Will the OBamas change the decor in the Whitehouse?

Hes not really African anyways... descendant to some extent - but the guy is related to ol' dick cheney for crying out loud. How many Africans are related to that man?

They like to play up the African side of him, but that would be like me playing up my American Indian with my blue eyes...though I have quite a bit in me.

anyway, politics all the same, its a sham. - the only 'change you can believe in' is when we dont have politicians anymore. hehe

Peace

dAlen

I'm not going to jump the OP for asking these questions. Such things do cross the minds of people now and then. It's not racist to ask if these things might happen, or to what extent cultural differences will effect both decor and policy.

If Pat Buchanan was being considered here, we would be asking the same type of questions; would he put up a cross in the Oval Office, would there be a velvet painting of a bleeding Jesus, would he have more spiritual visitors than past presidents?

I am proud that ATSers are not, for the most part, racists. I'm proud that the answers here reflect this fact. And I do not see the OP being one, based on asking the question. If I do find racist remarks creeping in, I will not be slow to react. But there is a difference between noting cultural differences and being disparaging of same.

So let's lay off the OP for asking something that, while trivial compared to other problems, is still a valid point of discussion. (I remember when Jackie Kennedy's skirt length was discussed on national TV, along with their being Catholic. And this was the middle of the Cold War.)

But let's KEEP it at a level that is discussing change and not step across the line into racially offensive remarks.

reply to post by NGC2736


I totally disagree. I am disappointed that ATS would let this offensive thread continue. It is obvious race-baiting. I saw this thread and was not going to respond and support it, but your post compells me.

Your analogy to Pat Buchanan is absurd. You assume that he identifies himself primarily as a Christian more than anything else. So by that line of thinking you are assuming that Obama identifies himself first as an African-American. Do you also assume that he would not respect the American history that encompasses the White House decor' just because he is African-American? Please. Your entire argument is a stretch.

I expected more from ATS.

[edit on 14/4/08 by kosmicjack]

The OP is getting jumped on but he/she just asked a question.
Will the new POTUS redecorate?

Originally posted by Valhall
Yes, I think every other Presidential couple has affected it as well.

YEP. They all change it to some degree. Not the museum part of the White House (1st and 2nd floors), but the residence gets changed. It's their temporary home for a while.

it had a lot less stuff when the sticky-fingered Clintons left.

YEP! It certainly did.

Originally posted by RuneSpider
Why Lenin and Marx? He's not a communist either,

Actually, many of us fully believe that his economics definately fall into the area of socialism or communism.

Would he surround himself with tribal artifacts? Well, does he now?

Does anyone know? Who knows? The private residence on the third floor of the White House can be decorated any way that the POTUS wants. If he wants tribal artifacts from his 'true homeland of Africa' (as his church manifesto says) ... then that's what he can put there.

I'm sure Michelle would be sure to get photographers up there to take pictures of all the African art just to make sure everyone knew it was there. (politics being what it is)

Originally posted by space cadet
My prediction is that no, Obama will not change the decor in the Whitehouse, because he will not be our next president.

I hope to God you are right about that!!

Originally posted by lordtyp0
This post is rather offensive... really.

Only if you take it that way. It's an honest question. Each POTUS redecorates. Obama is a staunch patron of a 'church' that says that all members should be true to their 'true homeland - africa'. So of course the OP would wonder if Obama would redecorate in an African theme.

People are dieing daily, people are loosing their home-daily, people are being imprisoned and potentially tortured...

so? People can still discuss other topics.

Originally posted by dAlen
Hes not really African anyways...

True. His father's people came out of the Arab lands and down into Africa - briefly. There are some who say his fathers people were ARAB SLAVE TRADERS. Or at least that's what this and other sites claim. Allegedly he is %6.25 black African.

Originally posted by NGC2736
So let's lay off the OP for asking something that, while trivial compared to other problems, is still a valid point of discussion.

I fully agree.



[edit on 4/14/2008 by FlyersFan]

Originally posted by kosmicjack
It is obvious race-baiting.

Not at all. It is a valid question.

you are assuming that Obama identifies himself first as an African-American.

There isn't any 'assuming' with Obama. He subscribes to that 'church' of his - and the main point of that church is that all it's patrons 'be faithful to their true homeland - africa'.

There is a thread about that 'church' here at ATS. If Obama didn't follow that line of thinking and that main command of the church then he would have left the church.

Do you also assume that he would not respect the American history that encompasses the White House decor'

Who said that? It looks like you are assuming some kind of negative racism or something. There is the White House residence which is decorated separately from the White House Museum and both of which are decorated differently then the West Wing.

Each POTUS decorates the residence and the Oval Office the way he wants.

reply to post by BlakSheep


You are calling this thread useless and racist when I asked a question that I would like to know will the OBamas change the decor in the Whitehouse?
This is an important question because if OBama becomes our next President wouldn't you like to know more about him and his wife on how they really think? At this point I am not sure of their true beliefs because of the varied press coverage and verbal attacks by their opposition.

