The Uninsured Has a Black Face -- White Ambivalence Is Obama's Struggle
Yale University Professor of Psychology, and a highly recognized and award winning research expert on racism, John Dovidio does not feel the ongoing protests, yelling, name calling and Hitler labels by white protesters are hate. Instead, what he sees is a fight by whites desperately struggling to defend and maintain their position and status in America before it goes down the tubes to blacks and other colored people. "I don't think we are at the point of hate yet," Says the author of more than 250 academic research articles on racial discrimination. "I see it as a kind of threat. People are sensitive to being threatened and it makes them passionate. I don't think most whites articulate it as hate."
A co-author of several books, over the last 30-years, Dovidio has delved into areas of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination towards Blacks and other disadvantaged groups. He has analyzed social power and nonverbal communication. "There is a very real increase in hate crimes and hate group activity that has been going on for a long time, but we have to distinguish between an extremist engaged in a hate crime versus people who are so argumentative in terms of issues like health," points out Prof. Dovidio.
Dovidio admits even if he does not see the screamers and gun posers as hate mongers at-this-point, they are heading in this direction - the swastikas and defamed Rosa Parks' poster are hateful acts and bridges between hateful act and feeling threatened. The threat he says however is primarily rooted in racism. "Race permeates so much of our politics and is a part of our history; even if people say race has nothing to do with it. Healthcare is one of those examples," states the Prof. "We're obsessed with race. One drop of black blood will determine someone's destiny in America. Code words for whites are welfare, unemployment and now health care reform - race is one of the main elements in health. While the majority of the people in poverty in America are white, when we talk about welfare, race is what begins to dominate it." On the other side words and phrases such as, "I have a right to carry a weapon in public at an Obama speech," sends a bloody coded message in response to his Presidency.
Dovidio says those with the resources want to have a superior position over those who don't have resources. Talking about poverty is talking about black folks. The uninsured has a black face with a public option. "A shifting of resources is not only wealth, but health to make it "more equitable" is threatening...the extreme response is why should we give up our privileges?"
Viewing racism as functional, Dovidio argues it benefits whites by providing them with more opportunities, resources, and power to shape their lives and the country, if not immediately than in the long run. He also says with what is going on right now since President Obama has been elected is a pulling back and feelings of uncertainty and insecurity about where white people sit on the totem pole in this health care debate, economic recession and immigration issue (which is more perplexing to many whites because of so many more cultures are now involved) - hence the notion of the redistribution of wealth, socialism and other words related to equality received such a negative response. When African Americans tout that the new Civil Rights movement is about health care reform and education for all, it may now be seen by a growing number of whites as a warning that they will lose what they have been privileged to since the Pilgrims.
"Our research shows that a small group of people in America who are openly hateful to blacks," says Dovidio. "There is also a small group of white people who are not prejudice. However, the majority of whites have ambivalence. On the one hand we believe in fairness, justice and equality. We think all of the right thoughts, but on the other hand our socialization experiences and our history, whites have negative feelings about blacks; this creates ambivalence for potentially strong feelings one way or the other. Whites who supported Obama for President, supported him more passionately than they have any Democratic candidate. That energy was channeled in a positive direction. Everything was fine." Many of these voters were the Independents MSNBC's Chris Matthews constantly yaps about. The polls show Obama support is eroding fast. The question is how does he get them back to feeling good about their decision to support him in the first place?
Dovidio is brave enough to admit that a black person walks a very thin because it is easier for whites to fall back on stereotypes or what he calls "the unconscious negative feelings," but he still refuses to call it "hatred" by whites. Actually Dovidio admits that he runs away from saying there is hatred, but it seems ironic that he however believes many opponents of healthcare reform who are white have racially based feelings, but to call them haters only stops the discussion.
Whites are very uncomfortable with Obama at the moment and while Dovidio believes Obama has the capability to shift the negative energy around him, the President's biggest challenge is changing the perception that the Government (despite the majority being white) is black because of a his Black Presidency; and it is the Black Government echoed by Glenn Beck that is the problem -- Obama hates whites, health care if a form of reparations, etc. Government is out to get the whites and according to Dovidio, "does not take whites much to jump to that conclusion."
