I am not sure Obama and Clinton brought us anywhere. This country has been willing to accept a black person or woman for a long time. It took some time for a "representative" black or woman to step forward. Our country has not been as bigoted as many would like to think or represent. We are better than most seem to think.

There is no doubt in my opinion and research that Obama is a Muslim. He and his wife hate America. Anyone who does not wear a lapel pin with our flag does not put his hand over his heart during the pledge, deserts his church, is guilty beyond reasonable doubt. He is another Slick Willy with a glib tongue, no experience, and no substance. God help the stupid masses of America.

Clearly the person who stated that "Our country has not been as bigoted as many would like to think or represent" has forgotten not only the horrific behaviors of the past (i.e. Civil War and civil rights related issues), they are unaware of the various forms that racism can take.

Yes, racism and bigotry exist in our country; however, not all of it is apparent to people. Although there are many forms of racism, I will focus on two fundamental types: "overt racism" and "subtle racism."

Just about anyone can recognize overt racism, and as a society I am thankful that the vast majority find such behavior unacceptable. However, there is also a subtle racism that is not so obvious, but still exists all around us.

For example, just the other day I was with my wife, who is a person of color, and she was in line to buy some groceries. The person in front of her was a white male, around the same age and dressed just as casually as my wife. The gentleman paid his grocery bill using a check that was quickly processed; however, when my wife tried to pay her bill of almost the identical amount with a check, she was asked to show her identification. When she asked the cashier why the gentleman before her was not asked for identification and she was, the cashier looked stunned and did not provide a response.

Unfortunately, to people of color, these types of subtle slights happen all the time. I wish it were not the case, but unfortunately various forms of racism do exist in our country; which is why what Mr. Obama has done these past few months is amazing and gives me great hope for this country in the years ahead.

Obama, and his presence as a major party representative, is bringing the issue of race to a new level of consciousness. His candidacy allows me to share such a concept as subtle racism with good-hearted, quality people and they will go "I never realized that was happening right in front of me" and hopefully not permit such subtle but still unjust racist behavior in the future.

As I have told my children since they were old enough to understand, we need to judge people not by the color of their skin, but by their everyday actions, which aligns with our family motto "to live life with integrity."

Thank you for letting me share this personal experience and insight.

Just when John declares there aren't as many bigots out there than we think, along comes Dieter to prove that John is, in his assertion, dead wrong.

You're dreaming, John. I'm going to guess you are Caucasian. This country has not changed much in its attitudes in my 50 years. Subtle and blatant forms of racism still occur in cities from New York to Dallas to Los Angeles. Just ask any Muslim if America is not bigoted these days. For instance, more white men are convicted of serial killings than minorities, yet minorities are far more sentenced to the death penalty. Even if you support the death penalty, you have to see a problem here.

I'm also going to guess that women would object to your conclusion. Are you really going to tell me America has not had one female qualified to be president when other nations have produced many? Do you really think Americans were just sitting around thinking “I wish a woman whose husband cheated on her would run for president?” In the aftermath of two Bush victories, the Democrats were searching for their next MAN. If Hillary Clinton had not been so popular, she never would have been backed by the DNC. It’s still a white man’s world out there.

John, we have a LONG way to go to reach your utopian world. I hope you will research this topic a little more and hopefully change your opinion. How are we to solve a problem if people can’t even see it?

Perhaps the fact that JS's wife immediately assumed she was suffering prejudice at the checkout speaks more about her than the cashier. Did she ever consider that the gentleman ahead of her might be a regular customer known by the cashier? Or he could have been her neighbor, friend, or relative. Asking for identification to accept a check actually protects the person writing the check. Having worked in a bank before, I have seen the financial devastation that can be caused by cashiers who are negligent in asking for identification for check cashing and the use of credit cards. Why make assumptions about the motives of other people? Isn't that what prejudice is all about?

Mr. Dieter Oltersdorf, Senator Barack Obama has consistently stated he is a Christian and has been for many years, and his regular church attendance through the years will testify to that. But what if he was a Muslim? Does that disqualify him from seeking the office of the Presidency? I suspect you are confusing "Muslim" with "terrorist." Certainly you recognize there are numerous Americans who are Muslims (and not terrorists), and they have the same rights granted to them by the U.S. Constitution as all Americans.

