Comments on: The “Goddam” in “America” http://www.popandpolitics.com/2008/03/19/the-%e2%80%9cgoddam%e2%80%9d-in-%e2%80%9camerica%e2%80%9d/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:11:58 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: dolores duchene-kim http://www.popandpolitics.com/2008/03/19/the-%e2%80%9cgoddam%e2%80%9d-in-%e2%80%9camerica%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-7049 dolores duchene-kim Sun, 23 Mar 2008 06:49:41 +0000 http://www.popandpolitics.com/2008/03/19/the-%e2%80%9cgoddam%e2%80%9d-in-%e2%80%9camerica%e2%80%9d/#comment-7049 It reminds of Chris Rock's play on old black men and their hatred of white men. It's real. Do we think they would forget being "put in their place". You can't have it both ways land of opportunity and white despair over affirmative action. Any group oppressed by another has to hate to survive. Learn a lesson and see it in Israel and Palestine. White people always think its their due and we don't have to pay a price. I think Obama had exactly the right nuance but it may cause him the election. We are not use to politicians being truthful. It reminds of Chris Rock’s play on old black men and their hatred of white men. It’s real. Do we think they would forget being “put in their place”. You can’t have it both ways land of opportunity and white despair over affirmative action. Any group oppressed by another has to hate to survive. Learn a lesson and see it in Israel and Palestine. White people always think its their due and we don’t have to pay a price. I think Obama had exactly the right nuance but it may cause him the election. We are not use to politicians being truthful.

]]> By: Kelli W http://www.popandpolitics.com/2008/03/19/the-%e2%80%9cgoddam%e2%80%9d-in-%e2%80%9camerica%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-6983 Kelli W Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:57:04 +0000 http://www.popandpolitics.com/2008/03/19/the-%e2%80%9cgoddam%e2%80%9d-in-%e2%80%9camerica%e2%80%9d/#comment-6983 Obama did not advance by "pretending not to know what every Afro-American man and woman knows he knows." He pretended that it didn't define him in the business of politics. I'm of black and white descent, and participated in a middle class white cultural upbringing. The only Afro-American culture imbued in me is the disillusionment of my black father being systematically denied employment in a white midwestern town. Since college I have been embraced by more of the culture that is implied by my skin. I am aware of my layered history and of it's determination of my present. My majority mother regularly listens to Pat Robertson, without fear. She married a black man, and knows first hand that we have not "transcended race." However, she has her own roadblocks to receiving a potentially angry minority. In December she worried aloud that Obama might have been raised in the "moo-slum" faith. She remained equally vigilant for any inklings of anti-Americanism or black radicalism. She represents many citizens that had to accept Obama slowly, and continue to need reassurance in the face of inflammatory rhetoric. Imagine nina simone running for president. If her campaign were like her lyrics it would be loaded with power, retribution and resilience. Some of my white friends love her music. Many are made uncomfortable when I blare "Young Gifted and Black," or "Mississippi Goddamn" with an explanation of it's meaning. The dissonance of her voice conveys truth and discomfort. She would have received fewer votes than the green party. Obama did not advance by “pretending not to know what every Afro-American man and woman knows he knows.” He pretended that it didn’t define him in the business of politics.

I’m of black and white descent, and participated in a middle class white cultural upbringing. The only Afro-American culture imbued in me is the disillusionment of my black father being systematically denied employment in a white midwestern town. Since college I have been embraced by more of the culture that is implied by my skin. I am aware of my layered history and of it’s determination of my present.

My majority mother regularly listens to Pat Robertson, without fear. She married a black man, and knows first hand that we have not “transcended race.” However, she has her own roadblocks to receiving a potentially angry minority. In December she worried aloud that Obama might have been raised in the “moo-slum” faith. She remained equally vigilant for any inklings of anti-Americanism or black radicalism. She represents many citizens that had to accept Obama slowly, and continue to need reassurance in the face of inflammatory rhetoric.

Imagine nina simone running for president. If her campaign were like her lyrics it would be loaded with power, retribution and resilience. Some of my white friends love her music. Many are made uncomfortable when I blare “Young Gifted and Black,” or “Mississippi Goddamn” with an explanation of it’s meaning. The dissonance of her voice conveys truth and discomfort. She would have received fewer votes than the green party.

]]> By: CarlosVasquez http://www.popandpolitics.com/2008/03/19/the-%e2%80%9cgoddam%e2%80%9d-in-%e2%80%9camerica%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-6982 CarlosVasquez Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:32:54 +0000 http://www.popandpolitics.com/2008/03/19/the-%e2%80%9cgoddam%e2%80%9d-in-%e2%80%9camerica%e2%80%9d/#comment-6982 Remember that Obama laid out the grievances and anger of BOTH blacks and whites, grievances and anger that each feels deeply but won’t mention to the other. To the extent that he did not speak the “simple truth” for blacks early enough or loudly enough for you, neither did he speak the simple truth for whites before -- although I’ve never seen any complaints about the latter. I can’t think of any national politician, black or white, who explained both sides of the racial divide so well. Should he have done it earlier? Perhaps. Perhaps the nation can’t yet handle a frank discussion of race during the candidacy of a black man and it should have been postponed. We’ll see. It’s a minor point, but when you wrote, “That’s why his preacher is vilified while white ones with equally strident views are not,” it makes me wonder what news you watch. (CBC?) The national press vilifies Falwell and Robertson whenever they say something stupid – which seems to be whenever they open their mouths. Of course the religious right won’t vilify them, but then again neither would Reverend Wright’s congregation vilify Reverend Wright, so I’m not sure what your point is on this one. Remember that Obama laid out the grievances and anger of BOTH blacks and whites, grievances and anger that each feels deeply but won’t mention to the other. To the extent that he did not speak the “simple truth” for blacks early enough or loudly enough for you, neither did he speak the simple truth for whites before — although I’ve never seen any complaints about the latter. I can’t think of any national politician, black or white, who explained both sides of the racial divide so well. Should he have done it earlier? Perhaps. Perhaps the nation can’t yet handle a frank discussion of race during the candidacy of a black man and it should have been postponed. We’ll see.

It’s a minor point, but when you wrote, “That’s why his preacher is vilified while white ones with equally strident views are not,” it makes me wonder what news you watch. (CBC?) The national press vilifies Falwell and Robertson whenever they say something stupid – which seems to be whenever they open their mouths. Of course the religious right won’t vilify them, but then again neither would Reverend Wright’s congregation vilify Reverend Wright, so I’m not sure what your point is on this one.

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