In the latest issue of Newsweek there is an article about Black America's reaction to an Obama loss. Titled "What IF Obama Loses? African-Americans thought he had no chance-then they started to believe. Now they fear defeat." The subtitle reads like a civil rights case from the 1960s or the latest episode of Law and Order.
Written by Allison Samuels, the piece quotes from radio talk show host Michael Baisden,"Look, if he loses we have no one to blame but ourselves because that meant we all didn't go out and vote in the numbers we should have."
Time will tell which way this goes but the catering to American Blacks (because African-American is divisive and suggests any Black in America has a root in Africa anymore which is laughable) is so much pandering to the wrong voting block. White American Males, like it or not, will be the deciding factor in this election just as they have been in every other election since the dawn of this nation. If Barack gets his ass handed to him, it will not be because Blacks did not turn out in enough numbers; truth is, they don't have enough numbers anyway even if they all turned out to elect him by themselves.
A more realistic statement would be if Obama loses it means one of two things. One he did not make his case to White America or two, he made it and they simply were not buying it or liking it.
But there are small things in this article that cause me a great deal of concern and it deals mostly with the attitude of those quoted in the article, everyday and some not so everyday Black Americans.
Rapper Snoop Dogg is quoted from a website as saying, "People that I know that have never cared about politics are registering to vote this time: gang members,ex-cons, you name it." While I applaud these members of society getting involved, it is the motivator that worries me most. It his message that drive these people to the polls, his desire to give away another trillion dollars in assistance to inner city poor? Perhaps it is his energy plan which drives these bastions of environmentalism to the polls? Maybe they like the way he will deal with foreign governments and foreign entanglements down the line. Or maybe just maybe, (follow me here it could get a little iffy) because he's black.
Yep I said it and I mean it. Intellectual giant Snoop Dogg continues, "I hate to see a lot of that hope go down the drain, and if he loses, it will." What hope Snoop? I mean really, why are they voting for him anyway. They are poor (at least the ones Sir Snoop described) and want something from Uncle Sam and if it means Uncle Tom has to run Uncle Sam to get what they want, they will walk through fire and this is the mentality of Blacks in this country that bothers me the most. The Audacity of Expectation.
Here's another person quoted in the article, "I've never forgotten that he [Obama] is a smart, articulate black man with a smart, articulate black wife," this from Lynda Wright of Houston. But her next statement is the zinger, "You think white people were just going to turn over the keys to the most important job in the land without a fight?"
Allow me to represent for a moment... No, Ms. Wright, we are not going to turn over the keys. however should Obama EARN the keys he will enjoy the very same rights, responsibilities, probing and constant pressure and nick picking that all Presidents have enjoyed. This will be because he is President, not because he is Black. As for the "fight" it is called an election and your reaction to his loss should be just as controlled with the understanding that votes count, not color. If he wins he wins, a lot of white people will have voted for him which might put a kink in your world view, maybe not. Prepare yourself either way.
But racism is a fact and the Black community is its leading proponent in the 21st century. Again from the article in Newsweek, "My kids love Obama and think it's so obvious he should be president," this from actor D.L. Hughley, "I was just honest in saying that life isn't always fair... (now, had he stopped there I would have no issue with this statement, but of course there is more) and certainly isn't always fair for African-Americans." He goes on with some gibberish about Obama having overcome so much...blah blah blah. But why indoctrinate your child with a feeling of helplessness over the Presidential Elections?
Another statement from a contractor this time, "I'm going to be mad, real mad, if he doesn't win. Because for him to come this far and lose will be just SHADY (my emphasis) and a slap in black people's faces."