As for your claims that Senator Obama (and his wife) hate America, that is quite a strange conclusion to draw from a man whose oath of office states: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."

Finally, the wearing of a flag pin can mean so little...many in the legislative and executive branches of government chose to wear flag pins over funding our servicemen and women to wear body armor.

I rarely if ever write comments, but I want to say to Don B - Well said - well stated and congratulations to you. I wish everyone would be as intelligent and think things out the way you have. There are some brainless and spineless people out there who are really pathetic in how they think. You give hope

WOW - so many options. God bless America, where we can voice our options.
James, I am an American whose ethnic background is Mexican. I am saddened that you do not see changes made the last 50 years because many have made personal sacrifices for changes. When my father returned from overseas in WWII to Nebraska, there were establishments with signs that said "No Mexicans Allowed". My father dressed in uniform, entered a bar with a Caucasian friend, and the friend told the barkeeper to serve them and take the sign down. They were serviced and the sign was gone the next week. My mother as a child in TX could not enter the main church because she was Mexican. I myself have experienced bigotry, but I have also experienced acceptance. There have been changes, great life-alternating changes. Yes, there are still changes needed, but acknowledge the work and sacrifice of those who have gone before us.
JS, I do not believe America has forgotten our dark times in history. There have been new laws made and changes to laws to correct some wrongs. It is counterproductive to not put the past behind (not forget) us. We need to work on changing today and tomorrow. That might be you and I changing one neighbor, one co-worker, one person at a time. I believe you have already started by raising children "to live life with integrity".
Dieter, I don’t believe Obama is Muslim. I question however, after hearing some statements made by the pastor(s) of a church that he attended regularly, what has been fed to him for so many years that has formed his options and beliefs today.
We will not totally eliminate prejudice because of ignorance and people not able to let go of the past. A person might use the analogy of a garden - you have to continue to weed, water, and groom, etc. or it will lose its beauty and become over-run by weeds. I know that is over-simplifying the issue, but I hope you get what I am trying to say.

It is true that the issues the representatives stand for is what truly matters, however, the question is not "what do they stand for?", the question should be "Are they true in their intentions?" One must wonder if what comes out of the candidates' mouths may be classified under truth or TRYING TO GET VOTES. For there have been many former electees who have promised such and won, but contrary to what was said made little effort in the reformation of their promises. Yes, it is groundbreaking to have had an African-American man and a woman run for the most prestigous judicial positions in America, but that means little when it comes to the well-being and future of this country.

Racism now is a two or three or many way street. I am a Jewish male who is strictly associated by all non-Caucasians as a white male. These days that is associated with a racist. I grew up in the predominantly African American steel mill town of Gary, IN. I endured racism firsthand which included physical confrontations in junior high school and high school associated with being a different color and religion. From the African American community, I was considered white and hated. The excuse I heard was that my people were the ones who oppressed the African Americans and stole them from other lands. I tried to explain that was not my heritage and certainly not my beliefs. From the Caucasion population I was hated because I was Jewish and therefore a money-grubber, even though my family was just as poor as anyone.

Due to outside activities, sports and clubs, I was able to make many friends of all religions and colors. Once we got to know each other, we realized we were not so different. Race or religion was not even brought up as an issue.

Racism is now exhibited by many groups against many groups. No matter what direction this behavior is directed, it is still racism with no possible excuse and must be recognized for our world to move forward.

The lady who was asked for identification for her check in the grocery store line after the gentleman in front of her wasn't had every right to inquiry. Perhaps he, indeed, was a regular customer, like someone earlier pointed out. However, she had a right to ask. Why was the clerk so stunned when questioned? Questions are never wrong when they are asked with respect and courtesy.

In the picture of Obama standing on the stage with others who had their hand on their chest while he didn't, check your facts. They were NOT doing the pledge of allegiance as reported. Instead they are listening to our National Anthem being sung. Many people, including myself, do not pledge the National Anthem, but we do salute the flag. There is a difference.

I am Caucasian, as is my husband. We had the privilege and distinct honor of having African American college students live with us for a few years. What an eye opener!!! I thought I was in touch with how much racism still exists, but I really had no idea until I personally witnessed what these college students experience on a daily basis. So sad!!

