Bob Johnson: The black Geraldine Ferraro

Bob Johnson, BET founder

CHARLOTTE, N.C. The Charlotte Observer April 15, 2008 -- "Wading back into the Democratic presidential race, billionaire businessman Bob Johnson said Monday that Sen. Barack Obama would not be his party's leading candidate if he were white."

"What I believe Geraldine Ferraro meant is that if you take a freshman senator from Illinois called `Jerry Smith' and he says I'm going to run for president, would he start off with 90 percent of the black vote? And the answer is, probably not. Geraldine Ferraro said it right. The problem is, Geraldine Ferraro is white. This campaign has such a hair-trigger on anything racial it is almost impossible for anybody to say anything," Johnson said.

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The one part of his quote that I 100% agree with is This campaign has such a hair-trigger on anything racial it is almost impossible for anybody to say anything.

Oh and the part about Geraldine being white. That's true too.

But what Mr. Johnson is not interested in realizing is WHY this primary season has been so racially charged. Why Senator Obama's skin tone is now so taboo and "unmentionable". Because of people like him & the campaign ethics embraced by his candidate of choice.

The fact that Obama's race is a factor is not surprising to me. It may be 2008 and we are definitely far beyond slaveships,  Jim Crow laws and public lynchings. BUT it's still America and history will never, ever erase itself. Nor should it. So of course race is going to be brought up. I mean, we can all see Senator Obama. We know he's not all white. We also know he's not all black. (What is ALL of anything by the way?) We know he'll be the first non-white President ever to grace 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. We are not stupid.

But certain people have decided to raise a flag on his ethnic background in a negative, suspicious, belittling manner that was meant to trigger a domino effect in the minds of those who may be wired to doubt Barack's abilities. These people who just can't trust Barack, cant buy into Barack's brand of peace, change and progression, can't agree with his views...are not just white. They're not just old. They're not just working class. They're not just Republicans. gasp!

To be politically correct, i'll say that everyone is entitled to his or herown beliefs. But please know how i TRULY feel: they're all just misinformed, and for many, ignorance is bliss.

Mr. Johnson would like for us to believe that all blacks are 1, unintelligent 2, incapable of researching BEFORE casting a vote 3, driven by nothing but emotion  4, dellusional  and 5, band wagon jumpers.

In essence, he has disenfranchised us without even giving us any benefit of the doubt. He has done exactly what his candidate is now claiming to be so ardently against. Why am i not surprised?

So in response to Bob Johnson's quip, i'd simply like to say that yes sir. I am black. And yes, i support Barack Obama. But UNLIKE why YOU support Hillary, i do not feel as if he is entitled to my vote for any reason in the slightest. He has earned it in many ways. But you, sir, you have lost. You have lost my respect, my admiration, my support of your network and of any other venture you choose to take part in because, OBVIOUSLY, u dont feel as if i'm smart enough to be a Voter in the know.

To quote what's her name "Shame on you Bob Johnson. Shame on you."