The Color Line in the 21st Century
By, Clifford Wallace Thornton, Jr. – Cliff is an internationally recognized and respected drug policy reformer and advocate for drug legalization.
The race issue once again takes center stage. As usual, it has turned or is turning inward. This race slash class issue has taken hold of the Democratic Party. The "Bradley Effect" maybe in play at this point?
The Bradley Effect refers to an electoral phenomenon first identified in the 1982 California gubernatorial election. Tom Bradley, the popular mayor of Los Angeles, was the Democratic nominee for governor. Polls showed the African-American Democrat running well ahead of white Republican candidate George Deukmejian. Yet when the votes were counted, Bradley lost by more than 50,000 votes. So analysts took a new look at the polls, which seemed sound.
It was then that they hit on the notion that white voters, not wanting to be thought of as prejudiced against an African-American candidate had told pollsters they were for Bradley when they had always planned to vote for Deukmejian. This is much like people being asked by telephone interview if they ever used an illegal drug, like most are going to tell the truth of those that use illegal substances. Over the years this Bradley Effect has occurred in Virginia with Governor Doug Wilder, and Harvey Gantt against Jessie Helms for the congressional seat of North Carolina.
This situation has the potential to fracture the Democratic Party in ways that would take decades to repair.
If Clinton wins the nomination watch out for a back lash from black, brown, white liberals, and moderate Republicans voters. BET, the television’s former owner/executive really put this race issue out there and we all know many of the old guard support the Clintons. It is feasible that many young, talented, black, white and Latinos will leave the Democratic Party, thus weakening it considerably.
This could lead to another Republican president. Far fetched, well Bush was elected around lets say under "Shady Affairs". The next debate could be devastating if it remains the same as the last one.
Am I all wet here?
Efficacy
PO Box 1234
860 657 8438
Hartford, CT 06143
efficacy@msn.com
www.Efficacy-online.org
"THE DRUG WAR IS MEANT TO BE WAGED NOT WON"
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Barack’s race - The Media’s Role
by Andrea Comer. Ms. Comer is a journalist, mother, and respected community activist from Hartford to New Haven, Connecticut and she has successfully worked to empower youth and support educational services for families throughout Connecticut.
When I walked out to retrieve the paper from my porch Sunday morning, I already knew that Obama had won South Carolina. I also knew that Hillary planned a visit to my city (Hartford) for a town hall meeting. Makes sense I thought, since African Americans in particular and minorities in general are increasingly being seen as the lynchpin in the upcoming primary.
Despite that, let’s not forget that America is a mostly white country that is ill-equipped to look at any issue without throwing race into the mix. The ironic reality hit me as I grabbed the paper: Obama had a huge victory – his largest to date – yet The Courant chose not to put his photo on the front page but that of a newly elected, female White mayor of East Haven. His victory was mentioned below the fold, part of a packaged story on the importance of gender and race in the race for President.
From there I went to the very bottom of the front page, where an invitation to the Commentary section advised me that the paper had made its Democratic and GOP picks. Given the front page, I shouldn’t have been surprised: A brother couldn’t even get his full due. Yet, I had to laugh in disbelief when I saw the paper’s two choices – a White woman over a Black man and a White man whose religion, until just about 30 years ago believed being Black was a sin. Welcome to Connecticut, folks. Welcome to America.
Wait, it gets better. Hidden on the back page of the Courant’s commentary section was a piece penned by a syndicated writer from Chocolate City, or Washington DC as it’s more comfortably known. E.J. Dionne, Jr. chided the Clintons, Bill in particular, for going after Obama based on his pro-Reagan statement. Dionne reminded us that one of Bill’s attributes was his willingness to acknowledge Reagan’s contributions, and “willingness to defy his party’s Reaganphobia. ” What’s good for the goose evidently ain’t for the Black gander.
The hypocrisy of this race is astounding, but the hypocrisy of the media even more. As a former journalist, I am no longer willing to cut the paper some slack. True, they don’t know what they don’t know. But it doesn’t seem they’re willing to, either. The Courant has no African American on its editorial staff, so if it all comes down to race, who would fight for Obama? It’s editorial page editor is a woman, a clear advantage for Hillary if as the paper proclaims on its Sunday front page it’s all about “The Dilemma of Gender and Race.”
While Obama only won a quarter of overall white voters in South Carolina, he won 50 percent of young white voters. This is the same generation that gets its news by way of Youtube, and makes judgments based on their Myspace and Facebook interactions. The influence of the media on them is very, very different – and maybe that’s a good thing. Because if old suppositions can reign on the front page, if the media can change the face of criminal justice in Connecticut (don’t even get me started on THAT one), if the pot-calling-the-kettle-black stance of the Clintons can be simultaneously highlighted and rewarded in one paper on the same day, maybe we should kidnap a clue from our younger siblings. Because maybe they see what we’ve been raised not to: the media’s got an agenda of its own.
When I walked out to retrieve the paper from my porch Sunday morning, I already knew that Obama had won South Carolina. I also knew that Hillary planned a visit to my city (Hartford) for a town hall meeting. Makes sense I thought, since African Americans in particular and minorities in general are increasingly being seen as the lynchpin in the upcoming primary.
Despite that, let’s not forget that America is a mostly white country that is ill-equipped to look at any issue without throwing race into the mix. The ironic reality hit me as I grabbed the paper: Obama had a huge victory – his largest to date – yet The Courant chose not to put his photo on the front page but that of a newly elected, female White mayor of East Haven. His victory was mentioned below the fold, part of a packaged story on the importance of gender and race in the race for President.
From there I went to the very bottom of the front page, where an invitation to the Commentary section advised me that the paper had made its Democratic and GOP picks. Given the front page, I shouldn’t have been surprised: A brother couldn’t even get his full due. Yet, I had to laugh in disbelief when I saw the paper’s two choices – a White woman over a Black man and a White man whose religion, until just about 30 years ago believed being Black was a sin. Welcome to Connecticut, folks. Welcome to America.
Wait, it gets better. Hidden on the back page of the Courant’s commentary section was a piece penned by a syndicated writer from Chocolate City, or Washington DC as it’s more comfortably known. E.J. Dionne, Jr. chided the Clintons, Bill in particular, for going after Obama based on his pro-Reagan statement. Dionne reminded us that one of Bill’s attributes was his willingness to acknowledge Reagan’s contributions, and “willingness to defy his party’s Reaganphobia. ” What’s good for the goose evidently ain’t for the Black gander.
