大象传媒

Barack Obama should not even be a realistic contender. He is underqualified and inexperienced. I doubt voters would really take him seriously.

One problem that I thought of is the potential for race riots if he did capture the Democratic nomination. The scenario would be thus:

1) Barack Obama runs against a strong Republican candidate that courts the Christians and ignores the blacks, assuming they will vote en masse for their Obama.

2) The race is extremely close, maybe some problems with polls in minority areas.

3) The Republicans win similar to the 2000 election. The scandal would not stay peaceful long. If enough black people played the race card we could have riots not seen since the 60s.

This might even be why nobody has fielded a serious black candidate yet.

Then again my ability to conjure worst-case scenarios is unmatched.

Jason / Wisconsin

As a religious, moderate Democrat, I am fully supportive of the potential Bama vandidacy. I like that he is 'real' and that his words are measured and try to create common ground across ideological dividing lines.

I think obama has done it. He has done africa proud by courageously declaring his candidature for the US top seat.
I predict his victory and hey, Africa, here comes the worlds first african world leader.

I'm writing with regards to the BB story.
I am an Italian girl. I've been leaving in the UK for almost 5years.
After 5years people still don't know how to pronounce my name, and most of the people still call me Laura (my name!) with the English accent.
When I meet someone the most obvious things they can tell me are 'Ciao Bella' or 'What do you like? Pizza or pasta?'or acting scenes from the 'Godfather'!
I mean.. what's wrong with it? Ok, sometimes it goes too far and it's a bit annoying. But I'm not making a national case because of that.
I also think sometime is nice to have chats about Italy, being Italian etc. so you can give people a more realistic portrait of your country.
I don't feel I am a victim because I eat pasta 6times per week. I am proud to be Italian.
And unless it's gonna cause problems in my health or job's oppurtunities, etc. I don't see what's wrong with it. More certainly it's not a bully.
What's the problem with being Indian and eat chicken? I don't see the point.
The real point is that those people have always someone serving them and they have never faced the world by themselves before. Their world is not roses and gold anymore, that's the real problem! Come on!

About the topic of the Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, I really can’t understand why the people are talking of racism. Last year (or the previous, I can’t remember exactly) in the Italian version of Big Brother there was a Chinese girl who took part of the show. Everyone referred to her as ‘the Chinese’ and no one has ever complained about it. Probably if I participate at the Big Brother in Uk they will refer to me as ‘the Italian’ so, what’s wrong with that? It’s what I am. Again, I can’t really understand why people feel racially abused… Have a nice evening, Stefano - Italy

"The Indian" being used in a disparaging manner is racism. How can it not be?

What if I started calling a black coworker "The African"? How a Jewish guy "The Heeb"?

Calling someone by their ethnicity in a disparaging way is the most obvious act of racism, it would take a brain dead "The Moron" to view it any other way.

If this term was being used in a positive matter it could be considered racist anyway. I could never imagine being branded as "The American" in mixed company without being insulted.

Jason / Wisconsin

Is the problem with the comment about "The Indian" that people feel that others unfairly tie traits and assumptions to a specific label -- including a nationality?

i do not think that it is fair to expect hollywood movies to be competely true and forthright concerning something such as the state of africa or how life is really like there. hollywood movies are for entertainment value and have to be taken with a grain of salt. hollywood is seeped in deception and distortion for profit's sake. ie, who cares if they show what life is really like in africa as long as they make money.

if i want to know more about a topic such as africa, i would prefer to chose a documentary or a book as opposed to a blockbuster movie. to expect truth from the silverscreen is plain foolish.

It is about the context. History and the present situation of the country comes into play when referring to people's nationality.

In the US, people know that calling a latino a "Mexican" is a loaded term; even if that person comes from Mexico. The same with Peruvians in Chile and Central Americans in Mexico.

I'm a Native African and proud of Barak Obama's political acheivements here in America, and I whole heartly support his political aspiration, but I don't believe that most Americans (particularly Southern whites) are ready to elect a black man. Whatever the future holds for Mr. Obama, I would still tell him RUN OBAMA RUN...

Farah
Washington, DC

I very much wanted to see Last King of Scotland, however it was not widely available in my area.

