Last Wednesday marked the 40th anniversary of Carl Stokes' election as Mayor of Cleveland. It was the first time an African American was elected mayor of a major United States city. In 1967, African America was fighting through the civil rights era - pushing to be considered full citizens and heirs to that essential American concept of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".

40 years later, the struggle continues: perhaps in an evolved form but, no doubt, against the same foe using new weapons. White supremacy continues to wreak its unique havoc against our people and communities. A report out recently discussed how the income gap between blacks and whites has actually widened in this country. Although our nation talks more about notions of tolerance and equality, the numbers actually seem to tell a different story.

40 years post Stokes, we also find ourselves in another epochal political race. This time, Barack Obama is knocking seriously on the door of the White House (and to be clear, that would be the front door not the back!). In this context, it is interesting to note how our community has evolved politically since 1967. Stokes won the mayoralty on the back of 90% of the African American vote. 90%!! Today, most unfortunately, it would seem to be almost impossible for any black candidate to win 90% of their community's vote on anything - anywhere. Our communities have fractured in multiplicative ways and our vision has been obscured. That's really too bad - but certainly not unexpected based upon the continuous onslaught that we face.

Perhaps the greatest harm that contemporary white supremacy inflicts on African America is its impact on our thinking and psyche. Some of our perspectives are unknowingly blanched: warped such that we think and do things that are actually not in our best interests. For example, rap music has become a tool that serves a doubly powerful and nefarious purpose in contemporary America like none that has existed before. White supremacy pimps us for our music and culture and makes billions and billions of dollars doing so! More important, by our contemporary artists mimicking ultra-negative white stereotypes of black people - our youth end up internalizing images that are profoundly self-destructive. I think they call that a "two-fer" here in Gawga!

Barack Obama presents a unique political opportunity for contemporary African America. We are, of course, right to be circumspect. We are smart to ask plenty of questions. We must ensure that any candidate who would represent us has a backbone of character and sincerity to do so with our best interests at heart. Clearly, the ascension of Clarence Thomas and Condoleeza Rice, both African American, but both who appear to be tools of white supremacy, force us to ask hard questions of our candidates. That said, we've got to listen carefully to their answers and then be willing to support those who would we deem "legit". Carl Stokes earned his community's almost universal support in Cleveland. It remains to be seen whether Barack Obama will have the benefit of even majority support from contemporary African America in the Democratic primaries. In my chagrined opinion, that says much more about the effects of white supremacy on us than Obama's qualifications to represent us.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MBM,

Big ups!!!!!

Well said.

Some of our perspectives are unknowingly blanched: warped such that we think and do things that are actually not in our best interests.---MBM

This is very true.

An idleness fell upon us.

We fell asleep.

In 1967, MLK was still on the job.

Wouldn't it be a real awakening if we produced a 90% turnout for Senator Obama...both in the primaries AND in November of 2008?

This is totally within the realm of possibility.

PEACE

Jim Chester

quote:

Originally posted by MBM:

Our communities have fractured in multiplicative ways and our vision has been obscured. That's really too bad - but certainly not unexpected based upon the continuous onslaught that we face.

interesting topic. Stokes election seemed a point of pride among AfricanAmerica. I agree that our communities have been fractured in multiplicative ways, but i'm not sure everyone recognizes this, what with rugged black individualism being rampant. I continue to hear the old mantra "we are not monolithic".

We damn sure better learn how to be on matters that affect our freedom and justice.

I will support Obama, but his non-attack stance is beginning to be irksome. Isn't the rhetorical one-two punch a necessity in campaign politics? Can he really expect to win with absolutely no mudslinging?

quote:

Originally posted by MBM:
In this context, it is interesting to note how our community has evolved politically since 1967. Stokes won the mayoralty on the back of 90% of the African American vote. 90%!! Today, most unfortunately, it would seem to be almost impossible for any black candidate to win 90% of their community's vote on anything - anywhere.

I think your mention of Rice and Thomas explains that phenomenon a bit. In 1967, no African Americans had risen to high enough prominence yet that they could harm all of us in one blow. It probably wasn't anywhere in anyone's mind that Stokes might actually do something to harm African America. In 2007, we know better... we've seen it happen.

quote:

Originally posted by negrospiritual:
I will support Obama, but his non-attack stance is beginning to be irksome. Isn't the rhetorical one-two punch a necessity in campaign politics? Can he really expect to win with absolutely no mudslinging?