The hypocrisy of this race is astounding, but the hypocrisy of the media even more. As a former journalist, I am no longer willing to cut the paper some slack. True, they don’t know what they don’t know. But it doesn’t seem they’re willing to, either. The Courant has no African American on its editorial staff, so if it all comes down to race, who would fight for Obama? It’s editorial page editor is a woman, a clear advantage for Hillary if as the paper proclaims on its Sunday front page it’s all about “The Dilemma of Gender and Race.”
While Obama only won a quarter of overall white voters in South Carolina, he won 50 percent of young white voters. This is the same generation that gets its news by way of Youtube, and makes judgments based on their Myspace and Facebook interactions. The influence of the media on them is very, very different – and maybe that’s a good thing. Because if old suppositions can reign on the front page, if the media can change the face of criminal justice in Connecticut (don’t even get me started on THAT one), if the pot-calling-the-kettle-black stance of the Clintons can be simultaneously highlighted and rewarded in one paper on the same day, maybe we should kidnap a clue from our younger siblings. Because maybe they see what we’ve been raised not to: the media’s got an agenda of its own.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Black Females and Obama
by Dawn Fuller-Ball, Mrs. Fuller-Ball is an African American guest writer for Black Into the Future. She is a respected community activist in Hartford, CT on issues of prison/drug policy reform, undoing racism, and women's rights.
For the first time in history, Barack Obama’s campaign has created space for Black women to discuss issues central to the Black female population in America. This option has never truly existed in the past. Although the majority of conversations about Campaign 08’ have centered on Barack Obama, the man and the issues important him, the potential and significance of Michelle Obama’ as the First Lady has been all the talk in the Black women community and thus is not only transformative and exciting to me as a Black women, it has given me a new since of purpose which is why I choose to write this article.
It wasn’t until this election that critical issues affecting Black women specifically have been talked about and addressed in public spaces. In the past issues that were important to America have come from the old boy network and have been prioritized by White males and negotiated between them and White females. Although it has not been seen on a national level, Michelle Obama’s “campaign for First Lady” has already amplified the voices of Black woman on key issues of pro-choice, pro-life, and healthcare, education, and drug/criminal justice policies. Every where I go, whether it be the beauty salons or supermarket, sisters are talking about issues key to Black women and how this election has made them feel relevant in the political world.
Here is a personal example that brought the revelation of my marginalized role as a Black woman on issues of choice to light.
Several years ago I had a therapeutic abortion; basically a medically prescribed termination of a tubule pregnancy. It was just after George W. was elected. I had to go to the clinic on the designated day with all the other women who were terminating their pregnancies. There were a bunch of protesters outside shouting at me and my fiancé, saying that we were baby killers. After that traumatic experience, I had an interesting discussion with my employer about reproductive rights and whether or not Bush was stacking the Supreme Court with conservatives who would make it difficult or revoke the right of women to terminate pregnancies, therapeutic or otherwise. It made me look at politics in a new way, I often thought after this experience, why were our options for President always about us picking and choosing between different rich White men? Questions like that forced me to think about who would fight for women’s reproductive rights and why were black women so absent and distant from any real discussions about decisions that impact our lives.
While watching this campaign I’ve been thinking about the significance of Michelle Obama and evaluating historical insignificance of my voice and the voice of other Black women on issues. Amazing but true, Michelle Obama as the First Lady will change all of that in an instant. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s work has never amplified the voice of Black women on issues and I can not find solace in a Clinton Presidency because she has had her chance we know what she is about. Although the issues of women are central to her campaign, the unique experiences of Black women and other women of color has never been discussed by Hillary or anyone associated with her campaign. Having Michelle Obama has First lady, the country could not escape the Black women experience.
History tells us that since the 1900’s the First Lady has played the dual role of being the voice of compassion and the leader on family focused issues like healthcare and education. The First Lady has always been the back bone of American politics and family from Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s managing of the White House and her family to; Anna Eleanor Roosevelt’s break from the traditional woman’s role of being behind the throne to being a social activists to; Hillary Rodham Clinton and her leadership on national health care reform to; Laura Lane Welch Bush’s national and international work on education the role of the First Lady has influenced the consciousness of the United States. Michelle Obama as the First Lady conjures up a powerful and respected image of the Black female’s role in determining the destiny of all families in the United States of America.
With a Black First Lady this country would have to acknowledge some historical facts. Those facts include the nurturing of America on our breast milk, feeding America at our tables, and building America on the backs of the eggs from our womb. These unsung contributions and sacrifices by Black women have been ignored despite their historical significance. Michelle Obama’s “campaign for First Lady” changes all that and finally makes our voice and “right” to be heard as an equal in rooms with males and White females on issues that effect all of America.
In the end Michelle Obama’s addition to the list of the most powerful Black women in the United States of America as the first Black First Lady is an event that could round out the contributions of Black women like Oprah Winfrey, Ann M. Fudge, Marian Wright Edelman, Sharon Sayles Belton, Cathy Hughes, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Elaine R. Jones. Post Election 08’ our authenticity and importance can no longer be reduced to the tokenism that is Condoleezza Rice or a consumer base for corporations.
For the first time in history, Barack Obama’s campaign has created space for Black women to discuss issues central to the Black female population in America. This option has never truly existed in the past. Although the majority of conversations about Campaign 08’ have centered on Barack Obama, the man and the issues important him, the potential and significance of Michelle Obama’ as the First Lady has been all the talk in the Black women community and thus is not only transformative and exciting to me as a Black women, it has given me a new since of purpose which is why I choose to write this article.
It wasn’t until this election that critical issues affecting Black women specifically have been talked about and addressed in public spaces. In the past issues that were important to America have come from the old boy network and have been prioritized by White males and negotiated between them and White females. Although it has not been seen on a national level, Michelle Obama’s “campaign for First Lady” has already amplified the voices of Black woman on key issues of pro-choice, pro-life, and healthcare, education, and drug/criminal justice policies. Every where I go, whether it be the beauty salons or supermarket, sisters are talking about issues key to Black women and how this election has made them feel relevant in the political world.
