Black for the first time
Now that we have had some time to digest president elect Obama's landslide victory over John McCain I thought it was time to release my thoughts about this historic moment in Americas history. I think my thoughts come from a informed place because I have been following the election since he made his announcement in Springfield Illinois in 2007. My view of the entire race has a special twist.I'm black. Jaw dropping I know.
This victory has many obvious implications for the country and for American politics. But I think the single most overlooked dynamic is what it means for young black professionals such as myself. For the first time we have a positive national identity. I stress the word"positive". There have been a long list of negative black roll models over the years. Lets see....there was OJ, Michael Jackson(if he's still black), Marion Barry, Al Sharpton, and a real monster, the Wayans brothers just to name a few. What I'm saying is, for entirely to long we have been viewed as a side show act at a circus. The black bearded lady if you will.
But a funny thing happened on the morning of November 5th 2008. I woke up and said out loud "we have a black president". It seemed to good to be true. Especially since I never thought something of this magnitude could happen to us as black folk. After my normal morning run and coffee I set out to sell some drugs to the unsuspecting American public. I chose the Italian made blue pinstripe suit with the designer tie. My normal threads. I got to stay fly until I die. Most of my readers know this. When I Left my residence I received a smile from a neighbor that doesn't usually speak to me. I gave her one of my award winning smiles in return and thought nothing of it. Then at a local cafe people stared my direction a little more than usual. I just thought these people must be admiring my fresh ass suit or they were mistaking me for someone else. Then it dawned on me. These people see me in a new light because of our newly elected president. I call it "The Obama effect". Its when people see black people differently since Obama's emergence onto the national scene.
I asked a few other black friends of mine and they all agreed that they had noticed a little more attention from their co-workers and from interactions they had during the days and weeks following the election. People now have a new found respect for the black culture. Regardless of who people voted for they now see black people in a new light.
So goodbye fried chicken and fast black people jokes. Hello oval office. No more "wave caps" when we leave the house. Our president elect doesn't roll the streets of Chicago with his "doo rag" on so why should we? Its a new day in America and we now have a chance to redeem ourselves in the eyes of all people who held blacks to lower standards in the past. Lets use this chance to become a real part of America. No more embarrassing moments black people. Stop smoking crack and watching Jerry Springer. We don't need to star on the news every night do we? I'll say it since so few of us will. No more "nigga" talk. Its not a term of endearment. Its a derogatory word. As a rule of thumb, don't call your boys anything you wouldn't want white people to call you. Simple as that.
So, from this day forward lets all be proud to be black again. Black is back baby.
Julian
This victory has many obvious implications for the country and for American politics. But I think the single most overlooked dynamic is what it means for young black professionals such as myself. For the first time we have a positive national identity. I stress the word"positive". There have been a long list of negative black roll models over the years. Lets see....there was OJ, Michael Jackson(if he's still black), Marion Barry, Al Sharpton, and a real monster, the Wayans brothers just to name a few. What I'm saying is, for entirely to long we have been viewed as a side show act at a circus. The black bearded lady if you will.
But a funny thing happened on the morning of November 5th 2008. I woke up and said out loud "we have a black president". It seemed to good to be true. Especially since I never thought something of this magnitude could happen to us as black folk. After my normal morning run and coffee I set out to sell some drugs to the unsuspecting American public. I chose the Italian made blue pinstripe suit with the designer tie. My normal threads. I got to stay fly until I die. Most of my readers know this. When I Left my residence I received a smile from a neighbor that doesn't usually speak to me. I gave her one of my award winning smiles in return and thought nothing of it. Then at a local cafe people stared my direction a little more than usual. I just thought these people must be admiring my fresh ass suit or they were mistaking me for someone else. Then it dawned on me. These people see me in a new light because of our newly elected president. I call it "The Obama effect". Its when people see black people differently since Obama's emergence onto the national scene.
I asked a few other black friends of mine and they all agreed that they had noticed a little more attention from their co-workers and from interactions they had during the days and weeks following the election. People now have a new found respect for the black culture. Regardless of who people voted for they now see black people in a new light.
So goodbye fried chicken and fast black people jokes. Hello oval office. No more "wave caps" when we leave the house. Our president elect doesn't roll the streets of Chicago with his "doo rag" on so why should we? Its a new day in America and we now have a chance to redeem ourselves in the eyes of all people who held blacks to lower standards in the past. Lets use this chance to become a real part of America. No more embarrassing moments black people. Stop smoking crack and watching Jerry Springer. We don't need to star on the news every night do we? I'll say it since so few of us will. No more "nigga" talk. Its not a term of endearment. Its a derogatory word. As a rule of thumb, don't call your boys anything you wouldn't want white people to call you. Simple as that.
