Home > Blogs > Bonnie & Terry Westbrook > We Love Grand Rapids Homes Blog

What Color Are You ???

By Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Services for Real Estate Pros with Westbrook Realty

January 06, 2008 12:48 AM

The news this morning was full of political rehashing and banter.

While eating my breakfast, I heard this question:

"What will Barack Obama's reaction be as the first black candidate to win a

presidential primary? "

I cringed. I think this question is inane. How do you think he feels?

I'd say pretty darn good and rightfully so...

HE WON.

Does the emphasis on his skin color make any difference to the answer. I don't think so, so why ask it?

(The people who wouldn't vote for him because of his skin color are another topic entirely)

Would the pundits ask Mitt Romney what it feels like to be the first Mormon to win a presidential primary?

Would they ask Hillary Clinton what it feels like as the first First lady to win a presidential primary?

Would they ask John McCain what it feels like to be the first Vietnam POW to win a presidential primary?

Yes, the media probably will ask all these questions but are they really good questions? NO.

This is not about politics. Personally, I am pretty disillusioned about all the candidates at this point. This

discussion is about how we are continually divided by categories: race, religion, region, sex, age, etc.

When will we wake up and see that these little differences really do not divide us?

We are all people. We all want respect and human dignity. When you reduce me to a female boomer with red

hair who lives in a blue state, do you really know anything important about me???

I realize we are not going to solve this deep-seated problem overnight but hopefully, if we shine a spotlight on

this, more people will see the futility of race division and STOP DOING IT!!

photo from us illlinios senator barak obama site

Comments(26)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Dan, I too, am hoping and praying for a positive change in our political agenda. This post isn't about the election, though that is the hot topic on the news. I think we all hope for a better world and a place where we can all live in peace.

Jan 06, 2008 01:59 AM

Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Michael, the online news is very addictive. Instant updates!! Small bits of info you can read in 10 seconds.....perfect for busy people.

I'm an old fashioned girl and I think you need to read a lot of opinions and facts before you decide. My eyes like bigger type than you find online, maybe I need a bigger screen?

Jan 06, 2008 02:03 AM

Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Kim: Thanks.

Kenneth & Melissa: This isn't about Barack or Hillary as candidates. This is about our still racist view of the world, but thanks for your political commentary.

Jan 06, 2008 02:06 AM

Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Thanks, Brian, for actually reading my post and then commenting. I look forward to the day when these types of questions aren't even thought of, much less asked.

Jan 06, 2008 02:20 AM

Lane Bailey

Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA

Realtor & Car Guy

I think it is a valid question, and I don't see a problem with it. I can also tell you that both Hillary and Barrack are using their minority status as a weapon against dissension. That said, I wish that more people would act colorblind... and in this case, genderblind.

But, for those two candidates, color/gender blindness are the LAST things they want. They want people to vote for them for those reasons. They will continue to make it an issue while they say that it isn't an issue. Honestly, if those factors were removed, neither of them would be where they are. Hillary would have a better shot... but she shouldn't.

Jan 06, 2008 02:36 AM

Eleanor Thorne

Equity Resources - Cary, NC

Advantage Lending 919-649-5058

Like it was realy going to happen.... but I watched ALL of the ABC/Facebook coverage last night waiting for someone to say SOMETHING intellegent about the ECONOMY.

Didn't happen... no matter what gender, age (you know McCain woudl be the oldest too), OR religous affiliation - no one has a clue...

We're doomed.

Jan 06, 2008 05:21 AM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Bonnie, As much as I like to believe we are open minded to ALL people at this point, I still don't see that is true. Until we can all do that we can't find the absolute best candidate.

Jan 06, 2008 11:12 AM

Karen Webster...Grand Rapids, MI Realtor

5 Star Real Estate, Grand Rapids MI - Grand Rapids, MI

Our political machine has become a big, lumbering monster that eats its young (us).

And the media, as always, is trying to create controversy with inane comparisons. Good thing they don't know who's circumcised.

Jan 06, 2008 04:05 PM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Bonnie- Yes you are right about the Media....but will they change, I doubt it. Will we, I doubt it.....and will we get even more crazy statements....you bet we will.....welcome to Politics :)

Jan 06, 2008 04:30 PM

Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Lane: Thanks for giving us your views on the topic.

Eleanor: I watched some of it, too. I can't figure out why intelligent people( I'm giving them that) can spend hours explaining their positions and opinions and I don't know much more than when I started watching. Is this just me? or is this the art of being a politician in the 21st century? You are right. They didn't talk about the economy, other than Bill R. saying Americans will need to suffer a little concerning gas prices. I don't think we're doomed, we are just in for more of the same, which is pretty scary.

Carole: You are probaby right. Sad, heh?

