Thats What's Wrong with Black People

If you happen to have perused the latest Rolling Stone you might have come across an interesting comment by celebrated Black academic Dr. Cornell West:

That's not my calling. Yeah, brother, you find me in a crack house before you find me in the White House. I'll go into the crack house before I ever go that far inside.

Dr. West was answering a question about whether he would ever accept a position in the Obama adminstration's White House. On the surface this might seem like the rebel response. No, he won't join the institution that is holding down Black people across the land. He is a free thinker who will not be bound by a country who still doesn't take the plight of all of its citizens seriously.

Or you could see this for what it is. Sheer lunacy.

Dr. West is a part of a group of Black intelligentsia that sees it as their job to step up and police President Obama on his dealings on Blackness. West, Tavis Smiley, Michael Eric Dyson and others see themselves as the voice of the Black plight and will not allow Obama to ignore the very people that got him into office! With constant cries for racially charged fixes for issues within the black community, they stand at the sidelines with their noses held in disgust at his lack of true understanding, or better yet, lack of actual caring about the issues of, as Dyson keeps yelling, the people who put him in office.

Here's a question:

If Dr. West was offered a position in the Obama administration, why in holy hell would he not take it? Why would he turn down a direct line to the powers that be? Why would he rather do his work from a crack house than from the power base of our government? Why would he chose his current place in lieu of a position of actual power and ability to influence and change the issues that he so emphatically claims need the direct attention of higher government?

There isn't a good answer. Just like Dyson's recent rant on Obama "playing Black people," this is just as ridiculous. Dyson spoke of how he has not been invited to the White House despite being the first prominent Black person to endorse Obama. He is clearly upset at not being offered a seat at the very same table that he proceeds to criticize at length. He even went so far as to reprimand Obama for not mentioning Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s name in a speech: Obama's usage of "a young preacher from Georgia" bothered him.

Yes. Obama didn't say King's name. Does Dyson think he tried to trick America? That everyone would assume he was speaking of some other "preacher from Georgia"? Perhaps some spiritual leader from Russia! That's what people probably thought. No one would think MLK.

He is willing to sacrifice the interests of African-Americans in deference to a conception of universalism because it won't offend white people. --Michael Eric Dyson via Youtube.com

Could someone explain to me at exactly what point my interests were sacrificed? The fact that Obama hasn't stepped up to the podium and yelled, "Blackity Black Black. We gots ta get some black ish handled!" means he's some how sacrificed my interests?

A lot of people asked what would happen if America ever had a Black President. Answer? We don't know yet. It has only been a few months. Black people have neither been ignored nor suddenly revered by anyone. Perhaps instead of being so quick to throw around "Drinking the Kool-Aid" as everyone loves to say, maybe we should just deal with issues as they come. Perhaps give the man, I dunno, maybe a year or two in office before we start talking about his sacrificing of Black interests. Maybe the people sacrificing Black interest are the self-anointed saviors of it in the first place.

Comments

[blaqntelligence]

"He is willing to sacrifice the interests of African-Americans in deference to a conception of universalism because it won't offend white people. --Michael Eric Dyson via Youtube.com"/

It was at this point I lost all respect for this man. I am a Black woman, words cannot describe the pride I feel when I see our president. I am humbled daily by an event I would have never dreamed I'd see in my lifetime.
I say all that to say this:
If President Obama ever gave even a whiff of acting soley on behalf of Black people and civil rights, I would never have voted for him. He is president of The United States of America, Mr. Dyson.
Remember "Give me your tired your poor....."­?
While he is furthering the agenda of Black America, what is everyone else to do?-/
Get your head out of your behind, take a look around you at the bottom-of-­the-food-c­hain, mouth-breathing racists and crazies picking up guns and killing a bunch of folks. Daily. Because this Black man in office is sending more than a few round the bend.-/
If he were, impossibly, elected o office as a civil rights leader promoting a "Black agenda", even the most tolerant, color-blind American would be tempted to put a stop to that.-/
Especially in these scary times. -/
Just like rush, beck, hannity should sit down and shut up, so should the likes of an Michael Eric Dyson.

