The Wit and Wisdom of Toby Keith

TK isn’t a deep thinker. Ask Natalie Maines. On the other hand, sadly TK has a point. As said before, this is about culture wars and now, generation wars. If this weren’t so, Obama wouldn’t have to slap down Ludicrous or other supporters who won’t accept that a campaign run symbolically can’t be an us vs them.
Race is the wrapper for differences we can’t otherwise bundle neatly with ‘three chords and the truth’.

Is this any worse than Joe Biden saying that Obama was “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy” – seeming to say the dems better grab this candidate while they could since lord knows how long it would be before another presentable black candidate came along. I think Biden’s comment was one of the most outrageous of this entire campaign. Interesting that Ferraro’s comments drew such fire while Biden’s flew under the media radar.

Toby’s comments may be inappropriate and offensive to some. I regret to say, though, that regardless of whether they are true or not, it is what many people are thinking, but are afraid to say, because they will be labelled racist. Toby will probably get a lot of backlash for this. Obama I would think is running out of race cards in his deck.

Sad very sad. I know a lot of black lawyers, doctors, judges, CEOs… gangsters…. just how are black people suppose to look and act?? What is wrong with you people. I am white and I have never ever thought that.
I also know a lot of white lawyers, doctors, judges, CEOs, construction workers… gangsters??? just who do we act??

Toby Keith is a punk and a racist. Who listens to that garbage anyway — other than the likes of Glen Beck and his audience? (I’m trying to forgive Stephen Colbert.) Good grief!

Some people are just meant to be experts on certain things, guitar strings, beer, twangs, etc.

Is this all you have today ABC the other news are actually doing really good stories like this one:
McCains new ad:
But the ad makes some dubious claims:
1) When it says that Obama voted “to raise taxes on people making just $42,000,” that was on a non-binding budget resolution vote that didn’t actually raise or lower taxes. From Factcheck.org: “The resolution does not contain a specific provision to raise tax rates, but rather assumes that most of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts expire as scheduled in 2011.”
2) According to Obama’s economic plan, he would raise taxes only on those making more than $250,000 per year, and would provide tax cuts to those making less than that. Factcheck.org: “Obama has stated repeatedly that his plan would increase taxes only for those making more than $250,000 per year.”
* NBC’s Domenico Montanaro adds that, according to the non-partisan Tax Policy Center’s analysis of both candidates’ plans, by 2009, under Obama’s plan, those making $37,595 would see an average increase in their income of 3.6%, or a tax cut of $892; those making an average of $66,354, would see an increase in their income of 2.4%, or a tax cut of $1,042.
On the other hand, Under McCain’s plan, those making $37,595, would see an increase in their income of only about 0.5%, or $113 tax cut; those making $66,354, would see only an increase of 0.7% in their income, or a tax break of $319.

My feeling is that the discussion about race won’t really begin until after the race is over. People right now are too afraid to talk about anything, even their own prejudices.

And IMO, Obama’s campaign is doing everything possible to stop the discussion of race unless it is them who are discussing it. I really don’t believe that is any more right when they accuse of others of using race when it they are not.

decentAmerican;
the post was about one persons TK comments. We discussed the lyrics of Ludacris (disgusting) thoroughly last week. You are making the point of bias association. Obama quickly had to disassociate himself with Ludacris lyrics and it dosen’t enter into conscience to ask the same of McCain

There are alot of Black people in the midwest who don’t Talk “Black” Blacks in Urban areas have a southern dialect because southern blacks are still relocating to urban areas. Black people who’s families go back to the 1860′s in the midwest west don’t have southern dialects, I’m sure if Toby went to the north east he would say white people up hear talk like “Englishters”

ARE YOU EVER GOING TO DISECT AND ANALYSE MCCAIN AS YOU DO OBAMA….there is plenty of material while Obama is on vacation. Mccain had months of a free ride. This is getting very telling.

I want to know what acting white means. I am an educated black woman. Does this mean that if I use correct english, I am tying to act white. Well damn, it thought since we speak english in this country, you should know how to speak it correctly. So if a white person speaks slang or incorrect english is he/she acting black? What about hispanics, asians? Toby stick to singing.

Race is real folks. Sorry that your need to be PC causes you to twist your brains.
Obama would not be even able to run if he wasn’t Black AND White. He’s never done anything in his whole life that millions of others haven’t done. If elected he will tarnish the Black image and the Black hope and disappoint the PC deluded.

mike;
you’re in too deep

I am black and I listen to Toby Keith cause his music and voice is good I appreciate his patriotism to our country. I don’t agree with what he is saying concerning my race’s own view of our characteristics but I appreciate his candor and the opportunity to comment on them He rocks for that! and Barack Rocks cause he has his opinions out there same as TK for everyone to comment and complain about!

To all of those who have posted a “conspiracy theory” about Toby Keith being a Republican trying to hurt Obama or that McCain should reject Toby Keith’s statements……Toby Keith is a lifelong DEMOCRAT who says he supports Obama (although he does say he has not yet decided who he will vote for). So if he is a Democrate and is not endorsing McCain….why should McCain have to reject his statements? Get your facts straight…..

Well, maybe Obama doesn’t talk black, but Toby seems to. But he isn’t black. So maybe, Toby doesn’t talk white. Big hairy deal! He doesn’t write like Mozart or Bach either. Does that somehow mean he “don’t” write music like a musician? Give it a listen and come to your own conclusion.

so i guess now blacks arent gonna buy his music? lol.

Go to Atlanta and listen to people speak and you will know what he is talking about. They actually tried to add “ebonics” to school systems so the teachers could speak to the students in a language that they would understand. If you don’t believe me…go and find the speech that Bill Cosby gave on this same subject. I believe that with him being a very successful black man he has a true opionion on this.

Barack Obama, Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell … the list of well-educated blacks goes on and on. They don’t act a color. They’re just being themselves.

he doesn’t know what blacks would say, but he makes a comment like this?!?!? w

It would even be better if the planet could consider the scientific evidence that there is only one RACE, the human race. There is no us or them on this planet, its all us. We may have difference shades of skin, hair or eyes, but we are not different races, we are one human race with minor differences. This means there is no such thing as mix marriage for example. That whole idea is false. God doesn’t care about the color of your skin. He does care about the condition of you heart and soul.

I wish I had the insight to see what millions on people had in the “backs of their mind”. Jeesh, I’d just like to know what my wife’s thinking half the time!

So Keith doesn’t think Obama is black enough, HOW VERY WHITE OF HIM.

Obama is in a no win situation. We have had all: “He is not black enough,” “He is too black.” “He is acting white.” Obama has black and white blood in him. That, in this circumstance, can be a uniting factor! More fundamentally, WE ARE ALL ONE–all members of the human race, one race of humanity, all in the family of God!

Huh? Can someone tell me then what carrying yourself as a Caucasian means?

