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Diminishing The Black Dude

Posted by TYRONE STEELS II, Site Administrator in Politics.
Mar 11th, 2008 | Comments

HEY BLACK FOLKS! THE PRESIDENCY IS A CINCH SINCE YOU’RE BLACK!

As fellow co-blogger Pete Abel pointed out, former Democratic vice-president candidate Geraldine Ferraro thinks that Senator Obama is where he is in this nomination process simply because he’s a black dude (courtesy of The Daily Breeze):

When the subject turned to Obama, Clinton’s rival for the Democratic Party nomination, Ferraro’s comments took on a decidedly bitter edge.

“I think what America feels about a woman becoming president takes a very secondary place to Obama’s campaign - to a kind of campaign that it would be hard for anyone to run against,” she said. “For one thing, you have the press, which has been uniquely hard on her. It’s been a very sexist media. Some just don’t like her. The others have gotten caught up in the Obama campaign.

“If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position,” she continued. “And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept.” Ferraro does not buy the notion of Obama as the great reconciler.

What I see here is very sick stupidity with a dollop of “Hillary is my candidate and Barack, you’re no Hillary”-itis. Ms. Ferraro, he’s a black man whose full name is Barack Hussein Obama. He still has to shake off stereotypes about his race along with being associated with radical Islamists and Wahhabism because of his middle name. Senator Barack Hussein Obama (I think his full name sounds spiffy) has received 13+ million votes this season by majority white Americans. So are you saying that all those wonderful white folks (no disrespect to all the other races that voted for him) just gave Senator Obama a pass and voted for him out of sympathy? That’s asinine. Obviously they support Senator Obama’s candidacy because he’s connected with them (just like Senator Clinton has connected with her supporters). That’s not sympathy. That’s support, dear Geraldine.

Ferraro’s comments rubbed me the wrong way since I’ve had several experiences as an information technology manager where some white co-workers felt I only achieved manager since I was black. In fact I overheard one conversation where one guy said that “management doesn’t want black people to sue so they caved in and hired him”. Just diminishing my degree and six professional IT certifications. I swallowed my anger and proceeded to treat them with respect without letting my bitterness show. After a year of tense situations where I led my team through layoffs and customer escalations, I noticed that those same folks looked at me much different. They didn’t have to say anything. It was a look of respect. While I appreciate their respect, I didn’t appreciate being diminished because of my race.

Geraldine Ferraro should know better being a woman. I’ve seen subtle and blatant sexism. It stinks. And if you can’t support your exceptional candidate, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, without diminishing her opponent with the “he’s lucky to be a black dude” spin, then maybe your support isn’t worth a pot to piss in.

UPDATE #1

It’s obvious that the emotion from Senator Clinton and Senator Obama supporters is at a very high level. And among my family, we predicted that this could happen since you have two groups in America that has never been this close to presidency. That being said, supporters from both sides need to take a planet-sized CHILL PILL. But knowing human nature, I expect more stupidity flying from the mouths of some Clinton and Obama supporters.

UPDATE #2

Doing a little more thinking about this situation, I’m seeing the humor in all of this. Black man has it easy in running for POTUS? If that was the case, Minister Louis Farrakhan should have just walked into the White House and asked President Clinton for the keys during the Million Man March.

Wait! President Clinton was our first black president! And it was so hard for him he had to turn into a white dude to win! I can have too much fun with this now.

UPDATE #3

Thanks to fellow co-blogger Elrod for Geraldine Ferraro’s clarification of her remarks:

“Any time anybody does anything that in any way pulls this campaign down and says let’s address reality and the problems we’re facing in this world, you’re accused of being racist, so you have to shut up,” Ferraro said. “Racism works in two different directions. I really think they’re attacking me because I’m white. How’s that?”

