The Prejudice of Predefinition
I listened to Barack Obama's historic speech both in awe of the raw truth of his words and in recognition of the dignity with which he faces the obvious attempts by others to predefine him as something singular -- a black candidate -- rather than as a multi-cultural and gifted American who presents a unique opportunity for both his country and the world.
I understand what his opponents are trying to do. The prejudice of predefinition. If one can be defined, then they are somehow 'less than'. I've seen it before. While researching World War II for a script, I came across a definition of race as classified by looks -- how close were the eyes to the nose to the chin, the color of hair -- that defined opportunity, the prejudice of predefinition that superseded both the potential of the individual and the needs of entire nations.
"The issues that have surfaced over the past few weeks reflect the complexities of race in this country that we've never worked through. A part of our union that we've not yet made perfect. And if we walk away now. If we simply retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges like health care or education or the need to find good jobs for every American." (Senator Barack Obama).
The effort underway to define Barack Obama as 'the other,' whether it is as (too) black, not black enough, not ready, too eager, too young, too embroiled in his (Christian) church, (the false accusation of his being) a Muslim (a claim now confused by the fact that the pastor who brought him to Christ makes for a better target); all the cynical ways that opportunity has been grabbed by those who will use anything to hold onto power -- regardless of the consequences.
The emails that have been sent proclaiming Senator Obama as Muslim are clear examples of the cynical ploys that seek to divide and conquer and leave all but the few with less and those few with everything else. But that's not the worst crime of those emails. Senator Obama defined it well on CBS's 60 Minutes as an insult to him as a Christian and to all Muslims for the implication that there was something wrong in being Muslim.
There is nothing wrong with faith. It's what one does with that faith that becomes the test of their faith.
Reverend Wright's inexcusable comments were an unacceptable expression of something I cannot, in good faith, call faith. Senator Obama repudiated those remarks but did not disown the man. While I don't pretend to understand the black experience of America and how that has shaped the men of Reverend Wright's generation, I do remember standing in the rental car line once at Atlanta's airport, how the man at the counter ignored the well-dressed black man in front and asked me to come forward. It was a small but profound moment; the look on the bigot's face while exercising his prejudice and the subtle twist of the knife in the eyes of the man at which it had been directed.
I remember sitting with a friend, a great and renowned black jazz musician, you'd know his name, at a restaurant in Florida, waiting to be served -- waiting, waiting, waiting as my friend looked down and could not meet my eyes, because he was familiar with the disrespect and took the blame upon himself for subjecting me to his experience of prejudice, rather than the proper assignment of blame.
I remember traveling with friends in New Orleans years ago; wondering along the the streets in what we thought was the French Quarter, in search of restaurant. Only we weren't in the French Quarter. One car after another drove by, white men who laughed at us and suggested that we were 'not from around there' and drove on without offering directions. It was the black man in his late seventies in an old pickup truck who stopped for the confused young white people lost in one of New Orleans most dangerous neighborhoods and ordered us into the back and drove us to the safety of our hotel.
We are all both the product of our character and of each earlier generations' triumphs and failures whether we understand that or not. The pain of the past is the dysfunction of the present and until we collectively heal our multigenerational wounds, we will, like all dysfunctional families, act out without any understanding of our actions until we marginalize ourselves and our great nation at a time when we cannot afford to make any more mistakes.
Not one more.
A better way: we could move past the past and carve a new path for ourselves as a multicultural nation that is an example of cooperation and fairness to the rest of the world. That is what I believe Senator Obama means by a time for change.
A good idea in a world on a hair trigger.
What we do in November will decide the fate of our world. That is the consequence of the wars in which we now find ourselves and the legacy of World War Two. The last superpower standing, we are diminished in the world's eyes through the mistakes of a failed administration and a free-falling dollar. If we allow ourselves to fall completely, what takes our place? China which holds Tibet, Burma, Darfur and our debt in its fist? Russia which depends upon the rising price of oil to sustain its government and its oligarchy? Iran that has been working to change the oil dollar to the oil euro? India, with its polluted rivers and ever graduating classes of new engineers?
There's so much more at stake than just America, but make no mistake, it is America that is at stake in this election. It's 1968 with the promise of Martin Luther King before he was lost; the promise of Robert F. Kennedy before he was lost. What the great Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. called (paraphrased) the yearning for what might have been.
Only now, it could be.
There is talk of a green economy and the potential new jobs that could pull the U.S. out of its impending recession. The magazine I edit, THE ENVIRONMENTALIST, endorsed Senator Obama because of his policy positions on the environment that could lead to such an outcome. We stand by that endorsement for both the environment and for the spirit in which Senator Obama delivered his remarkable speech.
It's time for us to come together.
Follow Janet Ritz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/janetritz
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WE NEED HOPE WE NEED OBAMA ,IF THE VOTERS CONTINUE TO GIVE INTO OLD STYLE POLITICS AND FEAR, NOTHING WILL GET DONE AND IT WILL BE MORE OF THE BUSH PRESIDENCY ,THAT WOULD BE AWFUL FOR OUR COUNTRY,ASK YOURSELF ,DO YOU WANT MORE WAR,NO HEALTHCARE MORE MORTGAGES GOING UNDER,IF YOU VOTE MCCAIN SHAME ON YOU! THATS WHAT YOU GET.
