A few week's ago, I was watching the news with a friend - there was a story about Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, and how they're among the most influential African Americans in the United States. I said to my friend, "Barack Obama is not black". Of course, I had to explain.
Virtually everything about Barack Obama's presidency to date has had little or nothing to do with his skin color. His policies, his speeches, praise heaped upon him, ridicule of his decisions... his skin color almost never comes up.
The political right are opposed to him on the basis of his ideology, and the decisions he makes based on it. His supporters are behind him for the same reason. Footnote: a lot of African-Americans and Africans alike favor Obama solely on the basis of his skin color or paternal lineage. These are good reasons to recognize and celebrate a historical achievement, not to blindly support a leader or political agenda (just my opinion). It's also true that the amplitude of his criticism is greater because he's black (I don't think anyone can deny that - economic or social minorities in every society, not just in America, have a higher bar to clear). End footnote.
So what's my point? Here it is, let's get it out. Race matters not! Success or failure are governed more by what an individual says and does, than by his skin color.
If Barack Obama had latched onto race as a political identifier, he would not be President. Instead, he sought a human condition (economic injustice) as the foundation of his philosophy. He has this, not putting race first, in common with other successful minorities (isn't it ironic then, how the left use race and class to divide us?).
Of course there are exceptions. A Chinese restaurant in Iowa must not assimilate to the degree of putting apple pie on the menu. An African-American musician should by all means draw upon generations of experiences and tradition unique to her culture to belt out a ballad. But for most of us, race matters not. Cash registers, Excel spreadsheets, and cement mixers don't care about race. When will we be as blind?
While we're talking about race, let me ask a question. Black people, I'm talking to you... when will it be enough? When will we have enough success and achievement to put Jesse Jackson out of business? This is not a rhetorical question - I'd really like an answer. What degree of equality are we seeking here? At what point will we look in the collective mirror, and take responsibility for our given condition?
Post Script
Many year's ago, I read a short political treatise by Chinua Achebe - The Trouble with Nigeria. Near the beginning of the book, Achebe asserted that the President of Nigeria did not live in Nigeria - a statement that was simply not true. He went on to explain what he meant, but the shock value of the statement had by then succeeded - I was sucked in, and continued reading. So I am in debt. If you stopped to read this post simply because of the weird title, it's owed to the literary genius of Mr. Achebe.
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6 comments:
Of course he was not elected to be a black president, so his orientation in respect of the presidency should not/must not be captive to the interests of a singular race. This though does not erase the fact that there are myriad reasons why race as a factor must never be foreclosed upon when discussing singular and and collective strides made by ... Read Moreany racial group. As long as there are still instances of practical, even systemic race based attitudes and decisions affecting one or several individuals, wherever they may be (and there is no reason to discount this possibility) then the question "when will it be enough" will be relevant based on the extent the principle of equality and equity will have permeated all sectors of the American society, in principle and deed.
Milton Obote Joshua
I am not black, so my view is different. But as for putting Jesse Jackson out of business. It won't be anytime soon. The black community still has not realized that some in this country would prefer to keep them in the inner cities and hopeless. It has become a cottage industry for some organizations and people. Look at what happened to Bill Cosby. He spoke some uncomfortable truths and was called a sellout. At some point personal responsiblity needs to taken. Realizing that an education and not having babies during your teenage years is your way out of the inner city cannot be achieved by the government. You have to do that for yourself.
You make great points that I'm sure most people that feel they have been victimized are not willing to accept. Many whites are ready to get beyond race, but it seems that just as whites are ready to advance is when the blacks have to hit the brakes and say 'wait a minute, we still have some complaints that need to be hashed out'. Well, that's what it seems like anyway.
As far as Jesse Jackson goes, I agree with conservative girl. If there was ever a time when there was true justice for ALL, JJ would be out of a job and would probably make up problems to stay relevant. Good post!
Milton (karachuonyo), thanks for the comments. Your point is articulated brilliantly, but you're wrong:) Enough! Move on, folks! I agree with you on one point though - racism exists. My contention tough, is that it is not relevant enough to hold us back.
Racism is as oppressive as one allows it to be. The cop that pulled me over for DWB last year or the store security guard that followed me in the mall a few weeks ago – these are overt nuisances, not oppression. They can no more oppress me than the humidity of a Washington, DC Summer. The more dangerous covert racism has a better chance of impacting my life and liberty. Are there jobs that I've missed out on because I'm black? More than likely. But that only means that I have to raise my game. I must work harder. I must do more than "John Doe, white dude" to get the same thing he has. It is not an excuse for failure. It is a rational for overachievement. So I say to you, Milton, "enough". Now let's get to the task of improving our lives.
"Just a conservative girl" and “Sarah”, thank you as well for your comments. Black America has an issue that’s difficult to face, let alone discuss in the company of others. We must first admit that there is a culture of underachievement within our ranks. Then and only then can we seek to address it. As long as Jesse is there blaming “the man” for any injustice, we can’t and won’t get through step 1. I submit to you that the mental shackles we place on ourselves are more oppressive than all the bigoted cops and CEOs combined.
I’ll finish by reminding the reader that I am NOT suggesting that racism is dead. It is out there. The degree to which it controls our lives is the part that I take issue with.
you got me! and trust I was ready! guess who?
Guess who? I have no idea. Not even a clue.
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