President Barack Obama this month launched “African Americans For Obama.” This video shows Obama with an articulate and moving message tied to African American month, but is it the right message? There is no question this is a direct appeal to race as a unifying theme with supporters — a move that would be denounced if tried by his white opponents. In the video, Obama states “I don’t think there’s a better time than Black History Month” for this effort, but some view this as the worst time for an open injection of race as a motivating factor in politics. I am frankly divided on the issue because I can see the justified pride of this community in President Obama. However, I remain uneasy over a direct appeal from the President on race — just as I have criticized past appeal to sectarian religious groups by presidential candidates.
It has long been a touchstone of American politics that appeals to race are dangerous and divisive. That certainly does not mean that race is not a factor in politics. However, the common open references to race that marred prior elections in the sixties and even the seventies were considered things of the past. If African Americans are united by their racial bond with Obama, does that mean that other candidates can appeal openly to white communities? Clearly other communities organize around their common identities from Cubans to Koreans to Italians. However, organizing solely on the basis for skin color should raise some legitimate concerns and objections, in my view. Indeed, we have strongly condemned past candidates who made even veiled references to race.
One answer could be that blacks have a shared history of oppression that whites lack. This history gives them a special bond not found in other communities. I do believe that argument has merit. Yet, this is a significant change in the long-standing aversion to open appeal to race as a unifying theme.
It is an interesting issue that is worthy of debate among people of good faith. It is not just limited to politics (though that tends to be the most unnerving). There is a growing movement toward incorporating race and gender distinctions in public policies. I have previously written about how we have reinforced segregation principles in our schools and prisons (here and here and here). I do see the distinction drawn by those who see a clear distinction for African Americans and I find aspects of that argument quite compelling. However, in the long struggle to remove race from politics, this troubles some of us.
On the social level, there is also a growing trend toward voluntary segregation. There is an array of race-based dating sites, the most prominent being BlackPeopleMeet which advertises widely. Once again, the question is the likely response to a dating date for white people. Unlike religious dating sites which deal with communities with established religious practices and limitations in dating, a race-based dating site offers a form of voluntary segregation.
It creates an interesting contrast in how our laws treat real and virtual meeting spaces. The Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination or segregation in places of public accommodation. Thus, a public restaurant cannot adopt the exclusionary practices as the place “where Black people eat” or “where White people eat.” Yet, presumably these sites are restricted to members of particular races. These are perfectly legal as associations, of course.
I also realize that associations have long been defined on exclusionary groups from Italian-Americans to Irish-Americans to share cultural norms and practices. Moreover, I do not question the right of people to choose racially exclusive associations — as much as I abhor them. I understand that people feel that they need the shared experiences and culture in such sites. I support the right to have such sites and association regardless of my dislike for racial exclusionary practices. However, I believe this trend — particularly in politics — undermines rather than advances the cause of men like Martin Luther King and the successes highlighted during Black History month. To that end, I think that the President is being a bit irresponsible in organizing part of his campaign along racial lines. I have leveled similar criticism on this blog and in columns over candidates making sectarian appeals to their own faith groups. A reference to a candidate’s own faith can have the same divisive (if unintended) impact on our political discussion.
More than anyone else, a president should be a unifying figure in our country. I did not vote for Obama because he was black and I do not believe that people should support or oppose him on that basis now. What is fascinating is that Obama doesn’t even need to organize along race. He has always received overwhelming support in the black community. Yet, his campaign has decided to take this step despite the inevitable criticism for “playing the race card.” While race will continue to play a role for many citizens in their voting, the President should stick to “Americans For Obama” rather than organize citizens according to their race in my view.
What do you think?
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As I recall, it was the Mittster who really pushed for an open primary. One should always be careful what one wishes for. Also, I guess it is OK for the likes of Andrew Breitbart and others to urge Republicans to cross over, but becomes “hate” if Kos suggests it. FWIW, many regular users on Daily Kos are opposed to the idea, but this is a free country and Markos can do whatever he wants.
Swarthmore,
That was a great video clip of Obama.
SwM,
Geez, he was great in front of the UAW. Never heard him so good.
What lines: Ted K quote; “What is it that they find about working men and women so offensive. (ie repubs?).
Wish knew enough to burn a DVD and put it in a bank vault, dedicated to folks in a hundred years. “Here was our chance. Did we take it.”
idealist707, I prefer to think stumped not biased.
