Michelle Obama contends that her husband is showing black America that it is possible to move beyond the intra-ethnic internalization of black inferiority and limitation that, when voiced, begins with the phrases, “They won’t let us,” “That’s not for us,” or “It won’t happen,” but really says, “I’m not good enough.”
I say “intra-ethnic” because of the increasingly diverse ethnic composition of the black community. From observation and experience, it seems that blacks of other ethnicities, notably African and Caribbean, are not so similarly bound by “the fear” and are more likely to attend colleges and universities, work for Wall Street firms, own homes, and start their own businesses. It is by no accident that the first viable (dare I say, electable) presidential candidate, Barack Obama, is of “free” (versus “slave”) African descent.
I’ve spent most of my life as an “only one” or “among the very few” in any given situation from grade school until present day. Despite an occasional moment or two of self-consciousness, I forged ahead feeling “the fear” and doing the damn thing anyway. Like Michelle Obama did while a Princeton undergraduate, I realized that not all whites and others were smarter than me. Some were; many others were not. They didn’t have magic fairy dust under their beds that gave them all the right answers and a perfect sustainable advantage in work, school, or life. I learned you can compete and win regardless of whether or not the playing field is even.
It saddens me that so many of my black brethren have yet to learn to move beyond “the fear” which is often invoked by the Jacksons and Sharptons of the world whose very “jobs” are dependent on its existence, for in conquering “the fear” — climbing higher and reaching further — children and adults can serve to alter the course of future generations. The possibility — the reality — of a black American president doesn’t have to be a quixotic notion.
Article comments
1 - Jameca
I totally agree! This fear is really prevalent in the black community especially in the South, where many of the older generation would vote for him except they say they are worried that he would be assasinated.
Somehow deep in the psyche of many black people is this idea that a black person can't excel the same way that whites can. It's the very thought that holds "us" back.
2 - Dave Nalle
The idea that Obama might run a special risk of assassination is bizarre. Of all of our various leaders, far more white leaders have been assassinated than black. Should Mitt Romney fear assassination because Bobby Kennedy was also from Massachusets? Should Barney Frank worry about assassination because Harvey Milk was assassinated?
Two African American political figures of note have been assassinated since the Civil War, and Malcolm X was killed by members of his own movement. There's not exactly a history of racist political oppression through assassination in the US.
Any candidate can inspire some nut to gun for him. Who could ever be more harmless than Gerald Ford, yet Squeaky Fromm was disturbed enough to go after him. The motivations of assassins defy rationality. Look at John Hinckley.
Dave
3 - Travis
I think that the people who say that blacks or "Afican Americans" are dumb enough to think that they are different and can't do the same things white people like me can do, don't really know what they are talking about.
Example's- the sports of Baseball,Basketball,Golf,Hockey there is a lot of leaders and star players that a lot of kids (as well as adults) black and white look up to and admire. If you don't believe me turn on the sports channel....Oh look a sports commentator he is black as well...wait can black people be on TV? I wonder if any great singers are black?
Or scientists? How about business owners?
The other day in school I was reading about martin luther king jr and found that towards the end of his life his support started to dwindle and the crowds grew smaller and smaller if he had not been killed he would have eventually stopped and died of old age.
makes me think his own supportors killed him to make him immortal? just my opinion.
4 - PBG
This is an absolutely brilliant piece!
Like you, I have ZERO interest in the on-going fevered political dance and usual drama. It is best, at least to my mind, for folks to wait for the smoke to clear then vote their consciences after the magic is over (tough questions answered, track records checked etc. etc.)…
But I am also verrry sick and tired of the excuses and the fear tactics used by the “Jesse Jacksons” of the Black community. I am even more exhausted by the “town criers” who follow them and appear to be incapable of any objective thought. These “sheep” are the people who limit the progress of the entire community because they are unable to see the possibilities. They choose to feel inferior and willingly limit themselves by fear!
There is no precedence for the unique culture and history of African Americans, so all we can do is to forge ahead and embrace ALL the opportunities. Success is the inevitable outcome of persistence and courage!
Kudos to Michelle Obama for having the courage to speak the truth! And cheers to you for analyzing it so incisively.
5 - Martin Lav
Good article, but could have done without ageist comments. Displaying a lack of sensitivity to any possible older readers on this site seems quite prejudiced to me.
6 - Hailey
INTERESTING ARTICLE! THE GREAT DIVIDER, although we ALL have the freedom to practice our own religious beliefs. Not all voters are black Michelle. A President is too represent ALL americans not just blacj americans, thisa is exaclty why obama will not win. We the AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE SICK OF THIS RACE CARD...
What Obama's Church Preaches, Erik Rush researches Hussein Obama's church, Trinity United Church of Christ. One could argue that this organization worships things African to a far greater degree than they do Christ,gives the impression of being separatist "church" in the same vein as do certain supremacist "white brethren" churches " or even Louis Farrakhan's Nation of Islam. Shocking? An overstatement? One can see for oneself on the Trinity United Church website, which is replete with confirmation of what I present here. An excerpt from their Mission Statement: "We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community. Black Value System written by the Manford Byrd Recognition Committee chaired by Vallmer Jordan in 1981. We believe in the following 12 precepts and covenantal statements. These Black Ethics must be taught and exemplified in homes, churches, nurseries and schools, wherever Blacks are gathered. They must reflect on the following concepts:
1. Commitment to God 2. Commitment to the Black Community 3. Commitment to the Black Family 4. Dedication to the Pursuit of Education 5. Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence 6. Adherence to the Black Work Ethic 7. Commitment to self-Discipline and Self-Respect 8. Disavowal of the Pursuit of "Middleclassness" 9. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the Black Community 10. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions 11. Pledge allegiance to all Black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System 12. Personal commitment to embracement of the Black Value System." Sound familiar? Of course it is, since it's identical to the 12-point list from theoretical white supremacist candidate's church;