The reverse racism of Barak Obama
If U.S. Presidential hopeful (and Democratic frontrunner) Barak Obama was a “white” male, he would just be another bright, anonymous, Harvard product. As it so happens, his father is Black and so, by American racial perceptual standards, he is Black.
Many in the U.S. think that a male politician of mixed race represents “change” and a departure from the way Washington does business. It is the vainest, most superficial and fatuous approach to politics imaginable – Americans are voting for him primarily due to skin color (people can never point to one of his accomplishments, they just, like, sorta like him). It makes the burden of being white and privileged less intense as you seem to be voting against the politics of exclusion.
Ironically, as an “underdog,”, Barak’s skin color makes his own social privilege and Harvard educated elitist burden also less intense.
Barak Obama’s father’s pigment has nothing to do with what should make a good President, anymore than Obama’s half-black skin color and Kenyan roots and international living arrangements growing up (not to mention his family’s money) can inform him of Black experience. Moreover, I will even venture to say that Barak Obama’s proximity to Black culture and understanding approximates my own – or any of my white friends in Sackville or Bedford.
You see, Barak Obama is not “black,” as far as any context of exclusion is concerned. He is not even half-excluded, or “half-black” in any social sense. He is a man whose father happens to be black, and upper class, who went to Harvard.
Barak Obama is a Harvard product that has appeal to Whites because his skin is “different,” he makes whites feel better about themeselves as purveyors of social justice when they cheer for him and appeals to Blacks because he seems closer to their own racial experience.
But when it comes to the politics of exclusion, the real problem is Hillary Clinton’s gender, not Barak Obama’s race. Hilary Clinton does not have the social luxury of being half anything; she is all women, which comes at a political cost.
Social anthropologists have mentioned that being sexist is harder to fight in higher social circles than being racist. Within the gender of being female there is also an unacknowledged or repressed gender inter-competitiveness that claws back women who stand out: at a primitive, crocodile level of the human brain there is an understanding that “alpha females” attract more male attention and, therefore, create less for others.
Women who stand out are a threat to many men as well as many women. Being a man, of any stripe, in the world of power politics is easier.
Hillary’s problem, sadly, is that she is all woman and Bark’s good fortune is that he is not, as Borat would say, a “vanilla face.”
March 5th, 2008 at 8:23 am
I was a bus rider from age 5 through 27.
While in university it took me an hour on the bus to make a 15 minute car commute. In addition, I was at one of the first stops on the route, no reason for busses to ever leave early. Every day they bus would leave between 10 minutes early and 20 minutes late. That’s 1/2 hour in the weather without a shelter every day so you don’t miss the bus.
Coming back from university I had to walk down past 4 bus stops to get to a stop that would allow me to regularly get on the over crowded bus. If you got on at the stop outside my class, you would have to wait for 2 or 3 busses before you could get on.
The day I got my motorcycle was one of the greatest days of my life, no more dealing with loud obnoxious punk kids on the bus, no more panhandlers on the bus, no people wearing so much perfume it burns my eyes or b.o. so bad that I need to vomit when I’m off the bus.
I would love to take the bus and help the environment, but not in Halifax, and never again.
March 5th, 2008 at 10:18 am
I think it’s the media turning it into race vs gender that is the problem. I look at both of them as people. The sooner people stop making things about gender/race the sooner the world becomes a better place. It may just be a baby boomer thing that i can not understand, but you (assuming you are one of them) can not seem to look past gender and race.
I agree with much of the blog as he is just another rich guy, but don’t agree with your BS about women having it so hard and so on.
http://glennsacks.com/
March 5th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I think its rediculous how everyone always talks about black this and black that, or woman power, but if I say “white this, or white that” I’m racist. Or if I say “man power whatever” I’m sexist. Minorities always whine about racism and sexism, but yet they point it out with themselves. I think that if they just shut up and forget the fact that “i’m black…” or “i’m a woman…” racism might die down. I don’t think that it will ever go away, but it will certainly die down. I am a white male, and sometimes I feel like a minority.
They have these Black Pride Day, or the Nova Scotia Black Business Association, and the NAACP, and they have these woman’s rights organizations and they all scream that they want equality. So then if I were to create a white male organization, i’m not racist, and thats not fair…give me a break, and stop your pissing and moaning of the fact that your skin is different, or that you don’t have a penis (although now-a-days that can be arranged).
I guess with this stupid American election thats going on, it seems like its not what you know, but who you know…or in this case, its not what you know, but what you look like. I say lets get back to the old fashioned way of “may the best man win.”
