Obama's Win Brings Racist Remarks From Europe
In the days following Barack Obama's historic election as America's 44th — and first black — president, expressions of congratulations and joy have filled the pages of newspapers in Europe. But mixed in with the glad tidings have been inappropriate, insensitive and downright racist remarks from politicians and journalists.
In Germany, Poland, Italy and other countries, statements about Obama's skin color by public figures have caused an international stir.
Who knows if these remarks would have received attention if Obama had not been elected? But he was, and they have.
"I'm not that surprised by such comments," says Jabari Asim, whose book, What Obama Means: For Our Culture, Our Politics, and Our Future, is to be published in January. Asim says he keeps coming back to something he heard during the election: A political scientist at Stanford University said there are a lot fewer bigots in America than there were 50 years ago, but that doesn't mean there are only a few bigots.
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In Germany, Poland, Italy and other countries, statements about Obama's skin color by public figures have caused an international stir.
Who knows if these remarks would have received attention if Obama had not been elected? But he was, and they have.
"I'm not that surprised by such comments," says Jabari Asim, whose book, What Obama Means: For Our Culture, Our Politics, and Our Future, is to be published in January. Asim says he keeps coming back to something he heard during the election: A political scientist at Stanford University said there are a lot fewer bigots in America than there were 50 years ago, but that doesn't mean there are only a few bigots.