Here is a personal example that brought the revelation of my marginalized role as a Black woman on issues of choice to light.
Several years ago I had a therapeutic abortion; basically a medically prescribed termination of a tubule pregnancy. It was just after George W. was elected. I had to go to the clinic on the designated day with all the other women who were terminating their pregnancies. There were a bunch of protesters outside shouting at me and my fiancé, saying that we were baby killers. After that traumatic experience, I had an interesting discussion with my employer about reproductive rights and whether or not Bush was stacking the Supreme Court with conservatives who would make it difficult or revoke the right of women to terminate pregnancies, therapeutic or otherwise. It made me look at politics in a new way, I often thought after this experience, why were our options for President always about us picking and choosing between different rich White men? Questions like that forced me to think about who would fight for women’s reproductive rights and why were black women so absent and distant from any real discussions about decisions that impact our lives.
While watching this campaign I’ve been thinking about the significance of Michelle Obama and evaluating historical insignificance of my voice and the voice of other Black women on issues. Amazing but true, Michelle Obama as the First Lady will change all of that in an instant. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s work has never amplified the voice of Black women on issues and I can not find solace in a Clinton Presidency because she has had her chance we know what she is about. Although the issues of women are central to her campaign, the unique experiences of Black women and other women of color has never been discussed by Hillary or anyone associated with her campaign. Having Michelle Obama has First lady, the country could not escape the Black women experience.
History tells us that since the 1900’s the First Lady has played the dual role of being the voice of compassion and the leader on family focused issues like healthcare and education. The First Lady has always been the back bone of American politics and family from Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s managing of the White House and her family to; Anna Eleanor Roosevelt’s break from the traditional woman’s role of being behind the throne to being a social activists to; Hillary Rodham Clinton and her leadership on national health care reform to; Laura Lane Welch Bush’s national and international work on education the role of the First Lady has influenced the consciousness of the United States. Michelle Obama as the First Lady conjures up a powerful and respected image of the Black female’s role in determining the destiny of all families in the United States of America.
With a Black First Lady this country would have to acknowledge some historical facts. Those facts include the nurturing of America on our breast milk, feeding America at our tables, and building America on the backs of the eggs from our womb. These unsung contributions and sacrifices by Black women have been ignored despite their historical significance. Michelle Obama’s “campaign for First Lady” changes all that and finally makes our voice and “right” to be heard as an equal in rooms with males and White females on issues that effect all of America.
In the end Michelle Obama’s addition to the list of the most powerful Black women in the United States of America as the first Black First Lady is an event that could round out the contributions of Black women like Oprah Winfrey, Ann M. Fudge, Marian Wright Edelman, Sharon Sayles Belton, Cathy Hughes, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Elaine R. Jones. Post Election 08’ our authenticity and importance can no longer be reduced to the tokenism that is Condoleezza Rice or a consumer base for corporations.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Black Into the Future- Why Barack?
First, thanks to all those that have visited, posted and commented on our blog, Black to the Future. We started the blog as a test to gauge peoples interests, and on most accounts, the blog was a success. In only one week’s time, we had over 150 visits, over 60 comments and 30 people have taken our online poll. We managed to get those numbers based on our networks, friends and family. We have resisted sending the blog out to the broader internet community because we wanted to see if there was interest and what it would take for us to maintain the blog at a smaller level and, we like it.
Many of the responses about the blog through e-mail and in verbal communication has centered on why we believe this blog is so important and what are our ultimate goals. We thought to begin week two of the blog by answering those questions to offer clarity, generate deeper discussions around race, gender and politics in American society and to re-introduce the liberating, conscious building and discipline of community organizing to the mainstream Black community.
Why Barack?
As you may have noticed, in the above paragraph, we did not mention that we wanted to use the blog to help get Barack Obama elected as President. That is not our goal. Although we believe Barack should be the next President of the United States and we will not hide that in our articles and posts, we believe that a better use of the blog is to use the Barack candidacy to generate meaningful discussions and conversations about race, gender, politics and community organizing. It is our hope that this blog will be used to strengthen the Black communities analysis and tactics in ways that will increase political power for Blacks, now and in the future.
Many of the responses about the blog through e-mail and in verbal communication has centered on why we believe this blog is so important and what are our ultimate goals. We thought to begin week two of the blog by answering those questions to offer clarity, generate deeper discussions around race, gender and politics in American society and to re-introduce the liberating, conscious building and discipline of community organizing to the mainstream Black community.
Why Barack?
As you may have noticed, in the above paragraph, we did not mention that we wanted to use the blog to help get Barack Obama elected as President. That is not our goal. Although we believe Barack should be the next President of the United States and we will not hide that in our articles and posts, we believe that a better use of the blog is to use the Barack candidacy to generate meaningful discussions and conversations about race, gender, politics and community organizing. It is our hope that this blog will be used to strengthen the Black communities analysis and tactics in ways that will increase political power for Blacks, now and in the future.
Barack and Organizing
Ok, the obvious is that Barack is a black man, a son of an immigrant, a Christian and a politician. In some ways, Barack’s candidacy looks similar to your average post civil rights politician. What is interesting to us about Barack is not just his demographics, but in fact the path he has taken to get to where he is. Barack Obama is an organizer. An Organizer is a person who brings together a group of people for the purposes of challenging those that influences and impacts their lives so that they may gain control over those decisions. Organizing is often used to leverage the power relationship between common-folks and people in power. Organizing has been responsible for changing the political culture of a community as well as getting a relatively unknown person elected like in Bolivia. The indigenous people of Bolivia put together an organizing plan that shocked the world and elected an organizer to be President of Bolivia.
It is our belief, which will be explored through the blog in the upcoming weeks, that Barack’s candidacy is making a strong connection to the profession of organizing to not only let everyone know that he has been in the trenches with the people, but in fact that he is re-introducing to the American people, specifically to those that are down-trodden and marginalized, the importance of organizing in holding government accountable, gaining political power and access and to make and create meaningful change. You see signs of this in Barack’s speech to the culinary unions where he says in an unprecedented fashion, that as President he would come down and walk the picket line with the workers.
