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He's Running For President of the United States of America, not of Black America
I feel like going on a rant about this, and I may have some questions to pose afterward.
So here’s the deal: I’m 21 years old, and like many African-Americans (and Americans in general, really) I have had to work hard for my success. My family’s income has never been more than $25k a year, I’m in college, and I have an older sister that also went. As first-generation students who have had to endure the consequences of institutionalized racism, my sister and I know what it means to work hard in this country. And we are both glad to see Obama run for president of the US.
Notice that I said president of the US. Not black America, but the entire country. I saw this article and got a bit fumed, even though I know there will be people like this around for quite some time. I can understand the frustration—a poll around 1990 or so showed that 4 out of 10 blacks believe the government should intervene to aid full equality; only 1 in 10 whites favor government policies to reverse the past. I’d guess the numbers are the same now. However, it annoys me a bit when people ask what he should do to “speak to the interests of the black community” and questions why he should run a government that has attacked “his people”. That’s loosely paraphrased, but I’ve seen many people ask similar things before and even attack Obama for wanting to run the “white man’s show”, as my grandmother says. I know it’s a generational thing, but I pray for the day that African-Americans can let go of this animosity towards our country and truly notice the strides we have made.
Yes, we need to make progress. LOTS of progress. But keep in mind that first of all, one guy cannot do it all. Secondly, I hope that “addressing black issues” is not always a code word for “give me free money”. Blacks have to realize that they are not the only ones with issues; there are quite a few working-class whites who have to live paycheck to paycheck also. Government solutions to past discriminatory practices must be practical and not hinder the progress of other Americans—the idea that some throw around the idea of reparations (even Alan Keyes did supported this in ’04 in his Senate “run” against Obama) is nuts. We have to look to ourselves to get the motivation to make our lives much better…government can intervene, especially in rough times like now, but I hope people aren’t banking on the black guy (and actually, half-black guy really) to pander to them just because he looks like you. I am glad to see Obama respond the way he did. The fact is that most government officials do see these problems to a degree (maybe not the White House, at least according to Kanye West), but I’m really not sure if blacks can really get themselves to really understand. I also don’t know if I’m going anywhere with this post.
I’m not sure what it is that blacks want, if anything…even though I’m black. I’m graduating from college in a year, and from there I know I will have a much better life than my parents had…which is what they raised me to do. All I know is that this is a problem that just has to phase itself out, and that government can speed up the process, but it will never be fast enough for people.
Any of you have ideas? Is there anything that government can really do to satiate the African-American community? Is there anything government can do that won’t tick off white people? And what is it going to take for blacks and whites to realize that we’re all in this together?
Comments (16)
When I saw those idiots at the rally, I almost fainted. Disclosure, I am black also. I think Barack set them right- you don't like what I'm doing vote for someone else or run yourself. I think with these idiots who call themseleves afrocentric or revolution for africans or whatever they are- are sadly misinformed. I am a Nigerian and the way we see most of these african americans who try to connect with their african roots in the baseless and most sophomorific way possible is not in kind. You can wear your kinte cloth and Bob Marley t-shirts, but if you don't realize that the true essence of what it is about being african, is not the color, but the sense of togetherness- that through tough times people with one cause and one dream should come together- that is the only way to successs. And these idiots think they are saying something- you look into their lives and you see nothing but hypocrisy. You hate the "man" and the institution, yet you still use the "man's" money, live in his house, eat his food. If you are so afrocentric and above the institution, do what Marcus Garvey tried to do and start moving back to the homeland- (sarcastically) Your hosts in Africa will be more than welcoming. Idiots.
August 1, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good for you! Congratulations on your final year of college and graduation. Obama has played both side of this and his often paid propagandists on the Internet have really made a mess of what could have been an inspiring campaign. I am more than twice your age, white, a college graduate, and military veteran. I worked on Jackson's campaign back in '84 and was even a delegate on the ballot. Time has changed a lot. We are not a nation split, even if by perception, by race. Jackson and his generation lost steam for their efforts to gain handouts--people like you are succeeding because of the successes over the past several decades. And, most importantly, by your own efforts. Even affirmative action is becoming meaningless because you surely can compete in the workplace and society on your own and should someone choose to discriminate there is ample recourse to you. You don't need to cheapen your accomplishments by leaving open the question by some if you've gotten to where you are because of affirmative action rather than personal achievement. Now, I'm not blind to the fact that there is still a lot of racism and as we've seen, a lot of sexism around as well. Except as I read the rants of many Obama supporters, I'd like to think it’s on the fringes and nowhere you'd likely see in day-to-day life. The Obama supporters who have gotten carried away with it and see racism behind every criticism are immature, foolish, and tainting the public discourse in a way that almost sets the clock back. It is really a shame.