Wow! That response is just rich. Now she’s the victim of racism because people are calling her out about her comments? Wow squared. Here’s how wrong Ferraro is: the Clinton Campaign tore Senator Obama a new nostril before the Ohio and Texas primaries. And that plan of attack was successful and DID NOT INVOLVE RACE. Senator Obama then proceeded to whine a little about the increased press coverage, but never complained that RACE WAS THE FACTOR. So what in Mount Olympus is Geraldine Ferraro talking about? Where’s the “Obama the Slinger of Racist Tags” during arguably his toughest test this campaign season? Sorry. No dice.

You’re right Elrod. She’s jumped the shark and is a liability to Senator Clinton. It isn’t fair to Senator Clinton but Senator Obama had to distance himself with extreme prejudice from the Minister Louis Farrakhan even though Farrakhan isn’t contributing a feather to Campaign Obama. Ol’ Geraldine’s contributing much more than a feather to Campaign Clinton. Rules are rules.

Holly_in_Cincinnati

Since I'm a Jewish lesbian who LOOKS like a Jewish lesbian, I understand.

cosmoetica

T: Ferraro is just the latest Hill supporter experiencing an 'I'm melting, I'm melting' moment.

Holly appears to be following suit.

Slamfu

Seriously, thats a comment I expect coming from Rush. How unbelievably obtuse can you get.

Holly_in_Cincinnati

There's no shortage of stupidity flowing from the mouths of people who speak (write, keyboard) before they think.

Cosmo: I suggest that you stop attacking TMV bloggers right now.

DLS

This is the current issue. It explains the attitude in both "camps."

http://iemweb.biz.uiowa.edu/graphs/graph_DConv0...

kritt11

She's an old generation Democrat-- who thinks pandering to the black population is the name of the game---not--gasp--actually having a black president, LOL!

Remember the fuss when Biden made similar comments? They are in the same age range.

DLS

Obama-Ferraro 2008

Better luck this time. Plus, a woman's place is second. [Rel Right crossover votes]

[^ satanic grin]

JSpencer

T, you're right to find the humor in it, the alternative is much less useful. I think Kritt is partly right in the attitude having a generational component, but I suspect that explanation isn't one that prevails in the end. There is plenty of time ahead to resolve those issues which boil down to conflicts of loyalty. When the dust settles and people understand the choice is between either a chance or more of the same, then we'll see bygones I think.

cosmoetica

Holly: Cosmo: I suggest that you stop attacking TMV bloggers right now.

I'm not attacking bloggers, but pointing out the biased and hate-based things you've been writing the last few weeks.

Chill, it's only an election between politicians. The day after, the planet will keep rotating, as it has these 8 years with Bush. But, if you make a fool of yourself, don't chide others for laughing.

I suggest you read what T Steel wrote: 'That being said, supporters from both sides need to take a planet-sized CHILL PILL. But knowing human nature, I expect more stupidity flying from the mouths of some Clinton and Obama supporters.'

ChrisWWW

This fits in well with the Clinton strategy since the S. Carolina primary. Essentially, you paint Obama as the "black candidate" and try to depict yourself as stemming the tide of the people of color.

Combine that with her insistence that states don't count if she didn't win them, and it's clear she will do just about anything to win. Hillary supporters that reject Republican campaign tactics should definitely reexamine their own candidate.

Holly_in_Cincinnati

Cosmo: I do not write "biased and hate-based things. " The way you see what I write has more to do with YOU than it does with me. Please refrain from attacking TMV bloggers and commenters.

DLS

"She's an old generation Democrat" ["moderate" or "centrist" on this site]

That's it, exactly. There goes the youth vote -- even more. And Clinton is up there in years even though she's a Boomer like Obama (called "post-boomer" by so many exhibiting a need for qualification and even weighting of the suffrage).

Many just don't trust anyone over, oh, fifty (the new Hill one goes over even though seventy is the real Hill and onset of real retirement age and true older age by the late seventies). Much of the problem is that these older people tend to be the incumbents in Washington, which is rightly seen as so much of the problem there.

elrod

T,
You need to add Ferraro's "clarifying" remarks. She's now officially jumped the shark and become a full-on liability for Hillary Clinton.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_8533832

Quote:

"Any time anybody does anything that in any way pulls this campaign down and says let's address reality and the problems we're facing in this world, you're accused of being racist, so you have to shut up," Ferraro said. "Racism works in two different directions. I really think they're attacking me because I'm white. How's that?"