[Tanyars5]

Agree

[Elon James White - Huffpost Blogger]

Dyson, Smiley and their ilk are using phrases like accountability regularly that they say is cashing in on his color. Yet because of his color they seem to be expecting a special type of accountability. And again, it seems like if they were given the keys to the house (the White House that is) they would have shut the heck up.

[muchtosay]

Amen Sister

[Kristiana Zerom]

I have to admit that I am really quite surprised by some of these responses. Tavis Smiley has anointed himself as the savior of black people. So many people have told Cornel West that he's smart that it has gone to his head. Michael Eric Dyson should be spared because he's got sense, he's just letting his hurt feelings get in the way of any real progress. Hanging around those two idiots has clearly clouded his judgement further, but mark my words, he will redeem himself. The other two are lost causes merely a few steps ahead of Jesse Jackson, Sr. & Al Sharpton, and don't we wish they'd all sit down somewhere?

[Elon James White - Huffpost Blogger]

Tavis has had an issue since Obama didn't come to his "State of the Black Union." which really? Really? State of the Black Union. I ask Black people all the time are they aware of this yearly event and 95 percent of the time the response is "What?"

[muchtosay]

Tavis,Do has issues with Obama his a big winding baby which I must admit that I use to like Travis and his comments. Until Obama and his jealousy got in the way of reasoning and the thoughts of helping the First Black man in office to get the people in on the transformation of power and to get involve so it can make things better for all of us Travis Smiley and Cornel West need to sit there happy self down some where and be patient so adults can do there thing. Oh' by the way Travis, I have no love for.

[lostinsc]

African-Americans make up 10% - 12% of American society (and declining). It is foolish to continue to refuse to join with other Americans to improve society as a whole instead of sitting on the sidelines with arms folded and pouting like 8-year-olds.

Unemployment, Urban crime, the drug "war", civil rights, and Katrina are problems of many more people than only African-Americans. To look out and see a world where only Blacks are affected by these issues is to be incredibly blind to reality.

Working only in one neighborhood, with one race or group of people, is just not effective. These problems are systemic and must be addressed for everyone, with everyone's help.

These Baby Boomer "Black Leaders" are over. They need to go sit on the porch with Limbaugh, Palin, Cheney, and Bush and dream about the "good old days" when they just had to throw out key words and get a big emotional hurricane going--they never had to actually get anything done. They left us with the horrid society we now have.

Now, displacement of black men in America is a problem that doesn't apply to all Americans. Expecting that Obama should lead the effort to address that problem is a good idea because .... he has been marginalized to the point that he is the President?

[Elon James White - Huffpost Blogger]

I believe there are places for everyone. Some people are best used in the community. Helping at the grassroots level. To have that isn't ridiculous. But to speak out as a Princeton Professor who, lets be honest, isn't somewhere in Brooklyn right now helping out, about how you just ain't the type of brotha to be in the White House is absurd.

Obama is the president. He has to deal with America as the PRESIDENT. Not our special "Get'em" guy. I wouldn't expect that out of ANY President. Perhaps I'm constantly "Being played,"

[blaqntelligence]

Exactly. That is what Al Sharpton (whether one like him or not), the NAACP, SNCC and all the Civil Rights/Community organizations are for.
Anything less is pure laziness.
Rather than jumping up and down on the president's back hollering about what HE'S not doing, why don't these "brotha's" man up, step up to the plate and ask what THEY can do to help lighten President Obama's load?
Writing books, appearing on CNN, and joining circle-jerk bitch-fests just don't cut it.

[Crissy Patters]

Applause, applause, I don't exactly know what these few blacks want PO to do, to show he supports AA. If the health care reform is passed AA as well as everyone else benefits. The education stimulus bill will reach the inner city schools that largely consists of AAs. Anything PO does will affect all of us, so why are they so upset?

