More chatter regarding Obama’s speech

As I told you the other day, after reading the text of Obama’s speech I found absolutely not one shred of evidence as  to why he should be the next president. He said nothing new and like the all of his Democratic predecessors who  have shopped rual Black churches, he relied more on Old Testament terminology than his own “unique” agenda (whatever that is). Hillary Clinton did the same thing with her newly-adopted southern accent (click here for audio).

AND THE CROWD ATE IT UP!!

I recently came across several sites around the net where Obama was being compared to Cosby for his placing of responsibility on Black folks during his Selma speech. Again, nothing new was said in this speech that had not been said already.  “Bernie” over at PopPolitics.com felt that some of what Obama said is giving Whites a sense of “absolution” from past crimes against Blacks. He also believes that proof of the absolution can be seen in a recent article written by Richard Cohen of the New York Daily News. Here is an excerpt of what Bernie had to say:

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that Obama shouldn’t be making these points. And his urge to activism is particularly apt considering the historical context of the moment. It reminded me, in fact, of a powerful episode of “The Boondocks” that imagines what would happen if Martin Luther King came back to life in our present-day world.

But just like as a teacher I would feel uncomfortable showing that episode to a class of all white students, I am disturbed by the way white commentators latch onto these particular parts of Obama’s speeches and make it sound like Obama is giving them absolution. (read on)

Why feel uncomfortable showing that episode to a classroom of all White students? After all, was it not broadcasted on national television (now available on YouTube)?

This falls right in line with a comment I made recently on DarkStar’s website regarding this whole issue of what IS and IS NOT said or acknowledged around Whites:

“…Anyway, ’bout this “in private vs. public” stuff :). You are right–Black folks do talk about our issues in public forums HOWEVER, here is what I have seen:

-As you pointed out, Black radio tends to be one of the best forums to hear what other Black folks have to say on the issues. Like community meetings, here is where we just tell it like it is and will call a nigga out in a second.

With that being said, you will not see this same tone when the same type of forum is being hosted by a White person. Take for example the recent CNN special on hip hop. Panelist like Roland Martin and Michael Dyson FROM JUMP were the first ones to introduce BLAME in the discussion by pointing their finger to White executives. From what I saw, all Paula Zhaun (sp?)did was to question them on the content of hip hop in the same way White tv executives, rock musicians and actors are questioned. There were no correlations made between hip hop and low test scores, teen pregnancy, drug use, etc. It was the panelists THEMSELVES who made those correlations while accusing CNN and America at large for doing it—huh?

Bottom line, from what I have seen many in the Black community do tend to scrutinize and double analyze the forum itself when it is being held by White folks (clicking into total defense mode)–even though the discussions are no different than what we talk about and deal with on our own. If a Black person is hosting the forum, it becomes a backyard barbecue, if a White person is hosting it–time to circle the wagons and totally push the “blame” on White America. While some folks may say “Hey, its being dealt with. White folks need to butt out”, the problem I have with this is that is sends a mixed message to our kids. On one hand we tell them that many of the hurdles they will encounter in life originate from White people and that their destinies are forever intertwined with slavery and Jim Crow. On the other hand we preach to them the gospel of “self help” and “Black power”. And if that does not stick, we have no problem of telling them:”Nigga, get off of your A**, get a job and take some responsibility”.

Which is it?

This is not a need for “White verification”.

So again, the “private vs. public” title IMO is not entirely accurate, but as I pointed out above there are some double standards that are sending some mixed messages to our kids and others who do not want to take any form of responsibility.”

So again, while Obama’s statements regarding personal responsibility and the Black community are correct and nothing new, this “circling of the wagons” affect that happens anytime a White person repeats it is ridiculous.