If we are in Post Racial America, why are books like “Barack Obama and the Jim Crow Media: The Return of the Nigger Breakers” being written?
Last week TV and Radio Host Glenn Beck said the following in discussing the 2010 Census:
“African-American is a bogus, PC, made-up term. I mean, that's not a race. Your ancestry is from Africa and now you live in America. Ok, so you were brought over -- either your family was brought over through the slave trade or you were born here and your family emigrated here or whatever but that is not a race.”
Last weekend Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid apologized for remarks he made in 2008.
Reid said the following -
“He believed that the country was ready to embrace a black presidential candidate, especially one such as Obama -- a 'light-skinned' African American 'with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one.
Let’s face it folks –
What most White folks know about Black folks could be placed in a thimble. White men in the media want to comment on Blacks but don’t know the first thing about us. What in the HELL does Reid know about “Negro Dialect?” That dweeb represents the state of Nevada. After Las Vegas, where are the rest of them “Negroes?” Reid called Obama to apologize and of course he accepted. Sometimes I wish Obama was more “Paul Mooney” and less “Steven Q. Urkel.” But the latter is what appeals to some Whites. They like the appeal of the “Non-Threatening Black Man” or the “Magic Negro” character in Hollywood movies. A “Safe” Black man is more neutered and is less prone to go all “Farrakhan” on them. Anytime a Black person stands up for themselves (i.e. being assertive) they are accused of being uppity. Anytime a Black person does well in their career they are lucky. Anytime a Black athlete does well it’s always because of their skill and not their IQ. I guess if Black folks just keep quiet and don’t ask for much, they will live happy lives. God Forbid if they want to be anything more than a Field Hand. Some White folks have been duped into believing the world was going to end with the election of a Black president. They were expecting Obama to have a fish fry on the White House lawn. And that the Rev. Al Sharpton would be his Secretary of State. America has produced some of the most intelligent Blacks that the world has ever seen. But some Whites don’t think we could run a convenience store correctly.
Glenn Beck reportedly has few Black friends because he is afraid he will say something stupid and offend them. Ha! This terd is apparently confused. He has been saying stupid things since he’s been on television. His employer Fox News is the biggest offender of African Americans/Blacks/Niggers/Coons or whatever else they call us. They masquerade as a legitimate news company while hurling insults at Black folks (i.e. Pissing on me and then telling me…oh no! That’s just yellow rain coming in from Canada). And when they have Black commentators on, they throw cover to blatant Fox News’ racism. On more than one occasion, Fox News Analyst Juan Williams has been referred to as a “House Negro” by other Blacks in the media. The 2010 reality is that Blacks are not a monolithic race but damn…..can we at least call racism when we see it? Black Republican Ron Christie could have a noose around his neck and he would probably say “excuse me, could you loosen this up a bit.” Beck makes money from misinforming White folks by throwing out generalizations and stereotypes. All while under the guise of being an “American Patriot.” If Beck is afraid of Black folks, then imagine how his followers must feel? This speaks volumes for the future of Race Relations in America. Also the popularity of Fox News shows that there is an even further disconnect between the races.
The reason I don’t have any close White friends is not because I’m worried about saying something stupid. It’s because I don’t know if I’ll be able to be myself around them. I don’t want to be the “Safe Negro” around my White friends. I want to be able to be myself. I shouldn’t have to play down my views based on my race because I need to make my White friends comfortable. Most Black folks have to go to their jobs everyday and attempt to fit in. On the other hand, White folks just show up being themselves. Some Whites are so afraid of minorities that the year 2050 has been advertised as the end of the world. If Reid and Beck would take the initiative to learn about Black culture, maybe they wouldn’t make crazy statements. The passing down of ignorance from generation to generation is an epidemic. Black folks have been in America since the 1600’s and all some White folks only know about Lebron James and Will Smith. The key to eradicating ignorance is education - dummies!!! Stop judging Blacks from the criminals on the 6pm Nightly News. Those individuals are not a true representation of the race as a whole. Think about this: Most of us still speak to White folks even after listening to Rush Limbaugh.
The Bottom Line: It’s 2010 and I don’t plan on getting less black so something’s got to give. Either we learn to accept each other or we fail as a nation. Really….it’s just that simple.