Dovidio makes a third rail statement when he says what Obama might need to help him come out of this malaise of white discomfort and uncertainty is a "Great White Hope?" During the campaign when President Obama talked about issues of "race," it was in the context of unity and everyone being treated well -it was only talk. Now, Dovidio says, he is in a real decision making position that directly impacts the lives of white people; thus bringing more white people into the conversation who are "credible" and "comfortable" for whites to get things back on track. Dovidio says there needs to be a "calming down." Beyond that, he calls on Faith based and community leaders from all racial and ethnic backgrounds to make a definitive statement about these issues so that the reset button is hit; Obama can't do it alone.
If what Prof. Dovidio is saying is accurate about what white people need, and he would know since he is white, it is more than quite troubling that an African American President who has the best boot strap story in history; words many white folks like to use as well as the word "articulate" would need whites to rescue him. While it is realistic that a harsh reality surrounds this suggestion, it also points an even more insidious problem involving liberal racism which maintains the system the way it is - which in some ways is much worse than what the right wing who are at least open about how they feel. Here's to the Post Racial Society. Yeah Right! We've got such a longer way to go.
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If you think about it, in 2004, all these marginalized and insecure whites (a lot of blacks too) allowed themselves to be manipulated by Carl Rove and voted for George Bush because of the gay marriage issue.
For some reason, gay marriage is a threat and caused millions of people to vote against their best socioeconomic interests and for more war escalation, de-regulation of banks and financial institutions, etc., which caused this whole recession.
People constantly vote against their own interests if if means they can stop others from obtaining a right or privilege they don't think they should have. Apparently they think it diminishes their own stakes.
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Gettingitright,
Thank you for your comments. I have been away on vacation and this is the first time I am getting a chance to reply. The Bush Campaign in 2004 did not run their campaign on an anti-gay platform. As a matter of fact, it was just not even addressed. It was pretty much a foregone conclusion that Bush was not supporting Gay marraige and he made that very clear by supporting a bill that canonizes marraige between a man and a woman only. 2004 was about security, Abraham Maslow's second hierarchy of need period; terrorism and winning the war on it was the platform and people voted for their safety over their pocketbooks.
Yvonne
Of course I am aware that Bush did not have an anti-gay marriage platform when he campaigned. That might alienate too many moderates. What they did do is get their troops out to put the issue on the ballots of some of the swing states, or states that were not solidly red. It was political insurance and it worked.
Terrorism was an issue that kept hammering. And if you recall, Tom Ridge just came out and claimed that they manipulated the terror alert system to make people think Bush would keep them safer from the Muslims than Kerry would. You cannot/should not underestimate how calculating this party is. After the 2000 election debacle, they were not taking any chances.
A lack of affordibility and access to health care has NO bias towards any single ethnic background, and needs to be presented as such............. The rethuglicans have tried to tie this issue to the race issue and to create a back door entrance to villify the first black President
The majority of American welfare recipients are WHITE............... NOT African American as claimed by the often told myth, so it's safe to say that the majority of persons who cannot afford healthcare or who have no access to healthcare are also white.
An ad with the message that the healthcare reform is designed to help ALL Americans of ALL ethnic backgrounds is needed ............... Perhaps the faces of poor white families (like those in the Appalachian mountains) would help to debunk the republican message which seeks to convey that the healthcare issue is a minority issue, which is designed to economically penalize whites.
Are the racist mobs we have seen at town halls willing to claim that the poor white among us do not deserve access to affordable healthcare? .................. Will they be willing to claim that healthcare reform has been designed to ONLY help minorities at the expense of white Americans? .............. Will the rethuglicans in Washington DC be able to publically deny access to healthcare to their poor white constituents who need healtcare the most.
GIVE THE HEALTHCARE ISSUE A POOR WHITE FACE, AND SEE HOW FAST THE RETHUGLICANS BACKTRACK.
White racists don't care that the majority of welfare recipients are white. They are OK with the white recipients. They just hate the black recipients. If you changed the law so only whites could get welfare, then they would turn pro-welfare overnight.
Same with healthcare. White racists would rather cause millions of whites to not have a government option, if that prevented a dozen blacks from getting it. Something about cutting off your nose to spite your face. That is how sick and deep their hate it.
I am white. I hear stuff that makes me know this to be true, when I am in all white groups. That situation makes the haters think it OK to spew their verbal vomit. The dumber white racists assume most whites feel the same way. In some parts of the country, there is definite pressure and intimidation to "go along" with the hate, or you will be labelled a qu__r, or a n____ lover, etc.