Recent movies about Africa that I have seen, and very much enjoyed, include Hotel Rwanda and Constant Gardener. Both movies
showed the plight of the average native African perfectly, and only the 大象传媒's coverage of the travesty in Sudan had more of an effect
on my thinking.

------------------------------

As it relates to Barack Obama's candidacy, it is nice to see a potential candidate whose rhetoric is positive instead of "hate
the Republicans." That being said, Senators make lousy Presidents. Lyndon Johnson escalated Vietnam, John F. Kennedy
had the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion, and Warren Harding was easily the most corrupt President America has had since
Reconstruction. My hope is for a good governor to make themself a candidate for the Presidency, because governors tend
to be more suited for the job as Chief Executive than someone who has been on the legislative end of government.

Obama is one of the great orators of our time. But, he is not ready to be a great leader. He exudes brilliance and inspiration. But Americans need more than inspiration and brilliance. They need experience. Obama is still an infant in the domestic and international political scene.

Who is the world leader whose life should be put on screen, you ask?

Without a doubt, it should be INDIRA GANDHI. From the time I first saw her interviewed on TV as a teenager in 1978, I have been thoroughly impressed with her and her background. (A good book which sheds considerable light and depth on Mrs. Gandhi's life is "Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi" by Katherine Frank. It's available in paperback.)

I sincerely hope that someone will make an epic movie on INDIRA GANDHI that does her full justice.

I agree, how can you portray an entire continent in a film, Africa is a vast land mass with varying geographic characteristics as well as cultural and economic conditions. "Africa" is used too loosely when speaking about African countries.

If a movie is ever made, I think it should be on Mahathma Gandhi...for he is one person who promoted peace and dignity.

I'd love to see a movie about Africa's 2oth Century man, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

I would like to see a film made of Mother Theresa - people could learn from her humble ways and this world might be a better place

Monica, Washington DC

i love your show! My name is Stephen Drager in Chicago and i listen to KCRW out of Santa Monica, California.

Barack Obama has NOT announced his his bid for President yet. I heard often on your show that he had, which is incorrect. He has only taken the proper steps to form a Presidential Exploratory Committee. He will announce on February 10, 2006 here in Chicago if he chooses.

about Barack Obama: I would someday like to see him be president of the US if he remains the same unaffected person he is at this point. It is so refreshing to see someone in national politics who is able to see outside his own box, does not rush to condemn others, who really seems to have the best interests of people in the country in mind, and makes an effort to really evaluate a situation before commenting on it. He also has the courage to state his convictions and then rather than being dogmatic about it, is able to present a convincing argument for his position. My only concern at this point is that he is so young, I'm not sure that now is the best time. Maybe vice president now, and president later. Would like to see that he will remain the same reasonable person over time.

The words and comments used against Shilpa Shetty are simply infuriating. Honestly, I thought that people were getting sensitive and more educated today, but clearly that doesn’t show.
Today we have so many movies being made on racism but I guess nothing gets through thick skulls. The word “respect” seems to have been erased from the dictionary.
And there are so many Indians, Asians living in the UK, so its quite sad and pathetic when you hear about people going through racial prejudice.
Sure the comments may have been out of jealousy, more likely, immaturity, they still are racist and yes I think something should be done about this.
Also these are celebrities on the show and there are young kids watching these shows and are being influenced by the rubbish they see on tv and then they go on and imitate it, so one has to be more careful before just rambling on with some nonsense.

Julius Nyerere, the first president of Tanzania and elder statesperson would be a great subject for a bio-pic.

Also, there are many wonderful novels that have come from Africa that could and should be made as feature films: novels by Ngugi wa Thiongo of Kenya, for example, or Ousmane Sembene.

Finally, there ARE lots of good African films (witness the annual African Film Festival in Burkina Faso!), but these don't get DISTRIBUTED widely in the U.S. and Europe.

All the best,

BEN

The movie industry does not do a good job to portray africa. Why are most african movies filmed in the jungle of africa. Does that mean these people always fly from their big town to the jungle of africa or it is because the jungle sells? I have had people here in america asked me if we wear clothes in africa. That is how powerful people believe in these movies.

