Obama the white Bill Clinton?

[ZiKi]

My teacher has assigned us a topic in which we have to answer in 3 to for 4 paragraphs. I have little interest or knowledge of politics and I hope some of you could help me out

"Bill Clinton has been described as America's first black president. Barack Obama has been described as the white Bill Clinton. What does this all mean? Try and solve these seemingly contradictory statements in a short (3 to 4) paragraph essay."

Someone explained that Bill could be "the first black president" because his office is in Harlem. Could this be why?

Thanks in advance

 

[FoBoT]

no , it has nothing to do with where his office is/was

 

[Hammerhead]

¿Que pasa, essay?

 

[ZiKi]

Ahh, a little wikipedia browsing led to this:

"Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison in 1998 called Clinton "the first Black president," saying "Clinton displays almost every trope of blackness: single-parent household, born poor, working-class, saxophone-playing, McDonald's-and-junk-food-loving boy from Arkansas," and, despite his career accomplishments, comparing Clinton's scrutinized sex life to the stereotyping and double standards that blacks typically endure"

 

[FoBoT]

that is closer


he wanted to relate to that demographic to get their vote

 

[ZiKi]

any other input?

 

[Malak]

Wait, so because he's poor that means he's black? WTF and this guy won the nobel prize? I would write the entire page on why racism is alive today and how this person should be ridiculed, not awarded prizes.

 

[her209]

They are both cunning linguists!?

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: Malak
Wait, so because he's poor that means he's black? WTF and this guy won the nobel prize? I would write the entire page on why racism is alive today and how this person should be ridiculed, not awarded prizes.

IIRC Toni Morrison is a woman.

 

[puffff]

write about how a president should not be noted for being white, black, asian, hispanic, male, or female, and instead be simple recognized as the president of the united states.

 

[ZiKi]

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061113/younge

 

[JS80]

Obama will not win. I doubt he'll even be Democratic nominee.

 

[TehMac]

They're both failed attempts to try and be popular politicians.

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: Malak
Wait, so because he's poor that means he's black? WTF and this guy won the nobel prize? I would write the entire page on why racism is alive today and how this person should be ridiculed, not awarded prizes.

IIRC Toni Morrison is a woman.

Should have noticed the i at the end. Regardless, the point stands.

 

[yowolabi]

Originally posted by: Malak
Wait, so because he's poor that means he's black? WTF and this guy won the nobel prize? I would write the entire page on why racism is alive today and how this person should be ridiculed, not awarded prizes.

She won the nobel prize in literature for her books, not for her soundbites. One has nothing to do with the other.

 

[NuclearNed]

Wouldn't Obama be the black Bill Clinton?

 

[yowolabi]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
Wouldn't Obama be the black Bill Clinton?

I understand what they're trying to say, but I agree it's an idiotic question. I think Obama is half white anyway.

 

[everman]

First define "is", then get back to us. thanks

 

[bleeb]

Wow this is tough.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: yowolabi

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
Wouldn't Obama be the black Bill Clinton?

I understand what they're trying to say, but I agree it's an idiotic question. I think Obama is half white anyway.

Not only is he half white, his dad is an African immigrant. He's not a "true" black-American.

 

[herkulease]

and what grade is this for?

 

[spaceman]

Saruman was the white.
radagast the brown
gandalf, well we all know.
obama the green

 

[axelfox]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: yowolabi

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
Wouldn't Obama be the black Bill Clinton?

I understand what they're trying to say, but I agree it's an idiotic question. I think Obama is half white anyway.

Not only is he half white, his dad is an African immigrant. He's not a "true" black-American.

True, but you can't get more African-American than him if his mom was a white American.

 

[Atheus]

He is the black Tony Blair. All show.

Originally posted by: JS80
Not only is he half white, his dad is an African immigrant. He's not a "true" black-American.

Why? All black Americans are immigrants somewhere down the line... and so are you...

 

[yowolabi]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: yowolabi

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
Wouldn't Obama be the black Bill Clinton?

I understand what they're trying to say, but I agree it's an idiotic question. I think Obama is half white anyway.

Not only is he half white, his dad is an African immigrant. He's not a "true" black-American.

I don't necessarily agree. My parents both immigrated from Nigeria. Even though my ancestry is 100% from that country, nobody can tell that by looking at or listening to me. So, outside of my home, I lived the same types of experiences as any other Black American.