Initial percentages are indicating that black people did not show up yesterday. Of course, it irritates me when pundits and statistical analysis gurus start to point the finger in the black direction - but that discontent from me I must admit is my unwillingness to accept that my people are connected to the reason the House of Representatives has turned BACK red. This alone makes me justified in stating, Black people continue to be a part of the problem. Disagree if you like. Curse me if you must. My understanding of this convoluted political dynamic is true. We refuse to push back when policy, and not man is of importance.
We will surely drift backwards when the Republicans begin their wave of blocking initiatives that help people stay afloat i.e. extended unemployment benefits. One area that I have intimate experience. Being unemployed with no job leads is a horrible place to be. It is professionally and personally demeaning. The only means of emotional and financial support is knowing that the money you contributed to unemployment benefits over the years will be in your checking account come Friday. Now, that assurance is at stake. The Republicans will make certain of that!
This is not what I expected. I knew the Democrats would reign. I just knew it. Part of my over confidence was rooted in the thought that black Americans have had enough of the legislation that bleeds of racist ideals. That's where this GOP discontent comes from. I am certain of that! Republicans, with men like John Boehner, hate that THEIR country does not completely reflect them. They are addicted to the Confederacy agenda. The sad thing is that a plethora of Caucasian Republicans who are struggling to make ends meet voted Republican across the board yesterday.
Well, now thanks to all those unregistered and non-voting black people - and turncoat Independents this nation will be embroiled in a nastier fight for two more years. And, yes all the blame cannot be levied against black people. I know that. One thing I know also is that countless black men and women did not think to vote yesterday.
Disappointingly, as Roland Martin and the likes of him predicted: Black people voted for man (President Obama) in 2008 - and not for policy. If they are wrong, why didn’t the black vote come out in mass number yesterday to vote for policy? Yesterday was all about policy! Our black president - the only reason the majority of black people voted for President Obama - needed us for his policy Tuesday. He was literally begging us to vote for policy this time around. I heard him on Reverend Al’s radio talk show, The Warren Balentine radio talk show, and he was with Tom Joyner last week pleading for blacks to show and prove this time around. He went as far to say, “This is not about me. This is about me needing Democrats in the House and Senate. We need you. It is not about me.”
Black people did not connect the dots. His Rock Star status motivated us 2yrs ago. Policy is boring! It does not have glamour. Perhaps, the administration should have placed diamond studded earrings on policy or found some way to attach rims to policy. Then we would have gotten our behinds out yesterday. Why?
Because we are all about the bling.
Living in the moment produces nothing. Haven’t we learned anything from the likes of KCi & JoJo? Working – really working - in the movement produces longevity and results. This fact rendering what I expected:
2008 was a moment, not a Movement.
Muata Nowe
8 comments:
Reader Response:
Well said.
-AR
Reader Response:
I hesitate to respond because I am not in a debate mood. Smile BUT, I will share my insight. The black culture has ALWAYS followed MAN - whether it was Gandhi, Malcolm or Martin - Jessie or Obama. We follow MAN. You will NEVER here the common AA having political dialogue. When something is wrong in this country - the barber shops, churches, hair salons, sororities/frats, etc. are not discussing the ISSUE but they are discussing the PERSON and the IMPACT OF THE ISSUE - NOT THE POLICY THAT CAUSED IT. So, it is what it is - does not mean we are less in analytical skills or thought quality. No, it just means our PRIORITY is in the care/concern/no-concern/compassion/no compassion toward the PERSON. We are use to FIGHTING BATTLES OF the MIND - MENTAL arguments as to WHY WE DESERVE FREEDOM, VOTING RIGHTS, etc.
So, the political pic for us will NEVER be the policy. Our journey and life is too plagued with the impact of bad policies that all we can focus on is WHO CAN MAKE IT RIGHT - which for some means - a MAN or a WOMAN.
Last, it was not JUST BLACKS that got Obama elected. It was also WHITE FOLK - pissed off at Bush for messing their comfortable lifestyles up and they needed to make a point to the "powers that be". It was this YOUNG GENERATION that help get Obama elected. He made them feel important and that their voice was being heard. IT was the ELDERLY - he was raised by a white "grandma" and Obama made them look and feel important to the country. It was AMERICA THAT ELECTED THIS MAN - for real!
