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News & ArtsTuesday, September 22, 2009
Politics Obama to Letterman: I Was Black Before the Election
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, Sep 22, 2009 at 9:28 AM
It's exactly what the president should say, of course, it's what the president must say. Anyone with eyes can see that there's a racial element to the anger directed at the president. I mean, 'baggah please. And just because Obama was black before the election and still managed to get elected doesn't mean that racism isn't a problem and that racists don't exist. Remember Obama Waffles? But politically Obama has to avoid the angry-black-man label—which is why he's being baited with racist images and slurs and will go on being baited until sometime after 2012—because it would hurt him with middle-of-the-road white independents who don't want to believe that America has a race problem still.
So our first black president can't call clearly racist insults or acts or motives racist. He needs a crazy ol' cracker like Jimmy Carter to do that for him—and then he needs to go on TV and dismiss and downplay Carter's comments. And Americans are simultaneously upset with Carter because he's right and grateful to the president for letting them—and the country—off the hook.
Crazy.
1
Whether racism is a big or small problem, Obama deserves credit for taking the high road and trying to defuse the problem rather than exacerbate it. Think of catching flies with honey instead of vinegar.
2
Is there anything, anything that could happen that would allow Obama to call the incident out as racist? Say, if someone dressed in a sheet and burned a cross on the white house lawn, could he say that was racist?
3
Obama is unwilling to take the bait and become the Angry Black Man. And it's driving the Right crazy.
4
Not crazy at all - Obama's politically astute to downplay Carter's words. For him to praise Carter would a) encourage Jimmy to keep stepping into whatever conversation he likes; and b) strengthen wingnut efforts to tie Carter-era failure to Obama-era fear of failure.
Not to repeat myself, but...Carter was always the most likely to say this and the worst possible messenger for it. As Kennedy pointed out, Carter is the most politically inept President in living memory, yet a marvelous, wonderful man. Obama needs to keep his distance, and has. Good for him.
Not to repeat myself, but...Carter was always the most likely to say this and the worst possible messenger for it. As Kennedy pointed out, Carter is the most politically inept President in living memory, yet a marvelous, wonderful man. Obama needs to keep his distance, and has. Good for him.
5
Your absolutely correct as usual. Nothing more to add, I'll let the prince of oregano, or whatever he calls himself, add his nonsense comments.
6
Despite the angry tea-baggers and Birthers, I think a lot of us forget that many working class white americans saw in Obama a black man that "didn't have a axe to grind" with them. The biracial angle probably helped here.
Comparisons to Mandela get tiresome, but I do think Obama has learned from the master here. Remember in 1970 Mandela was viewed as a dangerous terrorist out to kill white South Africans or at the very least drive them out of the country. By 1990 he was viewed as a rational, intelligent man that white South Africans could negotiate with. Today many white South African truly believe that once Mandela dies the one who "will protect them" will be gone and what security they still have in South Africa taken away.
Comparisons to Mandela get tiresome, but I do think Obama has learned from the master here. Remember in 1970 Mandela was viewed as a dangerous terrorist out to kill white South Africans or at the very least drive them out of the country. By 1990 he was viewed as a rational, intelligent man that white South Africans could negotiate with. Today many white South African truly believe that once Mandela dies the one who "will protect them" will be gone and what security they still have in South Africa taken away.
7
Another day, another media appearance, another focus on racism, thus another victory for the right wing opponents (including racists duh) of our health care reform because it's another day when we/Obama did NOT:
-get a hsort clear compelling persuasive message out there, to
--persuade the middle of the road folks in the key states
--persuade the middle of the road democrats blue dogs in the key states, to
actually get something passed.
And sad thing is liberals talking about racism don't even notice the old shell game is on. It used to be, divide the races; now it's distract the people with racism and liberals happily join in. Unaware that convincing the 45% hard liberals of how racist the 33% opponents of health care reform are is a victory for those 33% opponents of health care reform, because it's another day when the folks who are undecided are...still undecided, or against.
LEt's break it down:
"there's a racial element to the anger directed at the president" and the president should say so.
Well he should say so 10,000 times up and down the land but he doesn't. He should say it's a cynical use of race to defeat reform thus line the pockets of insurers but he doesn't.
He doesn't pivot back to his message.
"politically Obama has to avoid the angry-black-man label"
well how are we going to win health care reform and defeat these bloodsucking insurers if SOMEONE doesn't get angry? This is agreeing to be defeated. He SHOULD be angry, like FDR was angry at the economic royalists whose enmity he said he welcomed.
—"because it would hurt him with middle-of-the-road white independents who don't want to believe that America has a race problem still"
Why do you presume he can't tell the truth and win the argument, by saying that race is being used to foster the insurer scam that we need insurers?
