Embrace the Quirky!
After the morning after, after the night before . . .
I don't feel victorious. I don't feel like we won. I do think that these sentiments are particularly interesting after the early press spin that asked whether Barack was black enough and black people were ambivalent about the answer. Now he's one of us, our hero, our modern day Martin and Malcolm (please people let's really think about what these men did and who they were i.e. not politicians).
A friend's brother said that he's seen more racism on the internet in the last few days than in his whole millennial life, which is interesting in the wake of claims that Obama's win symbolizes a new epoch in racial relations in this country. What I see is power and hegemony at work. The election of a brown face that keeps the capitalist machine going, (not an uncle tom Nader; they all placate those corporations) albeit it a gentler, greener machine (we've been promised) that still does the work of US imperialism.
I wonder how our Indigenous brothers and sisters feel? Is it enthusiasm for the fact that a person of color has reached the white house or is it sadness that a person of color is at the helm of an empire that wrought such pain and destruction among their peoples?
I say person of color deliberately to note that Obama's African American-ness exist in another space than that of other African American's who have sought the nation's highest office (Chisolm, Jackson, McKinney, etc.). He is not marked with the north/south black/white paradigmatic binary we use to understand race in this country. He is not colored by the hallmarks of African American elite society like belonging to a Divine Nine fraternity or growing up in Jack & Jill. His Hawaiian, Midwest upbringing make him an exception to dominate codes of blackness which initially made black people suspicious and ultimately put whites at ease.
It was easier for me when the face of U.S. imperialism didn't look like mine. Will this stem the radical left's radicalness? Will we become complacent because Obama is the new president of the fundamentally illegal, stolen, and pilfered United States? I am worried because as bougie black folk celebrate and rejoice, there are still black people hurting. The "tragedy" in Jennifer Hudson's family captures national attention, even presidential (now) condolences, but how often is that story true for countless other black families living in this country and how often is that story told as one of tragedy rather than a rationalization of stereotypes long held about the black urban poor? Structural racism depends on the exceptions (Obama, Oprah, etc.) to hide the rule that is inequity.
Am I cynical for feeling ambivalent in this moment? I dare not share these thoughts with too many because the retribution is swift. There is no room for quirky black girls casting aspersions at this watershed moment in black history. But I must insist on raising my dis-ease in this moment, my fear for what this may seemingly absolve in the minds of many. And also what might it incite? "Disempowered racist white people can only actually harm people much less powerful than the president elect."
So I pledge to stay vigilant, critical and skeptical. I pledge also to be active, visible, and hopeful for the world I wish to see. It will take more than one man's rise to power to undo centuries old structural oppressions built along the axes of race, gender, sexuality, ability and age. The struggle continues.
Thanks to Summer M., Alexis P., and Ashon C. for helping me think on this and providing pieces of this analysis.
A friend's brother said that he's seen more racism on the internet in the last few days than in his whole millennial life, which is interesting in the wake of claims that Obama's win symbolizes a new epoch in racial relations in this country. What I see is power and hegemony at work. The election of a brown face that keeps the capitalist machine going, (not an uncle tom Nader; they all placate those corporations) albeit it a gentler, greener machine (we've been promised) that still does the work of US imperialism.
I wonder how our Indigenous brothers and sisters feel? Is it enthusiasm for the fact that a person of color has reached the white house or is it sadness that a person of color is at the helm of an empire that wrought such pain and destruction among their peoples?
I say person of color deliberately to note that Obama's African American-ness exist in another space than that of other African American's who have sought the nation's highest office (Chisolm, Jackson, McKinney, etc.). He is not marked with the north/south black/white paradigmatic binary we use to understand race in this country. He is not colored by the hallmarks of African American elite society like belonging to a Divine Nine fraternity or growing up in Jack & Jill. His Hawaiian, Midwest upbringing make him an exception to dominate codes of blackness which initially made black people suspicious and ultimately put whites at ease.