It all boils down to what each individual thinks about the OBamas and if elected how they would change the decor of the Whitehouse. This thread is not intended to be racist but to ask questions of what you actually think instead of attacking me. Rik Riley

THIS is the museum portion of the White House. It's the part that folks get to see when they go on tour. It doesn't change much except to be 'kept up' and sometimes paintings are exchanged. The paintings that come in have to fit the decor of the room.

reply to post by FlyersFan


Thanks flyersFan this gives some clarification on how the existing decor looks inside the museum portion of the Whitehouse. I know in the past some of the first ladies have given the Whitehouse a face lift. Do you know what portion of the Whitehouse that might have been? Rik Riley

I'm not sure of the original intent of this thread, and I normally don't respond to anything like this, but I feel compelled to do so.

I find the question offensive, insulting and demeaning. No, I am not black, but that shouldn't make any difference. This sort of stereotyping only serves to perpetuate racism and bigotry. The fact that issue of race is even being mentioned is a sad commentary on our Nation.

Perhaps some words from Obama's own speeches may make the point for me:

"I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. I was raised with the help of a white grandfather who survived a Depression to serve in Patton's Army during World War II and a white grandmother who worked on a bomber assembly line at Fort Leavenworth while he was overseas. I've gone to some of the best schools in America and lived in one of the world's poorest nations. I am married to a black American who carries within her the blood of slaves and slaveowners – an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters. I have brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles and cousins, of every race and every hue, scattered across three continents, and for as long as I live, I will never forget that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.

It's a story that hasn't made me the most conventional candidate. But it is a story that has seared into my genetic makeup the idea that this nation is more than the sum of its parts – that out of many, we are truly one.

Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes.

Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America; there's the United States of America. There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Remember this, "United we stand, divided we fall."

That's where I stand, and this is the only post I will make on this.

Lady of Shadows

Which parts? Whitehouse.gov might know. If it's not posted, then they have a search and things come up.

I know that the residence part is left to them to decorate. Some pieces stay in the residence from POTUS to POTUS. (there is a really ugly sitting stool thing - it's roundish - that has been there for a long time according to my books) The Oval Office gets changed a lot. However, it's the museum part that doesn't get much changing. If you took a tour of it you'd see why. Most of the paintings are historical and are of the POTUS' and First Ladies. The China Room can't change much ... nor the Blue Room .. or the Red Room ... etc.

Personal touches stay mostly in the residence and Oval Office. Or so it has been that way up until now. No reason to thiink it would change.

OK, now I'm going to break the OP down to two distinct parts:

Originally posted by rikriley
Will the Obamas change the decor of the Whitehouse by changing everything to African American, African style art design if elected? Will this create an uproar or do you think the masses will agree with the change if it takes place?

It's been said already that every president adds his own touch to the white house. Does this mean Afrocentric art and dashikis? probably not to the extent that you'd assume. I do have to ask, Rik, how many black homes have you visited, and do you notice a prevalence of strictly African art?

Will the complexion of who comes and goes in and out of the Whitehouse change along with the decor? These are only questions to get everyones opinion of how it could effect our nation if Obama is elected. Rik Riley

This is the part I take issue with, only because I don't think you were implying that changing the complexion of the white house visitors as a good thing. It sounded (and correct me if I'm wrong) like you're saying that having more people of different complexions may adversely impact our country.

And I don't think the White House decor will in any way affect the complexion of those visiting the building. I don't know of anyone who would say "I'd love to visit the white house, but I hear Obama has a Nwantante mask in his bedroom."

Originally posted by RuneSpider
Why Lenin and Marx? He's not a communist either,

HERE is something on why people say marx and lenin in regards to obama.

Will the complexion of who comes and goes in and out of the Whitehouse change along with the decor?

Ooooooooops .. missed that. Good catch Ras.

IMHO - In the residence .. could be. If Obama has black relatives then there will be more black people coming and going in the residence then when there was a POTUS with white skin and white skinned relatives.

But isnt' that kind of a - duh - thing?

reply to post by FlyersFan


So, because he said that in hard times, those hard up turn to religion, he's now equated to Vladmir Lennon?

Wow, people are really stretching on this one.

Originally posted by FlyersFan
IMHO - In the residence .. could be. If Obama has black relatives then there will be more black people coming and going in the residence then when there was a POTUS with white skin and white skinned relatives.

But isnt' that kind of a - duh - thing?

Yep, sounds pretty obvious to me FF.

I think the OP is afraid that with the coming and going of the darker complexioned individuals, there will be an increase of other things 'going'.

Don't worry. I doubt that as complexions change valuables in the house will go missing.

At least no more than with the Clintons.

reply to post by Rasobasi420


It is amazing how people read a question and interpret things differently. One of my very best friends is black and yes he has African art in his home. We break bread together on many many occasions and worked side by side for a couple of years. We talk all the time about the economy, social issues, our families and what direction our nation should be taking. Rik Riley

reply to post by rikriley


Well that's fantastic.

Now I ask again, how many black homes have you visited, and was African art prevalent in those homes.

