Obama - The Unfolding Story - Page 36

jett Black · (#876 (**permalink**))

Clinton's diminishing of black voters
Email|Print|Single Page| Text size – + By Derrick Z. Jackson
Globe Columnist / May 10, 2008
IN HER long, sad self-diminution to being merely a white candidate for subsegments of white people, Hillary Clinton claimed to USA Today this week, "I have a much broader base to build a winning coalition on." Clinton exploited an Associated Press poll to say how "Senator Obama's support among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again and how whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me . . . There's a pattern emerging here."

more stories like thisThis was on top of Democratic strategist and Clinton supporter Paul Begala saying this week on CNN, "We cannot win with eggheads and African-Americans. OK. That's the Dukakis coalition, which carried 10 states and gave us four years of the first George Bush. President Clinton, you know, reached across and got a whole lot of Republicans and independents to come."

This reaches across the aisle all right, straight to right-wing talk show host Rush Limbaugh. Limbaugh, who has been urging people to vote for Clinton to prolong the Democratic primaries, said this week, "Barack Obama has shown he cannot get the votes that Democrats need to win: blue-collar working people. He can get effete snobs. He can get wealthy academics and he can get the young, he can get the black vote, that's about it."

Obama just got done being tarred and feathered as an elitist by Clinton and the talk shows for belittling "bitter" people in jobless small towns who "cling to guns or religion." Yes, that was dumb.

Yet here is Clinton dancing all over stereotypes. There is no way you can say in the same sentence, "hard-working Americans, white Americans," without diminishing black Americans as lazy.

Can you imagine the Jeremiah Wright-level furor if Obama turned Begala's words upside down and said: "We cannot win with the working class and white people. OK. That's the Reagan coalition?"

The truth is that Clinton is in denial about one of the key reasons for her slide from inevitability. She choked on the black vote. Conveniently forgotten in her reinvention in Pennsylvania as Rocky Balboa (who conveniently was a white working-class boxer trying to beat down a black champion), is that this white woman led Obama in an October 2007 CNN poll, 68 percent to 25 percent among black women and was nearly dead even with Obama among black men.

It was not just that Obama stunned the conventional political world. It was also, as this column has pointed out, because of steady dollops of racial and religious innuendo from surrogates, most notably husband Bill Clinton and former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro. All the love built up between the Clintons and black folks became love and war when a black man stood between them and their castle.

The problem for Clinton is that this is another case in which her math does not add up. Yes, every voter the Democrats can get their hands on is critical. But all this talk about Obama not connecting with salt of the earth white folks cynically forgets that white leaders in the Democratic Party have not solved this problem since Jimmy Carter's 48 percent of the white vote in 1976, yet want to make Obama the poster child for it despite his multi-racial crowds and record turnouts of voters. In the late throes of her insurgency, to borrow from Dick Cheney, Clinton is playing "divide and doubt" about Obama getting "only" 37 percent of the white vote in North Carolina and Pennsylvania and 40 percent in Indiana.

But in a year in which Republican enthusiasm is in doubt with a bad war and a bummer economy, it must be remembered that Bill Clinton won the presidency in 1992 in three-way races with a grand total of 39 percent of the white vote and 83 percent of the black vote and 61 percent of the Hispanic vote and besting the first President Bush and Ross Perot among all age groups.

Ironically, Obama got to where he is by not being the "black" candidate. It is Clinton who is now the race candidate, diminishing black voters and eggheads, her final hopes resting on the thinnest of eggshells.

Derrick Z. Jackson can be reached at jackson@globe.com.

jett Black · (#877 (**permalink**))

Rockette said.......Some people "still" don't get it...BLACKS deserved the "SAME" level of "RESPECT" as any "OTHER" demographic from a candidate that have supported wholeheartedly. Don't ya'll get it? A "shell" doesn't do it for me. He can stand front and center "OPENLY" addressing the concerns of every other demographic "EXCEPT" the very one driven to madness over his campaign. No Jew or Latino running for POTUS would strive to disassociate themselves from their core backers as Obama "must" continue doing and he still won't reach his goal. What then?

Yes,I get it,have been getting it for months now but I also get why it hasn't happened.

What you are saying is absolutely correct I get it,I get it,I GET IT LOUD AND CLEAR,I really do,i'm not a lemming or a sheep or a drinker of Kool Aid,I have my reasons for wanting him in the position over McCain or Bill-ary,yes there has been a lot of ****er-y going on in in this campaign but I still want him in the oval office,for reasons i've stated ad nauseum in this thread and am not gonna get into again.
I totally respect your stance and that of Gmahogany and the rest who feel this way and believe me I reiterate,I get it,I get it,I get it.You are preaching to the choir here girlfriend.
Yet still I want him there.

