Ask Black America: If Barack Looked Like Wesley Snipes, Would He Have Been Elected President?
by Dr. Boye Watkins
I love Barack Obama for what he has accomplished. He is sharp, articulate, focused, hard-working and a great leader to his family. My respect for him as a man though, has little to do with my relationship with him as a politician. Supporting a politician should be like hiring an employee or patronizing a local business: When you give a lot you, you should expect quality service in return. The only way to get this is by keeping people on their toes and commanding the respect that you deserve.
But one question that stood on my brain when I woke up this morning is whether the president’s skin complexion plays a role in the fact that he was able to get whites to feel comfortable enough to vote for him. After all, we live in a nation where the “brown paper bag test” once divided light and dark-skinned blacks, creating a caste system that we then perpetuated with our disdain for one another. Eurocentric oppression has often taught us that whether you are Indian, African or something else, the closer you are to being white, the more valuable your existence.
Snipes is currently in prison, and Obama is in the White House. While I don’t pretend that skin color led to these disparate outcomes, I do wonder if America could ever elect a very dark-skinned black man to the highest office in the land. So, to get a reaction on this issue, we asked the readers on our Facebook page what they think. The question is: “If Barack Obama looked like Wesley Snipes, would he have been elected president?”
The answers are below. Feel free to give your own.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. He is also the creator of the Building Outstanding Men and Boys Family Empowerment Series. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.
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Deitri Johnson no! and we know it! -
Twine Hempwear lol funny but good question. -
G-code Artwurk heeeeeeeeeellllllllll naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -
King AJ That’s exactly wht I was gone say G-code -
Lizz Lewis I doubt it -
Karen Simon Ditto G-code Artwurk x100 -
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Toivo Mayne nah -
Andre Woods He’s too Black. And I don’t mean color wise -
Johnathon T. West Nope! -
Shanerika Nicole Odom Nooooo that’s just to black for America LOL -
L.e. Amos Seriously doubt it! I also think if Pres. Obama had a white wife he wouldn’t have gotten elected either, because only black men and white women would have voted for him. -
Jennifer Delin Stupid answers. Smdh wow! -
Judith Gould lol yes – he won based on intellect and astute thinking and not his looks. -
Gregory Brigman No, too dark for white america. The white america would thought he was SHAKA ZULU, no joke. IJS. -
Lena Still Suckafree if he was president it wuda been sho dead the 1st day on the job lol smh sad -
Johnny Kyouryoku Rooks h**l no -
Chante’ White yes -
Nancy Barbosa He looks like Malcolm X -
Igotthasolution Pinkston h**l Naw He Barely In There Now -
Arsie Hairston Maybe, it all depends!!!! -
Nickisha Bronner-Whitley white folks are not comfortable with skin color that dark, to them, its intimidating, aggresive and untrustworthy -
Carolyn Smith-Holmes In 2008 yes in 2012 no. In 2008 people were desperate for a change and they believed in the words spoken by Obama not the color of his skin. In 2012 it’s has become more about race because of the Teaparty and the lies they spread about blacks in general. -
Debra Thompson Oh, h**l no! -
Tiffany Johnson Nope. -
Rodolfo Candido de Souza I think he would…he brings along the same blackness as WS!! -
Rhonda Williams-Shepard We still live in a visual society that seperates our race into the categories of Light vs Dark. We do this within our own race. If we ourselves dnt erase the stigmatism that we are different based on skin tones, how do we expect society to react? It falls back to the same concepts of product sales…the more attractive the ppl…the more likely we are to buy the product. -
Tania Castro h**l no -
Stan Clark No…but here’s another…..If Biden were President, would he be blamed for the mess we’re in, and would he get another term to continue to get America out of this hole? -
Adam Samples Yes because he won off the black vote anyway -
Patricia Hardison Good questions…We know the answers…LOL! -
Michael Long yes, but it would be hard for ithers to do so. us with our self hate and others regular hate
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Wesley Snipes may be dark but by the same token he is clean cut so most likely they would give him a pass. If Wesley was dark and had locks like Bob Marley and wore Bohemian attire then most likely not.
I KNOW THIS… Since Snipes makes it well known that he has particular liking for Black women, it wouldn’t help the Pres much.
PS Snipes ain’t looking so good plus he’s a little bitty dude. LOL
In the spring of 2008, Watkins formed an online protest through YourBlackWorld.com in response to Fox News criticism of Senator Barack Obama and Pastor Jeremiah Wright, Watkins asked his supporters to write to Bill O’Reilly’s corporate sponsors and complain about O’Reilly’s behavior.