"So our first black president can't call clearly racist insults or acts or motives racist."
How is his silence on this working for us? Not too good, right? How many blue dog senatorial votes has ne captured since his big speech?
None.
"Americans are simultaneously upset with Carter because he's right and grateful to the president for letting them—and the country—off the hook.
Crazy."
Um, exxceedingly rational if you are insurer and big pharma and their right wing cohorts in congress who will create populist racist outrage to distract America and prevent real solutions from being on the table. And all the navel gazing about racism and the exact correct degree of liberal guilt independents' ability to see racism the racists' degree of racism blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
it's all 100% OFF MESSAGE in terms of educating those middle Americans to think about how we need a government option and a socialistic single payer health care system.
Because the right wing led by the corporatists wins again and divides the left from the middle over racism (the left being those who see it and decry it and the middle being those who are confused, made uncomfortable, who wonder if really it's a legit oppo to govt. expansion etc. etc. etc.) -- and the left agrees to this division once again.
More...
-get a hsort clear compelling persuasive message out there, to
--persuade the middle of the road folks in the key states
--persuade the middle of the road democrats blue dogs in the key states, to
actually get something passed.
And sad thing is liberals talking about racism don't even notice the old shell game is on. It used to be, divide the races; now it's distract the people with racism and liberals happily join in. Unaware that convincing the 45% hard liberals of how racist the 33% opponents of health care reform are is a victory for those 33% opponents of health care reform, because it's another day when the folks who are undecided are...still undecided, or against.
LEt's break it down:
"there's a racial element to the anger directed at the president" and the president should say so.
Well he should say so 10,000 times up and down the land but he doesn't. He should say it's a cynical use of race to defeat reform thus line the pockets of insurers but he doesn't.
He doesn't pivot back to his message.
"politically Obama has to avoid the angry-black-man label"
well how are we going to win health care reform and defeat these bloodsucking insurers if SOMEONE doesn't get angry? This is agreeing to be defeated. He SHOULD be angry, like FDR was angry at the economic royalists whose enmity he said he welcomed.
—"because it would hurt him with middle-of-the-road white independents who don't want to believe that America has a race problem still"
Why do you presume he can't tell the truth and win the argument, by saying that race is being used to foster the insurer scam that we need insurers?
"So our first black president can't call clearly racist insults or acts or motives racist."
How is his silence on this working for us? Not too good, right? How many blue dog senatorial votes has ne captured since his big speech?
None.
"Americans are simultaneously upset with Carter because he's right and grateful to the president for letting them—and the country—off the hook.
Crazy."
Um, exxceedingly rational if you are insurer and big pharma and their right wing cohorts in congress who will create populist racist outrage to distract America and prevent real solutions from being on the table. And all the navel gazing about racism and the exact correct degree of liberal guilt independents' ability to see racism the racists' degree of racism blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
it's all 100% OFF MESSAGE in terms of educating those middle Americans to think about how we need a government option and a socialistic single payer health care system.
Because the right wing led by the corporatists wins again and divides the left from the middle over racism (the left being those who see it and decry it and the middle being those who are confused, made uncomfortable, who wonder if really it's a legit oppo to govt. expansion etc. etc. etc.) -- and the left agrees to this division once again.
8
Chalk me up as one of those middle of the road white independents who doesn't believe there is a race problem that would label Obama an alarmist if he started calling out racism any time somebody disagreed with him.
And Carter is a crazy ass cracker. You can almost see the liberal guilt oozing out of those baggy eyes.
Also Dan your logic of, "it's obviously racist because everyone knows it is racist" is a little flawed and obviously self serving. No, links to Wonkette articles don't count as evidence.
And just because Obama was black before the election and still managed to get elected doesn't mean that racism isn't a problem and that racists don't exist.
This was the only comment you made that made sense.
And Carter is a crazy ass cracker. You can almost see the liberal guilt oozing out of those baggy eyes.
Also Dan your logic of, "it's obviously racist because everyone knows it is racist" is a little flawed and obviously self serving. No, links to Wonkette articles don't count as evidence.
And just because Obama was black before the election and still managed to get elected doesn't mean that racism isn't a problem and that racists don't exist.
This was the only comment you made that made sense.
9
In a strange turnaround, it is the old, white conservative men - especially the big talking heads like Limbaugh and Beck - who have become the "angry black men."
At every turn, they claim their opponents are racist and cry about reverse-discrimination. They're the new victims. The Sotomayor confirmation hearing was the focal point. They simply couldn't go 5 minutes without bringing up the "wise Latina" comment.
The GOP and supporters have become what they used to dismiss.
At every turn, they claim their opponents are racist and cry about reverse-discrimination. They're the new victims. The Sotomayor confirmation hearing was the focal point. They simply couldn't go 5 minutes without bringing up the "wise Latina" comment.
