Michelle- I love YOUR insights, always! I feel like the “Driving While Black” thing could have definitely come into play in that mother’s mind, but at the same time it could have just been a “16-year-old boys with their friends are reckless showoffs who don’t know any better” syndrome. It could go any way, but I’d see if the fact that he is a black male would come into play. Another great point/muse!

I relived a memory today that made me think of you, and this topic. It was when my oldest son just started driving. While at a softball game, I got to talking with another Mom about our kids driving. I told her how nervous it made me when he made his first trip out, nervous when he had other people in the car with him. She said “Oh, I don’t let my son have anyone in the car with him. It’s bad enough when he is alone, but having two or three friends with him they are sure to get pulled over or followed.” Yes, her son is black. It was a worry I never had over my sons driving. Is this just an “it is what it is?”

I don’t really think it was NONE of his business. Sure, it was a local affair in Massachusetts and not a national Federal issue, but Gates and Obama are friends, and a reporter asked for his comment. I don’t see what’s so wrong in sharing your opinion on a big scandalous thing that happened to your friend, no matter who he is.

He started off by saying he didn’t know and didn’t have all the facts as a disclaimer! Then he went on to state what he DID know.

THE POLICE DID ACT STUPIDLY. If the arrest wasn’t bogus, why were ALL the charges dropped? If Gates were truly guilty of something horrendous, they could have rightfully charged him.

I remember the word “stupid” not being allowed in the house growing up. When my sister and I would fight, we’d scream at each other: “you STUP-…endous!” But I don’t think it’s the worst thing or word Obama could have used. Yes, he could have chosen his words more carefully, but I think that’s a VERY diplomatic way to respond when put on the spot.

And as far as the terms “racist” or “racism” go, I think people are just afraid to talk about race relations and our deep-seeded prejudices. I also think it’s ridiculous how the right-wing media responded with such fervor: “Obama’s a RACIST!” As I said, he’s just as white as he is black, no matter how he looks or how the world sees him. He was raised by white people, for Christ’s sake.

Either way, all of us Americans have subconscious prejudices and dare I say, racist tendencies–and who better to bring these issues to the table to try and hash things out than Obama? Who else would call for a chat about race relations? Bush? I don’t think so.

This was a whole bunch of Tomfoolery, but I appreciate your feedback and thoughts! Good points from your perspective.

OK, now I better get back to thinking about getting a job! Enough of this Tomfoolery.