NWGal, the goal of introducing and blending ebonics into the classroom was well-intentioned. many children who grow up in the african-american community spend the first 4-5 years of their life (before they enter school) being exposed to and speaking the African American dialect of English. which there’s nothing wrong with, there are many dialects of english, this one just happens to be a little more different than standard english. so when they enter school, they are now expected to communicate and understand standard english which they’re not accustomed to. they should of course learn to speak and communicate with standard english, but the gradual blending of african american dialect helps the transition. if not, it can really affect reading comprehension and test scores. for example, in african american dialect words that end in “th” are often pronounced with an “f” sound at the end. so students accustomed to hearing this for many years, could read the word “deaf” on a page, but think in their head the word “death”, because this is how they are accustomed to hearing it. so it’s important to teach students how to differentiate, which is why schools could benefit from incorporating african american dialect into their classrooms.

Don’t we have other things to be concerned about than who sounds what? Why is it always about race? Toby, you don’t sound black, so whats your point? Lets get on with issues that matter. Is this news, or tabloid trash?

Apparently, Mr. Keith knows very little if anything about black people or the black culture. It’s a shame that blacks have been in America since long before the Mayflower ever crashed landed at Plymouth Rock, but blacks still remain an overall mystery, the true aliens of American society, even as newly arrived immigrants are broadly embraced, allowed and even helped to assimilate in mainstream America. But blacks are a mystery and shadow still relegated to the background or the backseats on the American bus, psychologically in the minds of many. What does it mean to SOUND BLACK? Can someone please explain this? This is an insult to us all, regardless of what our ethnicity may be, and proves just how far along america has NOT evolved from its old ways.

Gee everybody, don’t you follow prime time TV and the hit Hip-Hop recordings?
“Ebonics” has been glamorized and is a unique part of black america.
Whats the problem?

It wasn’t long ago Toby was quoted as saying celebrities shouldn’t talk about politics. Take your own advice Toby. Well, unless you’ve got a bad movie to promote. Then there’s no such thing as bad publicity. Just bad movies. “Beer For My Horses” no doubt will be a candidate for the Raspberry Awards this year.

Open mouth, insert foot…(or both feet)

And I don’t think the stuff coming out of Toby Keith’s mouth sounds like music. The point is?

When will people STOP thinking that b/c a person uses proper English that they are “acting” white. Give me a break! White people are not the only class of people that payed attention in English class and they do not own proper English either. On the other side that talk that keeps being referenced as “black” is the same talk that millions of non-blacks aspire to learn and use. So stop trying to find some scientific explanation for why Obama is more articulate than our current President and other President wanna be! He is simply a cool dude that can’t be replicated or reduced by the haters (do u require an explanation for haters?)If so I’m probably talking about U!!! OBAMA 2008

I understand what Keith means.
Obama was MIA in New Orleans in the spring – but Hillary spoke.
Obama was MIA at Tavis Smiley’s Black forum – but Hillary spoke.
Obama has now refused to debate McCain in New Orleans – sponsored by Google.
But when speaking, he and Michelle DO vacillate between standard English and street talk.

CINCYR,
Didnt Willie Nelson sing that part of the song, and Willie is the least racist person on Earth. Get over the hypersensativity, obama has called me typical, bitter, I have antipathy for people who dont look like me, ignorant, and embarrassing.

Does anyone actually know what they are talking about or do they just attack? One of the men I respect most in this country is Bill Cosby. I’ve enjoyed him since doing Fat Albert and then later The Cosby Show. I didn’t care about his color, only that he was funny. Because of his success on The Cosby Show, many called him a “sell-out” or that he was “acting white”. I can’t speak for Toby but I can understand what he’s saying. It seems that Bill Cosby was attacked for his success while 50 Cents and “Gangsta” rappers are praised.

Scotti Posted: Obama ahead in the poll because because as we’ve seen the last 7 years with Bush, Republicans don’t know what they’re doing. He’s not ahead because he’s black! In fact I bet, and this is just a hunch, I bet he’d be farther ahead if he were all white!
Scotti, if Obama was white he would still be “Organizing” the Chicago ghettos trying to get into the senate. You guys can talk all the trash you want but Ferraro was absolutly correct when she said no white person could have done what bama has done in 1000 years, who do you guys think your fooling? If there was another Reagan equiv, the libs would never even consider him.

I think Pam’s correct. More so, I think a lot of Caucasians have a major problem with anyone of any color that appears to be more intelligent than they are. Of course one would think that this sort of thing would seem fairly common by now, but it scares the hell out of em’.

As Joe Biden himself said when Obama got into this “Well, he is smart, articulate, clean…” did not hear anybody calling Biden a racist. But it is funny how Biden is carrying Obamas luggage now.

trex2u, I agree with you. Even though he is a politicol idiot he presents himself well and should be a role model for all children (in some ways). Conrary to what will be percieved I am not voting for him because he is black but because he is a socialist.

All of this “acting white” stuff is such lovely veiled racism. Reminds me of “Planet of the Apes”, when the apes insist that Charlton Heston is merely “acting civilized” and “mimicking”, because someone of his race could not possibly behave that way of his own accord. “Talking black” is a euphemism for “talking poor and uneducated”, and it obviously makes a lot of white people suspicious (or maybe nervous) when they see blacks behaving otherwise.

Why is the black thing so heavy in this election, we can look farther back than Colin Powell for competent blacks who could run this country, Benjamin Banneker a friend and advisor to Jefferson could have done a fine job, Fredrick Douglas friend and advisor to Lincoln could of been a vice president, this is almost 300 years of competent people who helped run our country who are also black and talked “white” and where also bi-racial, the old saying about black people getting too close or too high is at work here. white southerners don’t care how close you get but don’t get too high, meaning they will live next door to you as long as your house is not better than theirs.

Obviously, Toby Keith’s exposure to the Black community is limited to the typical negative portrayal of Blacks, on nightly news coverage, by the major media outlets. Toby should probably speak on matters more closely associated to his profession and leave political and social commentary to those, a bit more adept at speaking on these matters.
Barack Obama, (a Black Man) is not an aberration when it comes to his mastery of the English language.
Can we just stop with the stereotypes ?
Discussions on how white he sounds and how white people think black people will respond to his “whiteness”, only further validates the racial divides in this country.
Make no mistake on this matter, Barack Obama has the support of the black community. Barack Obama embodies those traits and characteristics we as mothers, sisters and family desire for our children. They transcend race, ethnicity, religion, social and economic levels and language. No matter that his mother is white and father is black. He’s not simply one of our sons, he’s one of yours as well. He epitomizes the best of us all, the brightest of us all and the hopes we all share for our future. No need for concern Toby, Obama has our vote. As I’m pretty sure, McCain has your’s.

Barack takes his first week in a over a year (george Bush should take notes) and suddenly …the McCain campaign has the spotlight all on his own..
…and suddenly America screeches in horror.

Toby and a few of the posters here should stop looking to awards shows and videos to get their perception of black people. I cringe when I watch some of those people on TV, and I am black! Make friends with a black person (one like yourself who goes to wrk each day and pays his taxes and ask them how emabarassed they are by the fools on TV. By the way, why shouldn’t he “act white”, he was raised by a white woman, right? He’s from Chicago, but he is not JJ Evans from Good Times, people.