The GOP and supporters have become what they used to dismiss.
11
Gawd bless our lovely little neurotic nation!
After the last, what, 28 YEARS of lame partisan skullduggery, lo-ball public "debate" and rampant political emotionalism passing as valid political opinion, it is incredible that we finally have a president who wants to --and can-- take the high road.
It's a breath of fresh, crisp mountain air.
After the last, what, 28 YEARS of lame partisan skullduggery, lo-ball public "debate" and rampant political emotionalism passing as valid political opinion, it is incredible that we finally have a president who wants to --and can-- take the high road.
It's a breath of fresh, crisp mountain air.
12
Did you catch him say at the end
"People expect more from Repu.. uh, their elected officials"
(:= ha ha!
"People expect more from Repu.. uh, their elected officials"
(:= ha ha!
14
Obama continues to be a model of tact and decorum. It's no wonder a segment of his opposition relies on angry, race-based attacks. He doesn't leave himself open for many logical criticisms.
17
Urgutha and Hernandez, let's remember that "angry black man" is rooted in an unjust right-wing propaganda trope. Its persistence is a testament to how hard it is to fight the Big Lie. Dismissing the "angry white man" dresses the same dishonest principle in a more sensible outfit. It may feel satisfying and expedient, but does more harm than good.
19
I don't get "Obama Waffles" - is that supposed to be offensive? Why? Are you saying that black people eat a lot of waffles? If so, it's the first time I've heard that - sounds racist to me to say black people eat a lot of waffles. Almost like saying Asian people eat a lot of rice.
20
Waffles served with fried chicken is a well-known element of Soul Food/Ghetto Food I don't think it's necessarily racist, but there is a racial element there.
21
Race problem what race problem? Obama says there is no race problem then BY GOD there is no race problem.
22
Even while he was President, Carter was well known for unfortunate bouts of candor. We insist on leaders who have the decency to lie to us and flatter our cherished opinions, no matter how half-baked those opinions may be. That's why Carter got booted in favor of one of history's slickest pathological liars.
When people get angry about habitually dishonest politicians I think about Carter and Reagan. We only say we want honesty until we actually hear some.
When people get angry about habitually dishonest politicians I think about Carter and Reagan. We only say we want honesty until we actually hear some.
23
I agree wtih Obama's tactics here, but "I was black before the election" makes almost no sense. Yes, and only 53% of the American population voted for you. So, it's possible that some of the 47% who didn't vote for you did so because of racism (I believe it's a small percentage, but they clearly exist). And that the people who didn't vote for him because they are racist are the same people holding signs that say "Obama's plan, White Slavery."
24
@19...it's not the association of Obama with waffles that's offensive. It's the way he's drawn on the box. Take a look at it.
25
Proteus, Carter's stubborn refusal to compromise to reach his stated legislative and policy goals sank his presidency. Carter dug in his heels, refused to listen to anyone outside his little circle, and made a series of heartbreaking blunders that led to a crisis of national confidence. That's how Reagan swept in, coopted Carter's values-based rhetoric to his own ends, and ruthlessly carried out his foul agenda.
Carter is a deeply good, deeply spiritual, loving, lovely man. But he gave us to Reagan on a silver platter.
Carter is a deeply good, deeply spiritual, loving, lovely man. But he gave us to Reagan on a silver platter.
27
The line is funny but that's it. It actually proves the point.
Yes, he was black before the election -- and look at the crazy racist shit that went on during the campaign!!
But he can't say that. It won't do him any good. On the other hand, those of us on the outside should call out clearly racist comments when the evidence is overwhelming, while being careful not to cry wolf over every protest.
Yes, he was black before the election -- and look at the crazy racist shit that went on during the campaign!!
But he can't say that. It won't do him any good. On the other hand, those of us on the outside should call out clearly racist comments when the evidence is overwhelming, while being careful not to cry wolf over every protest.
28
@25 So Carter caused the Vietnam War, the assassination of JFK, and Watergate? Morale and confidence was low when he took office.
If we'd listenned to Carter about energy conservation, we'd be energy independent by now, and the Sultan of Dubai would not own the largest yacht in the world.
We embraced Reagan and sold our souls for the benefit of Middle Eastern Oil Barons and Wall Street sociopaths Reagan worked for. It's harder to do things against the people that own our government than to work for the voters. That doesn't mean Carter was wrong or incompetent, it means the American people were, and that our system is broken.
If we'd listenned to Carter about energy conservation, we'd be energy independent by now, and the Sultan of Dubai would not own the largest yacht in the world.
We embraced Reagan and sold our souls for the benefit of Middle Eastern Oil Barons and Wall Street sociopaths Reagan worked for. It's harder to do things against the people that own our government than to work for the voters. That doesn't mean Carter was wrong or incompetent, it means the American people were, and that our system is broken.
