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).

Comments

[cct1984]

I find it just a tad bit ironic that Obama is hailed as the messiah that will transcend identity politics when the very church that has been the source of his inspiration for the last 20 years is founded on the principle of racial identity and has a profound hatred for white America.

[AmericanNation]

Dear "cct1984",
I have to respectfully ask you, sir/madame, why you would utilize the term "messiah" in such a derrogatory manner, clearly you are not a religious person because if you were you would appreciate the fact that to all three major mono-theistic faiths that term holds deep spiritual meaning - and as a Christian - not only have I been deeply offended by the spectacle of Senator Clinton and her supporters questioning the Christianity of one of Christ's followers, Senator Obama, but then to alledge that he could never be a true Christian due to his name, ethnicity, heritage, or lineage. It is clear that to engage any of Senator Clinton's followers in respectful intellectual discourse is a fools errand, and so, like the majority of Americans I merely sit back and allow you, sir/madame, and your ilk to simply vomit out the same talking points that the campaign has provided to all of their people. But, I do ask in the name of simple Christian decency to appreciate that your rhetoric is not only ignorant but it is offensive not only to Senator Obama's supporters but to many people in and out of America. God Bless.

[RButler]

Christianity is a lot like Obama. Says one thing and does another.

[hoodrat]

It was only three generations removed from freeing us, he doesn't have the baggage that the Americans with deeper roots have. You look to the anger of memory that colors Rev. Wrights remarks, not at all the grassroots programs to help their own, which always seems to be something those like you ridicule, that we're deficient in the areas of helping ourselves. And, when they claim a sense of identity, whose are you asking them to claim? Not all in the congregation feel the same as Rev. Wright - different life lived, but I suspect his (Wrights), hatred isn't toward all Whites in America - just the profoundly ignorant.

[cct1984]

hoodrate
I’m not at all ridiculing grassroots programs that help their own, on the contrary, I believe programs that espouse self-reliance and community service are a great thing, but the church Obama attends goes well beyond these concepts. Certainly, identifying with your race is a natural and positive thing, but what Rev Wright was preaching in the sermons I saw wasn't about pride in race but about hate and blame. If the current situation was reversed--where you have a white church, with a Eurocentric ideology, preaching about the crimes committed by blacks against whites--the person attending that church would be called a racist and no one would be claiming the end of identity politics. Having said that, I don't hold Obama accountable for what Rev Wright says but the old adage "you’re known by the company you keep" is apropos. The fact that Rev Wright is on Obama's spiritual council sends a message...­the question is, is it the right one?

[iswearington]

no one has...nor could have a profound hatred for white america.on­e can...and many do have a profound hatred of the... things... that have been done by white anericans. does any human being love what was done to native americans and blacks.?sh­ould any human being love slavery ...genocid­e......jim­crow...and institutional racism? should i as a person of color love the fact...tha­t no matter how well educated and eloquent..­.and no matter how crime free i have lived my life...tha­t any racist white cop with a 6th grade education can shoot me 41 times (amadou diallo) or 56 times(sean bell) and not a damned thing will be done about it. should i love every time i had to jump off the sidewalk and into mudpuddles to let a whiteman walk by when i was a little boy being raised in arkansas in the 50s...know­ing that if i didn't my grandfather and i would be lynched...­with no protection under the constitution in the country i was born in? please explain to me what i shouldn't hate about that.while i was dodging bullets and rockets and mortars in vietnam...­neither my mother... father...o­r anyone else in my family could vote. should i be happy about that? i have as any human being would have...a profound hatred for american racism...j­ust like reverend wright does.i have a deep and abiding love for the concept of america. but until a strange disease takes out all of the racists...­the construct america...­will never be.

[Tane]

Thank you for your moving post. I have been distressed most of the day as a result of the mass media's handling of this Wright scandal. I was appalled at their willingness to cherry pick his sermons and then hold Barack Obama accountable for Wright's words. I was so relieved to hear Al Sharpton's response on Tucker's show - he rendered Tucker speechless with his argument that it is ridiculous to blame Obama for the things that Wright said. To hold a parishioner accountable for the words of their minister, preacher, Bishop, etc. is absurd. As he said, if people have a problem with what Wright said they should bring it up with the leaders of his parent church - which, by the way, is predominantly white. Surely these pundits are at least moderately educated enough to know full well where the sentiments expressed in his inflammatory remarks stem from - from the hundreds of years of mistreatment of our fellow Americans simply because of the color of their skin. I thought that journalism's goal was to uncover the truth by adhering to ethics and reporting all sides of a story without prejudice. American journalism via the media has shown a glaring disregard for the standards of the profession. To report on Wright's inflammatory sermons without offering his many sermons which preach unity and tolerance is blatant disregard for their professional ethics.

