Cornel West, Tavis, Harris-Perry, Belefonte, Sharpton.. lets get a heads up here

I am starting to get a very uncomfortable drift that one persons thoughts about President Obama represents an entire community.

A little heads up here.

Dr. West is getting some major push back..not because of his positioning on polices..but because of his attacks on ethnicity.

Belafonte and the President.. Belafonte does not like President Obama and never has.. that is okay.. just like Tavis.. there is a history there that have nothing to do with policy.

Just saying

I do not think that the fact that a significant number of leaders are critical of President Obama translates into any/all of them "not liking him." In fact, that conclusion presents a dangerous probability of ignoring the truth of their message -- by dismissing it as something that it is not.

then sometimes being played out.

If there were not very serious policy differences, I suspect that the gentlemen named in the OP would be strongly approving of Obama's actions as President. In the context of those guys, they are very vocal and consistent in terms of what they believe, stand for, and advocate. More, they make clear that they believed that President Obama believed, stood for, and would advocate for those shared values.

For a significant number of 2008 Obama supporters, the President has proven to be a disappointment. The degree of that disappointment may differe, from person to person, but they are absolutely correct to express their discontent. The administration -- including Barack Obama -- appear to take the support of the Democratic Left for granted. I do not think they have this luxury in 2012. It's far better that President Obama hear it today, instead of making the comfortable assumption that the Democratic Left is even close to satisfied with him.

these are politically astute activists.

I find it interesting that men whose opinions we listened to -- and most often agreed with -- in the past, are all now suddenly unreliable when it comes to their opinions on O.

Yet *he* knows enough about what they are talking about to others that he makes a point of asking them to cut him some slack? Who in his admin is keeping tabs on them? And why?

It's creepy times two, when you think about it.

saying just like the rest of us.

Internet statements. Its not like he's secluded from the outside world.

He only makes time for them when they are needed for an election - or they might have said something that besmirches his perceived legacy?

Yeah.

Creepy times two.

Sorry, but his actions at the very least smacks of snobbery. He sought out their help when he wanted the job -- now he hasn't the time for them?

Like I said -- these actions of his are creepy times two. With a capital C.

No one believes that the tea baggers represent an entire community. Cornell West represents himself.

Because a recent poll showed something like 95% of African-Americans approve of the job the President is doing.

You know, those drug laws that Obama supports that lead to one in three black men going to prison in their lifetimes.

Most polls are lucky to poll even 1000 people. Highly unlikely they polled prisoners.

the workforce, etc.)

it's depression-level unemployment just by u-3.

black males = 17%.

voters due to a complicit media amongst other things.

It's amazing. One can almost sit back and watch the wheels in motion.... :puke:

Of course, if any of these folks had nice things to say at this point, they'd be invited to the next photo-op at the WH.....

:sarcasm:

but as a white person feel utterly unqualified to even have an opinion about the racial aspects of his arguments. Dr. Harris-Perry, for whom I have great respect, does make some convincing points of her own, IMHO.

"but as a white person feel utterly unqualified to even have an opinion about the racial aspects of his arguments."

The first time I ever heard a statement like that was when I moved to Europe almost 2 decades ago. It was most often followed by an inquiry about my view and experience accompanied by a LISTENING ear.

I'm not a huge Obama fan. However, I find Professor West's dog whistle highly offensive having been designated an "Oreo" due to my accent, or lack thereof, in my earlier years. There is a reason, rooted in painful experience, that you see scorn being heaped on West's head.

Tante K.

I don't wonder that they don't care for the president. Afterall, Prez O hasn't nationalized everything yet. It certainly has been an enlightening process for my community. Some former heroes are now complete & utter zeroes (IMHO).

Doubtful

perhaps you guys should look for a new front man? :shrug: Preferably one who isn't overtly racist?

nt

Professor Cornell West, seen here with then-senator Barack Obama on the campaign trail in New York,

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1388793/Barack-Obama-black-mascot-Wall-Street-claims-university-professor-Cornel-West.html#ixzz1Mqn6h9JU

just about anyone, he and the first lady are the kind of people who do that. However, I was speaking of Mr. West's racism & anti-semitism which has caught so many of us, myself included, by surprise.

Are you saying that the President knew Mr. West was a bigot? You can twist yourself into a pretzel defending him, because he's an Obama critic, but if I were you, I'd find better heroes. I think a good test for someone like you should be, if Newt or Palin had used those very same dogwhistles, would you be defending them? And if so, that says all I need know about you.

West issued the ultimate insult, he told another black man that he was "afraid of free black men". And he didn't stop there, he went on to attack the president's ethnic associations to boot. I can't imagine that there won't be fallout from this, and it won't be directed at the person you're hoping. Dr. West may have dealt himself a fatal blow with this latest tirade. I'm almost certain his university will get dragged into this somehow.

The real test for West now is whether anyone will remember his critique, because the story has now become all about his racism and/or anti-semitism. Like I said, you guys over at WSWS need better spokespeople. :hi:

Ever heard of the fallacy of Ad Hominem?

WTF? So Dr West is racist against blacks?

without getting the 'you have to publicly support a black leader even when they are wrong' history?

I disagree.

Tavis Smiley was right in the beginning. He is still right on the issues. Obama is waffling.

Cornell West has said some racially tinged things I disagree on in principle short of calling Obama an Uncle Tom, but he has a point as well.

Why go there with Harry Belafonte?


Just because Obama is black, doesn't mean he is above criticism from black people. We don't have to hold together when Obama is wrong.

"The emperor wears no clothes"

to save time on actually reading what they think.

And while their critism is valid there are others with stronger and very coherent views like Street and Ford over at Black Agenda Report.

From my view the supposed 95% approval rate is hogwash, there is much frustration though it is muted, he is after all the first Black president. But for that the numbers would be in the negatives, there ain't nothing good happening on the street.