The worst of ourselves

Why have religion and race been brought so much into the presidential primary? More importantly, why have people not noticed that criticism of Barack Obama's religious beliefs been so uneven?

First, he was a Muslim radical who was sworn into office on the Quran. (Note: This is utter bullsh!t, propagated by xenophobes and racists.)

Now, he is a Christian radical who follows the beliefs of his racist pastor. (Note: While the pastor is an anti-white racist asshole, Obama has repeatedly spoken out against racism - and don't forget, Obama is half white, for god's sake.)

I guess Obama-phobes can't really figure out their stance on this one.

Attacks on a person's religious beliefs disgust me, and the fact that Jeremiah Wright continues to be in the news baffles me. If you don't like Obama's politics, that's one thing. But when some people continue to suggest that he harbors racist beliefs, especially after statements he has made on the campaign trail, it makes me want to come to their homes and shake them really, really hard.

Racism has come out in this campaign in interesting ways, and apparently the only way for a small portion of anti-Obama critics to attack him is to project their own racism onto him. Obama didn't give his speech on race out of the blue - it was a reaction to the suggestion that he mirrored the racist beliefs of his former pastor.

Aside from this issue, Obama has tried to keep race and religion out of the primary. Let's all do the same.