Barack Obama and the Politics of Dignity
Barack Obama is offering Americans dignity, and they're grabbing it with both hands. Dignity permeates his speeches, informs his policies, and is evident in his manner. Whether he intended to or not, Obama has become a herald of the politics of dignity.
But dignity for whom? For blacks and whites, for men and women, for gays and straights, for young and old, for rich and poor, and for immigrants and the native-born. Obama also reaches out to both sides of the aisle -- liberals and conservatives -- and to other nations and their leaders. Americans, eager to move beyond the fractiousness of identity politics and to end the standoff between libertarian and egalitarian ideologies, are lining up in support. They are ready for a leader committed to building a world of dignity for all.
What exactly is the dignity that people crave? It's more than good manners, respect, and civility. It's the absence of indignity. The American people know that indignities inflicted on the world have diminished America's stature. They know that the indignities they and their fellow citizens are suffering at home are sapping the American spirit.
Barack Obama's campaign has been called a "phenomenon," one with the potential to swell into a movement. But to realize its promise, a movement must evolve from a call for change to a plan for removing the obstacles that stand in the way of that change. How can the energy that has crystallized around Obama's candidacy be effectively focused to fight the indignities of everyday life?
As the history of the women's movement shows, a movement can't deliver without identifying what it's against. The introduction of the word "sexism" provided the lens that brought gender inequity into focus and made it indefensible.
To fight back against indignity, we need to root out what causes it. The cause of indignity is not power, nor is it power differences. It is rather the abuse of power. To oppose indignity, we do not have to eliminate differences in power, nor the differences in rank that merely reflect them.
Rank is a useful tool of organization. When it's exercised with proper regard for the dignity of subordinates, we not only accept rank differences, we celebrate the people whose accomplishments have earned our respect. No one is more admired or loved than someone of high rank who treats everyone, regardless of rank, with dignity.
But, abuses of rank have no place in a dignitarian world and must go. Taking a page from the women's movement, if we are to combat such abuses effectively, we must first give them a name. Fortunately, there's a word at hand. By analogy with racism, sexism, and ageism, abuse of the power inherent in rank is rankism. Once named, you see it everywhere.
The outrage over corrupt executives is indignation over rankism. Sexual abuse by clergy is rankism. Elder abuse in life care facilities is rankism. The power of lobbyists to subvert the people's will is rankism. Photos of the humiliation of Iraqi prisoners gave the world a look at rankism's arrogant face. Hurricane Katrina made visible rankism's most common victims -- the sick, the elderly, the poor.
Like racism, rankism has its most debilitating impact on those lacking the protections of social rank -- the poor. And nowhere is rankism more dangerous than in foreign relations. International terrorism has multiple, complex causes, but one factor we can address is rankism between nations. There is no fury like that borne of chronic humiliation. Senator Obama understands that a vital part of a strong defense is not giving offense in the first place.
Rankism distorts personal relationships, erodes the will to learn, taxes economic productivity, and stokes international enmities. The effects on its victims are like those of racism and sexism on minorities and women. But, unlike these better-known isms, rankism knows no limits and plays no favorites. So long as anyone's dignity is at risk, everyone's is. With its inclusiveness, Obama's politics of dignity has struck a chord.
Before they'll march for justice, people will stand up for dignity. Obama has got them on their feet, and that's a start. The next step--building a dignitarian society -- is the work of several generations, but the hopes for a peaceful and prosperous twenty-first century rest on our taking it.
Robert W. Fuller is the author of All Rise: Somebodies, Nobodies, and the Politics of Dignity (2006). He is co-author, with Pamela Gerloff, of Dignity for All: Rankism Unmasked (forthcoming, Spring 2008).
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I hope that the American pubic would stand back and see the forest from the trees and not get caught up in the hype....hy
I agree 100% CNN wil not let a hate bomb pass without running it every 10 minutes or so. I try to watch other channels but not too much around for a LIBERAL oldtime hippie type.
And Lou Dobbs is the scariest man on TV. He would be the #1 candidate to be posterboy for anti depressants.
I think if we want to talk about change, we should start with getting away from the fear and showing each other the respect to allow for their thoughts.
Mu stomach churns when I think that the Democratic contest has come so far down into the gutter.
