Monday, May 05, 2008

Whites satisfied with racial progress

from the Financial Times

According to a survey by the University of Chicago, 79 per cent of the US's blacks believe either that they will not achieve racial equality in their lifetime, or that it will never be attained. In contrast, almost two-thirds of whites believe it has already been achieved.

I can't fail to reference William Kristol's op-ed following Obama's Philadelphia speech on race in March, when he wrote, "Over the last several decades, we’ve done pretty well in overcoming racial barriers and prejudice."

Now, if you had to choose between America's two favorite races -- aka "white" and "black" -- which would you guess William Kristol belongs to?

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Martin Luther King, Jr. just loved the limelight

It should be clear to everyone of respectable opinion that Martin Luther King, Jr.'s role in the civil rights movement was largely inspired by his insatiable love for attention, and that his assassination stemmed mainly from his jealously of younger upstarts like Malcom X taking the bullets first.

Michael Eric Dyson, sociology professor at Georgetown University and Baptist preacher has this to say about Jeremiahgate:

If YouTube were around when Martin Luther King Jr. preached to black churches, I'm afraid he would be as viciously condemned as Jeremiah Wright, for he said the following to black congregations: "America was founded on genocide, and a nation that is founded on genocide is destructive."

It's worth remembering that King was widely condemned for his opposition to the Vietnam war and his "Poor People's Campaign" for economic justice by the very Northern establishment types who loved him so for exposing the myriad sins of the South. It is very important when you are endorsed by power never to step outside the role you are assigned to.
Change We Can Upheave In

from the New York Times
This country needs a healthy and open discussion of race. Mr. Obama's repudiation of Mr. Wright is part of that.

Are you a person of color who would like to be praised for initiating a much-needed national discussion on race? Easy! Just find another person of color who is already talking about race and denounce them. Then keep quiet. This time-honored trick will earn you many a friend in high places.