First, I want to say that the President has once again made me proud to have voted for and supported him. His remarks on Friday were thoughtful and seemed to flow from the heart.
The president made a point that he has observed reactions to his very presence as a younger man. Women clutching their purses tighter and car door locks clicking as he walked down the street. This observation made it clear that racism does not require white sheets, hoods or Swastikas. That suspicion of other races is alive and well, despite the right's protests that it only exists in the minds of "The Blacks"
I suggest that these observations are completely lost on a large percentage of the right. In order to appreciate the irony that even the (future) twice elected POTUS has been the object of suspicion because of the color of his skin. You must first respect the man, his accomplishments and accept the legitimacy of his holding the office.
The sad truth is that if you swim in a sea of hate, if you spend your time soaking in the right wing media's vitriol about the president, if you are a "birther", then to you the suspicion of President Barack Obama is justified. He is just another "other" and you will not/cannot see past his skin color. If you hear the term socialist and immediately see a minority "taker", you simply cannot appreciate the point that no matter how educated, accomplished, eloquent or respected by many a black man in America becomes the color of his skin makes him just another potential thug to those who hate.
Perhaps some day we will get beyond this type of thinking. See beyond the color of one's skin and into the heart and aspirations of the individual. The president provided a glimpse into his heart yesterday. Maybe his remarks can change some attitudes for the better.