The State of Black Politics

[msider]

Hi all my name is Steve

I'm 31, a HBCU graduate (FAMU) and a former member of the Democratic Party of Oregon.

Have any of you read this piece by Bruce Dixon on black Agenda Report? I'm attempting to get a temperature check of the black thought on DU.

Here's an excerpt and a link

Black politics, at one time heavily influenced by what Martin Luther King called opposition to the triple evils of racism, militarism, and economic injustice, has shrunken and shriveled under the influence of a new class of corporate funded black political leaders like Corey Booker and Barack Obama.

Black politics ain't about fighting for decent housing or jobs any more. It's not about diverting resources from the war machine to uplifting the downtrodden. It's not about funding education or working for the end of the prison state. It's certainly not about defying unjust laws in the pursuit of just ends, as the Freedom Movement once routinely did.

People forget that King was murdered in Memphis in the middle of a sanitation workers strike in which the National Guard had been called out to patrol the city, and students had stayed home from high school for days to participate in illegal mass actions.

21st century black politics is about electing black politicians, no more and no less. That, and observing Black History Month.

http://blackagendareport.com/content/top-ten-things-have-and-have-not-changed-era-obama

Thanks for reading.
Please weigh in with your thoughts.
I look forward to getting to know you all.

-Steve

[patrice]

1. Pardon my not being Black, and pardon my wondering how you know whom of those replying to your post

are Black or not, on the internet, but I would like to ask you:

- Won't ALL 10 of those things that have not improved under President Obama become insurmountably worse under a President Romney?

- and -

- Seeing as individuals have their own reasons for what they do or don't do, how does Bruce Dixon arrive at statements such as "21st century Black politics is about ..." without appropriate, valid, and reliable research? For example, perhaps we can take Shirley Sherrod as an example of a Black woman, and likely other Black persons, who is/are quite likely pursuing motivations that empower them to address economic justice, not through the medium of Black candidates exclusively, but as opportunities to address Class Warfare. How does Dixon count this possibility as 0?

My questions should NOT detract from the intent of your OP, so just ignore if you wish, since I'm not Black, and I assure you that my feelings won't be hurt.

Just wanted to get on the record here.

[msider]

2. ..

well I have no idea of if the people respond will be black or not. I posted this in the African American forum and just hoped for the best. Really i guess it doesn't matter, it's just a discussion topic

On to your questions...

- Not necessarily. No. I have a problem with the whole Obama vs. the alternative arguments because defining the alternatives is a tactic that elites use to control us.
But I'll give a policy example of what I mean. Have you heard of the TPP? Trans Pacific Partnership? It's like NAFTA on Steroids, it's totally secret, and it empowers those multinational corporations that have been instrumental in facilitating the oppression of the 99.9% of the world's population by the Elites of the world. If Bush or Romney was doing it, their would be a democratic led effort to stop it, but since Obama is doing it, the Democratic Party and it's members are largely silent.

-Well because there are issues in the black community that black people have been wanting to address for a few hundred years and big name pols like Obama, Booker, Ford, etc. refuse to address through the various channels of power that they have access to. As someone who considers themselves a black intellectual I find that I have to constantly point out that militarism, racism in all its forms, corporate power and it's expansion is contradictory to those seeking empowerment especially those of us that belong to the Black Diaspora. Both King and Malcolm X knew this but it's absence from modern day Black political though is troubling. Shirley Sherrod is a good example, but let's not forget, she is in the minority of Obama appointees AND she no longer works for the administration if I'm not mistaken.

[2ndAmForComputers]

4. Check your inbox.

[2ndAmForComputers]

5. It's OK to post in this forum while not being black. I'm not either.

It would only be not OK if one were, say, a KKK apologist. THAT would be quite the chutzpah, wouldn't it?

[nofurylike]

3. no one who would meet those expectations could be elected, and President Obama

knows that. it takes his brilliant finesse to walk those tightropes the vulgarly privileged white-supremacists set up, while still achieving progress unseen in any other presidency.

[1StrongBlackMan]

15. Besides ...

I have a problem with the whole MLK/Any Black Elected Figure comparison.

As an unelected figure, e.g., MLK, one has the freedom to say just about anything that one wishes because your voice (influence/power) is NOT dependant upon your appealing to a broad segment of the population; elected officials do not have this leisure.

[JustAnotherGen]

6. Is it just black politics though?

Black politics ain't about fighting for decent housing or jobs any more. It's not about diverting resources from the war machine to uplifting the downtrodden. It's not about funding education or working for the end of the prison state. It's certainly not about defying unjust laws in the pursuit of just ends, as the Freedom Movement once routinely did.

The past year or two I've seen shifts in all Americans - some white Americans have shifted to the TEA Party.

But some have also started to wake up and smell the Elite. I.E. "I as a lower middle class white man have more in common with a black lower middle class man than I will ever have with the Koch Brothers."

And then again - I don't think that President Obama could have come in as "I'm a black President and I'm going to put black people's issues first and foremost."

After more than 200 years we see what that has created in this country - i.e. - ALL the people prior to President Obama who said, "I'm a rich white male President and I'm going to put rich white mens' issues first".

Look at the mess this country is in. . .