March 5th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Andrew your coming off like an idiot. today you went off on how great you were by bringing the us election to our attention becuase it doesn’t get any play in the papers. all you did was make borderline racial comments about how you are as much a part of the black experience as Barak Obama and you pushed Hilary Clinton for 10 or 15 minutes. And then you have the nerve to go off on how you deserve an award for shoving your ignorant and mindless opinions over the air to uneducated viewers who will believe whatever you want them to. Are you black, last time I looked you were a middle aged white man from Canada, where as Barak Obama is afircan american. And yes he went to Harvard, so youre saying hes not black because he went to Harvard, so a real black man can’t get into harvard Andrew? You put your foot in your mouth with some dangerous Rush Limbaugh style ignorant garbage. There is an abundance of african americans at harvard, and the numbers of their success is at all time highs according to the harvard crimson. why the hell would you even push hillary.. shes pro north american union, maybe you feel comfortable with the us securing all our borders including mexicans southern border amongst her other major negatives. if you want to cry about canada over in afghanistan a push for a clinton nomination isnt the way to go. If you got your head out of your ass and gave the blacks the same respect you give the ladies maybe we might have something to talk about, until then go back to the south
March 5th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I don’t see race or a women in this I see two individuals and personally I hope Hillary Clinton does not win. I think Barak Obama is what America and the world needs right now. He is inspirational with fresh ideas with no political baggage and I think he understands the international community much better than Clinton. Just by the fact Obama has actually lived in other parts of the world and his father is from Kenya and understands the people in these countries. He understands how they feel about the States. He has the benefit of seeing his own country he wants to lead from the outside instead of looking out. The world needs mending after 8 years of George Bush and believe Obama is the person not Hillary Clinton.
March 6th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Adam Reid, you are missing the point. Those organizations exist because it was not always possible for visible minorities to do things like open businesses, secure loans, and pursue the educational and occupational opportunities that we, as white males, have always enjoyed. It was not too long ago that civil rights workers were being murdered for daring to register black voters or for trying to racially integrate the schools.
The sad fact is, society was once highly exclusionary, and that is why these groups and organizations were formed. Change did not come about because white society suddenly woke up and changed their minds; it came about because these individuals were willing to put themselves on the line to educate society about its wrongs, wrongs we are still working on correcting. “White pride” is celebrated every single day in this society, as most of us had positive role models and examples to live by, as well as belonging to a culture that is well-steeped in “whiteness”. White teachers, principals, managers, authority figures, etc. Even “beauty” is measured against white standards. It’s no wonder minority groups need these organizations to make their voices heard. Will you speak for them? Will anyone else?
March 7th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Hello Andrew,
You have obviously decided to launch your latest ‘jihad’, and unfortunatley it is on a very genuine, charismatic, educated, caring, qualified man who has been compared to beloved leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King and JFK. I’m not sure why he is your most recent target, but some of your comments are as usual very offensive, and misguided.
‘Black’ Americans do not just represent struggle, and to think that because Senator Obama did not grow up with a low socioeconomic status, in the ghettos of the US, or within the backward bayous of the South, his skin color is not still a factor, you are very naive. Skin color is as much an issue now as ever, and your focus on his color or lack of ‘blackness’ proves that. To think you or I as white men and women have the same understanding as Sen. Obama of what being ‘black’ means because his mother is white and his parents were educated and did not struggle financially, demonstrates your ignorance and lack of rational thought on this subject.
Senator Obama represents change not based on his skin color, but based on his platform, his approach to politics, and personal qualifications (to which I have attached a link). I have been a keen follower of this race, and also a strong proponent of Senator Clinton, and have yet to see the platform and/or speech that qualifies Senator Obama as an agent of change based on his skin color? Poles have consistently shown that Senator Obama and Senator Clinton have a diverse group of supporters, showcasing that Americans are voting based on more than sex and/or race.
It’s unfortunate that when a new face enters the race, people like yourself continue to pull the race/sex/religion card, to discredit them.
Thank you.
MF
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132×4678548
March 7th, 2008 at 9:15 am
I find it quite humorous that you are such a Hillary defender while at the same time telling your listeners that Obama is not ‘black” enough.
I heard, again, on your station this morning (03/07/08) saying that Hilllary climbed the corporate ranks to struggle to where she is today. There is no doubt that Hillary is determined and highly intelligent, but climbing the corporate ranks….? She is inteligent in the fact that she used her husbands coat tails to get to where she is. Now do not get me wrong, becuase she is a woman in the US, she did not have a hope in hell of getting where she is without using the opportunities she had (her husbands success), but she had other decisions she could of made to benefit all women. First and foremost, she could have left when Bill starting his little excursion. What more of an example could that have been for all women? But no…she decided to take it and be the “good wife”, why, to further her career. And when you consider her career in politics, she has not accomplished any more than your ‘non black’ candidate has. Serving on the board of Walmart and investing in Big Oil until she officially entered the Democratic race seems to be examples of a typical behaviour for a politician. So please explain to me why the fact that she has breast makes her a better candidate. She will be important because she will be breaking a barrier and that is what she will be remembered for, but whether she is effective is doubtful.
