Andrew Manis
For much of the last forty years, ever since America “fixed” its race problem in the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, we white people have been impatient with African Americans who continued to blame race for their difficulties. Often we have heard whites ask, “When are African Americans finally going to get over it?
Now I want to ask: “When are we White Americans going to get over our ridiculous obsession with skin color?
Recent reports that “Election Spurs Hundreds’ of Race Threats, Crimes” should frighten and infuriate every one of us.
Having grown up in “Bombingham,” Alabama in the 1960s, I remember overhearing an avalanche of comments about what many white classmates and their parents wanted to do to John and Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King Eventually, as you may recall, in all three cases, someone decided to do more than “talk the talk.”
Since our recent presidential election, to our eternal shame we are once again hearing the same reprehensible talk I remember from my boyhood.
We white people have controlled political life in the disunited colonies and United States for some 400 years on this continent. Conservative whites have been in power 28 of the last 40 years. Even during the eight Clinton years, conservatives in Congress blocked most of his agenda and pulled him to the right. Yet never in that period did I read any headlines suggesting that anyone was calling for the assassinations of presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, or either of the Bushes. Criticize them, yes. Call for their impeachment, perhaps. But there were no bounties on their heads. And even when someone did try to kill Ronald Reagan, the perpetrator was non-political mental case who wanted merely to impress Jody Foster
But elect a liberal who happens to be Black and we’re back in the sixties again. At this point in our history, we should be proud that we’ve proven what conservatives are always saying — that in America anything is possible, EVEN electing a black man as president. But instead we now hear that school children from Maine to California are talking about wanting to “assassinate Obama.”
Fighting the urge to throw up, I can only ask, “How long?” How long before we white people realize we can’t make our nation, much less the whole world, look like us? How long until we white people can – once and for all – get over this hell-conceived preoccupation with skin color? How long until we white people get over the demonic conviction that white skin makes us superior? How long before we white people get over our bitter resentments about being demoted to the status of equality with non-whites?
How long before we get over our expectations that we should be at the head of the line merely because of our white skin? How long until we white people end our silence and call out our peers when they share the latest racist jokes in the privacy of our white-only conversations?
I believe in free speech, but how long until we white people start making racist loudmouths as socially uncomfortable as we do flag burners? How long until we white people will stop insisting that blacks exercise personal responsibility, build strong families, educate themselves enough to edit the Harvard Law Review, and work hard enough to become President of the United States, only to threaten to assassinate them when they do?
How long before we starting “living out the true meaning” of our creeds, both civil and religious, that all men and women are created equal and that “red and yellow, black and white” all are precious in God’s sight?
Until this past November 4, I didn’t believe this country would ever elect an African American to the presidency. I still don’t believe I’ll live long enough to see us white people get over our racism problem. But here’s my three-point plan: First, everyday that Barack Obama lives in the White House that Black Slaves Built, I’m going to pray that God (and the Secret Service) will protect him and his family from us white people.
Second, I’m going to report to the FBI any white person I overhear saying, in seriousness or in jest, anything of a threatening nature about President Obama. Third, I’m going to pray to live long enough to see America surprise the world once again, when white people can “in spirit and in truth” sing of our damnable color prejudice, “We HAVE overcome.”
It takes a Village to protect our President!!!
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Andrew M. Manis is associate professor of history at Macon State College in Georgia and wrote this essay. It first appeared in the Macon Telegraph.
August 28th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Now if we could get a some white ppl to read what he has to say. A very good article, that needs to be spread around.
August 28th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Best laugh I had all day..This cracker is a fool and probably takes it up the @$$ from his black boyfriend…
August 28th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Geez is this guy a douchebag..First off, he’s lumping in all whites(himself included) w/ radical white supremacists in regards to “assasination threats”, second, he assumes that all whites think they possess carte blanche to do and say whatever b/c of their skin pigmentation..please..Now, if Ms. Manis knows white people who fit those criteria, then that says more about himself and who he associates with than the average white person he’s criticizing..
August 31st, 2009 at 9:34 am
Way to go Andrew. White racism has been on vacation as a whole up until the Obama election. 14,000 threats plus of assassination so far compared to 4,000 threats in a year towards George Bush. Whom, we may recall, along with Chaney has caused the death of over a million people so far. Obama reaching out to more whites than blacks, but still he has become a battle cry for white racist to start their Race war. Only 40% of white registered voters voted for Obama. Nearly 60% of whites voted against him. This alone proves the almost innate insane prejudices of the majority. Only whites can kill self hatred racism Andrew and you are doing your part, thanks.
