Letters to the Editor
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A Personal Note
I cant' wait to read this book. As reviewed, it does not totally jibe with the Condi I met and learned about during grad school. Her work for this administration taints my recollections, but does not completely eclipse them.
First, when I (a black guy, for the record) was considering grad school in poli sci, a diverse group of grad student recruiters -- her advisees who included black and latino students -- could not speak highly enough about her. I chose Stanford largely on their praise, even though I was not interested in Condi's academic research on Soviet politics, arms control and civil-military relations. A department that could accomodate a black person of her stature might give me real room and opportunities to grow. I know that Condi has personally helped to advance the careers of her advisees who chose to work in academic or foreign policy areas.
Second, I had an informal sit-down with her once. As we talked, I expressed some doubts about whether grad school was really for me. Her advice (as she sat on the floor eating pizza in jeans, a plain shirt and hair undone!) was: don't let other people's notions about who you're supposed to be determine who you are or want to become. That self-doubt was not my issue, but the response said a lot about her.
Third, even back then, during the less offensive first Bush adminiatration, I wondered why Condi had become a Republican and often asked her advisees about it. The sense I got from them was that Democrats probably had a role in mind for here, but it was something much less ambitious and more stereotypical, maybe focused on Africa (?), than her own international aspirations. Another, or perhaps the first, earthy, firy, tell-it-like-it-is Jocelyn Elders of foreign relations? Maybe, but look what happened to her. A lot of Black Repulicans are ambitious folks who chaffed under the constraints of liberals who maybe unconsciously held color-coded notions of where and how far they should go. A lot of them have succeeded -- on their own terms -- with the help of conservative mentors.
Finally, I think Condi disappoints so much because we still expect so much of prominent African Americans. They are symbols of the country's moral conscience, measures of its successes and failures on raical biases and tensions that will always be with us, and thus loom disproportionately large in our collective psyche and imagination. I think Condi has never wanted to be anything publicly but a measure of success, not totally letting bigots off the hook, but not blaming them for all failures relating to racism either.
When all is said and done, I still wish I could somehow extract the chemistry that makes Condi *Condi*, strip it of the partisan politics, and slip it into the water of so many floundering, self-destructive black youth whose hip-hop idols celebrate marginality, criminality and failure.
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Hallmark of Republicanism
EMPATHY... or the lack thereof is the dark hole in the heart of this administration. Be it social services or callous stereotyping of people we don't mind blowing to bits.
She is in good league with Rove and Cheney - niether of whom she would trust I'm sure - but useful to her ambition.
George will end up as the frustrated teen with his pants around his ankles the day Condi moves on.
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The least of my concern....
Buffalonian - Black women should be worried less about Condi's hair and more about her politics.
She is and always has been a puppet of Dubya. He rides her like one of his horses on the Crawford Ranch. They are a match made in heaven....2 of the most disingenuous, insincere people I have ever witnessed....and this is our leadership.
Their legacy of lies, mistrust, misinformation, greed, and the most jacked-up foreign policy ever devised will haunt us all for decades to come.
I am a black woman and I have never felt any connection to Condi and most of the black people that I know (Dems & Reps) feel the same way.
I cannot wait to read this book, because she is one of the most inscrutable people I have ever come across. I consider myself to be a very perceptive person, but this woman holds her cards so close to her vest, that the images are branded in her skin. Who is she? I know some details about her background, but who the hell is she?
At this point, every time she opens her mouth, I figure lies are coming out. One thing for sure, the author got it right about her being the spin-master. I've never seen anyone manage to backpeddle, go forward and to the side at the same damn time.
Ironically, I think Condi serves as a great example. Even in this day and age, the black community is viewed by political pundits as some monolithic entity that thinks the same, has the same political viewpoints, and agrees on the same issues. Condi Rice is a shining example of how diverse and divergent the views of blacks are in this country.
Nevertheless, she and Dubya need to go so this country can get its act back together and move forward.
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When you're busy, who can reflect?
It's hard to take this criticism of Rice seriously. If she were a democrat and the writers were right of center, they'd be called racist. She doesn't make an issue of of her race and neither should these guys. So she doesn't suck up to the Syrians and Iranians and other sneaky middle eastern terrorists, so what?
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Secretary Rice
Following her colossal failure as National Security Advisor a decent human being would have immediately apologized to the American people and resigned. The fact that she did not do so tells you all you need to know about her.
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i remember when condolezza was appointed
i wondered what would win out - her charming mouth, or her dragon eyes. it's obvious what did. unlike Joe Conason, i think she's finished along with anyone else connected with the bush administration. she'll be back in academia, teaching poli sci at some right wing U. thanks mellowtone for reminding me of Jocelyn Elders. she was great! too great - anyone who could say, "why not masturbate? you won't get into any trouble" has got to go. too bad for all of us. it was really good to see two black folks, both thoughtful and intelligent on the same page. (copelli21) now if the likes of you" could get on TV! but it still gives evidence that it's not ONLY "floundering, self-destructive black youth whose hip-hop idols celebrate marginality, criminality and failure" that define the great black american culture. Onward and Upward!