It was easier for me when the face of U.S. imperialism didn't look like mine. Will this stem the radical left's radicalness? Will we become complacent because Obama is the new president of the fundamentally illegal, stolen, and pilfered United States? I am worried because as bougie black folk celebrate and rejoice, there are still black people hurting. The "tragedy" in Jennifer Hudson's family captures national attention, even presidential (now) condolences, but how often is that story true for countless other black families living in this country and how often is that story told as one of tragedy rather than a rationalization of stereotypes long held about the black urban poor? Structural racism depends on the exceptions (Obama, Oprah, etc.) to hide the rule that is inequity.
Am I cynical for feeling ambivalent in this moment? I dare not share these thoughts with too many because the retribution is swift. There is no room for quirky black girls casting aspersions at this watershed moment in black history. But I must insist on raising my dis-ease in this moment, my fear for what this may seemingly absolve in the minds of many. And also what might it incite? "Disempowered racist white people can only actually harm people much less powerful than the president elect."
So I pledge to stay vigilant, critical and skeptical. I pledge also to be active, visible, and hopeful for the world I wish to see. It will take more than one man's rise to power to undo centuries old structural oppressions built along the axes of race, gender, sexuality, ability and age. The struggle continues.
Thanks to Summer M., Alexis P., and Ashon C. for helping me think on this and providing pieces of this analysis.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Moody Gremlin on -
"Sooner or later, the people of the United States are going to have to take responsibility for the kind of government this nation has. While it is certainly accurate that the majority of Black, White, Brown, Red, and Yellow peoples in this nation are continually exploited by what is, in essence, a corporate fascist dictatorship, there nonetheless comes a point when the people of this nation must reject, once and for all, the fake democracy promoted by the U.S. corporate government with the ongoing complicity of the U.S. corporate media. "
This is an interesting comment, and from what I'm reading it seems like many of you are basically saying the same thing. The system is screwed on so many levels. Ok, I can agree on that. I can understand the discontent, frustration, all of it, so now lets do something about it. It is very clear what the problems are, they could be outlined for days, but I want to hear or see some solutions. So I put out there to the think tank-what are some possible solutions? Think outside of the box, lets assume, all cynacism aside, that anything is possible, so what are some of the possibilities?
-
Permalink Reply by summer m. on -
i love this, "i'm just here for the food, and i'm still skeptical about this whole thing," look.
Moya said:
Thanks Summer for your incisive commentary. What you think Alexis thinks about the election in this pic?
-
Permalink Reply by Moya on -
i hope I don't come off as cynical but i guess the return to this word means I do :)
I totally agree with your analysis of Obama's race, Kismet. I think that we are saying the same thing. He is black; at the end of the day he's black but the way his particular blackness is inflected allows white people to feel ok about him, which in turn got him elected.
As for solutions, I think we are in one right now!!! I am a big believer in community and the power of a few. What if we knew our neighbors and cared deeply and passionately about what was happening right where we were? no identity politics (and if McKinney gets called on the identity politics why doesn't Obama? Black men are definitely feeling this presidency in a particular way) but more a politics of shared location and ideology.
I'm baking cup cakes with my neighbor tonight to take and greet our neighbors. I want to build community where I am so that we feel bonded to each other and if something, happens we will take care of each other. I feel like QBG is part of that community building process as well. having very different opinions but not turning away when we disagree. trying to find the points of intersection and also saying I love you enough to agree to disagree.
I'm all about building, sustaining, growing radical community which to me is a more effective path to change than anything that come from the oval office. What do you think Tiha?
Tiha said:"Sooner or later, the people of the United States are going to have to take responsibility for the kind of government this nation has. While it is certainly accurate that the majority of Black, White, Brown, Red, and Yellow peoples in this nation are continually exploited by what is, in essence, a corporate fascist dictatorship, there nonetheless comes a point when the people of this nation must reject, once and for all, the fake democracy promoted by the U.S. corporate government with the ongoing complicity of the U.S. corporate media. "
This is an interesting comment, and from what I'm reading it seems like many of you are basically saying the same thing. The system is screwed on so many levels. Ok, I can agree on that. I can understand the discontent, frustration, all of it, so now lets do something about it. It is very clear what the problems are, they could be outlined for days, but I want to hear or see some solutions. So I put out there to the think tank-what are some possible solutions? Think outside of the box, lets assume, all cynacism aside, that anything is possible, so what are some of the possibilities?
-
Permalink Reply by summer m. on
-
like moya, my goal wasn't to ruin a moment. my goal, and i employed those "i statements" therapists, etc. adore, was to make sure that my voice was heard in some way, that i encourage vigilance from myself and others, that i am constantly aware of the various contexts at work here. i'm not sure i understand myself as being proud about what happened. i acknowledged the history of the moment, but i'm more concerned about what was required in order for that history to happen--and that gives me pause. no matter what i say, people will have their joy. besides, i know i can't imagine myself possessing the power to ruin someone else's fun; just like i can't imagine someone else's fun ruining my ability to critique.
if anything, i believe it is necessary for voices like moya's and mine to be heard, because the media would have us believe that those of us with real concerns about the obama candidacy and subsequent presidency are either white racist reactionaries or black people who never believed a black person could become president, rather than black people loving black people with intelligent things to say about the symbolism of this moment in history--and some of us voted for him, anyway. further, i don't agree or believe in everything that this country was founded on, but i do believe that the people have the right to voice their agreement or dissent whenever they choose; what's more, i believe it is our duty. i think i acted out of this duty. that said, if i wanted to really "reach" folks, i would have waited the said week to voice my concerns. and believe me, i weighed that option. but i was incredibly distraught through election night. and because writing has always been a therapeutic act for me, i found it necessary to write and post what i wrote when i wrote it. at that point, having welcoming listeners was not my concern, my mental health was. after i wrote it, i felt so much better. for at that moment, i was more willing to open myself to disagreement, to the argument that my cynicism is mere self-defense, to the idea that i was a debbie downer for black folk than i was willing to have an ulcer by saying nothing. finally, i posted here to show my solidarity with and support for moya, and because she asked me to.
Naturally Alise said:I think cynicism is necessary at some point, but I do find that a lot of folks do tend to ruin a moment of pride or milestones with over analyzing. Are you not proud of the accomplishment on some level? Yes, the points you made are completely valid, but can a sister get a week to be celebratory? I know this may sound like a simplistic analysis, but I really have gotten my joy stolen all week long.
-
Permalink Reply by summer m. on
-
i think i love you.
Z.Bediako said:Moya, Summer, & Maia, Represent!
You sisters are speaking the truth.
Fiyah!
Two of my favorite pre-election quotes/criticisms
"So, Americans are convinced they are going to have some bright future, with the change they can believe in, or even the change they need. Good for them. When they wake up, please tell them that we are sick to the teeth of the show. Sick of the parade of wives and children and ministers. Sick of the smiling and nodding human wall that claps at every empty word uttered by the leaders who have been bought and sold precisely by the same folks who have bought and sold the American citizen up the river."
"Sooner or later, the people of the United States are going to have to take responsibility for the kind of government this nation has. While it is certainly accurate that the majority of Black, White, Brown, Red, and Yellow peoples in this nation are continually exploited by what is, in essence, a corporate fascist dictatorship, there nonetheless comes a point when the people of this nation must reject, once and for all, the fake democracy promoted by the U.S. corporate government with the ongoing complicity of the U.S. corporate media. "
-- the black commentator
It was around 10.31 or so when I learned that Barack Obama would be the President of the United States of America. Oh no, I wasn't watching the television. And no, I didn't hear it on the radio. No no, it wasn't my sistafriend on the telephone that broke the news. It was the people. The Black people of gentrified West Philadelphia who indirectly broke the news to me. They did so with Pots and Pans as they opened up their windows and banged with items they could barely feed their children with. It was beeping horns that blew. BEEP BEEP OBAMA BEEP BEEP. Horns from old tricked out Cadillacs ridden by black men who were probably about to get harassed in a matter of moments for driving too close to the UPenn campus. I heard screams from the throats of Grandmas who were probably taking care of their daughters children as she was probably at the airport or some other doubled ceiling company working the night shift for 7.15/hr. My people were rejoicing because of the soon to be President, a black man who they mistakenly thought was referring to their status when he, and every body else in Will.i.am's cheesy video was promising CHANGE. haha. Well, wait -- this isn't funny. These same sisters and brothers who were keeping up the noise are she same black folks who I hear shouting ' Hak ride Hak ride ' on the corner of 40th and Market trying to make a little money by using their cars as cabs. These are the same brothers and sisters who I gotta watch serve food to White kids all day in the University cafeteria. Perpetual Mammys. These folks were rejoicing like Christ had descended from his thrown to take them home from a land that has sucked them dry. Brother Omali Yeshitala of UHURU has constantly criticized Barack Obama for not mentioning black, in his words " not even to talk about the color of his shoes." Yeah... black people ... who came out in swarms to elect a man whose few ties to the black community he severed in hopes to not make him seem too black. A Black man who distanced himself from a staple of the Black community, the Black church which was prodded and criticized for having a Pastor who dared to speak the truth about an America that has whips still leaving cracks on ALL of our Backs.
And i keep hearing, "well, this is our day! This is our time. Be happy for us."
No.
When I know about leaders like King (not the ihaveamcdonalds.oophs. ihaveadream king) but the king legacy they don't teach us about. Like Garvey, like Tubman, like Truth! like Biko, like Che, like Kwame Ture, like Davis! Like McKinney. How many Black folks even considered voting for Cynthia Mckinney & Rosa. A POWERFUL ticket. A candidate who talked about the working and lower classes. A candidate who talked about the distribution of wealth. A candidate who acknowledged that america was and is american being built of the backs of African people. For my Queer sisters and brothers and supporters! How can you wear Obama pride stickers when this man supports bans against Gay Marriage? Cythia Mckinney supports gay adoptions Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC. in July 1999. Supports a constitutional amendment for equal rights by gender. Why was she not even on the ballot. I had to write her in.
I have so much more to say about this... but I have a killer headache. I will be back!
-
Permalink Reply by Moody Gremlin on
-
I think I need to be posted at your neighbor's house so I can get me some cupcakes. I like your proactive answer. I'm really truly looking for solutions, because we stay steeped in the negative. I'm going to play angel's advocate and draw out the positive, one way or another. Thanks for humoring me.
Moya said:i hope I don't come off as cynical but i guess the return to this word means I do :)
I totally agree with your analysis of Obama's race, Kismet. I think that we are saying the same thing. He is black; at the end of the day he's black but the way his particular blackness is inflected allows white people to feel ok about him, which in turn got him elected.
As for solutions, I think we are in one right now!!! I am a big believer in community and the power of a few. What if we knew our neighbors and cared deeply and passionately about what was happening right where we were? no identity politics (and if McKinney gets called on the identity politics why doesn't Obama? Black men are definitely feeling this presidency in a particular way) but more a politics of shared location and ideology.
I'm baking cup cakes with my neighbor tonight to take and greet our neighbors. I want to build community where I am so that we feel bonded to each other and if something, happens we will take care of each other. I feel like QBG is part of that community building process as well. having very different opinions but not turning away when we disagree. trying to find the points of intersection and also saying I love you enough to agree to disagree.
I'm all about building, sustaining, growing radical community which to me is a more effective path to change than anything that come from the oval office. What do you think Tiha?
Tiha said:"Sooner or later, the people of the United States are going to have to take responsibility for the kind of government this nation has. While it is certainly accurate that the majority of Black, White, Brown, Red, and Yellow peoples in this nation are continually exploited by what is, in essence, a corporate fascist dictatorship, there nonetheless comes a point when the people of this nation must reject, once and for all, the fake democracy promoted by the U.S. corporate government with the ongoing complicity of the U.S. corporate media. "
This is an interesting comment, and from what I'm reading it seems like many of you are basically saying the same thing. The system is screwed on so many levels. Ok, I can agree on that. I can understand the discontent, frustration, all of it, so now lets do something about it. It is very clear what the problems are, they could be outlined for days, but I want to hear or see some solutions. So I put out there to the think tank-what are some possible solutions? Think outside of the box, lets assume, all cynacism aside, that anything is possible, so what are some of the possibilities?
