OBAMA'S BLACK FACE MOMENT

I am going to keep this entry short, and you all know I am not short for words about serious ISSUE to concern ME but this one I had just put out there for Blogger Opinion.

I was mid-way with a New Blog posting with my take on Rev. Jeremiah Wrights speech during the past weekend's NAACP affair and his Press Questioning and Answer Session when I saw on television the HOT OFF THE PRESS AND BREAKING NEWS that Barak Obama condemns his Pastor. He is quoted as suggesting that Rev. Wright’s “performance” was an OUTRAGE and his "comments were not only divisive and destructive”.

Was he talking about Rev. Jeremiah Wright or Flava Flav?

"I’m outraged by the comments that were made and saddened over the spectacle that we saw yesterday." I find these comments appalling. It contradicts everything that I’m about and who I am. They offend me, they rightly offend all Americans and they should be denounced. That’s what I am doing very clearly and unequivocally here today." – Barak Obama

I know we are talking about Obama's denouncing of his pastor as all Politics but in rejecting Rev. Wright, not only does he reject his own Spiritual Compass, but the Black Church, Black History and a larger body of Black folk and their connection to America through the Church and him.

“In the past, we were taught to see others who are different as somehow being deficient. Christians saw Jews as being deficient. Catholics saw Protestants as being deficient. Presbyterians saw Pentecostals as being deficient.

Folks who like to holler in worship saw folk who like to be quiet as deficient. And vice versa. Whites saw black as being deficient. It was none other than Rudyard Kipling who saw the "White Man's Burden" as a mandate to lift brown, black, yellow people up to the level of white people as if whites were the norm and black, brown and yellow people were abnormal subspecies on a lower level or deficient.” - Rev Jeremiah Wright

Barak Obama is an American so it's hard for me to accept and or see why he has to continue to prove to be American to everyone else when he only has to just BE. The one issue I have always had with those following Obama and love him as their candidate is that the see him as ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE. The one thing about those that are ALL THINGS is that they often fail ALL THE TIME TO ALL PEOPLE. Obama is a MAN and like Men he is flawed which is why he has FAITH and in his FAITH, he worships DIFFERENTLY. And in the words of Rev. Wright, Different isn't Deficient.

I don't feel sorry for Barak Obama in regards to his rejection to Rev. Jeremiah Wright, I feel "sadden" for for HIM.

When you are diminished by YOUR Nation, pressured, manipulated away from your Spiritual Compass, that one person also being your "father figure", a Nation that has you denounce your Spiritual Leader, a leader that has connected you to your CHURCH and your Spiritual FAMILY and have you reject this before the WORLD, if you are willingly or even reluctantly, IN MY OPINION it shows a weakness in Character for one's FAITH. One should not have sympathy from AMERICA (the very Nation whom invented the concept of Freedom of Speech, Expression, and Religion) or Black Christians on this subject because both did not bother to question and allowed this treatment to fall upon a citizen, let alone Barak Obama. And to chock this up to those that are Christians and proudly speak within their “Faith” say, "He had to say this for "Political Reasons", speaks volumes to their hypocrisy comparing them to those who do not like the Clinton's and express that they "will do anything to win". This Black Face Moment now becomes Obama's “Anything To Win" moment”.

I can't see how a MAN, guided by his Faith can dismiss his beliefs for MAN'S LAW unless his Faith was a means to an Opportunity. For those that do not know, Trinity is a VERY powerful and influential CHURCH in Chicago and in the Midwest just as Ebenezer is in the South and Abyssinian is in the North. When you become a member of these Churches you are a standing member in a LONG STANDING HISTORY of Social, Political and Economic Change in America. To reject that, you do more than distancing, you begin to open eyes, ears and hearts to a HUGE SUPPORT NETWORK.

Rev. Wright stated that he is a Man of Faith and that his service is to that of GOD where as Obama is a Politician who must speak to the people and has to say whatever it takes to be a Politician.

