Are you a typical white person?
Ironically Obama is right, although not for the reason that he seems to suggest, or that others might assume. Depending on the circumstances, the “typical white person” does indeed become alarmed at the sight of black men. But that reaction, “bred into our experiences,” as Obama says, isn’t the product of racism; it’s the product of crime statistics. To deny this is to deny reality.
The objection here isn’t to the accuracy of Obama’s remarks. The objection is this: If Hillary Clinton or John McCain made reference in any context to the “typical black person,” their political careers would be over. Here, again, Obama skates on a double standard.