SwM,
Are they completely stumped or ashamed of their bias?
I’m still waiting for an answer to my question to Jill. Guess it’ll be a long wait.
Do tell me more.
The_Fed,
Liked your take. Bought it completely, which is evident if you see my previous posts.
Only disappointment was when you revealed yourself as black. Was hoping you were zebra striped. Or better yet, Afghani.
(Met one a few days ago, pleasant contact. We talked about Rumi, although he uses another name for him—-the afghani name.)
Foreigners know they are invisible in Swedish eyes, so i quickly explain that I’m American and enjoy talking to other foreigners here. Here you see, no one becomes Swedish even if born here, if they aren’t ready to put up with crap and fight.
That’s how Swedes are. “We are Swedes and no one is or can be equal.”
How many are like that there? I tell when asked that I think when in American that they (foreigners) will be quickly assimillated if they accept a mangling of their names, eat hamburgers, and stop eating garlic, etc., and become an NFL and NHL fan. Of course, addiction ot summer sports are required too.
In fact, the language can not be spoken properly by someone not born here.
It is closely alligned with mandarin chinese in that it is a toning language.
But then, I’m rambling—-again.
But don’t remind me of your “color”. Unless you want to cuss me out or give me a bad conscience. And I’ll never tell you that one of my closest friends is a guy from Somalia, or whereever. Although Chuck Dowdy from Lancaster, CA shared a villa with Bill and I in Thailand. But that was because we promised to wax his moustache and tie his shoelaces every morning—–if you believe it.
As I say to my mexican friends: hasta mañana del Gringo. aka honky.
Daily Kos hate website sent out an email to 8,500 Michigan democrats yesterday to vote for Rick Santorum in the open primary elections today.
Michael Moore: “My Democratic Friends Will Vote For Santorum”
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/02/28/michael_moore_a_lot_of_my_democratic_friends_will_vote_for_santorum.html
(btw … I have missed your presence and am glad to be dialoguing with you again)
Thanks Blouise that was sweet. The feeling is mutual. Happy belated Valentines Day 😉
If voting for Obama was JUST about race, then we (the Black people) would’ve vote for SEVERAL other candidates way before Obama came into the picture.
Every cycle there is a Black candidate or two running. So to dumb down our votes as nothing more than racially motivated is a tad bit insulting.
Also, for those who say that is sabotage to vote for Obama, I’m curious as to who ANYONE should vote for. If you are waiting around for that PERFECT candidate, that’s perfectly find, just please stand aside so the rest of us can go on with our nomal lives. Let us know when you find that perfect person.
One thing this topic is missing is reality. We pretend to live in a world were all things are equal, and what is true for one is true for other, when we KNOW that isn’t the case.
So, if we are actually being honest with ourselves (something tells me we probably aren’t) then we would agree that this is a non-issue. And comparing it to white counter-parts COMPLETELY ignores our 400+ year history.
You want to know the difference between blackpeoplemeet and a white equivalent? On blackpeoplemeet you will find, black people, white people, Hispanic people, Asian people, etc.; not in an effort to step on one race to benefit another, but to unify folks in an open and inclusive manner. Again, IF we are being honest with ourselves, a white site would be an exclusive site, aimed and dividing folks based on a rational that one race is better than the others; as a result, should not be intermingled in an effort not to tarnish the superior race.
If we can’t see that these are two COMPLETELY different genesis, then what’s the point. No matter what happens, you will only lie to yourself to help you sleep at night.
This isn’t about separating races, except only to white people, who actually want the races separated. If you got to a black school, or turn to a black channel, look at black fraternities, or even look at black scholarships, the main difference is that you will see folks of ALL races. Because being proud to be black doesn’t mean you have to hate everyone else, nor does it mean that you feel blacks are superior to all other races. In actuality, all races are equal and equally celebrated and invited. Historically speaking, pro-white organizations do not take that approach. The do feel they are superior. They DON’T want any other race or nationality defiling their pure white race. Eradication of other races is an option.
Again, the two positions are starting at two COMPLETELY different points. Comparing them to each other diminishes the work of one and legitimizes the work of the others. It’s really sad that this is the case in 2012.
idealist707, We know Obama certainly is lacking in the area of civil liberties but when one asks some people what candidate does have the “integrity” that they are looking for one is met with silence for the most part although some have said Paul. So what is their message as to whom to vote for?