It's almost worse if you've only got the one black guy as an example and assume that all black people decorate the same.

And BTW, what did you mean by the 'changing the complexion' remark, honestly.

reply to post by Rasobasi420


One of my African American friends is very much into traditional African dress and has his doctorate in Music. Doctor Larry and I worked together selling silver jewelry together across the U.S. although the company was based overseas. To this day he still plays and performs in shows in Vegas.

Another African American friend of mine wrote a book about her life story and I was at her first book signing. She owned a beauty shop and beauty supply store that had beautiful Native African Art on the walls. I am an artist and appreciate art from all over the world.

When in sells I sold on the counter and under the counter water purification systems to African Americans some had Native African art and many did not.

I also worked as National Sales director for Leon Kennedy's skin care company based in Burbank, CA. Great guy he introduced me to Hollywood and his director friends. Leon made most of his action movies in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He loved black art and many of his friends we visited also owned African American art. Rik Riley





[edit on 14-4-2008 by rikriley]

If I had seen this thread last week, I think I would have had much the same reaction that many here are having. And to be honest, my jaw did drop when I first read it, However, I recently watched a program on MSNBC called Meeting David Wilson (discussed here) and one of the many things I learned from that program and the discussion that followed is that if we, as a country, are ever going to get past and rise above the racial disparity, and get beyond where we are with racial discussions, we need to STOP taking offense at people's words and STOP escalating the issue, and TALK.

The poster asked some questions. And whether or not they are offensive, we STILL have a choice whether or not to TAKE that offense and I chose to reject it and answer the person's questions. Whether he asks them out of ignorance, to be offensive or pure curiosity, I refuse to take offense. I will give him (or her) the benefit of the doubt and take the opportunity to educate him to the best of my ability.

The Obama's will probably change some of the decor in the White House, as every other occupant has, but I doubt it will be to express an African heritage. Obama's house in Chicago looks quite "American" and he is an American. There may be a few personal items of African flavor because of his ancestry, just as other presidents have had personal touches around, but I seriously doubt the public will ever see them.

Originally posted by rikriley
Will the complexion of who comes and goes in and out of the Whitehouse change along with the decor?

Why would more black people visit the White House? It's a place of business. I suppose if Obama's family comes to stay, there may be a few more black people around the holidays, but overall... No. The same people who go there now will be going there in the future. Politicians. And visitors who are taking tours.

I can't say how other people might react, but I know for a fact that even if he puts up some African art and has more black people visiting, I won't be bothered in the LEAST. It's about time we see more *color* in Washington DC.

reply to post by rikriley


You are less ignorant than I first presumed. So let me preach some TRUTH on to you. It does not matter who gets elected. The agenda remains the same. You heard of the term "special interest" well all politicians now have a special interest and that special interest is the real leader. The people funding obama are the same people funding clinton, from most likely different institutions that are all apart of the same global conspiracy. Without looking into all the "weird" stuff like symbolism, free masons, illuminati, etc. There is definetly an agenda for a new world order. There is evidence all around you. So that is why I KNOW this to be an extremely petty issue among a very important issue, which is those that control us. Bush isn't feeding his ego and leading us into wars for his personal agenda. These things have been planned very maticulously for hundreds if not thousands of years. I can understand an agenda that spans past my life time. If you can't then that is something you need to get in touch with. I didn't mean to judge you as a racist, but the comment is extremely racist. Man is man and this man will bring in artifacts that he finds fits his personality and personal agenda the best. But know this, he is a tool, a puppet. Even he probably isnt aware to the extent of corruption that is in our gov't. Our senators and congressman dont give a sht about you or your family. If there is something bad about to go down, they will not say a word so as not to cause panic, then promptly get their family the hell out of dodge. This is basic human behavior, so is that of the elite or illuminati, whatever you prefer to call them. They have a global agenda and are doing an excellent job. This topic IS petty. If you dont see it, that is ok. That is why I am here to tell all of you that this is PETTY. In light of our current situation, WHICH IS VERY GRIM!!!, this topic is 100% USELESS. It serves no purpose but to keep you distracted on petty topics. Belowtopsecret.com deals with all the petty stuff. Their tag line is defying boredom and is exactly where this topic belongs. I, attacking the OP, am doing what this forum asks of me and defying ignorance to the best of my ability. Search for truth, buddy. There is no truth to come out of this topic, or any remotely close to it. Develope a global conciousness. Stop thinking these mid-easterns are animals and savages. Haven't we learned anything from the brutal slaying and conquering of the indians. Middle-eastern people are desperate because we are raping their resources and making tons of profit off of their land. Please open your eyes. It is so painful to see people consider this topic something of any importance.

I know I said I wouldnt respond again. I assumed riley knew certain things that I now know he doesn't. Obama and all politicians alike are obsolete. None of that matters. Search for real truth. Please. All of you.

Google video: Codex Alimentarius - food mandate set to go in full effect dec 31, 2009. Projections estimate 3 BILLION deaths. Please for all of our sakes at least search for truth.