Charles Barkley is a respected athlete that is known across the world. He is outspoken and opinionated, to say the least. He is rich by most any standard. And he is a supporter of Senator Obama.
None of those things are bad. But I say that to introduce an interview that Barkley has with CNN’s Campbell Brown recently. Part of what was said was very interesting. Part of it were things I completely disagree with. And since much of the conversation centered on the up-coming election, which will affect all of us in ways that few could ever imagine a year ago, I wanted to discuss his thoughts.
The big question everyone is wondering about is race. Will there be an effect for or against Senator Obama based on race. Charles Barkley is dead on when he says this is a real factor. If for no other reason than we know that those that have said that race will affect their vote, in polls going back to the Democratic Primaries, account for ~10% of all voters. And that is the people that have willingly said this in the face of ridicule and media denouncement of such thoughts. Imagine how many might hold those same feelings and would not vote for a Black man, or a woman for that matter.
I expect that many pundits, and those that feel racism does not exist, will be surprised when the election is over and they compare the polls and the actual results. Because this is not a Bradley effect. This is racism in action, calling it anything else is just soothing the feelings of those that choose a racist action.
But let me also state clearly, not voting for Obama is not inherently a racist action. The Obama campaign, supporters, and the major media in general make it seem as if that is the case. But there are strong reasons for anyone to not vote for Obama. The fact that will be shocking is not those that are in the margin of those expected to not vote for Obama, it’s the numbers that don’t vote for him and stated they would. IF Obama loses by a margin greater than 5% then I would say that every percentage above 5% was based on race – because polling data currently states that the race should easily be within 5% based on the issues.
I agree that if Obama were to win it would be a huge statement on the state of race relations in America. It would be a testament to how far we have come as a nation from the Jim Crow laws and segregation that existed just a generation ago. It would give hope that one day racism would be so isolated and repugnant an idea that only the most hateful and small minded would still maintain it.
That said, if Obama wins it does not mean that racism no longer exists. Obama being elected does not change the legal system or it’s preference to convict and overly punish African Americans and other minorities. Overnight we would not see police departments changing policies and active actions in regard to minorities. It would not suddenly balance the numbers of CEO’s and executives of color in business, nor in elected office. Inner city schools would not suddenly get new books and materials, neither would teachers suddenly become more proficient or dedicated (at least those that are currently sub-standard).
Obama is just one man, and would be a symbol of opportunity. He means that a door could now be open, but African Americans and others would still need to be able to get to the door and then go through it. Part of that is the responsibility of the Black community – abandoning the disrespect of those with knowledge, the need to and acceptance of commoditizing of Black culture, the glamorization of drug culture and the lifestyle of it as misrepresented by movies and music videos – but part of that also resides as the responsibility of White Americans and the culture of denial that currently exists (just look at all programs on television in any 1 hour on all channels to prove that thought).
Yes many Black people support Obama because he is Black, and because a huge number of Black people vote consistently Democratic. There are more African Americans involved today because of Obama, because he is inspiring. That inspiration has motivated Republicans, Whites, Asians, Hispanic/Latinos, independents, socialists and who knows what ever groups, each for their own reason.
Somehow I don’t think that the even larger number of Whites and other ethnic groups that support Obama are all doing so because of his tan. If that is even marginally true, then to say that those that are Black that support Obama are for just that one reason is just ignorant and a means to discredit both the voters and Obama.
At the same time I do not think the McCain campaign has used race as a issue. Some supporters of McCain have used race, as have untold numbers of Clinton supporters and the Clinton Campaign. But if we do not fault the campaigns for what their supporters do and say (with the exception of key individuals) we cannot fault McCain, lest we also fault Obama for outrages against women (and Gov. Sarah Palin) and various issues against McCain (like Code Pink) that his supporters have done as well.
