Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Question of the Day
Barack Obama is the New OJ
Barack Obama is the New OJ
Story by Shamako Noble
Barack Obama is the new OJ on a much higher scale and for much higher stakes.
This whole campaign reminds me of the OJ Simpson trial. When OJ went free, Black America celebrated, even though we didn't win anything or gain any ground for our people. We just rooted for OJ because of our Blackness. All throughout the day there were news clips of Black people celebrating their victory.
I don't want a Republican President. The last eight years under George Bush have been some of the most horrendous in American history. From 9-11, to Katrina to No Child Left Behind, we have made extreme strides backwards as a country under the leadership of this administration.
But I just don't believe that the running theme of any of their campaigns -- all of them being centered around change -- is possible simply with the elections of any of them.
A friend of mind referred to the relationship of the people to the Democratic Party to be like a co-dependent or abusive relationship. Bill Clinton was the president who signed the Telecommunications Act into Law essentially privatizing media. He also instituted the destructive welfare bill. In 2006, America sounded out a voice for change with Congress, electing an overwhelming majority of Democrats to the house with the intention of putting an end to the War in Iraq.
Results: nothing. Our troops remain in Iraq with this years presidential candidates being given an opportunity to use this as another part of their platform, while simultaneously being guilty of helping solve the problem.
I've heard a lot of people state that their blackness when saying they support Obama, or the desire to have something to point to when their sons and daughters ask them what a Black Man or Woman in America can be. While the blackness in me agrees, I can't help but feel like we're setting ourselves up for the fall. Especially considering that the part of Obama that is Black (His Kenyan side) is so eerily quiet right now about what's happening in his own country (pick one).
Emcee and Hip Hop Journalist Julie C recently reported on the 300 plus Kenya's killed and 75,000 displaced as a result of protest in Kenya in the “Fresh Coast Report”. The foundation for this discussion was in part laid by Hip Hop journalist Davey D, who reported in last years World Social Forum that two Kenyan youth were involved in organizing a protest were reportedly killed by the police. A response to the report written by a young man who has recently traveled there outlined his feelings on this occurrence in relation to the candidacy of Barack Obama: “ And thus far, I have NOT found or heard any statement on the state of Kenya post-elections.”
I realize that he's running for president, and the theory goes that if you're running for an office you can't tell the people who you really are or what you're really planning because anything too “radical” could lose you the critical centrist vote. But this, as a news story is fairly safe, and might not even have been that big of a deal if not for the duel reality of use of it on his platform and the immigration issue that has become a very oddly placed discussion among both Democrats and Republicans.
I know that having a Black President doesn't end racism, but I almost feel as though Black people in this country are starting to approach this as though it does. Only months ago over 60,000 folks rallied in Jena, LA in response to the institutional racism that played out on the schoolyard and then in the courtroom. It almost seemed like there was some sort of sweltering of heat and anxiety, a hunger for a sense of justice and righteousness that hadn't been seen from the Black Community in years.
Now Obama wins the primary, and the great hope begins. But neither of these two things can possibly signal a true end in sight for racism or the struggle of the poor in this country or in countries abroad, because neither item represents the entire reality of the situation. The irony here, in terms of Hip Hop is that the very same international confusion produced by rappers like P. Diddy and 50 Cent who often give the world the impression that Black people in America are doing fine, will be in place here as Barack Obama's presidential victory could signal to the world that America has truly grown beyond it's racist and classist roots. Especially in Africa, where, as the poster on Daveyd.com pointed out, citizens of Obama's homeland are already feeling the pride. So while Obama could win on a platform of change, the euphoria and complacency that results would generate the exact opposite with many of us being under the impression change had already occurred.
Of course, if he wins, Black America, and perhaps those of African decent all over the world will celebrate, rejoice, clap and sing the songs of victory and change. We will tell our sons and daughters that they to can be President of the United States. We won't know yet whether or not any real change is to come, or if in some ways we've set ourselves back. We won't know yet if Barack was just holding back to get into office, or that was in fact just who he is. But it won't really matter.
We'll feel too good being Black. Just like we did with OJ.
Abe Menor Photo Show :)
Abe Menor is one of the most talented photographers out of San Jo. This Saturday Abe is going to be displaying his work at the store gallery Black & Brown located at 1225 W. San Carlos st. SJ Ca. 95126. His show is famous for the feel and the pure essence of the street that he brings in his pictures. Ok well we see you at B&B this Saturday folks.
-De Bug
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Silicon Valley De-Bug is a collective of writers, artists, organizers, and workers based in San Jose, California. We are a project of Pacific News Service, a national news service located in San Francisco. De-Bug started in the Spring of 2000 by reporting on the hidden experiences of working people who were employed as low-wage temporary workers. As we grew as a collective we began exploring all of the issues of our community - in the workplace, schools, streets, relationships, and everything else.
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