Do you think Jimmy Carter is right that racism plays a major role in the opposition to Obama?

JULIO FERGOSA, 37, BUSHWICK

Do you think Jimmy Carter is right that racism plays a major role in the opposition to Obama?

YES BECAUSE THEY RAISING THESE QUESTIONS. WHEN WE HAD THE LAST PRESIDENT UP THERE, HE WASN’T QUESTIONED LIKE THAT AND HE FUCKED UP THIS COUNTRY. NOW THAT THEY SEE OBAMA IS A TOUGH PRESIDENT THAT WON’T BE EASY TO KNOCK OVER, THEY SEE THE RACISM START TO COME IN. THE ECONOMY IS MESSED UP. THESE YOUNG KIDS OUT HERE ARE RUNNING INTO STORES, GRABBING STUFF, AND RUNNING OUT. YOU CALL THE POLICE AND THEY’LL TELL YOU IT’S NOT A CRIME. SO WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT IT AS A BODEGA-OWNER?

You could use that baseball bat you store right there.

YES, BUT THESE ARE YOUNG KIDS WE TALKING ABOUT: TEN TO 14. DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HURT A KID LIKE THAT OVER A BAG OF CHIPS? NO. LET’S GET THESE KIDS BACK INTO THE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS. OBAMA WANTS TO DO ALL THAT BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE TRYING TO STOP HIM. THE RACISM STARTS THAT WAY. ANOTHER THING I HAVE TO SAY IS THAT THE FRAUD PEOPLE AND THE PRESIDENT SHOULD LOOK AT LITTLE DOCTORS’ OFFICES IN BUSHWICK GETTING FAT ACCOUNTS BECAUSE THESE JUNKIES ON MEDICAID ARE LIKE, “HEY, YOU WANNA BUY SOME PENICILLIN?” ME, I GOTTA BAD HEART, BUT EVERY TIME I GO TO THE MEDICAID THEY GIVE ME A LINE OF BULLSHIT. I’M SORRY I’M YELLING BUT I GET EXCITED.

RANDY H., 51, RIDGEWOOD

Hi! Do you think Joe Wilson was spurred by visceral hatred of blacks when he yelled out at Obama?

Huh?

Do you think some white people voted for Obama just because they want a feel-good—

—I’ve been homeless 35 years.

Oh, that’s fine. This is called “Word on the Street.”

Are you taking my picture motherfucker?

LEVOY MITCHELLS, 45, BUSHWICK

Do you think racism plays a role in the opposition to Obama?

Yes. The Republican man who say “You Lie!” I’m with Obama 100%. They need to give Obama a chance. You cannot make sugar over night. The Republicans cannot find food.

What?

People cannot find food. Obama win? That what God wished.

Do you think God likes Obama just because he’s black, or, at least, likes him a little bit more?

Well, listen man. What belongs to a man belongs to a man. God did not make a Republican out of a Democrat.

Do you think America is still racist?

Yeah, some parts of America. All right. I’ll tell you something. A man preachin’ a church, say “Obama to die.” A preacher.

I read about that.

CNN every day. Preacher — he wrong. That racist.

Do you think Joe Wilson would have yelled “You Lie!” if Obama wasn’t black?

No. Republicans just want to see the man go down. Health care? No. It’s gonna be big problem for Republicans.

How did you get that big hole in your shoe?

I cut it out. I never wear socks in the summer man, and it burn so I got a sore here so I cut it out. Listen man. I’m from Jamaica. I don’t care what you want to be, so long as you spread justice and peace. Do you listen to reggae?

Sure.

You live over there? I’m going to bring you a CD around 2 pm.

Thank you.

-PETER MADSEN

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