So Bob Johnson has apologized to Senator Barack Obama for attacking the Democratic Presidential candidates past, for the express benefit of Senator Hillary Clinton. Isn’t that nice.
I have no doubt that virtually everyone has heard the comments made on Sunday, but if for some reason you missed it here it is:
[NOTE - This video contains material that young readers should not see. It is the very same material that Bob Johnson promoted on BET daily.]
That’s what Bob Johnson said. The implication was clear and his denials were disingenuous. And as has been done repeatedly by the Clinton campaign, it was an attack on Senator Obama with several desired results.
It was meant to insist the thought and stereotype that Black men are drug users. That we are untrustworthy and dangerous. These themes are not new to Bob Johnson as he was critical in placing that portrayal front and center on national cable via Black Entertainment Television.
The second thought was to split Whites from Blacks in their voting. It was a direct play on the race card, issued by the Clinton campaign. He was speaking on her behalf, and given the Clinton’s penchant for micromanagement of every aspect of the campaign I would have to believe it was cleared before Johnson spoke. It was meant as a means to imply that White America should avoid an African American.
Third it was meant as a means to divert attention from any positive message Senator Obama might have and any new support he might have gained from Iowa. It was meant to distract from the fact that 40% of Michigan voters came out to vote with only one goal, to deny Hillary Clinton a sweeping unchallenged win. The implication being that she is weak and disliked.
It has succeeded in each point.
But I must ask, how important is it that a man responsible for damaging the image of Black men, and the value of Black women wants to attack an African American that has spent decades serving the public and has voluntarily admitted his own failures long before he ever had an aspiration for the Presidency.
Obviously very little since Bob Johnson has now apologized, though far less publicly, and in a vague manner.
At least he admits the attack was uncalled for and underhanded. Similar to the music videos that degraded Black women, especially popular at BET when Bob Johnson was at the helm. Similar to the Clinton staffer that was promoting a false and derogatory email about Obama being Islamic and an undercover terrorist. A dirty political attack that the Clinton campaign loves to use. Or so it would seem as the do this constantly.
Johnson goes on to mention that the comments were ‘inappropriate’. I disagree, they were perfect to weaken the chances of the first viable Black Presidential candidate. They were timed and planned, and he knew it. His apology, after the effect has taken hold, is hollow and pitiful.
But I expect no more from a man that has proliferated the worst images and commentary on African Americans in decades. He sought out music videos and programming, that no other cable network would dare play. And the reason he got away with it was because he is Black.
And his legacy continues to insult and inflame millions of African Americans. Hot Ghetto Mess (or whatever name has been given to it now), College Hill, Read-A-Book, and so much more are still spewing forth. This has even lead to equally offensive material like the various Flava of Love television shows and spin-offs. All justified by what Bob Johnson created and promoted.
I don’t know which is worse. The fact that the Clinton campaign must resort to personal attacks and lies, or that Bob Johnson would dare to try to take a moral stance above anyone.
So I say to Bob Johnson, your apology is as without merit as Read-A-Book was without class, good taste, or a message.
And I have to question Senator Clinton. If your campaign has taken for granted the support of Blacks, and neither you nor your husband can point to any actual law (that I can recall or an aware of) that directly and specifically benefited African Americans, what would make you think that gaining the support of the man responsible for more negative imagery and content against Blacks would improve your support? Perhaps this person, and his obvious venom-spitting proves one thing, that you may not have the best interest of African Americans in mind.
At least that is what I conclude, how about you?
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