Mary Mitchell

Why should speaking in proper English be a problem?? I don't get it.

It upsets me, that we as a people are still of the mindset that a "black" candidate is required to take a litmus test as to his blackness. We as "Americans" should be voting for a candidate based on his qualifications for the office, not the negative stereotypes that are still perpetuated by the media and us. The worst thing that this country ever did was to hyphenate it's citizens. We are Americans.

I think that whether he is black enough is not irrelevant. i could care less. The issues that he is raising is better than any other candidate. I can understand the concern in the African American community that they may feel that the race that he is can affect public relations but hey man look man that sounds better than Giuliani as president being a native New Yorker.

Black enough for what?

Black, white, purple or whatever....NObama still has no business playing president when he hasn't done anything significant as a senator.

The "is he Black enough" debate convinces me that Black people are, at times, equally capable of being as parochial and small-minded as white people are.

A Black man PRESIDENT OF "THESE" UNITED STATES? If anyone ever was capable of being a President it's him! I met him years before he was a senator. I could tell, then there were bigger things in store for him. God help us to look at ourselves, our thoughts and mistakes. We are so materialistic, impatient, unkind and critical. Our country is in a slump of enourmous magnitude. Help us to look at ourselves before we judge people different from us. I think you are sending us a message to do just that.

This is the year 2007 and we still look at the color of our skin, who cares what color he is as long he can do a good job as a president, we had a white president and look were our country is,
why can we start looking at people for what they are not what color are they

Jose

I guess this is symptomatic of living in America where race centers around everything. I guess once we become a more diverse and heterogenious society maybe color will matter less. If being black is exuding class, character, and determination, then Barack Obama is black. These values and qualities mentioned has been characteristic of African Americans considering all the things that we have been through and still survive as a people. I think he is refreshing and is an alternative look and view of black men that the media negatively project on as daily basis. Obama could not do any wrose than our past predecessors have done as presidents. Ethnicity is significant in terms of one's racial background; however, what is most important as Dr. King would say is the "Content of One's Character.

Color shouldn't matter its the policies that he present and
stand behind. I don't see any other canidate being ask that
same question about their ethinic back ground.

What a stupid question !!!!!

Will the next question be...Why is thier still such a racial divide in this country?

Are you trying to address a important issue or trying to pump up circulation for your paper?

I don't like Obama because of his politics and don't plan to vote for him but it's not because of his race.

There have been and are many blacks in politics holding important positions in goverment...it's not a big deal anymore.

A few quick examples...Ms. Rice... Mr. Powell

It's also been shown that black politicians are just as capable of corruption as thier white counterparts...look at ILL and Chicago

Wow, how stupid can this be is the only question I can generate from this...

One. It's obvious that he's Black, and his wife is Black so I don't think we need to expand on that.

I think it's apparent that what this question really is about is "Is he acting Black ENOUGH"?

In any sense this discussion is patronizing to all involved.

He's a gentleman who is educated, astute and obviously intelligent (with the possible exception of pursuing elected office), who just happens to be Black.

Unless you believe any of the stereotypes and general misconceptions of a particular race in general that should be the end of that.

No one ever is asked if they are white enough. If you can do the job that is all that should matter

So far the majority of posters agree so I suppose I am not adding anything new to the debate. None-the-less, here goes.

Is he black enough is really the wrong question. Putting aside the divisive nature of the premise of this question and the fact that all is does is broaden the racial divide that many Americans have been trying to close for the last forty years, I think the real question of concern to the black community is “does he care about our issues?” While I hate to give legitimacy to racism, I do recognize there are important issues to the black community that require addressing. I would submit that they are not entirely unique to the black community though as I am sure they are shared by others across the racial rainbow.

Right now, black ministers across the Chicago are focusing their efforts on getting more money for public schools--clearly an important issue for many. Gun control, drugs, gangs and other ills that infect often black communities are of equal concern. Will President Obama restore federal funds to the programs that address them? Furthermore, access to jobs, affordable housing and reliable public transportation are also issues of great importance to the black community. Will President Obama divert some of the billions of dollars being spent abroad to American cities in need of capital investments?

It seems to me that these are the questions we should be asking of Michelle and Barack Obama, indeed the questions we should be asking of ALL our presidential candidates. Until, we the people stop viewing candidates as black, white, brown etc. we will not be able to move our country forward as one.