I think he's trying to be careful this early on. We are still in the primaries. He needs to win over some of Hillary's supporters (particularly the Black women... perhaps? ). He can't win by alienating his own party. If I were him... I'd save the mudslinging for the Republicans. That's the point in the race where he just energizes his base and sways the middle, right-wingers be damned since they won't vote for him no matter what he says.

quote:

Originally posted by Black Viking:

quote:

Originally posted by negrospiritual:
I will support Obama, but his non-attack stance is beginning to be irksome. Isn't the rhetorical one-two punch a necessity in campaign politics? Can he really expect to win with absolutely no mudslinging?

I think he's trying to be careful this early on. We are still in the primaries. He needs to win over some of Hillary's supporters (particularly the Black women... perhaps? ). He can't win by alienating his own party. If I were him... I'd save the mudslinging for the Republicans. That's the point in the race where he just energizes his base and sways the middle, right-wingers be damned since they won't vote for him no matter what he says.

It's interesting that he is being blamed for attacking Hillary. Over the last two debates, both he and Edwards have been much more critical of her. That's partially responsible for the common sense that Hillary lost the debate before the one last night. Barack called her on all of her "triangulations".

Whose blaming him for attacking her? I would like to see her, if not attacked, vigorously challenged. Isn't it time to ramp up the rhetoric a bit? That is what sways many voters...

quote:

Originally posted by negrospiritual:

Whose blaming him for attacking her? I would like to see her, if not attacked, vigorously challenged. Isn't it time to ramp up the rhetoric a bit? That is what sways many voters...

Yeah - there's been something of a brouhaha about it. Old Bill came out and talked about "the boys" ganging up on her etc.

Oh, I saw bill doing that. He doesn't look too good these days. He's got circles, bags, and other luggage under his eyes.

Heard a panel of women say it's not good for him to do that. It sends the message that Hillary can't cut it on her own and needs the white knight to rescue her.

Yeah, Obama's in a sticky position. How would his largest support group (white women) feel about him taking a few well deserved potshots at the ice queen?

I dunno, I know he's trying to run a "clean" campaign but it seems to me he's losing an opportunity to make points that stick, even if done in a humorous way. His inner wonk is yearning to be free I suppose.


But, perhaps, I've just become accustomed to the aggressive tone of political campaigns and I need to recognize that everybody doesn't feel passionately about politics (shocked i say)

BTW, i've received heartening emails from Obama, Michelle, and even Edwards asking for donations...

Okay, so lemme get this straight ....

(Disclaimer: You know you and I have a hard time understanding each other sometimes ... so, I've got to ask this in a way I can understand. )

Are you saying that you believe that the effects of White Supremacy is the reason why Barack may not be getting full African American support??

is that @ negrospiritual or MBM?

That's at MBM. I'm trying to understand his original statement.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: EbonyRose,

********************
BLACK by NATURE, PROUD by CHOICE.
Before there was ANY history, there was BLACK history.

BUY BLACK!!!

quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:
Okay, so lemme get this straight ....

(Disclaimer: You know you and I have a hard time understanding each other sometimes ... so, I've got to ask this in a way I can understand. )

Are you saying that you believe that the effects of White Supremacy is the reason why Barack may not be getting full African American support??

................................

quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:

quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:
Okay, so lemme get this straight ....

(Disclaimer: You know you and I have a hard time understanding each other sometimes ... so, I've got to ask this in a way I can understand. )

Are you saying that you believe that the effects of White Supremacy is the reason why Barack may not be getting full African American support??

................................

Yes. White supremacy warps our perceptions of ourselves and of white people. It causes us to question the validity of our own, without necessarily doing so of things coming from their culture. IMHO there's no other explanation for the way we critique Barack but give a pass to white politicians day in and day out.

If Bill Clinton were Black, African America would have disowned him.

quote:

Originally posted by MBM:
Yes. White supremacy warps our perceptions of ourselves and of white people. It causes us to question the validity of our own, without necessarily doing so of things coming from their culture. IMHO there's no other explanation for the way we critique Barack but give a pass to white politicians day in and day out.

Okey dokey! I can go for that!

quote:

If Bill Clinton were Black, African America would have disowned him.

...... ....... ..... ..... ....

I liked that ... but, I have no idea ... nor am I going to even ask you what you meant by it!