G W Bush can’t speak his native language , he makes errors all the time and no one cares much He waas elected two times. I think the public will just over look or not pay much attetion to this issue . I don’t pretend to understand but i do know we elect people for some pretty silly reason. I am still trying to figure out how we got two terms of this Bush. Someone tell that!

Scotti, you wrote: “In fact I bet he’d (Sen. Obama) be farther ahead if he were all white!”
If Sen. Obama had been white he would not be the presumptive nominee for the Democratic Party. In fact, he probably would have dropped out early in the primaries like Biden, Edwards, Dodd and the others.

Correction: GW Bush is the first president in US history to be RE-elected without having been elected the first time. Al Gore won the first election.

Toby Keith’s comments are as stupid as they come from white people regarding Obama….the man is a polished, educated, articulate man…the way he talks and acts reflects that period…we need to stop looking at the color of a person’s skin…we have trained and conditioned to see the differences in people since birth…we need to elevate our perceptions of our realities to understand that we are all the same period…the color of your skin, your religious convictions mean nothing anymore…we are all the same…humans…the quicker people realize this…the quicker the world will be a better place…period.

Why do people say that when a black person speaks correctly, acts responsibly, and dresses appropriately that they are “white”? There are people who use incorrect grammar (is that cool?), dress ridiculously, and have no concept for being responsible or polite. These people are made up of all races, not just black people. I don’t understand why it has become an insult to show that you are a kind, respectable, educated black person. That is what people should strive to be, not a black/white/Hispanic/Asian hoodlum.

Toby Keith is basically saying same thing as Bill Crosby, the only difference is BC is black! Now they are both considered racist?

Too many people get all worked up over the truth. TK is just calling it like it is.

real sad how obamas being judged he doesnt talk black enough, he doesnt talk white enough, hes not black enough, hes not white enough, SOME PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY ARE REALLY SAD PATHETIC AS WELL AS IGNORANT!!!!! it shouldnt matter the color it should matter if your views for this country match his!!!

First of all, Toby Keith’s opinion is not worth more than any other citizen’s. He is no expert in any field except country music. Yet because his work is in a domain the reaches the public so readily, he has far more influence than, say, a cultural studies professor who deserves this readership much more.
Second, since obviously Mr. Keith’s assessment is shared by many Americans, it is evident that many people don’t understand how, exactly, his statements
are racist. This is further demonstrated by the responses made by your readership here. They aren’t looking deep enough into the language to see how this is more than just talking about differences – there is a lot of latent action in the words that is being missed. Knowing all of this, Mr. Tapper, why in the world wouldn’t you take this opportunity to explain it to them? You’re in a position to possibly educate a large number of people about why you – rightfully – found something so terribly appalling, and all you could provide is “wow”?
You’re not giving enough respect to your work or your position. I would love to be in your position and really dive in and analyze this, knowing all of these people would read it and possibly learn something about their language and their culture that clearly isn’t obvious to them. It’s unfortunate that Toby Keith reaches a wider audience for this subject than more deserving minds, but it’s even more unfortunate that a writer on our news site perpetuates this by making it reach an even wider audience and even going so far as to express an editorial stance, without going deep enough for it to make any difference whatsoever. Wasted opportunity. I’d be happy to write an editorial analyzing Mr. Keith’s statement if I thought abcnews.com would publish it.
Sorry for the long message; thank you for taking the time to read it.

Every time I come to ABCNews.com I see a new headline that makes me as an Obama supporter cringe.
Some samples from today:
OBAMA SAYS ALOHA TO CAMPAIGN WOES.
What woes? He’s leading. He’s run a spectacular campaign.
OBAMA TRIP BRINGS LINGERING TENSION AND QUESTIONS ABOUT DIRECTION.
What? Couldn’t that headline be written about McCain? And what questions are there about the direction of the campaign? This headline is clearly an attempt to sow doubts about the strength of his candidacy.
How about this for a headline ABCNews.com:
IN LATEST AD, MCCAIN FLAT OUT LIES ABOUT OBAMA’S TAX POLICY.
Why not? It’s true.

Has Toby Keith ever hear George Bush Speak. George Kills the king’s english. Maybe he talks black. This is what he learned at the high and mighty university!!

Toby Kieth is obviously not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Right on par with the “Decider” though.

Cathy- “Has Toby Keith ever hear George Bush Speak. George Kills the king’s english”
You wouldn’t understand much of what he said if he did. We speak “merican” here.
Try talking to someone in central England sometime.

who in the he11 is “Toby Keith?” Or “Glen Beck” for that matter. I don’t listen to Keith’s music and I surely don’t watch Beck’s show.
Time to move on.

Regardless of Race,
Obama is a public official and I will say whatever i feel i want to say about him. As a public official he has no privacy or right to tell the American public what is or what is not their business.
Fact is, the only reason he is where he is, is because he is black. You have all his supporters talking crap about him behind everyones back but yet when they are on camera they praise him high and mighty. They do not like him or care for him, they are simply voting for him because he is black.
SIMPLE! Get Educated America!

Black and White are not languages Toby they are colors.

What’s the harm in what he said? Most midwest, west coast and east coast Americans don’t think Toby Keith doesn’t speak American English enough, if yawl no what I mean.

If you were hiring a CEO and one candidate for the job thinks we have internets like “we haf to git that out there on the ‘internets”…and the other candidate just recently sent his first email…and admits it…would you hire them. Who are the candidates? George W. Bush and John McCain…
And Americans wonder this country is &^%$& beyond all recognition…
Johnny America

You critics are so phony. You’re getting all riled up (supposedly) over this man’s remarks about talking white vs. talking black, when the truth is – ALL OF US KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TK IS SAYING.
Listen to Michael Eric Dyson and you’ll see it very clearly… Dyson’s radio show is a beautiful tightrope between cerebralism/intellectualism and street hip-hop vernacular. Dyson is a radio host and he knows his audience. He is comfortable (as is Obama) speaking the white man’s English – more so than some white people, I might add! But every so often, Dyson needs to inject a little “color,” a little “rhythm” or “rhymin” – the black shorthand, if you will – to his audience.
This is offensive? Not to me. I am a person of color. It is the nature of communication – you strive to reach your audience. As Obama tries to reach a multicultural audience, he must walk that tightrope… if any of you doubt the validity of what TK is saying, just STUDY CAREFULLY the “delivery” of an Obama message in a black church, versus the “delivery” of an Obama message in one of those so-called RED states.
If there is no discernible difference, then TK is wrong.. and you can all feel vindicated. However, if there is a difference (however slight), then y’all need to recognize and shut the *&%*% up!

Wasn’t BO the one that said that his grandmother was a “typical white person”? The MSM never asked him exactly what he meant. If BO can express his opinion, so can Mr. Keith. No double standards please …..

Yeah, I’m thinking that stating an observation, especially one that is likely true, doesn’t qualify someone as racist. You can tell me I have freckles. It’s true. Doesn’t make me think you have anything against it. Maybe you do, maybe you don’t, but making the statement doesn’t mean anything. At all. But that you noticed. Period. Black, white, brown, purple, why is everyone having so much fun with racism and whether or not someone is a racist? Those who keep looking for it are those who keep it alive.

