As the despotic regime of Robert Mugabe slowly unravels, the content in its rigidly-controlled state media quite accurately reflects the mania of that unfortunate nation’s chief executive. In one of the most outrageous op-eds this news editor has ever read from any country, Nathaniel Manheru writes for The Herald of Zimbabwe about Americas’ new ambassador to that nation. Manheru begins by describing a quip he claims is going around Zimbabwe about America’s Ambassador James McGee:
“When it comes to interests and purpose, he [McGee] is decidedly White. …White America is now so confident of the Whiteness of its Blacks that color is no longer an issue. Color is no longer a perspective. Look at Obama – he could be White America’s next President, and be far better at pushing her agenda than George W. Bush!”
“I reminded this person that Obama was only of use for knocking Clinton out of the race, since she is the real threat to John McCain, but certainly not as a potential President of White America. McGee will deliver Zimbabwe to McCain, the same way Obama will clear the way for McCain’s presidency.”
Manheru also explains how America is able to find people of color willing to represent it abroad:
“America’s multiculturalism arises not from the largeness of its heart, but from the sheer expansiveness of its global imperial designs. It is a weapon of war, which is why America’s citizens of dark color eagerly await overseas aggression to find their place and glory, albeit for a short while.”
By Nathaniel Manheru
May 17, 2008
Zimbabwe – The Herald – Original Article (English)
When James McGee took up his post in Zimbabwe, he made it clear that Zimbabweans should never confuse the tint of his skin with the color of his assignment here. He had come as an agent and representative of the American Government and American interests.
These he would protect and pursue relentlessly – ruthlessly if need be. I hope everyone took note. I certainly did, and I still do. But I also hope that by the same logic, Mr. McGee grants Zimbabwe the same right, free indeed of any obligations suggested by skin pigmentation.
And when it comes to interests and purpose, he is decidedly White. And when it comes to Zimbabwe’s purpose and interests, it is incurably Black. Our paths may never meet. That mush should be clear.
WHEN BLACK IS WHITE
Allow me to favor him with a bit of information. His arrival triggered a debate on why White America had chosen a black covering for its envoy here – and at this point in the history of U.S.-Zimbabwe relations. It is the same question debated here following the appointment of Powell, Rice and Frazer to high posts in the American Administration.
We knew of Mr. McGee’s checkered history in another country in our region [Nigeria], and in Madagascar. We also knew of his role in fighting America’s wars in Vietnam [Air Force pilot].
I remember someone quipping “White America is now so confident of the Whiteness of its Blacks that color is no longer an issue. Color is no longer a perspective. Look at Obama – he could be White America’s next President, and be far better at pushing her agenda than George W. Bush!”
I disagreed vehemently with that reading, reminding the maker of this frivolous point that Zimbabwe and the ruling Zanu-PF retain staunch support within respectable African-African American circles [African Americans that are not descended from slaves]; and that as a matter of fact, many self respecting African-African Americans resent being identified with these Black pastes on America’s stripes and stars. [Those Black Americans that behave like Whites].
I also reminded this person that Obama was only of use since for knocking Clinton out of the race, since she is the real threat to John McCain, but certainly not as a potential President of White America. McGee will deliver Zimbabwe to McCain, the same way Obama will clear the way for McCain’s presidency.
The debate went much further. How should we handle McGee if in pursuit of White America’s interests, he begins to take a hostile line toward Zimbabwe? Again, I reminded those present that McGee would take a hostile line, sooner rather than later.
But I saw no dilemma: we will handle him like a White American, which is what he is, until he limps back home to the anonymity of retirement. But the debate revealed a lingering complex derived from our history. Our incorrigible desire to be nice and good to anyone carrying our complexion makes us susceptible to needless dilemmas.
READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with continuing foreign press coverage of America’s involvement and image in Africa.
Founder and Managing Editor of Worldmeets.US