Watkins’ protest led O’Reilly to spend a week during May 2008 calling for Watkins to be fired. He also sent reporters to question the Chancellor of Syracuse University, Nancy Cantor, and ask her why she had not challenged Watkins for his words.
In his comments, O’Reilly claimed that Watkins accused him of wanting to lynch Michelle Obama, the wife of then Senator Barack Obama and that he was “smearing the good name of Syracuse University by spreading these kinds of lies”.
Keith Olbermann, host of “Count Down with Keith Olbermann” came to Watkins’ defense, stating that O’Reilly did in fact joke about lynching Michelle Obama. He also mentioned that O’Reilly’s lash at Watkins stemmed from his protest against O’Reilly’s corporate sponsors. Others, such as Rev.Jesse Jackson backed Watkins as well, with Rev. Jackson inviting Watkins onto his show over 15 times in 2008.
(This is what Boyce wrote on Tuesday, Sept. 25th, 2012.)
Title: Dr. Boyce: Michelle Obama Speaks on Civil Rights at the CBC, But Was She Missing Something?
This what Boyce said in that piece: “I love First Lady Michelle Obama and I almost lost my job over her. When Bill O’reilly joked about lynching her during the 2008 campaign, I had a head-to-head confrontation with both O’Reilly and my university superiors, who wanted me fired over my controversial remarks. “
NOW YOU KNOW WHY HE HATES PRESIDENT OBAMA!
That O’Reilly incident happened in 2008 and it’s now 2012 and Boyce is still talking about how he almost lost his job for defending Michele Obama. President Obmama didn’t speak out for Boyce, and now you know why Boyce hates President Obama. No different than Tavis and West, it’s petty and personal
Boyce, are you at your limit on ideas to write about President Obama?
Some of us are well aware that this is your SECOND TIME POSTING THIS PIECE about Snipes and President Obama to divide black people on skin.
Like the slavemaster said, turn the house slave against the field slave and the white man will never have to worry about blacks…you sir work is doing the work of the slavemaster and is a disgrace to the black race.
In the spring of 2008, Watkins formed an online protest through YourBlackWorld.com in response to Fox News criticism of Senator Barack Obama and Pastor Jeremiah Wright, Watkins asked his supporters to write to Bill O’Reilly’s corporate sponsors and complain about O’Reilly’s behavior.
Watkins’ protest led O’Reilly to spend a week during May 2008 calling for Watkins to be fired. He also sent reporters to question the Chancellor of Syracuse University, Nancy Cantor, and ask her why she had not challenged Watkins for his words.
In his comments, O’Reilly claimed that Watkins accused him of wanting to lynch Michelle Obama, the wife of then Senator Barack Obama and that he was “smearing the good name of Syracuse University by spreading these kinds of lie…s”.
Keith Olbermann, host of “Count Down with Keith Olbermann” came to Watkins’ defense, stating that O’Reilly did in fact joke about lynching Michelle Obama. He also mentioned that O’Reilly’s lash at Watkins stemmed from his protest against O’Reilly’s corporate sponsors. Others, such as Rev.Jesse Jackson backed Watkins as well, with Rev. Jackson inviting Watkins onto his show over 15 times in 2008.
(This is what Boyce wrote on Tuesday, Sept. 25th, 2012.)
Title: Dr. Boyce: Michelle Obama Speaks on Civil Rights at the CBC, But Was She Missing Something?
This what Boyce said in that piece: “I love First Lady Michelle Obama and I almost lost my job over her. When Bill O’reilly joked about lynching her during the 2008 campaign, I had a head-to-head confrontation with both O’Reilly and my university superiors, who wanted me fired over my controversial remarks. “
NOW YOU KNOW WHY HE HATES PRESIDENT OBAMA!
That O’Reilly incident happened in 2008 and it’s now 2012 and Boyce is still talking about how he almost lost his job for defending Michele Obama. President Obmama didn’t speak out for Boyce, and now you know why Boyce hates President Obama. No different than Tavis and West, it’s petty and personal.
h**l Nah! If his mother was not white. He would not be president. So it is not about the lightness of your skin either.
