BlackPerspective.net
Discussing the Diaspora as seen through an internal Black lens
Why a Barack Obama Presidency May Be More Bad Than Good For Black People
January 8th, 2008
Black folks are overjoyed right now – we gonna have a Black man in the White House.
Maybe, maybe not; but is a Barack presidency all that it’s being cracked up to be as far as its benefit for the Black whole? And why aren’t we discussing this? It seems that we are simply doping ourselves up on the euphoric Opium of the Ideal of a Black man holding the office of the presidency. But have we thought what does that really, practically mean for Black folks?
While we’re being perpetually overly sentimental, our enemies are being perpetually strategic. We’re being emotional and they’re being exacting.
Such has been routine for the Black cultural and body politic over the last 40 years. We do back flips over sentimentalism and symbolism; while operating with a lack of strategic analysis and substance.
It all goes back to the “Mystification” that I wrote about yesterday; particularly the part relating to Bill Clinton. It mostly started when John Kennedy became president and his brother Bobby later ran for president. White man throws us a little bone of concern and we act like its Manna from on high, from God’s own table. As if we don’t exactly deserve the concessions or concern that we’re receiving and that we should thank massa for his grace in considering us.
Now, white folks may throw us the bone of the presidency itself, and getting that bone is all that some of us see. We haven’t looked to see what type of meet is attached to that bone.
The issue is though, what will have fundamentally changed as far as the reality of being Black in America? Do you think that in one election cycle, that having pulled the lever for a Black man will make all the racism in white America dissipate; that we’ve been fighting and writing about for the last year? How about most of it? I think not. Racism is embedded in the fiber of our social institutions. The way things will finally change is only if we have a fundamental re-engineering of those institutions.
Simply having individual Black people get positions is no longer nearly good enough; that’s not the ideal that I cherish. If we have a Black president, but Black people are still charged more for bank loans just for being Black, what difference does it make?
If we have a Black president, but are still herded into prison at extremely higher rate than whites who commit the same crime, then what difference does it make?
We need fundamental change, not just Negroes in high places. We need to stop being mystified by individual figureheads.
I understand the excitement of seeing one of ours ascend to such heights, I feel some of it too; but we need much more than symbolism. So we have to stop being just so sentimental and be more strategic in our thinking.
To me it’s not a reflection on Barack, at least not primarily; it’s about what White America is trying to use him to get.
So what do white people want from this deal. Some want the absolution of pulling the lever for a Black man for president. It proves to their conscious that they’re not racist and wipes away all of their Dog Chapman episodes that they’ve ever had in private; but just was not put out on display for the world to see. It’s like 10 Hail Mary’s after confession. Upon having done that, then they can complete an agenda they have been forwarding for at least the last decade. They can put their final crowning stamp on their faux position that racism is no more; giving them psychological permission to be free of any white guilt, and giving themselves in their eyes, a concrete winning argument and testament to the lack of racism in the U.S. If there is no racism other than a few hooded guys in the mountains of Idaho and in the backwoods of Alabama; then there is no need to fight or counteract racism.
You say, “well, Barack will be in a position to make the fundamental changes you speak of” – oh, will he? The first problem with that hypothesis is that Barack has already diminished the issue of race in his campaign. Now, no one with any logic would expect him to come out like Chuck D if he’s trying to actually get elected. But at the same time you govern the way you campaign. If anything someone might govern worst or to lower standards than they campaigned with; but they never govern with higher principles then they campaigned with. If Barack down plays race to gain power, he will down play race to maintain power.
I wrote in an article back on April 19th of 2007 (The Black Vote: Obama or Clinton), and I discussed why Blacks were drawn to Obama beyond his Blackness: his charisma, eloquence, education, yet down home persona; and then wrote this:
“And then there’s that hope - that hope that this one can actually win; seeing that there is ostensible support, or at least approval of the white majority that would be necessary to win even a democratic party nomination, much less the general election.”
And right now said support is driving Obama’s surge. It has been spoken about since his 7 point win in 94% White Iowa that many Blacks feel comfortable voting for him now and may switch there support if they believe he can win.
This reveals a troubling factor. Does anyone really look at the implications of this statement that I find to be a reality? What it comes down to saying is that many Black people had to get white people’s permission to decide a brotha is worth voting for. This goes to underlying psychosis in Black socio-political strategy that most fail to ever address in their analysis.
The fact that we feel the need to get permission from white people to support our brother sets a great precedent. Obama, and the astute political analyst around him I’m sure have identified this factor clearly. It sets the precedent that if elected president; before Obama can expect support for Black agenda items, he must first seek the approval of the white community. Even if the majority in congress is Democratic, these would be the white ideological children of those who in the last generation told Black people to take things slow and just be happy with what you can get. Our “white friends” for whom if we had listened to, we’d still be calling white folks sir and madam.
And this goes back to the earlier question. Are we going to recognize what’s going on and be thoughtful about it; or are we just going to be as easily amused children, gleeful and sentimental over an individual Negro holding a position; ill-prepared to contest the challenges and conditions that come with white people going along with putting one of us in the highest office?
Or, shall we be bamboozled once again? Politically immature and in-astute; believing getting a position is equivalent to Kingdom come.
The second fallacy in the hypothesis that Barack getting the position will really mean fundamental change is that, though Bush has tried to make it so, the presidency is not a dictatorship. It’s not as if Barack can get into office and mandate changes. The congress will still be the congress, and the system will still be the system.
With all above said, on the counter balance side, the lighter weight side that would be though, we must acknowledge the positive in a possible win. An Obama presidency can provide a great source of inspiration for many a Black youth to strive. Further, it could provide some marginal shifts in overall attitudes towards race equality.
The final analysis is that we have to think bigger and deeper than these small victories . We can’t be excited and overjoyed with shallow concessions. We deserve full freedom and full equality. We should get a big fat juicy turkey leg with all the meet on it, like our fellows; not just the bone.
We have to be prepared to deal with the cultural-political shifts that a Black presidency will bring. The “racism is over” argument will be strong. It’s already started with just one caucus win.
I don’t know that an Obama presidency will be more bad than good for Black people in the final analysis; but if we are not prepared to strategically respond to the shift in the racial political landscape, there are good odds that it will.
Either way, we have to be (and yes here this word is again) strategic in our dealings in order to maximize a Black presidency. Otherwise we can end up getting precious little out of it.
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54 Responses to “Why a Barack Obama Presidency May Be More Bad Than Good For Black People”
You’ve said quite a lot here Yobachi, with the central theme being our community and our lack of strategic management. I agree. But, that euphoria that you spoke of earlier that causes some of us to vote, is that necessarily a bad thing, so long as we’re doing the right thing? I know that all thought ought to run deeper than a feel good moment as we look to our future, but we know that’s not always going to happen.