How do the McCain supporters come up with this stuff? It’s HILARIOUS! JOHN MCCAIN FOR COURT JESTER IN ’08 – The Straight Talk Express is now officially the John “Jester” McCain Traveling Vaudeville Show, all while Americans lose their homes and jobs. Since McCain loves playing the fool, let’s all share a laugh with him (or at him), and leave the IMPORTANT decisions to OBAMA.

Speaking poorly isn’t talking black. Poor speech is poor speech regardless of who practices it. The African-American community doesn’t have any claim of ownership to poor grammar. White people speak equally as poorly. Uneducated people use poor grammar. Barack Obama’s speech isn’t that of an uneducated person. Poorly speaking, uneducated people aren’t exclusively African-American.

It’s fine to say any nasty evil thing about Toby because that’s PC. Hypocrisy is what it is!

He is pretty stating it like it is. Not sure why this comment would be shocking to anyone.

Unfortunately there are many people who think like TK. The way you ‘carry’ yourself doesn’t have anything to do with your color or your education – it’s all about what ‘hood you’re from and its particular culture. I work with an educated black woman here in Los Angeles and as much as I love her, it still irks me when she comes to me and says, “Hey girl, I need to axe you something.”

By the way Johnny America the electoral vote is
Obama 0
McCain 0
For you and all the pundits anything else is pure speculataion based on past elections, possible voting blocks and wishful thinking.
Let’s wait for some voting to take place before we count them.

two points:
1. Obama is half white. He was raised by white grandparents. What’s all this crap about Obama being black? He may look black, but not until he was an adult did he live with blacks. Remember, his stepfather is Indonesian.
2. This is a no-win argument for Obama. If he ‘acts black’ he will get just as much criticism.
Oh, and a third point … a large mouth does not equate to smart and informed. The crap i’ve heard from toby keith leads me to believe he is a dumb ignorant fool who happens to have a platform due to incredible talent. This is America and he is free to say whatever he wants, but I hope people see through his ignorance.

Freedom of Speech Ya’ll, if Obama and his family can listen to Ludacris x-rated music then Toby Keith can say whatever is on his mind. It’s a free country, and that doesn’t mean we have to like what he’s saying, but freedom of speech gives us that right to say what’s on our mind. Obama is a public figure and a candidate, so we can talk about him all we want, otherwise go and hide in the ghetto or the mansion you got from Rezko.

Hey Toby, why don’t you just shut up and sing?
It isn’t like I am going to allow you to influence my thinking. I don’t even listen to you sing, so distasteful I find you.
Men like you are on the outs in today’s society.

The black community has waited a long time for the opportunity to have someone, who understands exactly their day to day struggles as a black Americans, be in a position of power such as President of the United States. If a black citizen were elected President, that would bring hope that finally someone with genuine knowledge as to the life of a black American citizen could be represented, understood and improved. Although there have been Presidents in the past who have been supportive of minority rights, not one of them can fully understand or represent what a black person’s life is truly like in this country and what types of obstacles a black person may have to overcome just because of the color of their skin or the slang they have been taught since birth. Toby Keith’s comment merely points out that the black community “in the back of their minds” may wonder whether Obama, even though his skin is black, truly “gets” the black community as a whole. He does not talk their talk so can he walk their walk…did he ever? Certainly the black community would be proud to have a black citizen become President. However to have waited so long only to have a President who has black skin but in now way can relate at all to the black community as whole would be no different than having another white President. Obama is facing protests by the black community on his campaign trail regarding this very issue. I don’t think the black community has any doubt as to what advantage John McCain as President might bring to them…that would be nothing. But, right now they have Obama really close to being President and they just aren’t certain whether he is truly one of them or just another white guy in black skin.
Another thing blacks might have “in the back of their minds” is “why are all these white people rallying behind Obama, a black man?” Let’s face it, our history as a nation is enough to make the older black community suspicious when a majority of white people are close to electing a black man President of the United States. Thirty years ago, that would only happen if hell froze over and since, to my knowledge, hell hasn’t frozen over, the older black community has got to be thinking “well if the white folk are voting for him, then that ain’t no black man”.

And Toby Keith calls Natalie Maines stupid. Hey Toby, why don’t you just shut the hell up? Nobody gives a damn what you think.

Let me just extend that last post.
Men like Toby Keith are the exact reason why over 50% of today’s women are living without spouse. Since marriages are so rightfully and justifiable disposable, the male gender, presently embodied by the likes of Keith, are going to need to learn to be far more companionable, since they are no longer the sole source of economics in the family household. Men no longer run the show, Toby. And if men can’t handle that condition, then it is highly likely that there are few women willing to marry them.
Christianity has failed the people of this country. The Religious Rite has caused Christianity to become so incredibly superficial that people no longer remain with one church throughout their lifetime, but frequently change their membership, and/or simply cease to attend regularly. The Religious Rite will be the main cause of the tragic and massive fall of Christianity in this country.
People are looking to feed their souls and many of today’s Christian churches DO NOT fill that need anymore.

Toby Keith just gave me one more reason to think that he is dumber than a box of rocks….he should just keep his uninformed opinions to himself.

“Apparently, Mr. Keith knows very little if anything about black people or the black culture. It’s a shame that blacks have been in America since long before the Mayflower ever crashed landed at Plymouth Rock, but blacks still remain an overall mystery, the true aliens of American society, even as newly arrived immigrants are broadly embraced, allowed and even helped to assimilate in mainstream America. But blacks are a mystery and shadow still relegated to the background or the backseats on the American bus, psychologically in the minds of many. What does it mean to SOUND BLACK? Can someone please explain this? This is an insult to us all, regardless of what our ethnicity may be, and proves just how far along america has NOT evolved from its old ways. ”
___________________________
Dear shame-shame-toby — what you wrote above is just a PERFECT example of the victim mindset of african Americans, and many Americans, include myself, are pretty darn sick of it. 50 years ago, yes, what you say is true, but definitely not now. The beauty of this country is that ANY American, with motivation and hard work, can acheive what they want to achieve. Does racism still exist? Of course it does, but barriers have been broken to such an extent that you or anybody should have no limits on what you can do. If you see barriers before you, then YOU PUT THEM THERE. That, my friend, is the race card.
How can you possibly say that blacks are still a “mystery” and still in the “back of the bus”? Blacks dominate the media, popular culture. Some of the richest people in America are black. Oprah is a billionaire. There are strong black members of congress, there are black governors. And, there is even a black candidate for president.
When you see an Asian American or Hispanic American final candidate for President, THEN you can say that there is equality; if anything, those are the “mystery” races, for all the neglect they get. Until then, kindly stop complaining, stop being the victim, and stop with the race card. Obama has used it so much, it no longer has value.

This is exactly the thing that makes race an issue. I wonder, for instance, this idea that Barak is winning only because he’s black, I think that’s completely backwards. I have a hunch that if he was white and looked like JFK he’d be winning by 15 points instead of 6.

Not sure how many of you work closely with or have black friends today. Most average black citizens do not relate to BHO anymore than the white folks relate to a John Kerry or John Edwards. Out here in the real world we are average people regardless of color. Get away from the race story or we will destroy ourselves.

hey toby, how about you shut up and…that’s all, just shut up. I can’t stand to hear you sing either.

