Also read: Barack Obama, racism, bigots, Michelle Obama, cultural competence

What happens when a political opponents offer half-hearted apologies to racist jokes? People become incensed. DiversityInc readers were outraged by former South Carolina Election Commission Chairman Rusty DePass' comparison of Michelle Obama to a gorilla--and they let us know it. Here are numerous unedited readers' responses to our June 17 story Who Called Michelle Obama a Gorilla?

Reader responses:

If I were white, I would be so embarrassed by the behavior of some of my brethren. These are old, old, old stupid "jokes" and reflect the mentality of those who make them. If you are Black in this country, you've heard them all. We are not shocked...just disgusted as I am sure many whites are. Sounds like desperation for those who have seen the future and realize they are slowly but surely losing their "dominance." The writing is on the wall, folks, and you only come across as sad, frustrated and juvenile. But I certainly recognize the temptation, for there are still a significant bunch of folks for whom this kind of "humor" about Black people resonates. They know who they are talking to.

--Paulie Knarr

Click here to read "Monkey Book on Display in an Obama-Themed B&N Window."

Click here to read "Does N.Y. Post Think Obama's a Chimpanzee?"

Click here to read "Is Doctored Photo in GOP Newsletter Racist?"

Very sad, this is our first family. Our country has come a long way, but these types of remarks are [in] very poor taste. Our children are a reflection of us, so let's teach them to love and respect each other, regardless of color. The best part about the Obama family is that they are both highly educated. Michelle is a great example for our daughters, regardless of her skin color. Let's not teach the next generation hateful comments. It would be wonderful if all our elected officials put all their efforts in solving our current problems (for example, unemployment), instead of taking the time to make unacceptable jokes.

--Janet Parahm

Racism in America is very much alive and thriving residing in all aspects of America. I am not at all surprised that ignorance reigns and many, even though this is 2009, do not have self-respect of any kind or respect for President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama or for African-Americans or people of color. America still has a very long way to in terms of respect period, irregardless of the color of one's skin.

--Antia Fields

An African-American security guard opens the door at the Holocaust Museum and is shot to death by a bigot. President Obama and his beautiful First Lady work effortlessly to right the wrongs done over the past 12 years and, because of the color of their skin, e-mails, comments, newspaper articles attack their race. It is 2009, can these bigots check their blood and see it is the same color as the First Family? Money is green, and the economy is in horrible shape not because of race, PEOPLE! Attack intelligence, attack personality, attack poor decisions. This man represents us all; his mom was white; his dad African, Muslim; he lived around the world. The problem IS their racist attackers are not intelligent and represent the worst of us all. Where does it end?

--Jackie Johnson

Why has it always been a major race issue between whites and Blacks? People who make stupid racist remarks like that are nothing more than ignorant and evil people. Racism and hatred is nothing but the devil's work, and obviously most whites seem to be inflicted with this disease. The Obamas are great and honorable people. They don't deserve to be belittled this way, especially not by pathetic men like Rusty DePass and his whole Republican crew. Obama is our president, folks, and a great one at that. He makes mistakes, we all do, but that doesn't make him a worthless president either. He's our commander and chief and Michelle is our first lady! Deal with it folks.

--Trina Vanlandingham

I refuse to waste energy on outrage about these racist incidents. Instead I have drawn a conclusion and moved on...the Republican Party has morphed into a racist American Taliban. The fact that neither the Republican Party itself, nor its most prominent African-American members--including Colin Powell (who I respect greatly) and Alan Keyes (who I see as the poster boy for Stockholm Syndrome)--have not called out their own on this behavior tells me a great deal.Based on the data, the Republican Party represents ignorance, intolerance, inequality and injustice. To see it any other way is to ignore the data.To those who would dispute my assessment, I paraphrase an old saying..."don't urinate on my leg and tell me it's raining."

--Jonscott Williams

As a white person who grew up in the 40s and 50s, and having been fortunate enough to educate myself and learn from others that overt (and covert) racism is not helpful to me or to anyone else (whites included), I find the Obama [jokes] offensive. I and many whites have worked to learn and have cooperative efforts with people of color--and now we have white people who put out racist junk and say they mean no harm. Please wake up. Learn and join efforts to promote respect and appreciation for all differences. I'd like to leave this world someday better than I found it--with ALL of us feeling useful and valued for what we bring as individuals.

--Dana Courtney

The more we shout about these inequities perpetuated by a segment of ignorant society, the more garbage they will produce. My mother always told me to let them talk and have their say and ignore them and eventually they will go away. Will hate and racism ever go away? NO, because there will always be that ignorant segment that will perpetuate this way of thinking. But by ignoring them, you take away the power they think they have. One thing we must remember is the man won the election by winning over the people, and that means all races. I think he is really handling these barbs in a real dignified and diplomatic manner.

--Patricia Whitaker

"WOW" is all I can say in the year of 2009. IGNORANCE is still what we have to deal with at this time. We the people elected the Obamas to that office (White House) and mind you, they won it fair and square. I would suggest to those who use hate to lighted-up the fact a Black family is occupying the white space... get over yourselves and move-on.

--Marie F. Gore

The views expressed herein are solely those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DiversityInc.

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