I supported and continue to support Clinton. I will either sit out the election or vote for McCain because I find Obama an arrogant, shameless, and empty suited politician who is corrupt, lying, and willing to throw anyone aside should they get in the way of his quest. He's used the black community where it suited him, panders to any group for a vote, and claims credit for the work of others. Maybe my age and life's experiences, but Obama is not someone I'd trust. Further, he's never done anything for himself and is quick to blame others. His cries of racism increasingly fall on deaf ears because he's been the one using it to corner every advantage.
This is a long post, but it is Friday evening and our young twins just went to bed. Unless a few folks have a change of heart at the convention, Obama will be the Democratic nominee and, sadly will lead the party to a spectacular train wreck in the fall. Even now, when he should be at the top of his game, he's slipping and even trailing McCain. Who'd have thought any Democrat would be in that position this year? Clinton wouldn't have been. And, no, it is really for every reason except racism.
August 1, 2008 8:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds a lot more like a description of McCain or Bush than Obama.
Take a closer look at your "boy" John McCain and you'll find a pol willing to do anything -- even kiss and make-up with the men who smeared his child, throw his first wife under the bus while he chased skirts and had an affair with another woman, cozy up to racist, homophobic preachers, not to mention the Keating Five scandal (okay, so I mentioned it), take millions in oil money to change his positions, and that's just what I can name off the top of my head.
August 1, 2008 11:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good morning!
I never suggested that McCain OR Clinton are perfect alternatives. Again, Clinton is my first choice. McCain is not the McCain of the 2000 election and every time I see Lieberman with him I want to scream. What I've simply tried to express is that as much a gut feel, then with everything I've learned since, Obama is not someone I'd trust in any manner. As we are talking about someone to be president and they'll have Congress to reign in their excesses (okay, not as likely as should be based on recent experience), the person we choose for president must be someone we trust more so than we share agreement over specific or general policies. I've rarely been a one-issue voter. It may be incomprehensible but I'll vote for trust over agreement with views. Anyway, as Obama has flip-flopped around it is hard to pin his views down anyway.
And for a bit of Saturday morning musing, from a different perspective, if he were single and I had a friend, sister, or daughter asking about him as precurser to going out with him, I'd give a clear no. Obama lies, omits, and hides his past; he associates with people that are disreputable and as with Rezko, now in jail or others like Wright, Meeks, and Ayers; consider too that he essentially worked for Ayers, kicked off his first campaign with him, yet still says he only had occasional association with the (former) terrorist; he is financially corrupt as in his real estate deals (again with someone he claims he didn't know and hadn't spoken with) and other finances he has not come clean about (earlier real estate purchases and tax payments as examples); he is (with or without money) elitist and snobish by his views of others; he takes credit for the work of others and is quick to blame others; and I could go on. To be fair, he apparently has cleaned up his self-admitted drug abuse problems; he doesn't appear to have a drinking problem; and he has succeeded academically. Oh, yes, he is a lawyer but I wouldn't hold that against him.
August 2, 2008 10:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
"I've rarely been a one-issue voter."
..but you are this year, Obama handed Hillary her pant-suited ass.
"Anyway, as Obama has flip-flopped around it is hard to pin his views down anyway."
But all your arguments are utter bullshit, especially since John McCain is the Olympic sponsor of the Flip Flop. http://www.alternet.org/election08/90956/?page=entire
"And for a bit of Saturday morning musing, from a different perspective, if he were single and I had a friend, sister, or daughter asking about him as precurser to going out with him, I'd give a clear no."
You are a proven fucking bigot Matt, you not approving of a family member dating a black guy is natural.
"Obama lies, omits, and hides his past"
..that sounds familiar. Hmm. Oh yeah, it was the epitome of Hillary Clinton.
"he associates with people that are disreputable and as with Rezko, now in jail or others like Wright, Meeks, and Ayers"
You candidate has her share of shady associations as well: http://prorev.com/2008/01/so-you-want-to-talk-about-obamas-pals.html
So does John McCain, the candidate you are clumsily considering to vote for.
