Do you think that HATRED and discrimination will go away now that Obama has been elected?

[KarenJoyceKleinman]

By now Obama has been elected, and I believe, at least hope, that the defacto segregation and discrimination will nullify. Now, the discrimination in the movies seems to be going back toward the Jewish people. What with the Passion of Christ, and this new movie called the Judas Challis coming up. It doesn't matter that the Catholic church put out an apology for saying the Jews killed Christ. SOMEone wants to keep that lie going and they are using the MEDIA for it. So, hatred doesn't seem to die easily. It may move from target to target. A shame. A real shame. This will be a VERY HARD tradition of hate to overcome. What do you think?

[KarenJoyceKleinman]

[Ken]

From where I sit, I've got good and bad news. Defacto segregation and discrimination is still going strong here in east Texas. Having Obama in the Oval Office may eventually soften the hearts of some bigot but it will be years until the old patterns of racism are erased. I don't know of any black families living within a mile of my house. In the short-term Obama's election has stirred the bigots around here. That may be a necessary part of the healing process. The day after the election my local newspaper quoted local resident on the front page sayingt that she was “sick” and well as “frightened and concerned.” She also thought Obama “stole” the election. Another resident worried that Obama would “start a war in Afghanistan.” (He obviously follows the news very closely.) Graffiti sprayed on an area high school (by adults) was especially nasty and my students have heard racial slurs in their dorms.
The "good" news is that I don't see any increase in animosity toward Jews. In fact, some churches on the far right are embracing (metaphorically) people of the Jewish faith because of their need for Israel. Recall that they need Israel in place so that they can play their part in the "end times." So, some of these people see Jews as an important part of history. Unfortunately, as soon as Jesus comes back the Jews get thrown into the lake of fire with the rest of us (and there are a whole bunch of us getting thrown into that lake so it's not really about Jews). Maybe this new movie will have an impact. You need to remember that most of these people are not really very well informed and don't learn too much--even from a movie.
You may be right. However, I do live pretty close to the heart of crazy in this country. I get to hear almost every weird right-wing notion. Jews don't even seem to be any higher on the list than before. Here's their dilemma: So many people to hate, so little time.

[Baruch Hashem]

There is no lake of fire. We do not love G-d out of fear of being eternally punished. We love G-d, because. Just because. What can be a worse Hell than that on earth that people often make for themselves, WHILE they are alive. Also, we are commanded to do Tikkun Olam, which is healing the world. How can we do this? Your posting is one way of honoring G-d, even IF you are believing a different, or no, way about Him. So, while you are doing good by opening people's eyes, you yourself are creating Heaven on this earth in your own way. So is Darrin Bell with Candorville. As far as racism increasing, I would not be surprised at anything that happens. The point is, WE WILL SURVIVE. You can't erase love just by painting a mean saying on a high school wall, but I am sorry that it happened. Such a thing no person should ever have to see, let alone a child. Thank you for your honesty and candor.

[QI Elf]

As noble are your thoughts, it's too much to hope that Obama can dissolve discrimination. Wheels of progress move oh so slowly... I was almost certain McCain would win, especially after I read this article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7600000/7600592.stm

That article scared me and my friends witless when we read it. We always knew these factoids, but seeing them all written down...

Then I read this today, and it gave me both a lift and a shudder: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7731609.stm

Regarding movies, neither the makers nor the viewers usually bother to get the details right. I think they rely on the controversy to get free publicity. Take 'Gladiator'. Thumbs up meant death for the gladiators in Roman times, but they changed it so viewers don't get confused. Don't put too much stock in films.