Tooby Kieth: “he talks, acts, and carries himself as a Caucasian.”
Could this quite possibly be because he IS a caucasian? Take a look at his Mom and his maternal grandparents- as lily white as Tooby’s, I’m sure. That’s what makes Barack so right for America, he’s BOTH Black and White, just like our nation is.

Now Toby’s the expert. Whats wrong ABC cant find someone better to review the canidates. Give me a break.

The most ignorant and profoundly inane in America get all the attention, that’s our culture, if we didn’t support stupidity there might be less of it as it wouldn’t be so popular… which gets back to Obama’s recent statement “they take pride in their ignorance”… sad but true!

-A white man who sings country music has no idea what black people are thinking. Black people have different views and opinions just like white people, they don’t all think alike.
-Barack Obama’s victory isn’t going to be decided on the black vote. Black people don’t make up enough of the voting population. Watch the tv, 80 percent of the people at his rallys are white.

I am glad someone pointed out that he is not “black”. Obama is bi-racial and it doesn’t matter how he speaks, blah blah. I hate that…how he speaks so well. What is that suppose to mean? Those buzz terms has always been in the white majority thinking. There is that shock factor when a black person open his or her mouth and what’s coming out doesn’t fit the stereotype in someone’s head. BTW: there are black conservatives as well too. Yep, don’t be shock. Some black people hate gays just like other white folks. We can hate and love just like everyone else. After all it’s the American way (yes, this is suppose to be crass and tongue in cheek).

My first reaction was much hysterical laughter, but then I got to thinking. Why ask Toby Keith . . . well, anything? This is way too much like making the fat kid run so we can all laugh at him. Stop that. And give him back his glasses.

I am Black and Toby is 100% right with what he said. Alot of black people critize my family and I because we don’t talk “black”, what the hell htat means. When a black person speak intelligently, our own race say we are acting, and being white. I love my race and my color but it is full time we grow up and stop this negative bashing and then the rest of society will look at us in a positive light. I am voting for Obama because I think he is what the country and the world need right now, and I think he is young and energetic and smart as hell. McCain is okay, but I believe Obama is the better man for the job.

I am black and grew up in New York city. I can honestly say, I don’t know which “black people” or “black society” Mr. Keith is referring to. I grew up among kids who were several generation New Yorker, and second and third generation southern states, Puerto Rican and Caribbean.
To my ear, first and second generation Caribbean Americans sound much different that native (more than 3 generation) New York blacks. First and second generation souther states blacks also sound different. As a matter of fact, once I started traveling the country, I found that rural southern blacks sounded much more like their rural white neighbors than they did to New York blacks.
From my point of view, when I hear reference to African American I think of blacks who are first or second generation from African countries, who sound much differently than other black groups, but closest to some Caribbean blacks.
I guess, because of poly-ethnic environment, I was aware at an early age that it would be ignorant of me to ask why my Italian American classmates didn’t sound like the stereotypical Italian Americans on TV. Just as I today know it would be ignorant of me to say that Senator McCain doesn’t sound like the typical Scottish American or Mr. Keith doesn’t sound like the “typical” white person.
Senator Obama was born in Hawaii and spent some early years in Indonesia. He was raised by a his white mid-western mother and grandparents. Just where and how was he supposed to have acquired his “black” speech and manners? Senator Obama sounds very much like many black people I know. If Mr. Keith is implying that most black people will hold that against him, then Mr. Keith has a very shallow understanding of most black people.

I’ll tell you what’s in the back of the white community’s mind: “Toby Keith is an idiot.”

I just wish we could stop talking about race.

By TK’s assertion then, if you by rap or reggae or R&B, then you’re black. If you go to jail or do drugs, then you’re black. Funny there’s a lot of white guys doing all of the above, they must be acting black right? TK you didn’t know it but you are now officially a racist.

Scotti, or you pretty much hit the nail on the head.

I feel so sad for this country at times. Barack Obama speaks and carries himself the same way that most of the Black Americans that I know do. America views one segment of our community on television and feels the need to attribute any and all of the negative characteristics to us all. Very sad indeed!

I am willing to bet that there is not a single person in here who has been on the phone with a telemarketer or whatever and listened to there voice and said that person is Irish, German,middle eastern,southern,northern or black. Hmmmm? Thats not racism

If it is big corporations that control the statistics like you say I wish they would leave the crime blotter in my town alone. There are robberies, burglaries, drug crimes and you name it every night in my city. There is a a sinlge common denominator that brings 95% consistancy to this, guess what it is? This is a fact that cannot be denied. If your culture promotes violent, illeagal, and irresponsible behavior what can you expect from your people? Many try to just blame it on someone else because of the social and economic injustice but let me tell you something. I was in Bulgaria and Ethiopia last year for over a month each and I was safer walking the streets at 2:00Am than I will ever be here so the blame game is a no-go. The funny thing about all this is the murder rate of Washington DC has been higher then the death rate of soldiers in Iraq for the last three months. Maybe we should make Bama mayor of DC instead, he can clean up the streets there like he said he could do in Iraq.

Patriotic American, even though you are a Bama fan you make more sense than 90% of the people here (including me). Even though I dont agree with Toby remarks, when it comes to the issues being discussed here I believe personal accountability would go far with everyone in the county of all races, colors, or whatever getting along.

Although I have no intention of voting for Obama, I’m beginning to understand what he wrote about in one of his books … about not feeling like he fit in or something. Everybody has something to say about how he’s acting from TK to Jesse Jackson. I just hope it doesn’t drive him crazy. The poor guy has a hard enough time trying to figure himself out on his own, and now, everybody has something to say about him.

So one last thing Toby can say what he wants about a presidential candidate but if the Dixie Chicks say something about W he thinks they should be throw out of the country and banned from country and every other radio

This is pretty absurd. Toby Keith didn’t say what ABCNews claims he said. He said he thinks that black people will say that. That’s his reading of how many black people will respond to the personality and mannerisms of Barack Obama.
While his observation is certainly not true to how all black people will react to Obama, he is absolutely correct that there are black people who feel that way about Barack Obama — Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton among them.
Toby Keith is neither a patriot nor a traitor nor a racist for making this estimation. He was simply guessing how people might react, and it’s quite possible he is correct.
If you think this is entirely incorrect then you have never lived among African Americans who impose a very race-based standard for how black people are “supposed to” act. The fact is, some people do that.
ABCnews, shame on you for mischaracterizing Toby Keith’s comments.

Toby Keith is not southern. He was born in Clinton, Oklahoma on July 8, 1961. Oklahome is not part of the southeast or the southwest. Redneck, definitely… but not southern.

FYI..TOBY KEITH IS FROM OKLAHOMA…THAT IS NOT PART OF THE SOUTH!

That’s it? That’s the story?

Toby Keith is a Democrat, not a Republican. He’s said so himself.
I watched him on Beck’s show, he is merely ‘guessing’ or assuming how some black people MIGHT think.
I for one, don’t think he’s that far off.

Oh, that’s right, because Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas are northern states – sure.