Admittingly, I was hesitant about Obama putting in his bid for the US Presidency because he has not completed his first term in the US Senate. Being the first African-American US Senator, I thought he could best serve his country by remaining in the Senate and build upon his experiences, which could prepare him for the Presidency in 2012. However, since the mid-term elections, it seems as though there a number of people across the nation who, like myself, want to see an end to the status quo. Judging by his books and his speeches, Obama seems to be more than just a politician. Though he is still rather green, he seems very intelligent and believes in attaining social justice for the vulnerable. So, it's important that he takes advantage of this momentum and make history.

It is about the context. History and the present situation of the country comes into play when referring to people's nationality.Patrick Cleveland, Ohio I have not seen the show, nor do I plan to. However, I do not feel this is racism. This topic is providing free publicity for the show, and generating interest that perhaps might not otherwise be there. Drop it, and it becomes a non-issue.

I am a Democrat who has been voting since 1960. The first black American President? Yes, indeed!!! I will certainly vote for Barack Obama in 2008. We desperately need people with integrity and intelligence in our government.

Underneath any perception or labeling of racism is classism. People cope with the trauma of being objectified and classified by objectifying and classifying others, most overtly those who are perceived to be least able or willing to defend themselves. Speak to the issue of authoritarianism and its fallout.

When I read my email this morning and found that Barack Obama had taken the first steps towards potential nomination, my heart began to beat a little faster. As long-time polical activist in both the UK and, to a much lesser degree, in the USA I believe that we at last have a Democrat capable of firing people up right across the board. I signed up to join his campaign immediately.

For those who believe he has no policies, I can only suggest that they take the time to find out what this man believes. But unlike this current president, Obama listens to all sides of an argument before making his decision and is not afraid to be contradicted.

I believe Obama is the only candidate who can restore unity to America and restore America's standing in world opinion. He will certainly have our support.

Back Barack!

I would like to see films depicting the refugee in eastern Chad, the struggling shopkeeper in Abidjan, the rape survivor in DR Congo -- in otherwords, more films like those Sorious and his team make...About the reality of Africans' lives...their struggle, their resilience, their courage -- and the injustice done to them by the international community.

very much wanted to see Last King of Scotland, however it was not widely available in my area.

Recent movies about Africa that I have seen, and very much enjoyed, include Hotel Rwanda and Constant Gardener. Both movies
showed the plight of the average native African perfectly, and only the 大象传媒's coverage of the travesty in Sudan had more of an effect
on my thinking.

------------------------------

As it relates to Barack Obama's candidacy, it is nice to see a potential candidate whose rhetoric is positive instead of "hate
the Republicans." That being said, Senators make lousy Presidents. Lyndon Johnson escalated Vietnam, John F. Kennedy
had the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion, and Warren Harding was easily the most corrupt President America has had since
Reconstruction. My hope is for a good governor to make themself a candidate for the Presidency, because governors tend
to be more suited for the job as Chief Executive than someone who has been on the legislative end of government.

You don't think the producers of the show don't relish this controversy? People are put on these shows because of the potential fireworks they'll generate. If the show is unpalatable, don't watch the mindless nonsense!

--------------------

One of the major criticisms of Barack Obama is his relative inexperience at the national level. Based on what we've seen from well experienced politicians in Washington, Obama may well offer a refreshing and untainted view of what's best for America. I look forward to hearing more from him during the upcoming presidential race.

I had the opportunity to hear Barak Obama speak at a luncheon in Chicago in 2005 and he was noticeably vague about many of his policy stances including the war on Iraq. Thus far he has attempted to say just enough to not to completely polarize conservative voters. I believe it is correct that no one really knows what he stands for yet.

The question of race is structured by history. It's not racist for an Indian to call someone an american or a brit, because India never colonized Britain. But to identify someone as "indian" carries with it a host of unresolved issues of power.

While Obama may be a good man, he is relatively new to politics. Like Carter I believe this to be his downfall as he will not know how to use the system to his advantage.

While Obama may be a good man, he is relatively new to politics. Like Carter I believe this to be his downfall as he will not know how to use the system to his advantage. This does not make it right, but it is the reality.

What he stands for is anti-establisment.

