Posts with the tag Cornel West

"Enormous and Frightful" but HOPEFUL

"NERVIE" — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:24:38 EST

BLOG January 23, 2009. Day Three. President Barack Obama is assessing the obvious; the leftovers of the Bush Administration are enormous and frightful. Conversation in the community say that Obama must work around the perceived messianic titles and challenges given by his staunch supporters and Obama will have to dig in deep to fulfill the potential and strength that will be required to receive continuous cooperation and assistance of his immediate staff and all of us who were part of his Support team when he was a candidate. In other words, the campaigning and honeymoon is over but phase three of the battle has just begun.

The world view hopefully will change as he is compared to the 43rd Presidential individuals before him. The symbolic figures of children of color in the White House, though they may be astounding to some, are reflective of the young, invigorating, impactful and change Obama spoke of that enormous energy, new judgment, great courage, deep understanding and concise execution America needs to be “grand” and a model of Democracy again.

The world will be watching what policies and risks Obama commands and will be the measure of his success. The concerns about economic and political choices are still under scrutiny. Yesterday Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State is finally approved. Yes, there were concerns over Bill’s fundraising and world donations as to whether or not they would effect the decisions that she will or will not make. However, I believe Hillary gave an eloquent response to those concerns. Geithner after serious rebuttals is officially Treasury Secretary. We can only hope that Geithner immediately finds another accountant or tax attorney so his “embarrassing moment never occurs again”. But I believe that experience will also allow him some humility when working with the masses over their tax responsibilities.

Obama brings a great deal of excitement locally. Last night our Democratic Alliance for Action met and we all discussed that we also must assist Obama by being vigilant servants where we live. Yes, politics is local right here in Santa Clarita Valley. Strides will be made to do all that we can to be vital entities of the “all red community” we currently reside in by turning it “purple”. Democrats were asked to be more ardent in participation in various 501c3’s locally; contributing our time, finding financial vehicles for the 501c3’s, informing our neighbors that their services, which receive little or no media coverage, as well as supporting them physically. We will also seek through our churches and synagogues to share in the generosity we have been blessed with so that others, whose paths have been rocky, are not excluded as we become more accountable to everyday folks and our families. We will no longer watch; we will be engaged and more active.

Meantime, we hear that it will take a minimum two years for us to feel the positive impact of Obama’s changes even though people will be putting him on a tightrope expecting signs of the smaller issues being solved. Others will be hindering change. Those who never voted for him will be critically combative to every move he makes. Is this behavior new to any of us? No, but as supporters of America’s future, we may have to address those bigots, neoconservatives and ardent naysayers who were complicit and complacent towards Bush’s policies. We all agreed it doesn’t matter what the party affiliation is of these negative folks but that our purpose is to seek a higher spiritual cause knowing the path will not be easy.

Today we learn that Obama is exploring the closing of the Guatanamo facility and efforts towards other accommodations for the “detainees” are being sought. Why did Bush round up people in the first place still amazes me? One day I welcome an opportunity of meeting George W. Bush. I only hope I could find the empathy to understand the chaos he caused Americans.

Hope on a Tightrope by Cornell West is also recommended reading at this time that explores many of these points of view.

Peace Out, Minerva

THE MODERN BLACK MAN:

Eric from Covina, CA — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:29:36 EDT

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

THE MODERN BLACK MAN:
21ST CENTURY ARGUMENTS FOR 19TH CENTURY THINKING

Less than three hours after Barack Obama declared his candidacy for presidency, the feeding frenzy began among Black people. It just so happened that Sen. Obama declared his candidacy on the same day as Tavis Smiley’s "State of Black America" national broadcast, and many had the audacity to criticize him for not putting off this historic event so he could appear on Tavis’ broadcast. And during the broadcast--again, on this historic occasion–Dr. Cornel West of Harvard University ranted on national television that the Black community should be asking Obama, "How deep is your love for your people" and "Where is your money coming from?" He indicated that Barack didn’t put this historic event off to appear on Tavis’ broadcast because he had people talking to him that didn’t warrant our trust. And as he was saying these things, Tavis was standing there grinning like a chess cat, prowling a South Georgia cotton field.

That was the moment that Barack Obama got my unwavering support. It was at that very moment that I decided that this man was going to get my vote--and if that vote was wasted, as many suggested it would be at the time, so be it. Because it was on that day, and at that very moment, that I fully recognized the depth of our self-loathing, and psychological corruption of my people.

A RETROSPECTIVE

Eric from Covina, CA — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:07:10 EDT

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE
A RETROSPECTIVE:
IS OBAMA BLACK ENOUGH TO WARRANT AFRICAN-AMERICAN SUPPORT?
(Since this writing Dr. West has become a Sen. Obama advisor)
At this writing, it has been less than three hours since Senator Barack Obama has declared his candidacy for President of the United States of America, and already the feeding frenzy has begun. Just once I’d like to see Black people come together without reverting to the old "crabs in a barrel" syndrome. Just once I‘d like see Black people come together and say, yes, he is Black, and Black is good. But we just can’t seem to bring ourselves to do that–and the sad part about it is that we’ve never stopped to examine the reason why.

The fact is, as African Americans we are the product of a racist society–and not just any racist society, but a society that is more efficient in producing subtle racists than any other society that has ever existed on the face of this Earth. Due to the necessity of America’s need to subjugate Black people, while at the same time, live up to the hypocrisy of our "All men are created equal" credo, a form of racism has spontaneously evolved that is so subtle that even Black people have become racist against themselves–and amazingly, without even knowing it. As a direct result, Black people in America hate other Black people just as profoundly, and even more violently, than the most virulent White racist in the South. Clear evidence of that is the fact that of the thousands of homicides committed against Blacks every year, not one perpetrator was reported to have been wearing a sheet.

Response to Dr. Cornel West Triangulating Obama, MLK Jr and Memphis

Herman — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:07:05 EDT

Today Dr. Cornel West posted on the huffington post a disagreement he has about Barack not going to Memphis today to lay a wreath at Dr. Martin Luther King's memorial service. You may read his post by clicking below my response. Here is my response to him:

I'm deeply disappointed that my dear brother Dr. Cornel West equates going to Memphis and laying a wreath for the great Martin Luther King, Jr with one's profound love and deep sacrifice for black people, America and humanity. Dr. West fails to call out MCCain, who went to Memphis, yet has consistently voted against what Martin Luther King Jr symbolized. Dr. West fails to call out for an examination of Hillary's claim that she threw her book bag across her room in College when she heard of King's death. Dr. West fails to realize that, as docpooh said in his comments here, "Barack is the embodiment of what Dr. King stood for. He doesn't have to prove anything to me or any other person who understands that his message IS Dr. King's message. And IMHO I think Dr. King would've thought that showing up at this one day anniversary event to profess one's dedication to equal rights means little in itself". Dr West fails to see Barack's "deep commitment to unarmed truth and unconditional love" displayed in his message to America and the world. Dr. West is showing us that he would equate patriotism with wearing an American flag lapel on one's chest. Dr. West is showing us that he equates commitment to America with honoring George Washington. Hence, I have a very deep disagreement with my dear brother, Dr. Cornel West -- in this case, commitment to truth is in tension with the quest for being published.

Dr. West's Post on Huffington Post.

Black Culture Scholar Michael Dyson Endorses Obama

V, aka VCubed/Virginia V — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 07:45:16 EDT

Michael Eric Dyson is a force of nature, and he's not only a scholar who now has a post at Georgetown University, but a media personality and author of popular books. He took the opportunity at the Essence Jazz Festival in New Orleans to endorse and introduce Obama. Expect Obama's support in the African American communities to grow considerably in the months to come, as Dyson and Cornel West, another famous African American scholar, preacher and culture critic in media circles, publicize their endorsement of Obama. An irony tucked into the article: Dyson's wife supports Clinton!

On Barack: An Open Letter

Hibo — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 17:59:24 EDT

I read this open letter on blackprof.com and it resonated with me. This is exactly how I felt when I heard the panel discuss Senator Obama on the State of Black America. I was so furious that I started screaming at the TV. On the same day, and the same channel where I watched with excitement Senator Obama announce his candidacy for the presidency of the United States - I was subjected to hearing about the panel's grievances with the Senator because he did not show up. Thank God for sister Bacardi's open letter to the community that I come to share.

From: Bacardi L. Jackson

Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 2:31 PM

Subject: On Barack: An Open Letter and Invitation to Thoughtful Brothers and Sisters In America

As I and my husband sat watching The State of Black America 2007, presented by Tavis Smiley, we were awe struck, motivated, inspired, filled with pride and edified by the broad ranging views of the impressive collection of black intelligencia represented on the stage. Following each of the richly-crafted commentary from rapper Chuck D to astronaut and engineer Mae Jemison to Professor Cornel West to poet Sonya Sanchez to one of my innovative classmates Omar Wasow (just to name a few), I ooohhed and ahhhed out loud as each broke it down, laid it out and spoke truth to power.

But then it happened . . . my enthusiasm came to a screeching halt! Here we go again . . . that same gratuitous question mainstream media outlets across America seem to be commissioning ambitious black folk to answer and justify: Is our brother, Barack Obama, down enough with the cause to deserve our support?

I just knew this panel of amazing minds and deep souls would once and for all stop the madness and give a resounding, "we're not falling for another Rove-ian mindtrick to sidetrack us from the substantive issues at hand to debate your historical lies and give credibility to your ignorance." I just knew this conscientious crew would cite to Obama's academic excellence and obvious intelligence, his outstanding achievements, his proven commitment to our community through his life's work, his impressive legislative record, his coalition-building skills and political experience. But instead, Malcolm's proverbial crabs started grabbing, pulling, pinching and reaching for dear brother Barack's neck. I was mortified.

Seeming to come to his aid, one of my longtime heroes, Professor Olgetree, pointed out that Barack, Michelle Obama and others of his students had not only been impressive students at Harvard, but had dedicated their lives and careers to public service. But, (damn it), he added, he can't take our vote for granted.

Then, Brother Cornel (whose audio version of Race Matters I listened to so many times I almost committed chapters to memory) chimed in, not to save Brother Barack, but to highlight his absence from the State of Black America panel to be (how dare he) at some other event to boost his Presidential candidacy when he knew about Tavis' event more than a year ago. While Professor West did mention that his questions about the depths of one's love for the people were relevant for all candidates everywhere, they, unfortunately, were explicitly asked only of Obama.

Finally, our fearless leader and host, Tavis, who, by his own admission, knew Barack before he was "Barack Obama" sealed the tomb. He assured the audience that, the night before, he got a call from an apologetic Barack who was unable to attend, but "really wanted to be here." As if completely cued in by the tone in Brother Tavis' statement, the audience gave a loud and unambiguously sarcastic "Aaawwww." Adding salt to the wound, dear friend Tavis responded, "well, that's what he told me" in that familiar I-know-he-sounds-like-he's-full-of-it-but-I'm-going-to-pretend-to-be-his -brother-anyway delivery.

Now, I don't point out the dynamics of this dialogue to take away from the amazing legacies of Brothers Ogletree, West or Smiley. They've all made important and lasting contributions to our community and will likely continue to do so, but I do question why they, and we as a community, tend to be so uncharitable toward our own, but inexplicably benevolent to others.

For example, how does a white man who signed the deeply disparate crack-cocaine bill into law, introduced a devastating crime bill that further entrenched the prison industrial complex at the expense of black communities and black political power everywhere, oversaw the murder of more people on death row during his presidency than any president in the history of our country, completely dissed and dismissed our sister Lani Guinier, who would have been an amazing Attorney General for our country and for our community, purely for the sake of political expediency, get to be donned the "First Black President"?

Is our loyalty so easily spawned because one acts like a "pimp," plays the saxophone and visits a few pulpits? I am absolutely amazed at the absence of critical black analysis about Clinton's performance in office while Brother Barack has to be hyper-analyzed, criticized and have his thumbnails extricated for DNA samples before we'll believe he's one of "us." There is no other candidate in this or any other Presidential race (save Shirley Chisholm who, in her day, was hung out to dry by the Black Caucus) who has had to work so hard despite an extraordinary track record to show us that he or she is about the business of making the country better for black people and thereby making the country better for all people.

