[Updated] No, I'm Not Waiting For White Approval
Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 06:36:04 AM PDT
In this election, much has been analyzed, over-analyzed, and some has just been plain wrong, in the bubble analysis. But one thing I have seen that is, imo, dangerous is this notion that African Americans are waiting for Whites to approve of all things political before we may speak to it. It is a vestige of slavery, Jim Crow, and the like.
This has got to stop. We talking about possibly electing the first african american president. Yet we are still suggesting that some how black people are waiting for white approval.
No, I'm not waiting for white approval.....
For full disclosure I have decided to support Edwards, and this is not candidate bashing post. I'm writing this from the perspective of an african american and I want to provide a look into the subtle political attack on what I call -- African American Thought Capital. This can just as easily apply to women as well.
In all other power foundations, whether it be music, sports, or entertainment blacks are taken on more leadership roles whether it's becoming producers with respect to music, coaching or owning team with respect to sports, or becoming directors with respect to entertainment. All except the political. When it comes to that somehow black thought capital is transported back to the plantation. We some how "don't understand" power. And the election season has brought out some delusion statements by the media, as well as those representing the candidate. And I say "representing" because sometimes the candidate is pilloried for something a zealous aide may have said.
For example, Clinton supporters/surrogates referred to Obama as "boy" in several appearences. Now some may say that's like saying "dude", but it is not, and does have racial taint to it. Some of Clinton supporters/surrogates, being from the south, know moreso than others, of the negative connotation the word "boy" means when applied to african american men. Now, am I calling Clinton supporters/surrogates racist, of course not, but neither are they stupid. When they chooses words, it's for a reason. When "Nigger" became less savory to say publically, the word "boy" was substituted. It was used not only to demean a black man in front of his family, but also his communtity, and colleagues. Then there is this idea that blacks in South Carolina and elsewhere are waiting with baited-breath to see how white people vote in early primaries. And this little meme is being regurgitated by the press over, and over again, and I can not tell you how insulting that is. However, some blacks make the environment conducive to allowing delusions to flourish. DLC Chair, Harold Ford, is one. He was so worried about white approval, specifically conservative white approval, in Tennesse that he skewed way to the right. Andrew Young, is another. I can assure everyone that I made my decision not based on, soley, analysis by the white community. But I did my homework. And black people have always been politically astute even if we haven't always had a seat at table.
It happen to Carol Mosley Braun, and Al Sharpton during there campaign. Say what you will about them, but they are highly educated and capable of handling themselves. Braun being just as credentialed as Biden on foreign policy, as well as many other black members in Congress. I remember hearing questions like (paraphrasing)"...Carol why are blacks not supporting your candidacy..." as if she would only have appeal to the black community, or the press would ask themselves why Sharpton is held out as a conduit through which to communicate with the african american community. He's not the only conduit, that's just who the predominately white punditocracy has approved of. There are many voice in the african american community should they choose to look for them. And while looking for us please stop patronizing us.
[Update]
- Some one below has "suggested" (to put it politely) I update a particular refernce to Bill Clinton. I can not find a transcribed version of the statement, but did find one of a surrogate. While I stand by my statement that I heard Bill, say or imply that Obama was a boy, I will update the diary as to not reflect badly on DKos. The words "Bill Clinton" was change to "Clinton supporters/surrogates"
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