IF YOU THE MEDIA, WOULD STOP BRINGING UP THE RACE ISSUE,
MAYBE IT WOULD CEASE TO BE AN ISSUE. THE QUESTION IS TRULY
DUMB. AS LONG AS YOU AND OTHERS CONTINUE TO SEPARATE PEOPLE
AS BLACK AND WHITE,AMERICA WILL ALWAYS BE DOOMED.OBAMA IS
BLACK AND WHITE SO I GUESS YOUR NEXT QUESTION WILL BE IS
WHITE ENOUGH,WHICH IS WHAT I THINK YOU WANTED TO SAY IN THE FIRST
PLACE.

Marion - couldn't have said it better.

Not sure what it says about us when we constantly refer to MLK's imortal words, and yet we revert back to "black enough" as a factor in determining who will lead this country out of its massive problems.

Way to focus on the critical issues Mary...classic ST approach.

The question itself is again-Stupid! The same "ig-nant" blacks around Chicago who are jealous of Senator Obama are the same ones who don't want Rev. Sharpton to open a office in this city. 400 years of racism has really fractured the human spirit and the black conscience of "can do". Blacks are afraid of their own shadow( Barrack Obama), blacks are afraid to work, go to school or get a trade, get married, and live a simple decent life, black's seemingly just want to be anti-American, low life violent criminals by the way of selling drugs and glorifying prison culture and in the process calling themselves the "N" word!, and [Proud] that they are doing the opposite of what the rest of America is doing. So, shame on your question, and shame on these majority "do nothing" blacks who complain and seek hand outs. Any time a "dummy" like Bush can be president, why couldn't someone 100 times smarter not be..that is Obama. Blacks in Chittlin eating Chicago has elected Mayor Daley and his Dad to what 12 terms and both of these Daley's turn their eyes on black folks struggles in Chicago. The present mayor has never stopped police brutality. The present mayor has never shared the city economic pie to black men( in particular) he'd rather see them sell drugs and terrorized other blacks on the south and west side; yet, black folks vote him in every years. All of our "pimpin black preacher's, vote him in for a few Neckbones. It hasn't changed.

I do not trust him to be President of the United States and Commander in Chief of our armed forces. I would rather see Hillary get elected - and I am not voting for her, either.

It is obvious by his recent comments that Obama has no clue as to how the world works. However, he is still young, and maybe he will be ready in another 8 years.

Is he black enough? The question should be, can we trust him with the most powerful office in the world? The answer is no.

No Obama is not black "enough"

But that shouldn't matter

What difference does the color of a person's skin make. If that person is qualified to do the job whether it's streets & sanitation or President of the USA. Maybe the press should get off the color wheel and concentrate on the real issues at hand. This country needs saving from others who are buying it up in chunks. We need to take back what is ours and clean up our act. Maybe if we weren't so gung ho on shipping industry to other countries so they can thrive maybe we should re-open industries here and give people jobs instead of encouraging them to go on Welfare. Maybe there would be less crime and gangs if these young people were too tired after working all day to go out and kill people. I love my home town and my country and it saddens me to watch what is happening to it. Wake up America!!!!

Black Enough for What ? I'm not sure if this question is more insulting to Whites or to Blacks (You chose those terms, Mary).
As long as there are Race-Baiters around like you, no one will ever be able to move ahead. You are obviously fishing for some comments from Caucasians to put a race-spin on the Obama campaign. After 58 years, I(and I'm sure many others)am tired of it. Why not just ask the obvious that we should be asking of ANY candidate....is he SMART enough? Is he experienced enough? The very question you ask is insidious. If you are implying whether he is "Black" enough to garner African-American support, than YOU are promoting racism in our country. Tell me where to send my reparations as long as you, Sharpton, Jackson(and all other Race-Baiter parasites)promise to go away.

When will we stop judging others ? This is such a ridculious question! Why not debate if Obama wears boxers or briefs?

Are Hillary and Bill WHITE enough?

You know Mary, people like you, who rub 'black' in people's faces, are the reason why we can't all be equal. Obama's blackness has nothing to do with anything. He is a well qualified candidate, but if you are going to rub his 'blackness' in people's faces, then there will be a lot of spiteful people who will not vote for him for fear he is winning/or losing, ONLY because he is black. You make too many issue black and white! I am sure that 99.9 percent of black people will be voting for him, only for the reason that he is black or should I say, half white?