An Obama presidency would change the political landscape by leaps and bounds as you’ve said. That needs to happen. The same boot in the pants that Johnnie Cochran and the OJ trial gave to the justice system needs to happen to the political system. That change is long overdue.
Brother this is an excellent analysis. I’ve also been reading articles hinting that “racism is over” now that Obama has won Iowa…as if we’ve forgotten about Katrina, Jena 6, Megan Williams, the rampant taserings, Bill Bennett, etc. Racism is alive and well in this country and will not end just because a person of color is in the white house.
I honestly think there is too much work to be done to change America, and 4 years is not enough. I go back and forth between Clinton and Obama, and if I could combine the two, I would have an ideal candidate. I have to admit having a black President is more appealing to me, and just think what you can tell all those kids in the hood; “you really can be President one day”.
I really don’t think experience has a lot to do with it, Bush had plenty of experience and was unable to bring it to the White House in a workable manner. With so many advisers and a competent cabinet, I think Obama who is highly intelligent can make sound, informed decisions. I know Hillary is a genius and I know she will create more programs for inner city kids to level the playing field. Every since college she has really done a lot for the disadvantage.
The good thing about Obama is that his family is from Kenya. Currently, Kenya is suffering a lot, and are on the edge of civil war. I do think if elected, he will be the first President to place Africa as a priority instead of an after thought.
Barack is Barack, he doesn’t pretend to be more black when he gets around black people, and he doesn’t over articulate around whites. I like Hillary Clinton, but her speech pattern and language changes quite a bit when she gets around black people. I do not like being patronized. But, when it comes down to it, I’m afraid Hillary just may have the best interest of blacks in mind compared to Barack.
Lastly, I think you are born a leader and some people have that quality despite their political leadership experience. Bush was a manager, he managed this country into the ground. He defended people that failed him, and he was reluctant to change his vision when it was obvious that it wasn’t working. I will say he was decisive.
Shelia: “But, that euphoria that you spoke of earlier that causes some of us to vote, is that necessarily a bad thing”
It can be if it causes one to vote without thinking. In that case we end up voting against our own interest, and chasing our tail. Can you say, Kwame Kilpatrick?
“An Obama presidency would change the political landscape”
Change it to what is the question. For every action there’s an opposite and equal reaction. If you look at the good changes and ignore the bad changes, then you’re not looking at the whole forest.
My bottom line is though, we need to be prepared for what may come, which means we need to be thinking about it and talking about it.
Thanks for taking the time to discuss it.
Thanks for the comment AJ, good examples.
You’ve really got to view everything going on with a probing analytical eye, and not take it just on the surface.
I like Obama on a personal level. I don’t for a second believe he should have run this time. She should have waited to run next go round.
However, if he wins, I don’t believe he will be any worse for blacks than anybody else would be.
I am watching these primaries closely because I too, have some thoughts about having the first Black President. When Obama won in Iowa, the fifth Whitest state in America, however, this state houses more African Ameican inmates than any state its size in the U. S. I also do not understand that while Black folk are gleefully praying that we have the first Black President, why they are not willing to ask the hard questions of the candidates?
For instance, why in the year 2007, did we have to have a President sign a bill permitting us the right to vote? If we, as Black people are U.S. citizens, then whey must we seek a Presidential signature giving us the right to vote? Why has there not been a law passed to say that Black Americans are U.S. citizens? Why has the Black community not asked the candidates about higher mortgage rates, racial profiling, higher Black incarceration rates, the unjust justice system, substandard educational systems and inadequate housing? Are these not our concerns? Why are we afraid to ask the questions?
I especially expect Obama to address some of these issues, but I do not just hold him accountable, I hold all of the candidates accountable. If they are asking for our votes, we definitely need to do some soul searching and more importantly, ask the hard questions. As a voter, I really want to know what is this candidate going to do for me. What is going to be done to make my and those that belong to me, lives better. I have not heard any of the candidates address these issues. I agree with you, Yobachi, I would not expect Obama to come out like Conye West and bluntly state this country does not care about Black people, however I do expect him as a Black man to address some of the issues that I am sure he has encountered on these shores of America and explain how he is going to make them better. For all of the other candidates, I expect the same thing. We need to remember how many times, we have actually had promises made, only to see them fall at the waistside, once the person is in office.
What I know is that racism is a state of mind and heart. Having a Black President is not going to change this attitude in people. However, laws will encourage racists to abide by the law, no matter what they feel, because most people do not want to go to jail. We are still waiting for law regarding the Jena Six. That, too had not been addressed. The poor affected by Katrina has not been addressed. I think we, as a Black community cannot get caught up in the mesmerising situation of seeing one of us in the oval office without saying to ourselves, we want to know what are you going to do to make our situation better. We need to ask this of all of the candidates. I think Black folk are letting all of the candidates off just a little too damn easy.
MrsG., Experience matters, but judgment and principles matter more. You can be experienced at the status quo but what good does that do anybody. That’s where I agree Barack is clearly better. That’s where Edwards is also clearly better than Hillary.
Hillary knows a lot, but she’s a panderer, steeped in the ways of Washington.
I don’t know if I believe you’re born a leader, but Barack definitely has that leadership quality.
Hey Lennie G,
I’m not sure if you read through much of the post, but my argument is not that he himself would be any worse for Black people; but that the shift in the landscape from a Black person being elected president at this juncture would cause unintended and harmful consequences; because of how white people would mis-frame the issue and use it to forward their racism status quo agenda.
Further, I noted that, while again I don’t think he’ll be any worse for black people; but if he’s down playing race on the campaign trail, we can’t expect that he’ll be greatly better for black people either, when he would not be a dictator to begin with and the system will still be a racist even with him in an office.
Barbara: “I also do not understand that while Black folk are gleefully praying that we have the first Black President, why they are not willing to ask the hard questions of the candidates?”
Yep, is that opperating off of sentimentality and emotion.
And we have had many promises made to us and broken. We can ill afford just keep rolling over and being pimped by the dems.
I’m glad you recognize that one man in an office won’t change the system. Now we need to think about what really can be done to re-engineer the institutions of society.
These are some excellent and astute observations. Let me take the liberty of suggesting that perhaps you didn’t go far enough.
For example “Simply having individual Black people get positions is no longer nearly good enough…”
Take your logic to it’s natural extension and you must realize that it should never have been enough. That in fact, Black peoples’ participation in the political process has perhaps had some small effect on some small minority of people, but as a vehicle for social change, it has been a dismal failure. Some folks say all politics is local. Well then why even in cities with majority Black populations and majority Black elected officials do we have the highest incidence of the worst there is to see in Black people’s condition in this country? Yet we still parade the political process as “the way”. The foundational logic of most proponents of the political process is that it is all we have. I say if all you have is a losing proposition, then what do you really have, other than a reason to do something different?
