Posted on 11/10/2008 4:36:51 AM PST by Loud Mime
Barack Obama's election is both an astounding political victory -- and the end of an era for black politics. It is not even 50 years since a group of civil-rights workers challenged racial segregation on interstate bus travel. In 1961, a scared group of young Freedom Riders got on a Greyhound bus in Washington, D.C., to take a trip through Virginia and into the South. In Alabama the bus was bombed, its riders beaten so badly that some suffered brain damage. Attorney General Robert Kennedy worried that racial tensions could spark a second Civil War.
snip
In terms of racial politics, the arc of justice took a breathtaking leap.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Repeal Affirmative Action
Disband the Black Congressional Caucus
No more ANY color or race based ANYTHING!
No difference - the old race pimps & baiters (jackson, sharpton, etc) will continue shaking down everyone they can. Libs will still wring their guilty hands in anguish.
I kind of want to read this but it’s by Juan Williams. Will I actually learn anything or just get my BP up?
The idea of black politics now tilts away [hopefully -- I won't hold my breath] from leadership based on voicing grievance, and identity politics based on victimization and anger. In its place is an era in which it is assumed that talented, tough people of any background will find a way to their rightful seat of power in mainstream political life.
My belief: the new racism is poised for a historic run.
My other belief: Williams is a fool or a tool of the new racism
From the article:
‘The Jesse Jacksons, Al Sharptons and Rev. Jeremiah Wrights remain. But their influence and power fade to a form of nostalgia in a world of larger political agendas, such as a common American vision of setting the nation on a steady economic course and dealing with terrorists. The market has irrevocably shrunk for Sharpton-style tirades against “the man” and “the system.” The emphasis on racial threats and extortion-like demands — all aimed at maximizing white guilt as leverage for getting government and corporate money — has lost its moment. How does anyone waste time on racial fantasies like reparations for slavery when there is a black man who earned his way into the White House?’
Obama was in Wright’s church for 20 years, and he was a major contributor. How is electing Obama a sign that we are beyond Wright? Obama discarded him ONLY when it was politically necessary.
Obama has said the he regards massive new social spending programs as a form of reparations for slavery.
I wonder if Williams even knows he gives Obama so much power over himself. I would bet that it's become such an inherent notion to minorities to see a politician as a "ruler" or a "supreme leader" after so many decades of dependence on them.
“How does anyone waste time on racial fantasies like reparations for slavery when there is a black man who earned his way into the White House?”
Because they are neither rationale nor just in what they seek.
Juan Williams is one of the few liberals who's not a total idiot on race issues. I think what he writes here is right on the money:
Make no mistake, there is still discrimination against people of color in America. And inside black America, there is still disproportionate poverty, school dropouts, criminal activity, incarceration and single motherhood. But with the example of Mr. Obama's achievements, from Harvard Law to the state legislature, U.S. Senate and the White House, the focus of discussion now is how the child of even the most oppressed of racial minorities can maximize his or her strengths and overcome negative stereotypes through achievement. The onus now falls on individuals to take advantage of opportunities. That begins with keeping families together and taking responsibility for the twisted "gangsta" culture that celebrates jail time instead of schooling. With Mr. Obama as the head of government, discussion of racial problems now comes in the form of pragmatic discourse for how to best give all Americans opportunty, for example, how to improve schools.The Jesse Jacksons, Al Sharptons and Rev. Jeremiah Wrights remain. But their influence and power fade to a form of nostalgia in a world of larger political agendas, such as a common American vision of setting the nation on a steady economic course and dealing with terrorists. The market has irrevocably shrunk for Sharpton-style tirades against "the man" and "the system." The emphasis on racial threats and extortion-like demands -- all aimed at maximizing white guilt as leverage for getting government and corporate money -- has lost its moment. How does anyone waste time on racial fantasies like reparations for slavery when there is a black man who earned his way into the White House?
I actually agree with you. I remember Juan from his days on Crossfire. Perhaps he is lying as he moved to Fox, but I actually believe that he is being honest in what he thinks. One can only hope that he is right.
My personal feeling is that we need to find more Juan Williams. A black liberal who is willing to be honest on race issues. Conservatives do not have to be weak kneed like Jack Kemp without preferring that racial issues be discussed about opportunity and responsibility. Do you really want to avoid the fact that Blacks have opportunity now in America? They need to do like everyone else. Go to school, work and stay in a stable family environment.
I do not fear Clarence Thomas, Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams, etal. I would gladly live in an America that were governed by such men. I am tired of whites having to excuse the behavior of “gangsta” blacks and their women who continue to have children without concern to the welfare of them.
Juan Williams wrote a book a couple years ago about race and politics - not the one he has out now. Basically stop blaming white people for everything. He was pilloried by other journalists and black leaders. He was a friend to Tony Snow. Last night I heard him on John Gibson (not knowing who it was) and the person was so reasonable sounding, that when John said it was Juan I thought, oh NOW that makes sense. He is not a knee jerk politician. He said say what you like about President Bush, but under that man’s leadership, we did not have another attack like Sep 11th, and we owe it to him.
This is the article to which I was refering.
and this has to to with what?
i had suggested last night you find this article by Juan Williams.
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