So, from this day forward lets all be proud to be black again. Black is back baby.
Julian
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I feel the same way as a white person. It's easier to look a black person in the eye and have them look back. Or vice versa.
It works both ways. And I love it!
Thanks for your post.
November 20, 2008 5:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think America woke up and discovered she had untapped talent in her people. It seems like all of this time we, as a country and a nation, have fighting a battle with one arm tied behind our back. The talent pool is deep and wide in communities of color.
November 20, 2008 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
That may be true if you have allowed yourself to be defined by solely by the media's (and by extension the majority culture's) narrow view of who and what black people (and black role models) are. OJ and Jesse and Al got more press -- more negative press -- but you have to admit that Michael Jordan, Tiger, Venus and Serena, Halle, Will, Jamie and Denzel, Colin and Condi (Republicans count, too) and DeVal and Adrian and Cory, did their part in breaking down stereotypes. And there are thousands more names to be added to that list.
What I think you may be experiencing is a resurgence of what my parents and grandparents drilled into me and my siblings -- what you do reflects not just on you or your family but everyone who looks like you. (As the tired cliche said, you have to be a credit to your race.)
Black is back? Black was never gone, baby.
November 20, 2008 7:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Colin and Condi (Republicans count, too) and DeVal and Adrian and Cory, did their part in breaking down stereotypes.
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Bad choices, as Condi chaired and Colin sat on the committee that approved and imposed the war crime of torture. And I for one won't continue to ignore such facts in order to praise those who are not worthy of praise.
There are some things about being mainstream one does NOT want.
November 21, 2008 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I second Jade7243's comments. Keep the faith. The transformation will not come overnight. David Alan Grier's "Chocolate News" and "DL Hughley Breaks The News" are on our television screens despite the Obama victory.
Over the long haul, rappers and comedians are going to have to step up their game.
November 21, 2008 12:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, I can't stand that DL Hughley show. I have urged all my friends to write letters and demand that show is cancelled. Hughly's opening skit was nothing but sheer buffoonery portraying Obama as a pimp/hustler and I HATED it!! I was like Hell NAW...this type of comedy has GOTS to go!!
We do not need the President and First Lady portrayed as pimpsandhos for the next four years, because some folk like Hughley made it OK. Never in the history of this country have such derogatory stereotypes been used as satire for any President!!
Plus, I do like that Hughleys show has the cache of being on CNN, 'the most trusted news' globally!! What does that say to the world about our President...nope ...this has to stop!!
As for what JC wrote he is dead on target, this is not merely about being a 'credit to your race' as Jade says. Thousands of successful blacks have been doing that for decades and it does not have the impact of what JC is observing. That type of positive behavior rewards, the individual but does nothing to the public perception collectively.
Obama is on a world stage projecting leadership of a black man. What we have witnessed is throngs of 10s of thousands of people, primarily whites who are looking to him for leadership. That is what is sooo powerful about the image he projects. He is being acknowledged by the white masses as a leader that they trust and respect and are willing to FOLLOW.
No, individual acts of being 'a credit to your race' carry the same significance.
Let's recall, blacks have had thousands and thousands of doctors, lawyers, teachers and business people who have achieved significant accomplishments but that does not carry the same magnitude of power of Obama as a WORLD LEADER.
That is what JC experienced he is now being publically acknowledged as an individual who gets the 'benefit of the doubt' of what he brings to the table from complete strangers. In essence, he is being treated as an American with all the same opportunties to lead without the negative suspect.
In other words, what has been dispelled his MosDef's famous words....'when white boys doing it ..it's success...when I'm doing it it's suspect'
Black men all over America are experiencing this in public venues and their places of business and it is richly deserved as much as 'suspect' was undeserved.
Thera P..also explained it well by noting her own person respond and THAT is what JC felt..folks like TheraP acknowledging him as a human being without his being suspect cause as TheraP said, she is willing to look him in the eye.
O..what a happy time this is for our children and my sons and grandsons and especially my spouse and father who have labored under suspect for far too long!!
November 21, 2008 8:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
What "whiterosebuddy" doesn't get is that for generations being a "credit" was something people aspired to. It drove folks to get an education in spite of the odds, to scrimp and save after working hard at demeaning jobs to put a decent roof over your family's heads. It made them dress up to go not just to church, but to do their marketing, visit their kids' schools, all of the mundane things that life is made of. Setting the "good example" made it easier for those who came after you to build on your achievements and move ahead.
The change that JC is observing is exactly the change that happened one on one -- for decades and generations. You're just seeing it magnified by one event -- one huge event -- but it was happening all along. Do not minimize those tiny accomplishments. A grain of sand on its own is unremarkable, but millions of tiny grains become a beautiful beach.
