Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

November 21, 2008 4:23:52 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Why Brown Is Still Hung Up on Black

Posted May 21, 08 4:54 PM CDT in Politics,  US 

(Newser) – The US Latino community is made up of 20 nationalities and 44 million people, but it is largely in agreement on one thing—suspicion of, and often condescension toward, blacks, Ernesto Quiñonez writes in Esquire. Quiñonez remembers growing up in East Harlem, recalling “pecking orders and historic beefs and a belief that light skin was somehow preferable to dark.”

The 2000 census tells the story behind the story: Half of Hispanics described themselves as white, a half that “can’t shake the idea that we’d be better off” in that hue. It’s a wariness of dark skin imported from Hispanic homelands, and it’s alive and well. No wonder, he concludes, “that some Obama staffers can’t sleep at night.”

Source Esquire

2 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Racial Tolerance Can Spread Quickly, Too, Studies Say

    Nov 7, 08 9:42 AM CST
    Racial Tolerance Can Spread Quickly, Too, Studies Say In this election, some feared that racial biases could affect the outcome—but tolerance between groups can grow as quickly as distrust, new studies suggest. Researchers have used interviews and competitions to quickly forge close relationships between people of different ethnic backgrounds, and those newfound friendships can ease the subjects’ relations with each others’ racial groups, the New York Times reports.
    More »

  • Jesse's Face Spoke for Millions

    Nov 5, 08 1:18 PM CST
    Jesse's Face Spoke for Millions Not long after the networks declared Barack Obama the next American president, writes Rebecca Traister in Salon, the years worth of emotions that led up to that moment flashed across the face of Jesse Jackson. In minutes, the civil rights leader's expression transformed from a still one of disbelief, (or perhaps resentment, or shock) to unabashed, weeping joy.
    More »

  • What Obama Means for My Son

    Nov 1, 08 11:45 AM CDT
    What Obama Means for My Son Barack Obama looks poised to win the presidency, and that would mean a lot for Gary Younge’s infant son. Younge wasn’t always sure it would, the Brooklyn resident writes in the Guardian. "It wasn't that I didn't understand the symbolic importance of his bid. I just did not want to mistake it for substance." His African-American wife had a different take. “My dad grew up being told a black person couldn’t be a pilot,” she said. “My son is growing up knowing that a black person can be president.” More »

  • Race? Only Thing Obama Transcends Is Logic

    Oct 24, 08 8:05 PM CDT
    Race? Only Thing Obama Transcends Is Logic Barack Obama is allegedly helping America “transcend race,” Jonah Goldberg writes in the National Review, but if moving beyond race “would involve making race less of an issue,” why are Obama’s fervent supporters obsessed with bringing it up? One columnist sees racism in descriptions of the Democrat as “skinny"; the Kansas City Star’s editorial board sees it in those who call him “socialist.” More »

  • A Black President Will Boost Brand USA

    Oct 23, 08 9:58 AM CDT
    A Black President Will Boost Brand USA Skin color is no reason to vote for anybody, Nick Kristof writes in the New York Times, but there's no denying that electing a black president would give America's image abroad a much-needed boost—"redefining the American 'brand' to be less about Guantánamo and more about equality." Almost half of people abroad polled by the BBC said a President Obama would "fundamentally change their view of the US."
    More »

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., eats a tortilla during a campaign stop at Sombrero Festival following a prayer meeting with Hispanic Evangelical ministers.   (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Democratic presidential hopeful, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, right, speaks during the Brown & Black Forum as fellow hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., looks on.   (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, FILE)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets people during a campaign stop at Sombrero Festival.   (AP)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

Barack Obama • African Americans • Hispanic • racial tension • Harlem


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »