The Old, The Young and the Apathetic
“Excuse me. Everyone, I have a brief announcement to make. Jesus was black, Ronald Reagan was the devil, and the government is lying about 9-11. Thank you for your time and good night. “
Huey Freeman
So I’ve noticed something and Brother Omi spoke on it as well. Now I’d like to pose the question to all of you. What’s up with our elders? Mind you in the endorsments for this Presidential race alot of the endorsements of older black people (especially those who came to prominence during the civil rights era) are going to Hillary Clinton. It’s not restricted to him as Omi brings it up in reference to Corey Booker running against Sharpe James for Mayor of New Jersey. So really, what’s the deal? Why fight (or at the least claim to) for blacks to be able to do things like run for Mayor or President and then knock the ones that are now doing it? In Hillary’s case I see some connection between women…but in the Booker-James case, what was it? Now I already have my issues with Elders (see: the last few decades), most notably for blaming Hip-Hop for the woes of our society. Especially when most of them would try to qualify or justify the acts of some of their beloved musicians. I would like to send a special shout out to Bob Johnson who’s dis of Obama also included a subtle dis of Sidney Poitier. I’m not an advocate of supporting someone just because they are black or a woman or whatever they are. Everyone should look at their choices carefully. However when you are someone publicly recognized you have to consider how your support is used. In that light I find it especially amusing that while Democrats are telling the Clintons to chill out with throwing dirt on Obama (seeing as they’re all dems), no one is saying much to or about these older blacks doing the same to Obama. Even if he isn’t the best choice, isn’t throwing dirt on him just bad form? I’m most upset with those who wanted to challenge the idea of his Blackness. What makes someone black? Should I register somewhere to ensure my status? I didn’t see all those same people ripping Bob Johnson when he owned BET, but they could rip Nelly for just having a video on the network. If I followed that logic it would seem like at the least they don’t rip the ones who are in a higher position. Wrong. What’s higher than a U.S. Senator running for President? Add to that they’re ripping the only black one. I could see a difference if he was just dirty and everyone knew on the low. But any dirt you could find on him would pale next to Clinton dirt. So why? Is it cause Bill can play the sax? When I describe this gap it includes Oprah, being as she is a part of Generation Jones (go ahead and google that) like Obama and not a baby boomer. So is it just the older generation fearing a younger one? Does he represent something greater that naturally frightens them? I don’t think I even have enough time to get into younger thug type cats that have told me they think Obama is some kind of scam. I understand the place where they are coming from. I don’t understand the elders though. Maybe ya’ll can help me.
I’m not an advocate of supporting someone just because they are black or a woman or whatever they are. Everyone should look at their choices carefully.
- And until recently, I made my decision on who I will be voting for. I truly had to see what each and every candidate was bringing to the table in what is shaping up to be one of the biggest and most intriguing presidential race in recent memory. hey man, I googled that “Generation Jones” (I never heard that before, thanks brah) ; it’s the generation between the Baby boomers and Generation X folks…
You’d be surprised how much there is a double standard when it comes to our own people and who to take a shot at. Hell, Oprah has been under fire for not addressing “black” issues on her show, then got railed for endorsing Barack Obama. Talk about not knowing which dartboard to aim your darts at.
But stay tuned… my political themed post is a’coming!
Comment by Luke Cage — February 11, 2008 @ 10:08 pm
I haven’t a clue about anything. Try as I might to clear the BS and focus on facts, the media does their best job to cloud my thinking, woe is us, in time when we think Britney rates as much coverage as the presidential race.
Comment by eslocura — February 12, 2008 @ 11:12 am
i’ve heard the argument spouted that they are supporting hillary cause they think she has a better chance of winning overall and they dont want her to diss all blacks when she becomes our first female president or something like that.
did you hear obama cracking on chaney last saturday night in his victory speech. hilarious!
Comment by jdid — February 12, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
Interesting fact: Hillary was a devout republican in 1964 and was a heavy supporter of Sen. Barry Goldwater, even going as far as joining a group called “Goldwater Girls.” for those who don’t know who Barry Goldwater was, he firmly opposed the civil Rights movement and all that it stood for. Had he won the presidency, there, likely would be more open segregation in our country for a good while. who these old black folk, who must know something about this, are coming out and supporting her seriously befuddles me. She supported segregation in a time where you were still striving to make it and y’all actin as a whole coon nation just following her along. Old folk need to get it together.
Cannon
Comment by Caesar Cannon — February 13, 2008 @ 7:00 am
I think that in some of the established politician, the endorsement of Hillary Clinton is “politics as usual”. They’re sending out a message to their…um… “non-urban” let’s say, constituants that they’re colorblind and that they’re representing the so called melting pot.
I’m not a Hillary-hater. I’m an Obama supporter.
Caesar’s remarks are sending me off to do some research now. I didn’t know about “Goldwater’s Girls” but I sure as hell remember Barry Goldwater.
Comment by jali — February 13, 2008 @ 4:19 pm
it’s payback time. it’s time to pay what you owe!
you would think these black elders would be excited about a legitimate candidate running for president who happens to be black. it’s competitive, it’s good and it’s time for change.
Comment by aquababie — February 14, 2008 @ 5:55 pm
Been lurking for a while.. first time commenting. I’m with jali - not a Hillary-hater, but an Obama supporter. If it comes down to it, and Democratic superdelegates make it a choice is between Hillary and McCain, then I’d rather her than a man who believes we should be in Iraq for 100 more years and shouldn’t spend tax dollars on social services.
But I’d be disappointed. Obama is the best choice for America’s next president, no doubt. His policies, his standing, his vision - these are what we need to bring us out of where we ended up under Dubya.
I’m all for respecting elders in community, but not when their choices are based on fear, ignorance or an idea that younger generations can’t bring anything to the table.
What I find really hard to deal with since moving to the US a year and a half ago, is the obsession with fitting people into boxes in America - by race, by religion, by age etc. Let’s just pick the best person for the job, based on what they stand for, what they’ll do to fix things domestically and how they’ll change our standing internationally.
Mind you, that’s kinda hard with your political system, but that’s a whole different story.. just saying… ;^) And yes, I get to vote - I’m a dual citizen.
Apologies for the long comment - getting off my soapbox now…
Comment by Ness — February 14, 2008 @ 7:14 pm
I feel like I’m being sold a mongoose in a bag and told it’s a cat.
If people thing that Obama is experienced, can they show me how Hillary Clinton is more experienced? They can’t.
If they are supporting her just because she’s a woman then they misunderstood the whole point of feminism and have got the whole thing twisted into misandry. India had it’s first female leader aeons ago. That America should be able to have one should be a foregone conclusion. But it shouldn’t be just any woman. It should be the best woman for the job, as long as she’s better than the best man.
But I still don’t know what Obama stands for and that’s only because I’ve failed to educate myself. Somehow, though, I’m afraid it might just be more of the same. Frankly, I’m afraid to hope for something different.
Comment by GC — February 15, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
The old guard are supporting her because they owe her some political favors. But the wonderful thing is if they indeed throw in with her, it may be political suicide b/c those of us who support Obama may not throw in with their tired asses when they’re trying to get our votes.
Comment by Mark Dub — March 3, 2008 @ 8:00 pm