"yet still says he only had occasional association with the (former) terrorist"
While you push flimsy associations out of your diseased rectum, lets talk about real associations - and I'm not talking about the laundry list of Hillary Clinton associations that trump anything you could site from Obama. I'm talking about John McCain, the guy you claim you might vote for. Lets talk about G Gordon Liddy, close personal friend of John McCain - who once told branch davidians to shoot government agents in the head because they wear flak jackets. A man who claimed that Adolf Hitler was an inspiration to him, and when he heard him speak he said it "made me feel a strength inside I had never known before". This is the same man who had donated thousands to G Gordon Liddy's campaign, and had a fundraiser for John McCain at his home. John McCain, the guy you plan to vote for. Fuck you Matthew, Fuck you.
"he is (with or without money) elitist and snobish by his views of others"
Yeah, the "with or without money" won't save your sorry ass. How many Millions do the Clinton's have? How many homes do the McCain's have? John McCain loves to wear 500 dollar shoes. Obama "elitist", yeah right.
"he takes credit for the work of others and is quick to blame others; and I could go on."
You could go on, and you better believe that I would be right there beating you to fucking death with the truth. Hillary and "sniper fire", John McCain taking credit for the new G.I Bill. You are pretty fucking pathetic Matt.
"To be fair, he apparently has cleaned up his self-admitted drug abuse problems"
Weak. Even for you.
August 2, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Obama has played both side of this and his often paid propagandists on the Internet have really made a mess of what could have been an inspiring campaign."
..this coming from a drooling dolt who spreads unfounded propoganda on the internet no less. You are really started your line of usual bullshit with a bang Matt.
"I worked on Jackson's campaign back in '84 and was even a delegate on the ballot."
This is Matt's "I have tons of black friends" argument to make you forget about his usual brand of bigotry. Don't buy it. Remember when Geraldine Ferraro sited her civil rights record while sloppily spewing racist screeds? Same fucking thing.
"The Obama supporters who have gotten carried away with it and see racism behind every criticism are immature, foolish, and tainting the public discourse in a way that almost sets the clock back. It is really a shame."
The real shame is trying to dismiss real charges of racism whenever they occur. Matt's candidate, foolishly ran a xenophobic campaign and got her ass handed to her in the process, but that isn't the reason she lost. She ran an extraordinarily crappy campaign, and thought she'd wrap up the nomination after Super Tuesday. But douchebag dead-enders like Matt want to rail against imagined false charges of racism only because he feels it sunk his candidates inept campaign. It did not.
"I will either sit out the election or vote for McCain because I find Obama an arrogant"
..you are considering voting for McCain even though he's referred to himself as "President McCain" a few times? That makes sense.
"shameless"
..you are considering voting for McCain even though he called his wife a "c*nt"? That makes sense.
"and empty suited politician who is corrupt"
..you are considering voting for McCain who was involved in "The Keating Five" Scandal? That makes sense.
"lying"
..you are considering voting for McCain when he constantly lies about previous positions that he's held? That makes sense.
"He's used the black community where it suited him"
He's hasn't used anyone.
"panders to any group for a vote"
What politician doesn't pander?
"and claims credit for the work of others."
..ala John McCain and the new G.I Bill? A man who you are considering voting for no less.
"Maybe my age and life's experiences, but Obama is not someone I'd trust."
I wonder why that is..
"His cries of racism increasingly fall on deaf ears because he's been the one using it to corner every advantage."
Real racism sunk your candidate's fledgeling campaign. Let that soak in a bit.
"Even now, when he should be at the top of his game, he's slipping and even trailing McCain."
..there isn't a single poll that shows that. At least you are a consistent liar.
August 2, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
oh matthew weaver, you think obama supporters are crying racism for no reason? that is my queue to ignore you from this moment forward...
i love the last line of your post so much it makes me want to puke!
well, i am sure obama will be fair and just after inauguration!!! you will eat your words and i will pretend not to have read this post that started out with so much promise, yet ended with your unveiled hatred!
August 1, 2008 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Recommended, as I also did for your July 22 post, "Could an Obama presidency actually worsen race relations in America?" I think you are quite good on this topic, refreshingly honest, lacking the usual tired rhetoric from all sides. No need to respond, as I'm not adding any content on topic. Just thought you could use some encouragement to write on this more from one who appreciates it.
August 1, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am somewhat confused. Obama gave his Father's Day speech, I thought most of the Black community approved. When Obama gave his personal responsibility speech telling young Black men that they would not be the next L'il Wayne, most of what I heard was approval.
The community seemed to be saying if someone kicked a chair from under you, then that is the fault of the aggressor. If you remain on the floor a week later and have no physical impairment, that's your fault.
Did Jesse Jackson get caught talking about cutting Obama's nuts off? Yes. Did there appear to be a large degree of support from the Black community for Rev Jackson? no. Did Obama lose support in the Black community after a Booker T Washington type message? No.
