Prejudices are at play in campaign

A letter to the editor takes Barack Obama to task for suggesting that race will play a role in the presidential campaign (“Obama making race an issue,” The Daily Progress, June 27). The author writes, “To accuse Sen. McCain and his party of racism in the face of his history is despicable.”

The author was referring to these comments made by Sen. Obama before a Florida audience: “They’re going to try to make you afraid of me. He’s young and inexperienced and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s black?”

The same day the letter appeared, Republican activist Grover Norquist told the Los Angeles Times that Sen. Obama is “John Kerry with a tan.” As of this writing (July 1), Sen. McCain has not renounced those remarks.

It’s clear that Sen. Obama was not playing any race card but was simply describing the prejudice — and exploitation of that prejudice — he has faced, and will continue to face, from many Republicans during this presidential campaign.

Robert J. Inlow
Charlottesville