I know you understand this from your statement, “We need fundamental change, not just Negroes in high places.” Those of us who truly advocate for change have to begin to realize that sometime a thing is so broken that it cannot be fixed. Sometimes it’s necessary to start over, to do something different, to refuse to accept that the messed up situation you are in is the simply the way things are.
And consider this ststement, “If Barack down plays race to gain power, he will down play race to maintain power.”
Again, take your logic to it’s natural conclusion. Every politician’s main motivation is getting re-elected. Not only will Barak downplay race, he will be forced to pander to the same economic power and special interest that is currently in the process of running this country and the rest of the world into the ground. He is taking their money right now, just like every other candidate. He has to to even have a chance at winning. No matter who wins, the money power has not changed hands and the policy will remain the same. The most we are likely to see are minor “victories” that do little or nothing to change the status quo. Like you, I have had more than enough of superficial placebo type progress. I don’t need to drink from the same water fountain, I need the power to control my own destiny so I don’t have to ask for somebody else’s water. Nothing but a fundamental change in how we do things is ever going to address this fundamental flaw in our supposedly democratic system.
“The fact that we feel the need to get permission from white people to support our brother sets a great precedent.”
One this one point I wish to propose an alternative theory. Perhaps it’s not so much that Blacks feel they need white folks permission to support Obama. I do agree that most Black folks probably didn’t feel like Barak really had a chance to win. But I think this phenomena of us perhaps now giving more support to Barak speaks more to a fundamental understanding that Black folks in this country have. Simply put, we know, even those of us who pretend that things have changed for the better, we all know that if white America doesn’t want it to happen, then it simply will not happen. White America didn’t really want to give us our civil rights in the 60’s. But they got sick and tired of seeing these Black folks in the streets protesting and all the turmoil it was causing and they realized that it wouldn’t make that much of a difference in the big scheme of things to allow us a semblance of equality in this country. White America didn’t want to free the slaves during the civil War. The northern money interests needed to remedy an unfair trade advantage being exercised by their Southern counterparts. Black freedom was incidental to that agenda.
It’s a far different time now than either of those watershed moments in our history. I don’t know if a movement directed specifically at the Black agenda can be sustained in this brave new world. I’m not sure if that’s the right tactic anyway. What I do know is if white America decides they can deal with a Black president, then one will win. It may be Barak, this time or the next, or it may be the next socially acceptable “magic negro”. If white America doesn’t want it to happen, there isn’t a blessed thing Black folks can do about it. And we all KNOW this in our heart of hearts. The simple election and elevation of any one of us will never work to change that. Something else will have to be the solution.
We are not being bamboozled again. As a group, we haven’t gotten past the some old bamboozling that has kept us spinning our wheels and still sliding backward for the past 40 years. Barak’s elevation won’t be bad for Black people in any new sense. It will just continue the same old bad line of thinking that we are making progress when really, as a group and as a society, we are not.
Exodusmentality, thank you for your thoughtful response.
“Like you, I have had more than enough of superficial placebo type progress.”
I like that phrase, I’ll have to remember it.
As far as the permission to vote for obama thing, sure we can rephrase it the way you put it and I think we’re both accurate in a sense. So maybe it wasn’t directly asking permission; but it’s emblematic of waiting around for white people to decide our destiny for us, instead of being proactive and taking our own bull by the horns.
“The northern money interests needed to remedy an unfair trade advantage being exercised by their Southern counterparts. Black freedom was incidental to that agenda.”
I really wish Black people would learn and understand this. I’ve been preaching it so hardily for years. And it is parallel to the point of this post. What’s really white people’s agenda? Just because the black folk get some benefit, it doesn’t mean there aren’t drawbacks. It doesn’t mean that this is the day of arrival.
“We are not being bamboozled again. As a group, we haven’t gotten past the some old bamboozling that has kept us spinning our wheels and still sliding backward for the past 40 years.”
This is true. I’ve been saying the last few months that the Jena 6 resistance would not be the start of a new movement; because we never finished the old.
Yobachi you have commented on a few of the post on my blog recently so you already have an idea about how I feel about the subject. I disagree fully with the idea that a black president could somehow hurt our causes. It’s as if you are saying that succeeding is bad because if to many of us succeed then whites when think that we have equal opportunity and feel they should be let off the hook for racism. Who should sacrifice their success for the betterment of the community? I have a masters in mechanical engineering and you have a PHD so clearly we did not sacrifice our success for the cause. For those that think a black presidency could hurt the cause, would you tell your child this. “Yes sweetie you CAN be president of the USA but you shouldn’t because if you are we might not be able to go after Dog the bounty hunter and Don Imus next year? This is why whenever we exchange you see me trying not to focus on racism. Not that it is not an important part of our fight, but that there isn’t any balance. Search black blogs for articles about racism and it will never end. Now do the same for entrepreneurship articles and you could probably read them all in the same day. Our civil rights efforts have been so focused on playing defense that we forgot to play offense. This article alone almost suggest sacrificing a huge offensive victory to make way for a defensive victory. If I understood wrong please let me know. I have more to say but my comment was turning in to a blog post!
Brother, I would give you a big fat kiss if I were near you!!! I’ve been saying this for days and being called everything from a sellout to a slave for not abandoning the reality that we need to think STRATEGICALLY, AND, what WOULD Obama’s election really mean for us??
“While we’re being perpetually overly sentimental, our enemies are being perpetually strategic. We’re being emotional and they’re being exacting.”
Exactly right! I’m going to link to your post right now!
Lionel, I’m not saying succeeding is bad, I’m saying be eyes-opened about what you get out of a deal and not simply idealistic and blind to the realities of the situation.
” Who should sacrifice their success for the betterment of the community?”
I don’t think you quite understood my perspectivve, because I’m not saying he shouldn’t try to become president if he wants. As a matter of fact, though I did not say so in this particular post, if I had to vote today, I’m pretty sure I’d vote him.
I’m not concerned with Obama’s personal success one way or the other. We’ve had plenty of successful black individuals since “we overcame” and got to sit at the lunch counter with whitey; it has not, though, greatly impacted the uplift of our whole. I’m talking about dealing with changes in the socio-political landscape, and not again thinking that we overcame just because somebody got a position.
I’m with you about playing offense, I just disagree that the trade off of getting an office that won’t neccessarily change anything is such a victory. That’s why we haven’t been playing offense the last 40 years; you don’t fight a cause that you don’t think exist.