I have never seen such a stupid topic, from a supposedly educated n****r. Boyce, hatred of Obama, is obvious, and he is trying to enlist other black fools. This n****r, is trying to destroy President Obama, and his chances of re-election, and he doesn’t care if he has to destroy the unity of black people, to achieve his goal. This dumb a*s n****r, needs to be destroyed, and by any means necessary. Even if Obama loses, we need to demand that Syracuse university, fire this a*s wipe. I wish nothing but failure, and doom, for this incompetent mother f****r. There are no pure black people in this d**n country. Every one of us has Caucasian blood running through us. Boyce, himself is lighter than a lot of blacks, maybe more white than black. My question is: Would Syracuse university would have hired Boyce Watkins, if he looked like Wesley Snipes?
@sh-thead: “There are no pure black people in this d**n country.”
“Every one of us has Caucasian blood running through us.”
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I will not let you DISRESPECT the Black race with that cracker b.s.! How in the fvck can we have that cracker blood in us when we BIRTHED your albinoid caucasoid stankin’ worthless, lazzy azz!!!
YOU GOT ‘BLACK BLOOD’ RUNNING THROUGH YOUR VEINS, HONKEY! WE ARE THE ORIGINAL AND YOU AIN’T NOTHING, BUT A CARBON COPY…A CARBON COPY IS ALWAYS LIGHTER THAN THE ORIGINAL…GET OVER IT!
These negroids let you run down that lying azz sh-t, and then agree with your ignorance and stupidity.
You’re a pale face cracker ‘planter’. You use the word ‘n-gger’ too d–mn much, but what you don’t OVERstand you are the ORIGINAL n-gger, pale face! I sit back and laugh at your stupid comments because you have no merit, no facts, and no proof when you mummbled your b.s.
The bottom line is this, lil critter, YOU bas-ards HATE to hear the Truth. If O’Drama was a dark skin brother, you rathead crackers would not have voted for him. But, behind close doors, one of your whorish caucasoid fe-males would suck his ‘k**b’ and azz, ALL NIGHT LONG! You probably would get on your fa–it azz and blow him, too! TRICK!
You albinoid caucasoids need to get off this site, and go back to your krazy kracker klan site. The Truth of the matter is, you klanner boys ain’t nothing, but cowards and b–ches, and you come on this site to promote your racism and white supremacy.
YOU CAN FOOL THESE NEGROIDS, BUT YOU CAN’T FOOL ME, BOY!
You can’t get pass me with that garbage. You just use O’Drama, as a scapegoat because deep down inside your animalistic nature, you HATE him just like you hate the Mighty Black Man! When use the word n-gger, you are calling ALL Black people, WHAT YOU REALLY ARE… a n-gger!!!
Take your serpent, ignorant, stupid, mulatto dog azz back up in the hills of the caucasus mountains, and leave us alone!
I HATE YOU CRACKER B–TARDS, AND THE SYMPATHIZING NEGROIDS, WHO LOVE YOU!!!
YOU BEASTLY SAVAGE!!!
I KNOW HOW YOU SERPENTS HATE YOUR PALE, MUSHY, NASTY SKIN!!!
@moonhead
If President Obama lose to Romnesia, should be at the top of the list of Negroes who worked to replace a black man with a white man whose religion didn’t allow black people in his church until 1978.
Boyce is the Negro
If Snipes had the educational components that Obama has, and the same handlers at the time of the landslide in 2008, then yes, Snipes could have been elected. This Country was hungry in 2008 for Change We Can Believe In. In my opinion, color had nothing to do with him winning in 2008. Obama had the chops, and if Snipes had had the same chops, then he too would have been elected.
Now Dr. Boyce you did ask this question before, but you tweaked it a bit this time….
Now you had to throw the “brown paper bag test” card and the President is a pimp and his supporters are prostitutes…how LOW are you going to go doc?
I’m sad that you would use Snipes as a camparsion as he does not like or appreciate women of color. So that in its self disqulifies him! Second of all the light vs dark skinned blacks is perpetuated in our BLACK COMMUNITY and stills runs rampant today! Its funny how the black community is aware of its history but stills chooses to honor this disgraceful belief. If you look at the music vidios most of the dancers if not all are light bright and dam near white. As far as I’m concerned….all colors are beautful !!
Dr. Boyce said “When you give a lot you, you should expect quality service in return.” I question the quality of service the readers are getting, when the good Doctor uses this forum to bring up the subject, that serves to divide black people. Dr. Boyce what are your motives behind choseing this topic at this time so close to the election?