Al Sharpton, you are absolutely right that everyone who looks like "us" is not one of "us" - at least to the extent that you mean not all black people work for what's in the collective best interest of black people (that is, if such a collective interest still exists - which is another discussion altogether) - but when did you become the blackometer? And, why raise a question of loyalty when you have no substantive evidence of disloyalty? Just to hear yourself talk? Because he's getting more press than you? I'm not suggesting for a minute that Obama and every political candidate not be held accountable for their voting records, their political past, or even their personal judgment, but to question Obama's blackness simply because he is black is the ultimate irony and a dumb distraction, for which Republicans and racists everywhere are cheering us on. And, to question Obama's loyalty simply because he didn't make an appearance at this week's forum hosted by the black gatekeeper flavor of the month is sheer idiocy.

I think a more relevant question is what do the black commentators who make the television and radio appearances to raise and answer the question of Barack's blackness have to gain? It certainly provides them with more face time before the American public and cushions their backsides with a blacker-than-thou throne (even if only in their own minds). I think a more relevant question to our so-called black leaders and academicians is what (other than a supersized ego or potential profits) gets in the way of their unequivocal support of the only person in the race who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to implementing policies that best serve black people?

To be sure, there may be valid critiques of Obama, but his absence from a forum, his failure to be stereotypically "black" or the fact that he is black are not valid or even useful critiques. So, forgive me for being just a bit skeptical of those black politicians (who reside in key states - e.g., Brother Al and South Carolina State Senator Robert Ford) whose primary critiques are that Barack just may not be black enough or, even better, that America's just not ready for a black President, so they can gain the political spoils and spotlight press of selling out a brother early and often.

If I had the technological saavy, I would jump off this page with all the passion, hope, rage and volume of Spike Lee's Dap and tell you, brothers and sisters everywhere, please please please WAKE UP!!!!!!!!

The best thing Barack can do for us is to win, not show up at yet another black forum simply to prove he's one of us by placating the egos who believe Barack should clear his calendar for their "ultimate black" event! There are plenty of other candidates (and so-called leaders) who warrant our scrutiny and skepticism - not to mention a host of misogynistic lyricists, child molesting musicians, and other unaccountable black-community-made millionaires. Barack, however, has proven with his excellence, his achievements, his commitments, and his life's work that he warrants our support.

Rather than using his credentials and connections to build his personal wealth, Obama chose to pursue careers like providing job training for residents of poor neighborhoods, directing voter registration drives and fighting for civil rights. Unlike other candidates in the race, Obama has been consistent in speaking against sending our black babies to murder, and to be murdered by, brown people in the Mesopotamia for the sake of multinational corporate interests. He has successfully forged coalitions with people across racial and political lines to introduce a host of legislation that would, among other things, get guns off our streets, reduce greenhouse emissions, and limit the influence of special interest lobbyist on Capital Hill.

As for whether Barack's black enough, let us not forget that race exists in America not in our biology, genetic code or even our phenotype, but rather by the institutionalization of the economic and social construct of chattel slavery and its vicious offshoots. Under that regime, "a dab'll do ya." Whiteness equates to economic and social privilege and that privilege fades as it traverses the racial spectrum. Anyone who has any black ancestry living in this country, whether for a day or for generations, will experience the vestiges of slavery and the consequences of white privilege, making the question of whether one is descended from enslaved Africans or colonized and oppressed Africans irrelevant. It is not simply the experience of that oppression, however, that demonstrates loyalty to our community and that deserves our community's loyalty, but rather recognition of the injustice of it and actions taken to dismantle it. Clearly, Obama has met this test!

Let the record of each candidate speak for itself. But, for the sake of our ancestors and, more importantly, our descendants, do not inadvertently become a pawn of white privilege by demanding that Obama's record be scrutinized more closely and meet a higher standard than his white counterparts simply because some narcissistic crab in a barrel didn't find himself at the top.

Sincerely,

B.L. Jackson

A Sister Who Unequivocably And Without Apology to Hillary, Bill or Al Supports Barack Obama for President And Invites Other Thoughtful Brothers and Sisters To Do the Same