*puckers up for Sugar*
I wish somebody would call me a sellout.
I don’t believe in sheepism, group think, getting mystified by individuals, and thinking we’ve arrived or overcome because we get thrown a bone.
Obama is half white. and the half of him that is white comes from slaveowners. So all your talk about whitey is also referring to Obama.
Many people come from mixed race backgrounds.
Not everyone manipulates the race card.
Obama talks out both sides of his mouth. He says there should be no nasty politics and then talks nasty. He claims there should be no race card and then plays it all day.
There’s no audacity of hope. There is arrogance of ego.
If we get this guy in office, we’re screwed.
It has nothing to do with him being black or not black. It has to do with him being a neophyte, arrogant, and a fake.
And all your talk about ‘whitey’ sets you back about 100 years.
All of your commently have been eloquently written and thought out. With that being
said I think you have all over looked one crucial element in the whole equation.
While having a black president will not in it’s self erase the mutilple effects
of slavery in america or stop the crushing feet of the twin sisters of racism and
dicrimation in this nation but realize my brothers and sisters this is the realiszation
of millions of prayers by our ancetors, the blood that we have shed the tears we haved
crying yes opression is all around us but have no fear for the lord is my salvation
whom shall I fear the devil comes but to lie steal and destroy to take hope or to mock
your fellow brothers and sister for having hope for daring to have a dream that wto are americans by your every words you are a vision killer and my brothers and sisters without a vision my
people perish ever great black man whether Martin Luther King or Malcom X biggest
criticisors have come their own people. Think elephant you have been trained to do your
masters biding the ropes are loosed from your ankles and still you will not move and
test to see if your bonds are still holding your fast. Ombama isnt the enenmy those
who glorify the tragic moments of our past but fail to see the potental of our future.
Please imagine the youg black man who tells his teacher I want to be president when
I grow and can see it. Imagine baracks young african american daughter looking at
her black father running for the highest office in the land can you image or even
begin to imagine the pride that young black girls heart. Can you imagine the young
inner city youth that will be able to finially cast away that slave mentality and
know that even if I cant sing and dance or play ball that I can achieve anything
that is the reason to support Barack. It give our youth something to think about
before dropping out school. A sister as first lady of the united states why
wouldnt help them with thier self esteem. Black Presdent not mattering please !
I think He could win
Having a broader understanding that we need fundamental change and not Black faces in high places is real vision.
You may not have made it to the end, and that’s fine, it’s a long piece; but I did say “With all above said, on the counter balance side…we must acknowledge the positive in a possible win. An Obama presidency can provide a great source of inspiration for many a Black youth to strive.”
Nonetheless that factor by itself does not neccessarily out wiegh ever other consideration. Nor does it particularly lead to “casting off of the slave mentality”.
And if you knew anything about Malcolm X you’d know he’d be the biggest critic of thinking Black people are really getting power by having white people give them a political position. Read, or watch online “The Ballot or Bullet” speech. Malcolm chides black folk for their “dumb vote” for their “ignorant vote”.
We’ve got to have more than surface analysis. This is something that needs to be hashed out with all depth and Overtanding.
It’s time to move away from conventional thinking that has undoubtably failed us for 40 years.
Thank for trying to enlighten me my brother I read your whole post and disagreed
with you. I has also read brother Malcoms works the work you are referring to the (dumb vote)
Is voting for whites that come and pander to the black community when there running for
office . Ive seen pictures of Strong Thurman kissing little black babies when campaigning.
The fact of the matter is you dont know if he would not vote for a black man I think
he could not even truly imagine this time in America and if he could see it I wonder if him
or Martin would have been so quick to give there lives. Finally Malcom based these ascertions
on what the “Honorable Elihah Muhhammad”. Toward the end he actually questioned this line
of thinking note no one that has spoke of hate and seperation of man has never been assinated
Case in point “Farrakan” only those that had the truth Ghandi, Brother Martin, Brother Malcom even the Christ Jesus himself died bringing the truth to a backward minded people. The only dumb vote is not to vote
its basically a qustion of ethics it not what you legally have to do that determines your
character but that which you feel morally oligated to do. That determines our worth. Because the
the brother isnt hung up on the color of his skin he isnt one of us. Malcom thougth so(Pan
African Coalition Anyone) He as a people will never arrive unto we accept the fact our failure
to unite as a race is what allowed us to be conquered . Final thought while you are out their
analysis your predictment in america which is purely reactive due to the factors that have
lead to this place have all ready happened. I will be proactive and vote.
Ronny, thanks for your thoughtful responses.
My contention is not that he would not vote for a Black man, as I’ve not made such a contention myself. I said he would be critical, ala take a critical assessment of the situation as he did with everything and would not simply vote for the guy just cause. If I’m correct, Malcom X wasn’t even a voter. Either way though, I guarantee Obama would not get his support without critical analysis.
Further, one has to understand the applied principl.e Malcolm always had a principle underlining what he spoke, so his words don’t just apply to one thing in particular, even though he may have been addressing something specific at the moment. And he indeed spoke of, in the Ballot or the Bullet, as well as else where, of being weary of the Black leaders whites pick for us. Not to mention pointing out the whole Democrat/Republican “con game”; which is another point I make in the piece, that the con game doesn’t go away just because a brotha gets the big chairs. Therefore, lets factor this in to our expectations.
He also made issue to be suspicious of anything under girded by white powers, with a Black face on it. That’s why he refereed to the March on Washington as the “Farce On Washington”. As far as he was concerned, it was white financed and ultimately planned, to effect their own benefit; specifically the issue I’m raising here for investigation.
Even MLK in his last 3 years had moved beyond paltry jesters of inclusion and was focused on intrinsic fundamental change. That remains my focus as well.
Our primary focuses are different, that’s fine. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t all give attention to the full array of issues at hand. That’s all I ask for here. I’ve told no one not to vote for Barack. I voted for him last week.
Obama`s mother is white, he grew up with whites and yes he is married to a black woman. Obama may win the Presidency but I don`t think he is going to do a lot for blacks.
Sorry, but I inadvertently stumbled onto this website. The main thesis here seems to be that it is a bad thing that Barack Obama has received so much white support, or that he is not 100% black. Are you people out of your damn minds? You will cut off your nose to spite your face. Look, I’m a white guy (and why should I apologize for that??), but Barack Obama REALLY might be the first black president. So, his mother was white - too bad for you. The whole world looks at Barack as a black man. This would be HUGE for the America and it would be HUGE for black-white relations. This is historical. I’ve given Barack a lot of financial support and screw you people who think he’s not black enough. I’m a liberal, but I can’t deal with f**** Bush and I can’t deal with racist white people and I can’t deal with racist black people either. What I’ve seen on this website does not inspire me for the future, although a few people have been more hopeful. There’s more work to be done, but don’t do this stupid thing about “he’s just not black enough.” By the way, I one of a MANY white people who have African Americans in the family by both marriage and adoption.
