April 01, 2008
Alice Walker: Race is All that Matters?
Writing in the Guardian, Alice Walker claims that Barack Obama is America's Nelson Mandela, and if you are a white woman who can't see that, you're a racist.
I am a supporter of Barack Obama because I believe he is the right person to lead the United States at this time. He offers a rare opportunity for the country and the world to do better. It is a deep sadness to me that many of my feminist white women friends cannot see him, cannot hear the fresh choices toward movement he offers. That they can believe that millions of Americans choose Obama over Clinton only because he is a man, and black, feels tragic to me.When I have supported white people, it was because I thought them the best to do the job. If Obama were in any sense mediocre, he would be forgotten by now. He is, in fact, a remarkable human being, not perfect but humanly stunning, like King was and like Mandela is. He is the change America has been trying desperately and for centuries to hide, ignore, kill. The change it must have if we are to convince the rest of the world that we care about people other than our (white) selves.
Like other Obama cultists, Walker finds it impossible to detail why Obama is remarkable for anything outside of his race. His rhetorical skills, while impressive, are not unique. His legislative accomplishments on the state level in Illinois were exceedingly modest, and his accomplishments as a U.S. Senator are not only uninspiring but troubling; his voting record there so extremist that no other sitting U.S. Senator has as radical or one-sided a liberal voting record, or as poor a record of bipartisanship.
Barack Obama is, in every meaningful way, a quite mediocre candidate except for his ability to deliver a speech, and the biological fact he is half-black.
Walker, however, has stars in her eyes:
I can easily imagine Obama sitting down and talking to any leader - or any person - in the world, with no baggage of past servitude or race supremacy to mar their talks. I cannot see the same scenario with Clinton, who would drag into 21st-century US leadership the same image of white privilege and distance from others' lives that has so marred the country's contacts with the rest of the world. But because Clinton is a woman and may be very good at what she does, many people (some in my own family) originally favoured her. I understand this, almost. It is because there is little memory, apparently, of the foundational inequities that still plague people of colour and poor whites.
Barack Obama: Merciful Healer.
Except, of course, for the fact that Obama is half-white himself, meaning that he has the baggage (to use Walker's language; I do not buy into this argument at all and just wish to take the comparison to it's mind-numbingly illogical conclusion) of both past servitude on his father's side for being African, and race supremacy on his mother's side for the crime of being white. Doesn't this mean that according to Walker's logic, Obama is precisely the worst person to lead America?
Walker exists in a fantasy land, where America has "marred contacts" with the rest of the world because of some "image of white privilege and distance from others' lives".
Yes, we're fought wars to liberate countries from tyranny, sough the establish and support democracies around the globe, spend billions every year in foreign aid to help developing countries, provided massive amounts of aid for treating AIDS/HIV in Africa, raised hundreds of millions of dollars for tsunami victims ($950 million in government funds, more than $515 million in private funds), and Walker actually thinks that an image of "white privilege" exists, and it is this image hindering our relationships with the rest of the world, a world that exists in her fantasy as blameless, with no history of oppression, bigotry, tribalism, or despotism prior to July 4, 1776.
That both Barack and Michelle Obama are the Ivy-League-educated, self-absorbed, mansion-living poster children for privilege never seems to flitter through Walker's misfiring nuerons.
I've rarely seen a feminist unashamedly prostrate herself in front of a politician as Walker has here, fawning over a very pretty man of very little substance like a blubbering schoolgirl, seeking to infuse in him qualities in which she so fervently desires, qualities that he so obviously lacks.
I feel ashamed for her, the author of The Color Purple reduced to florid, empty, unsupportable ejaculations of "hope" and "change" based on nothing more than heartache and desire... Just words, and empty words at that.
Purple spooge?
Posted by: Dan Collins at April 1, 2008 10:56 AMWhy are liberals so obsessed with race? Why do they label everyone? The perfect example was the Super Bowl last year. When the Colts beat the Bears. I only saw two great coaches. All liberals saw were two black coaches. I expect the coaches in the super bowl to be great coaches. Liberals were amazed by the fact. They talked endlessly about it. Now.....tell me who the racists are?
Posted by: Capitalist Infidel at April 1, 2008 11:00 AMUC Cappy - the problem is that you can't understand their racial obsession because of your white privilege of not acknowledging their race only except when you do you see it thru the filter of your subconscious race consciousness of the unconscioues conscience of a conch shell. Or something like that.
