Comments on: And This is Why I’m Glad I’ve Never Voted for Ralph Nader

By: bint alshamsa

bint alshamsa — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Neon, here’s why your theory doesn’t work. I’m not angry at Nader. I simply see this as him exposing himself as someone who has chosen to side with those who reinforce institutional racism. Some things offend me but Nader isn’t someone I ever thought highly of, so I don’t really have any of the feelings of betrayal that others may (rightly) have.

The reality is that, even if no one was offended, Nader’s comments were racist. We’d be dismissing him if we just ignored what he said. Instead, plenty of us are calling for folks to actually pay attention to it because it is definitely helpful to know who Nader is choosing to side with on issues of race.

Here’s another problem with your theory. I’m not an Obama supporter. Plenty of other people of color (who have called Nader out on this) weren’t/aren’t either. This has nothing to do with whether Obama is a great guy or a corporate shill–which is what Nader could have called him if he wanted to make the point you’re claiming. This is about Nader’s comments.

By: Neon

Neon — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:48:16 +0000

No, not really. Being offended has always been an alien concept to me. I don’t get why people can be offended by individual word. I understand how people could be offended by an overall message though. I just see this as unwarranted anger by thin skinned people.

By: Cara

Cara — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:42:03 +0000

So it sounds like you’re not the person to talk about it then.

By: Neon

Neon — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:22:50 +0000

As soon as you get offended you dismiss him as a racist. “Uncle Tom” is not that offensive, over time the term has lost much of it’s stigma and now it’s become synonymous with sellout. To tell you the truth nothing offends me and I don’t get the outrage people feel over individual words.

By: Cara

Cara — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:11:24 +0000

That's the thing that people keep bringing up here and at Feministe. I agree with that. If Obama sells out, he's a major asshole, and he has betrayed us. That does not excuse Nader's language whatsoever. And Nader turned this into his language when he decided to use it, and then when he refused to retract it and apologize. He said something racist. It was unnecessary to illustrate his point. And he relinquished the right for us to address his actual point (at least now in this discussion in relation to him) when he used that language.

By: Neon

Neon — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:06:08 +0000

yeah, I get kind of ADDish sometimes. His choice of words could have been better but I think his comments illustrated his point well. Throughout the above rant I did address the situation. In short, if he sells out then this election was meaningless.

By: Cara

Cara — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:01:20 +0000

Nice way to not address the situation Neon.

By: Neon

Neon — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:58:28 +0000

I supported Nader, I voted for Nader and even after these comments I still support him. Obama mania has swept across this country and people fell for the empty rhetoric of change and hope. Nader simply pointed out that this “historic” election isn’t a game changer because it’s likely he’ll become a sell out. People can talk on and on about how great it is that they elected a black president but when you look at his policies you’ll see he’s just another short sighted corrupt politician. He’s for deficit spending, he’s against universal single payer health care and peace in the middle east. His fiscal policies will continue this country along the downward spiral it’s already in.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:36:07 +0000

Wow – that video that Paul put up the link to…WTF?
As far as Nadar goes…there was a time when I felt he was the better option, in previous elections, not this one. But then you have to look at what our options were at that time.

Theologian definately nailed it.

By: Cara

Cara — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:40:39 +0000

Thealogian nailed it!