29
@28, Carter used Vietnam, the JFK/RFK/King assassinations, and Watergate as examples of what his morality could save us from experiencing again. It's precisely how he got elected.
30
He's doing the best he can and keeping from hindering the progress this nation needs. He knows he can't waste time with the wingnut theater being put on by the right if he wants to get healthcare reform into law before the holidays. He needs to, but we all know that Carter is right on target.
31
@30: Yep, those wingnuts that want to deny people basic rights, like marriage equality. Thank you so much for making that point.
32
A conservative associate of mine just the other day insisted that the whole teabagging outcry is about ideas and policies, and not about race. And that's exactly what I would expect him to say, because he doesn't want to consider himself a racist. Indeed, he thinks it impossible that anyone could accuse him of being racist because he is Hispanic. And Christian. And Republican. Yet I find myself inundated with juvenile, gleeful messages repeating the same baseless accusations that we're hearing from the racist core.
I think Obama is up against a version of this. As Dan noted, the "middle of the road" in American culture wants to believe it is over racism. But much of that middle of the road isn't over its racism.
I find it astounding at this point that anyone could possibly say that race isn't involved in all of this stupid wailing we're hearing from the right wing. Obama is a "secret Muslim" (e.g., other—xenophobia). Obama "isn't American" (e.g., other—xenophobia). Obama is a "Communist" (e.g., other—xenophobia).
I think the funniest thing in all this is the Joker poster. One of the striking things about the whiteface discussion with that is that nobody seems to notice that when black men become white, it's to denigrate the black men. There's an old film—couldn't tell you what it was—that I saw a clip of some twenty years ago in ninth grade. The scene was of an old pop-eyed black butler seeing a ghost, and the stop-motion on that one was hilarious. In each frame, you could see more white putty on the guy's face until—at last—he had been scared "white as a sheet". In other words, a black man is white when he's scared senseless. As with the Joker poster. In order to make Obama out to be a psychopath, he has to be white.
It's an impossible assertion that race isn't a factor in all of this, but the thing about it is that the race issues have become incredibly convoluted. The late Norman O. Brown wrote fifty years ago, in Life Against Death:
Indeed, trying to untangle the skeins of racism in Obamanoia is an exercise in the dialectic of neurosis. Or so says me.
More...
I think Obama is up against a version of this. As Dan noted, the "middle of the road" in American culture wants to believe it is over racism. But much of that middle of the road isn't over its racism.
I find it astounding at this point that anyone could possibly say that race isn't involved in all of this stupid wailing we're hearing from the right wing. Obama is a "secret Muslim" (e.g., other—xenophobia). Obama "isn't American" (e.g., other—xenophobia). Obama is a "Communist" (e.g., other—xenophobia).
I think the funniest thing in all this is the Joker poster. One of the striking things about the whiteface discussion with that is that nobody seems to notice that when black men become white, it's to denigrate the black men. There's an old film—couldn't tell you what it was—that I saw a clip of some twenty years ago in ninth grade. The scene was of an old pop-eyed black butler seeing a ghost, and the stop-motion on that one was hilarious. In each frame, you could see more white putty on the guy's face until—at last—he had been scared "white as a sheet". In other words, a black man is white when he's scared senseless. As with the Joker poster. In order to make Obama out to be a psychopath, he has to be white.
It's an impossible assertion that race isn't a factor in all of this, but the thing about it is that the race issues have become incredibly convoluted. The late Norman O. Brown wrote fifty years ago, in Life Against Death:
... it is a Freudian theorem that each individual neurosis is not static but dynamic. It is a historical process with its own internal logic. Because of the basically unsatisfactory nature of the neurotic compromise, tension between the repressed and repressing factors persists and produces a constant series of new symptom-formations. And the series of symptom-formations is not a shapeless series of mere changes; it exhibits a regressive pattern, which Freud calls the slow return of the repressed, "It is a law of neurotic diseases that these obsessive acts serve the impulse more and more and come nearer and nearer the original and forbidden act." The doctrine of the universal neurosis of mankind, if we take it seriously, therefore compels us to entertain the hypothesis that the pattern of history exhibits a dialectic not hitherto recognized by historians, the dialectic of neurosis.
Indeed, trying to untangle the skeins of racism in Obamanoia is an exercise in the dialectic of neurosis. Or so says me.
33
Don't you mean our first half black president? Shouldn't the fact that he is half white & half black make him more relateable to everyone? So blacks that criticize Obama are racist too. hmmm....
34
33 - there's no such thing as "half black" in the United States; the designation of "black" has always traditionally included anyone with any obvious African ancestry whatsoever. During the race trials of the 1800s, this was explicitly stated with the "one drop" rule.
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