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| President Barack Obama |
I've read several assessments of President Obama's speech yesterday to commemorate the 50th Anniversary Of The March On Washington. The one written by Dr. Peniel Joseph, a respected scholar and author of Dark Days, Bright Nights: From Black Power to Barack Obama ;struck me as the most profound and essentially poses a question that I've certainly wondered about for at least the past 3 years. He begins the article by citing: 'Nice Speech, Obama, but What About Policy'? Dr. Joseph detailed his concerns and provides the facts to substantiate his perspective and that of many who've acknowledged the President's brilliant oratory, yet, are disappointed that his speech wasn't solution focused. Some would argued that the occasion doesn't call for this, however, we've been waiting for some time on this President to make policy(ies) that would show some resolve. *There was also in my opinion that canned and recurring theme of scolding and admonishing the lack of personal responsibility, yet, failing to concede that systemic racism/classism must factor into the problem-solving model(s) and what the latter could do towards a resolution of these timeworn problems.
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| Dr. Peniel Joseph |
I've provided a link to the article and hyperlinked Dr. Joseph's biography and review of the above book. It will provide the reader background on this professor and the research and critical thinking he's provided to the academy and the public on the present administration. He's objective in how he presents his views and one doesn't get the impression that this is driven by personal animus like we've observed in others, e.g., right-wingers, who've been very critical of President Obama.
There is one passage in the article that has revealed an interesting paradox that many of us find exasperating and a never ending dilemma whenever significant symbolic progress is made. It reads:
'The Obamas' move into the White House offers a compelling portrait of
racial progress and change, but underneath this surface is the harsh
reality that racial oppression continues -- in fact, flourishes -- in
many parts of American society.'
Collateral:
A link to Ta-Nehisi Coates' assessment of the speech was added and what I find so intriguing about his assessment is that he recalls a speech written by W.E.B. DuBois in 1897 that this great thinker, later, had misgivings about. In this speech, the onus for change was placed squarely on the backs of newly freed slaves and people of color in this country. He compares that mindset with the President's completely exhausted remarks about (black) personal responsibility. It is truly a must read as well.
Link(s):
Nice Speech, Obama, But What About Policy?
' On the Death of Dreams' by Ta-Nehisi Coates {Analysis of the President's 50th Anniversary Speech}
I'm a frequent viewer of C-Span's Book TV and recently there was an interview with Professor John Jackson regarding his book, Racial Paranoia. As is the case with Book TV, this was a re-airing of the interview which took place four years ago. It was the last 30 minutes of the program and what I heard was somewhat confusing to me and I wasn't exactly sure of the premise. After reading the book, reviews of it and the author's response to a critic of his research and supposition; it seemed a reasonable perspective and one that should be considered. The latter, is especially critical for a better understanding of racial dynamics especially since President Obama took office. I must confess that it was only after reading the blurb by Randall Robinson on the book, whom by the way I highly respect; that I tried to proceed with an open mind. The word paranoia and the phrase 'political correctness' are generating the most concern for me as it relates to the racial dynamics of black folks.
Paranoia is mainly a clinical term for me and one that as a psychotherapist, (retired) believed was used excessively by many mental health professionals when assessing the mental status of African-Americans. This may well be the case today. It's a psychosis with delusions of persecution or grandeur, usually without hallucinations and depending on the nature and degree can lend to dire or dysfunctional consequences for the person and collateral damage for family or others. He emphatically states in his formal talk on the book (see link) that he's not pathologizing black folks and cites that (in my humble opinion) it has become a consequence of race and racism. Political correctness is also a perception I've come to dislike for it's been used to allow folks to say hurtful, insensitive remarks and express skewed views on ethnicity, class and gender issues at times with impunity. The discussion usually begins with..."I know this is politically incorrect but" and with this caveat she or he gets a free pass on denigrating or relating stereotypical views about others. It doesn't matter if the latter is true or not. The author correlates political correctness in alignment with race and racism which supports his thesis on black paranoia. The social definition of paranoia is the tendency of individuals or groups to be excessively suspicious of others which lends to a lack of trust and isolative behaviors toward the identified group. Both clinical and social definitions equal dysfunction and or lack of socialization skills. It's pathological and if any group has reason to be leery of this society's practices; it's people of color. De Cardio racism is another term used to describe hidden viewpoints or nuances about the inferiority of black folks which he goes into detail about and believes this also lends to the state of paranoia. These are views that not only whites have about black people but other people of color as well are victimized by this mindset. Implicit studies are cited and I wrote a post, December 14, 2009 featuring an article by Malcolm Gladwell on the The Implicit Association Harvard Study. The purpose of the study was to expose those hidden feelings we
have about various groups/individuals and the impact of societal norms
and practices on how we view others who may look differently, act
differently and espouse values that may also challenge the "norm".