September 7th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
With all due respect, I believe the attitudes expressed in this opinion ARE PRECISELY the cause of racial tensions that continue in our society.
It’s easy to call out a Klansman, it’s easy to highlight the “n” word. But Manis’ brand of racism is a bit more difficult to distill. Hear me out:
Manis says: “How long before we white people get over our bitter resentments about being demoted to the status of equality with non-whites?”
This reveals Manis’ deepest attitudes toward equality; that white and non-white are equal only because whites have somehow been “brought down” by efforts to equalize the rights and privileges available in our society. To believe this, one must initially assume that whites started above, in an exalted position, and have since been humbled to the “lowly state” of equality with non-whites.
Mr. Manis…hate to break it to you, but the very idea is racist itself.
I’d like to offer some insight from another perspective. Many of the whites at which Manis wags his finger begin with the presumption that, in fact, non-whites in this country were historically “held down” from their natural and rightful place of equality, and that whites and non-whites have endeavored together, with successes and failures along the way, to ensure a more just society for everyone.
Our efforts continue, but we won’t apologize for doing the work that needs to be done, nor will we assume personal guilt over the historic wrongs we’re working together to right.
Manis also says: “How long before we white people realize we can’t make our nation, much less the whole world, look like us?”
Mr. Manis, once you get beyond skin color you’ll realize we CAN make “them” look like “us”. They’ll “look” like us when we all have equal access to education, when we can all work in purposeful jobs for fair pay, when we can all live in the same neighborhoods if we want to, or attend the same churches. When, and only when, we’ve gotten over Manis’ covert brand of racism, ho ho, they’ll *BE* us. After all, is that not the goal? Notwithstanding what “they” want?
Mr. Manis, when you’re done apologizing for your own shame, why don’t you join those of us who are working to actually fix the problem by stepping into the guiding light of the assumption of broad human equality and individual sovereignty, and *actually* judging our peers by the content of their character? Until then, you might want to give the racial “whitewashing” a rest.
September 7th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I’m with Andrew. I’m also looking forward to being in the white minority status. We’ll see how we handle it when the shoe’s on the other foot! I think that’s supposed to happen sometime around 2045.
September 8th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Thanks Mr Manis,
Being honest sometimes will make people uncomfortable. From a couple of negative comments you’ve gotten here, I’d say that’s what you have done. The best hope for true racial harmony lies with people who are as honest as you. Thanks for your perspective.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Thank you, Mr. Manis, for your much-needed stand. The subject of racism has become way too complex and crowded with the likes of trifles,untruths and ignorance. It isn’t diffucult to find in the torrent of this complexity shelter from blame where timely justifiers and out-and-out denial reside.
It’s simple, people: step up, own your prejudice and stop b.s.-ing yourselves.
September 14th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
I applaud you for speaking the ugly truth about those of us who are White. We have been in the “driver’s seat” so long we can not see our absurd unearned White privileges.
When will African Americans get over anything?
How hard must it be to forget lynchings, slavery, beatings? If it were me, I could not do it.
I believe that the day will come when Whites in America will be the minority and no longer in such control and so arrogant. I hope that all the people of color are kinder to us and our descendants than we have been to people of color in this country.
September 15th, 2009 at 7:31 am
I am SO SICK of idiots like you, Manis, who lump ALL white people in with racist morons. I am white and am NOT nor ever HAVE BEEN a racist. Although I did not vote for Obama, I think it’s great that this country has grown to the point of being able to elect a black president. Any criticism I have of Obama is based strictly ON HIS POLICIES, NOT his ethnicity. There were plenty of liberal white douchebags as well as blacks who would have danced in the streets had George W. Bush been assassinated, so get off your moral high horse. I want nothing to do with anyone who would talk about killing ANY president, no matter what color he is. It’s quite a convenient diversion for people like you to cry racism instead of dealing with the possibility that Obama’s policies just might be flawed. Millions of other hypnotized drones have bought into that trick, but not me. If you want people to stop judging people because of their race, why don’t you start with yourself? I guess it makes you feel important and superior to pretend to take on this cause, but you’re preaching to the wrong person here. Kiss my white ass.
