It's RACISM pure and simple Mr. Obama:Time for change is now
Primeval and Primordial
I was reading an OS (aka “Little Salon”) post the other night about how President Obama is trying to “indoctrinate” schoolchildren in the United States. It was from one of our regular far right wing... “Give us our country back”... god fearing... “I’m a veteran”... this country is going to hell in a hand basket... Obama was born in Kenya...hands off my health care...He’s a socialist bloggers. As I read the post I became furious with him because I’ve been trying to reach out to him on OS and engage in some meaningful dialogue; but, to no avail (note: I am not linking him here because this just isn’t about him.)
In a somewhat uncharacteristic manner, although not really, I left him some sarcastic comments including this gem of erudition:
“...And you fellas think the liberal left is organized to indoctrinate your child, and President Obama is in on the deal and wants to "leverage our children against us." Hoo boy. Fo' shizzle!!!! If the left can just get your children to turn on you, then we will finally overcome. Pull your panties out of your cracks guys - they're all wadded up way too tight and it's cutting off circulation to what few precious brain cells you have left.”
And then it hit me that this isn’t about a right wing political ideology or agenda at all. This is racism pure and simple. I am a white male educator, an American citizen, a parent, and a privileged beneficiary of the so-called “system.” I claim no special expertise on racism, and truth be told, no special expertise is needed here. As I drove into work today I began to formulate a post about this and then I saw that Joan Walsh had addressed it on “Big Salon” this morning in a piece titled The far right says Obama is bad for our kids. I strongly suggest you read it if you haven’t seen it yet. She wrote:
“The hysteria Obama inspires in his far-right foes is primeval, primordial. From the Birthers’ obsession with the facts of his birth – which lets them obsess about his origins in miscegenation – to the paranoia that he’s coming for the children, there’s a deep strand of irrational paranoia that can’t be anything other than racial. These people don’t merely disagree with him, they distrust and dislike him viscerally. He’s not merely wrong, he’s scary; even terrifying.”
I bolded a portion for emphasis. Walsh has hit the heart of the matter and the words primeval and primordial are aptly chosen. This right wing reaction is not rational or logical, and no amount of logic will persuade these reactionaries to change their core beliefs.
Racism has been practiced, defined, studied, discussed and debated for centuries. It’s not just a white against black attitude and/or practice, although the white power structure in America tends to see it that way. It is way more complicated and complex. For a number of years I was an education professor at a “Historically Black College/University .“ While there I became exposed to critical race theory. One tenet of critical race theory is that the white power structure will allow those in the minority to do just about anything until it threatens their very own (aka “white”) way of doing things (aka “power”).
The fact that President Obama is non-white is the tipping point for many white Americans. Their power and way of life has been threatened, and they are responding in kind (“Give us back our country!!”) This is sad but appears true. For me, it does finally mean that I too am giving up arguing and reasoning with this segment of our society. Racist beliefs are not rational and logical; therefore, reason and logic are not the solution.
I am optimistic that the balance of power in America is continuing to shift to the “people,” and that Obama’s election is testimony to the fact that we now have enough voters in America to move forever down a more humanitarian and enlightened path. The right wing push back is racist fear rearing its ugly head, and the fight is on as never before. I participated in civil rights demonstrations and marches on Washington and in union picket lines in the 60’s, and am ready to do it again.
All Americans deserve and need the basics for human survival – education and health care among them – and this is not the time to negotiate these rights away to those hell bent on continuing to dominate the political agenda in this country. The right wing has had its day (for way too many days over the centuries) and it’s now time for change. I pray and trust that President Obama will recall that we sent him to Washington with a “Time for Change” mandate. I trust that he will step up now and boldly reassert this promise. Next Wednesday night will be a great place to start.
I still get teary eyed hearing versions of We Shall Overcome and Kumbaya. And if we keep fighting the good fight, we shall overcome. I believe that from the bottom of my heart and soul.
Check out Mahalia Jackson singing We Shall Overcome or The Seekers version of Kumbaya. Guaranteed to at least make the eyes misty.
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Margaret Feike
Little Kate
Michelle Coulter
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Comments
thank you.
jane – I totally understand the disappointment and anger. I’ve just always been a glass half-full kind of person – but there is little evidence to support my attitude at times.
