Host sparks controversy with Obama race remark

2010-01-29 14:58:41 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Entertainment, News, US Presidential News)

A recent comment by MSNBC host Chris Matthews about President Barack Obama has sparked controvery over race matters.

Chris Matthews remarks after the president’s State of the Union Address left many with questions.

Washington, D.C. (WiredPRNews.com) – Recent remarks made by MSNBC host Chris Matthews has sparked controversy over views about race. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), the host commented after President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Wednesday that he “forgot” the president “was black” during the speech, which left some questioning what Matthews meant.

Matthews is quoted by the AP as stating on air, “He is post-racial, by all appearances… I forgot he was black tonight for an hour. You know, he’s gone a long way to become a leader of this country, and past so much history, in just a year or two. I mean, it’s something we don’t even think about.”

Although reportedly meant to compliment the president, Matthews’ comments were less than well received by some viewers. Dr. Imani Perry, a professor at Princeton’s Center for African American Studies, is quoted in the report as stating of the comment, “it suggests that if he had remembered Obama’s blackness, that awareness would be a barrier to seeing him as a competent or able leader.”

Matthews is further quoted by the AP as later clarifying his comments stating, “I walked into the room tonight, you could feel (racial tension) wasn’t there tonight and that takes leadership on his part, to get us beyond those divisions, really national leadership.”

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