And that in a nut shell is the prevailing mentality of most poor to middle class Blacks in America. I preface that with the income levels because in the lower upper class neighborhood in which I now reside (and there is a division between lower upper class and upper middle class and their called gates) I have two sets of neighbors who are Black Americans. Being something of a political junkie I have spoken at length to both of them as they returned from their jobs early in the evening as we all do. They believe Obama will tax the s*** out of them and have no use for him. as one put it, "He's using blacks to get a job from which he will do nothing for blacks therefore adding to the belief by many white Americans that black people are ineffective in leadership positions." Needless to say I was thrilled to hear that coming from a black person who is looking at Obama the candidate and not Obama the Black candidate.
Baisden went on to say, "Yes, people will be upset, but it will be in a productive way. There will be a rational reaction if things are fair."
I beg to differ. The examples of drawn from for this article in Newsweek give no indication of rational thought. How anyone could make the leap from irrational expectation to rational disappointment is what lead to the Watts riots, the Rodney King aftermath riots, and just about every other riot in American history. It is always predicated by expectations not being met. The difference this time is that these expectations are based on the flimsiest of prerequisites. He's Black so he should win.
A final quote from the article, "I know it's crazy to go from not thinking a black man counts to thinking one SHOULD (again, my emphasis) win the president of the United States FOR SURE (mine again), but I'm not sure how I'll handle that if it doesn't happen." Attributed to a 32 year old ex-con who will be voting for the first time.
Well, based on how well your communities have dealt with disappointment in the past, might I point you in the direction of the downtown section of any major American city the night of November 4th so that you too can watch the reaction and the way people will "handle" it.
But what would I know; I'm just an Average American.
The Audacity of Expectation!
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Posted By: Average American Posted on: Oct. 5, 2008 at 9:55 AM |
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Oct. 5, 2008 at 10:01:34 PM
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Mr. American like I said when Obama announced he was running for president instead of running with terrorists I told all of you if he didn’t win the whites would all be racist and the blacks would riot and cry foul. When 95% of blacks vote for a black guy that is racism, but not in their eyes. |
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Anonymous Voice #36799
Oct. 6, 2008 at 12:17:53 AM
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| I read the same article and I felt the same way. Obama has made his candidacy a matter of ethnic pride for blacks. It seems odd to me that the blacks have bought this hypocrisy. With Obama growing up in a wealthy white family and going to private schools, I doubt that he ever even knew other "half black" children. He certainly never had to work a part-time job at McDonald's just to try to buy a pair of shoes. Obama is an elitist, in the same way that Oprah is an elitist. Both pretend to care about the poor, but live in mansions with servants. As for the Obama camp rounding up all the black ex-cons to vote, I find this really awful. Obama will do anything to win. Am I the only person out here who sees that Obama thinks of no one but himself. Look at the only two books he has ever written. Both are about his favorite topic ... himself. |
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Oct. 6, 2008 at 01:31:59 AM
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[This is a reply to comment by know it All on Oct. 5, 2008 at 10:01:34 PM]
know it All
Oct. 5, 2008 at 10:01:34 PM Mr. American like I said when Obama announced he was running for president instead of running with terrorists I told all of you if he didn’t win the whites would all be racist and the blacks would riot and cry foul. When 95% of blacks vote for a... View this Comment Obama has all the degenerates coming out of the woodwork to vote for him,but there is one big problem:90% of them dont know what day it is,or what time it is.On election day most of the knappy heads will be sleepin off a hangover,or be to drunk or stoned to find the polling place.. |
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AA...thank you for being honest here. I don't agree with your assessment of the artical you have posted, and see a deeper meaning than you see here. Something like sending a White movie critic to assess a comedy full of jokes making fun of Black stereotypes is the way I see your read of this.
However I am happy that for once a White man is being honest about his feelings, though they are disquised by trying to pull the reverse jusification. Thank you for not repeating the "flag pin" or the "secret Muslim" thing. I wish every White person could be as honest as you. At least you did not slander the man because of your unwillingness to accept the change that is going to come, no matter if Obama wins the election.
Change is gonna come. Take that to the bank. Opps...sorry...I said bank.
And...anything...anything BUT THE ECONOMY.
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