I understand and even agree with some of Nader's arguments. Obama can't appear too "radical" or "pro-Black." That much is true in our society. There are some who fear a revolution¦and rightfully so ;)
But, talking about issues in the "ghettos" is not "talking Black." I don't get that part. Had he said that Obama refuses to talk about "Black issues," I would at least understand¦but would disgree wholeheartedley because he has addressed these so-called "Black issues." I'd argue that every time he limits problems--such as poverty and absentee parents--to the Black community, he comes across as less threatening to non-Whites.
But what's with the "Black issues" garbage anyway? We're all Americans right? Inner-city violence, subpar schools, and poverty are American Issues.
'Sup, Obama, is You Talkin' Honkey Again?
Ralph Nader symbolizes the intense racism which still percolates below the surface throughout America. But in a shocking little slip during a Rocket Mountain News interview, the curmudgeonly third-party presidential candidate revealed the kind of ignorance, hostility and racial prejudice that could be carried into the voting booth come November. Here's what the crusty former consumer rights' advocate said about the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee, Sen. Barack Obama:
"There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American. Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson? We'll see all that play out in the next few months and if he gets elected afterwards... He wants to show that he is not a threatening . . . another politically threatening African-American politician. He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful. Basically he's coming on as someone who is not going to threaten the white power structure, whether it's corporate or whether it's simply oligarchic. And they love it. Whites just eat it up."
What an unconscionable racist diatribe. Nader's upset that Obama apparently forgot to take his ebonics classes at Harvard. With his disgusting comments, Nader is appealing to the lowest common denominator of racial bigotry: the belief that if a black person looks presentable, dresses nicely, is highly educated, extremely articulate and is successful, well then he or she must be trying to "act white." Because, as we all know, black people are supposed to sound like Al Sharpton, have gold teeth and rob liquor stores, right? Sadly, in 2008, this is how many people across America still view blacks. Despite the stellar accomplishments of Obama -- Ivy League schools, Harvard Law Review editor, Illinois State Senate, U.S. Senate, Democratic presidential nominee -- these racists can only see a jive-talkin' urban threat to white security. A homeboy in Whitey's clothing.
Earlier this week the comedian Robin Williams appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Speaking to this underlying racism, Williams nailed it in a hilarious bit about how whites deep down fear that once Obama becomes president he's gonna bounce out of the Oval Office onto the White House lawn, grabbing his nuts, flailing his arms and hands like a rapper and sounding like Flava Flav as he introduces his cabinet, which would consist of folks like Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and perhaps Flava himself (my examples, not Williams'... I can't remember his but they're similar). And ya know what? He's unfortunately right, as Nader so chillingly reminded us this week. The truly scary thing is, if someone as seemingly intelligent, progressive and well-known as Nader can publicly utter such irresponsible, reprehensible racial stereotypes, just imagine what might face Obama once small-minded America closes the curtain at election time... and is all alone with their racism and that lever.
In the wake of Nader's painful wake-up call about racial intolerance and bigotry still prevalent today, the million-dollar question remains: is Obama inspiring enough young people, blacks and independents to offset the loss in votes from the racist dumbasses across America? To be sure, because of the race factor, this is an election like no other in our nation's history.
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Your seeing the negative and ugly underbelly of Obama's success. Being the first black nominee of a major political party, not only was he asked to transcend race, but the historical context almost forces him to have to be the perfect candidate. His excitement has created this messiah like following, and some almost expect him to literally move mountains. Your seeing Nader's prejudice come out full bore, as some sort of resentment to Obama's meteoric rise. He's saying the "black" candidate isn't supposed to act this way, or have this widespread appeal. It's like Obama is supposed to follow the model that traditionally applies to the black candidate a la Jessie, or Sharpton. How does someone act white? Perpetuating these notions only feeds into the negative stereotypes that have come to define the races, Nader does a good job to further that cause with his assinine statements.
