Politics on the Couch: Paranoid Anxiety, Splitting, and Racism

What follows is the third section of my new book, Politics on the Couch. Because we live in an interactive world and this election is an interactive process, I am conducting a new experiment - posting sections of the manuscript twice weekly on my blog at HuffingtonPost.com and inviting readers' comments which may be folded into the final print edition.

Politics on the Couch: Paranoid anxiety, splitting, and racism

It intensified the day after Hillary Clinton endorsed Barack Obama for president - the question on everyone's mind but rarely spoken aloud, "Is the United States a racist nation?" The opinion section of the New York Times ran the headline, ""Where Whites Draw the Line", and its equivalent in the Washington Post read "When Dreams Collide" - sporting pictures of a feminist rally along side an MLK march. How will racism, hidden and overt, affect Obama's chances? More subtly, if the war on terror is a fear-based war against Muslim extremists, how will people respond to Obama's middle name, Hussein?

What is it about racism that might be psychologically hard-wired or even understandable as an unwanted result of normal mental development? Elements of racism - born from a fear of an unfamiliar other - are not simply culturally or class-based. Research has shown that infants' first images are incomplete ones of the mother's breast, the feeding bottle, her hair or smile, but not of the whole person. Thus a baby with colic can see the breast as a threat one day, and a pleasurable source of nourishment on another. The baby must keep these two images apart, to keep the one imbued with anger and aggression from impinging on the one seen as loving.

This mental "splitting" (discussed in a previous blog) is followed by "stranger anxiety" that appears at about 8 months of age. The infant manages fears by relocating them in the environment, as a further form of self-protection. The good stays inside; the bad is the outside unknown. Parents are familiar with a toddler's suspicion that something usually seen as good becomes bad when contaminated by the unfamiliar - the simplest example being that the smallest speck of green parsley can spoil a whole plate of mac and cheese.

Childhood terrors are mostly self-created, powered by fear of the dangerous unknown. Before the advent of mass media made African-American sports heroes and entertainment stars as familiar as the next-door neighbor, it was entirely up to the parents of many white children to feed or dispel the fear of the strange other. Racism is becoming a non-issue for younger voters who don't use ethnic differences to define their friendships. The under-thirty generation grew up not just with Usher, Oprah, and LeBron - they saw black mayors and black actors portraying presidents and senators on TV - and it was completely natural. Those paranoid feelings that older white voters may still harbor get reignited by figures like Reverend Wright, and by members of the media who fan racist flames.

In times of war, foreigners and even non-white Americans, were sources of fear. Prison camps in Arizona, California, and elsewhere housed as many as 100,000 American citizens of Japanese descent in WWII. Now we fear Arab-Americans. An Obama campaign operative told me that his proudest moment in West Virginia was when he actually got a voter to change his mind - after an hour-long discussion, he convinced him that Obama was not Muslim.

Many have transferred their fear of the unknown from African-Americans to Muslims, Paul Krugman's hopeful column (NYT June 9) "It's a Different Country," notwithstanding. Because of this, voters may choose a known McCain - even while fully recognizing the disastrous consequences of such a choice - over an unknown Obama who might raise taxes and who might give in to the terrorists. It is easy to displace general paranoid fear about the future - whether about gas prices or jobs - onto an African-American whom they worry isn't up to the job.

What we have is a fused paranoia - fear of the black part of Obama merged with the Hussein part of his name. Such a merger was emphasized by Fox News "analyst" - someone very far from a psychoanalyst - Liz Trotta who said that "And now we have what some are reading as a suggestion that somebody knock off Osama, un Obama. Well, both if we could." In my opinion, her so-called joke could not have been spontaneous or unscripted.

But just as there is a whole kernel of wheat in every Wheaties flake, there may be some legitimate basis for this paranoid fusion in the minds of many Americans. During the heat of the Black Power movement in the late 1960s, for instance, many leaders converted to Islam and took Islamic names. Boxer Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali; basketball player Lew Alcindor became Kareem Abdul Jabbar; jazz critic and playwright LeRoi Jones became Amiri Baraka; and Black Panther H. Rap Brown became Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin.

The question posed at the beginning of this blog is no longer so simple, for we must wonder not only whether America is a racist nation but what form of racism we're talking about. It is clear that whatever the form, racism is based on fear - some of which is in fact consistent with psychic development. It is natural for the baby to fear strangers; it is even natural for the child to hate green specks in the mac and cheese. Could the baby be right? After all, one bad apple does spoil a barrel, and a single gunshot - more than one time in America's saga - changed history.