I agree with Rev. Wright on this point, and thus Obama's dilemma for Being All Things To All People is careening into a Brick Wall. The thing about Being All Things to All People is that you eventual FAIL ALL PEOPLE IN ALL THINGS.

Obama should have stayed on message. HE HAD ADDRESS TO AMERICA HIS VIEWS AND HIS PURPOSE. He has published Books, did Interviews, made Speeches, has had 21 Debates, presented his Tax Records, presented his DNA and Family Tree so now he has to GET RID OF HIS MORAL COMPASS in order to walk straight? BULLSHYT!!!

"He continues his commentary about Rev. Jeremiah Wright: "As I see it, if a strong, controversial black man in America is not kissing the asses of cynics and aggressively-patriotic white America or submissively acquiescing himself as 'Toby' like Kunta Kinte in Roots, he is ostracized and electronically lynched. It is unfortunate that when sad truths are revealed about America - despite all of the good she has done in the world – people cannot see the truth because they are ridiculously and blindly patriotic. They are in deep denial. In my opinion, Reverend Wright has been vilified and 'caricatured' because he has spoken the truth about America not being utopia. It’s time for Americans to take the blinders off." -- Shay Posted on Booker Raising 4/30/2008

THE FATE OF BLACK LOYALTY Part II

In this election between Clinton vs. Obama, the radical knowledge of party loyalty has the Black community stressed at its foundations. The notion that one can, might, should or be threatened is becoming a "psychological conflict" that can reverberate and affect the true sight and vision for what Black people need to focus on as the Deeper issues of America. Words such as "Betrayal", "Hypocrite", and "Judas" are terms that speak to those Black people that would question Obama’s legitimacy or just the very basics of his commitment to the Black community in the form of Political Demands, is cascading into a psychological backlash of an Us vs. Us conflict. The argument has become more about WHO will be in the White House as oppose to the "whose mindset" is in the White House. In doing this, Black folk miss the big picture with that being that OTHER peoples are extending their votes with DEMANDS and Blacks are being portrayed and accused of ignoring the Accountability and the Power behind putting a Black person in office with their Passion as oppose to their Logic behind voting. By tradition, America has had the luxury of voting with Passion, but under current circumstances and the Bush Administration’s dismantling of America, logic as well as caution, is now merited.

Obama holds Black experiences, agendas, expectations and their demanding of accountability to the very root of the vote and the only capital to PAY IT FORWARD as his only guarantee. Many Blacks earlier in the political campaign held this against Obama when he limited his speeches and physical appearance in Black communities. So initially their belief for their Vote for him was worth but a lump of coal in their eyes. The means by which Black folk don’t get hurt, as well as stay focused on the DEEPER issues, Hillary Clinton had the opportunity of numbers by Obama’s initial absence. Knowing that Black folk were not always for Obama, Hillary Clinton, running a smarter and bolder campaign than her husband, Bill Clinton, pushed a strategy was to continue catering to the community Demands of Blacks and thus re-open a dialogue for Bartering for the votes of Brown folk. Those Voters caught in the middle or undecided, for both Hillary and Obama have the ability to see through Race and Gender to bring those people together to get beyond the past and bring them over to either side. As the campaign progressed, I saw an interview with Michelle Obama where she was asked about the Black Vote. Without paraphrasing, her response pretty much was that she was not worried about the Black Vote. She had gone on to state that Black people know what time it was and how important it was to Black People to support her husband.

Soon after that interview, there was the rally with Oprah in South Carolina, visits to HBCU's, a visit to the Apollo in Harlem New York, pulpit appearances at Ebenezer Baptist Church, television appearances discussing his ties to Kenya, Africa and the contrasting principles, approach and image of Obama’s style as oppose to polarizing people such as Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Louis Farrakhan, or Andrew Young. The marketing into the Black community was placed in overdrive because as the last pat of the Obama campaign, you need your MOST loyal base to complete the Machine. So as History has determined, once Black Voters saw that Whites were willing to support Obama, unlike his Black predecessors; Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, the cast was made and Hillary Clinton lost her most loyal fans. Since Latin Voters do not know Obama and he has not campaigned to them what he wanted besides their LOYALTY, a platform of community wants (which is still too early in a presidential race) and a dialogue hasn’t been made, "yet".