This recent election - it's cool. The same thing happen to Clinton in the last 6 years of his time in office. Constant battles but it made the country strong when BOTH PARTIES are forced to work together. Republicans may have the house but the Dems still got the Senate and the VETO power is with the President. It's cool. A balance. It had to happen so white folk would settle down and let Obama do what he was put in office to do - get the country back on it's feet. So, when the good outcomes occur, white Repubs can feel like they helped and will want to keep him in place for another 4 years. Watch what I say.
Ok. I'm done. I'm just grateful that in all this - JESUS IS IN THE HOUSE!!
Peace & Love,
-Rev. JA
Muata Responds to Rev. JA:
I agree with you. We always focus on man. I do believe that mentality has to shift. Look at what focusing on man does. Also, man gets killed by the enemy too e.g. Jesus, MLK, and others. We need to live the legacy and push the policy of these great men!
In many cases, we end up supporting black men and women who do not have our interest in hand. We have to move pass the emotionalism, and focus on what this country is all about. Power is in the ballot, not the man.
Yes, America elected the president. I know. I just want black people to be consistent. To see pass man and focus on the hard work: legislation and policy. And, to be fair: the youth vote was lacking yesterday too.
President Obama and his branding team may need to bear some of the responsibility from yesterday too. He became popular via pop culture. That in itself was the wrong move considering popularity fades among the people. People are tired. He does not inspire like he use to. Not his fault! People are defeated by this mess. I am.
In the end, America is destined to collapse. All great kingdoms do...I just hope me and my children are long gone.
-Muata
Reader Response:
As far as this argument - it is interesting. However, my only thought is, that if it is about personalities and not policy, why didn't popular culture (the P. Diddy's, Kanye's Oprah's, etc.) galvanize their fan base to continue to support the policies of the man they helped get in office?? It's almost like they supported him in getting there, but now are leaving him out to dry. Black people are about following a man or woman - but are not using that same strategy to make change. It soooo bothers me when I hear people say they didn't go and vote. I think about the countless people that DIED to give us that opportunity. Somehow we need to get our people back on track and understanding the power that we have. Obama gave us a glimpse of that - but we HAVE to be continually reminded.
I had a super busy day, back-to-back meetings, a huge presentation that I was up all night working on, rushed home and even missed going to the gym to VOTE. Now if I can, plus the 90 year old woman my friend saw at the poll - NO ONE has an excuse.
-MJ
Muata responds:
Just heard two people say...well one said it and the other agreed: "The Democrats did not win the House - but Jesus is the King of my house." All the BLACK people around clapped and nodded in agreement like we were in church somewhere. I tell ya....Jesus this, Jesus that - but Jesus ain't never paid my bills. He has NEVER been with me to the doctor or the pharmacy! My point, black people are so full of emotional religiosity that we do not understand policy and legislation is what makes the world function. Not a dead Jesus. We caught-up in loving Jesus and NOT loving the VOTE! As if Jesus will save us from the Republican agenda. We too busy living and being in the great By and By! Waiting on the Lord...sickening! Waiting was not in the Real Jesus' Repertoire of Change! SMH!
-Muata
LS responds to Muata:
Jesus has not a damn thing to do with politics. Christians make me laugh. You can praise Jesus all you want but at the end of the day your life on earth is dictated by rational choices within the parameters of your circumstances. At the end of the day you can pray all you want, but if your choices are wack then your life will be hell.
There are no blacks in the senate. zero! A nation of 15% percent black hasn't one person in the senate? But we praise Jesus because we woke up?lol
I love Christians.
-LS
Muata responds:
And church will be packed Sunday with people at the altar begging Jesus to protect them from the Republicans! Do they KNOW Jesus? Jesus set policy with actions!
-Muata
Reader Response:
I agree that everyone should vote on a consistent basis. I voted because that is
my right as a American, although I live in a red district and the Democrat lost
by 30 points. Honestly speaking I don’t believe my vote really counts. But I
still do it! I don't know if the black vote could have protected a blue
majority in the house. There were multiple double digit defeats. I think the
problem is lack of compromise. While I support my President I think he failed to
reach across the aisle because he didn't have to. Clinton had the same issue,
some of his best years as commander and chief were with a GOP majority after the
Dems lost the house. Hopefully this will bring about more policy that is in the
center and leave the extremist on the Right and Left out.
-HJ
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