I agree with Obama when he said, as he claimed victory on June 3, that Americans "don't deserve" another election "that's governed by fear." But fear is a natural and normal and part of the human condition; it just shouldn't be the basis of how we vote. Obama would do well to talk about fear - that it is natural for people to fear the unknown and, by extension, be wary of him - and that it is nothing to be ashamed of or denied. Therefore I want stress one aspect of FDR's 1933 inaugural address: The problem is not fear but fear of fear. If we accept fear as part of the human condition we need not be ashamed of feeling it.

What scares you about the candidates, the media, and yourself?
How can voters tell the difference between paranoid anxiety that distorts and suspicions that may contain some truth?

How have our suspicions and fears changed over the years?

Next: True and False Reparation

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Comments

[adavis08]

As a Black American I think the reason that whites fear blacks is the fear of repisal for past wrongs that blacks have suffered at the hands of whites. This feeling is also associated with guilt in some. The MSM is also to blame because they only report crime in the black community and not good event,s and their are some. This just perpetuates a negative stereotype. Fear comes from segregation whether forced or institutional. When people work, live, and associate with other races it brings forth understanding that people are the same regardless of their skin color. A Fox news reporter was talking about Obama and Michelle's fist bump, asking if it is a terrorist salute. Yesterday Rachael Maddow attempted to explain this to white viewers as Keith Olberman laughed. I'm glad that there are enlightened individuals that can try to reasure people about these forms of nonsense. Are we really in 2008 or 1960?

[pad759]

Point of View from a Black American!

Why do White Americans fear Blacks, I would like to know where did their fear come from. Was it from the history books, their ancestors. We as Black Americans have more to fear from Whites based on the history of this government toward Blacks, Indians and etc. Laws are on the books to prove it. The real issue here is the hatred in some Whites hearts towards Blacks based on I don't know what. I think if anyone who chooses to hate anyone regardless of color should seek pray from their pastors ot just pray to GOD and ask him to remove it from their hearts. I know alot of Black Americans have chose to do this. And this is one issue I plan to ask GOD about when I stand before him, I want to know why is the Black person hated by every race in the world. Was that the orginal plan, before it sucks! Black Americans ancestors help built this country with their blood, sweat and tears, and Americans have treated us like dirt. I know this want get posted, but I'm tired of listening and hearing about how White Americans feels toward Sen. Obama, it's human, he is not perfect. If American is pleased ith President Bush, they at least be fair and give someone else a chance regardless of his race.

[deecee22]

CODE WORDS BE ON GUARD:
We don't know much about Obama:

Obama radical racist church:

We Know McCain, people don't know Obama yet.

He stayed in that church for 20 years.
(How long has Pat Buchnan and Co. stayed in the pedophile church?
or (what happen to the 20 years Obama was raised in a white household, formatable years?)

OBAMA DID NOT NAME HIMSELF, HIS MOTHER NAMED HIM.

[lutznancy]

I think it is on the mark to discuss the difference between normal fear and paranoia. I have an aquaintance who says she's a Democrat, and yet from the first day Obama decided to run, she has been solidly against him. Her reasons are transparently fear-based, so much that she believes every smear that she reads. First, she believed he was a Muslim, then she feared his church affiliation and Dr. Wright. But, when she talks about these things, she sounds irrational, saying things like "we cannot have this man as our president because there are things about him that will come out later." I asked her what she knew that I didn't, and I haven't heard back from her in over a month. There are many I talk to who simply come out and say that a black man will "be for the blacks" and not the whites. I've heard people say that Obama is a racist, which I take to mean that he will favor blacks over whites. So, yes, I think there is a fear of blacks among some people. Who can say why? Perhaps, as I always say, it's a personal thing. I fear for Obama's safety first and foremost. Irrational fears make people do crazy things.

[Jazzylady26]

His name is not a problem. His lack of anything is a problem.

[Chazzam]

Viewing your post history of fear-soaked screeds against Sen. Obama, it is clear that you embody a broad array of irrationality with regards to his candidacy. You project your darkest imaginings and see things that are not there (or place monumental weight on the trivial), and hope for his downfall. Please seek a mental health professional to process whatever damage you feel he is somehow responsible for in your life (or the threat he symbolizes), or his presidency will bring you anxiety and dread of tragic depth. It doesn't have to be this way. You don't have to be ruled by fear.

Best of luck.