Are there things I will argue up one side of someone and down another? Yep. But I'm cutting this guy some slack. Specifically President Obama.

He can't get a jobs bill passed by those tools in the House that would put a LOT of people back to work regardless of the color of their skin and I'm calling it out . . . those rich white guys in the house don't like his 'tone' so they aren't letting the black man help ANY Americans - let alone those of us who share his racial/ethnic heritage.

As an aside -this is not a 'protected' group at DU - but in addition to not allowing KKK apologist posts - you will see heavy push back against anyone who claims white privilege doesn't exist.

You and me - we KNOW it exists. But white privilege says things like: Listen to me so I can tell you how you feel and think is wrong because my group has ALWAYS been the ones to tell YOU what you should or should not think and how dare you get uppity and think for yourself.

That said - welcome - and thanks for thinking for yourself.

[onpatrol98]

9. Not a chance...

Quote:

"I don't think that President Obama could have come in as "I'm a black President and I'm going to put black people's issues first and foremost."

Definitely not! Just look at the Skip Gates incident. I wish the years before Republicans took over the House and won seats in the Senate had gone differently. I would've loved to have seen a different agenda during his very first year...when we had not only the majority, but a mandate.

Of course, in my mind, I have also toyed with the idea of a President Michelle Obama. But, that's just me.

[Number23]

7. Hi Steve, welcome to the AA forum!

If Black Agenda Report came out in print edition, I wouldn't use it for toilet paper.

Personally, I would love to see a moratorium on foreclosures and some of the other stuff mentioned in the article. But these guys have staked a living on being as hyper-critical and deranged in their need to criticize every step this president has made. I have absolutely no idea who they think they're audience is (white liberals that hold the same racists thoughts as their conservative cousins but just don't know it?) but it's definitely a group that has long since said goodbye to reality.

Appreciate the discussion you've started.

[nofurylike]

10. +1000 Hear! Hear!! "I wouldn't use it for toilet paper."

and also so very insightful:

I have absolutely no idea who they think they're audience is (white liberals that hold the same racists thoughts as their conservative cousins but just don't know it?)

as we have been shown, there is a LOT of money and vanity-stroking in being a black person willing to bless, 'legitimize' the racism of white liberals.


you always get to the root, dear #23

[Number23]

11. NAILED it.

as we have been shown, there is a LOT of money and vanity-stroking in being a black person willing to bless, 'legitimize' the racism of white liberals.

Tell it. Alot of money, fame, "prestige" including seats on the board and committees of some of the most "prestigious" and lily white orgs in existence that have thoroughly convinced themselves that the reason everyone is white within their org is because I guess no one else "understands what they're trying to achieve."

When I wrote I have no idea who the audience is for BAR, I meant that. I seriously have no clue. Because it really does seem that the only people who give Black Agenda Report the time of day are very much missing the first characteristic of the name of the publication. And as far as I'm concerned, that really does tell me all I need to know.

[nofurylike]

13. so very well said, Number23!! YES:

including seats on the board and committees of some of the most "prestigious" and lily white orgs in existence that have thoroughly convinced themselves that the reason everyone is white within their org is because I guess no one else "understands what they're trying to achieve."

yes yes yes yes yes!! perfectly put!!!

it really does seem that the only people who give Black Agenda Report the time of day are very much missing the first characteristic of the name of the publication. And as far as I'm concerned, that really does tell me all I need to know.

and YES!!!

thank you, dear Number23!!
i don't get much chance to post these days, with election season in full swing. i try to read, though, whenever possible. i can not tell you how much i love coming here and reading anything you post!!! :bowing:

[onpatrol98]

8. Welcome!

Welcome Steve!

I think the notion of black politics is a myth. I place it in the same little box that I place the notion that black people have black leaders. Although I am a democrat and just about every other black person I know is a democrat, I am not offended when I run into black republicans. I believe black people are interested in decent housing and jobs. We still want better educational opportunities for our children. But, I also believe one tool used to acquire these necessities is by electing politicians who have the same goal in mind. But, that is one tool among many.

I don't know Bruce Dixon, so I can't know why he's written this article. It sounds like he's frustrated and I definitely know that feeling. I can only "assume" he wrote it to elicit a strong response from black readers. And, I have no doubt he will get it. Is there such a thing as white politics? Hispanic Politics? Asian Politics? Black people can and should use any method that brings them peace to affect meaningful change. Ten different black people may use ten different methods to achieve the same goal. Or, one black person may use ten different methods.

So, I think Bruce should calm himself. Black people are capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. Black politics never existed. But, black people have always combined their efforts to achieve their goals and used whatever means necessary to get it done. And, Martin knew better than most what electing the right President could mean for his people. At the same time Martin Luther King was using sit-ins, Malcolm X was wondering what was wrong with him and wanting stronger action. We're a dynamic people.

[Blue_Tires]

12. The problem I have with these types of pieces

is that they're always long on the bitching and moaning (I realize some of the things he brings up are completely legit), and very, very short of ideas or proposals for what to do...

A year ago when morons were fantasizing about Obama getting some primary challenge from a mythical leftist savior; their columns and blog pieces read almost exactly the same...

[nofurylike]

14. outstanding replies all through this thread. thank you for posing the

questions, Steve.

and welcome