BlackPerspective.net
Discussing the Diaspora as seen through an internal Black lens
Black Blog Round Up: Obama, MLK, Oscar Grant & Scooter Libby
January 27th, 2009
Some interesting commentary from around the Afrosphere
If You Are Too Scared to Criticize Obama For Fear of Being Called Racist, Then Keep Your Mouth Shut
I listened to a right leaning talk show host whine repeatedly that any one who criticized Obama would be called a racist. I’ve heard this same complaint throughout the campaign and now that Obama has assumed the office, I’m still hearing it.
All I have to say is STOP YOUR WHINING AND MAN UP! No excuses, cuz here is the deal. If you got a valid critique to make of Obama’s policies or decisions, then make your case. If you’re afraid that whatever you have to say will get you called a racist, then keep your frikkin mouth shut, because chances are, whatever you have to say is lame. Because if you have something worth saying and you know how to communicate, it’s credibility will be invunerable to serious attack on the basis that it is racist. Period. - A Political Season
Why justice is not enough
What’s up fam,
Long time I know but I wanted to share some thoughts regarding where we are in history. Like you I was excited to see Obama inaugurated as President of the United States but my heart is still heavy when I reflect on Oscar Grant. Right now I am reading Martin Luther King Jr.’s book entitled, Where Do We Go From Here and it is an excellent read. One of the most powerful ideas is when King makes the argument that America has received justice on the cheap and needs to make a real investment in justice and equality.
In today’s context, I think about the American myth that the election of Obama is the ultimate symbol of justice and has redeemed from its sordid past in treating and enslaving Black folks. I understand the historical nature of this election but America, you chose the best person to lead this nation and the fact that Obama is Black should not be misunderstood to negate the giants in African-American history. So get over yourselves and think about how much more change we would have if equality for all people was truly a part of our national character. Part of me wishes Obama had a son so that America could see a young Black boy and two Black girls grow up. Think about the people that came across Obama during his teens when he was experimenting with drugs and struggled with having an absent father? How many people truly took him in or just saw a troubled Black face. Black boys grow up to be men and given the opportunities of a good education, (in Obama’s case, prep school, Columbia, and Harvard) they can, like anyone else, contribute greatly to our nation’s prowess.
In the case of Oscar Grant, I think about all the people I went to school with that are passionate about justice, especially when the media highlights clear cases of police brutality. I think the problem is that getting justice for Oscar Grant is not a question of whether or not the cop that shot him gets put in jail, although he should definitely be punished. Rather, it is far more important to think about justice in the sense that Oscar shouldn’t have been shot in the first place… - SuperSpade
Sorry Scooter
looks like you won’t be getting that pardon. Oh well, I guess it’s time for you to write that tell all book. Come on Scooter, throw us all a bone. Think about the huge advance you will get. You are still a felon, so you can kiss your law license good bye. –It’s a shame, because I hear that you were a very good lawyer—-So what are you going to do for an income? I have a few ideas: you could black mail Cheney, (he has lots of money to pay you), you could go back to Texas with the frat boy and help him raise funds for his presidential library, and you could try to get a job in D.C. with the help of your rich republican friends. But I am sure that none of those are options that you would be willing to consider. And I can’t really say that I blame you; you want what they got out of the deal… - Feild Negro
posted in Politics, Social Commentary, Uncategorized | | | View blog reactions |
16 Responses to “Black Blog Round Up: Obama, MLK, Oscar Grant & Scooter Libby”
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About The Blog
Yobachi Boswell is creator and publisher of BlackPerspecitve.net. I’m a writer, activist and political watcher based in Nashville, Tennessee. I’ve also been know to do some spoken word and MCing in my day.
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You know, Yobachi, I agree with you on many levels. As one whom campaigned for President Obama here in Ohio, of course I was happy to see him elected to become our nation’s first Black President. As you are aware, Ohio was a difficult state for him to win over. However, I find it disturbing that according to a recent poll, supposedly 69% of so-called Blacks interviewed believe that Reverend King’s dream was realized by President Obama’s election. I would admonish my Black Brothers and Sisters to review the history of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. His position was quite clear in condemning the class divides, racial divides, the economic and social structure which was set up so that only a few could become rich, which most definitely in his time; did not include people of color, and militarism. As you have noted, Oscar Grant should never have been killed. Why are we not crying out just as loud about the tragic end to this young man’s life, as we did rejoicing over the President’s win? We need to rethink our priorities. We have over one million Black young men locked away in prisons, and Blacks are killing Blacks at an alarming rate across the nation. Blacks are the highest group of people living in poverty. President Obama’s winning of the election has done nothing to elevate the Black community, if we are not willing to face the real problems and issues here, and confront them head-on. President Obama is a man and not our savior. As one whom has been involved in Civil and Human Rights, all of my life, I must tell you that our struggle has to continue. We have only just begun.