-
Permalink Reply by dr. tree on -
Is Obama "The Magical Negro"?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_Negro
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-ehrenstein19mar19,0,53350...
Thank you all for your comments -- I'm enjoying following the discussion. I'll post more later.
-
Permalink Reply by Kismet on -
Moya, I love it! And I love the cupcakes too....hmm....are they chocolate?
I can't wait to stay fired up in the embrace of this support. Can't wait to keep pushing our survival forward--and holding Obama accountable! And Michelle! (And the kids, teehee. youth activism....)
-
Permalink Reply by Moya on
-
i hope we don't seem steep in negative. Critique comes from love, from believing that we deserve the best and a desire to celebrate nothing less.
Dr. Tree- i feel you on the magical negro comparison. that is so real!!
-
Permalink Reply by Moya on
-
chocolate and funfetti!
kismet said:Moya, I love it! And I love the cupcakes too....hmm....are they chocolate?
I can't wait to stay fired up in the embrace of this support. Can't wait to keep pushing our survival forward--and holding Obama accountable! And Michelle! (And the kids, teehee. youth activism....)
-
Permalink Reply by maia on -
i embrace the word 'cynical'. i have been called it so many times when i was doing the work of creating community that i just assume when someone uses it that i am on the right path. it is when people start calling me 'sincere' that i start to worry about myself.
when i first started hearing that i was cynical was when i was working in the west bank. i said that being in palestine was like sitting at a young person's death bed. you are just waiting for the last rites and the last breath.
let me be blunt: obama threw arabs and muslims under the bus in order to get elected. while he defended himself against the slur of being called 'muslim' by highlighting his christian practice, he never said the obvious, what colin powell said: so what if he is muslim? should muslim children not be allowed to grow up in a country and think that they too could be president some day?
obama worked hard to disassociate himself with anything muslim or arab, including rashid khalidi.
i am glad that my daughter will grow up to think that her complicated parentage, her multi-racial identity (or however she chooses to identify) will not prevent her from obtaining the highest office in the land.
but if by cynicism one means a certain emotional callousness to others, let me disagree. if anything i feel that the black community has displayed a certain callousness in this election. we are quick to critique the anti-arab, anti-muslim sentiment expressed by the bush administration and the us population in general that fueled the march to war in afghanistan and iraq, and yet do not hear how a more elevated anti-arab and anti-muslim attitude brought obama into power. and his plan of taking more black and brown soldiers from iraq and putting them in afghanistan is not going to make our communities any safer.
i guess i see myself as a global citizen. and i see obama's election as an election for the leader of the world empire. his decisions do not only or even primarily affect us here in the united states. and i care too deeply for my friends on this planet to have a simple joy that a black man is in office. my feelings are more complicated than that. yes, his election elevates my social status on the world stage, but i will be living in the west bank for the next few years and when he gives israel a carte blanche (and the money and the weapons) to demolish my home, or my neighbor's home, or my child's day care, will i feel grateful that at least it is a black man that is doing it? maybe. maybe not. is that cynical of me?
when he okays wire tapping on my phone will i be grateful that at least he was a community organizer? (and i am not being facetious, i am already on a homeland security watch list so...) when he is not allowing me to organize the communities that i live in?
i know this is a bit rambling. i apologize. but i wanted to explain that identity politics aside, i just want to live my life, love my family, build community, and obama does not support those actions.
although i will be grateful for the socialist health care...
-
Permalink Reply by maia on
-
yesterday we made cinnamon rolls and this morning passed them out to the mamas walking their kids to school (the elementary is right across the street). the principal came out and said that we werent allowed to do so because we didnt have a food handlers license and the school couldnt allow it. crazy huh?
Moya said:chocolate and funfetti!
kismet said:Moya, I love it! And I love the cupcakes too....hmm....are they chocolate?
I can't wait to stay fired up in the embrace of this support. Can't wait to keep pushing our survival forward--and holding Obama accountable! And Michelle! (And the kids, teehee. youth activism....)
© 2009 Created by Moya on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
Stumble It!