Is the strong opposition to President Barack Obama’s proposals for health care reform really racially motivated? Not necessarily; but some supporters dismiss opposition with this as the excuse. Is it clear racial bias plays no part in some opposition? Not at all clear. I find it increasingly difficult to claim no racial bias exists in opposing Obama’s proposals, because hints of racial motivation are accumulating. We are sometimes left with this as the only plausible explanation for the current hostile and peculiar reactions.

Because a white person opposes the policies or proposals of a president who is black does not mean it is because he is black. Rep. Joe Wilson might have called out “You lie!” from bias as some have accused him, but no one can tell it from this alone. To do so is itself prejudice. It is a weak and even disingenuous defense to attempt this. On the other hand, because an opponent disavows bias or, indeed, is sincerely unaware of it does not mean there is none.

I still feel a gut-level suspicion about this, something I can’t quite put my finger on. I have recognized no instance in which someone is immediately and fully opposed to him because of race alone. If this should ever be so, such a person is well advised to be quiet about it because we will not accept such irrational and immoral prejudice.

However, I suspect his race makes it easier for some people to reject his ideas and proposals. Because they have the confidence it isn’t the primary consideration, they think it safe to hide their racial bias behind a more appropriate concern. If the same proposals were offered by a white president, I wonder if they would be more easily received.

For instance, when President Obama addressed school children across the nation by television, did it make some people nervous or uneasy that a black man was so speaking to their white children in this privileged way? Previous presidents had taken advantage of their office to do this, and there wasn’t this outcry. Was it this president’s race that made the difference? Of course, there were protests to these all, but they were on the basis of political party differences. Perhaps this is also entirely political, but I remain uneasy about it.

This president has a beautiful and charming wife; his girls are normal and cute. He appears a faithful husband and attentive father. There have never been any charges or even whispers about immorality in his personal life. Even coming out of Chicago politics, attempts to charge political corruption have not succeeded. Many things he has done and said were tolerated in predecessors. The worst thing some have against him is that he is Democrat.

So, what remains as the likely cause of the peculiar way in which he is being perceived? This is the suspicion that disturbs me.

There are many issues on which he is vulnerable. He certainly has learned it is a lot easier to be a candidate than president, and many voters liked him more as an un-stereotypical candidate than responsible president.

I recognize no reason to believe much if not most of the negative criticism is motivated by honest concern about real issues.

Nonetheless, I have this gut feeling about race.

I think individuals need to question themselves: Is it at least possible that there is a modicum of racial uneasiness in my feelings about President Obama? Can I set aside all racial considerations and still articulate valid objections to his positions, proposals, and policies? If I can be reasonably certain race is not a negative factor, I have no obligation to make it a positive factor. This is to say, inasmuch as it is wrong to object on a racial basis, it is also wrong to favor on a racial basis.

Oppose or support President Barack Obama as ever you think you should.

But race must not be even an “insignificant” factor in either. If it is any factor, it is significant.