For my parents and others in their generation, racism was defined as not being able to drink from the same water fountain as White folks, having to look to the ground while addressing someone White, having to sit in the colored section in the movie theater: you know, Jim Crow.
Today, racism has been reduced to one thing: Criticizing Obama. That’s right. Saying something critical about Obama is now being compared to the days when Blacks were attacked by police dogs, sprayed down by water hoses, lynched, beaten and economically sidelined–all because they were Black. Obama has achieved one of the most powerful positions in the world that, up to this time has been occupied by White men who had to endure global criticism. Yet, apparently the Black side of Obama is just too weak to handle the outburst of one Senator calling him a liar unless it is considered “racism”.
Obama’s supporters who continue to tar and feather critics with the racism charge do two things:
A – They cheapen both the definition and true history of racism both here and around the world.
B – They reduce Obama to “boy”.
Past Presidents like the Bushes, Clinton, Reagan, Carter, Ford, and even Nixon were all routinely subjected to the same types of criticism (and worse) that we are seeing today for Obama. Against his health care proposals? Angry about rising unemployment? Angry about the deficit? Angry about his handling of the war in Afghanistan? Under a half Black President, that anger is defined as “racism”.
I have only recently become a fan of the now syndicated sitcom “Frasier”. Frasier (played by Kelsey Grammer) continues his role as the psychiatrist from “Cheers” (another sitcom) who now has his own radio show. In this episode, the top brass at his station thinks it would be an excellent idea to make a rather overbearing fill in co-host (played by Kim Coles) a permanent replacement. If that wasn’t bad enough, this fill in then asks her friend to also join her. Frasier wants to say something about it, but something is holding him back.
Scroll to 1:14 in this next clip. Watch until 2:37.
It’s not just White folks who are made to feel intimidated to say anything negative about Obama. I have also met my fair share of Black folks who feel as if they have to start off their light criticism of Obama by saying “Now I’m not hating on him…”. With past Presidents, the thought of carefully crafting your criticism towards them made a person look weak. Now, it’s defined as being diplomatic.
History is something that we in the Black community say we value and cherish deeply. But to whore out some of those chapters just to score political points does nothing but further distort historical truth.
I wasn’t able to find a link to it, but George Will had a column a few months back (either right before or after the election) where he makes the point that electing a black President is only a small step. He says that this country will have truly made progress regarding race when all Americans will criticize an African American President as freely as we would a white President.
I personally find the pussyfooting around to be incredibly disrespectful and patronizing. I do not agree with 90% of President Obama’s policies. However, I do believe he is man enough to take any criticism that is being dished out.
I’d love to hear the President challenge all who playing the race card, in some kind of bizarre attempt to protect him, to just cut it out. He doesn’t need to be mollycoddled, that’s for sure.
http://planeideas.blogspot.com Thrasher
Obama is a Happy Negro and proud of it..Obama will toss a Black man under the bus in a negro second to appease whites and seek the validation..In his cum ba ya post racial era Black folks have zero currency..
It is so tragic after all these centuries to get a Brother in the White House and find out he is a pale face
http://arlenearmy.wordpress.com/ arlenearmy
This constant play of the race card has consequences. It will be realized in 2010.
Obama has allowed this to get out of hand. He pretends that its above his pay grade to address this. When Jimmy Carter turned up the volume, he throws a bone to “we the people” by kicking Kanye under the bus. When that stunt didn’t work, he dispatches Clinton to tap down the race-card controversy.
carlosw.
Of 62 yrs in this world, 1-1/2 yrs in V.Nam, 3 yrs in Germany as a G.I. brat I have been exposed to racism in many forms. For Black America to want Instant change and total acceptance from Limbahs America is insane. The same hatred for Black America in the 30s-40s–up to now will always be here…OUT OF FEAR!! For the religious freaks, Jesus’ hair was made of sheep’s wool? No blonde haired folks in that region, even CNN said that Jesus and Mary and the rest were Black. There is that vision of Blacks taking over? That after Obama it might be Rodriguez or Sanchez or Chin, or Lee. The phrase, Give us our Country back??? Obama got an Hispanic in the Supreme Court and has 2 or 3 more opptys. Black folks Chill, things will change in 8 yrs or less. It starts from the top and works it way down. 50 yrs for crack cocaine and drug rehab for “Snow” “WhiteGirl”. We are still dealing with institutionalized slavery. Kanye is a GD fool and doesn’t need support..he threw himself under the bus…No HipHop isn’t the only music and he needs to see a shrink. Dont let Money be YO PIMP young Black America. Don’t Ho to money PLEASE. Presidents like Congressmen and Senators are no more than a conduit for rich corporations…(Brokers) Obama is on a mission and if you see through the B.S. put yourself in his place u will understand RACISM IS JUST a distraction by the Republicans to keep Obama from his real mission of Health Care/Education/AIDS/Iraq/Employment… watch out for the Devil. Keep Yo Eyes on the Prize..The N word is not exclusive to Blacks, if you are oppressed, depressed or suppressed, then you Be a N.!!!! HipHop mentality is where whitey wants young blacks to be, and they are doing a good JOB with it….Later
Wearing Out The Card
by Duane on September 16th, 2009 at 7:57 am(Race Card image found on afrocityblog.wordpress.com)
For my parents and others in their generation, racism was defined as not being able to drink from the same water fountain as White folks, having to look to the ground while addressing someone White, having to sit in the colored section in the movie theater: you know, Jim Crow.
Today, racism has been reduced to one thing: Criticizing Obama. That’s right. Saying something critical about Obama is now being compared to the days when Blacks were attacked by police dogs, sprayed down by water hoses, lynched, beaten and economically sidelined–all because they were Black. Obama has achieved one of the most powerful positions in the world that, up to this time has been occupied by White men who had to endure global criticism. Yet, apparently the Black side of Obama is just too weak to handle the outburst of one Senator calling him a liar unless it is considered “racism”.
Obama’s supporters who continue to tar and feather critics with the racism charge do two things:
A – They cheapen both the definition and true history of racism both here and around the world.
B – They reduce Obama to “boy”.
Past Presidents like the Bushes, Clinton, Reagan, Carter, Ford, and even Nixon were all routinely subjected to the same types of criticism (and worse) that we are seeing today for Obama. Against his health care proposals? Angry about rising unemployment? Angry about the deficit? Angry about his handling of the war in Afghanistan? Under a half Black President, that anger is defined as “racism”.
I have only recently become a fan of the now syndicated sitcom “Frasier”. Frasier (played by Kelsey Grammer) continues his role as the psychiatrist from “Cheers” (another sitcom) who now has his own radio show. In this episode, the top brass at his station thinks it would be an excellent idea to make a rather overbearing fill in co-host (played by Kim Coles) a permanent replacement. If that wasn’t bad enough, this fill in then asks her friend to also join her. Frasier wants to say something about it, but something is holding him back.
Scroll to 1:14 in this next clip. Watch until 2:37.
It’s not just White folks who are made to feel intimidated to say anything negative about Obama. I have also met my fair share of Black folks who feel as if they have to start off their light criticism of Obama by saying “Now I’m not hating on him…”. With past Presidents, the thought of carefully crafting your criticism towards them made a person look weak. Now, it’s defined as being diplomatic.
History is something that we in the Black community say we value and cherish deeply. But to whore out some of those chapters just to score political points does nothing but further distort historical truth.