Fallout Over Senator Reid's Comments: Patrick Dresslar

While Senator Reid's comments are appallingly misguided, I would not say they are racist.  The notion that he should resign over such comments are beyond absurd.  I can see how a major constituent of the Democratic Party, blacks, would be offended by his ill-advised comments, but let's not get up-in-arms about this. 

Senator Reid is surely embarrassed that he made the comments, as he should be, and even more mortified that they have now been released publicly, but this is a comment that I am sure 85% of White America made during the 2008 election.  President Obama is a light-skinned black man, for he is half-white.  And as wrong as it may be, the fact that he is light skinned worked to his benefit.  This has been the case for black celebrities throughout the course of our nation's history, where it seems the lighter the skin, the more easily accepted the celebrity.  I am sure this is what Reid was touching on with his comments.  Obama was not going to get into office with dark skin and a "negro" accent, it just wouldn't have happened.  The more honest we are about that, the faster this side-story will go away. 

The president has accepted Reid's apology and the case is closed for him.  And it should be for the rest of us too.

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