September 15th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Mr. Manis – thanks for the article. It’s refreshing to see someone being so honest. By some of the negative comments that you have received here, it looks like hell will freeze over before some whites “get over it”.
September 19th, 2009 at 8:23 am
this is a great article and I a glad someone sees the problem as it is yes we have problems within the black race and some don’t wish to address them but wish to blame them on the white man which is a cop out I for 1 wish to meet them head on but judge me for my character not the color of my skin Cause I do believe there would be an aray of colors in this world if we could pick which color we want to be. Just look at it as why would you just be a simple mind and say that person is no good cause his color is different. Now how does that work. If we all try for a better AMERICA as a means of Pay It Forward where could we be today instead of harping on negative we need to see what we can do to make it better. Say it LOUD Andrew M. Manis I like this article
September 19th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
There is no division except with those that ‘create’ a division. Your article has been this tool to do such work. An Indian friend of mind, who is married to a black man, sent me this article as well as 2 or 3 other ones Criminalizing the white people. This hurts !!! The anger that this type of article brings forth is anything but from the Lord. Being white I am always told how horrible we were. I would hate to think that all white people were bad. Look at the contributions made by MANY white people who did stand against that which was wrong. Regardless of race you are going to have good and bad people. White people do not ‘own’ these attributes. As Christians we are called to come together and help and love each other. You must have experienced a lot of pain in the past. As a white woman, I forgive you. Please stop spreading the hate. We cant change the past if we continue to live in it. Much love in Yeshua, amy
PS: I did vote Republican this past election but it had nothing to do with the color of his skin… but now, I have a question to ask you. Did you vote for Obama because of the color of his skin? The definition of racist. Again, just something to pray and think about.
September 19th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Your article was posted on Facebook by Frederick. These are mine and
Fred’s post on your article:
Ursula E Mosley: Bless Mr. Manis! It’s about time we hear an erudite, intelligend discourse about Caucasion responsibility (or irresponsibility). They believe that God’s laws are for people of color.
6 hours ago · Frederick Penny: Yes Mr. Manis at lease have some b%lls, which is a good thing, but he is going to get that old lable now from his caucasion buddies and you know which one I am talking about. So when that happen, do you think he will hold on to his b%lls or cave-in to his buddies. And as far as God, I think most of caucasion are to selfcentered on some BS. If they … Read Morewould drop the BS then maybe they can see the forest over the trees and then they would notice that it is a big world out here with a lot of people in it that may not look like them. Thanks for your oppinion Ursula, you have my respect.
Ursula E Mosley: Mr. Manis is a smart man and he knew he was sticking his neck out.I am sure he can handle it.
Most whites don’t realize how much racism is still out there but hidden. I really got an eyeful when my late (Black) husband and I were married. We lived in California for a while and then moved to Eastern Oregon ( 5 min. from the Idaho border) All three states showed their racism but Idaho was the worst. The rednecks and supremasists came out of the woodwork. But I was ready for them! My husband just ignored them. There was one white guy, though, who really lifted my spirits when my husband died. We used to take our cars to his shop. He payed homage to my husband by telling me that my husband was the nicest guy he had ever met and he really meant. There is hope yet!
September 20th, 2009 at 4:12 am
Dear Mr. Manis,
Thank you for your courageous words.
It takes a stroke of a presidential pen to free slaves, but hundreds of years, apparently, to free the masters.
If we want adults to see the world as US, rather than US and THEM, we will have to raise children who see it that way AND we have to address the concept of privilege. It is uncomfortable to be raised with a sense of privilege and then to lose even a part of that.
Elizabeth
September 20th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Professor Manis, you better preach!! I have been warning these racist white people (not all white people, just the racist one) and House Negroes that they are dealing with a different type of Negro. We ain’t singing “We Shall Overcome” or turning the other cheek. Like my Pastor said, “We only have two cheeks. Hit both of them and it is on.” Americans of the darker hue have already been slap on both cheeks with Slavery and then Segregation. Now it is on. We have a generation that just don’t give a f***. They are not afraid of jail or death. Do you see what they do to each other on a daily basis? Imagine what they would do to a group of Klanspunks and Skinheads, especially if anything happens to President Obama. Selah. CIA and law enforcement can play stupid if they want to. Let something happen to President Obama. Armageddon will definitely come to America.