Poor Toby Keith putting all black people in one category. If I did the same to him he would be in the trailer park, sitting on a the porch drinking a beer. And screwing his cousin; Like all the other ‘Rednecks’ in his category!

Get real. If Obama spoke Urban Talk he wouldn’t be anywhere near the Oval Office. Joe Biden got that right. If I spoke like the rural white southerner I was raised as, I wouldn’t be where I am. How did I get out of it? The Mickey Mouse Club. TV makes midwesterners out of all of us if we have the ear. Choral and theatre training did the rest.
This is cultural. Obama was not raised in the black urban culture and probably has as hard a time emulating it others not raised in it.
So what? He is an incredibly gifted orator. That isn’t enough to qualify him for the Presidency but don’t underestimate it either. If he loses this one and the creeks don’t rise (or the Cherokees), he’ll be back stronger than ever.
If you want to rag on TK, go ahead, but denying what he said is another one of the ObamaNation conceits that make the rest of us take you a lot less seriously and as a result, doubt your candidate’s intentions.

My comment is As a black woman who speaks proper English I have always been told not only by Blacks but also White that I not only talk, but I also walk and act white. My response has always been this is the way I have always talked and acted so if that is what you believe so be it. But I grew up in a 2 parent(mother and father) black home when to school and then to college for 2years and then got married. So for the ignorant people who want to say Black Americans do not know how to speak it is a lie. And you do not have to have an Ivy League school education to speak proper English if you are black or be raised by White parents.

Ralph Nader said the same thing about Obama. Would the real Obama please go back to southside Chicago.

NO! There is no such thing as acting, talking or being “So called BLACK.” Remember, just as every other race IN America, African Americans come in different shades, sizes, beliefs and more. If anything you can say someone acts Urban or even Hip Hoppish but to say BLACK is racists. I listen to rock, love Cold Play, does that mean my skin will be any whiter tomorrow. Or that I will get a pass by the Klan tomorrow. Obama relates to all African Americans. We may not experience the same type of racisms because we live in different regions, have different cultural experience and so forth, but there are many shades racism, culture and other experiences that make Obama relatable to not only BLACK people but people period. Going by Toby Keith message, who I use to like — and yes I am African-American, Toby should be holding a burning cross right about now. You should be ashamed Toby!

So what’s wrong with calling a spade a spade? Obama uses proper English, not ebonics. He isn’t trying to “Out cool” everyone else. He’s well educated and respectful. All things the majority of the black race is not known for. My hat’s off to Barrack for the way he presents himself whether I vote for him or not.

you cant say that black people dont have a defferent way of talking. its very obvious..if you put a person behind a wall and let me hear them talk i can tell you if they are white or black .. unless its obama of coarse

Wow Toby Keith your white and you don’t talk like you went to Harvard??? And your point is??? So Barak is educated person??? Its amazing the media today would even push this BS upon us all… Please report on the real and leave the Fluff out of reporting or is the general public really that dumb??? I just hope not!

How can Toby Keith say that someone doesn’t “carry themselves” like a black person or a white person! Color shouldn’t matter, but this is a racist country, so that’s what we can expect. Why can’t he just say that Obama carries himself like an “educated person”?

I am BLOWN away, especially at the first comment. PLEASE someone tell me, what talking “white” is??? Are you honestly saying that speaking correctly and using the proper pronouns is only something that can be done by white people? As far as how Obama carries himself, I’m confused, are all black people suppose to have a swagger in their step? Is this how Sidney Poitier speaks and acts? Wait, perhaps it’s Collin Powell. I suppose someone should also inform Condalisa Rice and Oprah that they’re talking like white people and not acting black enough. How ignorant can you get. There is NO way of “acting” or “speaking” based on the color of your skin. It is beyond shocking to think there are people out there like you.

The ignorance and idiocy in Keith’s comments can be displayed in one unanswerable question, “How does somebody act and speak a color?”
I am all for Keith’s right to say this, but he is an embarrassment to himself for such nonsense. The problem is that many Americans believe this to be true. We’ve become a close-minded society that borders on the pathetic

Obama acting like an intelligent US Senator, what’s wrong with that? Should he be acting like a boy n the hood? Keith’s an idiot, he’s acting like an arrogant manipulative white guy. There you go.

finally someone speaks the truth..toby is just not afraid to say it

Toby Keith is an IDIOT… Is that Black enough for you Keith?

True Dat….

Once again you have someone using senator Obama’s fame with an inflammatory comment to get in the news for a moment….
Rev. Wright; Jesse Jackson; Ralph Nader; and so many others will say almost anything on the back of the senator’s fame to get in the news……Why don’t Mr. Keith just produce another country album if he wants news coverage again?

“This is exactly the thing that makes race an issue. I wonder, for instance, this idea that Barak is winning only because he’s black, I think that’s completely backwards. I have a hunch that if he was white and looked like JFK he’d be winning by 15 points instead of 6.”
______________________________
Dear Scotti– You MUST be joking with your comment above. IF Obama were white, he would not even had made it past the first debate. Face it, and the country knows this, with his lack of accomplishments and inexperience, the ONLY reason he has gotten this much attention is that he is the first major black candidate. If he were white, he would not even have been noticed, or else laughed off the map at his audacity for running for President with no experience to justify it.

ludacris follows a long line now its TOBY KEITH.
Everyone is piggybackin Baracks name to sell something , from books to commecial ADS by john McSAME.
Barack needs to start asking for his 20% commission because people are using his name to get in on the GRAVEY TRAIN.

Vapid is as vapid does Sir!

It’s pretty obvious Barack Hussein Obama is the new OJ.

Does anyone really care what this bozo thinks? The media is continually searching out comments like this and usually pose questions in a way that get these kind of moronic responses so that the media can keep race in the news as an issue. It sells papers and draws attention to television newscasts. If they don’t have scandal to report are sure to create one. American news media is a joke.

White…Black….doesn’t matter, I still don’t care for the man.
___________________
Thanks, Michelle – that is it in a nutshell for me! Anyway, where was the outrage over Luda’s song about Hillary, W. and McCain! Double-standard. You’all should up-hold free-speech for all, or censor it for all!

Would anyone agree that perhaps Toby Keith “don’t talk like a white man” neither?

One of many examples of what Obama’s presidential run is exposing in the United States of America. As much as the country would like to think that racism, prejudice, and discrimiation is of no issue, it is stories such as this that continues to prove that we have so much work to do!

Hmmm…maybe he speaks as a human being and walks his own path, as we all should. I appreciate anyone who can think for themselves and speak as an individual, in a voice that they own. We all should, regardless of stereotypes. Let’s move on together.

Some have never let go. That’s why there’s private schools, insurance instead of universal healthcare, which most of the world has, and disparities in wealth, employment, and income in America.

The media still has a “celeb” status for Obama. Toby can express his opinion, as this is his right as a citizen, but anything against “The One” is racist and wrong. However, the Obama followers can talk negative about McCain and Hillary and nothing is said. Obama hides behind his aides and blind followers, like a coward. This is why the polls are turning in favor of John McCain.

“the polls are turning in favor of John McCain” It’s about time! McCain has been running from behind since the beginning of this campaign! I know his legs must be tired from chasing people for all these months.