Posted by: bandit at April 1, 2008 11:29 AMYes.
To people like her race is all that matters.
It is the same at Obama's church, too. All that matters is the color of their skin.
Martin Luther King must be spinning in his grave. it was he who said "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
In Alice Walker, Jeremiah Wright and Barak Obama's America all that counts is the color of your skin.
Congratulations Alice, Jeremiah and Barak! You have proven that racism is an equal opportunity employer.
Posted by: Ennis at April 1, 2008 11:37 AMIt is so convenient for the Obama faithful to ignore the realities about him: the uninspiring legislative record, the lies, the acquiesence to being surrounded by racists and haters, the family that mouths the same racism and anti-American feelings as his pastor. His unwillingness to make a principled stand on issues - voting present or ducking the roll call completely tells me volumes about his unpreparedness and ability to lead.
I'd happily vote for a black Presidential candidate - when a truly QUALIFIED one comes along. Could I be proud of and trust this man in the White House? Nope, and that is why he isn't getting my vote.
Posted by: in_awe at April 1, 2008 11:45 AMThat sage of sages, Michael Jackson wrote ..
I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change
I wonder why Obama doesn't use Jackson's song for his campaign ?
"I've rarely seen a feminist unashamedly prostrate herself in front of a politician as Walker has here, fawning over a very pretty man of very little substance like a blubbering schoolgirl, seeking to infuse in him qualities in which she so fervently desires, qualities that he so obviously lacks."
I was going to comment on the obvious sheep mentality of liberals in regards to Obama,but this
statement by CY sums up Walker's over the top drivel pretty well.
This constant drama from democrats about how the
only chance we have to save the world is to elect
Obama used to be funny but is starting to become
scary because I think they actually believe this
nonsense instead of it being just a political narrative to get votes.
Here is some more drooling by the "Elites"
Best of the Web Today
By JAMES TARANTO
March 21, 2008
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080317/MEDIA02/80317029/0/MEDIA03
Remember John Kerry? He was the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, lauded by his supporters for his intellect and his nuance, as compared with the simpleminded George W. Bush. Having lost the election, he decided to sit out the 2008 contest. He recently endorsed Barack Obama, and earlier this week he sat down with the editorial board of the Standard-Times (New Bedford, Mass.) to make the case for his candidate.
"Kerry was asked what gives Obama that credibility."
"Because he's African-American. Because he's a black man. Who has come from a place of oppression and repression through the years in our own country."
An African-American president would be "a symbol of empowerment" for those who have been disenfranchised around the world, Kerry said, "an important lesson for America to show Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, other places in the world where disenfranchised people don't get anything."
"One obvious question: What do the events of this week, involving Obama's own church, tell us about his ability to "stand up against" a "radical misinterpretation of a legitimate religion"?
Nothing very encouraging in this columnist's view, but many observers view Obama much more charitably in this regard than we do.
What is really striking about Kerry's case for
Obama, though, is that it rests on what may be the crudest stereotyping we have ever observed.
Commentary's Abe Greenwald has a chuckle over Kerry's racial stereotyping of Obama:
"Where is this "place of oppression and repression" in which Obama has suffered "through the years"? Hawaii? Harvard? The Senate? We should find out immediately and do something about this horrific crisis."
Pass the popcorn please. Sheesshhhhh....
Posted by: Baxter at April 1, 2008 01:44 PMThat is some serious White Guilt. Maybe The Right Reverend Wright can assuage and absolve her of that.
Posted by: Conservative CBU at April 1, 2008 02:27 PMSince The Color Purple is one of the most racist books published, I'm actually surprised that Alice Walker is supporting Obama. How can I say it is racists? Every black male character in the book is either cruel or stupid. If you've seen the movie, you've seen just an inkling of how horrible black males are portrayed in her tome.
Posted by: PurplePeephole at April 1, 2008 03:01 PMWait, I'm only voting for Obama because of his race? All this time I thought I was voting for his health plan, his anti-war stance, his pro-net neutrality position, his economic white papers that encourage responsible business regulation, his eco-friendly energy policies, and his support of public education.
Well damnit. If I'm going to vote on race, I'm just going to vote for a whitey like I do every year. You've got me sold, CY. McCain gets my vote.
