tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post597951183222156624..comments2024-03-22T10:49:51.766-05:00Comments on Horizons: President Obama on being black in AmericaNancy LeTourneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614317154146836694noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-66457847074319739132013-05-21T22:26:08.632-05:002013-05-21T22:26:08.632-05:00As the Shawnee say - "A Great Enemy is a gift...As the Shawnee say - "A Great Enemy is a gift from God." I have learned much. More than I have ever wanted to know. Sometimes at great cost. But I wouldn't trade it for anything.snkscoyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06862679903009056232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-81417517381165364252013-05-21T12:09:33.236-05:002013-05-21T12:09:33.236-05:00Sorry, but we will have to agree to disagree on th...Sorry, but we will have to agree to disagree on this point especially since Wise wasn't at the speech and probably only read it. When you're reading a speech instead of attending one, you are more likely to jump to your own conclusions before considering others. When you're actually in the room hearing the speaker, this is a little more difficult. It's not just your own conclusions you're dealing with; it's the ones from the audience and even speaker themselves. I've made this same mistake myself. <br /><br />So, to me, this isn't"Just sayin'" because it's so easy for human beings to be fooled by their own perceptions. By the way, please reread my last sentence. If you really think Wise hasn't had to deal with this type of misunderstanding before, then you're naive. There's no way he could understand white privilege so well without stumbling around the way. <br /><br />As an African-American, I fully and completely understand that if I expect whites to understand where I and other people of color are coming, I should expect them to stumble from time-to-time. That includes you. <br /><br />It may seem strange to you that I'm demonstrating so much forgiveness here. Well, just as Wise is learning to empathisize with POCs and is confronting the white privilege he's benefitting from, I'm returning the favor and showing empathy towards him. I've seen the bubble of white privilege up close and personal and it has very, very thick walls. So, if whites who want to break this bubble stumble from time to time; no biggie. I have a much bigger problem with whites who either deny racism exists or decide to wallow in their racial ignorance. nabsentia23noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-6579100786744997272013-05-21T10:32:32.422-05:002013-05-21T10:32:32.422-05:00I may not be as aware of my white privilege as Tim...I may not be as aware of my white privilege as Tim Wise is, but I tend to wait if the people who were addressed in a speech are offended before I'm offended for them. I'm pretty sure the Morehouse graduates are smart enough to pick up when they're being insulted and don't need a white dude to tell them. Just sayin'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-2636886763084331062013-05-20T20:12:55.128-05:002013-05-20T20:12:55.128-05:00Sorry, but I can't be as harsh with Wise as yo...Sorry, but I can't be as harsh with Wise as you are.<br /><br />Racism is pervasive and it affects everyone on both conscious and subconscious levels. So, maybe Wise didn't know better. And honestly, I don't blame his sensitivity since we have conservatives who also feel compelled to give me and other blacks "prep talks" on how we can improve ourselves. However, the nuances between this speech from Obama and what he said at the CBC a few years ago (which was also misinterpreted as a putdown on black people) are quite different from those coming from conservatives. Yet, nuances aren't always easy to pick up, especially when you're on the outside looking in (like Wise was here). And unfortunately, thanks to our long history of racism, some nuances are based primarily on skin color and not much else. Sad, but true. <br /><br />I'm much more forgiving because 1) Wise's work is amazing and 2) I suspect this isn't the only time he may have "stepped in it." It's inevitable and it's the reason why Wise does the work he does. He clearly understands that his white privilege puts him at a disadvantage. This insight puts him so many steps ahead of other whites. But, he's still human and he's going to make mistakes. We all do. The question is whether or not we learn from them. nabsentia23noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-80941625383815311192013-05-20T19:53:32.446-05:002013-05-20T19:53:32.446-05:00This is definitely a case of somebody meaning well...This is definitely a case of somebody meaning well, but not quite getting the point.