This is the feminist version of Jesse Helms' "White Hands" ad.

DLS

Ferraro-Schlafly 2008

GeorgeSorwell

I will be happy to vote for either Hillary Clinton or Barrack Obama.

Naturally, I wish the nominating process was over by now. I think the fact that it isn't over, though unfortunate, is a reflection of the fact that they are both strong candidates.

I can't wait to vote!

cosmoetica

Holly: Cosmo: I do not write "biased and hate-based things. " The way you see what I write has more to do with YOU than it does with me. Please refrain from attacking TMV bloggers and commenters.

Again, I've not attacked any bloggers or commenters. You are just trying to sidestep your actions in writing, comments of which many others, in many other threads, have rightfully taken you to task for. Therefore, it IS you and your comments, not the way others perceive them.

Again, read T Steel's comment: 'That being said, supporters from both sides need to take a planet-sized CHILL PILL. But knowing human nature, I expect more stupidity flying from the mouths of some Clinton and Obama supporters.'

DLS

"take a planet-sized CHILL PILL"

That applies to "Hill Shill" insults and slander more than to other things posted here. Take note.

JSpencer

Hmmm... based on Ferraro's theory, I might well have seen a boost to my income and career had I been black rather than white, and without any change in actual job performance! Wow! Ya know, one thing about this race, it's really bringing some of the nuts out of the woodwork and into the fore, which I have to believe is, on some level, a good thing.

Slamfu

"I think the fact that it isn't over, though unfortunate, is a reflection of the fact that they are both strong candidates."

I think it has more to do with a rediculously drawn out process. This should all be over in one day. Can you imagine running the general election this way?

GeorgeSorwell

Slamfu--

I don't think anyone expected it to be this way. Normally there's a clear front runner long before the time anyone clinches the delegate count.

I think the idea of having it all over in one day--having all the primaries/caucuses on the same day, I guess--is worth considering.

And of course not all general elections run too smoothly, either.

Clinton or Obama: I can't wait to vote for one of them!

domajot

Can we just agree on one minor, but important, point?
What we hear is not necessarily what is said. Between what is spoken and what is heard lies an ocean of iinterpretation, consisting of personal and cultural experiences.and predilections. We are all captives of our personal perceptions while remaining blingdand deaf to the perceptions of others.

Whether by design or chance, Obama has become a symbol of several things, one of these being the nations's desire to put racial bigotry behind us. Being a symbol is a heavy burden as it pertains to hyyped expectations, but it also has advnatages. A symbolic figure can draw attention and support for what the symbol represents, not exclusively because of persoanl worth.
Thomas Jefferson, for example, is revered for what his enlightened thinking reapresents symbolicaly, not for the concuct of his personal life.

What I just said is a simple OBSERVATION. It is not intended to be the definitive assessment of symols, Obama or Jefferson.

What is happening is that it is not safe to meke simple observations in the current atmosphere. Every spoken word is seized on, interpreted, regurgitated and spun into a stratosphere totally unrelated to the initial observation. There is no time for thoughtful reflection, because the next delicious fight, about the most recent spoken, or written word, is about to begin.

By caving in to the delights of warfare, we miss every golden opportunity to deepen our understanding of the issues we are fighing about.

T-Steel; presented his observation. I expressed a different take, but our observations are not mutually exclusive. They are views from diffferent angles, and together, they make a more complete picture than either observation standing on its own.

Yeah, I know, can't we just all get along?
Before you scoff, though, isn't that Obama's message?

StockBoySF

doma- I agree with you- each voter brings his/her unique perspective to the process. I've posted on here before that it's important for all voters to understand their candidates. Too many people vote for a candidate based on one or two narrow issues, or a candidate's personality. Voters who put time into learning about the candidates and bring their own experiences into the decision process will elect the best candidate. (Though this process is really hurt by candidates who change their position just to get votes.)