Karen: If they thought it would play, they would find out! You crack me up!!! I'm thinking laughter is the best medicine for this scenario.

Kathy:I know there is a lot of crap, filler, misdirection, and downright lying done in a campaign. It is a human process and full of human error. I suppose I am an idealist and was hoping we could all be a little farther along on the evolutionary road.

Jan 07, 2008 12:24 AM

» Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator

» Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator - Fort Myers, FL

Bonnie:

I agree with you regarding labelling. The color of one's skin should not matter. We are AMERICANS!

The problem I have is this. Barack will not forgo a chance to tout that he was the first Black to do whatever. I have seen this in other Black leaders and sports figures, conservative and liberal alike. Remember the coaches of last year's Super Bowl. Don't get me wrong. I think Tony Dungy is a class act. But you know what? His color did not win him the Super Bowl. He winning the super bowl showed he was he best coach in the N.F.L.

Bottom line. Like M.J.'s lyrics said, "It don't matter if you're black or white."

I am tired of the duplicity in the government, with politicians, with leaders. Let's live together. Stop preaching integration if you are promoting segregation. You can't have both. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said a person should not be judged by the color of his skin. Lets not. Let's not give extra points on civil service exams because of color. Let's not give scholarships because of color. Let's not hire based on color. Let's not promote reparations for slavery. These things divide people.

I think all Americans would get along much better if our leaders and our government stopped discriminating based on race.

Jan 07, 2008 02:05 AM

Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

You are so right, Bill. The divisions and classifications are everywhere and very much sanctioned by our government. Just why do we need to put what race we are on forms? If you are multiracial, how do you fill it out?? Why is it necessary?

Jan 07, 2008 02:22 AM

» Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator

» Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator - Fort Myers, FL

Bonnie:

On the Uniform Residential Loan Application, race, national origin and sex are all included. They are not used for qualification purposes. They are used for government tracking. As a mortgage broker, discrimination based on race, sex or national origin is non-existent. No one makes any money unless the loan is funded.

Jan 07, 2008 02:32 AM

Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Why does the government need to track this....do we need to pay for a bureaucracy to keep track of our racial diversity? The census also asks for race or national origin. It must fill up computers someplace. It always surprises me when they ask this and I find it offensive.

Jan 07, 2008 03:35 AM

» Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator

» Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator - Fort Myers, FL

Bonnie:

I know with employment, they keep track for quotas in hiring. What good is census info anyway? Its always dated and in Florida for instance there are so many undocumented people the census numbers are useless. I guess if you want to screw something up just put the government in charge. Wait. That is unfair. They are in charge of regulating mortgage lending. :).

Jan 07, 2008 05:12 AM

Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

I agree about the coolness quotient, Andrew. I was thinking about this today and the whole world is watching us go through this process. We are choosing a world leader who will affect world history for years to come. My son in law is a Polish citizen and his parents are concerned about the US and our role in Iraq and they are watching this election very closely, as is most of the world.

Jan 08, 2008 09:47 AM

Eric Webster

Five Star Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids, MI, Five Star Realty

Bonnie,

Good thought provoking post. You are right, we ARE ALL ONE. What we do to another, we're doing to ourselves.

I remain optimistic that more people are paying closer attention to what is important, and that more people are turning off the mainstream media, NOT because they are crazy liberals (And oh yes, when did liberal become a dirty word?), but because their job is to create controversy, to create conflict, to sell advertising and get people to click on their websites so they can create controversy, create conflict and to sell advertising in a new medium.

Jan 08, 2008 10:06 AM

Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Thanks Eric for your cogent comment. When you get to mucking around with this subject, it is nice to get a little "light " on it.

Jan 08, 2008 12:18 PM

Donna Yates

BHGRE - Metro Brokers - Blue Ridge, GA

Blue Ridge Mountains

Bonnie: Great post and you said it best about being a boomer in a blue state, does that make anyone really know anyting important about you. Do you think we will ever see the day when the type house someone lives in, or the car they drive, or the color of their skin, age, etc. will no longer have any bearing? I doubt it. I pray that Americans are paying close attention to the issues and the platform that each of these politicians stand for and make note of those who keep changing their game plan, trying to find whatever ploy will work to give them the edge. I just want true and serious leadership and straight-forward answers on the issues. So far, I'm not all that impressed with any of them.

Jan 10, 2008 11:27 AM

Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

I hear ya, Donna. I would put LEADERSHIP high on the list and it sure seems to be lacking to me.

Jan 10, 2008 11:50 AM

Older Post

Newer Post

Rainmaker
137,937

Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Real Estate Resources

Real Estate, Home Staging Tips & Local Community Information in the Grand Rapids Area, including Ada, Cascade, Caledonia, East Grand Rapids, Rockford, Lowell,and Kentwood.

Comments(26)

Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Real Estate Resources

Additional Information