Actually the polls did turn towards McCain last week. This week Obama has regained himself to a 5-point lead again. Stay updated people.

Toby Keith is a jerk — He proved that with the Dixie Chicks. (Watch “Shut up and Sing”. He’s a Republic puppet.

I am an educated and professional black woman who speaks proper english. In fact, my entire family speaks proper english. It never ceases to amaze me that some whites think all black people speak ebonics and think and act alike. It also never ceases to amaze me when, at times, I encounter other black people who comment that I “sound different” and when pressed to explain what that means they reply that I sound white. Just goes to show there are ignorant and small minded people in every race.
I am always amused whenever I have a phone conversation with someone and then when I meet them, they are shocked to discover that I am black. The shock registers on their face. Priceless!

Why do we have to say someone “acts black”? So if any person on this planet speaks well, and carries themselves with dignity they are automatically “caucasion”? If a black man lives a honorable life and speaks well than he’s missing something and is not really black? That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. At this late date & time in history you would think by now we humans would have stepped above racial ignorance & immaturity…but we still have a long way to go.

Mr. Keith belives this because the only black people he knows or knows of, are the black people that the media of this country puts before us. They are either rappers, criminals, uneducated dumb #####. The media has done this for as long as there has been newspapers and tv and it is not by accident. The end result is that we have like Mr. Toby who actually believe that these are the only black people in America. The fact is that Obama is more like a lot of black people than most white Americans realize. Obama talks like an educated black man or better yet, an educated man…period. If Mr. Keith wants to make these type statements about what black people in america and what they think, he should at least get out and meet more black people. Then maybe he won’t come off as such a #######when he speaks.

On a related topic, to those whites who don’t know any better, please stop assuming that Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and their like speak for all black people. They don’t!!! They just happen to have loud mouths, access to microphones and the press. Stop assuming that all blacks will vote for Obama. Black people, not unlike any other race on the face of the planet, are capable of forming their own thoughts and opinions on the many serious topics and issues impacting all of America.

Toby Keith doesn’t talk like other white people do.
And McCain couldn’t keep it in his pants either.

America believes that Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton speak for all black americans because thats what the racist media wants us all to believe. Most blacks do not subscribe to what they have to say. The media does not seek out the educated black men and women the speak because then uninformed white america will see that we are just as diverse as any other people and thats what the racist media has tried to suppress and hide for many years. Mr. Keith along with many other americans (white & black) have brought into this crap. Obama and many other educated black americans scare and worry a lot of white america (not all)because they fear they will lose power. Knowledge is power!

It’s looks like the beginning of the END for ol’ Johnny Boy. TPM reports in the article “Group To Ask Justice Department To Probe McCain’s Bundlers”….”A good government group is set to ask the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation into the two big McCain stories of recent days — the bundled contributions from Hess executives, and the bundling by Harry Sargeant, the guy who raised cash for McCain from a host of unlikely donors.” More bad news for McCain as conservative magazines are bailing on the Republican nominee….”Things really have deteriorated between John McCain and the press: even the Wall Street Journal editorial board is turning on him. The famously conservative group publishes a column praising the economic policy of none other than Barack Obama”. OBAMA 08′

What the heck is acting Black or White enough. What happened to being HUMAN……??????

Tobey Keith wasn’t insulting blacks. what he was saying is, most blacks speak a slightly different style of English, i.e., “what’s dat?” or, “dialouge baby,” or, using plurals in English when a singular should be used, i.e., “HIMS” instead of “HIS.” Senator Obama speaks correct English. I’ve never heard Senator Obama use English plurals incorrectly.

Obama’s family background has virtually nothing in common with the average Black American who’s descendents were brought here as slaves. However, the color of his skin is still an issue or we wouldn’t be talking about it.

Don´t you wish Rev. Wright was around to comment on this?

I can’t read Toby Keith’s mind but when
was the last time did any one hear Obama
say he was proud of his “white” heritage
vice numerous remarks praising his “black” heritage?

When I lived in the north, I assumed that all black people had their own way of speaking. But when I move to the south, I learned that what I assumed was a “black
person way of talking” was just a southern way of talking.” For the first year every
time I answered the phone, I would say to myself, “I think the caller is black.” And then I was surprised when I met them that they were white. So since must blacks do have roots that go to the south, so what we now attribute as a black way of talking is simply roots that go back to Mr. Keith country singing roots. Put Mr Keith in Nashville, his country capitol and blind fold him. Then bring out 20 well educated blacks and 20 well educated whites. Have them read the same sentences. He won’t be able to tell you the difference. Do the same test with 20 uneducated blacks and 20 uneducated white and the results will be the same.
I listen to Mr Keith type of talk day in and day out since I moved here. I listen closely and smile. Racism has deep roots in America. The difference is that it is now disguised as “Concern for America or “Speaking plainly” by
the Likes of fear mongering news “reporter” Beck, O Reilly,Dobbs and the copy cats. I wish I had a magic wand to undo this sadness. Many thought education was the key. I dare say that these men have educated minds. But who has educated their hearts? That is my question.

If the polls are right, a public tired of Republicans is beginning to think an increasingly bothersome Obama would be no better — and maybe a lot worse. It is one thing to suggest to voters that they should shed their prejudices, eat less and be more cosmopolitan. But it is quite another when the sermonizer himself too easily evokes race, weekly changes his mind and often sounds like he doesn’t have a clue what he’s talking about.

It’s great we are talking about race, even though it’s so painful but now that were talking about it does anyone have any solutions on how to fix the race problem we have? This know a good time to have honest adult conversation with each other about race. Why don’t people start by giving a little background about themselves and start ask each other serious questions. Isn’t that what we want?

Keith said essentially the same thing of Obama that Al Shapton said.

Barrack Obama wasn’t raised in an African American community by African American parents. You wouldn’t expect someone from the Bronx to sound like someone from San Antonio.
Still, it was a dumb thing for Keith to say. Race should have nothing to do with the election. Obama’s people shouldn’t shout “racism” every time someone says something against their hero either.
I don’t care what color he is, I just don’t like his political views.

Wow! People are always making something huge out of nothing. The fact is the majority of people who are black do talk a certain way, just like white people do, asians do and many other races do as well. So what! What’s so bad about that? We are different, get over it people! It’s not a bad thing! How boring would the world be if we were all the same! The drama llama strikes again!

Obama is his own person. There are plenty of whites behaving in a manner that Mr. Keith would call “black”. Toby would be wise to keep the trap shut.

I’m not a fan of Obama (nor McCain for that matter), but I’ve got to say that I’ve been reading these posts and can’t tell who is black and who is white. I think that proves nobody has to “talk” a certain way. I think we do need more dialogue about race in the country no matter who wins the election. But right now, I would prefer both candidates make sure that all of us AMERICANS have jobs and security. Both candidates have ideas on how to achieve this. I just wish everyone would quit making up their minds about who to vote for without looking deeper than an article that’s just trying to get a rise out of everyone to sell subscriptions or get viewers. Look at both candidates with an open mind. Hear what both sides have to say. Choose according to the policies you agree with. From my perspective, the half white/half black issue is deviding us along the wrong lines. Looking at the issues, my ideal candidate is half Obama/half McCain.

