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Sen. Hillary Clinton has apologized to the Black community for remarks made by Geraldine Ferraro. But after our coverage of the issue, we received an unprecedented amount of responses from our readers. By an overwhelming majority, most of them strongly rebuked Ferraro. Others wanted to debate the dynamics of race and gender in this election. In his Ask the White Guy column today, Luke Visconti addresses the question of whether race or gender is "more important" at this time in history.

"If (Barack) Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color), he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept."

Those were the words that cost Ferraro her campaign post. What do you think about her comments? Tell us what you think if you haven't done so already.

Check out Disgraceful or Absolutely Right? Readers Respond to Ferraro's Obama Bashing to read past DiversityInc reader responses and read Lucky to Be Black? Obama Attack Costs Ferraro Campaign Job for the story that inspired them.

Here are more of your unedited responses:

It's unfortunate that in these times we live in, we haven't reached an understanding of appreciating the sensitivity African-Americans feel for those bringing attention to their capabilities (or lack thereof) solely because of their race. Ms. Ferraro's comments were inappropriate and unnecessary and served no purpose other than bringing race to the forefront in an election. Interestingly, you think she would have had exercised more discretion particularly since her own attempts in the political arena failed so miserably and did nothing to advance women to this stage of the political arena. Barack Obama's 'luck' has to do with his intelligence and tenaciousness to withstand these and the many more comments to come to dissuade public thinking.

--Valarie Jowers

I'm a 55-year-old white male. I'm not sure which is more offensive to me, Geraldine Ferraro's comments or Hillary's offer to make Barack Obama her "House N----r" by offering him the Vice Presidency on a joint ticket. One thing is for sure, the old guard is having a hard time handling the stresses of the new reality, and they are falling in droves. About time.

--Richard Johnson

It is interesting that the media/Mrs. Ferraro are only focusing on the fact that Obama is black and not the reality that he is bi-racial and his mother is white. I wish his campaign would start contrasting his Senate record with that of Senator Clinton. Can Betty Ford, Barbara Bush, and the current Mrs. Bush claim experience as a result of there husband's holding an office? Hillary has been in the Senate for 6 years and sponsored or signed on to about 20 bills.

--Cheryl Bevel

I fear there is a growing concern within the Democratic Party that an African-American could become not only the leader of the party but could also become president.

One would think that during a highly contested campaign, like this one, the party elders would play a greater role in maintaining party unity, not just during the primary session but for the long term as well. After all, presidents can only serve for up to 8 years and congressional members must be reelected far sooner than that.

--Ted Teemer

I think she's right on the money. Obama is an exciting young politician who has incredible potential. But if he was white  he would not have gotten noticed this fast. I don't think what I am saying or what Ms Ferrara said is disrespectful to the candidate, the man, nor is it racist. It's a part of our current reality.

--Amy Trueman

What amazes me is...where were all these 'liberal', "color-blind" whites and others when Don Imus made his absolutely disgusting, purely racist comments about the Rutger's women's basketball team?  Why are Ferraro's comments so outrageous to them..and the African Americans who are joining in their chorus,   that they have caused such an uproar? Comments I recall ran the gamut from 'get over yourselves', 'you're too sensitive',to outright support for Imus, most saying that he should not lose his job. Why are her comments the source of so much angst, when I don't recall this level or degree of attention and outrage among the press, or the whites who so diligently support Obama, when those wonderful young women were being maligned and desecrated by Imus. Could all this 'hoopla' be just a smoke screen for the anti-Hillary zealots? I hope that I see the same level of anger and hell raising the next time there are REAL issues of racism...nooses being hung in trees, racist grafitti on college dorm room doors, discrimination in the workplace, crosses being burned on lawns, higher interest loan rates for people of color, instances like the young woman in Virginia who was kidnapped, held captive and tortured with racist grafitti etched into her body...No offense to Mr. Obama, but Geraldine Ferraro's comments about him pale in comparison to the REAL issues of racism. Let's get back to the issues and save our ire and anger for what is really going to make a difference in our lives.  Let's face it. Race DOES matter in this country.  The first thing was was said about New York's Lt. Governor Paterson, before we knew anything about his politics was that he was African American and legally blind.  In this country, differences still matter, and I personally find it quizzical that so many people are pretending that they don't.

--R. Wesley Royal

I believe that Ferraro's comments are disgraceful for someone who is seen as a leader of our country and someone who should be more enlightened. The reason Obama is doing so well is because we have a new generation of young adults who don't agree with the status quo and have made great strides in tolerance, inclusiveness and diversity. They see Obama as a means to change and a more progressive enlightened government. Obama's capturing the majority of the African-American vote isn't necessarily because he is black, but because that population is tired of being the after thought when decisions and actions are being made and by his being black, they might actually have someone in power who truly understands what it means to struggle to make something of themselves and the various obstacles that exist in doing so. If Ferraro would look past the skin color she would see an intelligent, graceful person who is generous in nature. I have seen the debates and the speeches and can see that no matter how much dirt Clinton tries to throw at him, Obama just brushes it off and turns and praises Clinton. I saw Obama's interview with David Letterman prior to fully becoming a candidate and found him to be very genuine and down to earth. HONEST AND OPEN, that is what appeals to his voters.

--Shelly Hopkins

Ms. Ferraro's comments though sounding racist, seem true. Senator Obama's experience is lack luster. A white male or any female would have to have more credentials then he has brought to the table. He made a fantastic speech at the Democratic convention. But his experience in the Senate is basically running for president. The committee he chairs has not held one hearing. He did not agree with the war from the get go, neither did I, but that does not qualify me to run for office.

