Tiger and Jack Johnson

Just the other day a friend was comparing Jackie Robinson to Uncle Ruckus, saying most people don't know the history. When the history of Woods is written what will it say?
The black economist thinks most of the condemnation of Woods is sorely missing the point. What it seems most people find so troubling isn't that he is free to choose but that he has done so. Dating white women doesn't make Woods a villain or even a criminal. It made Jack Johnson a criminal still.
Whats most illuminating is that those of the black community who would criticize Woods for his somewhat obvious choice of white women seem to forget that doesn't automatically mean a condemnation of black women but simply that he has chosen otherwise. Its indicative of Justice Clarence Thomas (whos married to a white woman) and the remark that African-Americans are not monolithic. Illustratively it shows the idea that African-Americans must adhere to a indigenous 'black culture.' The same one that devalues education.
This culture that features rich, uneducated but crafty and sure-footed black men even has Rush Limbaugh say, "The Black State of Mind is Terrible."

Obama and white voters

In my most recent blog I argued that Obamas' remarks concerning the arrest of Henry Loius Gates could be a fatal error. They have not shown themselves to be as of yet. They are still of concern however. This article in the LA Times concerning Obama and white voters offers that there has been some noticeable affect , "Pew first identified a slippage in white support immediately after a news conference in July, when Obama surprised many by saying that a white police officer had acted "stupidly" in arresting a black Harvard professor."

A zealous Obama supporter at my barber shop grew agitated when I said the error was real.

As I see it the Obama advisers (wise men as Gov. Mark Sanford put it) are in danger of falling prey to group think and arrogance. Something the governor also warns against in the video.

American racial concerns, myths , stereotypes, history and anxiety need to be considered as Obama governs.

Obama should studiously avoid giving his opposition locker room material.

I doubt any rumour concerning his religion, nationality or what have you may take hold. He could still be felled by a foolish comment that can be interpreted by white Americans that he is not representative of their interests.

No President can do that for everyone but as a black man named Hussein, Obama is particularly vulnerable to credibility issues and should realize it. In fact given American history he should handle these issues with extreme care.

Obama and Gates

President Obama is the the top law enforcement official in the country. He wasted an opportunity to build goodwill with the police forces across the country.
It may indeed end up being a devastating error.
Instead of saying the police acted stupidly it would have been better to support the officer and his friend Skip Gates. I acknowledge that the president has leeway and as leader has the right to express himself.
On the other hand, being that he is the constant victim of attacks concerning his allegiances and national identity why not support the officer and make clear in a practical way that he is not against policemen or police departments.

Racist Robots

So I heard about the racist robots in Transformers 2. I had to go see it then even though I liked the first one and had planned to see it anyway.
Bring them on - these programmed automatons that were more race specific than the humanistic oriented machine villains in the matrix.
Sadly , as so often happens, they were just hype.
No article seemed to mention that the villain robot the Fallen (who curiously hated all human beings [for which thankfully there is no stereotype]) was voiced by an African-American.
Nor did the recurring theme of Resurrection which is prevalent through both films warrant popular attention.
This after even promo materials highlighted the battle royal amongst ancient Egyptian ruins.
On top of that they take the carcass of Optimus Prime to Egypt for Resurrection.
But no, the least common denominator comedy of marginal characters is what was widely reported.
But were the robots racist?
Did the blood boil?
Was I kicked around again by the "big media elite" as an African-American?
No , it's a great summer film and maybe the point of highlighing innocent, naive Skids and Mudflap is to keep the conversation accessible for the masses.

If Palin Quit...

I am fully aware Palin is not "African-American" but we learn from her story.

Winners never quit and quitters never win goes the story.

I guess the republican party is no more.

Me First

After first reading this article on the first African-American woman to be a Jewish rabbi I thought, "What doors has Obama opened for blacks." It was followed by the realization that Alysa Stanton and Barack Obama have worked for years to attain their accomplishments.

In fact, Alysa was working towards her goal long before Obama became president.

While the question of her goal being attainable only after the election of the first black president was suductive it is obviously a dead-end. In this instance the two may or may not be mutually exclusive but it seems unlikely that all like events will be the same.

Now as to why it is pointed out and whether we will get past this American heritage and tradition of pointing out negro, black, woman, Latina etc etc "Firsts" - that's fertile ground.

The Token President or Black Liberty in our lifetime?

Obama's inauguration today was a milestone achievement in the history of America, but the black economist has yet to see the change.

Is Obama little more than a fly amongst the buttermilk?

Does the achievement of one black man (with tangential roots in African-American history) materially improve the conditions of African-Americans?

No, but I am sure it will do much to get the ball rolling.