Oh, oh. Carter compared Obama's speaking skills to those of MLK.

Carter is now officially playing the race card...
At least by previous Obama supporters' and MSM standards.

I realize it might sound incredibly stupid for me to be asking this, but perhaps it's the language. I was not born in this country, so English is my 2nd language.

Does the term mean appealing to black people? Does it mean trying to get pity for having been a slave? What exactly does it mean?

Doesn't matter what race you are.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/12/obama-camps-memo-on-clin_n_81205.html
In NY - we call this Sharptonizing

... it's using ammunition against someone else to ACCUSE THEM of being racist for their words or actions?

"playing the race card" = "black people talking about race."

There are a lot of white racists out there that accuse black people of "playing the race card," because they don't like black people talking about race issues. Almost every time it's used when either a. there is a legitimate reason to bring up racism, or b. the black person hasn't even been talking about race.

It means they're trying to use their race to get an unfair advantage. As if being black has ever been an advantage in this country.

The first time I heard it was when people complained about OJ Simpson's defense team brought up race when they exposed Mark Fuhrman as a racist and a perjurer. Nevermind that it had been a racially charged trial from the beginning.

Does it mean using Affirmative Action? What exactly are examples of how one "plays the race card?"

It was common back in the sixties. Any time a black person would try to "rise above his station" they'd call it "uppity." Sitting at the front of the bus? Uppity. Sitting at a lunch counter? Uppity.

I think in most uses "playing the race card" is the modern day "uppity," it doesn't really mean anything, it's just another racist slur that might sound alright in polite society.

To gain an advantage over your opponent because of your race.

Or to gain an advantage over your opponent because of his race.

"The card" just speaks of this ploy in terms of a game of cards. Like playing a trump card, or a wild card.

Until someone plays "the race card", we can all pretend that "race" is not an issue.

.. what are some examples of what "playing the race card" is exactly. I don't understand it without some examples of some kind.

is strength;
Ignoring knowledge is sickness."
-- Lao Tse

:rofl:

Oh and I laugh @ everything I'm a fucking commedian.

How exactly is that "racist?"

because of the giant blow-up over Bill Clinton comparing Obama's performance in SC to Jesse Jackson's.

but any excuse to tear down a candidate, ya know?

never made that same statement about Jessie Jackson, or Al Sharpton, or Alan Keyes-


Yet they were all Black men running for president.


:shrug:


real ignorance?

I'm inclined not to think so.


peace~

:rofl:

As a person with a lot of musical training, voice training and language background, I suspect that Obama has listened to a lot either of MLK or of others who speak with MLK's accent and imitate his eloquence. And Obama copies that. There is nothing wrong with it.

We all know that Obama did not grow up and has never lived in the South. Yet he speaks with a southern accent. He has a voice very similar to MLKs. He has adopted some of the language and imagery of MLK. There is nothing wrong with that.

After all, Beethoven composed in the fashion of his time. His music grows to some extent from the same musical tradition that Mozart's grew from. That is the way things go.

If there is a race element, it is that Obama, who was not immersed in a particularly African-American culture during his childhood or apparently during his teenaged years chose a certain voice and manner of speaking that is similar not only to MLK but to other influential and capable speakers in the African-American community. There is a certain lingering on certain syllables, a certain rhythm, a certain vowel production, and it is characteristic of a certain community.

Kerry's voice and accent are decidedly New England. And who doesn't recognize the Kennedy Boston sound. Bush has his own obnoxious sound. Our voices are who we are, our past but also who we choose to be. Obama has chosen to talk in the tradition of MLK. Nothing wrong with that, but that's the way it is.

One of the problems for women in politics is that there is no traditional female voice. It will take time to create it. Eleanor Roosevelt had a certain kind of voice, but it is no longer heard. Too bad. Nancy Pelosi has a certain voice, but it has fallen from favor because of her pandering and lack of strength. Too bad. Hillary is trying, but her voice is not very good.

:eyes:

IMO its just another example of how Obama is all surface.

doesnt mind being compared to MLK. Go figure.

The audience-participation give-and-take. He says a thing, the audience yells it back. Over and over, like chanting.

BO: Yes we can!
Audience: YES WE CAN!
BO: Yes we can!
Audience: YES WE CAN!
BO: Yes we can!
Audience: YES WE CAN!
BO: Yes we can!
Audience: YES WE CAN!
BO: Yes we can!
Audience: YES WE CAN!

Repeat until rapture.


It's an effective way to involve the audience, instead of merely informing them about issues.

that after shrub has brought the US to the brink of total diasaster, Americans would be demanding substance, that they'd be too angry to put up with this inanity. Its mind boggling.

:spank: