The Blackwoman has gown weary of segregation. Integration too. At this moment, it would seem that the internet is as segregated as America. I'm just not up for it anymore.
There is clearly a white and black blogesphere. Whether we like admitting it or not,the internet is a segregated place. On a site like Daily Kos where ostensibly democrats gather to work for the elction of more and better Democrats, there is a distinct faction that has attempted through the months to dismiss black voices that call for civility,not silence when discussing the politics and policies of our President.
For every hide rate calling the President and his supporters Obamabots,cool aide drinkers(forget about Jonestown and the tragedy there) to sycophants, the street slang for women's genitalia and everything but a child of God, this vicious and at times racist (yeah I said it) name-calling has done nothing to cement relationships between the demographic at this site and the most reliable base in the Democratic party. Namely black folk.
Black people embraced William Jefferson Clinton even as he signed into law 'three strikes', welfare reform (thought this impacted more white children than black people in general) Nafta and the de-rugulation which has made a great deal of the current crop of bullshit possible. Most of us did so in large part because as a people we are clear about which side our bread is buttered. And even when we don't get everything we want, we know we have a far better chance of this happening while there is a Democrat in the Oval Office.
None of the black people I know who were keenly aware of just what the obstacles this man would face once inaugurated and America moved past the warm and fuzzes of watching Bush leave and Obama sworn in, even remotely expected his road to be anything less than extremely difficult. We saw it during the primaries.
Some of the same voices that screamed 'he's not angry enough' 'he doesn't understand how to 'fight', why doesn't he do this or that, still complain non stop about whatever he does. Lately the complaints extend to what he hasn't done and how he chooses to negotiate. As if a deal had been signed sealed and delivered. For some of this ,such talk is but an extension of that good ole' American axiom, "A black man accused is a back man guilty".
Calling a black man a sell out is akin to calling him an Uncle Tom. (Before you start on me about the saintly nature of Uncle Tom in the book, know that my reference is to what Uncle Tom means in the black community.)
Mind you many blacks who are paying attention, noticed immediately the lack o respect shown to this man. When that jerkazoid called the President a liar during a joint session of Congress, there were some on this very site eho tried to deny his roots in the Confederacy.
OS far as I can tell, few whites on this site can har the dog whistles. Or care to.
I have grown weary of the same old black men they trot out in an effort tomake it seem that Black people are dissatisfied with this President. I don't remember Cornell West raising his voice to say 'enough' when our President was disrespected in his address during his address before both parties of Congress. Maybe I missed something or maybe like many if not most blacks, he simply does not speak for black people. Ditto that hater Tavis Smiley.
In order to hear the voices of those in the black community, you would have to visit the segregated black blogs, where disagreements about policy do not devolve into character assassinations and rank name calling.
There is also a Black While Blogging Convention, where black bloggers get together and discuss the issues of having their voices heard amongst the cacophony of what passes for discourse on 'white' sites. Not at all like Netroots Nation.
And it's not just about Obama. Three diaries were written about the 11.5 million Africans slated to die because of famine and the politics of Al Quaeda. Pooties get more notice. And before you start defending pootie diaries, I have nothing personal against them. They are just fine in my book. I just am appalled that so called progressives gives very little attention to the light of 11.5 million people who just happen to be black. In fact do a search and check out the diaries which deal with Africa and see just how paltry the reads and rec's are in those diaries.
Ditto the criminal injustice system in this country. Though CIK makes the rec list every week for at least a little while, they cannot hold a candle to the diaries eviscerating the President.
In diaries that call for unity and a focus upon the real enemy of the Democratic Party, the usual suspects come in with rants about Obama as if they are completely unaware of how government works.
I am glad that Denise made front pager. Happy in a sense for Brooklynbadboy though I admit we do not see the world from the same perspective as black folk. But the Daily Koss is as segregated as the old South as far as I'm concerned.
Many a talented writer with something to contribute have left this site. Are leaving this site. Count me as one of them.
I've done my share of integrating. I live in a town with 2500 people. Seven are black. I have done my part over the years to dispel stereotypes only to have to come to this site and see them repeated under the guise of criticizing the President.
I will be working in whatever capacity I can to elect my Congressman to the office of Governor of this fair state. I will work my ass of to make sure he is not replaced by a Democrat in name only. I will give, volunteer and do whatever I can to get this President re-elected with Democrats who are not afraid to step up and defend our President. something we've seen very little of even during the primaries I might add.
I guess I'm not supposed to notice.
I've grown weary of the dog-whisltes on both sides of the aisle. I never wrote nor have I ever read that criticizing his policies are racist. Many of the criticism of him personally are. Racist. Of course, his constant distractors will not see the distinction.
I call bullshit on those who relentlessly find fault and seem unwilling or unable to give credit even where credit is due.
And for the ordinary black person's take on healthcare,, if President Obama had the support of his Democratic Congress, the public Option would have passed. I am worn out listening to the so called Progressive's version of Barack the Magic Negro.
And as far as it goes, I will stack my activist creds with any on this site. While some of you were on a big wheel, I was marching. My last march was on the eve on the Iraq war. Interestingly enough most of the marchers that day were people my age. Worn warriors from marches past.
By site rules I cannot call someone a racist without proof. Not sure what 'proof' is exactly acceptable but...
When you constantly uprate racist and their comments because they are your crew. When you defend Jane what's her name and her racist and vile allegiances with the one man who has extracted signed pledges from US Congressman not to raise taxes under any circumstance. When pointing our her perfidy makes you somehow less progressive, then I say enough is enough.
I am leaving Daily Kos. I do not have the energy to be surrounded by people with whom I have very little in common. And I am not just speaking about race, though that is certainly one of the areas where there is the least amount of commonality.
I have met wonderful people on this cite. People who were willing to stand up and who continue to do so against the rampant privilege this site is noteworthy for in so many instances. Thank each and every one of you for your willingness to support a community that is both small and decreasing in numbers. Some of you have changed my life and whose friendship I will always cherish.
The rest of you I will give no more thought to once I am gone than I do right at this minute. If you are not republicants in disguise, or operatives, then you might as well be. This is my opinion and not a statement of fact. I don't know who you are. In reality.
Ssome appear so protective of the rights to dissent they cannot for a moment fathom that there might be a time for Democrats ito get into lock-step to get things done. This would be such a time. Let's see how well
Over the next sixty days or so, I will be starting a new blog sistahspeakbyrobinswing.com. I hope to write for blogs in the black blogosphere where I can be surrounded with people of both like minds and similar experiences. People who both understand white privilege and who have spent their lives living with it.
I wish the brothers and sistahs who remain here the very best of everything. Y'all got more heart than I do to keep wrestling with people who seem to like to wrestle. Homegirl is over it.
I guess my new and final (on this site) sig line says it best. OH...and in America, it's always abut race.
Now run and tell that.