I guess we will have to put up with it for awhile longer.
SAD!
Hollywood made a movie about Bill Clinton while he was still in office.
The film was somewhat defamatory and touched on the womanizing and other stuff he was dealing with while in office. All during his tenure as president the media and the obstructionists in the republican party did everything they could to stop him from getting anything done. In spite of this he was able to get a lot done that everyone agrees was good for the country. In spite of this his approval rating stayed above 60%
Hollywood made a movie about Ronald Reagan long after he was out of office and even cognizant of his existence. Not a single network or cable outlet would air the film even though it wasn’t an iota as defamatory as the film made about Clinton.
Folks, this is what you’re up against. Face it. Beating each other down when you are already at such a distinct disadvantage to begin with is just plain stupid.
Obama needs to get a little "Rovian" here. He needs to beat the 527's that are sure to air their swiftboating ads at the pass. He needs to make his own ad that begins with the usual "I am B.O. and I approve this message" and then he needs to either play some of the incriminating videos of Rev. Wright or show some stills with the audio of the Rev Wright and then conclude with a statement of how he "rejects and denounces" these statements. Then he needs to SATURATE the airwaves with this ad so that everyone is just so sick of hearing Rev. Wright's rants and they will be so over it already that they just tune it out. Then when the 527's make their ads and the cable news channels go on and on the public will already be so desensitized to the video and the words of Rev. Wright that the ads by the 527's will have little effect. BO will take something that the other side will undoubtedly try and use against him and bombard our senses with but BO will have already spent all of that ammo before they get a chance to.
Robert! Dignity over rankism! You've written a brilliant, compelling argument for why I am so enthusiastically drawn to Barak Obama. In thought, word, action, and demeanor, Obama embodies dignity. Another characteristic that Obama communicates is humility. It is so refreshing to see a public servant act and speak with humility. When high-ranking persons acknowledge fallibility and vulnerability they offer those of us with lesser rank to identify, sympathize, and attach to them emotionally. We are willing to follow their lead not because they are perfect but as a result of their dignified and humble persona we are attracted and we resonate with them as people. Inspiring leadership does not happen through grandiose words and behaviors of self-promotion. With a dignified individual like Obama, we have an opportunity to elect a leader capable of helping us realize a more progressive civilized culture.
Dahveed, I feel the same way.
Mr. Fuller,
I find this an excellent and thought-provoking post in several regards.
Like you, I have found dignity has been central to Senator Obama's campaign which is one of the principal reasons for which he has so inspired me. In a very personal way (and ironically given those feeble attempts to portray him as anti-Semitic) he exemplifies the writings of my favourite Rabbi, the Chofetz Chaim (a 19th-century Russian Rabbi), who wrote that "the mouth is the quill of the heart." Moreover, he wrote extensively on the topics of "proper" and "improper" speech (shmiras haloshon and loshon hora) which are very much rooted in always affirming the dignity of the individual and being ever-mindful of the impact of one's speech upon others.
Even in the heat of debate, Senator Obama does this (for instance, when Senator Clinton referred to his "yes we can" speech as "change you can xerox"): no diatribe or derogatory remarks in response. Simple disagreement and holding his tongue.
Even in the midst of blatantly racist remarks by Ferraro three times in two weeks and others about religion (i.e., "as far as I know" as if being Muslim was a flaw in one's character to begin with), he offers no reprisals and leaves open the possibility of reconciliation with accountability. Yet another example of dignity.
The only issue in your post with which I would disagree is the role of rankism but in so far as a division of labour in any organisation does not necessarily imply hierarchy. I state this from the perspective as a union activist and worker in human rights for decades, for the former always encouraging a structure of complete accountability of the executive and other committees to the membership. In this regard, Senator Obama becomes more of a facilitator, someone who gives voice to millions of Americans with whom he shares their view of politics with dignity (for example). As he said, I believe two weeks ago in an Ohio auditorium meeting, he wants people around him including Supreme Court judges who disagree with him precisely because he does not have all the answers. Truly humble and brilliant !!!!
Dear Media:
Thank you for your part in creating PASTOR-gate. Our fight against
the insurgent forces of Obama and his ranting Pastor will not be easy.