It's way past time that Black folks stop asking these types of divisive questions. I can't believe we have not grown past this
after all of the blood shed for equality during the Civil Rights
Movement. No wonder we as a people are regressing. Unbelievable!!!!!!!

That question is insulting!

Who is defining "black?" I am "black" and don't know if I'm "black enough" or not because it depends on who is doing the defining. How can anyone define this term when the "black, African-American, colored" community is so diverse and so divided,that this term has different meanings depending upon ones station. We are not a unified group as a whole, so our point of reference for "being black" changes from person to person. We need to get off this kind of divisive thinking and get it together as other groups have!!!

I cannot believe anyone has the nerve to ask that question! Are the Obama's black enough? I think that question is a plain insult to them and every American especially coming from a black person! It's just plain rude and ignorant. A better question should be: what is the first thing on the agenda when you become President of the United States of America, Mr. Obama?

This is too much. Is Mr. Obama black enough? I am so sick and tired of people/society trying to label us. If you speak in clear sentences and pronounce our words correctly we are trying to talk white. Where does that come from? Our own people. Not to mention we still live in a society where blacks should be seen and not heard. That is never going to haappen and people should get over that way of thinking or not. How dare people try to label what is and isn't black. I am sure these are the same people who feel wearing FUBU and Baby Phat defines our "blackness". Or the legacy idiot which I am sure defines some people ideas of being white enough is such a good president. People are entitled to their opinions and that is all it is an OPINION. You know it is sad because no matter what a person does educated or not you are still going to have ignorance in our mist and racism is more alive today than ever. For anyone to have to defend who they are, where they chose to live and how they were educated is down right stupid. What is he supposed to do apologize for being of mixed race? Do people actually hear themselves when they talk? It is just as stupid as people/society who sill believes we should apolgize or feel inferior for being black.I THINK NOT. My father used to tell me coming up "small minds think small".I like Barak and I am going to vote for him. For those of you who don't want to vote for him DON'T it is simple as that. As long as you have choices we live in a society where we have choices we need to execise them. You have a few choices in this election if you don't want to vote for Barak choose someone else. You can't stop people from talking they talked about Jesus Christ.

Here we go again. I am so sick and tired of this b*ll with regards to whether or not Obama is black enough. Whoever asks this question, has some serious psych issues with themselves and "blackness" (whatever the hell that is, I didn't now you could define blackness, I just figured we are all individuals and no one general category could define a person, gee what was I thinking, duh.). We are truly in need of help when this is the most burning question of this man's presidential run is whether he is "black enough". WTF? As president it is your duty to look out for everyone not just those of your own race. I think those that pose this question, should cut the crap and say what the really mean. And what that really means is "are you going to lookout for us blacks, if we elect you?"

Why is this even a question? Are the Clinton's white enough? The Obama's have worked hard to achieve succcess. I look forward to my children moving above the norm as society puts them in a BOX. The box that says you a can only go so far. What a JOKE!

I think this question is insulting, and it is very sad that it is being raised by a African American journalist. I am also African American, and we should know better. I will vote for him because I think he is qualified for the position, and he brings a fresh approach to solving the problems facing this country.

If the United States elects a woman or a African American(Black) to the presidency, it will show to the world that this country really is capable of providing an equal opportunity to all regardless of race, sex, gender and etc.

i think obama is a very intelligent person. my only concern is why does a half/breed has to run for the job.why can't we have a colin powell run. a person who has two black parents. i don't want to sound hateful,i'm a half/breed myself, i would like a brother(educated)from the hood run.

what an utterly insulting question - to michelle obama, barack obama and every person who reads this story. shame on you, mary mitchell, for using this forum to promote racially divisive ideas. you have a responsibility as a journalist to ask important, relevant questions - like, perhaps, something about obama's politics. this is the last time i will read your column. disgusting!

I grew up on the South Side and moved out of Chicago to Colorado in 1971. Life was definitely interesting in Daley's Chicago. Now that I've grown, become more educated than "back then" and have had a chance to digest what I've seen and learned in sixty years on this planet I'll attempt to tackle the question asked.

You may not like it.

