Getting beyond the euphoria of skin color

Many times I have agonized about how quality black actors on television had been displaced by simple black images. The power-that-be finally decided to give us more black faces. But, I hope that black people should understand that power transcends black skin color. Not all actors who 'get paid' are concerned about making history as the viewers. In fact many, not to mention Bill Cosby, turn out to be antagonists to the black community--the same community who have helped to ensure their place on the tube and in life. Or, these actors may look black on the tube, but their private lives may reveal that they prefer white over black.

Just like Kennedy's reign was suppose to be one as Camelot but instead turned in to a horror story, we may be recycling that same Camelot illusion--not wanting to call it like it is. We are then allowing for history to repeat itself with no accountability. This in itself explains why emotional outbreaks are not necessarily accountable for real life issues.

My message to black people is to ‘get a grip’. Stop your partying, crying, dancing, sweating, jerking and start making demands that transcends reactions from the, arguably, positive effects of seeing a simple black face in the position of power. If President-Elect Obama preaches that America does not have a race problem anymore, we need to counter by challenging him to show us.

In a recent article: The Obama '08 Phenomenon: What Have We Learned? Glen Ford, Executive Editor, Black Agenda Report online newsletter (http://www.blackagendareport.com/ ) stated:

“We have learned that Black politicians and activist-poseurs have an infinite capacity to celebrate not having engaged in struggle with Power, and that the Black masses can be made drunk by the prospect of vicariously (through Obama) coming to power. Having failed to make even the mildest of demands on Obama in return for unquestioning support…”

Then there’s the perennial Presidential candidate, Ralph Nader, questioning whether Obama can speak truth to power (Counterpunch, November 6, 2008 interviewed by Alexander Cockburn):

“It doesn’t matter that he sides with destruction of the Palestinians, and sides with the embargo. It doesn’t matter that he turns his back on 100 million people and won’t even campaign in minority areas. It doesn’t matter that he wants a bigger military budget, and an imperial foreign policy supporting various adventures of the Bush administration. It doesn’t matter that he’s for the death penalty, which is targeted at minorities. But if you say one thing that isn’t PC, you get their attention. I tell college audiences, a gender, racial or ethnic slur gets you upset, reality doesn’t get you upset.

Can Obama speak truth to the white power structure? There’s every indication he doesn’t want to. For example, in February he stiffed the State of the Black Union annual meeting in New Orleans. He’s a very accommodating personality.”As the aftermath of the Obama-effect wears off, it is progressives like Ralph Nader and Glen Ford and, of course many others like me, who won’t let up in calling it as it is."

Wow, the first Black American has been just elected to the highest office in America, if not the world! It has been mind boggling seeing small and great people shed tears on this occasion. If you are African American, you had to be chronically displaced if there wasn’t at least a hint of emotion, even if it was/is based on an illusion that has been well staged.

Watching Jesse Jackson on national TV and hearing another Lieutenant of Dr. King’s inner circle, John Lewis, plus the masses, them seemingly squeezing every ounce of possible excitement from this occasion is an understatement.

In essence, has America come full circle? We are now equal, save 5%, according to Obama.

Let’s be clear.

• I feel that Obama has every right to become an American President, just as much as anyone. I applaud his abilities and gifts. I applaud his courage and resolve to lead the people.
  


• Even though I did not pray for his ascension, I will pray for him and his family as he serves the people of the United States of America (and the world) as President. He deserves support, not just from Democrats, but from Republicans, Independents and all Americans who so desperately want America to overcome the many problems wroth by his predecessor, and since its founding, that have help to squander its pledge for being a fair and equal society.
  


• As far as color, I confess my prejudice, it is his wife’s skin color that impresses me the most. Truly, black skin is beautiful in all of its different hue gradations, but even as I am somewhat fair, darker is even the better. I will be praying for Michelle as she is probably the most pivotal person in this whole thing. I hope that she will continue to be a model black woman who stands by her man.
  

I’m not mad at Obama, he never promised me (or any black for that matter) anything. Like the writer says, we really never made the mildest demands. However, here we are, hoping and praying that Obama remembers who he is (or wants to be) and remember us. And, if his memory of community is not restored, we are all toast.

Yes, once black people have calmed down, and we are able to recognize and accept that most of Obama’s cabinet and inner circle of advisers will be virtually be white (pay attention to his current selections), pro-Israel, anti-Palestinian, pro-military, pro-imperial, pro-hegemony, and systemic racism is ever present, once again we shall be shocked back to reality and, just maybe, recognize that Mr. Obama is not the Second Coming of the Christ--a Coming that we supposedly yearn for everyday.

Last, but not least, I’m reminded about the multitude on the Mount who came to hear Jesus speak. They adored Him and worshipped Him; they were quite mesmerized by Jesus’ eloquence and zeal.

I remember reading about Him saying “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” and adding other beatitudes in ministering to the multitudes that hungered and thirst for righteousness and truth (and, probably money for rent). Jesus was a star.

However, as the real life story unfolded, the same multitude who had adored him and begged for his touch was yelling “crucify Him” a short time later.