"problems which face these black officials who must persuade the white community that they are above issues of race and that they are representing all people and not just black people," as opposed to creating "two separate social structures." Michelle Robinson, Princeton, 1985
The above is exactly what happened in the 2008 U.S. Elections.
While this may be very old news, I haven't yet read Michelle's entire senior thesis from her days at Princeton. Maybe this winter break, I'll plop down and dig in, but until then, you can check out a slightly subjective cover piece here. When the news broke out, the largest national online forum for WhiXte NatXionXalisXts attempted to deconstruct MO's thesis using a very dated and backward understanding of race, American hierarchy, white privilege, racialized notions of poverty, and affirmative action. Linked to the politico article above, and coupled with the photo below, the white nationalists make their case. It is captioned "The Black 'Madonna'."
Here are some select things said about MO in the forum:
"She goes to Princeton and still complains. It's enough to make an American sick. What is she after exactly, the total destruction of the WASP contribution to Western Civ and United States history? They barely let Poles and Italians into Princeton, they most certainly aren't given preferences like Michelle Obama received, but would they complain about WASP culture? No, they'd learn from it and respect it. She sucks. Pure and simple. What an ingrate."
"PS: We paid for her scholarship."
"Nappy Headed Ho."
I refuse to link the forum here, it makes me sick that I even have that website as part of my browser history. Needless to say, I feel that the comments are ridiculous, ignorant, and terribly racist. Nationalism, I don't mind, but it being a gateway for ignorance and hate shows a very uninformed and subjective opinion. This idea of inheriting the American Dream, who it is allowed to, and it apparently having a preferential structure has really been bugging me. The quotables above clearly show that the forum members feel that they are more entitled to the elements of America that provide social mobility, before POCs and recent immigrants on the sole basis of race.
I find the contradiction disheartening: that people keep these racist sentiments alive, don't see the imposed detriment on POCs/immigrants, and then claim that these marginalized populations have it extremely easy now that "racism is over" with a Black/African-American first family. The best example, the NYT on 11/5/2008:
"Obama Elected President as Racial Barrier Falls"
Awful..the discrepancy between the NYT headline, and the investment in tacit racism is astounding. Getting the Obamas into the White House doesn't mean change, but is the opportunity to make that change happen.
HOW DO YOU FEEL?
Will MO's achievements always be questioned because she is a Black/African-American woman? How do you feel about the privilege MO acquired as an Ivy graduate? Do you think affirmative action is still necessary in the United States today? Should hate speech (racist and sexist ideas) be protected under the First Amendment?
Please leave comments below! (no account required!)
Posts
Yes...the reactions really are disheartening. My policy teacher--who is a white, old man--believes that there is no racist or sexist America, that while there may be racist and sexist Americans, that does not make for a racist or sexist America. And I want to tell him...uh, hello, institutional racism? Jim Crow laws, immigration quotas for Filipinos or Chinese, marriage bans between white women and men of color, redlining, KKK, white supremacists, the founding of this country on the annhilation of American Indians...should I go on?? Oh yeah...the comments above about Michelle Robinson Obama's thesis back in Princeton
ReplyDeleteMy policy teacher who admits that his politics are more conservatice than ours goes on and on and on about how effective a policy affirmative action is anyway if its shown that it benefited white, middle-class women more than its intended poplation, blacks. He keeps saying, "My gpd. we've had it for 45 years, when is the limit, when do we say that well, if this doesn't work, do we still have to kee it for another 40 years?"
45 years of affirmative action didn't kill you guys, while a couple centuries of slavery (blacks), genocide (Indians), and racism (all people of color) did kill us off.
Old.Man
There will always be people who look to undermine our achievements, because jealousy, and ignorance is prevalent in our society. But, you can not let the petty comments of the few, to out weight the downpour of support we saw in the 2008 Presidential election. America overwhelmingly said yes to everything about Barrack Obama. I look to this as a sign that America is changing for the better.
ReplyDeleteIn a perfect world Affirmative action would not be necessary, however we don't live in a perfect world. Far from it, in fact. Affirmative action helps provide opportunity to those that might not otherwise be in a position to partake in those opportunities. One major problem with affirmative action is that it gives the ignorant, and jealous amongst us a "gotcha." At this point, I believe the benefits to those who qualify, outweigh the stigma that comes with the program, however the impact and success of the program should be reviewed periodically.
thank you both for the thoughtful comments!
ReplyDeleteold man: it's really difficult to come across those who support a "color-blind" approach to race issues, particularly if they belong to any race-privileged group. but i also don't wanna go down the "blame whitey" route. i would like to agree with your disdain: a teacher with that kinda analysis teaching students how to create policy? no, thanks! the arguments around affirmative action always get to me, i can sympathize with the anti side, them feeling disenfranchised, etc. however, it must be acknowledges how larger hegemonic paradigms are what create these severe differences in merit, class, and privilege. also, anonymous below makes some good points about affirmative action. old man, the semester's almost over, hang in there! :)
anonymous: i agree, the support shown during the 2008 election for Barack was such an emotional turning point for me! i can't believe that campaign galvanized so many Americans! I am looking forward to the inauguration, and seeing how change will be implemented within the daily lives of citizens. here's to the BETTER!