It is our belief, which will be explored through the blog in the upcoming weeks, that Barack’s candidacy is making a strong connection to the profession of organizing to not only let everyone know that he has been in the trenches with the people, but in fact that he is re-introducing to the American people, specifically to those that are down-trodden and marginalized, the importance of organizing in holding government accountable, gaining political power and access and to make and create meaningful change. You see signs of this in Barack’s speech to the culinary unions where he says in an unprecedented fashion, that as President he would come down and walk the picket line with the workers.
Barack and Race.
Recent discussions between Barack and Hillary regarding race in America has been an interesting case study of contemporary race relations in American society. Barack versus Hillary, a black man versus a white women, experience over age, and “what have you done for me lately” politics have dominated the air ways. To be blatantly honest, the Clinton’s camp should be ashamed of their tactics and use of race baiting and here is why: 1. It is clear that the Clintons only evoked issues and matters regarding race to change the discussion from her tearing up in New Hampshire. When Tear-Gate was on the headlines, Hillary numbers were going down. Something had to be done. Hillary and Bill used race to change the discussion and dared Barack to battle them publicly over race. They did this because they were counting on America’s delusional belief that racism happens to whites from Blacks more then whites act racism out on Blacks. They challenged Barack and Barack backed down and took the non-confrontational route. The Clintons were right. To make things even worse, when this was apparent, Bill and Hillary released their house negro civil rights leaders on Barack’s black card in the Black community. Bob Johnson, the guy who sold BET to Viacom for millions of dollars and Charlie Rangel, the guy who fought to establish the original bill that made crack cocaine a longer sentence then power cocaine, came out knowing Barack was at a disadvantage on the issue and began kicking him while he was down and hasn’t stopped yet. The way the Clintons used race to get back ahead in the polls was one hand brilliant but on the other hand exposed their willingness to do what it takes, including destroy that which symbolizes what they claim to represent the most, Barack Obama. These situations showed how race is often used by white liberals, to get ahead.
Barack and Opportunity
A closer look at Barack Obama’s campaign strategy and relationships reveal some interesting trends. It would appear that Barack has been able to successfully weave opportunities reserved for “anointed” Black candidates with the credibility of grassroots organizing and charisma. His strategy to accomplish this is not only interesting to watch but may articulate a strategy that can be used by local and national Black organizers, leaders, and politicians.
In order to understand the tight rope that Barack is walking we have to lay out the historic trends that Barack and his campaign staff have to negotiate. Here are a few trends we’ve noticed:
1. Republican support:
a. How is Obama raising so much money and from whom? The Democrats are funding Hillary, it’s not coming from students they eat ramen noodles for dinner, and it’s hard to believe that over 110 million dollars for his campaign is coming from Black communities.
b. Conservatives like Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Rielly, and Sean Hannity have shifted from beating up on Barack to “understanding” him after blasting him for the past 3 years.
c. Obama 15 of 43 governors, senators and representatives from Red States endorsing or supporting him. Also, the Republicans haven't produced a legit candidate to compete with him. Barack was the center of attention at the end of the Republican debate before the New Hampshire Primary. Instead they keep talking about competing against him in November.
d. Why is Oprah getting involved? She has never supported a Black candidate before. She and Steadman have been operatives for the Republicans forever.
2. Strategy –
a. Could Obama be the new Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). DOMA was used to divide, diminish, and dilute the Black Democratic vote in the 2004 election. Also, many of the major African American (negro) leaders including Congressional members and business professionals.
b. The uncomfortable relationship the Clintons have with Barack. He is everything they claim to have fought for but they want to attack him but can’t without looking like hypocrites. The strategy to goad Obama into a race debate worked in killing Tear-Gate but backfired when Obama didn’t take the bait and provide a platform for the Clintons to role out their civil rights movement credentials.
c. The Democratic Party has never seriously supported any Black candidate for President. Why would they start now especially when he is running against the Clintons? In 2004 Sharpton took money from Republicans while running as a Democrat and used the funds to attack the democratic leader in the primaries. This week Rev. Al Sharpton blasted Barack Obama for no real reason. Maybe, just maybe, Barack Obama too his job.
Imagine this, what is Barack Obama has negotiated a deal (opportunity) with the Republican Party to kill off or severally damage the Clinton campaign prior to the November election. Don’t think of Barack Obama as the Black candidate for the president, think of him as "the opportunist". Obama is a Chicago politician, he has always fancied himself as a middle of the isle type of guy working as much with Republicans as with Democrats while in the Illinois legislature and Congress.
If this conspiracy is remotely true and Obama can keep his balance on this tight rope up until the Democratic Convention in Denver he has to be considered one of the greatest politicians since Ronald Reagan. This potential reality doesn't change anything we want to believe or know about Barack Obama it actually makes him the realest candidate in this election and his strategy thus far is something to behold.
In order to understand the tight rope that Barack is walking we have to lay out the historic trends that Barack and his campaign staff have to negotiate. Here are a few trends we’ve noticed:
1. Republican support:
a. How is Obama raising so much money and from whom? The Democrats are funding Hillary, it’s not coming from students they eat ramen noodles for dinner, and it’s hard to believe that over 110 million dollars for his campaign is coming from Black communities.
b. Conservatives like Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Rielly, and Sean Hannity have shifted from beating up on Barack to “understanding” him after blasting him for the past 3 years.
c. Obama 15 of 43 governors, senators and representatives from Red States endorsing or supporting him. Also, the Republicans haven't produced a legit candidate to compete with him. Barack was the center of attention at the end of the Republican debate before the New Hampshire Primary. Instead they keep talking about competing against him in November.
d. Why is Oprah getting involved? She has never supported a Black candidate before. She and Steadman have been operatives for the Republicans forever.
2. Strategy –
a. Could Obama be the new Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). DOMA was used to divide, diminish, and dilute the Black Democratic vote in the 2004 election. Also, many of the major African American (negro) leaders including Congressional members and business professionals.
b. The uncomfortable relationship the Clintons have with Barack. He is everything they claim to have fought for but they want to attack him but can’t without looking like hypocrites. The strategy to goad Obama into a race debate worked in killing Tear-Gate but backfired when Obama didn’t take the bait and provide a platform for the Clintons to role out their civil rights movement credentials.
c. The Democratic Party has never seriously supported any Black candidate for President. Why would they start now especially when he is running against the Clintons? In 2004 Sharpton took money from Republicans while running as a Democrat and used the funds to attack the democratic leader in the primaries. This week Rev. Al Sharpton blasted Barack Obama for no real reason. Maybe, just maybe, Barack Obama too his job.