As an educator, I hear the phrase “not acting Black” far too often. When I access the students who are characterized this way, they tend to be the students who are flourishing
academically and have the potential to be successful in their adult life WITHOUT stealing and selling drugs. On the other hand, students who deem it important to wear their pants so that their underwear shows and speak Ebonics tend to be underachievers that don’t live up to their potential. A person’s dialect does not make him a man or woman. An individual’s ability to thrive legally and moralistically in our society should be the true measure of a person.
Up to this point, Obama has shown that he is making every attempt to project himself as a prominent AMERICAN we can be proud of, and one who we can use as a positive role model to all children. Hopefully,African-American children will see what can happen if they work hard and stay focused on school and work.
Obama is bashed for many things, but I don’t think “being black” should be one of them. In my opinion, this is just another maneuver by the republicans to divide the black vote. DON”T BE FOOLED!

Freedom of Speech….leave the guy alone for expressing his views and alot of others, I’m sure. Too bad this election has to be so full of racial distractions, as an Obama presidency will be too.

I have it hard enough being a 29year old African American Republican, who is strong supporter of GW. But when I have stupid comments coming from folks who; “aren’t racist, that’s just a stereotype. Republicans stand for family values and freedom.” – Words I have to repeat over and over to friends who can’t understand my political allegiance. I would hate to think after all these years, that I was one who was mistaken..
TonyM:
I have to admit a am a bi racial black & white man I too supported President Bush both terms I also thought that Republicans stood for family values and freedom.” – Words I used to repeat over and over to friends who didn’t understand my political allegiance.
Well I’ve learned in the last eight years that President Bush did nothing for values and nothing for freedom and McCain will follow right along with Bush. I also learned being a Republican or a Democrat has nothing to do with what you believe.
The party line politics myth is over and we can thank Hillary Clinton for opening our eyes on that one. Wake up people no longer can you believe that one party or the other is gonna represent you because you are a Democrat or a Republican.
Don’t vote red or blue, vote the issues at hand, such as jobs, housing and bringing our troops home.
By the way TonyM I am proud to say I am a Independent now. Obama08/12

Who cares what TK thinks. We don’t base our opinions on what he thinks. I’m sick of people saying they stand for “family values” and “freedom” but vote for canidates who endorse the killing of the unborn. Everyone knows that race does play an issue in an election anyway. Most whites vote for whites and most blacks do the same. What is Obama anyway? He is biracial! So why does everyone call him black? Give me a break. Quit whining about race and stereotypes. Personally, I’m sick of hearing about race and how racial groups are victims, etc. Get over it and move on.

if you put a person behind a wall and let me hear them talk i can tell you if they are white or black .. unless its obama of coarse
Posted by: j rola | Aug 8, 2008
Bulllony you could!!
Toby Keith is just bringing to light ignorant and false ideas that permeate our society. We DO need to bring these things up to expose them for the falsehoods they are. Way to go Toby! Thanks for being so “ignernt”. (thats how we say it in PA) Dialects are regional and have nothing to do with skin color. Period.

Somebody should burn his cds like he pushed people to do when The Dixie Chicks said their little spill about Bush!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To start with, I like TK and his alter egos music.
As far as all the racial comments, I will vote for the person that I believe supports the most of my views, not by the color of their skin.
To everyone of voting age- check where each candidate stands on the views that are most important to you.

The author ends his article with “wow” as if Toby Keith is ‘controversial’. Well I would bet if the author put a little thought into Toby’s words, he would probably believe them. However, the only reason Obama has been ahead in polls is because of his adoring media worshipers. They abuse their responsibility by using their jobs as reporters to influence an election with their slanted coverage towards Obama’s favor and so that they can crown their man the winner.

I can’t help but laugh at all the people who claim they aren’t familiar with what ‘acting black’ is really all about. I live in the deep south and just like anywhere else, we have good and bad black and white people. Thanks to our constitution any group can portray themselves culturally through speech, clothing, music, whatever. I don’t think Obama ‘acts white’, he act like a mature adult. No, I don’t plan on voting for him, but just like many mature adults, he can be a very engaging speaker.

Is this still news? Wow.
If Sen Obama wins will this be the nation’s focus?
He grew up in Hawaii.But he doesn’t sound like it.

Unfortunately, Mr. Keith’s comments suggest a real issue in this country. “Artists” like Jay-Z, Diddy, and Lil Kim sell their music, ideology, and behavior to mainstream America. As a result, there is a one-dimensional image of Black Americans that dominates. Don’t believe me? Watch BET. I rarely watched because the programming is BEYOND offensive and ignorant, and I’m black.(Tavis Smiley was the exception) As a result of all the sterotypes that many Black entertainers sell to make money, any black person who speaks English properly, gets good grades, or thinks outside the box is “acting white.” Do I act white because I abhor the welfare system? Does my husband act white because he wears his pants around his waist with a belt?
Obama isn’t “acting white.” He is behaving in a manner befitting his education and upbringing.

[QUOTE] The sad truth is that Barack “talks black” [and Southern] whenever he addresses a predominately black audience. He even makes references to racial stereotypes like “Popeye’s Fried Chicken” to his black supporters and they totally eat it up [no pun intended]. Then, whenever Barack addresses a predominately white audience his Harvard education speak starts up again. WHO IS THIS MAN?! Who wants such a phoney baloney as our next President? Not this Democrat, thats for darn sure. [QUOTE]
To be able to relate to and appeal to the likes and dislikes of different groups of people simply makes Barack worldly and smart. If you’re intimidated by that, then I don’t want YOU for president.

The funniest thing about this is that.. it is true testament of why America is not yet ready for a minority president. because the majority of Americans do not understand minorities. They choose to listen to stereotypes and treat those stereotypes as facts instead of seeking out the true meaning of where minorites are coming from.The fact that Mr. Obama is articulate makes him”Not Black Enough” for black people, this a sad truth about the Black community and it makes those Black Americans with an education feel ostracized because they don’t speak in Ebonics. the fact that when he speaks he adapts to his environment does not make him a phony… it makes him a good public speaker. Why would he speak to a group of southern high school graduates with words that only Harvard Grads would understand..I think Mr. Keith’s comment is a tell-tell sign of how people really view educated minorities.. and we should educate people with this point of view. Unfortunately most Americans have only been exposed to one type of black person and this is the one that the media likes to exploit .. The uneducated, irresponsible ignorant ones.. not the Barack Obamas of the world!

I am wondering what black people perspective is Toby Keith providing? As far as Barack Obama’s ability to invoke various vernacular, I am okay with it…I do it myself. “when in Rome” as the olding saying goes. At least when Barack does it he is speaking from and about his own point of view not trying to inaccurately describe someone else’s.

Sad to say race is the issue for most blacks, I voted yesterday and the pollers were telling me that it was unreal the amount of black voters that had been out already. Toby is right, blacks will see Obama as a “white boy” but will still vote for him. You say you don’t know what that means, then come to the South…

“Not an excuse for a black kid today to **not** try to become something.” …
See? No one’s perfect!