Obama's Tricks.

Recent political news has enlightened the world as to the attitudes of Rev. Jeremiah Wright toward White America (as though that were a place!)

I'll be the first to acknowledge that a lot of Africans were treated badly on American soil. And, that a lot of non-African Americans still hold some sort of grudge against anyone who seems to have African heritage. (I, personally, believe we all have African heritage, but that is for another discussion.)

Not all Americans hold that hatred in their hearts, and for those of us who do not, it is easy to assume the haters, black or white, are largely uneducated bigots. So, it is curious to see someone with a Doctorate who does hate. Wondering exactly where Obama, himself, stands on the subject, I read his book, "Dreams From My Father".

In the book, Obama reveals a deep-seated, life long resentment of all white people. Recounting that his own white mother once asked about the arrest of one of his friends (what mother wouldn't ask if her son's friend was arrested?), Obama said (page 94) "I had given her a reassuring smile and patted her hand - - - another one of those tricks I had learned: People were satisfied so long as you were courteous and smiled and made no sudden moves. They were more than satisfied; they were relieved--such a pleasant surprise to find a well-mannered young black man who didn't seem angry all the time."

Smiling and not appearing angry is just a trick?

Out on the campaign trail, Senator Obama is patting a lot of hands and smiling a lot. Seems the trick still works.