One of the great challenges of our nation has been and will be to reconcile the racial tension of our past. The historical ramifications of slavery are still felt in the streets of West Baltimore, the country roads of the Mississippi Delta and corridors of the United States Congress. When our nation gathered up enough strength and courage to elect the first African-American president, in the words of our great GlobalGrind blogger, Erica Williams, "our nation did not become post-racial, but we're making every effort to be post-racist."
During the president's first year of his term, often has our nation endured various situations that dealt with race, including Skip Gates' arrest, the "birthers" movement, the "Witch Doctor" poster, amongst many others. Although we have made tremendous progress in our discussions revolving around race, one consistent reminder that we have not reached a state of high consciousness is the ability of the few to co-opt the opinions of the masses. As the Republican Party has tried hard to give itself a new face, with Michael Steele becoming the first African-American chairman in its history, it is sadly still the race-baiting commentators that dictate the agenda.
This week, Rush Limbaugh made a sickening comment in his attempt to interpret the words of Rev. Jackson, when he said that the "black frame of mind" is "terrible" and that "Tiger Woods choice of women sure didn't help it." When three Republican U.S. Senators and half a dozen evangelical preachers do it, why isn't he saying it depresses the white race? Limbaugh's bringing in Tiger's infidelity as if it's related to black culture goes back to an old and deeply evil racist connection of black men and sexual promiscuity. To use the image of the black man as the sexual predator is the oldest form of race baiting, dating back to Emmit Till and before that, the slaves on the plantation. Moreover, Rush is using Tiger as an Obama surrogate, using Tiger as a way to say that these men cannot be trusted. Rush knows exactly what he is doing by being the first to link the plight of the black man to the sorrows of Tiger Woods.
It was only a matter of time, before the new face of the Republican Party resorted back to their old tricks. And if you keep these type of games going, we will get another four years to pass our progressive agenda, because the majority of Americans, including Republicans, are tired of it. If you think, for one minute, that the real "new" face of the Republican party, the new emerging young conservative voice, want Dick Cheney or Sarah Palin or Rush Limbaugh as their leader, you are foolishly mistaken. Young people are tired of blue and red America...they want purple America. Young people are tired of the divisive name calling, they want to work together to solve the nation's problems. Young people are tired of fighting two wars, they want peace. So, Mr. Limbaugh and your cronies, you can continue to spew your hate all you want, because this type of racism and pain will only work for so long.
We will build a new America, together. We will build a post-racial America, together. We will build a nation that will no longer tolerate racism, new or old, together.
Follow Russell Simmons on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unclerush
Unfortunately, the media promulgate the concept that celebrities and sports stars are gods. The media believes that we are so unhappy with our own lives - and lack of celebrity - that we will worship these celebrities and stars as though our existence depends on the the popularity of these glamorous beings.
Come on. We have to know that celebrities are human beings who make mistakes. We all do. In fact, children raised to be prodigies often are the ones who have the toughest time negotiating the complexities of life that pertain to socialization.
But the private stuff is none of our business.
One more thing.. an example of Baltimore STILL being affected by racism\slavery would be great. I've been to Baltimore and I don't remember seeing any plantations or cotton fields.
Lots of hookers and drug dealers, but no "old south".
I don't know how many golf tournaments you have watched, but you might have fun counting the Black faces in the gallery at the next one you watch. "The Black population" might enjoy those exploits, but guess what, 'the black population' was onto to Tiger from day one. We know our own, and we forgive what demands forgiveness. That is one aspect of 'the black population' that neither you nor AP will ever get.
Tiger is far from the first. He kind of reminds a lot of us of, in a funny kind of way, Jack Johnson.
Minus the Mann Act, of course.
As for the knowing our own, I feel ya. I think we know Tiger better than he knows himself. Too bad his father isn't alive to give the boy some instruction.
If any highly visible Black person has a blemish, it is always blown way out of proportion by the media, society, bloggers on sports sites, conservative blogs, and even some on this site. For those of you who don't agree, look up the cases of Marv Alpert, Fred Couples, Mark Sanford, Larry Craig, any white evangelist, etc. etc.
The fact is that in America circa 2009, if you're Black, you have to be 3x better than white to receive equal respect. If you are so far superior (like Tiger in Golf, Kobe in basketball, The President in intelligence), there is always someone in the majority population or media who relishes trashing your legacy. Any human failing is magnified to the point of absurdity.
Enough. "Black America" is not mad at Tiger because of his choice of women, period. Seems to me this is more republican neocon white male projection.
Hitler used the radio to do the same thing. So did a Belgian broadcaster in Rwanda. He is in prison for promoting genocide in Rwanda. Hate radio gone unchecked will only get worse.
This is the same Limbaugh that said he wanted violence at the Democratic convention.
Infidelity has been going on since biblical times. Recall the stories of King David and Sampson.
Limbaugh has 3 failed marriages. Not sure if the problem was infidelity, inability, or something else.
He was detained after returning from Domincan Republic with someone elses viagra. Age and gender of whoever he dealt with in the Domincan Republic is unknown.
Infidelity comes in all color and poltiical persuasions. Some fo the same Republicans that were ragging on Clinton, were guilty of infidelity themselves. Should we say that Gingrich, Gov, Sanford,
Senator Ensign, cheated because of their skin color. What about that governor from New Jersey that was seeing men while married with children?
In some countries polygamy is legal, and having a mistress is acceptable. In countries like Germany
single and married men can choose a prostitute out of store front window. Again the issue is not race.
But for Rush the issue is promoting racial and political hatred to the detriment of our country.
This week I will rush and call on advertisers, and armed forces radio, to drop Rush. I hope you will join me.
Excellent piece, Russell.
There will always be a fringe element against some race,religion or simply gender.......we have to concentrate on the vast majority that really do see beyond this and want to move forward.
We must concentrate from every spectrum on that which is false and isolated and that which is truly a process that permeates our society.
That will be up to individuals and indeed institutions to keep that dynamic moving forward and not backward.