It’s a question many Americans seemingly have tried to avoid answering, like a truth they don’t want to confront: Does race play a role in how people view President Obama According to Oprah Winfrey, the answer is definitely yes.
“There is a level of disrespect for the office that occurs. And that occurs, in some cases—and maybe even many cases—because he’s African-American,” the media mogul told the BBC during an interview about her movie, The Butler, and modern racism in America. “Has it ever crossed my mind It’s crossed my mind probably as many times as it’s crossed your mind. Probably, it’s crossed my mind more times than it’s crossed your mind,” she answered when asked if she ever thought that the President was treated any differently because he’s Black.
“Just the level of disrespect. When the Senator yelled out, ‘You’re a liar,’ remember that” Winfrey asked, referring to South Carolina Republican Representative Joe Wilson’s breach of decorum when President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress in September 2009.