If only the media pundits had half the dignity that Barack Obama possesses this story would have fizzled before it had a chance to pander to the fears of the uninformed.

[jwhipple]

"Profound hatred for white America"? I don't think so.
Just for a bit of context, here's something else Rev. Wright had to say in a Christmas sermon:

"The good news that's coming is for all people! Not white people—all people. Not black people—all people. Not rich people—all people. Not poor people—all people. I know you'll hate this... not straight people—all people! Not gay people—all people. Not American people—all people. ...God's good news isn't just for Americans, it's for all people. Say "all people"! Jesus came for Iraqis and Afghanis. Jesus was sent for Iranians and Ukrainians. All people! Jesus is God's gift to the brothers in jail and the sisters in jeopardy. All people! The Lord left his royal courts on high to come for all those that you love, yes, but he also came for all those folk that you can't stand. All people!"
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1974945/posts

Reminds me of Sen. Obama's "red state, blue state" speech at the Democratic convention in 2004.

[vernonbc]

Hey, that's a great passage. I'm going to bookmark the link. And the reason it sounds like Obama's convention speech is because he has said that it was inspired by one of Rev Wright's sermons. :-)

[cct1984]

Jwhipple
Your reasoning reminds me of the battered woman who defends her abuser by saying that he’s only done it a couple of times and to further attest to his caring nature, promptly shows off the nice jewelry he recently bought. The question is, do the acts of kindness, numerous though they may be, make up for the few acts of cruelty? You tell me…

[gerireig]

Amen. By the way, if you've never felt hatred for what the U.S. government has done in your name, you aren't a patriot. Patriotism isn't placing your hand over your heart while reciting some pledge. P.S.: The Clintons have succeeded-they've injected race into the race. Congratulations. You can't get more unpatriotic than that.

[PTTY]

What about Pastor Hagee calling the Catholic religion "WHORE RELIGION", and

"SATAN'S RELIGION"

At his Church School he was having BUY A SLAVE party.

McCain did not apologize for anything he has said. I forgot only Black People have to apologize.

[Dahle]

Rankism. Your assessment is perfect, and I hope this term catches on (even as I hope that Rankism itself fades away.)

[RnR]

Could someone please instruct the msm on dignity? THEY are the ones driving this entire non story and spinning it into a storm. The media is feeding and nurturing racism and sexism.

[donaldw6]

Well, I guess by definition, it's not a non-story, but the media, Mr. Fuller excepted, does have to shoulder an awful lot of the blame here. The actual Barack Obama is getting lost in a swarm of racism, sexism, and fanaticism. He's still there, and the media needs to get a grip. Sanity tells you that all this stuff about the Reverend is just so much media hype, but the bulk of this website has just lifted like a swarm of flies from the carcasses of Eliot Spitzer and Gerry Ferraro, and is hovering now over Obama with a menace. We're one type of class with a good professor, and quite another when the professor is an idiot. We need our media people to play the good professor, and give us more of the information that's worthwhile. If they would, most of us would be attentive and learn, and some would actually ask intelligent questions.

[soulstressed]

I agree wholeheartedly, Obama is paying the cost of the media 'doing their job,' although I disagree that they all ARE actually doing their jobs.

If I have to sit through another one of Wolf Biltzer's attempted covert blitzes of Senator Obama, I'll scream. Thank da Lord they have Jack Cafferty and a couple others on CNN that are at least covering any bias they may have. My point is this. I've just watched another segment of CNN Campaign Trail, where most of the piece was dedicated to shedding more light on something questionable that has been brought up concerning Senator Obama, i.e., Rezko, Wright. None of these stories have legs I might add. Anyway, I just sent this email to The Cafferty File website on CNN, regarding the ugly tone of the campaign at this point.
It's becoming increasingly clear that Hillary doesn't do math. Hillary does wrath. It's amazing to me is how most major news outlets are giving Senator Clinton a pass on major issues, while they are blasting Senator Obama on each and every thing they can. It makes it seem as if Obama is sneaky while Clinton is the Virgin Mary. In the meantime, the reality is simply that Obama speaks to everything that has been raised regarding his actions, while HIllary hides behind the infamous Clinton veil of secrecy. For instance, so much light has been shed on Rezko's case, while the Clinton's case in Cali involving Bill, Peter Paul, AND Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendall, slides under the wire. The case of Norman Hsu goes on quietly as well. Obama releases ALL of his earmarks, and his lambasted and questioned over an earmark for his wife's hospital, which was turned down btw, while Hillary simply refuses to release all her earmarks except the ones that passed. Again making her look like she's always a good girl. And good Lord why is the MSM pretending that there is nothing frighteningly wrong in the Clintons not releasing their tax returns? Haven't we seen this movie before?