Joe, stumble your dumb ass right back off of my site, because nowhere do I say nor intimate that Obama isn’t Black enough.
I’ve repudiated that stupid notion from day one.
But, I have no interest in arguing with you about internal Black politics. You have no say. You inject your interest, and I’m sure care nothing of Black folks interest.
I’m not here to make you hopeful. The name of this blog is “BLACK Perspective”, not “Make a white guy hopeful Perspective”.
if your theorie..was founded than why would white people not have voted for al sharpton for instance!iam sure that black activists and black newspapers and the really bad cosmetic that some black companies sell to black people is even worse considering its sold by blacks to blacks why do you think tavis smiley is up in arms ..he would be out of a job tomorrow if obama works out for all of us ….i think 75%of black children being born out of wedlock is a lot bigger contributer to black prison nr than black activist are trying to admit…having intact homes for children is still a major factor for them to become normal productive members of society…now if mother and father are married they both make money we dont need free lunches…we most likely will have insurance provided for the child or children…of course its much nicer to have baby mamas and the government doing your job and than man complaining that the government does a bad job…..hmmm…obama has a wife and he looks like a good father to me ….mabye some black man should take notice
“if your theorie..was founded than why would white people not have voted for al sharpton for instance!”
Because that’s a much too simplistic understaning of my position. Here’s a better question, why would white people vote for Sharpton when they don’t like him?
Obama presents himself in a way that is maladable to white people. That’s a prerequisit before the rest applies. Sharpton is “too Black” in their eyes, were as Obama is “our kind of Black guy, if just other Blacks were like him”.
It’s a complete dynamic, not just one factor or the other.
As for the rest of your tripe, it’s just that, and not worth my time to respond to.
Ronnie Jr. I have read your post and please continue to
tell our people what they need to know. I cried when I read
some of the things you said, because sometimes I feel I am alone
in my thinking when I talk to some of our brothers and sisters. I
think no one wants to sound to racist in their views, but it is not
about being racist, it is about loving who you are and supporting who
we are, especially when they are qualified. There is a job that needs
to be done. It is easy to dress up the outside, but until the inside
of unequality, and injustice is resolved nothing will be accomplished.
Barack Obama is not the change that is enevitible to take place and long
over due, but he is certainly the beginning of it. Lets work to
gether to make this happen. Our ancestors demand it, and our children
deserve it. It is not about hating any other race. It is about loving
ourselves enough to see that God has chosen someone (many are called but
few are chosen) to help to begin the process of bringing the races
together.(unity) It just so happens that he chose someone that looks
like us. We are waisting time with all the rhetoric. Let’s not be afraid
to be apart of this revoulution. What do we have to lose? I am so proud
to be apart of this. If you have faith, pray and ask God to direct you
in your decision. But let’s not waist another generation believing
that there is something to be afraid of. That is why the operative
word is HOPE. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the
evidence of things unseen. Right now we may not have a visual of what
Mr Obama will do once he becomes President of the United States, But
We can choose to believe that he will make a difference like never
before for Black America,White America,and as far out as God would have
him bring about unity and change. Come on people: This is the time.
Amen to that sister amen to that. We shall overcome what may come. People we shall have the final victory
If pain is weakness leaving the body then we as a people are mighty indeed.
I want you all to forget about the black or white issue for a moment (which I know is the issue on this forum).
Remember the great good which President Bush has been championing for many years now as the lead country along with Australia, UK, Poland, Germany and many others . Over 12 million Iraqi people have been liberated from their tyrant rulers and have been strangled by al-quaeda and the taliban terrorist regimes for so many years that democracy and freedom have never been tasted by them. If any of these two democrats make it to office they have promised to pull out of Iraq and reduce military/defense spending along with homeland security effectively ruining what has taken years to develop. This will also embolden the terrorists who have promised to kill America which they call “the great satan.” Remember, these terrorists hate Americans, black and white. Pres. Bush has shown awesome fortitude and is not influenced by opinion polls. Save the opinion polls for American Idol. Because of his action we have a safer America where he has fortified our security and taken the fight away from our shores. If we let our guard down, these terrorist will strike us hard and quick with more hijackings, water contamination and dirty bombs which they have been proven capable of and have little regard for human life. How al-quaeda and the taliban must be enjoying the awesome fact that america, based on it’s opinion polls, won’t even support their own president bush who was elected twice to office. The worst thing this country can do is demonstrate how we don’t follow or support our own elected leaders. The second worst thing this country can do is put an inexperienced deomocrat into office who will expose us to attack.
Ha ha ha ha!
ImBlackToo, I couldn’t read past the second sentence without internally erupting into laughter.
Are you kidding me!? I am disgusted with this article and I feel that this is a disgrace to african americans everywhere. We are the ones keeping racism alive i america with ridiculous, outrageous blog post such as this garbage. What is with the “So what do white people want from this deal. Some want the absolution of pulling the lever for a Black man for president. It proves to their conscious that they’re not racist and wipes away all of their Dog Chapman episodes that they’ve ever had in private; but just was not put out on display for the world to see”. you and people like are the racist sons of a bitches that keep this country from moving past racism! You constantly generalize all whites and have a horrible “the world done me wrong attitude” GET OVER IT!! and start being part of the solution and not the PROBLEM!
Leory, your disgust and ranting, does not an intelligent argument make.
I really can’t respond to foaming at the mouth. If you have an intelligent rebuttal, then that would be something to respond to.
I may disagree with you D. but I’ll be damned if I don’t join you in laughing hysterically at ImBlackToo’s post.
MEAT and do you think we should vote for Mccain instead?
We as a Black People need to understand that it doesn’t matter if Barack Obama gets in the white house or not. We will be subject to racism rather he is President or not, so why not!
Yes it may get bad and yes they will take race to a new height by denial of job opportunities, bank loans and many other aspects of life. The country is in a recession and yes we get it bad when it only troubles the white community, however it kills us. I say let’s make him President and pray that he is a good President. I say America first and everyone else last. If it does not help shape us into a better country then we’ll all need help, white or black you can count on that. Sometimes it take one man to make that first step and Barack is that Man, lets help him and be proud about it!
I would never have thought that someone of color would stoop so low as to think of such a thing. Maybe having a black president will help the younger generations relize that they can be anything that they put there minds to. I have to daughters and I will always encourage them to over achieve and not wait for someone else to take care of you. There is nothing wrong with helping , but doing and providing for yourself is a greatfelling may GOD be with you Obama. Who ever you are you little Wayne look a like stop hating.