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tel8034,
Your points are well stated. The name for Republicans is quite interesting "Rethuglicans." Yes, you are right, there must be a balance that sends the message these any programs or reforms are for all; not just a label. It was in the 70s when welfare began to get a "black face" and it has not changed ever since.
when the msm the movies and the politiction stop putting this bs out there it will never end divide and conquer it has always been this way and people in power known this thats how the hole on to power no prof.dovidio what you need to start doing and the rest and i mean the AA the other races is to point the finger at the real enemy is and its the msm the gop and some of the dems who is on the pay roll of the super rich that is keeping this flame going but all the books on race always avoid this point becuase if we have any kind of common sense we could see this and i hope some one with the guts to realy stand up and point the finger at this maggot and let the chips fall wer thay may we will be stupid for ever but one thing history has shown us is that change comes and you can not stop it not even the powerful.
"...and he would know since he is white..."
I've said it before and I'll say it again...each of us is a unique individual. His skin color doesn't give him any more insight into the thoughts and motiviations of people he has never spoken to or even seen.
Sure, he's right about some, but there's no proof at how many "some" is. I don't assume that Al Sharpton speaks for all black people...or Alan Keys or Clarence Thomas or Bill Cosby, etc. They each have their unique life experience, their unqiue viewpoints.
To suggest anything else is stereotyping and profiling. By your comment, you have bathed in it.
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Hoopesaz,
That is why I think when Dr. Dovidio spoke he said some and not all. Thank you for your thoughts and for reading my piece.
Yvonne
"John Dovidio does not feel the ongoing protests, yelling, name calling and Hitler labels by white protesters are hate."
Is he serious? Was this satire??
I agree with him. Its more stupidity than hate. Comparing Obama to Hitler makes no factual sense. They have nothing in common, except they could both give good speeches. Gasp! Oh my God, they both could give good speeches.. They are alike!! We need to get him out of office immediately.
It is niether stupidity or hate, it is a sickness. Racism is an illness. These people need help and our health care system does nothing to touch this issue. The Republicans spread the lie that there is no racial issue in this country. This must stop. Racism can only be stopped when all people feel good about themselves. The racist hurts themselves more than anyone else. The pain they inflict on others is magnified by their own self loathing. They hate themselves and the position in life in which they find themselves. When they see a minority do well they feel shame for they feel they could do more with their lives if only they were not so pitiful. They must be helped not hurt any further.
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Darthzero,
Your revealing the logistical analogy is a good one. It is so utterly stupid, you have to really question what planet people are coming from; it shows vast ignorance and a lack of education and knowledge period. Thank you for your comments.
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Mlr710,
I actually take issue with his statement too, but it is a different perspective and is worth discussing and putting out there. Remember he said "Hitler labels" are hateful acts and he also felt that we were headed in that direction.
Yvonne
I agree with much that Dovidio writes. However, I'm a white leftie who, despite Obama's early lies, stuck with him. The major early lie was Obama's promise to fight the FISA bill. As a senator not only did he not fight it, but he voted for it. As you may remember, the FISA bill not only let AT&T off the hook for spying on US citizens, it also let Dubya off the hook for telling them to do so and, BTW, also gave Dubya even more power over the people. I even stuck with Obama after he hired Gaitner, Summers, and Emanuel then failed to push for legislation to strongly regulate the corrupt bankers Dubya and he rewarded. But now I'm totally against Obama and the party he rode in on. Unless Obama begins to fight tooth and nail fo provide Health Care for all US citizens, even if he fails, then, IMHO, he'll become a one term POTUS. Millions, left. right and center, in all US cultures feel the same. But mpe my only hope is the dems and repubs have just taken the first steps to oblivion.
BTW, because I retired from the USAF, Wife and I have excellent socialized health care which we believe with all of our hearts is a right that needs to be extended to all who live in the USA.
The only good thing about Obama not throwing out all of Bush's executive orders and unlawful rulings is that he, Obama, can use them if he needs to. I hope he will eventually see the need to get rid of them. As far as FISA, I think he found that the people who really pull the strings in this country said NO. And these people are neither Democrat or Republican but they are very wealthy, not rich, wealthy. There is a huge difference.
I hope you're right on all counts!