Imagine this, what is Barack Obama has negotiated a deal (opportunity) with the Republican Party to kill off or severally damage the Clinton campaign prior to the November election. Don’t think of Barack Obama as the Black candidate for the president, think of him as "the opportunist". Obama is a Chicago politician, he has always fancied himself as a middle of the isle type of guy working as much with Republicans as with Democrats while in the Illinois legislature and Congress.
If this conspiracy is remotely true and Obama can keep his balance on this tight rope up until the Democratic Convention in Denver he has to be considered one of the greatest politicians since Ronald Reagan. This potential reality doesn't change anything we want to believe or know about Barack Obama it actually makes him the realest candidate in this election and his strategy thus far is something to behold.
Barack’s Paradox
The Clinton’s and Clinton supporters have said Barack Obama is not experienced enough, even though that is exactly the argument the Clinton’s used to get elected in 1992. Barack Obama can’t catch a break. The paradox of the Barack campaign sums up the experiences of Black men in the United States of America. Barack Obama is a Black man. He is articulate and Ivy League educated. His inauguration would be a balm on the lesion of slavery in the United States of America. His campaign has stirred up powerful emotions not only in American citizens but throughout the world. He is not only a qualified and legitimate candidate for President but his real life grassroots experiences are guiding his campaign. The irony of these realities is that he can’t mention any of them in his campaign for President.
Hillary Clinton on the other hand carries many of same credentials. Her candidacy would be historic and her inauguration would show tremendous social growth in America. The difference between Barack and Hillary is Hillary can and has used all these things as reasons to elect her. Barack Obama has been backed into the preverbal corner that Black people are often forced into when seeking support from the general American public.
Understanding this paradox demands a critical look at a social double standard for professional Black males and progressive White females in America. It’s been said and agreed to throughout the media that a debate, public conversation, or campaign that is professional and civil plays to Barack Obama’s favor. An emotional, intimate, and/or personal campaign plays to Hillary Clinton’s favor. Thus limiting Barack Obama to acceptable White American attributes and allowing and validating Hillary Clinton’s personal life experience. Then for good measure the Clinton campaign has rolled out any and every Black person they know to say they are not racist and that Barack Obama shouldn’t be trusted. This doesn’t seem like they acts of Black love by the Clintons, though it is the prophetic reaction (Malcom X) of house Negros when the master’s house is on fire. Black America please keep a list of these Negros and remember them.
Hillary Clinton on the other hand carries many of same credentials. Her candidacy would be historic and her inauguration would show tremendous social growth in America. The difference between Barack and Hillary is Hillary can and has used all these things as reasons to elect her. Barack Obama has been backed into the preverbal corner that Black people are often forced into when seeking support from the general American public.
Understanding this paradox demands a critical look at a social double standard for professional Black males and progressive White females in America. It’s been said and agreed to throughout the media that a debate, public conversation, or campaign that is professional and civil plays to Barack Obama’s favor. An emotional, intimate, and/or personal campaign plays to Hillary Clinton’s favor. Thus limiting Barack Obama to acceptable White American attributes and allowing and validating Hillary Clinton’s personal life experience. Then for good measure the Clinton campaign has rolled out any and every Black person they know to say they are not racist and that Barack Obama shouldn’t be trusted. This doesn’t seem like they acts of Black love by the Clintons, though it is the prophetic reaction (Malcom X) of house Negros when the master’s house is on fire. Black America please keep a list of these Negros and remember them.
Barack’s new Beginning
The details of the Obamamaina versus Clintonism election has the immeasurable potential of beginning a conversation in Black America about real political power for real people (Black, White, or otherwise). Conservatives have always called Black America foolish for supporting progressive democrats, especially the Clintons. This election has proven everything that the conservatives have asked Black America to see for decades.
Barack Obama’s campaign poses a historical question to the United States of America and a serious challenge to Black America. Will this election season force US residents to admit this paradox, help Black America develop critical strategies for political power, and begin restoring the United States of America’s perception of being a humanitarian state?
Barack Obama’s campaign poses a historical question to the United States of America and a serious challenge to Black America. Will this election season force US residents to admit this paradox, help Black America develop critical strategies for political power, and begin restoring the United States of America’s perception of being a humanitarian state?
Friday, January 11, 2008
Liars, Failures, Obamas, O' My: 20 Years of American Experience; time for Change?
Both the Clintons and Obamas have made it fair game to think about their candidacy for the White House as a two for one deal. As people are voting in this primary for Hillary and Barack, Bill and Michelle are also on peoples minds. In many ways, it’s fair to say that without Bill, Hillary would not have her current status within the Democratic Party and without Michelle, Barack would not be so successful inside the Black community.
Within the Democratic Primaries the two front runners (with spouses in tow) have presented specifics that establish them as the choice for the Democratic Nomination. The below is a snapshot of the most recent 20 year presidential history and how it impacts their candidacies.
Hillary Clinton on Experience
Hillary Clinton’s campaign is attempting to frame her candidacy as a historical act that would propel the United States of America into an era of progressive politics cemented in liberal ideals. Key issues include: health care, women and children’s issues
Barack Obama on Change
Barack Obama’s campaign maintains that he is the change the United States of America need. He suggests the historical significance of his campaign can reestablish the USA’s global integrity. Key issues: immigration reform, reforming mandatory minimum, health care and ending energy independence
Hillary Rodham married Bill Clinton in 1975. They began their elected service in 1976 and have served as elected officials on the local and national level for more than 40 years. http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/bc42.html
Barack Obama married Michelle LaVaughn Robinson in 1992. They began their service to the public at around the same time in 1988 and have served as public servants either as organizers, civil rights attorneys or establishing community programs. They have served as elected officials on the local level for the past 11 years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama
In short:
The Clintons have been knee deep in public office for the past 40 years while the Obamas have had their heads buried in books and in community programs. A brief look at major social and political events over the past 20 years may shed some light on why voters are split on the two seemingly opposite campaigns.