Your points to this is ignorant with no faith or hope in it. First, on blacks going to prison at a higher rate, It is a Black Mans fault to go to prision when He (KNOWS) the law and the consequences of (HIS) actions to those laws. If a black man Kills, Steals, Abuses, Kidnaps, It is the Black man’s fualt, NOT Whites, or A Black President’s issue. Why is it that Since Segregation was done away with , that it has been the Blacks that have kept away from whites by creating organizations etc. NAACP, BET, UNICEF, and others to make sure “blacks” were not treated wrong after desgregation. So now that Martin Luther’s desires have been met with a potiential Black President you still talk ignorant! Shame on you as a 1. American 2. Black man 3. Human Being. And this is from a Black man also.
Hope you see a better way to life than what you see now.
HERE’S A SOLUTION TO AMERICA’S PROBLEMS:
DO AWAY WITH MTV, BET, VH1, AND ALL OTHER NON-EDUCATIONAL TELEVISON PROGRAMS UNTIL EVERYONE
DECIDES THAT EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT.MORE IMPORTANT THAN STEALING, KILLLING, FIGHTING,
AND MAKING MONEY! THE ONLY CHANNELS THAT SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE ARE
THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL, THE HISTORY CHANNEL, THE SCIENCE CHANNEL, TBN, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC,
AND CHANNELS OF RELATED IMPORTANCE. WHY DO WE NEED BET, MTV, AND VH1 ANYWAY?
GIVE AWAY BOOKS, NOT FREE CONCERT TICKETS!!!!!!!!!!! BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS, AND
MORE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE SHOULD WANT TO ADVANCE FUTURE GENERATIONS. THESE BASIC AND COSMETIC CONCERNS, SUCH AS SKIN COLOR,
DISTRACT US FROM IMPORTANT ISSUES SUCH AS THE NECESSITY FOR EDUCATION. CAN YOU IMAGINE A DAY WHEN THE
AIDS VIRUS IS OBSOLETE? JUST IMAGINE IF ALL OF THE ENTIRE WORLD PITCHED IN TO FIGHT THIS ENEMY LIKE IF IT
WAS THE BEGINNING OF WWIII. JUST IMAGINE SO MUCH EFFORT, TIME, AND MONEY BEING PUT TO GOOD USE. PLEASE
TELL ME THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO THINKS WE SHOULD ALL BETTER THE WORLD THROUGH ADVANCING
TECHNOLOGY, MEDICINE, AND FINDING NEW SOURCES OF ENERGY?! TEACH KIDS THE IMPORTANCE OF HOW TO
PROGRESS THE HUMAN RACE AS A WHOLE AND NOT JUST HOW TO LOOK GOOD IN A NEW PAIR OF SHOES! AND I AM NOT
ONLY BASHING MY CULTURE,I SAY MY CULTURE BECAUSE I’M ONLY 21, I’M CRITICIZING WHAT THE REST OF THE WORLD
PERCEIVES AS THE “AMERICAN CULTURE.” WHEN INDIVIDUALS COME HERE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, WE ARE ALL
AMERICANS. AS FAR AS THEY ARE CONCERNED, WHAT THEY SEE ON TV IS WHAT THEY EXPECT. SO THE DESPARITY
BETWEEN RICH, POOR, BLACK, AND WHITE IS EVERY AMERICAN’S FAULT IN THEIR EYES.
WHEN I SAY WE NEED TO ELIMINATE MTV, BET, AND VH1, I SAY THAT FOR THE LITTLE CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS ARE
NOT CAPABLE ENOUGH TO DRIVE THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION! NO MTV, BET, OR VH1 IS FOR THE CHILDREN WHO
RAISE THEMSELVES AND HAVE ONLY PEOPLE ON TELEVISION TO MODEL THEMSELVES AFTER. IF YOU WANT TO
ELIMINATE INSTITUTIONALIZED RACISM, LET’S ELIMINATE ONE OF THE SOURCES, BAD TELEVISION.
IMBLACKTOO, wow, you need some good ol’ fashioned education. are you sure you’re black??? I can’t believe that you buy into that fear mongering. I give most black people credit for not being that ignorant. Iraq never experienced terrorism, until we invaded and brought al-quaeda with us. duh. and i think that most white people want the whole racism thing to be over. We don’t have anything to do with the intitutional racism that exists today…most of us are just trying to hang out and be cool, and raise our families to be good people…most. I still see a lot of black men hangin out on the block and hustlin and gang-bangin and screwin hos and bitches and havin 3 or more baby’s mommas, and ending up in prison…i mean these values are GLAMORIZED in black entertainment, why??? (and please don’t play dumb like ya’ll don’t know what i’m talking about, or like i’m being “racist”, it is a factual observation that is well-documented.) Is it really because some rich old white guy who hates the thought of equality is telling the industries what they will and will not pay for??? yes. definitely. it’s poison to our children. oh, and just to remind you…Barack Obama is half-white too, so he’s half-ours!!! ha, j/k. see how silly all this is?
I see hundreds of successful, very well-off black citizens every day in Hampton Roads (population: 50%white 50%black) and if anyone wants some inspiration go to Virginia Beach and visit. It’s beautiful. Not to say there is no racism, but who cares? racist people are broke, dumb, and will never be a threat to the more educateds’ positions in society (UNLESS GEORGE BUSH AND HIS SUPER-RACIST CRONIES EVER GET IN OFFICE AGAIN!!!) if black people want to no longer be seen as a minority then black men need to do everything they can to stay out of prison. it’s population control (and voting control) (of course, just lock up all of the men in their reproductive prime: 20-30 years old and take away their right to vote….forever!)so get off the computer, go outside and slap a little black boy silly and say “if you go to prison we will never be equal!” and then teach him that no one is going to make fun of him anymore and say he’s trying to be “white” for having an education and some class. if you don’t do anything then all the new half-black kids who are raised by single mothers are going to completely dominate and fill all the good positions (like presidency???). i hope you can tell i am being sarcastic and speaking in hyperbole, but there is truth to what i have said, and i hope it could benefit someone by reading my rambling and absurdity.
Obama Is proving that he’s qualified to be Commander in Chief and can work on restoring our damaged image -thanks to Bush and McBush with their “fake war” judgment on Iraq.
Imagine what things would be like now had we NOT GONE TO WAR… OUR ECONOMY for starters.
Surge???? Well this would not be talking point if the INITIAL JUDGMENT WAS CORRECT- WAR WE SHOULD NOT HAVE ENGAGED IN…period end of the ?
