Submitted by Tolu olorunda on Tue, 04/08/2008 - 3:56pm.
MFP Tags: Barack Obama, Race, Pundits, Jeremiah Wright, Geraldine Ferraro, Race 2008Topics: Politics
MFP Tags: Barack Obama, Race, Pundits, Jeremiah Wright, Geraldine Ferraro, Race 2008Topics: Politics
“The Blackman Cometh”
What is it about Senator Barack Obama that gets Pat Buchanan, Sean Hannity, Bill O’reilly, Laura Ingraham, Bill Cunningham, Rush Limbaugh and the like irascible. Perhaps, the thought of a younger and more insightful President conflicts with their monolithic way of thinking. Or, is it the never-before-witnessed form of citizenship-engagement in a political race, which motivates independent-thinking and threatens the fundamental bed-rock “punditry” is predominantly structured upon? I beg to differ. THE WAY I SEE IT, skin-pigmentation has more to do with this unusual display of unabashed-hatred than any other political or theological disagreements could inspire. Although Conservative radio and talk-show hosts often obtain the castigation of the broader American society, their views are often reflections of that very-same society. After careful analysis of the mainstream-media’s initial reaction to Senator Obama’s campaign-announcement last February (2007), I noticed an implicit but evidential paranoia of the possibility of a Black man in The White House. This skepticism was rapidly dressed up and glamorized in the make-up of an Inquiry: Is America ready for a Black President?
To hear that statement being drummed up and rhetoricized on a daily basis, revealed the unmistakable reality of race in America, and the predictable result of a *wink-wind-nod-nod* application to its timely discussion. The recent Jeremiah-Wright saga, furthermore unveiled the outcome predicated upon a conscious avoidance of inter-racial discourse. That the larger mainstream society (white) was traumatized by the revelation of the subject-matters touched-upon in black churches, should fully confirm my suspicions: Race relations are not getting better, if no “tracker” can be established to manage the progress.
Geraldine Ferraro, former member of The U.S House of Reps, made some suggestions a few weeks ago that sent the world of political-coverage into all-out chaos and pandemonium. She apparently alluded to Senator Obama’s dark-skin, as a privilege and incentive in his political career. This unfortunate assessment, while extreme/tragic, is in my estimation a belief held to heart by a countless number of citizens. A counter-argument could be raised in defense of the open-mindedness revealed by the millions of white-voters supporting Senator Barack Obama. I’m nevertheless inclined to believe that the bulk of those voters have no knowledge whatsoever what his political-record details. To make matters worse, an even larger number have no concentrated understanding of his proposals and promises. In a recent speech given by world-renowned poet Amiri Baraka, he lambasted this group as “little liberals who think Obama is just some trendy new-flavor”. I can’t say I disagree with him that much.
To set the record straight, a few key issues must be addressed:
1. Senator Barack Obama is enormously more than a slogan and an agent of hope.
2. Uncovering your views on race doesn’t qualify you as a bigot, unless you belief in the superiority of one particular ethnicity. (In which case, yes you are a bigot).
3. Beating around the bush of race-discussion is not improvement, but regression.
4. With the outburst of shock and alarm surrounding Rev. Jeremiah Wright, it’s about time for a self-education on ethnic cultures and their idiosyncrasies.
5. Constructive criticism and selflessness is the only remedy for an indisputably confused society. Peace!
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