June 23, 2008Dignity-1; Obama campaign-0A quick primer on Detroit: It has the nation's largest concentration of Arab-Americans. So Barry's campaign volunteers should have known they likely would encounter Muslims when the candidate spoke at a rally last week in Detroit. You've probably heard the account by now. Two young Muslim women wearing Islamic head scarves were barred from sitting behind the senator. Seems the campaign volunteers thought the scarves would send a negative vibe to the television-viewing audience and feed rumors that Obama is Muslim. After the incident made news, Obama called each woman to apologize, calling the incident "inexcusable." Here's the problem with keeping the women from the seats: It fed into the hatred and intolerance of knuckleheads who a) don't like Muslims and b) don't like Obama because they believe he's Muslim. (From a purely political view, the vote-happy handlers should have thought that maybe the women could have attracted the attention of other potential Muslim voters in TV Land. Presumably, he could use the help.) By dissin' these women, the volunteers let bigots call the shots. I have no problem with people who choose not to vote for Obama but don't cater to the (literal) "haters." "We both immensely appreciate the senator's phone call and his commitment to remedy this issue," one of the women said. "We commend him for displaying qualities befitting an effective president." At least somebody showed some dignity. In this case, it wasn't the Obama camp. s |
About this blog In her signature plainspoken style, Michigan native Shanna Flowers peels away the layers and gets to the heart of the issues. No pretense. Just straightforward perspective. Shanna writes about local people whose circumstances reflect decisions made as near as City Hall or as far away as the halls of Congress. Other times, she weighs in on a topic because it is incredibly ridiculous. Or heartening. Or fascinating. Read Shanna's column three days a week, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, at roanoke.com
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Comments
[June 24, 2008 10:25 AM]
Ed S.Wow. First a Che flag in one of the volunteer offices, and now this. Shanna, I had faith you'd call them out on this obvious ludicry. (new word...I claim it)
You know I'm no Obama fan. I really don't care for him, and have issues with policies he may push for if elected. However, unless one can prove that this decision came "from the top", I think we can cut the jabs from the "talking heads" that this should reflect poorly on Obama. It was likely a decision from someone lower, and that should be handled quickly. Now of course this has gained wide attention and it *would* reflect on Obama if he were not to personally handle it, whether that be making his views crystal clear to the offending volunteer (or paid worker?), or just removing them outright.
This is a problem on both sides. Yes, these little issues look bad but the CEO does not always know about the foul language one of the tech support people is using. What should be graded is how it is handled. I don't like him and yet I give him the benefit of the doubt.
BTW, Shanna the "talking head" comment was not directed at you...it's toward the other radio/TV shows and written forums that label Obama as racist because of this. It is quite funny that this happened in a Democrat campaign event, but does not in itself reflect on him unless his handling is poor.
[June 24, 2008 12:56 PM]
DanaYes you cannot directly fault Obama for the actual actions of the volunteers; however you can fault him for the atmosphere that let it happen whether he created that atmosphere or just let it continue.
I have worked at several places where I have to make judgment calls while doing my job. When doing so I defer to what I think my employer would want, not what I personally want.
The Obama campaign has definitely been trying to distance him from Muslims. Therefore, it would seem that the volunteer was doing what he thought was what he was supposed to do.
Yes he called, but in the accounts I've heard, someone from the campaign called and apologized first. It wasn't until the women said that they wanted an apology from Obama himself and the news media had written all about it did Obama then call them. Bumps the apology down a peg in my book.
I’m not saying he should be called a racist over the issue, but he should be called to task over the atmosphere he has obviously created within his campaign.
[June 24, 2008 3:58 PM]
SteveThis was purely a political move..Obama already has a problems as far as being identified as a Muslim...even a terrorist..The last thing he needed was a couple of women in Muslim attire in permanent camera shot behind the podium...Hes just a politician..so dont be suprised..
[June 25, 2008 10:06 AM]
Ed S.Dana, I agree that atmosphere is important. Having coordinated activities for different groups, I can unfortunately say that not all volunteers have the same good judgment that you do. Many people who are active in what they enjoy seem to further blur the lines of their views vs. the groups views. It varies from person to person, but from my experience the more they see the group's view as an extension of their own, the more likely they are to let slip personal views, when along the same lines but perhaps slightly extrapolated from the group.
This was pretty overt, though. and perhaps you have a good point that it was part of a larger hushed action to distance himself from a perception.
I'm not voting for him so it doesn't really matter. Even then, it's small enough for me to shrug off. It would be *real* news had he directly said something one way or the other: "Don't let those people sit behind me." or "Let's try to cherry-pick some of those people so we can win over support."
Henry, some interesting material there. When you say "Barry was right" (I'm assuming Barry = Barak?), do you mean right not to let those two specific people there? I didn't quite follow your entire post.
[June 25, 2008 10:25 AM]
MichelleHenry,
Can you give me a source for your post? I would love to read it. It certainly sheds new light on things. If true, I guess the question is, did the volunteer know who the women were before he asked them to step aside? Hmmmm . . .
[June 27, 2008 10:16 AM]
PAUL HUDSONI DON'T CARE WHO ARE WHAT OBAMA IS OR IS NOT AS LONG AS HE'S NO REPUBLICAN !
ANY NAZI,BUDDIST,MUSLIM, EVEN THAT BAD GUY IN AFRICA BEATS ONE OF THOSE FALLWELL,PAT ROBERTSON " CHRISTIANS" ? ANY OLE DAY !
FOREST GUMP FOR PRESEDENT !!!
[July 20, 2008 1:23 AM]
MikePaul:
Would you care whether the candidate be one who can spell the name of the Office of the 'PRESIDENT'?