Dr. Boyce Watkins
www.BoyceWatkins.net
www.YourBlackWorld.com
Not sure if you guys have seen this cover of Barack and Michelle Obama on The New Yorker today, but here it is.
Those of you who know me know what I am thinking:
1) Black people should never purchase another copy of The New Yorker again, unless there is a retraction and full apology. Even then, they should be held accountable regarding how many African American writers and editors they have on staff.
2) This cover says at least two things: Being too black is a bad thing, and being a Muslim is just as bad. I don't believe that Senator Obama is a Muslim, but it is shameful that being a Muslim has become a crime in this country. It appears that black skin is acceptable, but black people receive acceptance into the establishment typically if they are docile and weak (hence, the whole "militant black woman" label you see on the cover). Many of you experience this kind of cultural dominance every day on the job. This, in my opinion, is the new racism of America. People don't hate you for having black skin. They hate you for having black cultural attributes that they do not understand (Remember when the boxer Joe Louis was given the list of appropriate Negro behavior when he became a pro? America loved him because he followed the list).
3) This re-emphasizes the need for more black-owned media. This election has been distorted because there are no black voices to counter those of Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity. Hence, our voices are either muted or distorted, and we end up having to "shoosh" one another to ensure that the media doesn't find out that black people really have something to be angry about. That kind of sickens me.
4) Someone asked me to explain why I am voting for Obama. Here is the answer: 1) He is electable. 2) He is intelligent. 3) He is better than McCain (anyone is). 4) I respect strong, intelligent brothers. 5) The rest of the world hates our guts and he can help fix that problem. 6) Michelle Obama is one of the most intellectually beautiful people I've ever seen, and I am hopeful that she can keep Barack honest. My frustrations with Barack are similar to my frustrations with some hip hop artists: They both end up doing silly things in response to pressure from the racists they are trying to appease. If they were behaving according to free will, they would likely be doing something entirely different. Racism makes all of us do things that are humiliating to our people and ultimately divisive, and as long as we are chasing corporate, political and financial carrots, we will always be a slave to this tap dance. I am no exception, but I strive each day to break out of that pattern.
5) Congrats to another beautiful black woman, Cynthia McKinney, who just secured the Green Party nomination. Her platform is quite compelling, and she deserves an honest look from all of us. I suggest that when it comes to all candidates, we look at a list of the issues and make decisions based on whether the candidate appears to be willing to support the agenda that works best for our community (whatever that means to you). We should also remember that when it comes to politicians, if we ask for nothing, we will get nothing. So, don't be afraid to ask for political accountability (even if you think that Barack is the Black Baby Jesus).
5 comments:
I'm astonished at this cover. It's neither funny or satirical (as they claim). They knew exactly what they were doing - especially in a country where half the electorate want to believe such an image has substance. I just gritted my teeth and went on Fox News' website (ughh) to read the comments. Sure enough, 9 out of 10 were basically saying 'this confirms it'.
I've already cancelled my Conde Nast subscription and hope that anyone with a conscience would do the same. They (Conde Nast) own a whole load of magazines so there's more than just the New Yorker to cease from buying. Do it. They need to pay for this.
Might want to know that there are a lot of regualr white folks who also find this very offensive. I will never purchase another copy of the New Yorker.
I saw the cover on CNN with the volume down and started cracking up. I thought it was hilarious... they got all the smear points in, including the osama slippers on his feet. I don't even see it as being in bad taste. And Racist?? C'mon now Dr. Boyce, that's really stretching it. The New Yorker is cleverly making a mockery of all the smears that have been plaguing the senator since he announced his candidacy. That's the correct way to emasculate the right wing rumor mill ... you laugh in their face and not give their blubbering any gravitas.
I must say that I was really surprised and extremely disappointed by your reaction. Your email subject line called the cover "Horribly racist" then failed to give any concise viewpoints on exactly what was really racist about the depiction. Alls I'm saying is lets just save our vitriolic responses (the "Horribly racists" outcries) for the things that really are... Like the caricature of a pregnant Condi Rice carry a monkey in her womb. If you cry wolf too many times Dr Boyce guess what happens... that's all i'm saying. The tendency to do just that has marginalized a few of our best... like Jesse for instance.
The real problem for the Obama camp is that a lot of the bonehead dunces who already believe what they believe will take it as confirmation of their suspicions. But that's what flaky boneheads do.. you don't even have to shove **it down their throats, just hold it up to their face and tell em its ice cream. Obama likely would not have gotten those votes anyway so there was no need to pandering to the flaky boneheads by coming out and denouncing the cover like they did.
Aside from that... keep up the good work.
Zengaman, you make a convincing argument and I can understand your point. In fact, I would agree with you wholeheartedly if we were living in a country where we could safely assume most people would at least 'get it' and see it for what it is. But no, with America, unfortunaely we are not dealing with a reasonably educated electorate that can weigh up the pros and cons of a candidate. We are dealing with a nation that is steeped in what seems to be perpetual ignorance and racial hatred. Consequently, I can't laugh at that cover because I know how it will be received and used. I know how Fox and the rightwing hate machine will run with those images. You are correct when you say that those who want to believe all the smears against Obama would not have voted for him in any case. But what about all those who were still having doubts? Do you not think something as simplistic as this is a perfect weapon to convince the doubters?
They say a picture is worth a thousand words and in this case I believe, sadly, that it's true.
Lastly, this depiction of Obama can only reinforce the fears, hate and extremism of the truly dark side of America. The side that is theatening him, his family and other African Americans daily. That is why in my opinion, this is anything but funny. (Of course I hope I'm wrong about all this and that you are right!)
I'm just glad they didn't depict the sister with a Jheri Curl. The last thing we need is for us to be depicted like angry ganggangers from Compton.
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