In light of all the conflict over who is voting for whom, there is a reality that no candidate, no matter what side of the argument you are on, for Obama to want to be the catalyst or icon for CHANGE, he must be willing to accept the Criticism that comes when he preaches to become leader of the Free World. For Black folk, this criticism is necessary and part of the process, which means a level of “indifference” to RACE, has to blanket the over-charged racial consciousness that is justifiably shared by All. If Obama campaigns in an absence of his RACE, than Black folk have to accept his criticism with an absence as well. Even Obama states he isn’t running as a BLACK President but as President of the United States of America. Disenfranchised as Black folk may seem to be, an insignificant part of what is needed for that journey to be President, any candidate using that State of Being (socially or psychologically) for the use of running for the presidency, Blacks MUST criticize, examine, talk about, understand …. CHALLENGE him or her to the end. Cornell West stated in the recent State of the Black Union 2008 convention that he has much love and support for his Brother Obama and he has gone all over the country to show his support. West goes on to say that although he supports Obama all the way to the Presidency, the day after he takes office, he will start to criticize him because that is what we do as Americans. This is how we keep ALL Politicians honest.

Do you LIKE me through your politics or do your LOVE me through your politics is the only answer that has to be satisfied in the end? If this question isn't answered to the humanity of Black people, then ALL VOTERS RESERVE the right to hold out until the RIGHT PERSON comes calling. Be it a Barak Obama, a Hillary Clinton or a John McCain.

No matter how you look at the process, as it stands right now, Loyalty is the dominant social and political omen affecting the Black Vote today. When you hear and experience people who are threaten for whom they support or are physically attacked for their affiliation prior to the primaries, you have to look at the emotions behind those actions. The issues can be tied to pride and or Race, but it can also be tied to desperation and longing to put things right with the Soul of America. It is said that Black people have survived the injustices of America by holding on to their Humanity. Black Intellectuals have argued that to understand the state of America you need only look to it’s poor which is disproportionately the Black and Brown population of America. The economics and politics that creates the social barriers pertaining to the under belly of a nation, details the disconnect of the leadership of a TOP DOWN Government. In theory, America is an inclusive experiment of participatory governments (i.e. REPUBLICS), in theory and yet from its inception, it began with a taint of Old European prejudices and moral and religious discontent towards Class. Race was never a consideration for the ethnic make up of a peoples' nation since Non-Whites were considered sub-human, un-Godly and ultimately disposable merchandise. And yet these people of Color and Creed were expected to give unwavering LOYALTY to a people and a system of government hypocritically faithful to Itself. Fast-forward 400 years later and a movement to stab at the very heart of that Constitutional inclusion is creating a tone and tenor for one part Excitement, one part Healing, one part Panic and one part Anger. In essence, OLD lines are being erased or moved back to new dimensions and NEW lines are being created and moved into the place of that old line. For Black folk, that line is the CLASS DIVIDE.

How loyal are Black folk when you talk culture, politics, religion, gender and class? In the past, Pre-Obama era, Black folk’s only divide for debate may have come internally from Class but externally, the "in" for Blacks politically was RELIGION. Republicans studied this, used it and marketed heavily into the Spirituality of the Black community knowing this was the only avenue left for courting the Black Vote. This being as such, Religion was the only means by which one could shake up a debate within Black culture (the good, the bad and the ugly), gender (family values, homosexuality, marriage), politics (breaking the traditional bond between democrat and the church) and class (linking church, private corporation and community empowerment) and had been used by both sides for years. That was then. Now, after being socially and economically burned and spiritually used, that opportunity has come and gone and CLASS is now the final divide which can potentially be Black folks redeemer or annihilation as it relates to Self-determination. And those that parley on the sides for Capitalizing on the Black Class Divide may find that in doing so, Black folk will no longer be as forgiving, especially if that play on the Divide, is tactically old, obvious and presumed.