I would suggest, if you want to live in a classless society, you start looking for another place to live. The ability to work hard and advance yourself is what makes this country great. Frankly I am sick of busting my ass so that others can cry and whine about the fact that I make more money than they do. Community leaders lobby congress in attempt to take more money from wage earners, to turn around and subsidize those who prefer no to work. I don’t care what you may think, everyone in this country has the same opportunities, it all boils down to what you do with opportunity when it knocks.
Hey Barbara, was this comment meant for my commentary video post?
“President Obama is a man and not our savior.”
You can hardly tell this to the Obamanites.
Todd, what are you even refering to? I missed the part in this round up that talks about “a classless society”.
Oh, and there are many people who bust their ass doing jobs to make pennies; and to never have the yoke of a punative socio-economic structure allow them to get a leg up for getting knocked back down, with the penalities, and fines, and tickes, fees that governmetn and there major corperation partners find to leavy upon folks — which is the point of the class issue when it is raised.
Why is it that those that might be less fortunate always have to point at someone else rather than themselves. It’s always someone else keeping them down, it never has anything to do with their work ethic, attitude etc.
What the heck are you talking about with penalties, fines and tickets. Did I miss something do minorities in this country pay more in taxes? No, do they get ticketed because they are non-Caucasian? No, are there minority based fees that I am not aware of? No.
It sounds to me like you are against paying taxes, and fees and the like. Guess what me too, but This administration will do more to raise taxes, and fees going forward in an effort to support all of the programs they plan to create.
Mr. Obama is my President too, and although I didn’t vote for him, he was elected by the people and I support him 100% as a result, I just can’t agree with a lot of his ideals. That’s what make’s our country great. Not only can you have differing points of view, but you are free to voice them. In addition if you want to be poor, you can be poor, if you want to work hard and get ahead in life, NO ONE is holding you back, except you, your family or community.
For the life of me I can’t understand why communities spend so much time pissing and moaning about their situation(s). The black community does more to perpetuate the belief that a young black man or woman can’t get ahead in this country which is false.
Opportunity is there for the taking, people have to WANT to succeed, nothing is more depressing than seeing someone (black or white) not live up to his or her potential.
“What the heck are you talking about with penalties, fines and tickets. Did I miss something do minorities in this country pay more in taxes?”
When did I say anything about minorities? Look, if you can’t address what’s actually said, and just want to generally rant; my blog is not the place. I suggest you set up your own blog for your anti-mutural prosperity, anti-minority rants.
Here is your rant concerning knocking people down with penalties, tickets, fines, and fees that governments and their major corporation partners levy upon folks. The difference is I spelled everything correctly.
“Oh, and there are many people who bust their ass doing jobs to make pennies; and to never have the yoke of a punative socio-economic structure allow them to get a leg up for getting knocked back down, with the penalities, and fines, and tickes, fees that governmetn and there major corperation partners find to leavy upon folks — which is the point of the class issue when it is raised.”
If you bust your ass for pennies, you have no one to blame but yourself, find another vocation.
LOL! You’re good entertainment Todd; like a circus monkey. You have nothing intelligent, relevent or original to say; but you’re entertaining.
And no, I’m not laughing with you; I’m laughing at you!
I’m glad you find me entertaining. I find watching people bemoan the fact that Obama is gonna save them entertaining. How many cigarettes did you get to vote for him?
OH, I got tons of Newports; you wouldn’t believe…ha ha ha ha ha!
Still laughing, but still not laughing with you.
How many Marboros did you get to be this lame, ignorant, unoriginal and racist?
Why is the truth so hard to take?
This reminds me of Chris Rock’s routine when he says, white people say “You can say the ‘N-word’, I can’t”. That’s the only advantage I have. Wanna trade?
Zhana, two words Affirmative Action.
White women have been the greatest beneficiary of affirmative action; but don’t let the facts get in your way Todd. I mean, why change things now.
That stands to reason as they make up a much larger percentage of the working population in comparison to any other minority. But let’s not let the facts get in the way.
When you repeatedly listen to your community leaders tell you how oppressed you are, you are bound to believe it. I don’t see Rev. Al Sharpton or Reggie Jackson struggling. What exactly do they do for a living, they profit off the people in their communities by getting on a bullhorn and screaming about how oppressed everybody is, and that nobody in the urban areas gets a fair shake. That’s B.S., and it’s unfortunate that you can’t see that. I really do feel sorry for anyone taken advantage like that black or white. If you grow up being told you are good for nothing, you are bound to believe it, and perpetuate it.
I agree that the system is broken, and I don’t have the answer, but I doubt seriously that anything is going to change with this administration, or any other for that matter.
“That stands to reason as they make up a much larger percentage of the working population in comparison to any other minority.”
Yep that’s true; since there are more white women in this country than there are Black people TOTAL (about 35% versus 13% respectively), or Hispanics total (15%) or Asians total.
You’re an idiot, and now I’m tired of you. Your comments will be unapproved and marked as spam for now on. Go find some work to do, you ass busting, hard working white man you.