.

Perdue sticks out as one of the few places that might have challenged his views, but he was Comp Sci, and being "different" is encouraged.

[Retrograde]

13. Purdue's an interesting choice

Central Indiana's a very white area, and in the 1920s had the largest percentage of men eligible to join the Klan who actually did. As a university Purdue was probably more liberal than the region as a whole, but I imagine it was still a bit of a culture shock for someone coming from Atlanta.

I have no idea why Cain did not take a more active role in the Civil Rights movement, but that was his decision to make at the time. I give him points for pulling himself up: I just wish he would advocate policies that would let others do the same.

[Raine1967]

3. Riiiight.

I would love for someone to ask can about this: http://blogs.alternet.org/speakeasy/2011/10/09/what-are-white-supremacists-saying-about-herman-cain/ (IT was posted as a DU OP a few days ago)

I seriously would like someone to ask him how he feels about these statements.

[lunasun]

6. yep comment section sez it all

[EffieBlack]

4. Considering Cain LOVES to talk about race and brings it up at the drop of a hat

when he thinks it suits his purposes, I'm not the least bit concerned about whether he thinks that racism still exists. Trust me - the minute he thinks that any racism is directed at HIM, he'll be screaming about racism at the top of his lungs.

Just give him a minute ... it's coming.

[Wait Wut]

5. Good to hear.

Someone needs to tell the asswipe that was driving around town with a giant American flag AND an equally giant Confederate flag strapped to the back of his pos pickup. They also need to tell him that Arizona wasn't part of the south, so he can't claim "Arizona heritage". Maybe he just likes the colors. Not racist at all. I bet he's got all sorts of black friends.

[Skittles]

11. Cain is a republican whore

he serves their purposes

[fortyfeetunder]

12. I was expecting a GOTCHA or an "April Fool" moment.

It's his perception...whatever :shrug: