I've had an interesting email exchange with Roland S. Martin, CNN contributing correspondent and columnist, regarding is his recent column, "Barack Obama's Black Wakeup Call". He is highly critical of Senator Obama's "failure" to ignite the emotions and enthusiasm of Black voters, specifically Black females. http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/18/roland.martin/
I've challenged Mr. Martin, both on the merit of his argument and intention. Here's the text of our exchange, which you may find amusing or bemusing; whatever your impression, I think it certainly speaks to the challenges that Senator Obama is facing getting fair coverage both from the mainstream media and some Black journalists who seem to have a personal or political agenda:
-----Original Message-----
From: "Dawn Deskins" Subj: Re: Barack Obama's Black Wakeup CallDate: Sat Oct 20, 2007 2:40 pmSize: 1KTo:
Mr. Martin, This column and the attitudes of many African Americans who are not supporting Senator Obama because they believe he is not speaking "passionately" enough about Black issues truly reflect the political immaturity of the African American community. While you have chosen to focus on the South Carolina primary, what you conveniently omit is that Senator Obama will never reach the South Carolina primary unless he wins either Iowa or New Hampshire--2 of the 5 statistically whitest states in the country, both with less than a 2% African American population. Mr. Martin, you offer no suggestions on how Senator Obama can allay concerns within these two states that if elected he will become the president of Black America all the while convincing an African American electorate who seem to want all or nothing--channeling Hughey Newton--that "our" issues will be his chief priority. How say you, Mr. Martin? Wish to offer some practical advice along with your criticism? And by the way, Mr. Martin, Senator Obama DOES have African American female celebrities stumping on the campaign trail for him in South Carolina and other states. Tracey Ellis Ross, daughter of Diana Ross and star of one of the most watched programs in African American households, has been stumping for Senator Obama in South Carolina. She joins acclaimed actress, Alfree Woodward, who has been stumping for Senator Obama for months in South Carolina. Will they do? If not, you might be interested to know that the 2007 Academy Award Winner for Best Actor, Forest Whittaker, has been campaigning for Senator Obama in Iowa and South Carolina. Surely, an academy award winner tops a little known soap opera actress? How about some of the most beloved gospel stars in the African American community? I'm guessing that there is nothing Senator Obama can do or say that will ever pass the litmus test of the 'blacker than thou' segment of the African American community. When the history of the African American community post civil written is fully written, it should be entitled "getting in the way of our own success." Dawn DeskinsArlington, VA
----- Original Message -----
From: roland@rolandsmartin.com To: Dawn Deskins Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2007 4:57 PM Subject: Re: Barack Obama's Black Wakeup Call
Actually, you're wrong.
he doesn't have to win the first teo to do well in South Carolina. That state's Democratic primary is composed of nearly 50% of blacks. The way the polls look, Edwards could win Iowa, Clinton N.H., and Obama South Carolina.
The problem is his momentum has stalled. Her expanding OVERALL lead is because of her HUGE black lead. He cuts into the black lead, her overall tumbles.
Trust me, I'm on the money. And that's why Obama's advisers were discussing my column yesterday on their conference call because they know they have blown it and need to recalibrate.
Roland S. Martinwww.rolandsmartin.com Sent from Treo 755
From: Dawn Deskins Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:12:25 -0400To: Subject: Re: Barack Obama's Black Wakeup Call
Oh I'm wrong, along with every noted and well-respect political analyst in the country who say that Senator Obama MUST IA or NH to have any chance of winning the nomination? Winning South Carolina without winning either of those states would be a symbolic victory at best. No one is discounting the importance of winning South Carolina heading into the national primary on February 5th, but he MUST win IA or NH FIRST. I don't presume to know more than the experts, but neither should you! No, I don't trust you! I don't trust anyone, especially a Black man, who would hold a brother to a higher standard than a racist opportunist like Bill Clinton. Yes, Bill Clinton is a racist opportunist. He embraced the worse of his southern white culture to win both as governor and president, which is largely overlooked by Black folks who think a predilection for lying, cheating and fried foods makes him one of us. Where was your criticism of the 'Great White Hope' back in '92 when he was touting his relationship with his mentor and friend, William Fulbright, a life-long segregationist, to secure the white male southern vote? Black folks like you never ask Bill Clinton to account for policies that were detrimental to our community all the while professing to be our friend. Instead of asking Senator Obama to to prove his love, which he has where it counts, you should be asking Bill Clinton, and by extension Hillary Clinton, to justify our love. I'm sick and tired of Black folks praising Bill Clinton but can't cite one policy that expressly benefited Black folks; moreover, turn a blind's eye to his policies that actually hurt us. I can understand the uninformed being gullible, but you should know better. Black folks constantly complain about the disparity between crack cocaine and powder cocaine laws that have led to the epidemic rise of Black male incarceration, but never ask Bill Clinton why he vetoed his sentencing commission's guidelines that would have lowered the increased penalty for crack cocaine. Black folks complain about the near abolishment of parole, but are completely ignorant of one of Bill Clinton's most prideful "achievements", the Omnibus Crime Bill, which led to many of these draconian policies and the lucrative prison industry. It was this bill that gave us truth in sentencing laws which effectively ended parole. You see, I worked for a victims' rights agency during the 90's thinking I would be a persuasive voice on parallel justice, but I soon learned their agenda was not for parity between victims and defendants but to erode and one day completely eliminate defendant's rights, and Bill Clinton, Mr. First Black President, was all to eager to oblige. Hell, then Senators Ashcroft and Lieberman, two big crime and punishment Senators, had him on speed dial, and whatever they wanted they got. But of course none of this is much interest to Clinton worshipers...all that matters is that he had a few Black friends and frequented Black churches when he needed political protection and votes. He had as many if not more Jewish friends and frequented Jewish temples, but they would never degrade themselves and their culture by calling him the First Jewish President. President Clinton's and Senator Obama's records on criminal justice are like night and day (forgive the pun). You say that Obama blew it; I say we're blowing it! If Black folks believe that our best interests are served by limiting our political "power", which is truly on the decline as Brown becomes the new Black, to king makers instead of kings (and queens), then we deserve everything that we get or rather don't get. Peace!
----- Original Message ----- From: Roland Martin To: Dawn Deskins Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 12:42 AMSubject: Re: Barack Obama's Black Wakeup Call
Yes, you're wrong. He doesn't have to win Iowa or New Hampshire to win the nomination. This whole season has changed. The key? The Feb. 5 primaries, where some 20-odd states will be going to the polls.
As for you trusting me, I really don't care. My column was on point. And there are a NUMBER of folks inside the Obama camp who acknowledged it was right on the money.
You don't see it now. And I don't expect you to. But if you knew the inside story, you wouldn't operate from your current position. But you clearly don't. I do. And based on my private meetings with the Obamas, I'm comfortable - very comfortable - with what I wrote.
Roland S. Martin www.rolandsmartin.comAuthor, "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith" Syndicated columnist, Creators SyndicateTV One Cable Network CommentatorHost, "The Roland S. Martin Show"WVON-AM/1690, Chicago, 6am to 9 am CSTCNN ContributorSpecial Correspondent, Essence Magazine/Essence.com
----- Original Message ----- From: Dawn Deskins To: Roland Martin Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 12:34 PMSubject: Re: Barack Obama's Black Wakeup Call
TV doesn't lie. You truly are as self-serving as you come across on the screen. I won't say arrogant because I find that too many White folks use that to describe confident and smart Black men, but I would be on point. Private meetings? Damn, you couldn't offer your advice in private? Why trash him in print for the folly of White folks who have gluttonous appetite for anything negative about Senator Obama or the pleasure of so-called journalists who seem to be salivating to write his political obituary? At the end of the day, whose interests does it serve to have the white mainstream media exploit our chasms, real or perceived, other than yours (and Hillary Clinton's)?