Russell Simmons had a conference last year suggesting that enough was enough and that street language calling women female dogs and prostitutes
should be halted in rap recordings. The N-word was also included. From what I can tell, sales of hardcore rap has dropped significantly.
I guess I just see hard working people with good values who do feel distant from a government that waited for a long period before directing massive aid into New Orleans. Those images created the framework in how many African-Americans view the country. A sense that you are less important. That perception can be laid at the door of GW Bush.
Clinton ushered in got angry at Jesse jackson,workfare, chastized Sistah Souljah, and was still crowned the "First Black President".
I am trying to identify those lazy Blacks waiting for government checks that you see. I see a population that realizes that McCain is doing what Republicans do against Democrats with some added racial overtones. They see no difference between McCain and Bush. The current race card cry from the McCain campaign gains few African-American fans for the GOP.
I think that it would be naive to think that the election between the first African-American Presidential nominee any general White male opponent. We have come a long way racially, but we still have a long way to go. The final decision will likely be made by 15-20% shortly before they pull the lever.
Please help me out here in deciphering what you are trying to say.
August 2, 2008 1:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Haha, yeah, I really didn't know what I was trying to say myself. But I'll try and make more sense here, and make the things that frustrate me a bit more clear.
Obama's Father's Day speech was very good, and you're right; it was generally well-received among the black community. Many agree with what he says, but there are still few that believe that whites are to blame for much of the problems and that they should "pay us back" somehow. Most blacks know what needs to be done to become equal, but it's a matter of still wanting to place the blame somewhere. Placing blame in any conflict, though, gets you nowhere.
I exaggerated a bit regarding the "lazy" blacks you mentioned, though there are a few that want a government check or something of that nature. My mother complained like crazy when grants to help low-income people with high electric bills became a bit more scarce here in Illinois. She may have a reason to be ticked, but I personally feel that she can be much more fiscally responsible (she's not very good with money; trust me).
I also think too, that blacks need to get out of this mindset of "black" issues. Many of these issues are issues that affect all working-class folk: better education systems, health care, lower taxes for working and middle-class folk, the list goes on. This is what I meant when I said blacks and whites need to realize that we are in this together. I think quite a few are expecting Obama to pander to the black vote by offering up huge government programs to help out with the community, but government isn't always the solution. Many do not realize this about government; solutions take time, and many have gotten so frustrated and bitter about the state of black America that nobody wants to wait for things to get phased out, or wait a few years for a government-implemented program to work. They want it now, and it is believed that Obama can do this because he's black like I am, or like they are. But regardless of skin color, he's just a man; he just happens to not look like the other 43 men who have previously run the country.
So I suppose my main frustration is the overwhelming expectations people have for Obama--while we all want him to fix the mess Dubya spent 8 years making, this expectation is even higher among blacks. On the other hand, there are some who think he can do nothing because he will be a black guy in a government that has 95%+ whites representing us, or won't even vote for him because of nationalistic, Marcus Garvey-like tendencies/philosophies that still exist in older African-Americans. He's a politician folks, nothing more and nothing less..but he is a politician that can hopefully do great things. We all just need to calm down a bit and be a bit more realistic.
August 4, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Barry is the BLACK Messiah. Barry = Jesus = Mohammad = GOD = THE ONE!!!!
August 2, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
DON'T FEED THE TROLL!!
August 2, 2008 8:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
..more douchebaggery.
August 2, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Humanity_Critic,
You are not worthy of any response beyond that you are unable to engage in a decent, respectable conversation. I presume from the persistent derogatory nature of your comments on TPM that you are one of Obama's paid propagandists. Correct?
August 2, 2008 8:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
DON'T FEED THE TROLL!
August 2, 2008 8:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
@Matthew Weaver:
"You are not worthy of any response beyond that you are unable to engage in a decent, respectable conversation."
Matthew, being lectured on what a "respectable conversation" is from the likes of you is like getting hygiene advice from a pig, or dating tips from a rapist. The unfounded smears that have escaped from your putrid mind and find themselves on TPM is smoking gun evidence that "respectable conversation" is the last thing an inbred smear merchant like yourself is interested in.
"I presume from the persistent derogatory nature of your comments on TPM that you are one of Obama's paid propagandists. Correct?"
I presume, by your utter cowardice in not wanting to debate the issues, especially after being forcibly debunked and made to look like the intellectual lightweight that you truly are - that you're just a simple bigot, who clumsily hides his prejudice by spewing already debunked GOP talking points. You're a better troll than that..
August 2, 2008 9:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
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