Say it one more time & I’ll whoop you.
If one more person says Barack Obama is not really “African-American” I will without a doubt and without a nanosecond of hesitation rip their lips off. This is a loaded statement if there ever was one. It brings to mind so many implications. First, what is an African-American? I’ll tell you: It’s a completely imprecise moniker for a displaced and dispossessed people. Descendants of slaves. No names. No traceable ancestry. No country. No language. No cultural ties. Everything African-Americans have in terms of culture is self-created or apart of indiscernible genetic memory that can barely be verified. This term was created because some leader of the 80s thought it would inspire pride or self-worth. It really is an arbitrary and inaccurate name. The best label for the descendants of slaves in
This ridiculous comment also calls to mind: is this a dis to “real” African-Americans? Are we to gather from this statement that he is better because he is not burdened with the point-of-view of “real” African-Americans. He is not tainted with an “African-American” agenda. I don’t really care if he is “African-American” or what. So what if is not saddle with being nameless in
He is a brilliant man. He is a thoughtful man. He is a courageous man. He is an insightful man. He can change
Uh, can you tell I like him?
6 comments:
Just like Marvin Gaye, this "Obama isn't Black" bull makes me wanna holla. What the hell? Clearly, the Black Baby Boomers are trying to do him in --- and they gotta go. I am tired of the Black Boomers telling us (the under 40s) how to think, where to live, how to recognize our history and how to be Black. There is no one way to be Black. Since when? ATL Black is different from Los Angeles Black. Kentucky Black is sure as hell different from DC Black. Hell---Louisville Black is different from Paducah Black. Upper level Black differs from low income Black. And so on and so on.
The best part of us exists because we are so different - in skin tone, hair texture, and racial heritage. I am a deep chocolate brown, but my paternal grandmother can pass for white without even trying. So, am I Black enough (to run for president)?
Damnit. This so frustrating. An excellent presidential candidate is being torpedoed by his own kind. But since Sen. Obama has been Black all his life, I am sure he is used to how "we" act. And yet he loves us just the same.
And for the record -- Barack, Michelle and the kids come from the Southside of Chicago. It don't get no Blacker than that.
And also, thanks to that idiot Sen. Joe Biden, I have willingly been referring to myself as "clean and articulate". I do it just to mess with people.
My candidate considerations, thus far:
Hilary (D)-- Nope
Obama (D)-- Yes
Biden (D) - Hell No
Guliani(R) -- I will wait and see
McCain(R) - Nope (he would croak in office)
Romney (R)- I will wait and see
Richardson(D) - Yes (I think he will come from behind like a sleath bomber a la Clinton I in 1991)(He just needs an "Arsenio" momnet)
Brownback (R)- Double Hell No
Huckabee (R)- He won't last anyway so it doesn't matter
Damn..I could not have said it better myself! Praise to you Sister Felicia!
I live in Chicago. I live on the Southside of Chicago. I volunteered on Sen. Obama's campaign.( along with half the southside of chicago...ummm...a black community no less!) He is a black man. He is real. He is a deeply devoted man - To his children..his wife...his community..AND to this country.
Damn...every single U.S. Citizen should be required to read his book.."The Audacity of Hope!" It was so real, yet so intellectually reaching and refreshing...his insight and real spirit is exactly what this country needs! All these folks out here that say he does not have the experience, or he isnt "black enough" how bout he isnt "religious enough"..."too liberal"!!! Damn...have they read his books? Have they listened to his speeches? Have they had a conversation with him?
He actually talks about real issues...real solutions...man as a nation, if it could only be blessed anough to be HONORED with the leadership he brings to Illinois! AND I AM a brown person living in Illinois, so I think I can speak for his leadership.
Very, very, very interesting.
However, here’s where I descent from my liberal comrades. (I bet some conservative is saying, “AH HA I knew they were COMMIES!”
To comment on the first contention that Barak is not African American I would refer to the old theory of separating good blacks from bad blacks. I’m surprised this is being done by blacks as has been stated. This historically has been done by whites and other groups. It’s been done to me. Black persons who do not demonstrate the held stereotypical behavior and profiles are separated from the mass. I’m sure others have heard it before as well. “You not like them. You’re different. Are you sure that you’re black? You’re not really black.” This seems harmless on the surface however what is actually being said is what we hear in the lower economic rung of black society. If you go to school, have a masterful control of the English languish and enjoy activities found out side the hood, you aren/ain’t black! I’ve had this accusation railed against me before. This, maybe why some whites can see themselves voting for Obama. He isn’t really black. He’s different. This has been the accusation or view that MANY of our leaders have had to contend with. Some unfamiliar with history may be surprised to find that even Booker T. Washington was viewed by some this way. There were some who felt his intelligence could be attributed to the fact that his father was white! Obama fits in well with people who have this view. Obama being African American or not is easily resolved when people look at it from a Pan African view. This is the view that All Africans are connected. Whether that African ancestor came to this country in chains or on a plane is minute when one sees things from the Pan African view…but that’s is a long and drawn out discussion for another time.