But with your help, we can do it.
The Clinton-McCain Campaign
I hope Obama is the start of a trend towards more dignifified politics.
Clearly the ugly culture wars on 90s and Bush's bullying and deceit are harmful to the country.
It's pretty interesting that both McCain and Obama are "reformers" and perhaps mark a turning of the page from the sleaze of yesteryear.
Great article!
Thank you for putting so eloquently into words what many of us have been feeling instinctively.
Unfortunately, the evidence is that followers of Obama at the ground level are not in the least interested in undoing the effects of, nor eliminating "rankism." They are explicitly interested in accruing the power and perquisites of rank to themselves.
Insofar as it might be described accurately as a "movement," it is a movement about taking power away from one group of Democrats (i.e., everybody not in the van with Obama) and seizing it for themselves. Those who choose not to join the movement have been warned, they will be unceremoniously crushed.
Thanks.
mp
You make it sound like Obama supporters are Scientologists. Be reasonable. Every elected official is trying to gain the largest majority of support to enact, allegedly, their and their constituents' will.
Be reasonable. Until then:
Thanks for nothin.
Duffs
And exactly what "ground-level evidence" are you refering to? You make a series of strong statements, and offer nothing but discourteous assertions about an entire group of people to support them. I'm an Obama volunteer, I've been to a few local strat sessions, and I must tell you, so far from planning to "unceremoniously crush" anyone, most of the discussion focused on how to go about reconciling opinions & positions between our candidate, and the Old-School Dems, and moderate Republicans that are our natural allies. As to taking power away from the groups currently exercising it, you are correct. The last 16 years (at least!) of partisan trench warfare has accomplished nothing but the enrichment of the politicians & idealouges directing the battles. Hillary Clinton could have used her stature, and the enormous respect she has attained among Democrats, in an attempt to stem this bloodletting. She chose to come down on the side of entrenched power, and personal ambition. Your motives are your own affair. I'm not asking you to abandon any deeply-held beliefs. I'm asking you to think about how far your're willing to go to meet your opponent halfway. Only fools fight in a burning house.
Obama 08 /
You write, "Hillary..
That's pretty paranoid. Obama was the one who unexpectedly won all those states with a message of hope and dignity. Hillary, stunned by the upstart, has gone negative. I think Gallup bears out the fact that HRC supporters are far more anti-Obama than vice versa. And I don't particularly know why.
Remember that debate where HRC said "change yo ucan xerox" and got booed? In the same debate Obama said HRC ran a wonderful campaign. There's a stark contrast between the smears from Hillary and Obama's attempt to run a positive campaign.
Anyone who can't see this must be blind or spinning.
I wonder how well he would do if those elections were rerun. Here is a man whose preacher says "God damn America", his wife says that it is the first time she is proud to be a woman (even though she probably got to be what she is through affirmative action - which would make me proud as an American), and Obama does not even wear the American flag on his lapel. Anyone here see a pattern.
For 20 years he attended a racist church and allowed himself, his wife and his daughters to hear the racist rantings of his "spirtual" mentor. If this is an example of his judgment, I sure do not want him as President of the USA.
To try now and distance himself from this is a little too late. It is NOT guilt by association, it IS guilt by free choice.
What a shame, for a while I thought we may have someone to look up too. Not anymore.
Classic example of projection. Attributing to others qualities that you yourself possess.
Projectiv identification won't follow though, because Obama is very smart. So the HRC camp can sleep well in spite of the fact that they will lose.
Excuse me, but to what studies, interviews, demographic research or polls do you base this amazing statement? As an early voter, I was torn between John Edwards and Senator Obama, finally chosing to campaign for Sen. Edwards (something to mull over after reading this article). He left the race and I now heartily support Sen. Obama (as does everyone I know who supported Edwards) because he represents the philosophy of dignity as described in this exquisite and eye opening article. Yesterday, I could not have defined the difference between racism and prejudice until I read an outstanding blog about it here at HuffPo. This morning, I could not have fleshed out my reasons for saying that Barak Obama is so inspiring until I experienced the clarity and delightful feeling of an "Ah ha!" moment that tickled me as I read this essay.
