Race and Politics in America

Hoover Institution ^ | 3/26/08 | Hoover Institution

[thankfultobefree]

Great quote from the article:

... [Shelby] Steele says that despite Obama supporters’ assertions that race does not matter, it is at the very core of his candidacy. "Obama's campaign pretends to transcend race,” Steele says, “but the paradox is that his campaign is all about race–and very little else."

According to Steele, the United States has not eradicated the twin specters of racism and “white guilt” over slavery. Steele contends that, despite outward appearances of competence and prominence, most African-Americans who have found success in mainstream America—politicians in particular—have adopted one of two “masks”: that of the bargainer or that of a challenger. Steele has declared Obama a “bargainer,” someone who, to gain acceptance from whites, is willing to avoid addressing America’s history of racism. “Challengers,” such as Jackson and Sharpton, obtain power by wielding racial stigma to elicit guilt from whites. The confrontational style of challengers, as evidenced by Jackson’s and Sharpton’s failed campaigns, tends to alienate most mainstream voters. ...

(See more here.)

[junta]

Maybe the illustrious Steele could spend his time defining “racism” in exacting terms so the little people out here enjoying so much of my “white privilege” know how far to bow down.

[rmh47]

Maybe the illustrious Steele could spend his time defining “racism” in exacting terms so the little people out here enjoying so much of my “white privilege” know how far to bow down.

Shelby Steele is a serious scholar and a "black conservative." He is, after all, a senior researcher at the Hoover Institute, a conservative think tank. We need more like him.

I encourage you to read more about him and by him.

[TeleStraightShooter]

Considering Dr Steel’s take on the corrosiveness of PC; after reading your tagline I must conclude your post is in jest.

[GodGunsGuts]

...

[junta]

Thank you I should know better than to ask a question.