[Eric Daniels]

Trickle - down progess does not work and Obama has played African- American voters in the same way Civil Rights Leaders did 40 years ago on the altar of Intergration, Busing and Racial Harmony.

"He is willing to sacrifice the interests of African-Americans in deference to a conception of universalism because it won't offend white people. -Micheal Eric Dyson"

Dyson is right on this issue, Malcolm X challenged MLK and his supporters like Jackie Robinson and others of doing the exact same thing over 50 years ago. Obama's a big boy just like Dyson, there are African- Americans like myself who is against him on policy reasons. He is not a progressive in any sense of the word and he has sacrificed Blacks on the altar but he has come through for Hispanics, Jews, big buisness, middle-class Americans. He has failed progressives and African- Americans and that's a fact.

[FrReader]

So Obama should instead promote black interests above others? He should focus on furthering a minority group's ideals, instead of promoting universalism, in which it wouldn't MATTER if you're black because everyone is being treated the same?

I'm not seeing how being willing to promote a concept of universalism is being misconstrued as a bad thing.

[LaughingMan]

.......the­n its good thing that neither you nor Dyson, Smiley or West speak for all black people.

Good thing you don't even speak for a fraction of them. Your views (and delusionary expectations of what Obama owes you) are yours and yours alone.

You can join the Repubs and the Hannity's over there in the corner and stew in your bitterness and disappointment.

[Poststep]

A failure in four months time.

[Elon James White - Huffpost Blogger]

How exactly has he Sacrificed Blacks? I'd love for a breakdown.

[woruban]

I think we should try appreciating the multiple avenues of social change that rest outside the White House. Regardless how stupid or misplaced the "crack house" comment, it does not follow that one lacks the vision to recognize how they might impact public policy or governmental action if they choose to remain outside the Obama administration. You ask, "Why would [WEST] chose his current place in lieu of a position of actual power and ability to influence and change the issues that he so emphatically claims need the direct attention of higher government?" We should keep in mind that West is a top-notch philosopher and theologian teaching at Princeton, not some boot-leg preacher called to the ministry while hung-over in an ally, who now teaches the Wednesday night bible study in the basement of a store-front church.

[Nommo]

They also serve who stand and wait. Is is an alley you speak of? They too, alley dwellers can be counseled as well, you would deny them that? Could you teach bible study in a basement on any given Wednesday night? Then don't denigrate those who do.

[woruban]

My point is that West, or someone in his position, is actually in a position of tremendous power and is well qualified to influence people and create change in government and policy, unlike those of more questionable character in the ministry.

[Eric Daniels]

Mr. White,

Maybe some African- Americans don't buy the racial moderate rhetoric of President Obama who has only lectured African- Americans at every opprounity he has spoken on racial issues. I did not vote for Obama because I knew he was more interested in a Democratic center/right agenda than true progressive ideas. My problem with West and Dyson is that they had still reservations about Obama instead of challenging him during the primaries on issues that effect the black community directly and I thought African- Americans went nuts seeing him and Michelle instead of challenging him on polices that have haunted us for the past 30 years.

Black Unemployment
Urban Crime issues
Black Male displacment in American society
Katrina
Civil Rights enforcment
The bad Drug War

While Obama went into other communities treating those voters with respect with what he would do if elected POTUS Obama intentionally played politics to gain white voters by using racial sterotypes lecturing African- Americans for homophobia, anti semtism every chance he got before a black auidence. Did Obama lecture working-class whites about their racism against African- Americans or their bad social habits? did he lecture Hispanics about their children joing Gangs that would be no because if Obama did he would not be sitting at 1600 Pennslyvania Ave. Like Adoplh Reed said about Obama in many of his writings he is a "vaccous opprounitist" who is a neo- liberal and would not offer African- Americans any policy improvements beyond empty symbolism.

[LanceJetson]

And so you voted for McCain or didn't vote at all? That's showing them!

