Chris Matthews: 'I Forgot Obama Was Black for an Hour'

[Bloodshot Scott]

Seems this race stuff goes real deep with Mr. Mathews:

MSNBC analyst Chris Matthews, apparently in celebration of the fact that he believes we now have a "post-racial America," felt the need to congratulate President Barack Obama on his State of the Union Address by proudly claiming that he "forgot Obama was black for an hour."

The comments were made shortly after the State of the Union Address ended last night.
I am not sure where Chris Matthews was coming from with these comments. To some extent, his remarks were shocking, and I wasn't exactly sure why they shocked me until I'd had a chance to sleep on it. During my rest, I realized that Chris Matthews' words were hurtful and irritating because they represent the kind of paternalistic racism that might come from liberals in an historically racist society. With his words, Matthews was practically applauding Obama for rising above his blackness, as if merely mentioning the words, "I am a black man," would have completely ruined Obama's brilliant speech. No one asked Matthews what he thought about the fact that the president was black, so Matthews going out of his way to mention Obama's blackness is a reminder that Matthews himself was focused on the fact that he was listening to a black man.

It's odd and interesting that in a so-called "post-racial society," the way to applaud the fact that you didn't notice something is to mention the very thing that you're claiming to not have noticed. If Matthews had been truly unaware that he was listening to a black man, he would have spent his time commenting on Obama's policies rather than the color of his skin. To be relieved that President Obama did not force you to notice that he is black is a subtle reminder of the implicit threat of putting blackness on the table for even one second during political conversation.

http://www.bvblackspin.com/2010/01/...s-msnbc-i-forgot-obama-was-black-for-an-hour/

 

[meesterperfect]

oh wow.
Its like "he acted so white I forgot he was black".
unreal

 

[BDwestcoast]

I thought most people were over this "Black President" thing a long time ago. But I understand what he means though.

 

[hedonis]

So... all I have heard so far is the sound of crickets.

Where's the outrage? Where's the demand for apologies?


If someone like Hannity said this, there would already be a crucifixion planned (with a family picnic, too!)

 

[MILF Man]

Chris Mathews is a complete moron. He's the same sick fool that gets a disgusting feeling running up his leg when he thinks of B.O.

 

[LaLiLuLeLohan]

Chris Mathews is a complete moron. He's the same sick fool that gets a disgusting feeling running up his leg when he thinks of B.O.

In fairness to Mathews, this was Obama's State of the Union Address and the marking of his first year in office. So, seeing as Obama's race was a huge deal when he was both elected and sworn in, I guess Mathews was trying to imply that we've moved passed thinking about things like that.

It was a stupid thing to say and it shows that many Liberals really do focus on race even when it has nothing to do with the situation at hand, but I don't think it brands him as some bigot in the same way we're used to thinking of bigots. The same with Harry Reid.

The weird thing is that I'm certainly not some politically correct person and I do still see race and always will see race, but when it comes to Obama, his color or ethnicity is never something I'm conscious of. I don't like his administration, philosophies or politics, but never do I think, "...that Goddamn half-Black President!" When a man defines himself without making it about race, you become unaffected by his color.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

So... all I have heard so far is the sound of crickets.

Where's the outrage? Where's the demand for apologies?


If someone like Hannity said this, there would already be a crucifixion planned (with a family picnic, too!)

This is exactly what I thought.

 

[sdj374]

I didn't hear about it until now. The links that come up when I do a search are all blogs with the exception of a fox news link which doesn't appear on their home or politics page.

 

[CunningStunts]

I thought most people were over this "Black President" thing a long time ago. But I understand what he means though.

Well, one problem is that people keep bringing it up, including BHO's supporters. Constantly. Why can't he just be a President instead of people constantly calling him the first "black" President? What does "black" even mean anymore with so many people of mixed heritage? Or "white" or "hispanic"? It almost refers more to a cultural thing than a "racial" thing. :2 cents:

 

[lechepicha]

he (Matthews) should be banned for mainstream media.

really.

 

[FlyingWallaby]

So did he remember after the speech was over and flash him a gang sign or something??? All Hail Chris Matthews, proof of why broadcasting should come with an automatic IQ test. :rofl:

 

[~~whimsy~~]

I was reading about this earlier. He will be given a liberal pardon though...

 

[FlyingWallaby]

I was reading about this earlier. He will be given a liberal pardon though...

We should come up with a new name for that for that concept when it involves race....why not just call it "the Harry Reid treatment?"

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

I was reading about this earlier. He will be given a liberal pardon though...

Well, all but 5 people watch his show (and they're all members on this board ). Seriously, the guy is the biggest tool I have ever seen. He really is annoying. Even if he wasn't a mouthpiece for radicals and had a valid point once in a while, I'd still get nauseous watching him.

 

[~~whimsy~~]

Meh. I'm not much of a fan of any televised news. I wonder if his and Keith O's desk have extra space under them so they can crawl under them and silently sob by themselves...

 

[FlyingWallaby]

Well, all but 5 people watch his show (and they're all members on this board ). Seriously, the guy is the biggest tool I have ever seen. He really is annoying. Even if he wasn't a mouthpiece for radicals and had a valid point once in a while, I'd still get nauseous watching him.

No worries mate...if the internet can kill print news, here's hoping it can do the same for news networks.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

No worries mate...if the internet can kill print news, here's hoping it can do the same for news networks.

Fox will not go under. It gets the left so mad it's comical.

I get annoyed by Fox a lot as well, especially the way they smeared certain candidates in the last election. But like you said, who needs the print or network media when we can log on and get our own news.

 

[FlyingWallaby]

Fox will not go under. It gets the left so mad it's comical.

I get annoyed by Fox a lot as well, especially the way they smeared certain candidates in the last election. But like you said, who needs the print or network media when we can log on and get our own news.

How does the saying go? "They're not afraid of across the aisle....the only thing they're really afraid of is someone switching the channel."

 

[meesterperfect]

Well, one problem is that people keep bringing it up, including BHO's supporters. Constantly. Why can't he just be a President instead of people constantly calling him the first "black" President? What does "black" even mean anymore with so many people of mixed heritage? Or "white" or "hispanic"? It almost refers more to a cultural thing than a "racial" thing. :2 cents:

I hear that.
I watched the inaugariation speech when he was elected.
I remember thinking dont bring up race, dont bring up race.
But he did.
To me that was a bad start to a presidency.
Sad but true, race (him being half black, but not too dark) was a huge factor in him getting nominated, elected and endorsed by many politicians.
I know many here will disagree or deny this, but i know its reality.
I'm not afraid to say it, because to me I dont care what he looks like or where his ancestors are from, but too many, blacks and whites it does.
To me that sucks.
Mathews? he let his true feelings come out, he slipped and I dont have a problem with him thinking that way.
My problem is with those who do think that way but pretend they dont and even accuse others of racism at times, in which mathews is one of those.

 

[Jane Burgess]

Well, one problem is that people keep bringing it up, including BHO's supporters. Constantly. Why can't he just be a President instead of people constantly calling him the first "black" President? What does "black" even mean anymore with so many people of mixed heritage? Or "white" or "hispanic"? It almost refers more to a cultural thing than a "racial" thing. :2 cents:

I have to agree. It is annoying. :2 cents: