Letters to the Editor
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Thank you ivanveen
This person's letter is the most thoughtful and elegant of all. Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone as smart as Debra Dickerson could write something like that, and affect real change? So many minority groups boost up their members; they don't tear each other down.
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Listen up folks!
The hate and oppobrium heaped upon Dickerson every time Salon publishes one of her pieces is sickening. She certainly does not speak for all black people, or all black women, or all women, or me, but she is most certainly a voice worth listening to.
When did Salon become such a hate-filled place?
I don't often agree with Dickerson. So what? I appreciate her commentary and insights. Obama is a fascinating character, and I welcome his challenge to Hilary Clinton. I'm a white feminist progressive who has fought for the issues women and people of color care about for over 30 years. But I cannot find it in my heart to support Hil 'cuz she did not have the courage to speak out against the Iraq invasion much earlier in the game, when it would have saved thousands of U.S. soldiers' and Iraqi citizens' lives. I have a deep and abiding love for Jesse Jackson, but his time is past, and think I understand why the black civil rights solons are trying to put a damper on Obama's surge. BUT there are so many, many, many, other bridges to cross before 2008.
Why are so many of you insistent about silencing Dickerson? STFU, and let the woman speak, please.
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Well...
I have no intention of heaping hate on Debra Dickerson, but I do reserve the right to disagree with her. Obama is "not black?" Because he wasn't descended from slaves?
Please.
Does a well-off young American black man or woman, who was descended from slaves, but whose parents were middle-class, and who's done well him- or herself, qualify as "black" in Ms. Dickerson's judgment? Though it is absolutely great that such a young person has done well, and I applaud it, what have they gone through, though they be descended from slaves, that makes them "deserve" the name, in her opinion? But on the other hand, if they _have_ experienced racism's pain in the modern day (and I assume every young black man or woman has, in one way or another), then what exactly makes Ms. Dickerson think that Obama has not?
I'm not black, but if my views count for anything, Obama is perfectly black enough for me. He needn't prove himself in any way but with his competence. I hope he gets the chance.
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Just a quick comment....
Why is it that being descended from West African slaves somehow makes you a party to their misery, their suffering? How does it make you a victim, a person unique in his or her objectification and oppression? You are Joe Schmoe, 21st century American, victim only of those injustices done to you, not to your ancestors.
That sort of thinking is what has led to ridiculous ideas like reparations, and indoctrinating white children into believing that they should be ashamed of being white because their ancestors (just like every race on the face of the planet) once owned slaves. In a high school English class, we read a book about Native Americans. All we ever talked about was how horrible the scant and suitably generic white characters were, how demonic and evil, while no mention was made of the rape and murder committed by one of the Native American characters. We often (and rightly so) read books like Roar of Thunder, Hear My Cry and Uncle Tom's Cabin, but we never read about the Black Panthers or the Nation of Islam, or anything that might paint blacks in any sort of negative light.
Will the sins of the father always be the sins of the son? At what point in time can I engage in dialogue with the descendent of a West African slave and not have to feel guilty about what someone else's ancestors did to their ancestors (I myself am descended from poor Norwegian immigrants who never owned a slave)?
Maybe there is a "black" culture that likes to think of itself as slaves. Maybe if it stopped thinking that way we could finally step beyond the 18th century and get on with our lives. Maybe it's wishful thinking to assume that blacks are any more willing to move past the issue of race than the stereotypical racist white person.
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It is what it is
This line: "It is also to point out the continuing significance of the slave experience to the white American psyche; it's not we who can't get over it. It's you."
plus this line: "He signals to whites that the racial turmoil and stalemate of the last generation is past and that with him comes a new day in politics when whites needn't hold back for fear of being thought racist."
add up to what should be a great reason to support Obama.
There. White guilt solved. Since it's really us that can't get over it, and Obama will help us do that... then... what??? Racism in America is over??? Thanks, Debra, for solving this one for us. Pure genius.
Hold back from what, exactly? Um, what are we holding back from doing? I'd like to know what I'm being accused of, here, in this (yet another) sweeping indictment of inability-not-to-be-a-racist-because-I'm-white.
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It's Boring
I like Obama because he's black. That gives me hope.
I like him because he's intelligent (would be a nice change of pace in the presidency).
I like him because he's upfront about his past, warts and all.
I like his serious respect for his wife. I like her too.
I liked his book.
I like it that he has lived in other cultures, has deep memories of them. (His childhood years in Indonesia didn't sound elitist to me.)
I like his way of explaining his faith. I'm a UU.
I like the way he refers to his mother (men who respect their mothers are often pretty advanced in their awareness of women's issues).
I like his bravery in accepting the wave of need that's rolled his way.
So far, he's my guy.
I'm a white liberal feminist, from the South.
Debra, when you look in your mirror and greet yourself, with love and acceptance, I think your point of view on race will change.