http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/decision2012/black-electorate-responds-mightily-to-perceived-voter-intimidation-efforts/2012/11/07/d7596304-2900-11e2-b4e0-346287b7e56c_story.html
The article focuses primarily on responses to Obamas reelection and specifically on African American's responses and statistics dealing with the re-election. Early in the story, an interviewee mentions how “This is a man who is fighting for the opportunity for all people to reach the American dream." This directly has to deal with the concept of the American dream that was discussed in class. They believe that Obama can help them achieve this goal. Further, this article also deals with color blind racism as it is evident in the article that there were dozens of billboards indirectly hinting to largely black communities that "Voter Fraud is a Felony" and mentioning that committing this action can cause 'jail time and hefty pines for violators. Although, the organizations that put these signs were not directly racist, they were indirectly racist, by targeting these ads at black communities, which indirectly says something about their character.
I agree with Will that there is an element of color blind racism in the election process. While "voter intimidation" tactics have been more pronounced during the last two elections, historically entire groups of people (women, black voters) were not given the legal opportunity to vote. While legally this country has moved forward, some states still chose to make it more difficult for poorer communities, which are disproportionally black, to get out and vote. This is exactly what Bonilla was referring to when he wrote about color blind racism. Just because a political party does not say it wants to limit voter turnout of one group does not mean that its intentions are pure.
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ReplyDeletelatimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-divided-voters-20121103,0,1053310.story
ReplyDeleteI do agree that this article connects to the ideas of the American Dream and color-blind racism, but what does it mean in this context of voting and the 2012 election?
First off, to dispel the idea that only one party or group is being targeted for openly racist reasons, the article that I have provided a link for above, tells of how Romney supporters are also being targeted. So, the idea of color-blind racism is created by the author not by the whole context of the election in my opinion.
I do agree that the idea of color blind-racism does appear in the context of the billboards. So why target these neighborhoods though? Maybe blacks are the group most in danger of committing ballot fraud, especially in such a heated election where blacks feel they have a lot at stake.
And regarding the argument for the American dream, this article does give rise to the question of what the American Dream is, stating basically that it is something that the president has the power to give individuals. James Truslow Adams, an American historian and writer, writes in The Epic of America that “the American Dream is... opportunity for each according to ability or achievement." The American Dream allows for the opportunity, not a guarantee, for success. The American Dream is not something to be handed out to everyone, but rather the idea that everyone has the equal opportunity to achieve what they believe to be the American Dream.