Senator Clinton did not run in 2000 or even in 2004 she waited to get experience. Frankly, I wish Senator Obama had more experience. Yet I will support him and say judgment is more important, after all George Bush has 7 years experience as president and that is not doing much for the country.

Currently we are witnessing how sexist the Democrats are. Should Clinton win the nomination the sexism will continue. Should Obama win the nomination we will see how racist the country is.

Both are better candidates then Senator McCain. But the constant picking apart of these two Democratic candidates for their diversities is senseless. Both need to demonstrate their strengths on the issues. A Clinton/Obama ticket gets us the best bang for our buck, and gets Senator Obama the experience he needs.

--Lilly Buckwalter

She was right.  Nothing she said was offensive.  Her statement was quite possibly correct in every syllable. I expected some to find fault because of the race, sex comment. They did and I don't agree with them. Her problem is that she made the statement as a statement of fact. What she should have said was 'In my opinion...'.

The second thing she should have said was nothing. What was to be gained from the statement?  As a politician, she knew to not make any comments about any candidate in regards to sex and color.  What was she thinking? Geraldine, baby, you had to know this was the wrong thing to thing at this time. Go Hillary!

--Terry Roach

To say that Obama is where he is because he is black because no one ever heard of him before overlooks the fact that no one ever heard of Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton or most other underdogs who have run for president. There are obviously other factors involved.

--Phil Seeberg

First off I think that Geraldine Ferraro's remarks were calculated to do just what they are doing, change the discussion. She is doing exactly what the Clinton campaign wants and that is to take the discussion in a different direction away from the issues and who is the best candidate period. Race injects emotions into the equation and that is right in line with the Clinton campaign approach. When running scared inject emotion into the discussion. Look at how much time we are spending on Ferraro's comments and not focusing on the issues. Let's remember Hillary was a "Goldwater girl" and old habits die hard. Let's get off this issue and elect the best candidate period.

--Paul R. Reynolds Jr

I agree with her 100%!!  Obama has been coddled and not scrutinized nearly as much as any other candidate IN HISTORY!  No one can say anything, and her comments weren't negative, or they will be labeled a racist. Ms. Ferraro has fought against discrimination throughout her career, just look at the records.

I think Americans are making a huge mistake by trying to waltz this man across the White House lawn. A self-fulfilling prophecy, indeed. Be careful what you wish for!  He will further ruin this country.

--Nancie P

It's amazing when a person other than white succeed and reach such a high plateau as Barrack Obama has done, they become bitter, shock and jealous. Then the racism spill from their lips. Just as Bill Clinton did some weeks ago in So. Carolina. You wonder if things fall from their lips on national TV or the newspaper... what is being done and said behind closed doors. Ferraro need to sit her "old" self down; become humble and ask "God" to give her one more day on this earth, since she is battling cancer. But, no she decides to spit words of racism. Shame on her.

--Gloria McClure

I find it mildly amusing and decidedly painful that the dated virulent rhetoric of the KKK has now found a new home!  Ms. Ferraro reminds us that America, for the most part, refuses to grant any form of intelligence and competence to African Americans, particularly Black males!  The logic remains that, as a community, we are hopeless and helpless without a crutch. Thus we 'only' got the job because of affirmative action or, in this instance, it is Mr. Obama's blackness as opposed to his intellect that places him so near to the White House!  Juxtaposed to her position is George W's wish to mine the harbors of a land locked nation and the inability of a certain vice president to spell "potato."  Ms. Ferraro, true to America's core, could not celebrate the fact that Mr. Obama has played by America's rules vis-à-vis education and aspiration but rather sought to denigrate him speciously on race, America's Achilles heel. This, is precisely the change Mr. Obama seeks and why his message resonates among the populace. As for her alleged apology, Ms. Ferraro, methinks thou dost protest too much!

--Ray Riley

Ferraro's right. He's in that position because he's African American. If the year was 1968 he wouldn't be in that position. But in 2008 we have a whole new ball game. The nation is excited to rally around a "man" that has integrity. Same as when Tiger Woods received the admiration of the golf world and the world debated on what he was "Black" or "Thai Black". Can Tiger do the job? Hit the ball and win millions not to mention the endorsements. You bet and the world loves him. Can Obama lead with integrity? You bet and the world will love and respect him. I figure Ferraro was looking for the VP position since Obama rejected Clinton's offer.

--Dannette Lewis

What the Clintons and Ferraro don't realize is that when you attempt to dismiss Obama as an "novelty" you insult the millions of individuals (of all backgrounds) who voted for the man. For Black people in particular, The Clintons are this close to squandering the loyalty of the Black community...their "honorary Black" status is about to be revoked!

--Ronnie Brown

I will say that if Barack Obama were white, Hillary would have long been out of the race. He is by far one of the finest candidates for president that this country has seen in a long time. And let's stop talking about experience - which of the last four presidents had better experience than Obama when they entered the White House?  They did not even have the credentials that Obama holds! Many of us in the Black community believe that we are expected to be twice as good as our white counterparts to be considered in the same vein as they. It is clear that this is being applied in this case. What is the great experience that Hillary Clinton has that Obama doesn't?  I am unimpressed with this line and again it seeks to pander to the fears of the electorate especially at a time when our foreign policy is in such a mess. It is time for real change and we can get that with Barack Obama.

--Ann Gordon

This is about the most unintelligent thing that she has said in the years she has been making dummy statements. The reason he is in this position is because he has earned it. Jackie Robinson won rookie of the year. If he had been a white man, would he have won it? How many white rookie players did he beat out? Obama's ability caused him to be here. Sometimes I wonder what causes a person's brain to cause their mouth to say things, which in turn causes their foot to insert itself in that place of verbal expression.

--Franklin Rutledge

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