Time to turn up the real heat:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Truth_Hurts/

[AmericanNation]

There is absolutely no logical basis for blaming the media for anything about the behavior of politics in America regarding Carville and Rove tactical manipulation. This is a free market economy, that means that the media has absolutely no interest in providing any service without a profit motive, to that end, they only provide what product the consumer demands - and frankly up until this election cycle the manipulation of demographics have been very effective in winning elections for the Clinton and Bush campaigns. But, that is not the medias fault, if the American public demanded an erudite an objective analysis of domestic and foreign policy by the media then uneducated bigots like Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Bill O'Reilly would be out of work. But, they are not, because they have a large loyal following, when Mr. Beck quite seriously asks a guest if Senator Obama is the anti-Christ, or Mr. Limbaugh laughs when one of his callers refers to Senator Obama as a cartoon monkey, or Mr. O'Reilly continues to falsely attack Senator Obama's commitment to his faith and America - any rational individual would feel embarrased to be associated with such media elites. And so, do not blame the press, they are only giving the American public what the public asks for just check the number of articles and postings dealing with the uneducated prostitute who is going to make a fortune for having slept with NY governor Elliot Spitzer, and compare that with the stock footage of the dead and wounded soldiers and civillians in Iraq and Afghanistan. Does the media have an interest, morally or intellectually of making a whore an American hero, while our and other nations real heroes die every day without even a mention of their name let alone a photograph or article. If you wish to see who is responsible for the state of what is on television, radio, internet or newspapers - first look in the mirror - then look at your neighbour. The media are doing what we pay them to do, their jobs.

[RnR]

Really, Wolfie Blitzer was spewing the bs about Iranian planes buzzing our ships ****2 days*** after it had been defined as "normal" (by our people).

Doesn't he read?.

[juevosrancheros]

I agree with you here, on just about every point except your main one. I do believe that we should hold the media accountable for steering our attention to the incidental rather than the essential for the sake of profit-reaping. I say this because the media continues to operate under the pretense that it is offering objective coverage (or for the Foxies, "fair and balanced" coverage), while cynically undercutting this promise with a sly wink at every broadcast. While we can all fairly well see that media outlets are in the hands of one or another conglomerate directed to shovelling in the dollars, the media retains its insincere stance of 'detached' observer. I would simply say that until the media just admits that it's no longer attempting to bring us the truth, then it should be blamed. But likewise, we should also blame ourselves for rewarding a manipulative media, as you note. However, not every viewer has the benefit of education - folks working in the media do, and this is why I believe that the media is more accountable; it has a greater share of the intellectual resources to stop the insidious dynamic of manipulation.

[serena1313]

I appreciate the Politics of Dignity. Every one, every single being without exception deserves to be treated with dignity.

The need to be recognized, to be heard, to have a say, to be taken seriously, to be accepted so on and so on for some turns into, whether real or imagined, fear of not being recognized , not accepted, of abandonment, etc... If allowed fear overrides logic and reason. No one is less-than or better-than, however, that does not negate the person's perception or feelings nor does it excuse bad behaviour.

A person's behaviour and the manner in which s/he treats others reflects their inner-sense of self . People develop ways to compensate for negative perceptions they may have about themselves, but fail to deal with why they feel like that in the first place. Others have a tendency to over-compensate. Bullies, for instance, walk around with an aura of invincibility as if no one can harm them, but actually they generally feel less-than inside and want others to feel likewise and act on that.

If we recognize our own worth we recognize it in others. Therein we discover treating every being with dignity is natural in-and-of-itself. And it certainly makes life more enjoyable for everyone. Words mean nothing without action.

Be what you say by what you do. Treat yourself with dignity, too.

