institutional racism

Reading the 'Washington Whispers' column from US News this morning, a couple of interesting bits stood out.

One, about the hectic traveling schedule of Condi Rice. The other about the possibility of Al Gore seeking the Presidency in '08. Word is that Gore's advisors are urging Al to pick Senator Barack Obama as his running mate.

My question is why do writers Thomas Omestad and Julian E. Barnes find it necessary to write that Obama is 'the youthful Illinois African-American'? Wouldn't 'junior Senator from Illinois Barack Obama' suffice?

Why make it a racial issue? Why bring it up?

They make it a racial issue, my friends, they bring the issue of racism up because Liberals have racism on the brain.

It's disgusting.