BUSH and MCBUSH/MCWAR are mentally war hungry and that image goes across the globe.
If McWar wins in November, trust me “MY FRIENDS” he will have us in War till we are respected as a nation even less than now. GOD HELP OUR Son’s And Daughter’s. MCMAD is out of control and his jokes really make this country look so smart…smart a**.
The road to changing this unpopular worldly view, “OBAMA” …
And…
Andrea Mitchell says Obama gave “fake interviews” in the Middle East
Andrea Mitchell obviously has her feathers ruffled. If journalists can’t ask the questions, then the interviews are “fake.” WOW! That shows her skewed world-view.
They really don’t like Obama at Fox-but I expect more out of and MSNBC.
I went back and looked at stock footage of visits to Iraq…
congressional and otherwise. The fact is they are all shot by DOD
stock footage. In fact McCain’s visit to Iraqi soldiers was shot by
DOD personnel.
So what seems to be the problem? I do not get it.
Obama 2008!!!
Andre, please, fake come on. I guess the 3 pointer was too.,,.
oh, and imblacktoo, one more thing “little regard” for human life is murdering over 100,000 Iraqi citizens all while ignoring the Darfur crisis, and the disaster caused by the US gov’ts lack of response to victims of Katrina. sounds like you just need to sit down and talk to some real black people. you sound brainwashed by brainwashed white people.
i hear where you’re coming from D., and love that you have aknowledged the issue and reality of our deeply divided society. the positives clearly outweigh the negatives. You bring up a good question. Is Barack Obama really going to be beneficial to the African American communtiy? The answer is a resounding “yes!” because although Barack Obama is not African American, his wonderful wife, Michelle, is…which will be beneficial to African Americans. I feel they will fight to end the disparities that face African Americans, because they have experienced the affects of institutional racism in their lives. Barack’s multi-racial heritage will benefit black Americans because it will prove to many that you don’t have to be all-white to be alright. I am White/Latino, my husband is Asian/Black/and White…my 3 year old twin boys (and the girl on the way!) are White/Black/Latin/ and Asian!!! who’s going to tell them that because their heritage is not pure white that they will not succeed in this country? i will only be telling them the opposite, a quote from Nasir Jones, “life is what you make it.” A quote that Barack has lived by his entire life. a quote that we all should live by. we are never going to change the way the power elite control our society, but we can make personal changes to live a better life and contribute something positive to our community.
As a white man, I dont think white america will NEVER, EVER, impossibly be able to provide any vessel to the black community of healing for the past in this country. I say this because I do not think the black community as a whole knows what it will take themselves. In a society where an icon of the black community can relate to anyone of his own race with term (N-word) that he has made a career out of castrating the white man for saying in ANY shape or form is certainly not helping the original sin in the least. When hip-hop vagrantly and repetatively uses the term as passive lingo, it really loses it’s sting when thrown in the white man’s face. There is nothing that the white man can do positive in the black community without it being done SOLELY based on “white guilt” according to alot of people in the black community. It doesn’t scare me that Sen. Obama will become President (and he most likely will) because he is black. It scares me that he will get elected SOLELY based on his color whether it be through support of the black community or “white guilt” by those that cannot name a single policy of his. I have yet to meet anyone in some very educated cirlces, both black and white, that can recite a single belief of his. It offends me that the issues that plague the black community are solely resting at the white man’s feet when the issue with America as a whiole is the lack of responsible men, white or black, taking care of their children and being role models. It has been proven to be the biggest factor affecting drop-outs, drugs, crime, pregnancy, and poverty. IF today’s youth put as much into the kids they produce as they do in the clothes they wear, the cell phones the buy, the rims the ride on, and the shoes on their feet, we ALL would be in a better place. Yet when Sen Obama says this in a very subtle way, he is “talking down to black people”. So see the black community isn’t ready to look inward either. Here is an idea, demand more of yoursleves and each other and stop creating excuses for the things you can change and create movements for the things that seem to not change. But while you do that, demand more of your fellow brother so you quit giving the white man a reason repel your cause. Get your brothers off the street corners and to stop worrying more about an image than an education. I put myself through college while doing construction alongside hundreds of brothers who did nothing bu hate because I was getting something they weren’t. I went home and studies after washing the day’s dirt off me while they drank 40’s and smoked blunts on the corner. I wasn’t given a damned thing but I will live forever in the black man’s eyes as someone who was given the brass ring while reciting Dog Chapman chants at my dining room table. To think that it is impossible for a black man to be racist is being ignorant to what Louis Farakhan’s message is. Pertuating one hate based on another will never get to the healing that is needed. With that said, is it healing or retribution that is sought for? I dont one black man can agree with another on what is more important of the two. However, the white sees right through it in the incidents like Imus, Chapman, and others when they did nothing more spectacular than the black community does to themselves. However, when the sun goes down, it will be the white man’s fault that the black man thinks that way too. For every racist white man you can find, I can show you a brother selling poison to his own people IN his own community at no fault but his own because he thinks he’ll be the next biggie smalls and go from dealer to pimp and he only ends up going to prison. The white man didnt perpetuate that my friend. Mr. Boswell, you are incredibly smart and intuitive. Empower your people instead of embracing them. Embracing only serves to coddle.
I don’t mean to disrespect your “Black perspective” blog with my previous rant. Reading alot of your articulate commentary, there were underlying themes that conjured up alot of resentment as a white man that both sides bring to the table. I think ANY perspective into race is a good thing and seperating the views to just one side such as your blog will continue the separation. If your blog is linked to CNN and not Essence or Ebony then you can expect the masses to respond. I think this is another election where it’s the lesser of two evils as always. Remember that Obama is a politicain and a great motivator. One trait is severly overriding the other in his case. Whether he he gets elected or not, I pray to God that the next president takes us to a better place and restores the Constitution for what it REALLY says. Special Interest is killing this country with division and is prejudice in it’s own right. The only interest this country needs to have, that we need to have is in one another and not in the ills of yesterday or the lack of trust in tomorrow. I know this is sounding philisophical, but one thing I can agree with Obama on is that we do indeed need change. Unfortunately, it’s been the slogan of EVERY presidential campaign since I have been living. Let’s hope the investment of trust in Obama pays off when he undoubtedly becomes our next President. Afterall, we area society of the media and he is all that matters to the media.
An Obama presidency will make no significant difference for blacks anymore than having a black Supreme Court justice (Clarence Thomas) has. In fact, it has been detrimental as Thomas is an arch conservative and has ruled against affirmative action. Unfortunately for blacks he is no Thurgood Marshall!
Monique,
Vote for McCain instead of whom? My post doesn’t talk anything about who you should vote for.