Which would you prefer McCain and Rice?? which is the inevitable Repub ticket,Obama is practically a Black Panther compared to Rice!

F

Kunjufu · (#878 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockette

Of course I don't want McCain, but it appears we'll have to adjust to him anyway.

Why?...........

safetyblitz · (#879 (**permalink**))

McCain has to say what he can to get the seat. When other racists do not like you enough to cast their vote for you and would possibly choose a "black" man, you have to do something.

Remember this man is from a state that does not like any ethnic groups. They are doing everything they can to stop people from immigrating and are racist enough to not honor MLK's holiday (who the hell is racist enough not to take a paid vacation day? Arizona that's who.)

I don't agree with everything Obama says, but the one thing I do agree with him on is that it is time for a change. The US has to start protecting its internal interests instead of policing the world. The world seemed to get along fine, 233 years ago before we were formed, I am sure that people will not forget how live if we stopped threatening them with force.

Vubundada_Kandaba · (#880 (**permalink**))

I see that this "Thread is still in full swing". Well here is rapper DMX input on the Election. I must say that DMX is indeed a Philosopher, Historian and one of the most Educated people on Earth. With such genuises like him, the destiny of the Black race is in good hands. Must be read to be believed and this interview was reportedly from XXL Magazine. For the record, I don't read XXL Magazine or any Magazines along that line.

--------------------------------VK

XXLmag.com | Hip-Hop On A Higher Level | DMX Here I Am

Caption in Yellow is the Interviewere from XXL Magazine. Caption in white is DMX's answer.

Are you following the presidential race? Not at all.

You’re not? You know there’s a Black guy running, Barack Obama and then there’s Hillary Clinton. His name is Barack?!

Barack Obama, yeah. Barack?!

Barack. What the Fuuck** is a Barack?! Barack Obama. Where he from, Africa?

Yeah, his dad is from Kenya. Barack Obama?

Yeah. What the Fuuuck**?! That ain’t no niggaa's**name, yo. That ain’t that nigga’s name. You can’t be serious. Barack Obama. Get the Fuuuck** outta here.

You’re telling me you haven’t heard about him before. I ain’t really paying much attention. I mean, it’s pretty big if a Black… Wow, Barack! The nigga’s name is Barack. Barack? Nigga named Barack Obama. What the Fuuuck**, man?! Is he serious? That ain’t his Fuuuckin**name. Ima tell this nigga when I see him, “Stop that bullshit. Stop that bullshit” [laughs] “That ain’t your Fuuuckin** name.” Your momma ain’t name you no damn Barack.

So you’re not following the race. You can’t vote right? Nope.

Is that why you’re not following it?
No, because it’s just—it doesn’t matter. They’re gonna do what they’re gonna do. It doesn’t really make a difference. These are the last years.

But it would be pretty big if we had a first Black president. That would be huge.
I mean, I guess…. What, they gon’ give a dog a bone? There you go. Ooh, we have a Black president now. They should’ve done that shit a long time ago, we wouldn’t be in the Fuuuckin** position we in now. With world war coming up right now. They done Fuuucked**this shit up then give it to the Black people, “Here you take it. Take my mess.”

Right, exactly.
It’s all a Fuuckin**setup. It’s all a setup. All Fuuckin** bullshit. All bullshit. I don’t give a Fuuck** about none of that.

We could have a female president also, Hillary Clinton.
I mean, either way it doesn’t matter. I don’t care. No one person is directly affected by which president, you know, so what does it matter.

Yeah, but the country is.
I guess. The president is a puppet anyway. The president don’t make no damn decisions.

The president…they don’t have that much authority basically?
Nah, never.

But Bush pretty much…You think Bush is making ****in’ decisions?
He did, yeah, he Fuucked** up the country. He act like he making decisions. He could barely speak! He could barely Fuuckin** speak! Can’t be serious. He ain’t making no damn decisions.

Well Barack has a good chance of winning so that might be something.
Good for him, good for him.

How’s your family and your kids?
They’re good. My son is rapping now.

Did he see you? I’m sure he was inspired by you.
Yeah, yeah. all that. Took him to shows and everything.

Vubundada_Kandaba · (#881 (**permalink**))

Black, Canadian and rooting for Obama
May 12, 2008 04:30 AM
Laina Dawes
Special to the Star

As a Canadian fixated on Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign, I have occasionally had twinges of guilt over my fascination with the political happenings across the border. Recently a fit of rage led me to try to reach through my television set to choke a legendary CNN host during one of his usual thinly veiled racist tirades. After I regained my composure, I questioned my allegiance to Canada because of my anger over something happening in another country.

In my defence, the negative dynamics of race and gender that have emerged during the Democratic nomination battle are not only of interest to me as a social justice activist, but also because part of my livelihood is based on studying the issues. As a freelance journalist and editor for the "Race, Ethnicity & Culture" section for Blogher.com, I watch and read various reports daily and provide commentary. Since the race for the nomination began last summer, there have been a number of racially tinged attacks by the Clinton campaign, media and political pundits. Despite Obama's achievements, they attempt to use racial stereotypes and sweeping generalizations to discredit his campaign. It's a disturbing reminder of how some will play the race card, despite boasting of their allegiance and history of support to the same racial demographic.

Some of the generalizations, such as the stereotype of the angry black militant being used against Obama, have been commonly employed to discredit other blacks. Witnessing an all-too-familiar, below-the-belt racial punch angers me, but I wanted to find out if it affected other people geographically distant from the fight. I decided to ask black Torontonians their opinions on what social changes might occur for black Canadians if Obama goes on to become president.

Are we, as has been suggested by the media, a monolithic group, blindly supporting anyone because they are black? How does residing in a different country change our perspective, if at all? More people than I expected are watching the primaries, following the debates and forming strong opinions. Public relations executive Gillian Moody feels Obama's race as a factor in his Canadian popularity is overblown.

"I think that black Canadians are secretly proud and fascinated, but they are not going to bring up race and talk about race in the way that American blacks and non-blacks bring it up. ... In general, I think that Canadians are more skeptical than Americans." Aluba Kalu, a business development co-ordinator, is hopeful that a black president might help dissolve racial stereotypes, partly because of the popularity of American culture amongst black Canadian youth.

"Black Canadians do not really have that one defining moment in their history," she says. "Whatever we experience here is just the by-product of the African-American experience." When I asked whether a black president might inspire more black youth to enter politics to Moody and Selwyn Pieters, a lawyer with his own firm in the financial district, they indicated I might be pushing it.

Moody believes Canada already has black Canadians in respected political positions and does not see why they would look to another country for inspiration. Pieters believes an Obama presidency might help in easing racial barriers to climbing the Bay Street corporate ladder. "There are a lot of Canadian businesses that do transnational and international transactions," he says. "If they do not start reflecting diversity, they will not create new business opportunities stateside." "Barack represents many things, and one of the greatest is change," says Jane Musoke-Nteyafas, a writer, poet and cultural critic. "I believe that racism may improve in Canada, as he has already shattered several cultural and racial biases simply by showing that an African-American man of East African descent can run and be successful."

I fear that stupid prejudices could rob Americans of a president who could improve their lives. Though it is too early for black Canadians to forecast how Obama's campaign will shape our future, all we can do is hope for the best.

Laina Dawes is a Toronto-based music journalist and editor for the Race, Ethnicity & Culture section for Blogher.com.

Mezmerized · (#882 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vubundada_Kandaba

I see that this "Thread is still in full swing". Well here is rapper DMX input on the Election. I must say that DMX is indeed a Philosopher, Historian and one of the most Educated people on Earth. With such genuises like him, the destiny of the Black race is in good hands. Must be read to be believed and this interview was reportedly from XXL Magazine. For the record, I don't read XXL Magazine or any Magazines along that line.

--------------------------------VK

XXLmag.com | Hip-Hop On A Higher Level | DMX Here I Am

Caption in Yellow is the Interviewere from XXL Magazine. Caption in white is DMX's answer.

Are you following the presidential race? Not at all.

You’re not? You know there’s a Black guy running, Barack Obama and then there’s Hillary Clinton. His name is Barack?!

Barack Obama, yeah. Barack?!

Barack. What the Fuuck** is a Barack?! Barack Obama. Where he from, Africa?

Yeah, his dad is from Kenya. Barack Obama?

Yeah. What the Fuuuck**?! That ain’t no niggaa's**name, yo. That ain’t that nigga’s name. You can’t be serious. Barack Obama. Get the Fuuuck** outta here.

You’re telling me you haven’t heard about him before. I ain’t really paying much attention. I mean, it’s pretty big if a Black… Wow, Barack! The nigga’s name is Barack. Barack? Nigga named Barack Obama. What the Fuuuck**, man?! Is he serious? That ain’t his Fuuuckin**name. Ima tell this nigga when I see him, “Stop that bullshit. Stop that bullshit” [laughs] “That ain’t your Fuuuckin** name.” Your momma ain’t name you no damn Barack.

So you’re not following the race. You can’t vote right? Nope.

Is that why you’re not following it?
No, because it’s just—it doesn’t matter. They’re gonna do what they’re gonna do. It doesn’t really make a difference. These are the last years.

But it would be pretty big if we had a first Black president. That would be huge.
I mean, I guess…. What, they gon’ give a dog a bone? There you go. Ooh, we have a Black president now. They should’ve done that shit a long time ago, we wouldn’t be in the Fuuuckin** position we in now. With world war coming up right now. They done Fuuucked**this shit up then give it to the Black people, “Here you take it. Take my mess.”

Right, exactly.
It’s all a Fuuckin**setup. It’s all a setup. All Fuuckin** bullshit. All bullshit. I don’t give a Fuuck** about none of that.

We could have a female president also, Hillary Clinton.
I mean, either way it doesn’t matter. I don’t care. No one person is directly affected by which president, you know, so what does it matter.

Yeah, but the country is.
I guess. The president is a puppet anyway. The president don’t make no damn decisions.

The president…they don’t have that much authority basically?
Nah, never.

But Bush pretty much…You think Bush is making ****in’ decisions?
He did, yeah, he Fuucked** up the country. He act like he making decisions. He could barely speak! He could barely Fuuckin** speak! Can’t be serious. He ain’t making no damn decisions.

Well Barack has a good chance of winning so that might be something.
Good for him, good for him.

How’s your family and your kids?
They’re good. My son is rapping now.

Did he see you? I’m sure he was inspired by you.
Yeah, yeah. all that. Took him to shows and everything.

My head hurt......I bet they knew he was high and they just having fun with him. I don't believe that interview is real!

CashMoney · (#883 (**permalink**))

He is lying. Noone is that ignorant

Mezmerized · (#884 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockette

I know exactly how you feel. Pieces like this prove the African race is in good hands too.

Lynchings in Congo as penis theft panic hits capital - Yahoo! News

Lynchings in Congo as penis theft panic hits capital

By Joe Bavier Tue Apr 22, 1:24 PM ET

KINSHASA (Reuters) - Police in Congo have arrested 13 suspected sorcerers accused of using black magic to steal or shrink men's penises after a wave of panic and attempted lynchings triggered by the alleged witchcraft.

Reports of so-called penis snatching are not uncommon in West Africa, where belief in traditional religions and witchcraft remains widespread, and where ritual killings to obtain blood or body parts still occur.

Rumours of penis theft began circulating last week in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo's sprawling capital of some 8 million inhabitants. They quickly dominated radio call-in shows, with listeners advised to beware of fellow passengers in communal taxis wearing gold rings.

Purported victims, 14 of whom were also detained by police, claimed that sorcerers simply touched them to make their genitals shrink or disappear, in what some residents said was an attempt to extort cash with the promise of a cure.

"You just have to be accused of that, and people come after you. We've had a number of attempted lynchings. ... You see them covered in marks after being beaten," Kinshasa's police chief, Jean-Dieudonne Oleko, told Reuters on Tuesday.

Police arrested the accused sorcerers and their victims in an effort to avoid the sort of bloodshed seen in Ghana a decade ago, when 12 suspected penis snatchers were beaten to death by angry mobs. The 27 men have since been released.

"I'm tempted to say it's one huge joke," Oleko said.

"But when you try to tell the victims that their penises are still there, they tell you that it's become tiny or that they've become impotent. To that I tell them, 'How do you know if you haven't gone home and tried it'," he said.

Some Kinshasa residents accuse a separatist sect from nearby Bas-Congo province of being behind the witchcraft in revenge for a recent government crackdown on its members.

"It's real. Just yesterday here, there was a man who was a victim. We saw. What was left was tiny," said 29-year-old Alain Kalala, who sells phone credits near a Kinshasa police station.

(For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: Breaking News, Business, Financial & Investing News, Commodities & More | Africa.reuters.com )

ROTF...this story has had me and my cousins in stiches for days! See, some of us Africans actually know how to have laugh at stupidness without taking it too personal, something that seem to elude YOU Rockette! You only posted this article to get even with VK, because he posted DMX interview. It apears that you think he is trying to make fun of the entire AA collective. Very dim of you me thinks....

Vubundada_Kandaba · (#885 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockette

I know exactly how you feel. Pieces like this prove the African race is in good hands too.

I think you Rockette has got to be the dumbest person I have ever made To the best of my knowledge there is nothing called the "African Race", but we do have a "Black race" which encompasses everyone descending from the African Continent. Black here refers to Continental Africans, African Americans, Caribbean Africans and anyone whose ancestors descended from Africa. Read a History Book for once in your lifetime and stop being so ignorant. Everything here and you want to turn it into an attack between Africans and African Americans. The Word Black does not refer to African Americans but to all of us. I am Black and I am from Africa, now what? If you want to post things to get back at Continental Africans then for God's sake let it be relevant to this debate. What you posted has no relavance to this debate and I hope the Moderators take note and boot you out of here. The sooner the better. Now stick to the topic at hand.