[Rudyabdul]

Eric, you are over-exaggerating almost to the point of lying about Obama's criticisms of Blacks. The only time he has ever specifically called out black folks was last year on Father's Day.

Obama is the POTUS not the President of Black America. His responsibility is to all Americans, not just the 12% that makes up Black America. If you, along with West and others would stop being so self-centered and pay attention, you will notice that the majority of his policies, from unemployment to health care directly benefits black Americans.

[blaqntelligence]

"If you, along with West and others would stop being so self-centered and pay attention,­..."

.........N­ot to mention get off your own griping asses and do something to help the man instead of complaining about what HE'S not doing.
When do these idiots (yes, I call them idiots) suggest he attend their Neighborhood Watch meeting?
Before his meeting with the military top brass re: Iraq, Afghanistan?
Or after his meeting with the joint session of Congress re: health care.
Or maybe he can just cancel date night with Michelle because the folks in East Cackalackee cannot move forward on their plans to stop gang violence without President Obama's input.

[robXdion]

And since he's not the President of black America, then he shouldn't ONLY lecture them. But I bet you were comfortable with that because black males where the subject. If he got on black women you'd be singing a different tune.

[Elon James White - Huffpost Blogger]

I have to respectfully disagree with you sir.

Obama didn't go around "lecturing­." He spoke on issues that frankly, are REAL. He spoke on racism and race during his run, and I respected his stance on it each time. He didn't even rip Rev. Wright a new one in his first speech dealing with that. he explained where that anger comes from. Obama actually could speak on certain Black issues with out someone jumping up and yelling racism. Obama is not the perfect candidate. I don't think anyone is claiming he is. I don't expect him to be the perfect president. But to continually speak on his failure on black issues seems to me to be a bit absurd.

[robXdion]

You're over-simplifying this. Surely you can't be that dense. Think deeper.

[treboi]

1) I know you remember how much flack Obama got for saying rural america was bitter so they cling to guns and religion. So your argument holds no weight.

2) Blacks do need to be lectured for the their anti-semitism and homophobia. It is espically disturbing that so many blacks are so bigoted considering everything we have been through.

3) Its people like you that make it hard for blacks to get ahead and gain respect outside of the black community.­..with people like you its always "me me me and I better get it first and once I have it no other minority group can have it".

4) You need to do some serious soul searching and realize that it's your slave mind mentality holding you back, not Obama, not whites, not hispanics, not gays, or whomever else you seem to think is holding you back.

5) I mean honestly, Obama is a black politician that represents the interests of the 400+ million people that make up our nation, he is not black jesus sent back to earth to lead us to the promise land or whatever you seem to think he is suppoed to be...

[Nommo]

For one, it is more like 300 mil. Secondly, Black people don't need to be lectured on anything any more than anyone else, certainly not by some white poster trying to come off as if. Please.

All of this nation needs to be confronted for its tolerance of the systematic attempts to deny Black people the rights accorded to all citizens of this nation. Those who redlined Black communities, those who acted in conspiratorial violence against Black communities, as well as those who illegally denied the franchise of Black citizens need to be brought out into the harsh light.

The Jim Crow tradition ought to have a bright light shone upon it.

Having said those things, all the world need to know and be reminded of the great triumphs of Black people in this America, at every level of accomplishment. The best thing that those intellects can do is to demand and act upon the the fact that Black people have been written out of the history of this nation. Black inventions saved and created incredible progress for this nation.

That should be told and hollered from every mountaintop.

[robXdion]

I totally agree Eric. Some of these people are so clueless and hungry for ANY representation they'll swallow anything handed to them. All Obama has offered to blacks IS symbolism while chastising anyone in his administration for daring to be frank about racism since that would offend whites, even the liberal ones. He played to white voters' whims and avoids anymore than a passing popularized "safe" identity with blackness.

[EqualMeansEqual]

Maybe he not so hatefull like you want him to be because he is not racist against whites and would find it silly to be racist his own family and the people that raised him. Don't be mad that is his a angery bitter hypocrit like Dyson.