Posted by: Zifnab at April 1, 2008 03:56 PMSince The Color Purple is one of the most racist books published...
WOW! Have you ever even read the book? Let me guess. You're one of those guys who insists "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is also on the "most racist books published" because it uses the n-word. And "The Invisible Man", I'm betting that's high on your list too, right?
Better stick to the NRO, flip on some O'Reily, and keep the radio tuned to Rush lest all that evil racism drown out support for segregation, displays of shock in the cleanliness of Harlem restaurants, and "Barack the Magic Negro" in high fidelity.
You guys wouldn't know racism if it knocked you into the back of the bus with a fire hose.
Posted by: Zifnab at April 1, 2008 04:03 PMI know racism alright,here is a fine example:
In a set of "talking points" on the church's Web site, Wright proclaims himself an exponent of "black liberation theology." He cites James Cone, a distinguished professor at New York's Union Theological Seminary, whom he credits for having "systematized" this strain of Christianity.
Here is a quote from Cone, explaining black liberation theology (hat tip: Spengler, a pseudonymous columnist for the Asia Times):
Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. The task of black theology is to kill Gods who do not belong to the black community. . . . Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy. What we need is the divine love as expressed in Black Power, which is the power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at their disposal.
Obama's church pushes controversial doctrines
Margaret Talev | McClatchy Newspapers
last updated: March 20, 2008 06:50:02 PM
WASHINGTON — Jesus is black. Merging Marxism with Christian Gospel may show the way to a better tomorrow. The white church in America is the Antichrist because it supported slavery and segregation.
Those are some of the more provocative doctrines that animate the theology at the core of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Barack Obama's church.
Wow, talk about bringing people together,nothing
does it better than wishing for the genocide of
another race.
just makes me want to hold his hand and sing
"lean on me" as loud as I can.
I know lies and propaganda to:
The Religious Wright
James Taranto March 18, 2008 Wall St. Journal
Wright's sermons have included suggestions the U.S. brought the Sept. 11 attacks on itself and that the government had a role in spreading the AIDS virus in the black community
In addition to damning America, he (wright) told his congregation on the Sunday after Sept. 11, 2001 that the United States had brought on al Qaeda's attacks because of its own terrorism.
"We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye," Rev. Wright said in a sermon on Sept. 16, 2001.
"We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because the stuff we have done overseas is now brought right back to our own front yards. America's chickens are coming home to roost," he told his congregation."
I know that Obama heard a lot of these or similar statements even thought he stated before
he had not:
Obama heard controversial comments
By: Politico Staff
March 18, 2008 12:51 PM EST
Contrary to his earlier suggestion, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) acknowledged in his speech Tuesday that he had heard “controversial” remarks by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
“Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy?” Obama said. “Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes. Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely — just as I’m sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed.”
I know hypocrisy when I see it too:
Obama: Fire Imus
Obama First White House Contender to Call for Imus' Firing Over Racial Slur
By JAKE TAPPER
April 11, 2007—
In an interview with ABC News Wednesday afternoon, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., called for the firing of talk radio host Don Imus. Obama said he would never again appear on Imus' show, which is broadcast on CBS Radio and MSNBC television.
"I understand MSNBC has suspended Mr. Imus," Obama told ABC News, "but I would also say that there's nobody on my staff who would still be working for me if they made a comment like that about anybody of any ethnic group. And I would hope that NBC ends up having that same attitude."
Obama said he appeared once on Imus' show two years ago, and "I have no intention of returning."
FERRAR-OVER
By GEOFF EARLE Post Correspondent
March 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON - Geraldine Ferraro abruptly resigned her post in Hillary Rodham Clinton's fund-raising team yesterday, days after touching off a racial furor by saying Barack Obama was ahead in the Democratic race because he's black.
Obama went on the attack yesterday on NBC's "Today Show." After calling Ferraro a trailblazer, he said she was participating in "the kind of slice-and-dice politics that's about race and about gender and about this and that, and that's what Americans are tired of because they recognize that when we divide ourselves in that way, we can't solve problems."
Apparently supporting a church that believes in
the genocide of the white race,tells it's members
that America caused 9/11 and the government started the aids virus and planted it in the black
community is "A okay" with the hope and change liberal sheep and their leader Obama,but you call
a girl basketball team a bunch of"nappy headed hoes" and it's time to draw the line and lay down
the law.