<br /><br />I was watching a video of a speech Wise gave a few years ago. He briefly mentioned (with surprise) that many blacks internalize the racism inflicted towards us. Well, of course we do, Tim. How could we not? Ever since we were old enough to understand, we absorbed many of the messages given to us by the dominant culture. And it is this that Obama was talking about at Morehouse. He was encouraging the graduates not to succumb, just as he didn't.<br /><br />I would challenge Wise to find anything said by the GOP, conservatives (including the black ones), white nationalists, etc, etc. about African Americans that either included the word, "empathy" or had any empathetic tone at all. I don't think he will find it. When Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum complained about "blah" people on the campaign trail, there was no empathy there. Just resentment, blame, and arrogance. <br /><br />I appreciate Wise's concern but, he's focusing on racism from the perspective of the privileged. However, fighting racism from the perspective of the discriminated is not quite the same. The mere fact that Wise was surprised that many blacks end up internalizing the racist attitudes towards them gives away his own privilege. But, something tells me that he doesn't have as big of a problem accepting this as many whites (especially since many would deny that white privilege even exists). <br /><br /> nabsentia23noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-52049943584274741412013-05-20T19:15:04.027-05:002013-05-20T19:15:04.027-05:00Mr. Wise stepped out of his depth! He can NEVER kn...Mr. Wise stepped out of his depth! He can NEVER know what being Black in America is about. What he can know is "white privilege" and can speak eloquently about it as well as its likely impact on AA! But his mis-interpretation of the President's speech is not forgivable. He should have known better. He is like a guests who gets welcoming validation and then stays too long.<br /><br />The President's speech ws magnificent!!<br />Smilingl8dy Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-88220644314334716572013-05-20T18:19:25.425-05:002013-05-20T18:19:25.425-05:00You bring up a good point, Woody. I think it's...You bring up a good point, Woody. I think it's a case of Tim Wise evoking his own white privilege by ignoring the feelings of the Morehouse grad and their families. Sepiahttp://pragmaticobotsunite.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-13618294093027929482013-05-20T14:43:53.903-05:002013-05-20T14:43:53.903-05:00In his criticism, Mr. Wise overlooks one thing...B...In his criticism, Mr. Wise overlooks one thing...Barack Hussein Obama "IS" The President Of The united States and they still call "him" the n-word. What he's telling these young men is that the struggle will continue long after they turn those tassels. Mr. Wise has spent a lot of time "exploring" race in America, but President Obama along with many of us are "living" race in America.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-6627622248669762042013-05-20T12:35:17.818-05:002013-05-20T12:35:17.818-05:00Tim Wise means well, but I'm starting to get t...Tim Wise means well, but I'm starting to get tired of his "I'm the only white man who gets it" routine. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-66991360822497456002013-05-20T12:03:48.483-05:002013-05-20T12:03:48.483-05:00That's we Hear you.That's we Hear you.eveingeorgiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01633540780387757620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-39330338114837564842013-05-20T12:02:05.912-05:002013-05-20T12:02:05.912-05:00Yes, SMARTYPANTS. Thanks for this. Tim Wise can...Yes, SMARTYPANTS. Thanks for this. Tim Wise can't and doesn't speak for me on this one. In fact I felt insulted by his article. I'm the mother of two MOREHOUSE grads. I know what they have faced. I have experienced their despair. What the president said was what I and their father have said, over and over again. The reality for our guys is different and that is just a fact. Keep talking President Obama, we near you and thank you.eveingeorgiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01633540780387757620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-44367700180993856592013-05-20T11:52:25.830-05:002013-05-20T11:52:25.830-05:00Great post. Slightly off-topic, but related to Ob...Great post. Slightly off-topic, but related to Obama's impact on young African-Americans, go to the below link to check out this photo. It's in keeping with photos you occasionally post.