[Annoula]

His lack of anything???? As opposed to?
McCain's...lack of consistency in his positions? Lack of scruples? Lack of shame when he cuddles with lobbyists and AIPAC members? Lack of knowledge between the different Muslim factions? Lack of respect to his wife when he called her a c... in public? Lack of self control when he throws temper tantrums?

[dadumdee]

Wow. I'm assuming that your tenure as the editor of the Harvard Law review, 8 years of state and 2 years of federal senate experience, 780 state sponsored, 280 state signed, 152 federal sponsored and 427 federal co-sponsored bills, and selection as the Democratic presidential nominee, must have been very easy for you to accomplish at 46 years old.

[shothot]

dadumdee, that information is only privy to those of us who desire to know. Otherwise, it's, "I don't know anything about him".
strangely, you don't have to leave home to get it.

[shothot]

Another racist code phrase=his lack of anything is a problem.

[OnTheOtherBeach]

I'm white. I'm male. I'm 50. And I support Obama fully. I have since before he declared.

[heal57]

I'm white. I'm female. I'm 63, and I've supported Obama as soon as I knew he was going to run for President. President Bush and his co-conspirators did us a favor. Had they not had the White House for almost 8 years, Senator Obama probably would have not run or at least not be so successful. The fierce urgency of NOW is upon us. We are ready!

Independent for Obama '08

[shothot]

heal 57, I love brave and spirited people!! Obama 08

[oncethere]

The way I would distinguish fear from paranoid anxiety: Fear can be a useful emotion to the extent that it is protective, that is, it mobilizes me to be alert to danger. Thus, if I'm in a situation in which it is reasonable to believe some threat to my safety isinvolved, I will become more alert and protective. Same is true for a real threat to my psychological safety. In both these situations, it is adaptive for me to protect myself. But, when no real threat is involved and I throw up the defenses, this is mal-adaptive.

Politically, we are in a situation in which we have to balance fear and freedom. It is reasonable to have some fear of a terrorist attack and to protect ourselves, but I think we can do that without devolving into paranoid anxiety (e.g. Bush et all). On the other hand, I believe there is a real threat
to our environment and we need to do something to clean it up, fast. It is basically accurately interpreting danger signals,.

Republicans are beginning to promote this line: we don't know Obama, there is Rev. Wright and does Obama have ties to terrorists groups? This is the fear of unsophisticated people, the fear of people who won't listen to him and observe him in order to make their own judgments. I have seen nothing in hims that suggests "radical terrorist and Marxist," but this is what Republicans are promoting.

[tyrdofwaitin]

Fear is a good thing if it's appropriately placed. The Bush gang has managed an 8 -year Alley Oop on us: it's the Bush policies we should fear not some manufactered enemy in Iraq or Iran.

Check out the numerous articles for the impeachment of Bush that Dennis Kucinich outlined in the Congress yesterday: NOW THAT'S SCARY! Good people, the FOX is in the henhouse.

[Nommo]

I hope, Justin, that you are beyond those infantile issues that seem to inform your approach to this matter.

"To study the relations of racism and culture is to raise the question of their reciprocal action. If culture
is the combination of motor and mental behavior patterns arising from the encounter of man with nature
and with his fellow man, it can be said that racism is indeed a cultural element. There are thus cultures with racism and cultures without racism."

- Dr. Frantz Fanon, from "Toward the African Revolution", Grove Press, NY, 1967

The United States of America would be one of those 'cultures with racism'. There are more examples found in the history of American jurisprudence, I will take for granted that I will not have to lay all of that out for you. I find it astonishing that whites will continually vote against their own interests in order to continue to repress Black people. The great majority are not even capable of defining the myths that encourage their racist behavior, and yet, want to play on the world stage. The rest of the world has grown tired of the stupidity that emanated from these shores.

[tyrdofwaitin]

FYI Doc Frank: Racism isn't the problem among individuals; between folks it's prejudice or bigotry. Racism is institutional, eg., school systems, the legal system, housing and other accommodations, employment. Racism is the progeny of white supremacy which has been a fundamental value system in this country since its founding.

Why are these distinctions important: Because what we are seeing Barack Obama achieve is a seismic shift in our socio-poliitcal landscape. White supremacy is not gone; racism is not gone; bigotry and prejudice is not gone. What has changed is that inspite of ourselves, we are moving toward the America of equal opportunity under the law.

Perhaps it took the catastrophe and mendacity of the Bush White House over 8 years to get us there. Or in the terminology of recovery: the United States has hit bottom; the only place ot go is up.