[RButler]

"Politics of Dignity" Why not? Unity failed. Change failed. Obama should consult a PR firm to come up with a real good slogan. One that he can fulfill for a change.

[ChiGuy]

That a politician in this day and age can inspire people to want better things for themselves and America is so very, very rare, that this seems to be the root of the reactions by people childishly calling the Obama enthusiasm a "cult" .

That a Obama can maintain an air of dignity in the face of a torrent of negative personal attacks comes as no surprise at all to some of us.

I had the distinct pleasure of working on his senatorial campaign, meeting him, and spending 4 hours eating and talking with him during one of his stays in Chicago.

He is every bit as decent and dignified as he seems, and I'm DAMNED proud to have him as my senator, and as my choice for President of the United States.

Obama '08!!

[Kreskytim]

I think that you would be shocked ChiGuy, that Hillary supporter that have spent time with her, meet her, talked to her and connected with her, see her as a great person too. Nothing is like actually shaking the hand and looking in the eye of a leader that you have meet. She is decent too. So what is so screwed up in this process that two good people can have supporters so far apart? Very sad.

[Montanamotor]

Well, could we call it "the lack of dignity", perhaps? Who answered "He's Christian - as far as I know?" - to the question on Obama's faith? Was Ferraro's outburst against Obama dignified - and, for that mater, Hillary's lukewarm reaction to it? Was Hillary's statement, the Republican presidential contender John McCain was more apt to being Commander-in-Chief, than her own fellow partymember Obama, dignified? Open your eyes, so you can see. Open your ears, so you can hear.

[kellygrrrl]

Dignity, Integrity, Superior Character - What a great gift - What we Need!!!

We're about to find out if Sen Obama can maintain that dignity and integrity very shortly as they are about to drag his wife through the deepest sewer in DC. They are going to align her with this nutcase minister and put her "proud American" words next to the hate rhetoric.

It will be a TRUE test of Obama's dignity.

I wish him the best. I wish US the best.

[efranklin]

If only the national dialog could be allowed to find its way out of the latrine of standard presidential politics, voters might actually hear an uplifting message such as this one. Of course, when one candidate thrives in attack stance, the aim will always be to bring the tenor of the campaign down to subterranean levels. The press ought to rise to this occasion, and publish an inspirational story every now and then. It might even sell a newspaper or two.

[deutchs]

Hillary is destroying this party and a potential for a better tomorrow. Look at the latest Rasmussen polls. A month ago Obama beat McCain in every battle ground state by a lot (10%). Now he is tied or slightly losing. Hillary was losing to McCain a month ago, and guess what? She is still losing. Her selfish lies have left us divided and bitter. Please Obama, although you have remained poised and respectful throughout this campaign, Hillary has thrown so much shit and muck that I can barely remember your inspiring message. Please reiterate your dream for America.

[ladyhawkke]

Obama is the one destroying the party. He has played the race card and now it's them against us. 92% of the black vote in MS proves my point. He'll never stand up to McCain and the Republican attacks, he's carrying too much garbage. And this Rev. Wright issue will never go away. There will be so many ads with the Rev. saying G...damn America. You guys are pitiful and so blindsighted by your hate for Hillary that you will do and say anything so your man wins. Well, you can't win without Hilary's supporters, that's a fact. So just get used to President McCain. You can blame your hateful vitriolic statements against the Clintons. And by the way, I'm sure you were better off 8 years ago when the Clintons were in power. Obama blew it. God help us all.

[dawlishgal]

Thank you for bringing the matter of dignity to our attention. After the Bush and Clinton administrations, dignity is such a refreshing change. How like the Clinton buffoons to claim that dignity is somehow elitist. and that people who support Obama are hapless victims of the cult of dignity. They would have us believe that when one member of a couple (or what pretends to be a couple) can drop his pants in the oval office while the other lies about it in order to wallpaper over the vulgarity of it, that this, at least at the top level of our government, is preferable to that damn "elitist" dignity.

[kdjoins]

"Obama said Wright’s controversial statements have “pained and angered me,” but urged voters to “judge me not on the basis of what someone else said, but on the basis of who I am and what I believe in; on my values, judgment and experience to be President of the United States.”"