I no longer respond to illiterate a*s, wannabe, fake a*s, black activist, who are more stupid, and racist than the KKK. They know to whom I speak. The question should be asked: Would Boyce, have been hired at Syracuse university, if he looked liked Wesley Snipes? We have some of the most stupid people, that unfortunately was born into our race. We have some blacks, that actually believe that they have not been tainted with the white man’s blood, but that is a d**n lie. These are the same people, that doesn’t believe that man never landed on the moon, and that the Africans, invented the airplane, even though they had no means to do so. If you follow an a*s, you will soon become an a*s.
BE A MAN, PUNK! If you have something to say about me, be a man, and say it!
I ain’t scared to come to you with TRUTH, so be a man, or be a boy, a h**o, a hetro, or I don’t know, what ever you may be!
As far as having cracker blood in my veins…NO WAY! Blacks birthed the world, YOU have Black blood running through your animalisitc veins…you got that?
Those crackers NEVER went to the moon and I gave you proof with Truth, so get over it! You crackers ALWAYS want to be first, but Afrikans were the FIRST people to invent everything you touch, lil cat, including you…remember Yacub/Jacob?
Your freak greek boys, STOLE our language, inventions, and our contributions to the world, and claimed it!
I’m far from a fake, you albino albinoid. I’ve been in the movment ALL my life, and have proof, but I ain’t go to prove s*hyt to you BOY! You’re a cracker, and I KNOW THIS!
So, take your fake cracker a*s back to the kooky kinky kracker site, and leave us alone!
You’re making yourself look dumber and dumber everytime you come on this site mummbling your LIES and bulls**it!!!
IF YOU LOOK LIKE AN A*SS; SMELL LIKE AN A*SS; THEN YOU’RE AN A*SS
Bye A*ss
Derrick please enlighten me the inventions that white people “stole” from blacks? Have you seen the condition of some of the countries in Africa?
frankly, I resent the question! president Obama skin tone has nothing to do with him being elected again, the man is gifted,he kept his promises that was made. and so is Wesley gifted, and fine as h**l! if people like you would stay out the past, this nation could very well grow. it’s time to move on, let it go! the race issue is what I’m referring to, who cares what his skin tone is as long as he does his job!
Yes, I think whatever color you’re you can be elected as President. However you have to be tall, smart, serious and good looking for women. Look what republicans voted for in the primaries – Herman Cain. Had it not for his groping white women, Herman was coming strong. He was articulate, smart handsome for women. He won at least 2 primaries. The problem with Cain is he disparaged us Blacks and racial minorities. He thought he was White from England. In fact he disowned himself as African American, but some other color close to Koch Brothers. “I am Koch Brother from another mother.” That statement showed Cain had inferiority complex over white folks. To feel good, he associated himself with only Whites – abandoning and labeling us “brain washed.” As usual Republicans did not like Cain be their supervisor or leader. Republicans are racists. They brought him down. So anybody with whatever color can be president now. Only you have to be tall, smart and good looking to women
I understand your intent but I would replace Snipes with Nelson Mandela. I believe allow the responses you generated would still be the same.Color,self esteem and backbone matter. Not too many black men in high offices have Mandela like charatriscs . Snipes is an inappropriate comparison .
WHAT THE h**l KIND OF QUESTION WAS THAT???? h**l YEA I WOULD’VE VOTED FOR HIM. I LIKE THE WAY WESLEY LOOKS!!!! HE HAS STRONG FEATURES WHICH I FIND ATTRACTIVE….CAN’T SAY THE SAME FOR YOU DR BOYCE. I MAY EVEN UNSUBSCRIBE TO YOUR COLUMN IF THIS IS THE BEST YOU CAN DO!!!!
Is this the best you can do ? Man who thinks of these articles ?
He is who he is, regardless……………….this is so too much.
Here goes Physco Derrick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What you REALLY need to be asking is this:
Why are you so quick to drool over a big-government tax-and-spend statist leftist such as Barack Obama, and so quick to give a sweeping pass to the deliberately obtuse, hypocritical mainstream media — the same mainstream media which is quick to unconditionally support a statist, big-government tax-and-spend leftist such as Barack Obama?
Is it racism? Hypocrisy of the most marrow-deep variety? Stupidity?
Snipes WAS RAILROADED by the VERY SAME statist centralist totalitarian mindset that Barack Obama embodies.
GET WITH THE PROGRAM.