As consummate FORGIVERS, Black folk are quickly becoming a people who can begin turning backs on those within the community and leaving it that way. Those they consider toxic and ill-intentioned to the elevation of the community will no longer get a PASS for being BLACK and as such, will have to fall into place before receiving the NEW BENEFITS that will come with a Black America of the 21st Century. The learning curve can and will be quick “IF” the community can get past the Hillary vs. Obama phenomenon. You see, POWER can be benevolent and it can be self-destructive. In Black folk’s bid to have it their way (a Black President) the PRIZE can be lost if those needed are turned away or turned off. In the in-fighting to give Obama his opportunity, which is Black Opportunity (historically), which is a Party Opportunity (Democrat), which is a National Opportunity (a new direction) and a Global Opportunity (the healing of International relations) we can splinter the Democratic process, weaken the chance of a unified Party and allow the old guard to continue as is. Ultimately, the HIGHS of the Black community can come crashing down like a house of cards with those emotions and political frustrations being taken out on those Politicians that look most like them.

So this is also a question that needs to be address. The “what if” aspect of not getting what you want, the healing from dreams deferred. Langston Hughes wrote in his much beloved and most notable poem, “A Dream Deferred” about the effects of dreams not met and the residual emotions left behind. The poem’s last lines read:

Maybe it just sags
Like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Does it explode? Like bombs randomly placed through out the political system, disrupting the short and long-term political futures of all those currently in office. The one true thing about explosives, the effects are usually permanent. Can Black folk afford that type of political destruction? And if so, is this or will it be Progress? The casualties will be deep and extended exponentially. Are Black folk mature enough with this new BURST OF VOTING POWER to know the differences between the long term Good Politician and the Short term Politician with hidden agendas? Can Black folk re-align and re-direct a Political agenda with its co-companions, sometimes competitor, Brown folk? And when do a standard procedure of DEMAND making be places before the NEXT elected officials as a customary procedure for doing Political business in the Black community?

To avoid “deferment” simple steps to relieve the weight of not knowing or the explosion of an out pouring of anger and violence toward one’s opposing voting decision, know that whomever is selected to lead, you know that their state of mind will allow for community DEMANDS to be met; Democrat, Independent, Republican, Black, Latin, Asian, White and or Female.

The specter of past wrongs in America; Class, Imperialism, Manifest Destiny, Jim Crow, assisted Genocide and Nation Building has imprinted itself upon the lands globally stunting the self-determination of many cultures, many countries and many religions. There is a new theory for Self-Determination for Black America for the 21st Century. Although the old philosophies and social theories have value, taking this aspects and applying them to an increasing Global Economy, International conflict, an Open and Free Economy, Open Boarders, and slow but stirring re-connections to Africa, the improvements for Black Americans require The Right Diagnosis to new issues. New loyalties and greater demands will be made of Wealthy and Influential Blacks. Even at the breaking of traditional ties and the taking back of generational wealth from those whom supported Black folk in the 20th Century will necessitate the continuation of Black Communities through transparency historical records and reclaimed ownership. These are not threats; they are all the end results of an America becoming AMERICA, what the Bush Administration has opened up to the people as it participated in opening up the Pandora’s Box of lies and deception. American minds are starting to open for the TRUTH and it’s a good taste for their soul. You can not hide the truth about places like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the Middle East Conflict, China, Cuba, the Drug Trade for Dollars, Arms Sales in Africa and South America, Outsourcing, Germ and Chemical Development, Lack of Oversight just to name a few wars where American people are caught in the middle. As part of "The Right Diagnosis of America", the sources of survival will not be in the knowing, but in owning the resources of Black survival through the control of its political loyalties.

LOOK AT THE BUTTS ON HILLARY

I held off on the whole political reviews for the front running Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama, but recent events have snatched me back to the pen and paper. The Clintons were in Harlem. Actually the Clintons were in Harlem for a while since Bill Clinton held down Prime Real Estate up on 125th Street since the summer of 2000. I know I keep going back to this day but when he arrived, the Black residents of Harlem gave him the Red Carpet treatment. Some of it was justified but in the back of my mind I had misgivings about the level of festivity and adulation given to one man. Even if that Man opened up opportunities for “all” Americans and we (Black People) were able to benefit from those opportunities as well.

“Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it”, was never so real for people in Harlem. I recall conversations and the Public Relations Hoolpa of the media when Bill Clinton was looking for his Presidential Office in New York City. As a community activist and political analyst, people usually looked to me as the Man who sees conspiracy in everything political, economic and social issue but the truth of the matter is, I base my opinions on patterns, stated and or proven actions and a talent for seeing the loopholes in government, laws and business that the so call "Professional Analyst" seem to miss..

The Congress rejected Bill Clinton’s original real estate interests, which was in the famous Carnegie Hall Towers in midtown Manhattan. The whole issue was one of sticking it in the eye of Bill Clinton as he exited the White House. You had a newly elected George Bush and Dick Chaney in office and a newly elected Republican majority in Congress who with all things Clinton were all about throwing him to the curb on on his Ass as quick as a Tsunami wind. To give Clinton his way for Prime Midtown Manhattan was not going to happen so to the rescue, Congressman Charles Rangel worked out a deal to bring Bill Clinton uptown to Harlem. The move was made, signed and dealt to the residents of Harlem. Once he began moving in the furniture, the PARTY began. The swooning and swaying of the gospel choirs, the podium preaching, flag and banner waving, picture taking and dancing, the bullying of how “we showed them” cheered made me step back with pause. In my mind I said, "Something ain’t right with this picture. You just don’t get something this BIG without a price".

Then I began to see the players, Charles Rangel, Adam Clayton Powell IV, Rev. Calvin Butts, Rev. Dr. Floyd Flake, C. Virginia Fields, Jesse Jackson and Jesse Jackson Jr., even attorney Johnny Cochran (may he rest in peace) got into the mix and many others positioning themselves for the windfall that was to come with ex-President Clinton's move to Harlem. Those windfalls came to Harlem in the form of 5 Billion dollars for Upper Manhattan (Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood) as community improvements, Grants and Loans. Funds that were to create the Empowerment Zone, Minority Small Business Development Centers, Empire State Development Corp., Educational Improvement Programs, Early Child and Pre-K Schooling Programs, Home Ownership Programs, Minority Contracting Jobs for New York City Residents and Waterfront Property Development Bonds.

As Black and Brown people in Harlem, inspired to build upon the limited economics that the Clinton years brought to them and ready to apply it within their own communities with that of the additional economic stimulus package, began to collectively map out their strategy for change. Knowing that aid from the New York State and Manhattan governments consistently invested south of 103rd street, Harlemites prepared to wait in line to ride that ride of their American Dreams in Harlem with aid specificly for them and having the CHAMPION of the People to protect them. Unfortunately no one told Harlem citizens that the economic stimulus package was not for them but for those willing to come on board to expand and assist Downtown into Uptown and for those who are on the Winning Team to make this happen would received the benefits for making this worth while. At the expense of those that have the desire to PLAY FAIR, they hold on to the scraps and bones thrown to the side of the road.

The lists of Gentrifying Atrocities are a mile long and the players involved in making this happen have made great financial strides in building and solidifying their generational wealth at the expense of Harlem residents. The players range from the aforementioned to the wealthiest developers such as Donald Trump and Bruce Ratner (add Jay-Z and Michael Jordan to the list of Ratner investors) to Ford Motor Group, Columbia University brokering deals behind closed doors and expanding into Harlem by use of imminent domain arguments, and Large Corporate Retailers and those entrepreneurs loyal to Team Windfall.

Its what the facts are, political analysts have observed, demographics have detailed and all Harlemites have witnessed their diminishing numbers as residents since the ex-President's arrival to the neighborhood. Some would argue that the events post 9/11, the failing economy, the invasion in Iraq, crime and other socio-economic element have cause the down turn in Harlem. Not true. Harlem actually prospered more during the period of 2000 until 2008 but only for those within that Windfall Circle and under that Most Favorite Business status of the Empowerment Zone and the Clinton deal. So the numbers of Black and Brown residents out of the debate, the discussion, the investment and ultimately in the cold continues to grow with the excuse being the BUSH ADMINISTRATION.