7 comments:
I guess he's apologizing b/c maybe some people are offended he used the term 'negro'. But that isn't an offensive term - we call ourselves niggaz and hoez every day. Negro, by a old Senator, really isn't so bad.
As well, he said that Obama is light skinned, so he'll be well liked. Unfortunately, in America, HE IS RIGHT! Not only race, but complexion based preferences do indeed exist. And not only do they exist here in America, but globally! India, Africa, Brazil... Complexion preferences are notable in many countries....
And he also said that "obama speaks well" - WHICH IS TRUE... then he coupled that with 'better than most Negroes, unless he wants to talk differently'. THAT, my friends, IS ALSO TRUE. ....
I can't hate on him - tho clearly everyone else, is.
I’m black and I agree with Reid’s comment. Yall know it’s the truth. Why didn’t Jessie get more votes? He was more popular, but he could bring that dialect on.
Whites call you whatever your name was when they discovered you. I met a white person who called us colored. When he was growing up, we were colored.
As for J. Beck. Sing the attached words like the song .. just a friend…” Beck is just a fool. You know he’s just a fool. He’s just a fooollllllllllllll!
See Proverbs 14:3, 15:2
I just finished listening to the audio version of Dream From My Father. It changed my opinion about Obama's good Negro persona. I think that there are a group of folks who better really hope that he doesn't get angry. But if it happens-I hope that the cameras are rolling cause it is going to be seriously live and in the tradition of Black people who have had enough.
Seriously-I don't know how the printed version of the book would come across-but if he gets angry-it is not going to be good for someone's story. I liked this book better than the Audacity Of Hope. If he wasn't lying-then there is a form of Black man on the inside that would be hard for them to handle.
I am already done with Reid's remarks. I will say this again and again. The people who were/are considered to be the mover and shakers within the Movement Eras began life as Negro or colored folks. Becoming Black was one of the biggest self-determination moves of the time.
This is one of those gaffes that we need to resolve among ourselves.
Because we do a lot of talking about complexions and hair. There is no reason to waste a lot a time on Reid. Obama accepted his apology so in my opinion this is a wrap.
It does confirm what we all know to be true "post racial" America does not exist.
Anonymous - I'm not hating on the brother but the "soft" negro approach is not working for me. I know Obama had to do that,but because now people want us to be the same way. Nope!
Anonymous - Jessie had no shot at winning. Accent or not. He didn't win because in the 70's he was wearing a dishiki and throwing up a fist singing songs from Stax Records. Obama surfs and went to Ivy League schools. Which one looks more safe to you.
msladydeborah - Good Info as always. I always wonder is it better to read or listen to the audio. Maybe Obama is playing possum. Maybe he isn't. I promise we will never know. We do have bigger fish to fry. All distractions!!! But when you don't control the media you have to go along with the story. And yes, Post Racial America is a term that needs to be banned from the American Language.
I hope Obama does have a fish fry on the white house lawn!! Its his perogative hes the president.
I dont think we will ever know the real Obama. The type of lifestyle he leads requires him to have many faces.
What I will never understand is how blacks find a way to not support other blacks. Black people are so divided, it seems as if its genetic that we hate ourselves and each other. With that being said how can we stick together.
You have the Micheal Steeles, The Eric Micheal Dysons, The Bill Cosby's all men with controversial views and ways of presenting them. What do they have in common besides skin color all of these men have spouted negativity about black people in public. Whether is Obama hate or disdain for the race in general. How do we past race within our own race? If we can solve that maybe we can work on the rest of the world respecting us.
I hope Obama does have a fish fry on the white house lawn!! Its his perogative hes the president.
I dont think we will ever know the real Obama. The type of lifestyle he leads requires him to have many faces.
What I will never understand is how blacks find a way to not support other blacks. Black people are so divided, it seems as if its genetic that we hate ourselves and each other. With that being said how can we stick together.
You have the Micheal Steeles, The Eric Micheal Dysons, The Bill Cosby's all men with controversial views and ways of presenting them. What do they have in common besides skin color all of these men have spouted negativity about black people in public. Whether is Obama hate or disdain for the race in general. How do we past race within our own race? If we can solve that maybe we can work on the rest of the world respecting us.
md20737 - All the men you have listed have various views on black men in particular. I think all the views are needed in the dicussion. They need to find a common area where they can work together for a solution.
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