September 21st, 2009 at 7:01 am
TROLL ALERT! attorneymom is trying to stir the pot…She(?), like most internet warriors, talk tough one minute but in a surprising twist, degrades her own people by her comment…While I don’t doubt there are a contingent of angry blacks out there, everyone knows if they tried to start a racial armageddon, they’d get slaughtered..Being that they’re only 13% of the pop…let’s assume 3% are “house negroes”..Ok that’s 10%..now factor in the growing Mexican population that doesn’t like them and the angry whites(they’re out there attorneymom) and it’s no contest..Best we all wish for a better future and more racial understanding..
September 21st, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Strength is not always in numbers. Americans (who happened to be labeled Blacks) are some powerful people. Remember we (mainly the Southern Christian Leadership Conference) fought a Civil War and won without dropping one bomb or firing one shot. We know and understand that our weapons (prayer, faith and civil disobedience) are not carnal, but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds, including racism and white supremacy. Thanks to camera phones and Youtube: The Revolution will be televised.
Sidebar: What is a troll?
September 21st, 2009 at 7:48 pm
1st.. you’re fantasizing about a race war that’ll never happen…2nd, the ones who aren’t afraid of jail or death should put those “skills” to the test in the Marines if they wanna fight and kill like that..Also, Obama will be fine..but if he was shot? well, there’d be race riots for sure but who wants that? many blacks and whites do… but many others don’t…and by you telling “racist” whites this nonsense about “warning” them and using the term House Negroes, well this shows you’re just dying for something to happen…guess what, Americans are smarter than that..we won’t let this great country go down b/c there are blacks and whites who want a stupid and pointless race war..
September 22nd, 2009 at 3:43 am
My hearty congratulations to Dr. Manis for voicing decades-old sentiments that have been voiced by those with darker skins. The irony of this excellent written piece is that the skin color of Dr. Manis functions here as the megaphone that is always absent when people of color convey these very points. This essay takes courage, given the increasing barbarity in our nation, and I commend Dr. Manis for it.
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 am
Bravo, Mr. Manis! Thank you for your erudite and remarkable column. I, too, wonder when some of the citizens of these United States will realize how destructive to ALL racist hatred and prejudice can be. You will be surprised at how many of us pray for the safety of President Obama and his family. I, for one, believe that somehow, somewhere, our prayers are heard.
Thank you again.
September 28th, 2009 at 11:51 am
I’ll go with ’self-hating white male’ for a hundred, Alex!
September 28th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
A non-racist sees no color, only a person. As long as you look at a person, and see a skin color, you are a racist. That is the pure, unadulterated truth. And the unmentioned secret is that this cuts both ways. One cannot have, for example, “Black Student Unions” at colleges without racism. The very idea, meant to promote equality, instead promotes racism, by segregating people into groups based on nothing but genetics.
I try to understand a person as the sum of their actions, not as the color of their skin. I still fail in this; I do not claim perfection. But I do try. Until we all do this, racism will prevail.
October 5th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Manis, despite what a lot of these comments are saying, you definitely have a point – and judging by the comments it looks like you struck a nerve along with it. For the record, I know you didn’t mean ALL whites when you wrote this. Personally I am suspicious of anyone that took that article personally and claims to not be racist.
I am a biracial woman that *mostly* looks “white” (more like part Hispanic, French, or part Native American). Because most whites don’t think of me as being “black”, I hear a lot of their conversations they wouldn’t normally carry on in the presence of a black person. It has disgusted me for years how racist many whites really are behind closed doors. I’ve found it’s usually because they’re afraid. They’re physically afraid of minorities, they’re afraid of becoming like them, and they don’t trust them because they don’t understand their cultures. What’s further many whites feel a sort of racial disconnection in which they have been convinced it’s racist to be proud to be white but it’s not racist to be proud to be black. This has boiled in to a resentment towards blacks because they get to have pride in their race but whites do not.
That being said, whites are definitely not the only racists in this country. Blacks can get just as nasty. The end of racism will only happen when people learn to start viewing race the same as they do hair or eye color. It means nothing but maybe the color of your skin – and in some cases not even that much.
I think it would be great if we started teaching cultural diversity in the public schools instead of waiting until college to introduce the class. It’s shocking how much many people are confused just on what the word “racism” means.