New American Racism: Embracing Obama

Why have Americans embraced Barack Obama’s racism?

Growing up, I was always perplexed by how my parents and many family members could so casually practice racism while accusing “the white man” of all manner of conspiracy and treachery against blacks. When racism was defined and explained, it was absolutely obvious that anyone and everyone could practice racism. I was always confused that many in the black community practiced almost unrestrained racism (sometimes even accompanied by violence), allegedly in the name of justice and equality, but it was never called racism. It was all justified by fixing our gaze doggedly on the wrongs of the past.

As I grew older, I was astonished to discover that under that same justification many in the black community made no attempts at being equitable. On the contrary, when I was in college the African American Student Union focused almost completely on separatism; they stoked the fires of resentment, nursing an age old grudge, and maintaining the “us/them” mentality in all facets of student life. Ironically, the charter for the group was to “heighten the awareness” of the student body to the presence and culture of the colleges black students.

When I joined the military I was confronted with institutional racism, again justified by the wrongs of the past. At one point during a leadership training session, when I brought the shortcomings of an insubordinate soldier to the leadership, I was told in confidence that as a black female she was “untouchable.” The cadre understood all too well that even an implication of racism would end their careers, and the proud, black, disrespectful, underachieving soldier had already demonstrated she was more than willing to play the race card.

Upon joining the private sector, I discovered that racism is alive and well in most diversity programs (atonement for past corporate sins). I am amazed by the venues in which Black Leadership, Black Engineers, Black Economists, and all manner of Black Professionals are singled out and celebrated: whites are not eligible for such recognition. Of course, let’s not forget the not-so-unwritten rules about hiring blacks.

I have been more and more astounded by the somewhat sanctimonious racism rampant and unchecked in the black community. Don Imus was all but burned at the stake, while black rappers and comedians are embraced and raised up. Senator Joseph Biden and once Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro were both vehemently criticized for stating facts while heralding Barack Obama, but Jesse Jackson’s accusations that Obama was “acting white” were barely noted or addressed. While protesting racism, people have actually alleged on national broadcast media that “black people can’t be racist.”

In light of all this, I guess it should be no surprise to me that a black Presidential candidate might be so steeped in such racism; American’s have not embraced Obama’s brand of racism, Obama is simply practicing America’s modern brand of racism.