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Hey bbbear. Nice to read your comments as always. You know President Obama is in a great dilemma and he will not make everyone happy on this, but I do believe he is learning a great deal and will get it together, but not without some bruises, scrapes, and yes perhaps a political scar or too. I really feel he needs to be in the center more, but the issue of a public option, he must do, but it just does not look like it. I am still supporting him as a Republican 100%, but I see that the Democrats don't have heart or fight like the Republicans. They flake when the heat comes. For Republicans, they get like sharks and get more excited and rabid. Big difference between the two parties.
Thank you. Sorry for not staying in touch, but wife and I are travelling light. Was sailing to Nantucket when Teddy died. Back on Fox Isand WA on Sat. and again Big Time into HUPO.
When the President in June at the prime time town hall meeting answered the very first question, primary in the minds of the attendees "why no single payer?" he said it was "too disruptive".
He answered the moral agenda and the r*ce agenda and the class war agenda question as if he were an economist? As if this issue and debate that's got all Americans, so het up, isn't a civil rights and human rights issue, but purely economic?
He flabbergasted me, he was SO wrong. I was stunned. HE doesn't understand that this is a civil discrimination issue?
We're doomed. We thought we had elected an intelligent and articulate Black Panther, and we got an appeasing, approval seeking Tigger?
Doomed. Wars without end and the ultimate decline of our once great democracy into anarchy and imminent dissolution into fragmented rump states defined by network ratings.
Well said!
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Porches996,
I don't believe we are "doomed" as you write it. But I will say this that a problem I have with people; particularly African Americans (and I am not saying you are black so please excuse me and walk with me for a moment), is that they were looking for Obama to do all of this stuff with no help from them or even how to properly articulate these issues in a framework that will make things happen. Black folks are not politically savvy on this. It is like what my friend Dr. Noel Cazenave said. He the Black President got elected and then black folks just went on. If you notice, black leaders don't even know how to be a part of the discussion. This, BTW is my next HP piece.
"Dovidio says those with the resources want to have a superior position over those who don't have resources"
This statement doesn't hold water because many of the people protesting don't have the resources. They are misinformed by the talking heads to protect the insurance and pharmaceutical companies' monopoly.
Yep. Their major "resources seems to be in their belief that being white comes with their psychotic god's given rights to certain White Only entitlements.
I have the feeling that Dovidio is reluctant to call what black people -- okay, what I -- see as "hate" or extreme dislike or prejudice as anything more than "discomfort" because to do so underscores that the myth of "a colorblind society," or that we have "transcended race," or that we have and all want a "level playing field."
Putting your post alongside John Ridley's about the "new" bitter, clingy "minority" of disenchanted white males, and all of the news stories of what we might temperately describe as "white hot anger" at all of these town halls, draws us a picture of what really is in the undercurrent of race and our changing society.
We have a society where there needs to be a villain, and all too often that villain has a black face even when facts prove otherwise. As you said, those who promoted welfare reform gave us "welfare queens" -- generations of black women living on the dole and driving Cadillacs. Crime and punishment? Black men behind bars. Failing education? The fault of black youths and affirmative action. And now, healthcare reform. Non-white illegal immigrants, those lazy poor blacks, and those minorities who just want something for nothing.
I don't see this as ambivalence, but easily stoked anger. And anger quickly becomes hate. To generalize, most whites don't mind if blacks or minorities are in line, just not at the head of it.
I tend to agree with you, although i suspect and truly hope not all whites feel that way.
Many whites don't have coverage and are on the receiving end of insurance companies refusal to cover health care as well. What is happening is that the companies that stand to loose their monopoly are stirring the pot so that Americans are angry with Americans. Don't get caught in their brew.
"If what Prof. Dovidio is saying is accurate about what white people need, and he would know since he is white"
And he should know since he is white?
I'll say we do have a long way to go!
"And he should know since he is white?
I'll say we do have a long way to go!"
True but, except for the rabid right wing base who seem to love to be angry about any notions regarding change, maybe most of us have nearly reached the saner destination.
Yet another article about how "whites" are scared. Honestly, it's getting a little tedious with all the stereotyping and fingerpointing at poor old scared redneck whitey who just can't adapt - as if this is somehow the default position of all pale-ish people of European decent.
"White" people have seperate cultures, languages, traditions, folk arts and are idigenous to earth just like "people of color" and really, we need to stop lumping Americans into groups by shade, class and bank balance and just get down to being Americans.
AGREE!
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