I just wanted to reply to RLA regarding the level of advancements that have been made in race relations over the years. I am an Asian American living in Los Angeles. Yes, many sacrifices have been made, but the net result is not as great as one would hope or like to believe. I have been refused service in a New Orleans restaurant – although my co-workers were welcome. I was politely asked by a bartender to leave a Savannah, GA bar – he had no problem serving me, but some of the other customers did not want “my kind” in there. I was told to “go back where I came from” by a Mexican American youth in Central LA. In Detroit I was asked “You’re not one of those Japs stealing our (auto) business.” At a Dallas mall food court I was told “Your kind of food is over there” by a kid as he pointed to the Chinese food restaurant.

Yes, we have made some strides in race relations. But one need only point to the collective reaction of Americans toward Muslims after 9/11 as proof that things haven’t changed much in the past 60 years. It’s interesting to note that there was no outcry against the Irish when Timothy McVeigh bombed the Oklahoma City federal building. Oh, I forgot, he’s white… There was no outcry against the Polish when Ted Kaczynski (aka the Unabomber) was sending bombs around. Oh yeah, he’s white, too… See any kind of pattern here? The death penalty is given overwhelmingly to non-white males. As of October 2002, 12 white defendants were executed when the murder victim was black, compared with 178 black defendants executed for murders of white victims. Still seem like things have changed so much?

I’m sure RLA has great relations with friends and co-workers of all races, as do I. However, RLA needs to look at the larger picture and realize that things affecting a group of people may not be the same as how they affect one individual. If Cesar Chavez had only looked at his own life, he would never have become involved in rights for farmworkers. Yes, we have made some progress. But let’s not fool ourselves into thinking inequities and bias still aren’t out there in disturbing amounts.

To JSM:

Read JS’s comment again. The clerk looked stunned when confronted about the ID discrepancy. Had the white man been a friend, neighbor, relative or frequent customer, the clerk would have had no problem saying so. The fact that she said nothing speaks volumes. Stop making excuses for people’s discrimination!

Further, prejudice is not about motives, it is about treating a person a certain way due to their race, religion, gender, etc. Why you treat people the way you do is irrelevant. That’s like saying it’s OK to refuse service to a black man because you were raised in the South. You have no malicious motives, it’s just the way you were raised. But the fact that you are refusing service based upon race is de facto discriminatory. You need to educate yourself on the definition of terms before you go around trying to explain them.

Just for the record, I would like to share a little more detail regarding the "subtle" racism story. As a person who was standing nearby, the cashier (who had no idea we were together) had the look of someone who got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. In addition, the person in front was not a friend of the cashier as someone is presuming as a possible explanation. I know this to be a fact because he was someone we knew from the soccer field we just left and he was not from the area.

That being said, I think the most revealing and saddest comment was the same person who attempted to blame the victim. That person needs to do some serious introspection of why they were so quick to blame the victim in this situation. I would bet that this is a typical pattern of behavior that should be examined and that perhaps may need some professional assistance to change.

JS

Re John's comments - I do not wear lapel pins with our flag, yet am so thankful I was born in America. I do put my hand over my heart when I recite the pledge, but out of thoughtful love and support for our country, have opted to return to our original pledge and do not recite "under God". I have not deserted any church, nor have I joined any church, yet I pray every day. Which box do I go in? I'm just one of the average people you pass every day in the street, bringing yet another perspective to the American table.

To John regarding your reply to JSM,
You contradict yourself. "Further, prejudice is not about motives, it is about treating a person a certain way due to their race, religion, gender, etc. Why you treat people the way you do is irrelevant." Race is a motive for prejudicial treatment as you clearly state with the phrase "due to". Race seems to be the only basis for treating people differently to which you are not blind. I am not trying to pick a fight, but think about what you are saying before you prove to others that you let your emotions confuse you. It will strengthen your arguments in the future.
It is just as prejudicial or bigoted to assume that any difference in treatment is due to race as to treat people differently because of their race.

It was not my intention to assign blame to either party - the cashier or the customer. I simply wanted to point out that prejudice is a two-way street. It boils down to making assumptions or judgments about the other person's motives.