Our Silence Will Never Protect Us

Originally posted on Sunday, May 18, 2008

Our Silence Will Never Protect Us.
Current mood: irritated
Category: News and Politics

"We were never meant to survive, so we might as well speak because our silence will never protect us." –Audre Lorde

It's been my intent to get some things off of my chest for a while now, but I haven't been able to word them properly for some reason. Then, I realized that my inability to satisfyingly express my opinions was a byproduct of apprehension. What would people think about me if I wasn't 100% gung-ho about the first viable African-American candidate? Would they think that all of my support and love for my community was only talk?

What the hell was I on? Well, whatever it was, I'm on a program to get off of it, and speaking my truth is Step 1. I figure if Dr. Jeremiah Wright had the courage to speak up for himself in front of a country filled with naysayers, I should have enough gall to push my little opinions off of my chest. This isn't to say that I don't realize that Black people have actually implemented a schedule for when its permissible to speak truth to power. I've heard a myriad of criticisms thrown his way from people who believe what he says is founded in truth BUT don't believe that he should speak those truths, in the way that he speaks them, right now. They believe he should remain quiet because he is hurting a cause that is much larger than he. The cause of electing the first Black president. (I don't use the term "African-American" because the meaning that this term most commonly conjures does not apply to Barack Obama. Oh yes, I said it. And?) Allow me to take a page from Pastor Wright's book and tell it like I see it. I could preface this by saying that I'm not trying to bash Barack Obama, and give my sincere apologies to his supporters for bringing up common sense notions, but that's irrelevant. Whether I'm trying to create doubt about him as part of a subversive plot being carried out by secret rogue Republican agents, or whether I just like playing the devil's advocate, deal with it.

1. Barack Obama is NOT Jesus. I know that may come as a surprise to a lot of people, but I assure you, he is not the Christ. Although I can relate to the excitement people feel about someone they believe can change the world (i.e. Michael Jackson after I saw "Captain E.O."), I am beyond tired of hearing people talk about him like he's the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, because….

2. Politicians are almost never the agitators of real social change. Contrary to what people like Hillary Clinton believe, true change almost ALWAYS begins with THE PEOPLE, not the charged to "represent" them. (I'm referring to that dopey-ass comment she made about LBJ being responsible for the gains of the Civil Rights Movement.) Politicians are usually the ones who jump on board with some sort of legislation after the majority of people support one issue or another. This is fine because politicians are hired to aid in the realization of their constituents' beliefs, and let's not forget that…

3. Barack IS a politician. He's not a revolutionist, so put your berets and single black gloves away. It is his job, aim, and goal to make more people agree with, sympathize with, and vote for him than another candidate. And you can pretty much bet that this means…

4. Barack has lied. Let's just be real. It is not humanly possible to sit in the pews of Trinity for 20 years and not be aware of Pastor Wright's views on certain subjects, or exposed to how Pastor Wright expresses those views. In fact, in his book, Dreams From My Father, he quotes Pastor Wright as saying, "It is this world, a world where cruise ships throw away more food in a day than most residents of Port-au-Prince see in a year, where white folks' greed runs a world in need." So now it's clear that…

5. Barack will do and/or say what he needs to do and/or say to get elected. It doesn't necessarily have to be the truth. In fact, he will even clean up the honest sentiments of his own wife to make (white) people comfortable. Which leads me to believe that…

6. Barack likes to walk the line. I'll admit that walking the line is a part of the game of politics. So, when Barack was the first Black president of the Harvard Law Review and came to conservative members on the low with sympathizing sentiments about affirmative action, he was simply being a good politician. So, when he becomes the President of a majority Caucasian country, do you think he'll stop walking the line? I hardly think that's part of his Change agenda (although that would actually be a change). Again, I know his job is going to be to represent the interest of the majority of his constituents (did you hear that Pres. Bush???), so it's understandable. However, it probably means that…

7. Barack's administration will not be addressing issues of racism openly and honestly. Because neither Barack nor America seem prepared to do so. I know that also comes as a shock to many. Now, I'm not saying Barack is going to sabotage the Black community (although it wouldn't be hard since we've let our guards down so completely and easily), but I do know that Barack Obama did not bring up the topic of race until he was forced to. If this whole Pastor Wright brouhaha hadn't reared its ugly head, we would've never even had the pleasure of hearing about his racist ass grandma (which I supposed could've been a good thing). This makes me believe that he won't be proactive on the topics of race and racism and the adverse affects that they have on many Americans. And as a result…

8. This will have a detrimental effect on an open and honest discussion on race in this country. Remember, in undergrad, when a white student would say something ridiculously racist, and then go, "I'm not racist, my best friend is Black." This is because they think that having a Black friend (whom I'm damn sure is a figment of most of their imaginations) means that 1.) They can't be racist, 2.) They can really say some crazy shit now, 3.) Somebody Black is going to honestly give a damn about whether they have a Black friend or not!

Also, I went to hear Duke University sociologist, Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, speak in April and he had quite a few interesting things to say about Obama. Along the lines of my point, he said that a number of white students at his university and around the country use Obama's historic run to challenge his theories on colorblind racism ideology. According to him, many students have approached him with comments like, "well, when Obama wins, what are you gonna study then?" He said his reply has been, "When that happens, I'm going to study why a white person, who is perfectly content with living in an all-white neighborhood, going to an all-white school, attending an all-white church, and having all-white friends is so interested in voting for a Black man." Perhaps they don't know the answer to this enigma, but I do. They're interested in him for the same reason they're interested in (telling us about) that ONE Black friend…it makes them look good. Better yet, it makes them feel good. It gives them the belief that they're not racist. In fact, it makes them believe that they can't be racist. And it also makes them super-apathetic.

He also talked about how he thought that Obama would do more to hurt the discussion on race than help it. As a result of all of Obama's (ridiculous) talk of there being no separate segments of America, white people are given the permission to believe this is actually true. This totally relieves them of any responsibility that they should take for the fact that there are separate and unequal Americas. (Ya'll know that a lot of white people like to take what one Black person says and use it to their advantage. So, if Barack says, "there's no white or Black America", they're hungry to use that to their advantage. Obviously neither they or Barack are aware, or will admit, that there are separate Americas. For instance, one group in America has an extremely high infant mortality rate amongst its women. In fact, this group's highly educated women have more problems with infant mortality and disorders than white women who've dropped out of high school. That group would be Black women. No separate Americas my pinky toe.)

And let's not forget the wonderful Cosby syndrome. This is when white people, who don't regularly come in contact with Black people, think that if one Black person has done extremely well, that all Black people have the same opportunities and should be able to do the same. If you don't combat that kind of thinking, it will work against you. And since there will always be something there to work against us…

9. A Black president does not signal the end or beginning of anything. It means that enough people in this country liked ONE Black man enough to put him in a white house (whoopee). White people have liked certain Black people for the duration of our stay in this country. Obviously, this has meant little to nothing for the majority of the Black community, especially since…

10. Barack is biracial. Oh, I know I done pissed some folks off now! Let me explain why I think this is important to note. While the fact that Obama's white mother might not mean much to Black folks (Hey, did that cab go right past you? You're Black enough.), please don't think this fact is lost on many white Americans. Don't think that they are not aware of the fact that Barack Obama was not raised in an African-American ("African-American" in this context meaning descendants of Africans who were enslaved here) community or that his "Black"ness is not derived from an African-American. Most importantly, don't think they've forgotten that ole Barry has a white mama.

I've read many quotes from his supporters where things like, "he doesn't have the stigma of the Civil Rights Movement attached to him," have been said. (Does it scare anyone else to think that the CRM has become a "stigma" that candidates are lauded for being able to shake off?) So, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise to anyone that the first viable Black candidate for the presidency is half-white. Although he's a negro on the outside, rest assured many of them take comfort in knowing that at least his mama was white. Their acceptance of him isn't an indicator of a mass change of opinions about African-Americans in general. But regardless of how white people feel about him or us…

11. Black people must stop pining for White America's approval. First of all, they need to be kissing OUR asses. WE have not wronged them and they still have not paid US. Secondly, this yearning to assimilate into "mainstream America" has not helped our community much. Although it's obvious that the evil systems of overt discrimination and segregation had to meet their demises, has anyone other than my mama noticed that the Black community was in better shape, in terms of how we treated EACH OTHER, when we were forced to be outcasts? I'm in no way, shape, or form promoting state-mandated segregation and discrimination, but I am asking people to consider that the closer Black people get to this fabled "American Dream," the further we drift from each other. Perhaps as a result of this, we don't have enough "big mamas" to remind us that…

12. "Change" don't pay the bills. Unless your bill is 50 cents and the light company now takes penny payments. It does not put food on your table, or gas in your car, or troops on a vehicle back home. It does not prevent foreclosure, provide you with health insurance, or get guns off of the street. The only thing the word "change" does is sound good. It's a damn shame that Elizabeth Edwards had to be the person who prompted McCain and his people to revisit their stance on universal health care. Perhaps if Barack and Hillary could stop talking about themselves and each other for just a few minutes, they could address some REAL issues. (And don't tell me to look on his website like that should be his primary method of disseminating information.) Just like people rode John Kerry for not having a concrete plan on issues like Iraq four years ago, I'm riding Barack AND Hillary for not having any now. I get excited when I SEE change, not when I hear that someone says they're going to be about change (especially when I have no idea what kind of "change" they're referring to). Although I'm not denying that…

13. Barack does have enough experience to be President. Obviously it doesn't take much experience, or intellect, to be the "Leader of the Free World," as demonstrated by Mr. Bush. And…

14. Michelle is THAT BUSINESS. I think she should run. Although I criticized the 'Cosby Syndrome' before, I can admit that I think it would be fresh to have a Black woman that intelligent, accomplished, classy, and dope occupying the office of President of the United States. But she probably wouldn't consider the illusionary game of politics that seriously because she seems like the type to realize that…

15. There is NEVER a wrong time to talk about justice/injustice. And that's simply that. The idea that Pastor Wright should stop reminding us of America's dirty little secrets until November is not only foolish, but cruel. There are people, who are being hurt everyday by this country's vicious, selfish, and discriminatory policies, and I'm sure that they are grateful for those who don't allow political timelines to mandate when they speak the truth.

While I'm aware that many people seem to think Barack Obama has done (or is doing) so much for the Black community right now (yeah...ok), Dr. Wright has been serving our community for almost 40 years with a passion unrivaled by anyone I've ever seen. To even suggest that he allow his name to be dragged through the mud so that white people can feel more secure in voting for Obama is ridiculous. If Barack, and others, want their life's work to consist of convincing white people to finally give Black people the respect we deserve as human beings, go ahead. However, don't expect everyone else to want to take up that cause. Some of us have much more important issues to think about, and fight for.

Finally, a couple of quotes from Audre Lorde…

"If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive."

"The energies I gain from my work help me neutralize those implanted forces of negativity and self-destructiveness that is White America's way of making sure I keep whatever is powerful and creative within me unavailable, ineffective, and non-threatening."

"The master's tools will never dismantle the master's house."

"I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood. That the speaking profits me, beyond any other effect."