Bob, Esq,
I know I’m interrupting a dialogue but you’re speaking in public you know.
What kind of world do you live in? Have you never compromised with your conscience? BS, short and sweet.
You all are eating lunch or will soon.
But here’s my latest idea.
We “whites” have had it too good for too long.
You know ruling the roost, being called Mr., Ma’am, Colonel, instead of all the slurs we used on others…. i won’t list them but you won’t have to go too far back to have heard them uttered. Now, we’ve all learned to watch our mouths, even if our parents or social contacts didn’t teach us.
So what’s happening now. Well, in the years after the fifties the doors were opened, the borders penetrated, the foreign students got Silicon Valley manned for us, and the color of America became darker.
The few Pakistanis, in general I found so irascibly argumentive, became later maannnyyy Pakistanis.
Everywhere we looked they were here. And slowly for some, but ultimately for most, the idea of a self-evident majority position was rapidly fading.
In Sweden we got recently a white supremacy/anti-immigrant party in parliament . Yóu know your example of resistance against demographic and potential power shift better than I.
But how insular we are, the world is one of color. Whites are and always have been the minority worldwide. Accept it.
Be glad you are a, so far, expected but not always respected part of it all, here and abroad. If we screw up more, we’ll soon be in the position of the Boers in South Africa, post apartheid.
Amazingly, in a way, the Swedish government sent lots of money to ANC from early on. But none to NAACP, where the need was equally dire.
They were just chicken, of course. Scared of CIA/NATO when it probably were the boers who assassinated Palme, our Prime Minister, who sent the money to ANC.
I remember reading a SF story as a young boy, it was about where we would have a world government, and the president was black. Pretty advanced in pre-1954.days. What’s your take on the future? And as many have observed here today: Why are we having this discussion? Obama wants votes, sure.
But I think he wants all to feel included, especially our repressed minorities and all together they are many, all suffering under code names, hidden or not so hidden barriers, etc.
That’s what a nation is, one united by all feeling being part of something common to all, with common goals,and common opportunities. It’s also simply why neither Lebanon nor Iraq will be nations.
Do we want to? You will be voting on your future in November.
Nuf’ said.
“EVERY politician/candidate does this. Why is it being scrutinized because he’s doing it now, when it is part of the political game?!?!” (LEIGHOWENS)
Exactly … I repeat, much ado about nothing
Mike S.,
I think your analysis gives short schrift to those who value integrity in thought and action. These would be the same people who felt personally harmed when they realized they were being manipulated to lie to themselves and others by president Clinton during the Lewinski scandal.
People who dislike Obama because he is bereft of integrity would not vote against him to preserve their ‘selve esteem’; rather they would do it to preserve their sense of self and sanity.
“Above all, don’t lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others.”
― Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Mark me down in the “What The Janitor said” column.
Just because I love science fiction doesn’t mean I don’t love western or other genre just as well. Or to play the inverse emotion, hate, I defer to the 1971 classic “Dirty Harry”:
Gonzales: There is one question, Inspector Callahan: Why do they call you “Dirty Harry”?
De Georgio: Ah that’s one thing about our Harry, doesn’t play any favorites! Harry hates everybody: Limeys, Micks, Hebes, Fat Dagos, Niggers, Honkies, Chinks, you name it.
Gonzales: How does he feel about Mexicans?
De Georgio: Ask him.
Harry Callahan: Especially Spics.
This is a non-issue so long as the differences in people aren’t played for division for political gain. Acknowledging differences is not the same as exploiting them. I think even Dr. King would have stipulated that fact.
@Swarthmore mom, LEIGHOWENS, rafflaw, idealist707:
Thanks, guys. Glad to know I’m not alone on this one.
I vote for the janitor, even before I read it.
If you want me to paste it on your noses, some people here are sensitive, touchy, myself included. And most would on self-examination find there is respect they expect and feel should automaticallly be accorded them.
Now, I’ve tried to paint a little of the blacks experience. Now if you’ve the honesty and empathy for it, think how you would handle it, every day of your life, and of your children’s lives, and extended certainly equally long forward as long back in time.
One thing I regret was when seeing the blacks picketing for employment outside the Wachovia Bank in 1958, and I had the impulse to take a picket poster and parade with them. I didn’t. But i produced the first inter-racial play contest that fall at NCSU. We had 3 black colleges participating.
What the Janitor said!