Now as for Obama, do you have a list of requirements that a person of color should meet before they receive the Andrew Krystal official ‘Black’ Label. Should his pants be a certain number of sizes to large, should he have ‘growd up’ in a certain neighborhood. I am quite certain that if you ask the general public to look at a person with his ’shade’ of color, they would tell you he is a black man. I am quite certain that he has experienced racism and ignorance, even while attending Harvard. So would those experiences score any points on your ‘black’ scale. Now do not get me wrong, like Hillary, Obama used what advantages he had around him to get ahead. On you show this morning you spoke of the lack of students being able to afford school and develop critical thinking. So I have to ask what would qualify him more in your eyes, coming from the hood or going to Harvard. He will be important because he will be breaking a barrier and that is what he will be remembered for, but whether he is effective is doubtful.
Clint
March 7th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Hi Andrew,
I think you have a lot of thoughtful and valid points but I think your missing the most important point. Barak has something that is rarely seen these days in politics; charisma and authenticity! He is Young, Vibrant and can grab the attention of large crowds. I don’t think his skin color plays to the level that your suggesting. He can certainly deliver a speech and I think that the delivery and substance of his message is what has projected him forward. People everywhere are hungry for inspiration and leadership. Right now, that has them excited until later when they will ask themselves how this young, inexperienced man can follow through and deliver. He believes he can which gives his authenticity. I think the reality of his lack of experience will remain clouded while he continues to pass out opiates through his message.
March 7th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I don’t think it’s fair to say people are voting for Obama just because of his skin color. I’d say he probobly would be a capable, inspiring leader. His being priviledged doesn’t seem to change anyone else’s opinion about his being black. It doesn’t change my opinion about him. My first impression of Hillary Clinton is that she and her husband are motivated by political success above all else.
Does Hillary Clinton have a steeper hill to climb because she’s a woman? I don’t think that’s fair either. I’d say between her and her husband plenty has happened that calls her (and his) character into question. The trick Obama might have to pull off is how to be tough against her slick political saavy without looking mean.
She strikes me as a crafty political calculator who won’t leave out any sly tactic to get ahead. Who would be better to answer a 3:00am call at the White House? That’s a scary scenario that isn’t based on anything. It doesn’t show or prove anything other than that someone working for the Clintons (or one of the Clintons) has a useful imagination. Too bad that ad apparently worked.
Mike
March 7th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
BrianM,
Although I understand that basis of your rebuttal to Adam Reid’s post I have to ask you….why should those of us who are white (males) still be punished for the actions of our idiot forefathers? When is enough enough? Is it not reverse racism to discriminate against Caucasians on the basis that our ancestors were oppressive and therefore past privileged?
Ben
March 12th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Why can’t people be judged on who they are and what they represent. If what Matt says is true then Andrew should be open to his opinion, however racist it may be. White, black, man or woman all Americans believe they they created equal. We know some are more equal than others due to inherent defeciencies of history and oppression. the “struggle” as Obama described is not a Black struggle. It’s a struggle that is owned by everyone; not just those in the ghetto who know hard times.
Obama has a stastical great chance of being the next US president. Like Kennedy, look for Obama to undertake huge iniatives. Should be interesting to watch.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Andrew,
I have to disagree.
While it may be true that Barak Obama has had many advantages with the education he was afforded and perhaps a more advantaged upbringing (I really know nothing of his biography so cannot comment) I do not believe his success has come without costs. We live in a racist society, and I believe the U.S. society to be even more so. Obama’s riches have not entirely erased the colour of his skin. I have no doubt he has experienced things no white man would ever dream of being expected to endure. There is more to racism and black history than being forced to grow up in the ghettos.
Yes, women do continue to be discriminated against - and yes, I believe it has taken great efforts and persistence for Hilary to reach the levels she has reached. In fact, I would find it much more likely that Americans will accept a black President who is male, then a white female. Women make up just over half of the adult population and yet, only make up about 20 percent of elected representatives at any level of government!
I won’t pretend to know enough about either Obama or Clinton to say one or the other “deserves” to become President. Nor do I know enough about American politics to have a well formed opinion about these polls.
It IS a shame that this campaign has come down to gender versus race. However, it will be a monumental day if/when either a black man, or a white woman becomes President.
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Barack Obama is a member of the CFR (Council of Foreign Relations), which has brought you such great ideas as the Project for a New American Century. Clinton is a member of the Bilderberg group, which basically runs the show behind the scenes. Either one of them is just the same puppet in a different suit. The only real hope for America was Ron Paul and the media squashed whatever chance he had of winning by running racist hit pieces on him. Barack Obama is no different then any other politician out there right now, what are these big changes he is known for? From every speach and verbatim I’ve seen from him so far he is not promising anything different then the other front runners.
People want change, they are just too focused on the mass media to read between the lines and choose a real candidate.