<br /><br />http://media.talkingpointsmemo.com/slideshow/april-white-house-2013/1-306539?ref=fpblgAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-10012151370936262172013-05-20T11:16:22.915-05:002013-05-20T11:16:22.915-05:00Thanks, SmartyPants. Frankly, preferred Obama'...Thanks, SmartyPants. Frankly, preferred Obama's speech to the Duke commencement I had suffer through last weekend. I had to hear Melinda Gates' ode to oblivious white privilege and she, the wife of one of the richest men in history, understands poor women of the world by drinking tea and looking up at the sky. GTFOH. LACoincidentalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07529463652136455230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-10282064640734840112013-05-20T11:03:38.704-05:002013-05-20T11:03:38.704-05:00Wise in this instance is on the outside looking in...Wise in this instance is on the outside looking in. All he had to do was take a look at the faces of those young men who were graduating and watch their reaction to know the President had connected big time. woody45http://oldhollywood.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-39137028658938194942013-05-20T10:48:39.615-05:002013-05-20T10:48:39.615-05:00Great post Smartypants. I thought President Obama...Great post Smartypants. I thought President Obama delivered a sober, learned, and inspiring call to service. It seems to me, some African American intellectuals and our white allies are unable to understand that it possible to understand and racism and privilege and reject victimhood at the same time. President Obama did not say anyting yesterday my parents and grandparents haven't told me hundreds of times. <br /><br />KathAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-65304553191626439832013-05-20T10:43:52.169-05:002013-05-20T10:43:52.169-05:00Thanks SO much for this. What an amazing family yo...Thanks SO much for this. What an amazing family you have!<br /><br />My simplistic look at this kind of thing often tells me that the messages the white community needs to hear are the mirror images (or opposite) of what the black community needs. In his quest to combat white privilege, Wise is consumed with the former. Yesterday PBO spoke to the latter. Its interesting that when Obama talks to a predominantly white audience, he stresses the idea of community responsibility - the mirror image of personal responsibility (ie, citizenship, "you didn't build that").Nancy LeTourneauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12614317154146836694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-75159975215730202392013-05-20T10:31:26.717-05:002013-05-20T10:31:26.717-05:00I watched Obama's speech yesterday and frankly...I watched Obama's speech yesterday and frankly, its the most honest thing I've heard said at commencement in a long time and its what my parents (both former sharecroppers) drilled into my head. From the pulipts on Sunday morning, to what my grandmother told me when I graduated high school, Obama said nothing different than anything a self-aware Black person hasn't heard at the kitchen table:<br /><br />1. The world isn't going to give you anything. Despite your success now, you'll still find racism (and some brothers' cases - homophobia) lurking at your every step. You want something in America, you're going to take it by force.<br /><br />2. Don't let the occasional bouts of racism stop you from success because your parents had it tougher than you and sacrificed a lot for you. (Again, my grandparents were uneducated farmers living under the boot of Jim Crow who sent three kids through college.)<br /><br />3. The Black community needs us (young educated Black men, the so-called Talented Tenth) to be leaders because white folks sure as hell ain't gonna save our neighborhoods. So don't become like many young Black college grads who run off after getting their diplomas to chase paper and women (or men if that's what you're into), never bothering to give back to the 'hood. (I know plenty of cats who did just that. Hell, I did it for a few years.)<br /><br />4. Being a good man (father, partner, neighbor, friend) is more important than being rich and powerful man. Again, Obama cares more about his wife and daughters than being the leader of the free world. Seeing as there is a culture of underground bacchanalia in the ATL to lure many a Black man astray - this definitely hits home. <br /><br />I love Tim Wise's writing - he gets white privilege better than most and puts into your face loud and clear. But despite his somber and intelligent insights, he's still a white guy writing from a vantage point of privilege and there are limits to his understanding of Blackness.<br /><br />As for the Black intelligensia who get all huffy when Obama talks like this (I looking at you, MHP and Cornell West), chill out. If more black leaders spoke about Blackness as honestly as Obama, we may not have half our problems. Also, most of the people complaining are mad that no one cares what they think.LACoincidentalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07529463652136455230noreply@blogger.com