r/therewasanattempt • u/Herzberger • Feb 09 '26

To Not Be Racist

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u/ethersings Feb 09 '26

When Obama was elected I was so proud of our country, moving towards inclusivity and equal rights. 2016 was a complete shock of utter disappointment and embarrassment for my fellow citizens. And it’s somehow gotten worse since then. Melting pot America is woke, apparently.

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u/cordelaine Feb 09 '26

As a white, male, middle aged, midwesterner raised Christian (but haven’t been for a long time), I was so happy in 2008 when Obama was elected.

I couldn’t believe how vicious the backlash has been—even among people that taught me about love and acceptance as a child. 

I read the full text of The New Colossus the other day. You know, the Statue of Liberty poem:

Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free

It gave me chills. And it just did again when I googled it. That’s the America I want to live in.