As for “code words”, sometimes a word or concept is just that. Welfare is not a Black only Government entitlement. As Barkley correctly states there are, and have always been, more Whites on welfare than all other minorities combined. And without regard to who will receive the money that Obama’s tax plan will provide, many feel that providing money to people who have done nothing to earn it is welfare. For decades the welfare system has mandated that those who do little or nothing receive the most, and Obama’s tax plan will give the most to those in similar circumstances – fairly or not. So this is not a code word, but in my opinion accurate.
And to be accurate, Clinton and her campaign focused on Obama’s heritage, his associations, and his religion. It was Clinton campaigners that accused Obama of being a drug dealer, and were spreading emails that stated Obama was a Muslim and terrorist. While some McCain supporters have picked up on that same line, his campaign has not. And to question his association with a self-admitted terrorist is a politically fair question.
Also, if we are to look at the full 8 years of the Bush administration then we must give him credit for his actions in dealing with the internet bubble that the Clinton Administration created and fostered, as well as his initial actions dealing with the 9/11 attack. The repercussions of both have had far-reaching complications on the economy and nature of the nation today. So to say it’s just a Republican thing is unfair and a misstatement that borders on a lie.
And to say that the only way that McCain can win is to obfuscate and ignore fact. Millions disagree with the larger Government that Obama advocates. Millions doubt and debate the effects of an Obama tax and economic plan. Millions feel his views on a nationalized healthcare are less than beneficial. To say that the only way that Obama could lose is because of his race is to call half the nation racists, and that is racist in its implication.
Many people are against abortion, or gay marriage, or other issues. That is not absurd to them, and if they disagree with Charles Barkley they have that right. His statement otherwise is a minimalization of issues some feel strongly about. It is the purpose of an elected official to support and protect the citizens they represent. That is first and foremost. And occasionally it supersedes their own personal opinions.
But I agree that politicians should ensure a proper education for all. That is paramount for the health of the nation. That ensures ultimately that the economy will perform well, and that prosperity will increase. It will reduce crime and improve communities. It is an obligation we all owe to the youth.
I also agree about keeping the nation safe. But obviously there are many different ideas about how that is best done. But I think that empowering our enemies with retreat and conversations that lift their international presence without assurances does not fit that bill.
Similar arguments can be made about healthcare and the economy.
As for Gov. Sarah Palin, is not Charles Barkley doing her a disservice in stating that her being picked as Vice President running mate is only because of Hillary Clinton? Doesn’t the fact that she has served as a Mayor and Governor of a state worthy of recognition. And if that experience, as well as her reforms and work on energy, are not enough to justify her as VP how is Obama justified in running for President when he lacks even that much experience?
Though I have to note this. Gov. Palin has spoken to reporters and news organizations that are not friendly. They have asked her tough questions, and at times she has had bad answers. But at no time did the McCain campaign blacklist an organization or attack those asking her questions. Senator Biden has done so to Barbara West and her news station, because he didn’t like her questions. Senator Obama supporters have attacked the name of Joe the Plumber because they didn’t like the question asked of Obama (when the real issue should be Obama’s answer – which the news media avoids). And there are other organizations that the Obama campaign has rejected as well, and individuals too.
I do wish Barkley the best in his political attempts. But I do not believe that as many people as he thinks will be in favor of his ideals as he would need. Especially when he, like most wealthy Democrats, is in favor of wealth redistribution but have yet to voluntarily donate a single dollar to the Government. Private organizations yes, but not the Government (even under Democratic Presidents and Congress) which I assume is because they feel Government is a bad administrator of such funds.
I have covered a lot of what was said by Charles Barkley in his interview with CNN’s Campbell Brown. It is political, and it is important in that it deals with the Presidential election.
If you agree with Barkley, go vote. If you disagree, go vote. If you are unsure, go vote and make a gut decision. Because the most important thing you can do is vote, and the worst would be not to vote.
If you would like to know more on the election and Senator McCain or Senator Obama I offer my political blog – VASS. If nothing else it’s a place to start from in you decision making process.
No comments:
Post a Comment