Fast forward to 2007/2008 and you have Hillary Clinton courting the Black and Brown vote in New York City. Both Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton have campaigned in Harlem up on 125th Street. Obama in a rally on the stage of the Apollo and then with a quick bite to eat with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Hillary accepting the support of Rev. Calvin Butts of the Abyssinian Baptist Church. For those who don’t know, the Abyssinian Baptist Church is to Harlem, New York and the North as Ebenezer Baptist Church is to Atlanta, Georgia and the South. Although I cannot speak to the leadership of Ebenezer, the people of Harlem can of the hording of opportunities; economic opportunities and favoritism consolidated by the Rule at Abyssinian such as its establishment of a Contracting Group, which hired NO HARLEM BLACKS and investigated for having illegals workers on the payroll. As Rule, which underhandedly ostracized the interests of the people, corporate and wealthy interests moved into Harlem from both the front door and back door with the tools of gentrification handed to them from those who were Charged with protecting the interest of its people politically and spiritually. Who is at the head of the Abyssinian Baptist Church? You will find Rev. Calvin Butts on its throne, the same Butts that had recently endorsed Hillary Clinton.

This is a problem, not only for me, but also for Harlem residents who are already swayed towards voting for Barak Obama. The notion of being burned again is unsettling for a people who are already fighting like Palestinians holding sticks and stones against tanks, jets and high-powered rifles. Now I know someone will read that last statement and call me anti-Semitic BUT since I am Semitic, its hard to label me that so my example STANDS AS IS. What that endorsement says to the people of Harlem is that, “Even with another Clinton as President, you will see even less coming your way and more in TEAM Windfall’s pocket”.

After the Rev. Butts endorsement, Hillary Clinton made a press conference outside the Abyssinian Baptist Church only to be received with Boo’s and Jeers. To the media it seemed as if the responses were those from anti-Hillary and pro-Obama supporters but they were actually anti-establishment and gentrification activist. This isn’t good, especially since the week prior, Hillary allied herself with ex-BET’ founder and CEO, Robert Johnson, someone who not only through his words and actions but how he does business, is insensitive to the very community he comes from. Yes, he may be an American Capitalist at its best and I will be the first to not knock any American for pursuing this way of life if your soul and spirit believes this to be who you are, but to advocate it with a smile while smoking cigars made of ‘greenbacks” leaves me with a chill and I would not turn my back on him for a second.

As I said about the John Kerry endorsement with Barak Obama, I feel the same for people like Johnson and Butts. Hillary should drop them and yet I know it will not happen. At this point the idea that BLACK voters are being lead straight to that same dilemma we have faced for decades and that being “voting for the lesser of two Evils” is becoming crystal clear and that taints the illusion of POWER BLACKS believe they have as the caucuses and primaries continue in America.

As a person who has not made a decision on the candidates, my Pros vs. Cons chart is all over the place on the support factor. While others are concerning themselves with Race and Gender (both are non-factors because Ageism is the real issue with Black Americans) I keep to my formula of “What are the issues” and “Where is your MONEY coming from?” The last question is so important it screams at you. Senator John Edwards in the South Carolina debate hammered this issue several times. Directing it at both Clinton and Obama, “people don't donate that much money if they do not want something in return.” John Edwards was refering to the money donated to both candidates from Corporate Lobbist (Hillary) and Hedge Funds (Obama). The same can be said for endorsement. It is not unusual to find CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP promising Black votes for (financial) favors. The issue is those favors are only consolidated in house and behind closed doors and with their parishioners in mind. In the case of Harlem, if you are not down with Abyssinia and their Christians, you are pretty much Ass’ed out. And that’s what the Hillary endorsement meant for the people in New York City and Harlem.

Booooooo Hillary !!!!!