October 7, 2008

Report: Racially Tinged Anti-Obama Note Dropped in Va. Mailboxes

@ 3:52 pm by Hill Staff

Supporters of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama in Arlington, Va., have been receiving anonymous letters accusing them of supporting the candidate to assuage their racial guilt, according to a report by The Washington Independent, a left-leaning online news outlet (via DCist.com).

The letter targets residents in the heavily Democratic Clarendon section of the Washington, D.C., suburb who have Obama signs on their property. The author says that white voters who support Obama do so because they have a "guilt trip" about racism, an attitude the letter says itself is racist.

"Dear neighbor," the letter begins. "Please don't take this the wrong way, but a friend has recommended that I reach out to you about a problem that you may be having but may not be aware of: Have you ever considered whether your ostentatious support for Senator Barack Obama is really a disguise that hides a deeply anchored form of racism towards Black-Americans?" the letter says (the bold print appears in the original document as reproduced by The Washington Independent).

The letter makes no mention of Republican presidential nominee John McCain but does suggest that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), Obama's chief primary opponent, is more qualified to be president and defends former President Bill Clinton, who some Obama supporters said used racially charged language during the primary campaign.

The author recommends that recipients of the letter visit the website of The Institute for Healing Racism but the group has posted a statement disassociating itself with the letter and its nameless author.

-Jeffrey Young

Archived under: Campaigns, News, Presidential Campaigns
Tags: Barack Obama, Clarendon, Virginia

11 Comments »

1. This white woman voter 63 years of age is on no guilt trip, and has already voted for Obama by mail in an early ballot. Those flyers will do nothing. Obama will take Virginia!!!

   Comment by Joyce — October 7, 2008 @ 6:45 pm

2. It is very sad to think that race would be a motivator for anyone casting a ballot. However, I'm sure that it will be for some.
   Beyond Obama's race, look at his actions. His ACTIONS (NOT HIS WORDS) do not reflect the love for this country and for Amercians of all races. I believe he has a very narrow agenda that will affect our national security for Americans and for our allies.
   As for the 63 year old lady who voted for Obama, I'm surprised that someone with years of earthly experience could possibly think Obama is capable of being President. Let's be real, no one is truly qualified, BUT… they must demostrate they ability to surround themselves with highly qualified people. LOOK at OBAMA's friends and associations- National Security will be in danger! God Forbid, should Obama win we will need a "internal CIA" to watch "his people". This comment is made because of OBAMA's ACTIONS, not HIS WORDS!

   Comment by Robin — October 8, 2008 @ 8:58 am

3. Um yeah, I support Barack Obama because I have guilt about being a racist. I also eat cheesburgers because I hate meat. This campaign from some racists trying to place guilt on Obama supporters wont work. This has to be coming out of the McCain camp or the PUMA camp, but no matter, because both have already lost.

   Comment by Mikael — October 8, 2008 @ 10:01 am

4. OK, Robin, but if you want to talk about actions and associations, Mr. McCain's economic advisor is the author of the economic hash we're currently enjoying. Do you think economics and finance have nothing to do with national security? And if your vague assertions are aiming at Bill Ayers and the weather underground you could as easily say that McCain spent four years consorting with communists.

   Comment by jeff — October 8, 2008 @ 10:14 am

5. Obama has spent his entire life helping the black community. A community that gets so much help from the government it's not funny. Every day I go to work at a local grocery store and watch low class black and white people use their food stamps to buy shrimp, crab legs, candy bars, and sodas. I cash their social security checks that they are getting at the age of 28-30 years old (no, I'm not exaggerating) and they instantly buy lottery scratch off tickets. They choose to behave this way and be in poverty, and he has dedicated his entire life to getting more help for them. It will be a cold day in hell before I ever vote for that man. I give enough of my tax money away.

   Comment by P — October 8, 2008 @ 10:59 am

6. "watch low class black and white people"

   So P, did you just put in the "WHITE PEOPLE" part so you wouldn't look racist?

   If not, how can you say there are white people also that do the same thing the black people do yet you will not vote for Obama because he has spent his entire life helping the
   "black community"

   Sorry, but your racism along with the author of this letter is showing.

   Intelligent people see the truth and shake their heads in disgust at the narrow mindedness.

   Comment by Phyllis — October 9, 2008 @ 8:05 am

7. While I think that dropping those notes was a truly dumb move, the truth is that even the slightest criticism of all things Obama is deemed by his supporters to be racist. Although it's pretty obvious that the majority of blacks will most certainly vote for him simply because they consider him as one of their own, merely hinting at such a thing only leads to more charges of racism. Obama and his supporters have elevated playing the race card to an art form. The saddest truth of all though, is that we have two of the most pathetic excuses for presidential candidates and two of the poorest vice presidential candidates in the history of this county. My vote this election will be for what I consider to be the lesser of two evils, which means I will NOT be voting for Obama.

   Comment by Glennis — October 9, 2008 @ 9:27 am

8. Luckily I was raised in a home where race and gender are not an issue. The issue is who is the best person for the job. I am a white female and I believe it is Obama.

   Comment by Janet — October 9, 2008 @ 12:57 pm

9. There are only two reasons to vote for McCain– if you have $200 million in the bank, like he does (well, like his in-laws do, since, not being a real man, he lives off his in-laws), and you're protecting your interests, as he will do. Or, if you're a racist. That's it. If you vote for McCain and you have less that several hundred million dollars, you are a racist. (Hoe does reverse absolutism feel, right- wingers?)

   Comment by NotSoRich — October 9, 2008 @ 1:29 pm

10. Amen NotSoRich! This 100% proudly white and middle class wife/ mom in Ohio will be happily voting for Obama, as will my 100% proudly white and middle class husband.
    Why?… Due to "white guilt"?
    Not freakin' likely. Because we are horrified for the futures of our 5 yr old daughter and 18 month old son under another train wreck Republican administration that coddles the rich and steps on the throat of the middle class.

    Comment by Fuzzy and Blue — October 9, 2008 @ 5:24 pm

11. Looking at the way this is all playing out makes me realize that racism is still alive and kicking in America–as much as I have hoped that it had become less of an issue. Growing up in the 60's instilled some values in me that I feel are sadly lacking in my generation. The hope for our country is in the young people–it will be their world and us baby boomers have done an abysmal job in keeping it safe and secure for them. I completely support Obama–not because of his race–but because he is the only choice that makes sense for me and my kids. Kids, by the way, are color blind–you have to work hard to make them into racists. Go Obama!!!!!

    Comment by Kathy — October 10, 2008 @ 4:21 pm

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