THIS SWIFTBOATING HAPPENS EVERY ELECTION AND IF THE AMERICAN VOTER CONTINUES TO FALL FOR IT THAT IS ALL YOU WILL EVER GET OR HAVE, AND WE NEED TO MOVE BEYOND THIS.VOTE FOR HOPE ,VOTE FOR OBAMA.
HuffPost's Pick
Sen. Obama gave an inspirational speech. I was moved. I have some pretty left positions on an array of issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and the role of property and power in this nation and the world. I, unlike some of Middle America, was not surprised or taken aback to find out that — gasp — Sen. Obama is African American. I have to tell you though even as I wiped a tear and was convinced (again) that he will make a great President (just as I believe Sen. Clinton will make a great President) that he missed an opportunity to talk about the reality of diversity in this country (as opposed to the easy default of Black-White “race” relations which only re-inforces a racist paradigm).
What in the world am I talking about? If you review the body of work by critical race theorists such as Richard Delgado, Derrick Bell and others they talk about race as a false construct. If you continually talk about race as being only Black or White, you have created a false construct of who and what this country is and what is has been for hundreds of years.
Sen. Obama missed another golden opportunity that could have saved him some of the backlash he is getting from Middle America and it goes to what I believe is the inadequate advice and counsel he is receiving from his inner circle of advisors. In his speech he mentioned other minorities as a passing reference. He mentioned Latinos a few more times than other, but in an ahistorical fashion. (This is the same critique I have of his Race Chapter in Audacity of Hope where he writes about Latinos as if we had not been colonized — namely as if we were/are all recent immigrants
America is not limited to Blacks and Whites and it most certainly has not been since its inception. Go back and read the speech’s transcript. He talks as if the country’s narrative begins with the imperfect relationship of this country to African Americans. Did he forget about the slaughter of Native Americans and the land that was robbed? Did he forget about the colonization of the Mexicans and their indentured servitude along with the Chineses and Filipinos? For hundreds of years? Did he forget that these communities, too, have struggled? Or that Latino school age children attend more segregated schools today then they have in the past 40 years? That the history of this country is extremely complicated and nuanced and it cannot begin until we finally paint this country’s picture using all of the colors — not just black and white. Because the struggle for equality and stepping to a higher ground is a human struggle — not just one between white people and black people in this country. How is it not wrong and revisionist to pretend Latinos do not have this history, or the Chinese who built the railroads, or those who toiled in the fields with the Mexican laborers for hundreds of years. How is it okay to talk about race relations in this country and not acknowledge that it did not begin with the founding of the American Union — it began hundreds of years before when our Native American forefathers and mothers (yes, Mothers) were nearly driven to extinction. Obama could have improved the speech and the message about how all of America has struggled with these issues. Have you seen the interactions between the affluent African American professionals and the Latino worker at a car wash. I have. Not heart warming would be an understatement. How about the reaction of an African American Federal Equal Employment Officer to the distribution of data on Latino underrepresentation in the Federal government at a federal agency Hispanic Heritage Month event? I have. Not heart warming would be an understatement. (Yes, you guessed it — the latter happened to me — what an eye opener — ironically this happened weeks or so after Rosa Park was brought to lie in state at the Capitol building a mere two blocks from this federal building). Yes, indeed race, identity, and who we are as a country are very complicated equations and the speech only talked about white and black America. What about the rest of us? Will our story continue to be the hidden, untold, denied, submerged? Is that really okay?
Sen. Obama gave a speech that was BRAVE. He gave a speech that inspired me and yes, moved me to tears. Because it so darn hard to talk about race and identity in this country. I think he knew a price would be exacted — not from the Bellas of the world, but by the Middle of America who is in denial about our country’s history and about the different realities we live in today. I am so deeply proud of him. This does not diminish the pride I feel in my bones for Hillary Clinton and the strength I believe she has exhibited in the face of violent, nasty, mean spirited hate toward her because she is a woman — not by Obama, but by some of the supporters and the crazed press. Do I think she is defenseless person? No. Would I feel as strongly if she was winning? Honestly, no. I have to admit I have always cheered for the underdog, the odd person out, the person on the margins, the long shot. (I was and will always be in my heart an Edwards supporter because he unapologetically talked about the poor in this country and meant it.) So as both Clinton and Obama struggle and face incredible odds, I cannot help but cheer for them as each time they face an obstacle, they fight the power, they fight history, they fight the odds, and they dig deep.
I will never apologize for the three last Democratic candidates. Nor will I apologize for supporting them AND being willing to provide my two cents on how they could help me and themselves do this democracy thing better
I fear this is more complex. Racism and a twisted view of patriotism in a lot of America compound the misunderstanding on issue quite a bit.
Sen. Obama's speech on race and unity was an outstanding speech, and everybody who listened to it with an open mind now has no question regarding Sen. Obama's patriotism, or his stance on race relations in America.
In the past few days, I had been slightly baffled that the right wing media is still claiming the controversy as deadly material given how clear Sen. Obama's stance has been in repudiating those kind of comments and the division that is associated with them.