Instead of boring us about someone who can easily defend herself being called "the indian" in the situation she finds herself, how about talking about the way "untouchables" are treated terribly in india - or is that not political enough for the 大象传媒.

Hi

I really think that coverage of Barack Obama's quest for the White House needs to be covered in greater detail.

I am a British expatriate currently living in the USA with my American-born husband and have to say that this country - at least in the Midwest where I live - is so divided that I had almost lost hope until Obama came on the scene. I believe this is a man who could unite the USA in a way that none other could. But more importantly perhaps, he is a man who can restore US integrity overseas. I have not been this fired up about a candidate on either side of the Ocean for many years.

Some see Obama as indecisive, a perception that could go against him in a campaign. In fact, he appears to be a man who weighs all sides of an argument before taking action. Those who are unaware of where he stands on given issues just haven't taken the time to check. But, unlike this current "gung-ho" president, Barack Obama is a wise man who takes careful measurements before making his cut. Something America and the world so badly need in a US president.

Please could we have full coverage of his campaign"

Greetings ::

i love your show! i listen to KCRW out of Santa Monica, California.

Barack Obama has NOT announced his his bid for President yet. I heard often on your show that he had, which is incorrect. He has only taken the proper steps to form a Presidential Exploratory Committee. He will announce on February 10, 2006 here in Chicago if he chooses.

It took me awhile to find your address, but I just had to say that even though films may not depict the true Africa, and although I' am truly ignorant of Africa's political situation, I walked out of the film "Blood Diamond" very moved by the it's depiction of diamond mining, the greed behind it, and the causes of why African's treat other Africans the way they do. Give us a break for goodness sake. Those of us who any amount of intelligence know that Hollywood has a difficult time giving us a true picture of a country, but we do come out with knowledge that we never had.

I am afraid that Barak Obama may be the best presidential candidate we democrats can support, however as long as democrats do not rally together behind one candidate then the voters will not be enough to overtake the historically more organized republican strategy, the only positive change caused by the war in Iraq is that base is not listening to the rhetoric. for far to many years democratic voters have multiple choices in candidates , and in almost every election for president , a independent tries to run and manages to take a small percentage of votes that causes votes that would have been a victory for the democratic candidate are lost for an independent .

Dear Editor,

Growing up in the vestiges of British colonial Singapore in the 60s, and whilst watching Indians and Cowboys Hollywood movies, we're all cheering for the White cowboys to kill the Indigenous Indian (the bad guys). About 45 years later, I now understand how brainwashed we were, and the intellectual dishonesty of the colonial master. The sanitization of their history continues on because they control the world media and the political arena.

I'd like to see a movie about Mohammad, the prophet; from a point of view of scholars who spend their life studying the man, and not from the point of view of bias and partial Europeans who neither have done any profound scholarly research, nor have a profond knowledge of Arabic. In addition, most of the European/Western experts of Islam come from the premise, and believe in the phrase they coined, "Islam was spread through the power of the sword", to deliberately promote Christianity and demonize Islam.

I also hope that American African Muslims should be represented as equally as Christian Africans, in the movies and otherwise. I believe a movie about Warith Deen Mohammad, the son of Elijah Mohammad, should be made. Or, on a lighter side, a Bond movie, James that is, a Black African 007 agent, with a beautiful brown leading lady saving the European from themselves, and saving the human race, by eliminating all the weapons they manufactured. In addition, Black James will educate the Europeans that as much as they are against the death penalty, they should be more disgusted with the term COLLATERAL DAMAGE that they coined.

Thank you.

Barack Obama is not only not sufficiently experienced enough to become president, he is an unknown quantity. He has no clear positions on many vital issues. The last thing we need is someone who makes up his mind at the last minute by reading the poll results. The last unknown we had in the White House was "Jimmy Who" and many of remember enough about him that we don't want a repetition. Perhaps in another 4 or 8 years but not now. This is not a race issue. There are attractive black candidates who have the trust of the American people. Colin Powell is one. Dr. Condelezza Rice is another. We know who they are and where they stand. They are people we could support.

I think that a film should be made of Oriana Fallici the Italian journalist.
Thyank you Linda John France