The “perfect” black man
I have been sitting on this story today, waiting for a transcript or Youtube of last night’s Hannity and Colmes. I haven’t been able to find one, so I am going to report this from memory until I can find an exact account of what was said.
Last night as I was listening to Hannity and Colmes on XM, I heard Bob Novak say something rather startling. I’d like comments from my audience about whether you find this statement weird, or perhaps even offensive, and why.
Novak essentially said that it would be difficult even for a “perfect” black man to win the Presidency in America, and that Barack Obama is not a “perfect” black man.
I am absolutely certain about the word “perfect” and the general arrangement of words in Novak’s statement. Until I can find the exact quote, I think I’ve got the statement about right.
After hearing that, I was left wondering as much about what Novak implied, as much as what he said in that “perfect” line.
First of all, I found it interesting that Novak admits through implication that a black man doesn’t begin a race with his toe on the starting line in an election, instead starting out several feet behind a white candidate. Republicans never admit that blacks are disadvantaged in any way. In fact, Republicans are more likely to extol what a great country America has been for black people…of course disregarding how Africans came to be here in the first place.
Second, Novak sets a pretty high standard for a black man for winning office: nothing less than perfection. Yet he leaves perfection undefined. I am serious in desiring an answer to this: How do you think Novak defines “a perfect black man?”
Presumably Malcolm X would not be his idea of a “perfect” black man. Nor would Martin Luther King, Jr.
And if Barack Obama is not a “perfect” black man, by Novak’s standard, then what black man ever could meet with approval in Novak’s eyes?
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Hmph. The comment is condescending by nature because it shows that, like usual, old white men not only feel they are the ones who get to define what’s acceptable, but also who hold the keys to the place of power. Which is actually fairly inaccurate in the case of this election because Obama is ahead by all measurable counts on the strength of the black vote and the young vote.
But a perfect black man? Hmph. It’s a combination of things, I’m sure, in Novak’s eyes. One without strong African features and who is fairly caramel-colored, someone who could almost “pass.” One who doesn’t talk about being black all the time or bring up any of the nation’s racial past, or present, in an angry manner. (You cannot be black and angry, period, because it makes the electorate uncomfortable.) One who seems strong enough, publicly, to keep those gullible, black masses happy, but when it comes down to it, toes the wealthy white man’s line. THAT would be perfection, I’m sure, to him.
Comment by Heather — Wednesday, 7 May 2008 @ 10:17 am
lets see,bongos two dead beat dads were moslim commies his mother was a fellow traveler who never met an american she liked.his fill in dad,frank davis,was a card carrying member of the communist party usa all his friends are traitors so what does that make bongo?
Comment by bruce — Saturday, 24 May 2008 @ 9:49 am
I am almost afraid to ask, but what the hell does “bongos” mean? Looked it up at urbandictionary.com, and there isn’t a single definition that seems to apply to Obama. It can mean either “female breasts” or “the cops.”
Anyway, these are typical conservative “debate” tactics: personal attacks and mockery of a person’s name. See ya in November!
Comment by greypilgrim — Saturday, 24 May 2008 @ 11:26 am
I don’t understand the comment made by Bruce. Could somebody translate it into English?
Comment by Lynn — Saturday, 24 May 2008 @ 9:12 pm