Wow! For a minute i thought this was gonna be "crabs in the bucket syndrome"
Man, it's times like this when I want to send Michelle and Barack a note and ask, are you 100% sure you want to do this? I mean look at the complete bullshit you have to put up with. This man can't win for losing. I absolutely think that people should hold his feet to the fire when they believe he is sacrificing his principles too much, but come on!! What I find amazing is that because Barack has brown skin, suddenly he is supposed to be the "official ambassador" for the Black community. I have heard him talk about poverty, the mortgage crisis ,and education throughout his campaign. All issues that are relevant to what is going on right now in communities of all different colors. But what do we ask of Messiah Obama? He has to speak out more forcefully on issues that focus on Black ghettos in order to prove his street cred. He has to downplay his Blackness to appeal to skittish White people, and put his Blackness in the forefront so some Black people won't think he is a sellout.
Boy, do I agree with you! One day someone will write the book (probably Obama himself) about the tremendous pressures this man is undergoing right now. Or how incredibly brave he is being. My heart goes out to him. Too black, not black enough, too white. not white enough, too liberal, too conservative, too every effing thing. I have your back Senator.
I agree!
I wonder if Mr. Nader even bothered to read--or watch--Senator Obama's speech on race. Or if he could even understand it.
Thank god there is a younger generation coming up!
Obama '08!
I totally agree...I feel that he is being judged much harshly than any other candidate has ever been...on top of that the news media is not playing fair...they give MCCain passes
how exactly does one speak black?
Great question. For that matter, how does one speak white?
What it seems that other African Americans (of which I am one) and Ralph Nader seems to forget is that, JUST b/c Obama is black and running for President doesn't mean it's a translation of the "Great Black Hype". Casting him as a candidate that is for one group over the other is pretty pathetic and shouldn't be tolerated if he weren't black or not. This is the not a candidacy for the black portion of the US. It's for the ENTIRE country and until both Black folks and our Caucasian friends get that in their heads we will NEVER succeed as a Nation!
He is black, so what, he's running to make ALL of our lives better!
Obama '08!
I dont care how progressive they claim they are or how liberal they are when its a African American candidate running white people always go for race. I wonder what percentage of AA support Nader I'm guessing 0. He has no clue how to appeal to AA. At least Obama started off his camapign by saying that in order for us to tackle these issues we need a broadbase coaliton we need to work together to get things done and thats when he gets a lot of cheers at his campaign. Obama hasnt ignored any race he is a biracial canddiate he is the embodiement of unity but people like Nader dont get that because they appeal to a NARROW base unity they dont even know what the word mean and as an AA let me say Nader thank you for showing me that you have no clue what's important to AA. We are not all monolithic we are not all poor living in substandard public housing, we dont all speak ebonics and when you accuse people like Obama of being white you INSULT the diversity of African American but I dont expect someone like him to realize that. They show what they think of AA as some poverty stricken, being exploited by corporate america having our children living in lead infested apartments living in crime infested communites and understanding only ebonics. As bad as what Bill Clinton said in SC. Naders comments has NOTHING on him
Carol
Stereotypes: bad when applied to black people, good when applied to white people. Understood.
I wonder if Nader thinks McCain is "acting white"?
Why does the press quote the "Spoiler"? Nader is another guy that thinks he deserves the presidency over what he did eons ago and not some upstart of color, who just brilliant, articulate and capable . Nader screwed it up for Gore and look what ithappened to the country. The guy has no conscience or class; just one huge f-----g ego, Just go away, Ralphie..
I'm starting to wonder if Nader's had a stroke. He has a droopy eye, and he seems so out of it.
This is as silly an article as I've ever seen here. "What an unconscionable racist diatribe." You'd think Nader went all Michael Richards on Obama's behind.
I think Nader's comments are ridiculous, but I don't think they're racist.
Nader's comments are ridiculous in that Obama HAS to tailor his message in a certain restricted fashion in order to appeal to the widest possible spectrum of voters and WIN the general election. In this respect he is no different than any other politician that has ever run for the office.
I can think of a recent candidate who had the sense to run as a "compassionate conservative" until he got elected. Only then did he let his true militaristic, power-hungry, anti-constitutional, corporatist agenda fly freely.