I'd also like to note that on the one hand people talk about the FL and MI delegates being disenfranchised, but on the other hand people would prefer the primary be over. Many of these people would have been too happy for the candidate to be decided by either Super Tuesday, then TX/OH, now it's PA.

I think it's important that all voters have their say. So it's important that all states vote and contribute to the nominating process. Right now the Republicans have their nominee (well, not "officially" but for all intents and purposes the R's have their candidate), which leaves all those other voters in states which have yet to vote as being disenfranchised- if they all voted for Huckabee, for instance, then McCain would still get the nomination. Even though I wish the process were over, I do think it is very healthy to have a period of time to look at the candidates, see how they respond, etc.

Obviously a day is too short for this process, but perhaps the primary season can be shortened from, like forever (well... 6 months- Jan. - June) to perhaps six weeks or two months, which gives the candidates time to travel and debate, and doesn't draw out the process month after month.

The good thing about this long process is that the Dem voters are able look at the candidates and everyone gets a say. Too bad the process is too long.

TheGrandPanjandrum

Ben Smith at Politico reports Ferraro is quoted as saying this in 1988:

Placid of demeanor but pointed in his rhetoric, Jackson struck out repeatedly today against those who suggest his race has been an asset in the campaign. President Reagan suggested Tuesday that people don't ask Jackson tough questions because of his race. And former representative Geraldine A. Ferraro (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that because of his "radical" views, "if Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn't be in the race."

It's very disheartening to hear fellow Democrats saying these kinds of things. This election really has brought out the worst in many Democrats.

TheGrandPanjandrum

ACK! Html! Oh no!

Ferraro quote:

Placid of demeanor but pointed in his rhetoric, Jackson struck out repeatedly today against those who suggest his race has been an asset in the campaign. President Reagan suggested Tuesday that people don't ask Jackson tough questions because of his race. And former representative Geraldine A. Ferraro (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that because of his "radical" views, "if Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn't be in the race."

As i said above this is really sad.

domajot

Concerning this post's last update:

Ferraro was not directing her remarks at Obama, It was a reaction to the firestorm in the press.
I think we all need to be more careful when we read the between the lines,lest we read what isn't there.

It's easy to fan the flames of ututal hate. Putting the fire out, not so much.

T_Steel

Domajot, you bring up some very good points. And as I explained in my post, Ferraro's comments hit me hard since I've been on the end of the "he was hired only because he's black" mess. But Ferraro's answer that the press is racist because they "called her out" on her comments is just dumb. And Ferraro threw out the whole "your branded a racist for criticizing Senator Obama's campaign". I'm sure there are a segment of knee-jerk Obama supporters that throw out "racism" at the drop of a dime, but the campaign itself does not do that.

shaun

There is some irony here since Geraldine had to fight back against the stereotype that all Italians were associated with the Mafia in 1988 and a whispering campaign that her husband and his family was mobbed up.

cosmoetica

DLS: 'That applies to "Hill Shill" insults and slander'

You're doing it again, conflating legit crit of Holly's or other's positions (such as her posts w/o substance) with a something that has legal and financial penalties. Subtlety's never been your strong point, though.

Doma: 'Being a symbol is a heavy burden as it pertains to hyyped expectations, but it also has advnatages. A symbolic figure can draw attention and support for what the symbol represents, not exclusively because of persoanl worth.'

The problem is that the Hill Shillers portray O only as a symbol, whereas he has more experience, his plans are as detailed, and his campaign has been positivist. That's more than mere symbolism. As they'd say in '84- There's the beef.

Ferraro has always been a hack; which explains why she's working on the Hillary campaign.

jdledell

If Ferraro's comments were just a one off thing, I would be more understanding. However, according to Politico's Ben Smith, Ferraro made similar comments in 1988 about Jesse Jackson. She said: "If Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn't be in the race,"

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0308/A_F...

This coupled with current comments about attacking her because she is white makes me believe she is a confirmed, dedicated racist. Whether it is a generational thing or not, it has no business being injected into our current political atmosphere. For Clinton to just "disagree" is insufficient - she must disavow Ferraro's racism.

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