Translating Experience:
The United States of America has done some very good things over the past 15 years but there are some great embarrassments as well. The consequences of those embarrassments on America and the global community are extensive. When the Clintons brag on their “experience” consider some events of those years.
• Rwandan genocide - North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
• Failed Welfare Reform – Whitewater Scandal - Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
• Hillary Clinton’s failed Health Care plan - Refusal to apologize for slavery
• Initiated “3 strikes and you’re out” resulting in the incarceration of over 2 million people today
• Bill’s failed efforts at attacking Osama Bil Laden- Monica Lewinsky….
• The Death of Ron Brown
This is not about bashing the Clintons because many great things happened under their watch:
• Brady Bill – Nelson Mandela becomes President of South Africa
• Numerous Black nominees to top US offices and Judges – Advances in space exploration to Mars
• Bill Clinton goes to Africa - Northern Ireland agree to tentative truce –
• 1st Fiscal Surplus in 30 years
If you add events of the Clinton years to events of the Reagan era (Iran Contra Affair), the Bush I global ignorance term (losing his lunch on the Japanese Prime Minister), and the buffoonery of the Bush II years (the Iraq war, failing to get Bin Laden in Afghanistan, the sub-prime mortgage crisis) it’s not hard to see why claiming 35 years of experience in politics may not be the best selling point. It actually reminds everyone that you are part of the problem and that you are part of the reason why the United States have fallen from grace and lost its global respect.
Translate Change:
With this in mind, it makes perfect sense why voters gravitate to the message of “change” from the Obama campaign. Anybody with an internet connection (thank you Al Gore) will equate the Clintons extensive “experience” with the extensive shame many US residents feel. Then for good measure, the Clintons must remember that they are attacking what is seen as Black America’s version of the Kennedy’s, a physical manifestation of Martin Luther King, Jr’s dream, an attack on Black pride, the promise of civil rights, hope and opportunity for Black people, ultimately “change”.
Change is good, change is necessary and during these moments when we are deciding if it is change that we want, the Black community must reflect and decide what change means for them.
Robert Rooks
Lorenzo Jones
Within the Democratic Primaries the two front runners (with spouses in tow) have presented specifics that establish them as the choice for the Democratic Nomination. The below is a snapshot of the most recent 20 year presidential history and how it impacts their candidacies.
Hillary Clinton on Experience
Hillary Clinton’s campaign is attempting to frame her candidacy as a historical act that would propel the United States of America into an era of progressive politics cemented in liberal ideals. Key issues include: health care, women and children’s issues
Barack Obama on Change
Barack Obama’s campaign maintains that he is the change the United States of America need. He suggests the historical significance of his campaign can reestablish the USA’s global integrity. Key issues: immigration reform, reforming mandatory minimum, health care and ending energy independence
Hillary Rodham married Bill Clinton in 1975. They began their elected service in 1976 and have served as elected officials on the local and national level for more than 40 years. http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/bc42.html
Barack Obama married Michelle LaVaughn Robinson in 1992. They began their service to the public at around the same time in 1988 and have served as public servants either as organizers, civil rights attorneys or establishing community programs. They have served as elected officials on the local level for the past 11 years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama
In short:
The Clintons have been knee deep in public office for the past 40 years while the Obamas have had their heads buried in books and in community programs. A brief look at major social and political events over the past 20 years may shed some light on why voters are split on the two seemingly opposite campaigns.
Translating Experience:
The United States of America has done some very good things over the past 15 years but there are some great embarrassments as well. The consequences of those embarrassments on America and the global community are extensive. When the Clintons brag on their “experience” consider some events of those years.
• Rwandan genocide - North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
• Failed Welfare Reform – Whitewater Scandal - Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
• Hillary Clinton’s failed Health Care plan - Refusal to apologize for slavery
• Initiated “3 strikes and you’re out” resulting in the incarceration of over 2 million people today
• Bill’s failed efforts at attacking Osama Bil Laden- Monica Lewinsky….
• The Death of Ron Brown
This is not about bashing the Clintons because many great things happened under their watch:
• Brady Bill – Nelson Mandela becomes President of South Africa
• Numerous Black nominees to top US offices and Judges – Advances in space exploration to Mars
• Bill Clinton goes to Africa - Northern Ireland agree to tentative truce –
• 1st Fiscal Surplus in 30 years
If you add events of the Clinton years to events of the Reagan era (Iran Contra Affair), the Bush I global ignorance term (losing his lunch on the Japanese Prime Minister), and the buffoonery of the Bush II years (the Iraq war, failing to get Bin Laden in Afghanistan, the sub-prime mortgage crisis) it’s not hard to see why claiming 35 years of experience in politics may not be the best selling point. It actually reminds everyone that you are part of the problem and that you are part of the reason why the United States have fallen from grace and lost its global respect.
Translate Change:
With this in mind, it makes perfect sense why voters gravitate to the message of “change” from the Obama campaign. Anybody with an internet connection (thank you Al Gore) will equate the Clintons extensive “experience” with the extensive shame many US residents feel. Then for good measure, the Clintons must remember that they are attacking what is seen as Black America’s version of the Kennedy’s, a physical manifestation of Martin Luther King, Jr’s dream, an attack on Black pride, the promise of civil rights, hope and opportunity for Black people, ultimately “change”.
Change is good, change is necessary and during these moments when we are deciding if it is change that we want, the Black community must reflect and decide what change means for them.
Robert Rooks
Lorenzo Jones
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Clintonism -vs- Obamamaina
Bill Clinton has his doubts, minimizing Barack Obama's campaign to a "fairy tale he can't believe"
Is "Tricky Willie" talking about Obama, Black people, or his disbelief that someone is catching have the breaks he recieved.
The Clintons are gearing up for a serious fight with the Obamas. With Gov. Richardson bailing out of the race today and Former Senator Edwards "throwing rocks and hiding his hands" at the two remaining Democratic camps, the Clinton versus Obama battle is shaping up to be a legitamate Pay-Per-View fight. The Obama's have raised nearly $1 Million dollars a day this year meaning they and their supporters are in for the long haul. It looks like a real Hatfield and McKoy fued is brewing. If New Hampshire is a sign of things to come, the polarazation of the voters and the exploitation of race will be central as the campaigns go forward.