[Eric Daniels]

Thank you Rob !! black people need to engage in serious thought on these issues instead of being dazzled by him and his family. I don't care if he likes EWF or Stevie Wonder or what dress Michelle wears. If this is what Black folks want then they spit on the graves of MLK and those brave people in 1963. The March on Washington was for Jobs and Justice not to see a biracial President elected or THE COSBY SHOW PART 2 at 1600 Pennslyvania Ave in 2008.

[Poboy]

Let's see if I can get you to see it from another perspective, maybe Dr. West's and Dr. Tyson's.

George W. Bush is just elected.

The first thing he does is reach out to Maxine Waters, Major Owens and Corrine Brown, and says he wants to govern from the center. He also calls in the liberal columnists for a chit chat. He wants to be bipartisan.

George then brings Jesse Jackson in his cabinet as Dept of Defense Secretary, Al Sharpton as Agriculture Secretary, etc., but I think you get the picture.

He pushes tax cuts for low income workers, increases in teacher pay and increases in union organizing.

He wants to cut the military budget, increase health care spending and liberalize wealthy reform.

He keeps talking about reaching out to Democrats.

He nominates Loni Guinier to the Supreme Court.

How would his conservative base view him 6 months into his new administration?

Exact. Just like he is crazy.

How are liberals suppose to view Obama 6 months in his new administration?

With a comparable record?

Just like he is crazy.

[JustMyThoughtJoe]

I agree with some of the views expressed in this article. African Americans are overly anxious right now. Like many minority groups (LGBT, Latinos, Disabled, etc.) they wanted one of their own in the office so that they can represent them. Well guess what? He represents us all. By working out the economy and the wars he IS looking out for your best interests. We shouldn't keep track of how many minorities he nominates or invites to dinner. Just like you claimed you didn't vote for him "simply because he was black" then you shouldn't criticize him for "simply doing his job". It's certainly understandable to feel a sort of commeraderie with Obama because he looks like us (I'm Latina) but he wasn't elected because of the way he looks. He was elected because of the intellect he possesses.

I don't agree with the criticism of Dr. West. Some people lead in government writing our laws, some lead in schools mentoring our youth, some lead in churches, the military, and some chose not to lead at all. People like Dr. West choose to take their leadership and ideas to the streets with the people. Dr. West chose "the crack house" because that is where he feels he can make the most impact that's all. I think questioning why he won't work for the administration would mean anyone that's ever held a picket sign should run for local political offices or risk being named a hypocrit.

JustMyThought

[Elon James White - Huffpost Blogger]

I would argue that he is NOT in the "Crack House" currently - trying to solve the problem from the ground level. Personally I feel that his comment was posturing. I find it incredibly unlikely that if he was offered an opportunity to work with the first Black President that he would go reply " I CANNOT! I will work from the streets"

I don't think everyone should or can run for office. But Princeton Professor Dr. West, with his incredible range of knowledge would seem to be a great addition. Why would he turn away?

[JustMyThoughtJoe]

Because he's a philosopher, professor, and theologist, not a politician. I'm sure he's been encouraged to serve on that side for years upon years and ,for only reasons he knows, he's chosen not to.

I know the point you were trying to make with the article. I think you did a great job but this particular point I'll choose to disagree with. =-)

Just My Thought

[dana94591]

Bitter, bitter, bitter! I think they don't like that they are not invited to the WH and are not best friends with the President. This is so sad. Are they jealous?

[BuzzingAlong]

Yes, they are jealous. But they also suffer from a peculiar characteristic that is only found among black people.

When someone from another race succeeds, then they all celebrate that success not matter whether they all agree or disagree with tht persons politics, religions, thoughts, whatever.

But with black people, whenever one blqck person achieves, there are many many other black people waiting in the wings to try to bring him/her down.

Don't know if this is cultural or genetic, or what.