While re-reading "The Audacity of Hope" however, towards the end of the chapter on Values, I found, in the Senator's own words, an explanation for what must be going on. The key question regarding the people in middle America that saw this comment that the Senator needs to answer - again - is "How would that make you feel?". His answer, while clear, was buried in an eloquent, but unfortunately hard to follow speech for the vast majority of American voters.
In this time of hardship we've endured over the last 8 years, the only thing that has kept the hope alive for many Americans around the country has been their belief in this country and their patriotism. And, unfortunately, they have been "duped" into confusing the symbols of the country with true patriotism. It is, in a way, religious. America as dear as their god, the flag as dear as their cross.
Given that understanding, and the constant barrage of "god damn america" played hundreds of times on FOX, it's easy to understand their reaction. It's easy to see how they might feel outraged.
If the senator can assuage their fears that neither the Reverend, nor himself, holds any contempt for the country as a whole, and that an opposition to a corrupt government that does not care for or listen to its people is not at odds with patriotism, and in fact that it is quite the contrary, he will have no opposition in this race.
I know that having two difficult discussion going might be a tall order, but maybe a speech on patriotism is in order.
In the mean time, we the people should start having that dialog.
Sen. Obama's speech on race and unity was an outstanding speech, and everybody who listened to it with an open mind now has no question regarding Sen. Obama's patriotism, or his stance on race relations in America.
In the past few days, I had been slightly baffled that the right wing media is still claiming the controversy as deadly material given how clear Sen. Obama's stance has been in repudiating those kind of comments and the division that is associated with them.
While re-reading "The Audacity of Hope" however, towards the end of the chapter on Values, I found, in the Senator's own words, an explanation for what must be going on. The key question regarding the people in middle America that saw this comment that the Senator needs to answer - again - is "How would that make you feel?". His answer, while clear, was buried in an eloquent, but unfortunately hard to follow speech for the vast majority of American voters.
In this time of hardship we've endured over the last 8 years, the only thing that has kept the hope alive for many Americans around the country has been their belief in this country and their patriotism. And, unfortunately, they have been "duped" into confusing the symbols of the country with true patriotism. It is, in a way, religious. America as dear as their god, the flag as dear as their cross.
Given that understanding, and the constant barrage of "god damn america" played hundreds of times on FOX, it's easy to understand their reaction. It's easy to see how they might feel outraged.
If the senator can assuage their fears that neither the Reverend, nor himself, holds any contempt for the country as a whole, and that an opposition to a corrupt government that does not care for or listen to its people is not at odds with patriotism, and in fact that it is quite the contrary, he will have no opposition in this race.
I know that having two difficult discussion going might be a tall order, but maybe a speech on patriotism is in order.
In the mean time, we the people could start that conversation as well.
I fear that Obama has lost his opportunity to triumph over this commentary. There are too many nonblacks that will be fearful of the vitriole that is currently being spewed by FOX, Hannity, Oreilly and others. Sound bites are effective. Election cycle after election cycle has proven that. Because I am used to that methodology I have to ask what if anything I can do to advocate for his candidacy? I have associates, family and friends that have all fallen into step with this campaign of deceite. My associates, family and friends are mostly people of higher education, life experiences and sensibilities that should make them more sensitive to Obama's position, however they disconnect the moment Rev. Wright utters the GD America comment. The sentiment of anger with regards to rasism is not exclusive to black americans. Currently the popular hate monguering is being directed to those of Mexican heritage or hispanics at large. I can only hope that hispanics can see that the progress being made by Obama impacts our ability to transend these glass ceilings.
HuffPost's Pick
Sen. Obama's speech on race and unity was an outstanding speech, and everybody who listened to it with an open mind now has no question regarding Sen. Obama's patriotism, or his stance on race relations in America.
In the past few days, I had been slightly baffled that the right wing media is still claiming the controversy as deadly material given how clear Sen. Obama's stance has been in repudiating those kind of comments and the division that is associated with them.
While re-reading "The Audacity of Hope" however, towards the end of the chapter on Values, I found, in the Senator's own words, an explanation for what must be going on. The key question regarding the people in middle America that saw this comment that the Senator needs to answer - again - is "How would that make you feel?". His answer, while clear, was buried in an eloquent, but unfortunately hard to follow speech for the vast majority of American voters.
In this time of hardship we've endured over the last 8 years, the only thing that has kept the hope alive for many Americans around the country has been their belief in this country and their patriotism. And, unfortunately, they have been "duped" into confusing the symbols of the country with true patriotism. It is, in a way, religious. America as dear as their god, the flag as dear as their cross.
Given that understanding, and the constant barrage of "god damn america" played hundreds of times on FOX, it's easy to understand their reaction. It's easy to see how they might feel outraged.
If the senator can assuage their fears that neither the Reverend, nor himself, holds any contempt for the country as a whole, and that an opposition to a corrupt government that does not care for or listen to its people is not at odds with patriotism, and in fact that it is quite the contrary, he will have no opposition in this race.
I know that having two difficult discussion going might be a tall order, but maybe a speech on patriotism is in order.
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