The clash of Clintonism and Obamamaia will make 2008 a year to remember. Get your tickets (involved) early before self-appointed Civil Rights activists and Ivory Tower Negro Academics start scalping them.
Is "Tricky Willie" talking about Obama, Black people, or his disbelief that someone is catching have the breaks he recieved.
The Clintons are gearing up for a serious fight with the Obamas. With Gov. Richardson bailing out of the race today and Former Senator Edwards "throwing rocks and hiding his hands" at the two remaining Democratic camps, the Clinton versus Obama battle is shaping up to be a legitamate Pay-Per-View fight. The Obama's have raised nearly $1 Million dollars a day this year meaning they and their supporters are in for the long haul. It looks like a real Hatfield and McKoy fued is brewing. If New Hampshire is a sign of things to come, the polarazation of the voters and the exploitation of race will be central as the campaigns go forward.
The clash of Clintonism and Obamamaia will make 2008 a year to remember. Get your tickets (involved) early before self-appointed Civil Rights activists and Ivory Tower Negro Academics start scalping them.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Organized people -vs- Organized money!!!
"I stood on the picket line and marched with workers at the Congress Hotel in Chicago last week," Said Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, Saturday, July 21, 2007, in Des Moines, Iowa. "I had marched with them four years earlier..." "...When I left I told them if they were still fighting four years from now, I'd be back on that picket line as president of the United States and we'll get the Congress Hotel organized." AP storyOrganized people -vs- Organized money!!!
by, Lorenzo Jones and Robert Rooks
At 12:00 p.m. today (January 9th) the Culinary Workers Union in Nevada announced their support for Barack Obama’s Presidential candidacy. The endorsement was on behalf of the Culinary group and its parent union, UNITE HERE. UNITE HERE claims 450,000 active members; its endorsement is Obama's first from a major national union.
Seeing organized labor in Nevada not only publicly endorse Obama but to go as far as demanding respect for him from other people in Nevada is an organizing shot across the bow to any Obama opposition in Nevada or otherwise. This is evidenced in the statement by UNITE HERE president, Bruce Raynor who stated, "Our organization and our members will do everything in our power to see that he reaches the White House this fall, because we know he will bring working Americans with him,".
The leadership of the Culinary Workers union (Local 226) representing their 60,000 person membership announced their endorsement at a new conference in Las Vegas Wednesday. The announcement came the day after Obama narrowly lost the New Hampshire primary to Hillary Clinton. Culinary Secretary-Treasurer D. Taylor praised the senator's work with a sister union in Chicago and said Obama would appeal across the union's diverse ranks.
In the world of comedy there’s an old saying, “the funny comedians can make comedians laugh”. In the organizing world a similar rule applies, simply, organizers know and respect organizers. If you claim to be an organizer, organizers will test you and only organizers can brand you an organizer. This rite of passage is a process rooted in the biblical principle that ‘iron sharpens iron’.
In an election that reinforces the truth that power comes in two forms: organized people (Obama) and organized money (Hillary), Obama’s strategy to position himself as an agent of change and Hillary as an agent of the state seems to be working.
Barack Obama rallys and addresses Culinary Workers Union in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 2007.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GwRJwkLTV-k
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Black into the future
Barack Obama - A healthy discussion about what Barack can mean should mean and will mean to Black people in the 21st century, whether he becomes President or not.
Is Obama America's new son? Is Obama the radical change that America needs to put the Bush years behind us? Does America want change so much that it will elect a Black man as President? Can Obama win? Is Obama the real deal? Is Obama the new Colin Powell, Jr? Or is Obama simply a more palatable version of Clarence Thomas and Condoleezza Rice? Regardless of victory or defeat, will the Obama 2008 campaign translate to something positive for Black people?
Skepticism of Obama has run rampant over the last year. Some have doubted him because of his name, because he is bi-racial, a Harvard graduate, a son of an immigrant , because “he can’t win” and that he doesn’t look like, sound like or publicly associate with civil rights leaders like Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton. People have plainly criticized Obama (including us) because we did not know where he came from.
At the same time, others doubted him because he did not seem to bring anything new or different to the table. All the democratic candidates want to reform healthcare, education, the environment, and bring the troops home from Iraq and some have said, if he does not bring something unique to the table that represents his experiences, he’s useless.
Doubt, doubt, doubt and more doubt has surrounded Barack until something big happened, really big, and that was, Barack won IOWA.
Today, Barack is the buzz all over the world. People in Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia are all taking about the possibilities of Barack Obama becoming America’s next President. People in America are talking in Churches, barbershops and in schools on whether or not Barack Obama can get elected and what that may mean for the Black community.
This blog, Black into the Future, is actually designed to bring those conversations to light, generate much needed discussions about politics that impact the Black community, and explore the questions everybody is asking, can we trust what’s happening with Barack and what does this amazing run for President mean, will mean and must mean to the future of American politics and the Black community.
We actually began to re-think our opinion of Barack before Iowa. In September 2007, we (Robert and Lorenzo) went to Chicago to begin talking and meeting with people about organizing to address issues that impact the lives of working class, poor and marginalized Chicago residents. We talked to city employees, folks hanging out on the street corners, senior citizens and people in local politics. As you know, Chicago citizens have a special "understanding" of politics after years being under a democratic stronghold like the Daley machine. As part of our conversations, meetings, and one on ones with folks about putting together a regional organizing strategy, Barack’s name consistently came up. In almost every situation the comments were about the same, “he’s the real deal, that’s my dude.” (dude is used in Chicago instead of my dog or “my nigga”.)
Whether we were talking with people on the ground, within the city’s bus union, local markets, “hood” stores, newspaper salespeople, East side, West side, South side, North side, community based organizations, and so on , people all said that he's "the real deal" . When we went on to talk about how Obama was associating himself with the wrong people or that he came from no where, what we got back caught our attention, one gentlemen said in response to our criticism, “F-You, he's our dude, we knew him before all the hoop-lah, take your ass back to CT and do something about Lieberman".
These responses surprised us. It surprised us not because people were coming out and supporting Barack, it surprised us because of the way they came out and supported him. Barack was personal to them. The issues that Barack stood for were the issues that they stood for. The sense of ownership of Barack by regular everyday folk caught our attention because the only other time we were around people that had similar responses about a political campaign or process was our victory in Connecticut when we became the first state in the country to equalize sentencing between crack and powder cocaine in 2005. We call that victory the people’s victory because it generated the same type of support.
