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Enchanted
Veteran Poster
Username: Enchanted
Post Number: 838
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 07:47 pm: | 
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Hillary's Plantation
Hillary Clinton reveals her fear of Condi Rice.
BY SHELBY STEELE
Monday, January 23, 2006 12:01 a.m. EST
Of course Hillary Clinton's recent claim that Republicans run the House of Representatives like a "plantation" was old-fashioned political and racial pandering. After all, she uttered this remark at what certainly would have been a prime venue for her husband: a largely black audience on Martin Luther King Day. So, clearly, she was looking to connect with this most loyal Democratic constituency. But Mrs. Clinton is possessed of a tin ear precisely where her husband is all deftness and charm. Black audiences are beyond her. The room of black faces that brings her husband alive, freezes her in overbearing rectitude.
And yet, pandering of the sort she exhibited on MLK Day requires a convincing human identification in order to work. The political panderer always identifies with the suffering of those pandered to--always "feels their pain." And this is where a tin ear can be disastrous: In giving witness to a group's suffering, one can seem to be shaming the group. Must blacks have their slave past rubbed in their face simply for Hillary Clinton to make a little hay against modern-day Republicans?
When political pandering goes awry, it calls you a name. On an emotional level, many blacks will hear Hillary's remark as follows: "I say Republicans run the House like a plantation because I am speaking to Negroes--the wretched of the earth, a slave people--who will surely know all about plantations." Is this a tin ear or a Freudian slip, blacks will wonder? Does she really see us as she projects us--as a people so backward that our support can be won with a simple plantation reference, and the implication that Republicans are racist? Quite possibly so, since no apology has been forthcoming.
If Newt Gingrich also once used the plantation metaphor in reference to Congress, his goal was only an innocuous one: to be descriptive, not to pander. He was speaking to a reporter, not to a black audience, and he had the good taste to cast himself as a slave who would "lead the slave rebellion." Thus, he identified with the black struggle for freedom, not with the helplessness and humiliation of the plantation slave. If the plantation metaphor will always be inaccurate and hyperbolic where Congress is concerned, at least Mr. Gingrich's use of it carried no offense.
And even Mrs. Clinton's "offense" would have amounted to very little had it come from nothing more than an awkward metaphor. But, in fact, it came from a corruption in post-'60s liberalism and Democratic politics that profoundly insults blacks. Mrs. Clinton came to Al Sharpton's MLK celebration looking for an easy harvest of black votes. And she knew the drill--white liberals and Dems whistle for the black vote by pandering to the black sense of grievance. Once positioned as the white champions of this grievance, they actually turn black resentment into white liberal power. Today, Democrats cannot be competitive without this alchemy. So Mrs. Clinton's real insult to blacks--one far uglier than her plantation metaphor--is to value them only for their sense of grievance.
Mrs. Clinton's husband was a master of this alchemy, and his presidency also illustrated its greatest advantage. Once black grievance is morphed into liberal power, it need never be honored. President Clinton notoriously felt black pain, won the black vote, and then rewarded blacks with the cold shower of welfare reform. And here, now, is Mrs. Clinton sidling up to the trough of black grievance, eyes wide in expectation, but also a tad contemptuous. It is hard to fully respect one's suckers.
A great achievement of modern liberalism--and a primary reason for its surviving decades past the credibility of its ideas--is that it captured black resentment as an exclusive source of power. It even gave this resentment a Democratic Party affiliation. (Antiwar sentiment is the other great source of liberal power, but it is not the steady provider that black and minority resentment has been.) Republicans have often envied this power, but have never competed well for it because it can be accessed only by pandering to the socialistic longings of minority leaders--vast government spending, social programs, higher taxes and so on. Republicans and conservatives have simply never had an easy or glib mechanism for addressing profound social grievances.
But this Republican "weakness" has now begun to emerge as a great--if still largely potential--Republican advantage. Precisely because Republicans cannot easily pander to black grievance, they have no need to value blacks only for their sense of grievance. Unlike Democrats, they can celebrate what is positive and constructive in minority life without losing power. The dilemma for Democrats, liberals and the civil rights establishment is that they become redundant and lose power the instant blacks move beyond grievance and begin to succeed by dint of their own hard work. So they persecute such blacks, attack their credibility as blacks, just as they pander to blacks who define their political relationship to America through grievance. Republicans are generally freer of the political bigotry by which the left either panders to or persecutes black Americans.
No one on the current political scene better embodies this Republican advantage than the current secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice. The archetype that Ms. Rice represents is "overcoming" rather than grievance. Despite a childhood in the segregated South that might entitle her to a grievance identity, she has clearly chosen that older black American tradition in which blacks neither deny injustice nor allow themselves to be defined by it. This tradition, as Ralph Ellison once put it, "springs not from a desire to deny the harshness of existence but from a will to deal with it as men at their best have always done." And, because Ms. Rice is grounded in this tradition, she is of absolutely no value to modern liberalism or the Democratic Party despite her many talents and achievements. Quite the reverse, she is their worst nightmare. If blacks were to take her example and embrace overcoming rather than grievance, the wound to liberalism would be mortal. It is impossible to imagine Hillary Clinton's "plantation" pandering in a room full of whites.
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Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 4245
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 11:15 am: |
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No one on the current political scene better embodies this Republican advantage than the current secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice. The archetype that Ms. Rice represents is "overcoming" rather than grievance
(All she had to do is be a prime enabler of the most inept corrupt and criminal administration in history.
You know what? I'd rather see negroes EXTINCT than follow the example of Mammy Rice. |
Latina_wi
Regular Poster
Username: Latina_wi
Post Number: 338
Registered: 08-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 11:29 am: |
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Maybe I am going off on a tangent here but I would like to make a quick comment. I do not know much about the new run of presidency, as surprisingly this run is not being made into a big deal out here.
But I do think it is wonderful that the USA has a woman and a black man (because that is what Obama considers himself) running for president. I always thought that Hilary was a strong and opinionated woman, the back bone of her family. And Obama is aware that he is showing a new face of the Black family in America and is really leading by example.
Anything is better than the current president to be honest. |
Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 5348
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 01:33 pm: |
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Actually, LW, your comment is a breath of fresh air. I wish more of us thought like you. I wish some of us would wake up, progress some, and stop practicing this backwoods brand of politics. There’s too much to gain in this election.
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Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 4247
Registered: 03-2004
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 01:48 pm: |
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You still don't get it.
The United States is not run by the Government, which the President is I suppose CEO of. It is run by the military/industrial/political/intelligence/financial complex and it has been for more than fifty years.
It does not matter who is in these positions. Woman. Man. Jackass. The results are different.
William Burroughs said long ago that anybody paying attention to politics in this country is like the bull looking at the cape rather than the matador.
Would you like to have a woman as a slaveowner? What if a woman was the one who pushed the button and killed hundreds of millions of people, and don't say she wouldn't do it because she will not get into the White House unless she ensures the Complex that she will do it.
Would you rather a woman cut your throat than a man?
A female snake is still a snake. |
Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 5350
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 02:14 pm: |
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One thing the Don Imus affair taught us: we're effective ONLY when we come together--despite our differences--to get things done. And, notice, we have accomplished NOTHING during the times we've been split apart.
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Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 5351
Registered: 07-2006
Rating:
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 02:51 pm: |
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I'm glad Barack Obama is running because he's forcing both political parties to respect our vote and our voices.
But I'm also glad the other Dem candidates are running because most of them are the best either party has to offer - they're an elite group. And Barack is part of this elite group himself. It’s almost a win/win situation (for us ALL).
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Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 2170
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 02:52 pm: |
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"The archetype that Ms. Rice represents is "overcoming" rather than grievance.
Good. I respect that. Contrary to what you believe Chris, black people have a long history of overcoming odds and all the barriers thrown in front of them (John Hope Franklin, Frederick Douglas, William Grant Still, The Golden Thirteen, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr, Constance Baker Motley, Samuel Gravely, et al) . But I know this is the antithesis to the whiny belly aching -whoa-is me- victimization and entitlement - I can't help myself besides the white man is tryin' to kill me cultural mindset that you are comfortable with.
"All she had to do is be a prime enabler of the most inept corrupt and criminal administration in history"
Ok.....that I agree with.
"know what? I'd rather see negroes EXTINCT than follow the example of Mammy Rice."
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! I'm sure you would. Even though I do not agree with any of her politics nor will I condone her slavish worship of Bush, I do respect her professional accomplishments and the fact that she is currently the most powerful black woman on the planet. I'd rather for my daughter to aspire to be like Condoleezza Rice than Lil' Kim, Mo'Nique or any of those brain dead hoochies in the rap videos you love so much.
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 8443
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 03:11 pm: |
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The jury is still out as to whether blacks have come together over the Imus controversy. The finger pointing is still going on and people are lining up on both sides of the issue. The idea of black folks becoming unified is a dream. Blacks are prone to do what is in their own personal best interests and politics make strange bedfellows. Even Obama doesn't seem to have united us. Most of his detractors are black. And so it goes. |
Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 4252
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 03:22 pm: |
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One thing the Don Imus affair taught us: we're effective ONLY when we come together--despite our differences--to get things done. And, notice, we have accomplished NOTHING during the times we've been split apart.
(We didn't come together over the Imus affair--look at this site for confirmation. If that had been a one time thing and Imus hadn't also been picking on gays, women, Jews, etc. He would have still been there)
I respect that. Contrary to what you believe Chris, black people have a long history of overcoming odds and all the barriers thrown in front of them
(It wasn't because they been eating booty like you!)
I'd rather for my daughter to aspire to be like Condoleezza Rice than Lil' Kim, Mo'Nique or any of those brain dead hoochies in the rap videos you love so much.
(She's a fucking war criminal. I'd rather my daughter was the worst prostitute and junkie in the streets than be responsible for the deaths of innocent babies and women and yes, US fighting men and women, too)
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Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 4253
Registered: 03-2004
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 03:23 pm: |
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The idea of black folks becoming unified is a dream
(Never happen. Too many self loathing Negroes) |
Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 5352
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 04:02 pm: |
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I'm talking about the different Blk organizations and Blk political ideologies that came together on the Imus affair, y‘all. (Most) Blk liberals & Blk conservatives were on the same page. And after all these months, Julian Bond and Bruce Gordon finally came to the same conclusion.
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Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 5354
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 04:21 pm: |
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And I don't disagree that thus far Barack Obama - and Oprah Winfrey - have been divisive figures among African Americans. (...Nor have I said such).
It's funny because they both have done extremely well as symbols of American unity. I'm guessing, to them, you gotta divide Blacks in order to unite America; though I know there's gotta be a better way.
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Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 2173
Registered: 10-2005
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 08:29 pm: |
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"One thing the Don Imus affair taught us: we're effective ONLY when we come together--despite our differences--to get things done."
First of all, Don Imus is a nonentity! Has taught Negroes nothing!!! Nothing has changed in black America since (or before) his silly ass comments. Out of wedlock births are still sky high, violent gangs are still holding scores of black communities hostage, young black men still refuse to support nor take part in the multiple children they help create, young black males are setting a records for academic failure and high school drop out rates, a generation of young blacks embrace and gleefully support and emulate a thuggish coon culture created by gangsta rappers, blacks have the highest rate of new AIDS infections and the list goes on and on... Don Imus had no impact nor influence whatsoever on these self perpetuating pathologies before his comments and absolutely nothing has changed "since" he made those comments. NOTHING HAS CHANGED NOR WILL IT CHANGE! Recommendation: Drop the name Don Imus from your mind and move on! His influence and impact on black people is non-existent!
"And, notice, we have accomplished NOTHING during the times we've been split apart. "
You got that right! I have no ideas why Negroes are obsessed with this man. He is a shock jock cracker and outrageous statements and jokes are what he does. It's his job! Get over it, get a life and move on!
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Libralind2
Veteran Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 803
Registered: 09-2004
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 08:46 pm: |
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Geesh Chris..you take two ssteps forward and 100 back.
LiLi |
Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 4268
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 03:38 pm: |
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The Truth hurts. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 8464
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 06:24 pm: |
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Well then you must be in great pain, chrishayden, because if anybody can't handle the truth, it's YOU. You go through life praying that nobody will say what it hurts you to hear. You operate on the principle that anything that goes against your cherished beliefs is better left unsaid. watta fool. |
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