Othering Obama

Abstract

The literature on descriptive representation indicates that the election of black political leaders may prompt white enmity. We assess this claim by examining the relationship between whites' racial attitudes and their likelihood of othering Barack Obama by labeling him as a Muslim and/or a noncitizen interloper. The findings reveal that both symbolic racial resentment and traditional racial attitudes are associated with othering Obama. In addition, the results reveal that the relationship between racial resentment and othering is substantially mediated by the use of seemingly nonracist frames based on emotional reactions and negative expectations about an Obama presidency. Conversely, much of the effect of belief in traditional antiblack stereotypes was transmitted directly to othering Obama without the use of justificatory frames. Despite claims of racial progress, our findings suggest that racial sentiments-both overt and symboliccontinue to play a major role in politics.

Identifying Elements of Gender References, Persuasive Techniques and Social Interaction Associated with Political Discourse: The Case of Hillary Clinton

“…Majority of the groups in her campaign launch were poor, belonged to different colour, race, and disabled people. Clinton had distanced herself from these groups as if she did not know them (Tope et al, 2014). Hillary Clinton was known to be a successful female political person who had influenced the world with her personal experience, multiple social identities, her relationship with people, and her speeches.…”

“…This has highlighted her to be a socially active political candidate in America (Chen, 2018). However, Tope et al (2014) have revealed the stereotypical representation emphasizing the poor social status through Clinton's political speeches.…”

Implicit Resentment and the Gun Policy Preferences of White Americans

“…For instance, research suggests that white racial attitudes tend to support opposition to the Affordable Care Act and opposition to increasing taxation (Lanford and Quadagno 2016;Sears and Citrin 1982). There is even some evidence to suggest that implicit racial attitudes play a key role in whether white Americans view a political candidate as legitimate (Jacobs and Tope 2007;Tope et al 2014Tope et al , 2017.…”

“…There is even some evidence to suggest that implicit racial attitudes play a key role in whether white Americans view a political candidate as legitimate (Jacobs and Tope 2007; Tope et al. 2014, 2017).…”

Construction of the Political Other in Citizens' Comments on Politicians' Facebook Pages

“…For President Barack Obama, being the first black president of the United State of America was an othering experience, which attracted both symbolic and overt racial resentment from whites (Tope, Pickett, Cobb, and Dirlam, 2014). His representation in mainstream media is considered to be othered beyond proportion.…”