Here’s where I am sure to lose most people. A friend of mine asked about the Southern black senators immediately getting behind Clinton over Obama. Some people in my generation are upset about this. I personally am not. I’m sure most people are surprised to hear this.
The reason being is because this may be a sign that our Country is evolving! A political commentator commented that we are seeing white women align with Obama and black men with Clinton. We are seeing people actually vote on ISSUES and not based on racially affiliation. Is that NOT a good thing and what our parents fought for in the 50’s and 60’s!?
Here’s where I take a more sinister view though. I understand and accept that in political all things are strategic and calculated. It was purported that someone said they didn’t want to throw their support behind someone who couldn’t win. I would reluctantly have to agree. There is being optimistic and there’s being realistic. Unfortunately it seems that many times the Democrats aren’t realistic when it comes to dealing with Middle America! Seriously, ask yourself this question. Could you see them electing a black governor of your state? This is for WHO ever is reading this where ever you are? With most people I would believe the answer would be no. I don’t believe this country is ready to accept a black man as the President.
Here are my pieces of evidence.
1. The Republicans are a good example. Do recall a few years ago when there Alan Keyes was running? The interviews were, “Yes, he’s a great man and American.” “Would you vote for him?” The vacant stares said it all. Even with Collin Powell there has been hesitation to say, “Yes we will vote for him.”
2. Just this last election cycle there was a very well polished moderate candidate from Tennessee. He had all the key ingredients for a successful BLACK candidate. He was the right shade (Let’s not say this doesn’t matter when we know there still is a complex regarding dark and light). He came from the right family. Had a good SOLID American name. Good education. They didn’t put him in. It just took a few commercials that insinuated that old southern myth of Black brutes ravishing Southern Belles. This caused his lead to SINK… Even though the other camp pulled the ads even with the heavy hitter brought in to boost him. Even with his effective public record, Tennessee said no to Ford.
There are other examples but I think these two convey what I’m trying to say. I could be wrong though. I wouldn’t have expected a black man to win the Governorship of Massachusetts but it happened.
The one thing that Obama and all the other people have going for them is that currently most people are still fed up with the Republicans. Unless the Democrats in Congress just PISS the people out. The next President of these United States will be a Democrat.
I currently am behind Hillary. I like her and I know her. I don’t know Obama. I know that she has paid her dues. However, I’m worried about her winning too. The Republicans HATE her. They demonize her at EVERY turn. She cannot appease them. If she stands by her husband she’s damned, if she doesn’t she’s damned. They said for her to be more personable, she made a joke and they JUMPED on that. So I don’t think that this race will be GIVEN to her. She will have to earn it. I would be interesting to see her and Obama on the same ticket. That would be an interesting dramatic play…. I can see the wagging tongues now.
I still like most of the people in the Democrat camp. The man from Delaware didn’t upset me. People say and think that kind of stuff ALL the time. It wasn’t really offensive as much as it was a faux pas. The man from N.M. is good too, but I think he has the same problems that Obama has, that color line.
With the Republicans the best we could hope for would be McCain and they say that we are all in trouble is
Guliani gets in.
P.S.
Another thing that we should be aware of is just cause someone looks like us doesn’t mean they have our best interest in mind. Sometime a white person or other non-black person can be a BETTER representative than a black person/black at hand! ????
Examples are the events that have taken place in Atlanta. There is a black judge that people are upset with. There was a case here recently where two black brothers were convicted of touring a puppy. In Georgia it was recently made a felony. The judge sentenced them to 10yrs! There are a lot of people upset about that. They did the crime etc.. However many people believe that’s an excessive punish for Juvenile who will be sent to PRISON with no REHABILITATION and will come out in TEN years worst than when they went in. As one person commented, why put people in who look like us when they do the same as they claim people that don’t look like us do?
Then let’s not forget the IMFAMOUS…Ward Connerly…coming to see you in LOUISVILLE soon!!!
How about Edwards and Obama as a Democratic ticket
Edwards and Obama...?
I like both people..but i dont't think it melds politically.
Both are relativiely newcomers and outsiders. Where's the person with the legacy and reputation with politicos? That's what they were hoping for with Kerry and Edwards.
Kerry's old establishment connections combined with Edwards fresh face new ideas etc...
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