While many people like to deny it racism is a deeply ingrained problem in our country today. I have a friend on FaceBook (really he a professional acquaintance who I have never actually met in person) who I think is both infected with racism and surrounds himself with close friends who support and or encourage that racism. Looking at the conversation they had as Michelle Obama gave her tremendous speech at the 2016 Democratic Convention I think reasonable people can recognize the problem we all face. While the conversation was “public” I am still choosing to hide their identities.
J.C. My FB Friend — Of course the POS No Class Racist Michelle Obama brings up how she wakes up every morning in a house built by Slaves ….
D.S.A. (female) — She should feel right at home since it’s the democrats that kept them that way!!
J.C. — Everything’s about Race….Black this black that and then that Fuckin Slave Bullshit…She has it so bad .
J.C. — Now this Racist Skank says America’s Great ….meanwhile she’s always HATED this Country and White People!!
L.G.I. (female Italian surname) F them all!! They all hate white people!! Such double standard bullshit!!!
L.G.I. — #whitelivesmatter ??? ????
J.C. — You Racist!!!!…..you’re not allowed to say that ….lol
L.G.I. — no shit!!! I’ve been flagged on FB a few times!!!! ????
M.Y. (male Italian surname) — fuck her, she’s the racist
J.C. — She’s always been ….her and her Racist Savage Fuck Husband ….
J.L. (male Italian surname) — And then they wonder why the country is so divided right now
J.C. — A Black First Lady/First Man talking about slavery at the DNC for no other reason than her own racist agenda!!
J.B (male Italian surname) — A few more months and there be gone,negative energy not needed we need trump.
J.L. — I just ordered Trump signs and stickers
J.B.L. (female Italian surname) — Go Joe Lombardi! Me too.
J.C. — Watch out for these Savage Fucks ripping your signs off your lawn
J.L. — Oh no they won’t, not here
J.C. — Atta boy Joe….bang bang!!
M.A.M. (female Scottish surname) — She’s an asshole like her husband
J.C. — Michelle …don’t insult assholes…lol
J.L — That’s racist against assholes
While there were many great moments in Michelle Obamas speech with respect to this kind of hate speech I found one passage particularly apropos:
“…See, because at that moment I realized that our time in the White House would form the foundation for who they would become and how well we managed this experience could truly make or break them. That is what Barack and I think about every day as we try to guide and protect our girls through the challenges of this unusual life in the spotlight, how we urge them to ignore those who question their father’s citizenship or faith.
How we insist that the hateful language they hear from public figures on TV does not represent the true spirit of this country.
How we explain that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high.“
For the most part conservatives, liberals and celebrities and the pundits all praised Michelle Obama’s speech but there was still a lot of hate inspired reaction out there.