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A few days ago, a Republican legislative aide in Tennessee circulated an e-mail containing a presidential collage in which President Obama was represented by two bulging, white eyes staring out from a black square. Just eyes–without a face, without a sense of humanity–harking back to the dehumanizing void that once dominated art that depicted African American people. This is supposed to be funny?
And then there’s the comment made by William Brunson “Rusty” DePass, Republican activist and former Chairperson of the South Carolina State Election Commission, who referred to an escaped gorilla from a local zoo as the ancestor of Michelle Obama. (Sigh) As we used to say in middle school, this is so funny, I forgot to laugh. (UPDATE: DePass issued an apology)
I find it sad that in our modern society, where there is access to so much information that could inform an intelligent debate, we’re stuck with the same, lame, tired racial slant to a critique of our nation’s political leaders. The problem, of course, is that these aren’t jokes. They’re just hate speech and propaganda.
Ten years ago, I attended a conference in Alabama, declaring that the old South was gone and that the new one was ready to embrace a racial inclusiveness that rejects the restrictive, unproductive and often racist (or at least racially insensitive) practices of the past.
Well, it seems there is more work to do.
The Southern Poverty Law Center has seen an increase in the development of white hate groups since Obama has taken office; and there are reported incidents from other sources–including local NAACP branches–that suggest a still divided nation. Though we aspire to be the “Great American Melting Pot” that was once the subject of children’s cartoons, we’re still a gumbo–and only a mediocre one.
You see, gumbo is delicious when its cooked right. When the chicken compliments the crab and the shrimp accents the okra, and they are enhanced by the file-flavored roux, then we can have the best damn gumbo there is!
We have the ingredients, now let’s move the haters out of the way so we can get to work.
Copyright 2009 Monique W. Morris
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May 1st- East Kings County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. celebrated their 2nd Annual White Tie & Tiara event, where Brooklyn’s Youth Empowerment Mission and Girls Inc. were honored for their outstanding service toward the healthy development of our young girls. Everyone looked beautiful and it is always good to share in the celebration of sisterhood!