Karin – Sorry. Didn’t mean to get you all riled up so early in the day. Play that Kumbaya video and I guarantee you’ll feel better. A little sad perhaps, but better.
Robin – thanks for stopping by. Those videos are calming or peaceful or something like that. Good to see you.
it IS pretty obvious.
Cap’n – it’s time to start the revolution! I can feel the juices flowing.
Dollly – let’s get a demonstration march going. It’ll be like the old days (well, sorta maybe?)
AshKW – good to see you. Thanks.
trig - I agree that it is pretty obvious. For some reason I just didn’t want to get there in my thinking. We sure do have a long way to go.
When will we ever evolve as a country?
Amen, grif. I'm singing with you, too.
Alan – thanks for visiting and the kind words.
Michael – you are making me blush. Really. But this racism thing is going to kill us – literally. Comment at length. No fear of hijacking this post.
"The fact that President Obama is non-white is the tipping point for many white Americans. Their power and way of life has been threatened, and they are responding in kind (“Give us back our country!!”) This is sad but appears true. For me, it does finally mean that I too am giving up arguing and reasoning with this segment of our society. Racist beliefs are not rational and logical; therefore, reason and logic are not the solution."
It's been apparent to me for some time now that the motivator for many opponents of health care reform and of Obama generally is racism. I've lost track of the times I've tried in the last several weeks to pin someone down about what it is EXACTLY that worries them about Obama. They hem and haw and talk about socialism and totalitarianism and Hitler and big government, but it's plain to see that what underlies their antipathy is racism. The simple truth, as your title states, is that there are a lot of people in this country who can't handle the idea of a black man as president, so they react with fear and hate and hysteria, and no amount of talking to them will bring them to believe any differently than they do.
On a side note - I disappeared from this post this evening to attend my son's soccer game. Sorry about the break after asking you a question.
:)
Seriously, excellent post, I doubt I will live long enough, not even my recently born great-nephew's great great grandchildren, to see a world, that doesn't base their decisions and their thoughts about a person on the color of their skin or the slant of their eyes or whatever.
Maybe someday, this world will exist, but as you said, in this day, there are people you cannot use logic or reason when it comes to racism and the hatred that has been passed down from generations to generation and continues to do so.
I keep praying for change, and hopefully, it will come.
Rated.
Plain, simple and unfortunately, still pure to many hearts George. It's a sad realization.
Rated
I agree wholeheartedly. It is definitely the underlying cause the visceral reaction the wingnuts are having - at it is sick and sad it is not being denounced at a senior level (McCain, etc.) for a chance at political gain. People call that integrity; I cal that disingenuous.
However, I do think this is only one point to the policy issues. See my "You, Mr. Smith, Lincoln" piece - I would so love your feedback.
I want to have the Kumbaya moment, too. I have to keep repeating my mantra. I am done reasoning with the loonies (and I have a whole section of in-laws in a state that would probably secede from the union right now if they could). I believe it is time for solidarity from those of us who are in the middle and are willing to work together -- I believe it will take the citizens, I don't think congress can do it. Thoughts?
I complain as you do that the hatred is so all pervasive that it is sucking the light out of my normally loving and giving heart. I hope these days move past us without bloodshed and end very soon. Pres. Obama needs a BIG success like health care reform so that most people begin to experience something of personal benefit to their household from his Presidency.
They will not see any of the good Pres. Obama has done so far until they scratch their individualistic itch to satisfy their never-ending quest to answer, "What is in it for me?" They will still hate on him, but at least we can tell them to shut up about it! ;)
I will confess here that I have been known to say, "Stop hating on the Negra" around the office -- not smart given that I am allowed to keep my office on condition that I don't blog on OS. I only say something like this to those potentially capable of intelligent thought. They don't like it much but then no one likes a mirror held to their face when the reflection shows ugly through and through.
If more racists could know how they are perceived by others, perhaps they wouldn't expose themselves so readily. For years I lived in relative peace as I didn't know what lived within their Christian hearts. They are truly frightening to me now.
I don't expect my comment to sound as if it was coming from a loving heart. I said "usually" because right now I am angry on so many levels. Primarily, I am angry about the deterioration of economic conditions to a level that now cannot be changed without government intervention.
