Dear Larry: I would like to respond to your recent column about why some black citizens are very defensive toward black politicians regardless of whether the politicians are Democrats or Republicans.
What surprises me is that there are those who only see the politicians as one-dimensional — being black. It doesn't matter whether the politicians do things for their communities or whether they are caught in scandals; people like William Jefferson, Charlie Rangel and Republican National Chairman Michael Steele, who was caught spending funds at an adult-oriented nightclub.
A couple of years ago — months before the presidential election — I listened to a clip from Howard Stern's radio show on YouTube. And what I heard really shocked me.
Stern and his sidekick, Robin Quivers, asked: Do black citizens know anything about Barack Obama as a politician? They sent a correspondent to Harlem and used John McCain's policies as if they were Obama's. The following are some of the reactions:
—They liked the idea of Sarah Palin's being Obama's running mate.
—They supported Obama's staying with the war in Iraq.
—They supported Obama's being pro-life.
They either were not paying too much attention or couldn't care less. It seems that they only voted for a person, not a politician.
My question, Larry, is: Why do some blacks vote for and support a black politician regardless of his or her background?
I find it really biased on their behalf.
Another observation: What are black politicians doing for other blacks? Nothing, I say, other than being black.
— Warner
Dear Warner: If you have been a regular reader of this column, you know my answer regarding "What are black politicians doing for other blacks?" I agree with your answer.
Your question about why blacks support blacks regardless of their backgrounds is not just a black issue. When a group has a single issue, it will support people based on that issue regardless of the other issues that are lingering around. For example:
I have seen gays support gays just for their sexual orientation, Catholics support Catholics because of their religious affiliation, Democrats support Democrats because of their party alignment, and disabled people support disabled people because of their disabilities.
On the flip side, I have seen heterosexuals who never would support a homosexual, Protestants who never would vote for a Catholic, Republicans boycott Democrats, and able-bodied who are uncomfortable with the disabled.
Both groups — pro or con — are guilty of discrimination. Once they give a person a label, that becomes the issue. All the person sees and supports/negates is that stereotype.
I do not agree with your observation regarding Michael Steele. Most blacks do not support him, because he is not a Democrat. If someone is a Republican, he will not get any black support, regardless of skin color.
That means black people, as a whole, are not one-dimensional. Blacks are two-dimensional in their support. They will support a black Democrat regardless of any other issues.
To find out more about Larry G. Meeks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM
|
 |
Comments
|
8 Comments | Post Comment
|
|
***"If someone is a Republican, he will not get any black support, regardless of skin color."*** Yeah, and that's a damn shame. Geoff, where are you? Prove the man wrong. (I don't think you can.)
Comment: #1
Posted by: Matt
Sat Apr 17, 2010 11:14 PM
|
|
|
|
Why would I want to prove Meeks wrong, when he is making exactly the same point that I've been making? Blacks are voting *primarily* based upon political affiliation. The fact that most blacks won't support a black Republican simply proves the point. The question is WHY are Republicans, black and white, are now seen by the black community as so toxic. I believe it's because the Republican party caters specifically to white racism. Blacks aren't stupid. They know what "states rights" means. They know what "confederate history" means and what the confederate flag -- beloved of Republicans in the South -- stands for. And they notice that, while there are some black clowns in the Democratic party, they know that the presence of blacks in the Democratic party isn't simple tokenism, like it is often in the Republican party. The last black Republican of any stature was Colin Powell, and the Republicans basically drove him out of the party because he refused to support the most ridiculous, gimmicky ticket ever launched in a presidential race. Sarah Palin a heartbeat away from the presidency. Man, it's a wonder than anybody with an IQ over 80 would want that. Why not just elect Cher or Paris Hilton?
Comment: #2
Posted by: Geoffrey James
Mon Apr 19, 2010 6:07 AM
|
|
|
|
Re: Geoffrey James. Wow...you're even more obtuse than I thought. See, what you're doing here is called "projection." You're reading a bunch of stuff into terms like "state's rights" that isn't there. The term means exactly that - the right to conduct their own affairs without undue interference from Washington. You think a bunch of them are trying to bring back slavery or something? And the reason I wanted you to try to prove Meeks wrong (epic fail on that one, by the way)...is because he wants blacks to vote based on ideas, not skin color. You know, like pretty much everyone else does? Why are you going around assuming that the Republican Party are racists in the first place? We were the ones who freed the slaves, and we put an end to segregation as well. Bull Connor, George Wallace, and other racists of that time were Democrats. So now I see that you yourself are not only a racist, but you also are ignorant of history. Bravo for showing us that. Oh, about Palin. Yeah - drilling for our own oil at home (as opposed to sending money to a bunch of terrorists in the middle east) and cutting taxes so business has more money to invest - really a stupid idea, isn't it? Yeah. Just keep talking about how we're better off with a president who has put us $1.5 trillion in debt in a single year and has just taken over 1/6th of the US economy. Good golly miss molly, I can't recall the last time I ran across anyone so blind and obtuse.
Comment: #3
Posted by: Matt
Wed Apr 21, 2010 11:38 PM
|
|
|
|
Re: Matt. If you can't recall, then I am pleased to offer my assistance. You saw somebody blind and obtuse when you looked in the mirror this morning!
Comment: #4
Posted by: Brock O. Lee
Fri Apr 23, 2010 8:00 PM
|
|
|
|
Geoff, people like you, of all colors, are the reason that there is such a problem with racism in this country. You extrapolate racism out of everything. And you generalize the whole based on the actions of a few. That must be a very sad and unhappy life, always assuming the worst of others. And being so completely consumed with something that says absolutely nothing about who you are as a person, which is the color of your skin. While no one can change their genetics, they can change how loving they are to others. How you treat others defines you, that is what you should be proud of. Thankfully I live in Sacramento, one of the most diverse cities in the United States. I am white, but the majority of my friends are not. My friends don't care what color I am and I don't care what color they are. It does not matter at all. I do care who they are and who they are is good people. And we are happy because we have love amongst ourselves. The Bible teaches that we all came from one man, Adam, that we are all related, and that, moreover, Jesus Christ died for the sins of all mankind. The sooner you believe this, the happier you will be, I assure you.
Comment: #5
Posted by: SarahM
Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:31 PM
|
|
|
|
Re: SarahM. Yeah, that's the problem all right! People extrapolating and generalizing! Are you listening, Geoffrey James? Diversity is great as long as you are a Christian and believe exactly what Sarah M. tells you to believe!!
Comment: #6
Posted by: Brock O. Lee
Sat Apr 24, 2010 9:36 AM
|
|
|
|
Re: Brock O. Lee Angry much? Go back and reread my comments. This thread is about race, not religion. More than that, I certainly did not put any qualifications on my praise of diversity, but you did. I enjoy talking to and listening to people of all faiths and outlooks. I am genuinely interested in other people and I find it helpful to understand where others are coming from in order to relate to and empathize with them. And obviously, as a Christian, I feel that others would be better off if they were also. Especially given that the Bible teaches that faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for eternal life. But Jesus also taught us to love all others, not just those who agree with us. And our loving Heavenly Father gave us all free will. Everyone has the right to believe as they wish. I am confident in my faith and others differing opinions in that area do not anger, threaten or offend me. You, on the other hand, seem to have a chip on your shoulder where Christians are concerned.
Comment: #7
Posted by: SarahM
Sun Apr 25, 2010 10:33 PM
|
|
|
|
Republicans aren't all racists. But there is a segment of the Republican party that caters to white racism, and the term "states rights" has been code for white racism ever since the national government overruled the states' ability to enforce segregation. A similar situation is developing in Arizona where "states rights" is being used to set up a police state where people with brown skin are can be stopped and searched simply because they don't look Anglo. As for your ridiculous remarks about the history of the Democratic party, anybody who actually knows something about history knows that, of course, the Democratic party had a racist element before it embrace the civil rights movement in the 1960s. However, when President Johnson (a Democrat) strongarmed that legislation through Congress, he knew that he was alienating a segment of the party. As a result, Nixon came up with what is generally known as the "Southern Strategy" -- which was the successful attempt to enlist the disaffected white racist vote into the Republican party, where it remains today. Of course, you probably think that the reason that there are almost no blacks in the Republican party is because they're all stupid. Just to give you a clue; they're not. They know racism when they see it. You evidently think that you can see the truth of the situation better than they do, which is why you are a racist. You think black people are stupid and that's why they're not Republican.
Comment: #8
Posted by: Geoffrey James
Wed Apr 28, 2010 8:06 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