This is one of the worst kinds of racism: the racism of low expectations. "How could a black man speak for ALL Americans? I can't believe he's actually a capable, honorable man who happens to be black. He must be trying to appease Whitey."
If the comments weren't racist, then why did he bring race up at all? He could of said all he had to say without the "talking white", "black is beautiful", yadda yadda yadda?
America has never let common sense get in the way of stupidity.
I'm a African-American Obama supporter, who agrees with the comments Nader has said. Obama doesn't talk about the issues that Nader mentioned in his comments. Since the Rev. Wright episode, Obama probably won't talk about such subjects -- at least until after he's elected. Often when a black person speaks on such issues, he or she is labeled as a whinner. It seems to turn some whites off. I don't see where Nader's comments were racist at all. He was being honest.
What are you talking about? I've heard (or read) Obama talking about predatory lending practices many times. In addition, each of the issues Nader mentions is a problem for low-income people . . . many of whom are not black. (Surprising to some, I'm sure.) So why frame the discussion in racial terms at all?
There may be some truth -- or truthiness -- in Nader's comments, but they really do expose a racist foundation. Think about it. Obama is running for president, and Nader's complaining because he's "talking white." Despite Obama's background in community activism, Nader wants to know why he isn't running on "blacker" issues.
One isn't denying his or her roots, or selling out, just because they recognize the need to address demographic issues that are both broad and deep. And it isn't just when black activists bring sharp focus to an issue that the label of "whiner" is risked . . . who's a bigger whiner than Ralph Nader? For all of his good works, his petulance and arrogance hand-delivered the presidency to W.
Thanks, Ralph.
I don't know what you read but what I read was very racist! Senator Obama as a Presidential Candidate is supposed to speak on the issues concerning ALL Americans not just those living in the ghetto. Since Mr. Nader is so concerned about the people in the ghetto, why isn't HE helping them?
EXACTLY!!!!!!!
He helps them all the time. Do some research before you post.
Not "his" people?
AA are not all in the ghetto and we are not all subjected to predatory loans, asbestos and lead worries.
Most of us have the same concerns as our white, latino and asian neighbors like jobs, healthcare, education, gas and food prices, housing etc.
What Nader said was very offensive. And it's sad that you fell for it. One of the reasons for his comments was to try and stir up problems between blacks and Obama. Obama is running to be the President of all people. He is suppose to talk in general about issues that affect all of us. Not just a particular segment of the population.
As an AA for you to agree with a racist comment I feel sorry for you.
I live in a city which has one of the highest home foreclosure rates in the country. It's also one of the poorest cities in the country. Maybe you're fortunate enough not to have to deal with the problems of the ghetto, but that doesn't mean that those problems shouldn't be addressed.
I hope that Sen. Obama will not be just a president that looks out for the middle class.
I won't say you aren't Black, but I will say if you believe that was honesty you are fooling yourself.
Ralph Nader essentially scolded Barack Obama for not "staying in his place" as though this Black man has no right to address the nation's problems despite running for president of America.
He is only qualified to address problems in the "ghettos". Anything more and he is (gasp) "acting White".
As though 4,000 lives lost in this war, $4.00/gallon gas, and a tanking economy are beyond of Obama's, and Black America's, comprehension or concern..
And we don't all live in "ghettoes".
Racist and offensive.
I live in the ghetto, and I want to know what he plans to do to address issues that affect my neighbors and me. I also want to know what he plans to do to end the war, bring universal health car and lower the price of gas. In my opinion he has not addressed the issues that Nader mention because he doesn't want to turn away white voters. Neither has McCain for that matter. I voted for Obama in the primary and I plan to vote for him in November, but he is not perfect.
Stop blaming the white man for black put downs..
It's blacks who refer to Obama as an "Oreo".
and its whites who came up with the idea in the first place
no its idiots, black and white that refer to him as an "oreo". plenty of them from all races to go around, you don't have to quote them.
dead on
Posted June 26, 2008 | 02:36 PM (EST)