Obama: ‘Post-racial America after my election’ unrealistic

SGT (Join to see) - It really already has. I hadn't ever really met any true racists until I was an adult. Most people I met, those who were around my age, were not racists. At least, not openly.

Even fewer of the racists I have encountered have been white people. In my own limited experience, it has been mostly people of color (Latinos, Blacks, etc.) that have been most critical of a person for their race. It's possible that it's just so taboo for a white person to do it that they just don't do it as openly.

PFC Jim Wheeler - Racism comes in many shapes and forms, is overt and covert, is learned, taught and experienced and will always be a part of societies no matter where one goes in this world.

After my many travels, countries lived in, multiple conversations on the subject and experiences I have learned to take it as more of a social issue and one based upon many untruths and stereotypes.

It is a complicated and not so unique issue to America alone to say the least.

I think a lot people forget how we came to be in the United States. As a Black male myself, I do not need to express the point of being black because that's the obvious. So when President Obama was campaigning, he was pointing out the HISTORICAL fact of history as being the first African-American. He did not belittle another race, nor did state that his was better than another. But some US tend to believe the media's propaganda of divisiveness and biases against one another to push their hidden agenda.

CPT Jack Durish - To the math piece alone, the article says he started in 2007 at $ 1.3 million and they then arrive at "between 2 million and 7 million for 2013", but tagged that as 438%, which assumes the highest figure of $ 7 M. The lower figure of 2 million ends up more like 54% or roughly 9%/yr. Granted Treasuries earn nowhere near that. Add in 6 years salary at $ 400 k and that is $2.4 M, bringing him up to $3.7 M not including royalties, FLOTUS investment income from her previous law career?, and investment income. This is an example of how media outlets on both sides throw an eye-catching number out hoping it will not be further scrutinized and will be repeated as a source to influence public opinion. If we filled in the blanks on royalties, and the rest we'd likely see that there is nothing out of line with his wealth. Now if they uncover an offshore account that would be alarming. If the statistic had said POTUS net worth including wages, royalties, and investment income grew by a staggering 9% per annum there would have been no talking point(s). Please don't take this as an affront, as I only am stating the "not so obvious". I'm not a fan of many things he has or has not done, but personal financial inpropriety is not among them.

SGT (Join to see) - Two things. First, it all starts with the decisions made by each person. People who are actively looking for racism are going to find it a helluva lot more often than people who just live their lives, and often they are going to find it in places where it's not really a factor. Why? Because they're looking for it. There are examples everywhere, but you don't have to look any farther than the most recent election to find them. People have to accept responsibility for their own words and actions -- too often it is just easier for a person to blame racism than admit to themselves that he/she was an idiot.

Second, racial groups need to police their own. Whites have to call out other whites when they see or hear racist things being said or done. Blacks have to call out other blacks, Latinos have to call out Latinos, etc.

All racism exists at the individual level. Racism might have ramifications beyond that because of the position a particular person holds, but all racism is due to individual thoughts, words, and actions. The system isn't racist, and institutions aren't racist. Many non-whites have latched onto this idea that they are victims of institutional racism. Many non-whites (and many whites too, come to think of it) believe that it's not possible for people of color to be racist because there isn't as long of a history of anti-white racism as anti-color racism. That idea is as racist as anything. Unfortunately, people would rather hold such beliefs than give them up, because then they don't have to accept personal responsibility -- it allows them to blame other people for their own stupidity, and it allows them to be racist. Such people are typically very angry, and they don't want to give up their anger.

Now THAT is a good start to a very long and emotional conversation we as Americans should be having over time...... Great share and thanks for your input .... I do agree on all your points with some minor differating perspectives. SSgt Christopher Brose -

Morgan Freeman is a wise man

Morgan Freeman does a great job of coming right to the point, You never have to guess what He said ! Its a shame that more people don't see things as clearly as He does !