The one issue that I have about Chicago is the knowledge that many of Chicago's citizens have gained without having left their neighborhoods. They knew everything about the world and have never been farther than the curbing. As a youngster I was amazed by the wealth of knowledge springing forth. Since then I have learned much. Obama strikes me as a well groomed, smooth talking snake oil salesman. If he learned anything in Springfield it was how to stroke Whitey. This skill has been polished by the black sector of society long before the before the Civil War. You and I both know it. The press constantly caters to him and as the questions become more difficult his insecurity starts to surface. This is why we have a free press.
The wild abandon that I see from democrats regarding him is too overacted. I haven't seen this much butt kissing since the riots in '68 and the City rebuilding afterward. So let me interject a question within an answer. Why the excitement about Obama? He is a man, not black and not white. Just a politician whose ego tells him to run for high office. If he happens to win this high office he will, in the end, find that he overreached and couldn't do what he wanted. There will always be checks and balances in government. Along with dirty tricks as we've seen for many years. So, what makes him so special?

Many people in Chicago have jobs because they pushed the "D" button on an ballot. Mayor Daley saw to this with his political machine. As any of the old trash truck drivers. They were the Aldermen in the precincts. What about the Irish cops and firemen? Obama won't be getting jobs for anyone. You certainly won't be getting any Thunderbird wine that Daley doled out to the wino's. It will all be promises. The effort has to come from you to elect someone that can work with a like minded Congress.

Good Luck Chicago and Illinois. So far I've seen a lot of social programs that employs more city workers to administer than jobs filled. think well and hard before you pull that lever or poke that chad.

The question in of itself is insulting. Mary Mitchell - Stop contributing to the madness! It's old and tired...

Now let's get to the real issues of our nation and real solutions: equal education regardless of where you live, health insurance, violence, terrorism, jobs, a decent living wage, poverty, drugs, the homeless, domestic abuse, child abuse - do I need to go any further...

Boom Tarat Tarat, the question SHOULD be can we trust any of these candidates with the most powerful office in the world? The answer to that may be "no." At least Obama has a vision and isn't a robot, flip-flopper, or war hawk like the rest of the front-runner candidates from both parties. Yes, Obama has hiccups here and there, and yes, he is relatively inexperienced. But to me that's a positive rather than a negative--we don't need a typical wealthy politician in office. That obviously has not worked for the past 7 years.

As far as the question "is Obama black enough?" it obviously shows the wide schism there is in the black community as to "what is black" or "what is black enough." I mean, is Obama not black enough because he appeals to a large cross-section of American society? Because he is articulate and very intelligent? Because many white people, including myself and many of my associates, like him as a candidate? Is that why he's not black enough? Come on, people. "Is he black enough" is an ignorant and incendiary question that perpetuates the racial divide that the media loves to smack American citizes over the head with every chance it gets. To Ms. Mitchell's defense, though, she does work for a for-profit newspaper that has to sell--you guessed it!-- newspapers, and she probably has had a lot of those types of questions from her black readers. So, of course a story like that leads to blogger attention and better sales.

An idiotic question, but one that I expected from this second rate tabloid. How's this for a question? Could the Sun-Times survive without stupid sensationalistic headlines and oversized photos?

Ae you crazy? Just by asking your "enough" question you are automatically stereotyping, and I mean stereotyping in boldface. Enough what? Your question just fires up the race issue. Enough is enough, Mary. Why create a new firestorm?

This is so stupid - I can't believe you would lower yourselves to this type of crap.

I would think that the Obamas would refuse an interview with someone as racist as you Mary... This guy is no more qualified to be the president that the man in the moon... You should run Mary, because we know your black enough!

This question is ridiculous and a sad statement about how race gets factored into areas where it has no merit or foundation.

Black is Black. There is no such thing as being Black enough.

For God Sake's, Mary...does this matter? I love your column but this is minutia. Why are our people are so transfixed about this issue...it reminds me of Spike Lee's movie "School Daze" by which varying hues of blackness caused a wedge in the community. I'd ask you and all of my brothers and sisters to remember the last line in that movie and "WAKE UP"!

Please, Mary, put this question to rest. Most voters know that, today more than ever, we must elect the best candidate, without regard to race or even party. To do otherwise results in big mistakes; Todd Stroger comes to mind. It's too early in this long race for the White House to know who would make the best president. Let's give them all time to state their cases clearly. So far, there have been too many sound bytes and platitudes from every candidate.