November 21, 2008 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
I've always been willing to look people in the eye! I hope you got that. But I see a more welcoming look back now. Which thrills me! Truly.
But yes, due to Obama, there is now a greater solidarity among us. And it's beautiful!
November 21, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whiterosebuddy I agree these are good times. Obama took whatever garbage that McCain and Palin threw at him and survived. He stayed calm amidst the storm. Saturday Night Live's portrayal of him panicking during at 3 AM call will not define the man.
The GOP's attack style during the campaign took McCain to sub-Barry Goldwater numbers among African-American voters. Approximately 15% of African-Americans will list themselves as Republicans in surveys. Bush got 9-11% of the Black vote in 200 and 2004, respectively. It appears most Republican African-Americans either stayed home or voted for Obama.
A mini-Civil war is going on in the GOP to determine if Michael Steele, former LT Gov in MD who is African-American, will be head of the RNC. The GOP risks becoming the White Southern party.
It was amazing that Sarah Palin could have a pregnant unwed daughter at home and not have to answer questions about her parenting skills. Could you see Barack or Michelle escaping scrutiny if they had a pregnant 16 year old daughter?
Finally from a religious perspective, Palin was awaiting messages from the Creator. She put the Presidential election in the Creator's hands. Obviously, she is not the Vice President-Elect. Palin then talked about the Creator opening doors for her future path. One path could have been replacing Sen Ted Stevens if he won and had to be placed because of a conviction. Since Stevens lost, that door was closed as well. Message received.
Off topic I know, but I needed to vent.
November 21, 2008 8:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
As a Chicagoan, I noticed a slight shift too. Particularly Nov 5th, it was almost like the sun got a little brighter.
Believe it or not, Obama's Chicago-ness didn't seem to sink in until Nov 5th - suddenly Chicago, famous for its inferiority complex, became the center of the universe. Rahm Emmanuel is my congressman for example, so it somehow felt like I was personally involved - as if the phone might ring with news of my new ambassadorship or something.
One benefit of laying down the cross of racism - perhaps that no one saw coming - is that it actually comes a relief. It's a pleasure in the same sense that you percieve pleasure the second you stop beating yourself on the head with a hammer.
November 21, 2008 2:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
"For the first time we have a positive national identity. . . . . We have been viewed as a side show act at a circus. . . ."
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I was thinking similar last night, while watching a PBS program about TV variety shows. I don't know the exact sequence regarding all areas of US life, but it took Truman, post-WW II, to order the military to integrate. And still it came up with report/delay after report/delay about why they shouldn't rush into it.
Or radio: radio, and record sales, were segregated, until rock and roll began to break down the barriers, and Fats Domino and Chick Berry "crossed over" onto white radio. But some of us know what happened to Alan Freed for facilitating that desegregation.
Or sports -- boxing. It was always an entry point for immigrants. I go back to the tail end of Irish-Italian (in that order), the middle of black, and then up-coming Hispanic.
TV: the first national black-hosted TV show was Nat King Cole, during the 1950s -- but he couldn't get sponsors -- the corporations worried about their sales/profits in the South -- so it was wholly funded by the network. It wasn't until the late 1960s-earliest 1970s that a black -- Flip Wilson -- finally had her/his own national TV show.
What remained unintegrated? By and large politics -- we had slowly got to see blacks in nearly every other area of life. And now we have a black president . . . well, a president who is half black . . . or is it half white? OK: let's agree he's black, and be elated that intelligence and competence triumphs.
It should have happened at least 30 years ago; but there's the irony: exactly as it took the civil rights movement to integrate juries, so that finally Byron de LaBeckwith, assassin of Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers, could be tried and found guilty on the evidence, it took as long, and as much change in all other areas of life, before we could have a black president.
Can we move on, now, to other essentials, such as national health?
November 21, 2008 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Forgot to include a key point re. ironies:
Blacks and the black culture had all along been marginalized by the majority culture. And thus was all along, circularly, viewed as marginal/ized. It took slow change, at the bottom and margins, in the "less important" areas of life -- sports, entertainment, integration in the media, for the majority culture to get real about the marginalized.
Tellingly: 'way back at about the time Obama announced his candidacy for president, a black lifelong civil rights activist made the point that Obama, unlike such as Jesse Jackson, was a "mainstream candidate" -- rather than marginal. It took so long for that to happen, against resistance that was more often than not murderous in its resistance.
Now let's get stuff done that we've been distracted from by nonsense.
November 21, 2008 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Julian, I can appreciate your sentiments and understand your plight. Whether its deserved or underserved is not really the issue. November 4th did eleavate the stature of all black people, because of the sterotyping it chipped away at.
Or, as I would have said on November 3rd, I feel you dog!
November 21, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink