On Racism: Part 2 - The Semi-Conductor Effect

After Barrack Obama won in 2008 many pundits and columnists declared that 'racism was dead' and we're now 'post racial'.  One has only to look at the subsequent, insipid sort of subliminal 'shading' of our politics since then . . . to see that they were blatantly wrong.  People's minds don't change that easily.  When it comes to Barrack Obama, I've found that for almost all the political battles that have been fought during his Presidency, the facts don't justify the caustic, over-the-top, fulminating opposition to and towards the President, from the Left or Right.  That is not to say Obama doesn't deserve some criticism . . . but myself and other folks of color have a sense that it is a bit overdone.  To tell the truth, us so-called minorities have felt that 'something' has been broken, overwhelmed; an inaudible 'pop' was heard in the attitudes of both parties towards Race since that November night in 2008.

Republicans

Republicans have gone after President Obama with some intransigence and Carte-Blanche opposition that we haven't seen in more than half century.  The reality however of his tenure does not justify their 'frothing at the mouth'.  They should have found in this President someone who had respect for their stated ideals and was willing to work with them in a genuine way.  On every topic you could think of the policies and the compromises he was willing to make, rarely would have warranted the raucous, end of days histrionics these past few years!

For example, observe this picture above with the current Deficit Projections.  You won't get a single Republican to acknowledge what should be good news for them.  They'll STILL say, and the Press will let them, that the Deficit is out of control.

Are you kidding me?!

They don't care about the deficit!  If they did they'd be trying to take credit for it in some way or form (which would have been a load of male bovine excrement).  They just repeat this tripe about spending over and over again that's in direct contradiction with what has happened or is being proposed.  This is a factual 'modus operandi' for the GOP on almost every other issue from Immigration to Taxes to Energy.  They vote against their OWN plans if the President even hints at a modicum of support for it.  There is just this OBSESSION with  stopping the 'unremarkable' when it comes to the 'Barometer of Liberalism', Democratic President who is Barrack Obama!  He is FAR FROM being Liberal and never ran as one, but I guess you cant let the truth get in the way of a traditional, clichéd and 'good' proven attack.  The GOP are content to destroy the country just to make sure He can't claim any (more) accomplishments of note.  The Press won't call the Republican Party on the irrational and unprecedented opposition to the President, which translates to an overt, 'highly-specific' vendetta towards the same!

The 'coded' rhetoric that accompanies almost EVERY anti-Obama political effort (Birthers, Havard-Gate, Surge in gun sales, etc) betrays the essence of the Great Ugly, that, to us folks of color, seem to drive all of this frenzy.  However, still too many folks in the Majority can't wrap their heads around this fact, because admitting such causes this deluge of possibly shame and guilt(?), that for most, is still in the subconscious, but potent enough to 'disturb' their 'conscious mood': There is this vehement, reflexive denial of the 'tinted catalyst' for the obstruction.  This 'privilege' they have of not having to engage with this ethnic 'issue', as it were, with most choosing to remain deliberately and preferably oblivious to the obvious, only remaining reason, plays right into the GOP's play book.  Tim Wise and even Soledad O'Brien recently addressed this 'choice of existing with one's eyes wide shut', that all within the Majority can 'partake of on a whim, with practically no repercussions.

That is such a tragedy.

We need Big Ideas, unprecedented selflessness and cooperation from those we put in our government to recover and put us in the driver's seat for the 21st century NOW!  What comes off to many of us of color, when we discuss it in our barber shops, hair salons, on the block, wherever . . . is that these folks are obsessed with, destroying 'idea and image of the 'Black Man' in the 'White House'.  The visual paradox seems to be really stuck in their craw, so to speak.  This isn't just my saying so, but many other folks have written about it as well.  Some wonder if Barrack Obama's election has made racism worse. 'White House' it seems, means more to the GOP than just a reference to the literal color of the building . . . It represents, what they thought was, an ethnic 'badge of exclusivity in perpetuity' for Them and Their 'Kind'.

Having one of 'Those' whose  forebears they once owned, actually be in a real position of power OVER their lives . . . is as vexing a reality, to them, as large-grain grit between one's skin and a bathing suit, with some glass splinters mixed in.  Hence they're incapable of 'letting it go' no matter what is at stake . . .  they can't think about anything else but '. . . getting the 'grit'(also Socialist, Communist, Manchurian Muslim extremist, etc) out of my swimsuit!'  Even as the 'Shark of National and Worldwide Economic Ruin' starts to circle and 'bump', even 'nibble' at them with 'exploratory bites' . . . they can't stop their frenzied 'picking' and 'tugging' . . .!

Such is the insanity of this craven Hate and its Practitioners . . .

I'm sorry to have to say it, but the Present GOP, to me, are RACIST . . . because nothing else makes sense or is credible as a reason so far, in light of all relevant facts.  Even Chris Matthews has 'their number' and it's not the first time he's pointed this out.  I've written before how I've felt the moment I have to resign myself to the conclusion of Racism as an explanation:

"When you hear yet another attack of that sort, you parse it, find no other conclusion, no matter how hard you look and try . . . this heavy, sinking feeling comes over you and you feel sort of physically 'sick' with the anger that wells up . . . after you've been 'assaulted' . . ."

They do this to me all the time.

Democrats

The Democratic Establishment bears some culpability for the present intransigence as well.  It stems from what they have NOT done versus the GOP's calculated choice to take a specific action.  Bill Clinton championed some rather horrible legislation in his tenure(fully supported by Hillary at the time) that was rather toxic to the working-class, and lower class members of the so-called Democratic base.  People of color were especially hurt by this.   NAFTA, Three Strikes, Welfare Reform, Repeal of 'Glass-Steagall' are some biggies, where there have been books and tons of irrefutable data about how these have been net negatives for the Middle Class and other members of the fabled 99% . . . yet during Obama's first term many Liberals were pining for Bill Clinton like if Bill was some Liberal Paragon in his two terms!  

What is with the 'amnesia' about the past, DNC?  

You folks have been incredulously melding his face with Dubbya's asking what's the difference . . . when the reality, the data and the benefits to be had by our so-called Base of Democratic support from the enacted and championed policies of Barrack Obama, do and did much more for the traditionally-Democratic/Liberal platform than Clinton!  We love to talk about that we on the Left deal with fact: Check it out.  It's true.  I'm not the only one who sees this apparent double standard.  Melissa Harris-Perry wrote this piece and a follow  up addressing this issue.  Many Liberals were nasty in their response/reaction to it.

Basically it's: "We're Liberals!  You can't call us 'that'!  We 'fought for you' and ultimately, arguably 'freed' you . . . how can you call us that!?"

Yes . . . We Can.

Firstly we've fought too and have been fighting right alongside you as well.  We STILL fight today . . . even after many of 'you' have 'retired' from the fight for a few decades now . . . but that is for another post.  Also, sorry about the seemingly, OFA-inspired Pun, but this glaring double standard and unrealistic expectations, down to the verbiage many of you INSIST he use . . . is also unprecedented.  Why not back him up like you did Clinton before?  Where is his benefit of the doubt?  Where are the arsenal of unprompted, well-known Democrats aggressively and unapologetically defending the Administration from the GOP attacks?  Where is the concerted media offensive driving the discussion and public opinion?

Clinton had it . . . where's the President's 'back up'?

Examine yourself you Ultra Liberal Democrats.  I'm with you . . . but watch it.  I understand the need for retribution after eight years of Bush . . . but watch it.  You're putting this all on Obama to 'fix' but you aren't being realistic AND you aren't being sensitive to the fact that majority of the country is NOT quite post-racial, no matter how we 'intellectually banter' about our 'wish' or 'personal, conscious choice to 'be' so'.  Certain ethnic perceptions persist that are irrational but can be crippling to an agenda if the 'trip wire' is stepped on.  Start having some informed historical and societal perspective 'readily available' when you purport to criticize the President for any perceived failures or 'less-than-desired-timbred' rhetoric . . . or else you end up reinvigorating the ability for this insidious poison of race-based perceptions to cling to the mantle of relevance in the subconscious minds of many.

Acknowledge Liberals that as a Black Man and a 'Black First' he's walking a sort of knife's edge of expectancy, that the world is 'trading as the Intellectual Stock Futures' of Black People.  However, this path he travels is fragile and vulnerable to old attacks that could mean failure and re-relegation back into the box Blacks have been placed in for too long.  This means that the tactics he uses to facilitate the Agenda WILL BE different . . . MUST BE, if he is to successfully uplift an entire downtrodden group's perception, and be a visionary, competent President.  That is the load he has to bear . . . he's an Atlas that dare not 'shrug'.

As a group that prides itself on being driven by nuance, relevant perspective, facts and compassion, empathy . . . I expect more from Democrats and Liberals.  However, your record has been mixed at best with room for improvement.

Conclusion

The fact that all presidents before this one were White, seemed to have only been, barely 'shunting' or insulating this 'current' of racism from overwhelming the 'semi-conductor' of our learned, post-civil rights era, intellectual decorum where Race is concerned.  It seems that after the Civil Rights Era, Society took to a certain 'social and political politeness' when dealing with Race; always taking care to obfuscate any incidents or political attacks, so that they can't be clearly imbued with the dreaded title of 'Racist' . . . even though, as a member of a so-called minority, you can just 'feel' that all too familiar 'current' percolating through, enough for you to feel a tingle, that's quite uncomfortable.

I call it the 'Semi-Conductor Effect'.

The Semi-Conductor worked to keep relative peace for decades; stopped the 'amperes' from 'smarting too much' so we could keep eyes forward.  People of color started to assume certain positions in government and business, that were long denied to them socially and sometimes legally.  We were making progress, we thought, towards the fabled More Perfect Union . . .

Until Barrack Obama won.

'Pop!' . . . and fizz . . .

This is the inaudible sound I spoke about at the outset.  Now, I'm not saying that we have not made advances.  To be sure it isn't as stark and widespread a societal 'reversal' as may be construed by the preceding paragraphs; it is definitely better.  However, where our Politics is concerned, we've gone back to, anywhere from post-reconstruction, to just before the Civil Rights Act, in terms of a sense of political and personal honor, certain boundaries, even simple manners. When addressing/dealing with the President and other visible and politically-active/consequential luminaries of color, the expected deference, respect for the office and position are seriously and conspicuously absent.  It's really embarrassing and . . . and angering.    From Eric Holder and Michelle Obama to Congressman Ralph Ellison have found themselves the targets of some extremely nasty sort of attacks that takes one back to the 30's, 40's, and 50's in terms of overt racism.

Call me obsessed, as some of you will, . . . but it's the Truth.  It's a reality I 'get' like osmosis, like breathing every time I venture on to Fox News, or listen to Rush, or Glenn Beck.  The Truth, were she a woman, would have the historical reputations as being a vindictive and destructive HELL of a bitch when not acknowledged (no offense to be taken ladies but you KNOW exactly what I mean, ok?).  Great societies have fallen at her hands, for She works with the retribution scale and the 'decimation artistry' of a God!

And we're doomed if we don't start facing Her and Respecting Her: 

We are not yet Post-Racial; The Semi-Conductor has been overwhelmed . . . at least in one sphere of our society.

I wonder if we will ever be, because one side or the other continues to glean some benefit, financially or politically, from keeping these divisions alive . . .