Resentment, race and the dream ticket
Race and gender have been, and continue to be, the most provocative elements in this presidential race. From the race card and the gender card, to overzealous supporters, and controversial remarks, both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have captured the country, not only with their political platforms, but also with their unique backgrounds
Obama’s speech today was not a culmination of the dialogue we’ve been engaged in for months, but a continuation of something that’s important to address. There’s much to be commented on about what Obama said, and I’m sure we’ll hear a lot of opinions. While I digest the speech, I found a provocative opinion piece in the Seattle-Post Intelligencer that speaks directly to the kind of resentment Obama addressed today.
The article, “Phony black friends ditch Clinton,” is about how many black supporters have “betrayed” Hillary Clinton for Barack Obama, and attributes this to race. The article opens:
“Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton should be leery of ever trusting the word of another black person, especially the word of elected officials, celebrities and other elites. She most certainly should never again trust the word of black preachers.
Too many blacks have betrayed Clinton. They have been disloyal. They have lied to her, many to her face.”
The conclusion that the author, Bill Maxwell comes to is that “win or lose, Hillary has earned the right to never trust the word of another black person.”
Offensive? Yes. Correct? No. But I’ve heard a lot of people say this, and sentiments like this, are at the heart of Obama’s speech today. What we say in public and private are sometimes at odds, and this nomination will expose that even further. I’ve heard the argument that if the super delegates ‘take the nomination away’ from Obama, then black people will stay home or vote for McCain. What do you think will happen if Clinton loses? Her supporters will do the same, which include millions of women, who thought they had their shot, will feel extremely disenfranchised as well. There’s no doubt. And so, despite what Nancy Pelosi thinks, the best solution will be to put both Clinton and Obama on the ticket together. But that's just my opinion....
actually i totally agree. you've got a great insight into these things, alex. this post and the simon one are such a unique look at the obama speech and aren't like what you see elsewhere.
let's unite both minorities! here here!
I keep thinking this, but what about gender bias? We can talk about racism because it's close to the surface - there was a whole war over it - but we aren't forced to look at our opinions on gender that way at all. In fact, most people just go about their day not realizing how much they let gender bias affect what they do. Why can't we talk about how Hillary is getting screwed because she's a woman -- and people can feel good about themselves voting for a black man?
that's a load of crap. people hate hillary because hillary's worth hating, not because she's a woman. and it's not like there's real gender bias now. there's hillary bias. women run countries. women run companies. stop whining and realize that whole feminist thing worked.