You state about Sen Obama, "Those who choose not to join the movement have been warned, they will be unceremoniously crushed." and " it is a movement about taking power away from one group of Democrats". I get the feeling that your reality, your perception is that support for Senator Obama is all about power. I don't remember the exact numbers quoted just a couple days ago following the Missippissi vote but something like 60% of people who voted for Obama would support Hillary if she were the nominee but only 20% of Hillary voters would support Obama. Why would Obama voters be so generous and supportive of a different candidate if they are indeed power hungry and people crushing? I don't know about you, but it sure doesn't make sense to me.
I get the feeling many of us like the IDEA of dignity and dislike rankism, but we may not be comfortable with the concept yet because we don't understand how it can possibly work to ensure the primal need of security AS WE KNOW IT. Our beliefs have been forged over eons that we must fight to be the top primate in order to insure our survival and the survival of our family, village, state, country.
Senator Obama, by his very campaign, is showing us another way. He is a living example. To follow him takes great courage because we must search inside ourselves and address the primal fears so easily triggered and manipulated by those who abuse rank. Then we must take a leap of faith across the abyss of the unknown to a new and different definition of safety and security. This desire to go in a new direction, to break out of the mold of our past, is not done by the weak or the power hungry, naugiedoggie, this is done by brave people who are willing to step up and vote for change because they believe there really is a different way to live, and, as I can now elucidate, the first step is treating everyone with dignity. Changing our views of the past where power is might and might is right, will take education, time and hard work. Maybe one day, you will look at us, the Obama supporters, in a different light...th
Now lets see the cable news networks go after Rev Hagee for his vile and reprehensible rhetoric
We should go after the Hagee's, Farrakhan's, and Wright’s. Let's have an all day special on CNN (as it is thier ratings are falling) and Fox and then disqualify anybody who has been associated with them for 20 YEARS, anybody who calls them their spiritual mentor. It’s time Obama surrogates gave up the Hagee defense. It just shows the Obama campaign is no different that any other campaign. One difference though it has hoodwinked lots of Americans to believe it is different.
No. I shows that there's been a lot of blood in America's history, and we need, as a nation, to understand it, and get beyond it. Obama is the leader who will help us do just that.
I prefer to call it Corporationism. the Doctrine that would Prefer we be called America Inc. Yes it reeks of Rankism, of a Cast System, of control over income and consumerism. WE pay them money to take our money (along with our Rights and Freedoms- for their sole Use). This is NOT Capitalism, Nor the Free market, It's market shares, profit margins and control of essential resources.
it's the same entity which has plagued mankind for millenia- GREED & POWER over the masses.Alt
corporationist do not hold any Aleegience to US, they hate Free Speech, Freedom of the Press and the Free market, they hate US an dour rights an dFreedom- they ahave a negative effect on thier bottom line and their Business Stratedgies.
What you are describing is called Fascism. Mussolini said the term Corporatism was more appropriate also.
And the corporationists have Hillary Clinton in their deep pockets. That is what the DLC is all about. It is simply staggering that she has managed to convince poor, less-educated older women that she is on their side. I suppose to the extent that many of these women have been betrayed by the men in their lives, they can identify with her, but in terms of doing anything to actually help them, their spouses and their children, well, HC and BC are perfectly happy to have pleased their corporate pals by shipping the working class jobs overseas..
But these women refuse to open their eyes to the Clintons' betrayal of the working class...he with his broken promise to oppose NAFTA, clearly a promise he broke in order to please his corporate pals, and she with her bungled healthcare effort that has led to HER being given more in healthcare corporate "thanks" than any other candidate, including Republicans. The whole "Blue Dog" movement among Democrats is an effort to make the Party into Republican-lite and to dump the social safety nets in favor of corporate greed.
HC appeared in Pittsburgh last night with all of the disgusting leeches who have attached themselves to the state Democratic Party...a party that is rank with corruption and malfeasanc
Brilliant.
Obama is one of the few politicians to consistently display dignity in manner and speech. Perhaps, America has been in the thrall of the Matin gecko syndrome for so long that it has forgotten that good manners are best!
You reall may have laid the axe to the root of the evil. Congratulations for your thoughtful comment. I really wish it will gain traction. You gave the Devil the name he deserves. Now, it's up to us, to rout him out.
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