I think people should allow the President to find solutions to our economic woes which include controlling health care costs, getting the banks to help resolve issues in the housing sector, and starting the government projects this fall that are meant to create more primary jobs. I believe he could do this more efficiently if he wasn't slowed down by the hatred being spewed at him.
Conservatives don't want government to meddle in the economy, but a laissez faire approach has not worked with regard to health care insurance , the banks' reluctance to clean up the mess they made in the mortgage market/housing sector, or create new jobs that repair our infrastructure and/or bring us closer to energy independence. There is no motivation for big business to do anything but take profits, therefore these huge economic problems will not be solved without government intervention.
We need to allow the economy to be brought back into balance and then to start growing. Big business has no incentive to right the wrongs of past decades and certainly no motivation to work toward the public good. Our country needs a period of time in which the government is allowed to correct the excesses of the corporate world over the past few decades.
Conservatives don't understand that from time to time balance needs to be restored by a wave of government intervention in effort to balance excess profit taking and socially detrimental business practices. After a period such as FDR's presidency, enough social programs were created to turn the more balanced economy back to the conservatives to run business as usual through capitalism and the free market.
We are in one of those times when governmental economic intervention has become mandatory. It just happens that the leader this time has an exotic name and is biracial. Big business is always going to fight this correction by inciting the masses to work against themselves. FDR did not have to contend with Rush Limbaugh or Fox News although he suffered plenty of public hatred as well. Would those hating on President Obama like to spew hate toward FDR's programs as well? Give up their Medicare perhaps?
Our President has a monumental task ahead of him. In the face of all our economic challenges, people are hating Pres. Obama for his name and the color of his skin. This reaction is inevitable in a dumbed-down, undereducated nation such as ours, but it is hugely unfortunate for our President and those that support him. I commend ANY President's efforts to stand up to big business in effort to fix the economy. Conditions prove that it is time, and I am content to back the person chosen for this task, President Obama.
latethink - well put. These people are “haters looking for a reason to hate.” Our Congress has tuly devolved into a special interest chamber (of horrors).
voicegal - this comment of yours is precisely the major issue related to race IMHO. “…why can't they do it my way? Why do they have to be so difficult?" And sadly, I agree that some mayhem is in our immediate future.
Token – you should write more. You have put it well. And the C. Vann Woodward quote (or almost quote) is spot on. Well said.
Tink – we’re all praying for change. Meanwhile, Salina and I are off to find my little brother who once introduced himself at brother #2’s wedding rehearsal dinner as being the family “cocaine connection from the Keys.” Some nervous laughter from the 100 guests and my brother #2 still hasn’t recovered from this moment – and it was 30 years ago. Good to see you as always.
KoB – thanks for stopping by. You understand this well, and often comment on it in your posts. It is truly sad but true.
Steve – the reaction to the school speech is bizarre. I don’t think there is anything that Obama will do that is not seen as suspicious by this group.
Kate - It is time for the leadership on both (all) sides to step up and stop this. The trouble is that top leadership in some corners likes this stuff. Do not think for a moment that John McCain is some type of moral leader. He is truly part of the problem. I agree with you that the people need to step up here – especially the “middle.” Congress cannot do it because they are part of the problem too. Too many self-interests without looking out for the greater good of the country. I will get over to your post . Thanks for the invitation.
John Moore – I am not addressing all conservatives here. My comments are aimed at those who are making these outrageous and generalized statements “Obama is a socialist” or “Give my country back.” You get the point. And racism is not just whites and how they regard blacks. Steele and Keyes are black, and perhaps you see them as reasonable conservatives. I’m okay with that. I tend to think that both of them are a little vapid to be real leaders, but we can disagree. Those “citizens” are wearing guns to political rallies, pulling kids out of school because Obama is going to speak to them, etc are the ones I’m talking about. I do appreciate you taking time to comment.
John – the door of racism does indeed swing wide. Part of your comparison though is related to socioeconomic status and crime. Most black people won’t walk “the streets of Newark at night” as you put it. It doesn’t have anything to do with race. And Newark is not the issue – crime happens everywhere.
lalucas – your second set of comments and response to John Moore is very well reasoned and well stated. Thanks for taking the time to leave them here. Much appreciated.