How brave.
Mandella is a Terrorist.
He OKed the bombing of places that killed not only his hated whites, (some of who may have supported the ending of Apartheid) but also killed blacks who were simply trying to live some kind.
But that bit of silly comparison aside. . .
Notice the right side politically here. . . Obama is wrong for the country because he has horrid policies and bad ideas and is lacking over all in experiance.
The large part of the Left feels his Color is one of the things making him great.
and they call us the racists.
Posted by: JP at April 1, 2008 06:28 PMPersonally, I wish Condi was interested in running. Some of her points I disagree with, but overall she is very intelligent and would be someone I would be happy to support and vote for.
I also can't wait till Bobby Jindal has some more experience under his belt and goes for national office.
And I am pretty sure that there are lots of conservatives that would agree with me.
Now, let's watch the racist left tear apart this black woman and Indian man.
Posted by: C-C-G at April 1, 2008 06:43 PMAging diva enamored of beautiful boy. That story has already been told. Ends in tragedy.
Posted by: Zhombre at April 1, 2008 09:21 PM>Why are liberals so obsessed with race?
Because it alleviates them from having to focus on objective factors, like competence, ethics, credibility, experience, etc.
We were talking about Obama at work yesterday, regarding whether he'd even get an interview. My area (information risk management) isn't a fair one as it's rather specialized, but we talked about whether Obama would be interviewed for an entry-level telephone sales position which is one of our Fortune 500 firm's most basic, least qualified positions. The conclusion is that it wasn't likely. He just hasn't done anything. Oh, our corporate counsel people (even the liberal ones) have pointed out that Obama wouldn't be even considered for an interview there.
It's a real puzzle for the Democrats. Obama isn't qualified to manage 8 people selling on commission at a Fortune 500 firm. Hillar can't manage paying for the health care insurance for her staff, let alone manage a nation's health care program. These people are among the least qualified of all of us, yet they're considered the best of the best Democrats.
Remarkable how far that party has fallen.
"Personally, I wish Condi was interested in running. Some of her points I disagree with, but overall she is very intelligent and would be someone I would be happy to support and vote for."
Please. She was in over her head as National Security Advisor, and even more so as Secretary of State. You think she can handle even more responsibility as President? I'd rethink that one.
Posted by: Arbotreeist at April 2, 2008 12:46 AM>>>The conclusion is that it wasn't likely. He just hasn't done anything. Oh, our corporate counsel people (even the liberal ones) have pointed out that Obama wouldn't be even considered for an interview there.
Obama taught at the University of Chicago Law School, did any of your "corporate counsels" even attend schools half as prestigious?
Moron.
Posted by: Jacob at April 2, 2008 06:54 AMYeah, similarly dissappointed with Rice here. Girl's gone native at State and I didn't want to believe that. She is follwing now the tired old line that the Jews are the problem, not those detonating Jews in their cribs, oh no. But as always it must be said that the worst Rep you can name is preferable to any Dem on offer. But SoS could be a good outlet for Joe Lieberman; that's not a very original thought but still tempting. Whatever folks are left in the Dem party worth worrying over would find that appealing and Joe's socialist core would be isolated from domestic mischief.
Posted by: megapotamus at April 2, 2008 12:23 PMJacob,
I would put money on he got the position;
1) He knew somebody at the School
2) They had a position open,
3) It was getting close to starting the class and they had no instructor
4) He happened to be a semi-warm body who walked through the building
I've seen this happen at more than one College and University. While on vacation in Oregon I and my wife visited three different Colleges and were both offered jobs on the spot. Obambi quailfied? Lets not jump to silly conclusions.
Posted by: Azygos at April 2, 2008 03:40 PMMegapotamus, I said I disagreed with some of her views, and you just named the biggest disagreement I have with her. Notwithstanding that, she'd be far preferable in the Oval Office than Barack or Hillary.
Arbortreeist, did I see you say something bad about a black woman? RACIST!
Posted by: C-C-G at April 2, 2008 06:08 PMOsama's speeches are on are par with Al Gore. No Dooze anyone?
Posted by: Thomas Jackson at April 3, 2008 02:13 AMQuestion,If jesus spoke of total forgiveness and
so did Martin Luther King what is it that the
Rev.Wright and Osama,I ment Obama preach????