So, even in firing and denouncing Wright, Obama is not satisfied. He cannot resist the temptation to instruct us in how to think about Obama and to shamelessly pitch his candidacy simultaneously. As if firing and denouncing his beloved spiritual father would not be enough, (Obama describes Wright's statements as painful, but not the act of severing him) he must create further distance and self-promote in the midst of what should be a grim personal moment. He climbs back on that high horse and resumes his incessant, high-minded, self-aggrandizing speechmaking.

[Fabienne]

kdjoins, this is a silly comment.

[tea in the harbor]

You object to the idea of judging him on the basis of who and what he is?

[kramskoi]

i'm sure that there's a point buried in your comments but i fail to see it...he's not instructing you how to think my friend, he's appealing to common sense and reason...o­n the contrary, i believe it is in fact YOU who are not satisfied with his "denouncing and rejecting" of Wright...g­ood grief, damned if you and damned if you don't...th­e politics of guilt-by-a­ssociation is nothing but a distractio­n...i don't believe that Obama is a racist anymore than i believe that Hillary is one...

is'nt the object of the game to distance oneself from inciteful rants like Wrights?..­.i would think the further the better...o­bviously, you don't...in that light, this argument does'nt make much sense...

bottom line?...vo­ters who share your predisposition not to vote for him in the first place, should be overjoyed because now you have the perceived smoking gun by which to substantiate your position.

[Betsy]

"Obama understands that a vital part of a strong defense is not giving offense in the first place."

"How true!" Common sense dictates..­..treat others the way you want to be treated.

Barack Obama is a natural born leader who offers the American people a new beginning.

[ladyhawkke]

A new beginning? Like giving drivers' licenses to illegal aliens. If he gets in, get ready for another onslaught of illegal immigrants invading our country receiving medical, social security benefits and dropping their anchor babies here for all of us to pick up the tab. True, they all voted for the amnesty bill; however, he is such a bleeder, it will be far worse if he is elected.

[juevosrancheros]

ladyhawkke,
Every heard of the 'slippery slope' argument? There's a reason why logicians align it with arguments in the 'scare tactics' category.

[KaAp]

Ladyhawke, How did your family arrive in the United States? By boat, by plane? Are you an indigenous American whose lands were stolen, whose people were killed in order to create this Kingdom on the Hill?
Do you realize that 3/4 of undocumented workers pay into the social security system? A system they cannot benefit from since they are undocumented ...
Any baby born in the US is an American citizen and just as much as citizen as you or I.
What tab do you pick up? This is an absurd argument based on the most reprehensible sort of fear-mongering ...
What will be worse if he is elected? Trying to find a way to know who is in the country?

[rwferr]

Draft Gore for the good of the party.

[Fabienne]

Gore doesn't want to run! Why can't his supporters understand this? He is doing a great deal of good where he is and is happy doing so. Leave him alone.

[RButler]

How come Al Gore, a former Vice-President, has been more active and visible in the causes he's been committed to for the last 8 years than that great leader Obama who was invisible his first 2 years in the Senate, and who thinks he should be president. Yeah. and I think I should be King.

[gkurp]

Listen??? Wait.. I have to put down my people magazine, turn off Jerry Springer and put my Bush, Cheney buttons on.

[bdd]

huh??????/

[nellie]

There is a better word to describe what you discuss.

Classism.

Classism is that phenomenon whereby people separate themselves from others by virtue of a defined set of privileges, and then use those privileges to deny the same opportunities to others, and to characterize those outside the privileged group as undeserving. I think this is really at the root of social injustice and indignities in this country. I don't think we need to talk about rank. I think we need to talk about class.

[pmag88]

No one likes to use the word Classism but thats what Martin Luther King described when he spoke to the fact that ALL people on the wrong side of the divide, regardless of race, are disenfranchised by it.

[PioneerKing]

The leadership of the Democratic Party must to find its dignity and act accordingly. Regrettably, the leadership of the Democratic Party has benefited from racial divisiveness and has failed to, substantively, be proactive in addressing racism and bigotry. The Democratic Leadership has cast a wink and nod at ameliorating racism, through legislation, unfortunately there has not been a lasting commitment for social change.
Sadly, the Democratic Party, and their brethren in the GOP have played wedge issues to the hilt which has contributed to a systemic undermining the social fabric of America. The politicians, the racist and the bigots win while as you so succinctly put it Americans “…eager to move beyond the fractiousness of identity politics and to end the standoff between libertarian and egalitarian ideologies…” are being short changed by politicians who find success through the political expediency of social destruction.