In multiracial Hawaii, Obama faced discrimination

[babylonsister]

In multiracial Hawaii, Obama faced discrimination

By SUDHIN THANAWALA
Associated Press Writer


HONOLULU (AP) -- Growing up as a young man of mixed race, Barack Obama benefited from the spirit of tolerance that defined Hawaii's racial climate.

His childhood in the country's idealized melting pot was far from painless, though.

As part of the islands' small group of black Americans in the 1970s, he encountered racism and struggled to form a black identity.

Obama's experience in Hawaii is echoed by other blacks, including some of his schoolmates, and challenges the state's vaunted image of racial harmony.

"A big joke amongst the brothers was you could be anything else but a brother and have free rein of the world in Hawaii," said Rik Smith, a black former schoolmate of Obama's at Punahou, an elite private school in Honolulu. "When it comes to people of color, black people, there's a huge amount of racism."

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA_HAWAII_BLACKS?SITE=CONGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[BOSSHOG]

1. May I add

that I got my white ass kicked in North Philly in the 60's on several occasions (because I was white.) And I didn't go to an elite private school.

[wellst0nev0ter]

4. Does That Justify Or Excuse Racism Of Any Kind?

Sorry you got beaten up, but what exactly does your message of resentment accomplish?

[BOSSHOG]

6. My message of resentment?

That's so cute. We (democrats loyal to the party) should not use such messages as the OP provides to win the upcoming election. And we also shouldn't see racism in anything and everything anyone does. Or sexism. Or whatever other ism you might need to rely on.

[wellst0nev0ter]

8. Loyal Democrats Shouldn't Be Concerned About Racism?

Because it might piss off who exactly?

I've just about had it up to here with this year's cheap white backlash politics.

[class2068]

7. Oh

Boo-hoo. As a Jew I faced daily anti-Semitism and weekly beatings growing-up in liberal Marblehead, MA. Obama's glass jaw is bothersome.

[aquart]

2. Good heavens. Childhood wasn't perfect.

Except for being in paradise in an elite private school, of course. But they're right. That's why he didn't run for office in Honolulu, isn't it? But chose Chicago instead? When you enter politics, it's important to run from an area where your minority is a majority. And it's especially helpful if the last person who held the seat made the foolish move of being a woman trying to run for higher office. Has Alice Palmer endorsed Obama yet?

[jody]

3. "elite private school"! I thought he was living off food stamps. n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Poonahoo receives some kids from military personnel

every year on scholarship

Many in the military are on food stamps

IIRC his dad was in the military, or in the foreign service, but not making that much and Hawaii IS expensive

[jody]

11. BO's father in the military? That's a fabulous, fantastic fantasy. n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. His step father was in the foreign service

why he spent six years in Jakarta Indonesia

And you know how many kids in Hawaii go to these private schools on scholarships?

Damn it folks there are days

[jody]

13. Please provide proof Lolo Soetoro was in the U.S. foreign service as you claim. n/t

[amandabeech]

14. You are such a hoot!

Where do you come up with this stuff?

Really, I needed a laugh tonight.

Thanks for providing it!

[msongs]

5. hawaii is a multi ethnic state but it is NOT the paradise the PR says it is in this matter nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. No racism in hawaii? They are shocked? Oh my

and what do they think Howlie stands for?

I had the pleasure of doing demos for a game at a hawaii school... middle school

Go in during their break and you could see the groups neatly divided by ethnic groups

Oh and I was a howlie, (aka from the mainlaind) so tolerated.... and so was Barack...