What many people may be missing or not paying attention to is how difficult it is to generate a people’s movement. A people’s movement doesn’t come from attack ads, political polls, media messaging or speeches. Leaders of a people’s movement aren’t seen as stuffy, intellectuals or distant. A people’s movement only comes when a lot of time, attention, organizing and building happens in communities in such a way that taps into the soul of that community and sparks hope. We noticed that in the people of Chicago and Barack captured our attention every since.
A simple analysis of the red and blue state decisions in the last election, the demand for real change, the rejection of Republican political maneuvers over the last eight years, the overt rejection of Clintonism, the Barack Iowa win, and recent polls giving legitimacy to Barack’s rise in the political world has created cautious optimism, Barack Obama could win! Is this true, can we trust it? Could this Barack guy be someone who gets the necessity of going deeper than politics and be someone who resonates with everyday citizens? Well, we think so? What we experienced in Chicago people are experiencing all across the country. How we were challenged in Chicago is how Hillary is being challenged right now. Now, after 3 months of watching, listening, and talking with others about Barack, it became evident to us, Barack is the real deal and now, the entire world knows it.
The bottom line is based on our experiences (Robert and Lorenzo) Obama’s campaign seems to be the real deal. We see it, you see it, and the world sees it.
Barack Obama delivers powerful victory speech following Iowa Caucus, January 2008
The question for this blog is, “Can we trust it?”
Whether we do or not, the silver tongued Obama says "YES WE CAN"!
Is Obama America's new son? Is Obama the radical change that America needs to put the Bush years behind us? Does America want change so much that it will elect a Black man as President? Can Obama win? Is Obama the real deal? Is Obama the new Colin Powell, Jr? Or is Obama simply a more palatable version of Clarence Thomas and Condoleezza Rice? Regardless of victory or defeat, will the Obama 2008 campaign translate to something positive for Black people?
Skepticism of Obama has run rampant over the last year. Some have doubted him because of his name, because he is bi-racial, a Harvard graduate, a son of an immigrant , because “he can’t win” and that he doesn’t look like, sound like or publicly associate with civil rights leaders like Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton. People have plainly criticized Obama (including us) because we did not know where he came from.
At the same time, others doubted him because he did not seem to bring anything new or different to the table. All the democratic candidates want to reform healthcare, education, the environment, and bring the troops home from Iraq and some have said, if he does not bring something unique to the table that represents his experiences, he’s useless.
Doubt, doubt, doubt and more doubt has surrounded Barack until something big happened, really big, and that was, Barack won IOWA.
Today, Barack is the buzz all over the world. People in Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia are all taking about the possibilities of Barack Obama becoming America’s next President. People in America are talking in Churches, barbershops and in schools on whether or not Barack Obama can get elected and what that may mean for the Black community.
This blog, Black into the Future, is actually designed to bring those conversations to light, generate much needed discussions about politics that impact the Black community, and explore the questions everybody is asking, can we trust what’s happening with Barack and what does this amazing run for President mean, will mean and must mean to the future of American politics and the Black community.
We actually began to re-think our opinion of Barack before Iowa. In September 2007, we (Robert and Lorenzo) went to Chicago to begin talking and meeting with people about organizing to address issues that impact the lives of working class, poor and marginalized Chicago residents. We talked to city employees, folks hanging out on the street corners, senior citizens and people in local politics. As you know, Chicago citizens have a special "understanding" of politics after years being under a democratic stronghold like the Daley machine. As part of our conversations, meetings, and one on ones with folks about putting together a regional organizing strategy, Barack’s name consistently came up. In almost every situation the comments were about the same, “he’s the real deal, that’s my dude.” (dude is used in Chicago instead of my dog or “my nigga”.)
Whether we were talking with people on the ground, within the city’s bus union, local markets, “hood” stores, newspaper salespeople, East side, West side, South side, North side, community based organizations, and so on , people all said that he's "the real deal" . When we went on to talk about how Obama was associating himself with the wrong people or that he came from no where, what we got back caught our attention, one gentlemen said in response to our criticism, “F-You, he's our dude, we knew him before all the hoop-lah, take your ass back to CT and do something about Lieberman".
These responses surprised us. It surprised us not because people were coming out and supporting Barack, it surprised us because of the way they came out and supported him. Barack was personal to them. The issues that Barack stood for were the issues that they stood for. The sense of ownership of Barack by regular everyday folk caught our attention because the only other time we were around people that had similar responses about a political campaign or process was our victory in Connecticut when we became the first state in the country to equalize sentencing between crack and powder cocaine in 2005. We call that victory the people’s victory because it generated the same type of support.
What many people may be missing or not paying attention to is how difficult it is to generate a people’s movement. A people’s movement doesn’t come from attack ads, political polls, media messaging or speeches. Leaders of a people’s movement aren’t seen as stuffy, intellectuals or distant. A people’s movement only comes when a lot of time, attention, organizing and building happens in communities in such a way that taps into the soul of that community and sparks hope. We noticed that in the people of Chicago and Barack captured our attention every since.
A simple analysis of the red and blue state decisions in the last election, the demand for real change, the rejection of Republican political maneuvers over the last eight years, the overt rejection of Clintonism, the Barack Iowa win, and recent polls giving legitimacy to Barack’s rise in the political world has created cautious optimism, Barack Obama could win! Is this true, can we trust it? Could this Barack guy be someone who gets the necessity of going deeper than politics and be someone who resonates with everyday citizens? Well, we think so? What we experienced in Chicago people are experiencing all across the country. How we were challenged in Chicago is how Hillary is being challenged right now. Now, after 3 months of watching, listening, and talking with others about Barack, it became evident to us, Barack is the real deal and now, the entire world knows it.
The bottom line is based on our experiences (Robert and Lorenzo) Obama’s campaign seems to be the real deal. We see it, you see it, and the world sees it.
Barack Obama delivers powerful victory speech following Iowa Caucus, January 2008
The question for this blog is, “Can we trust it?”
Whether we do or not, the silver tongued Obama says "YES WE CAN"!
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