I suggest that you study the issues, and then study the canidates positions; and determine who you will vote for that way.
Creative Black Man,
Not a very create commentary from you at all!
“so why not!”
I didn’t say he should not be president, so why are you addressing that to me?
Why not read and comprehend what I actually wrote?
Further, don’t tell me what to be proud about; I’ll determine that for myself.
For instance, I’m proud that I prefer thinking for myself and strategizing; rather than following the throngs into oblivious glee, and wishing upon a start that things just hopefully turnout alright.
Thanks, and have a nice day.
Reggie said:
“I would never have thought that someone of color would stoop so low as to think of such a thing.”
Reggie, you didn’t know people of color could think; shame on you. Considering social and political consequences of events is really low; yeah, you make a lot of sense. Please tell me you’re not Black!
“Maybe having a black president will help the younger generations relize that they can be anything that they put there minds to.”
Maybe it will, and maybe it won’t; but either way, how does that counter anything I said?
“I have to daughters and I will always encourage them to over achieve and not wait for someone else to take care of you.”
That’s wonderful. Still waiting for the part where you point out something that I wrote that was incorrect, or provide counter analysis or something.
“you little Wayne look a like”
Oh, so mature. I can’t believe you’d stoop to be so stupid and unoriginal.
“stop hating.”
Your intelligence and maturity are just unmatched. It must have taken a lot for you to learn how to speak in 15 year old.
Yobachi is asking questions. That’s what smart folk do. Rather than jumping down his throat because he dares to question conventional wisdom, you might consider actually engaging, even maybe thinking about what he has to say. Doesn’t mean you have to agree with him. But damn. Some of y’all are looking straight up foolish. If the best you’ve got is “lil’ Wayne look-a-like,” you need to shut up. That’s some pathetic shit if I’ve ever seen it.
Mr. Boswell is extremely articulate and well spoken that I respect his views as I would anybody. I am a white man striving to understand the dynamics of race relations in our country. I dont claim to be a scholar nor a critic. I wil say that I am watching “Black in America” not to make me an expert because I wouldn’t begin to insult a black person to think a TV can completely educate me but I believe it is a small start. A majority of my lack of understanding is the “white guilt” being perpetuated in our society because of double standards and lack of solutions by those who confront race head-on. I might ever reach an understanding but I believe that racism is systematic and not necessarily spurned by the average hard working american. IT is based on elitism and superiority complexes of both white and black leaders who use the common class for their personal agendas and not for the agenda of the people. When MS. Johnson cant afford her medicine and has to eat peanut butter 3x a day for meals, she doesn’t need to be black or white but simply poor. We have class racism of epic proportions that will surely crumble our society to pitchforks and bonfires. My point is that not all white people are racist and not all white people have an agenda when we try to understand. Thank you Mr. Boswell for your intelligent dialog.
Yobachi, this is what I posted at my blog:
Electing Barack Obama May Not Bring Fundamental Change, but Let’s Do it Anyway
Yobachi is Right, but So What?
Because of the attention it got from CNN, and my duty to archive a notice of it at AfroSpear in the News, I am just now reading an article posted by D. Yobachi Boswell at the AfroSpear’s BlackPerspective.Net blog on January 8, 2008. (Yobachi and I are also coordinators of the Afrosphere Action Coalition, along with Purple Zoe.)
In his January article, cited by CNN on July 22, Yobachi had the courage to pose some questions that many other Blacks were surely thinking without saying, publicly pursuing an argument that I had in private with many Black bloggers over the question of the value of ending the 43-term white male monopoly of the presidency. Yobachi wrote back on January 8,
Simply having individual Black people get positions is no longer nearly good enough; that’s not the ideal that I cherish. If we have a Black president, but Black people are still charged more for bank loans just for being Black, what difference does it make?
If we have a Black president, but are still herded into prison at extremely higher rate than whites who commit the same crime, then what difference does it make?
We need fundamental change, not just Negroes in high places. We need to stop being mystified by individual figureheads. BlackPerspective.Net
Here, I have to agree with Yobachi. There are plenty of Black presidents in Africa where parts of the Diaspora live in the deepest of misery. For me, electing a Black president is not a end in itself, but is a part of establishing that simply having brown skin must not and should not exclude Black people from any role in America, regardless of what it is. Simply having brown skin must not preclude us from serving as president; it shouldn’t mean that we are automatically charged more for cars and car loans; and it shouldn’t mean that we are herded into prison at rates six times that of white men.
However, the same question being asked by Yobachi of the presidency could be posed with respect to the local gabargemen’s union. What is the point of hiring the first Black garbagemen if it can’t be demonstrated that doing so will reduce the interest rate we pay on car loans and the rate at which we go to prison?
The truth is that there is no single job in America that a Black man or woman can get that will, in and of itself, end the American culture and politics of systemic denigration, subugation and exploitation of Black people based on the color of our skin. And yet, if we don’t compel America to elect its first Black garbagemen, then each of those men will be out of a job. If we don’t compel American to elect its first Black city councilwomen and school committee women, then those women and their communities will be less able to shape the education that their children receive. Electing them does not fundamentally change the system, but it may help to fundamentally improve the education that a few children receive, or at least will give a few Black people jobs on the city council that otherwise would have been unavailable to them.
As Yobachi eloquently urges us, let us not be “Politically immature and in-astute; believing getting a position is equivalent to Kingdom come.” But would electing a white male president again “fundamentally change” the system? Of course not! So, why should Barack Obama’s candidacy be held to a higher standard of expectation than the series of 43 consecutive white men who will have preceeded him?
As I have often said to Exodus Mentality, eating today does not resolve once and for all the fact that our bodies require continuous nourishment in order to stave off death. But eating today, imperfect a solution as it obviously is to the problem of lifelong hunger, does have the benefit of staving off hunger and death today, if only for this short time. It’s part of the human condition that no solution or resolution to our challenges is perfect or everlasting, except death itself. And so the fact that electing Barack Obama president will not, in and of itself, bring fundamental change is no reason to refrain from doing so.
Instead, we have to concede that some solutions that do not offer “fundamental change” are necessary nonetheless, because they are better than the alternative, which may be no change at all, or even retrogression.
Filling a cavity in my mouth, for example, will not fundamentally change the system that causes cavities and it will not even prevent cavities in other teeth, even within my own mouth. It is just one minute step in a process that will end when I die in any case, but is still worth engaging on a daily basis for so long as I am alive. Because the result of inaction is worse than the result of imperfect action.
One fundamental aspect of American history has been the 43-term white male monopoly of the presidency. American has never, ever elected a president who was not a white man. This has been part of and also has fueled a sense