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Paternal Politics
Now that Jesse Jackson has reassured us about Barack Obama’s genitals, it’s time to consider what prompted the Reverend’s rage–the candidate’s criticism of African-American fathers for failing their children–as part of a larger subtext of this election.
On all sides, it involves issues about American manhood in the 21st century and the troubling rites of passage from one generation to the next.
Start with George W. Bush who was moved to take up a war left unfinished by paternal prudence and turned toward “a higher Father” for guidance.
Enter John McCain, son and grandson of Admirals who, after writing “Faith of My Fathers,” is campaigning for the White House based on the premise that the Head of State in an age of terror should be a reassuring paterfamilias.
Then there is Obama, searching for a father he never knew in “Dreams from My Father” and, in his presidential campaign, calling out men who aren’t there for their children and challenging them to take up their responsibilities.
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3 Responses to “Paternal Politics”
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“Then there is Obama, searching for a father he never knew in “Dreams from My Father”
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I think he is really searching for “blackness” he never knew. And I think that is why Jesse Jackson made that comment…mainly distinguishing mainstream and real-hardship-suffering african americans from Obama.
Am I the only one going to be sick that Obama not only has stolen the persona of the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (one of Jackson's idols) by shamelesslly parroting King's drawl (did he get that accent from Hawaii or Chicago?), and that he plans on making his hoped-for acceptance speech on the anniversary of King Jr.'s?
Pass the Pepto Bismol. I think cutting his whanger off is a bit harsh though….we'll leave that (figuratively) up to the GOP come September.
Interesting angle.
i wonder, though, if the candidates were both women, what psychological ruminations might we not entertain. How would we see a public row between Hillary and Chelsea?
I do differ about Jesse jackson, though. In his moment of petty sniping, the subject of fathers was only peripheral The telling part was 'being talked down to' . Defensive pride reigns everywhere. China doesn't like to be talked down to. Iran demands to be respected. The entire Arab world seethes with resentent about being disrespected and exploited.
i think Jackson was just reacting to criticism of what he sees as his tribe..It's like Americans bristling at others' criticism of America, no matter how much we criticize ourselves.