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Edited on Sun Mar-16-08 03:50 PM by FrenchieCat
This election and recent developments (Ferraro and Wright) at this moment, just like Katrina, could be a teaching moment about our history.
It is unfortunate, that to date, the press has chosen only to highlight Ferraro's and Rev. Wright's sound-bytes, and Wrights' delivery in particular, rather than discussing in candor a more reasoned perspective on the issues on which Ferraro and Rev. Wright speak.
The media, in the case of Rev. Wright, are allowing and even promoting his words to instill fear and doubt into the White Democratic electorate. The political Corporate media likes to portray itself as knowing something that we don't, but it appears that they, collectively, will refuse to enlighten those who most need it at this crucial time. Of course, this currently benefits Sen. Clinton's primary candidacy but nothing and no-one else.
I do believe, but without great hope, that it truly is the media's (electronic and print) duty to address the teaching moment that has been presented to us in this election. If it isn't done, it will have repercussion far beyond this election. It is not about making anyone feel comfortable or uncomfortable, it is about getting to the truth of the matter and addressing it with candor to provide a boiler plate level of background information. It is not much to ask, and we shall see if it is remotely provided. I say that it will not, because the narrative that the media has decided on is custom built to tear us apart, rather than provide greater insight.
And so, as it were during the lead up to the War in Iraq, and before that, the Selection of George Bush in 2000, I'm feeling certain that they will continue to hide our truths under the rug and act like its Business as usual.
But it isn't business as usual, as the Democratic Electorate, in particular, will soon find out.
I suggest that it is also up to Barack Obama himself to give Wright's words greater context by continuing to do what he has done; opening up a franker discussion on the issue of race, racism and America's call to change this. He may have to give a big speech on this issue as well, but remember that he stands as one of the accused by his association with Rev. Wright, and so he realistically cannot do this alone. The issue really is greater than just one man, in particular one whose candidacy is partially the reason for the lack of context given to begin with.
It is also up to those who call themselves leaders of the Democratic party (Hillary Clinton included) to do their civic duty in order to provide greater understanding to the issues rather than risk the danger of diluting and separating the party. They need to stand up and work to put things into perspective and not allow the use of the biased representation of Rev. Wright's sound-bytes to divide us.
Leaders like John Edwards, Al Gore,Howard Dean, Rep. Clyburn, Bill Clinton, and the rest do have that shared responsibility, no matter that they are not currently seeking public office, or that they are remaining neutral. They need to do this like tomorrow. They need to stand up forcefully, rather then to acquiesce to the fear of putting themselves on the line via silence. This is not simply about this election, it is also about the future viability of the party, and the chance to give our history perspective, as it appears to be so needed.
The alternative, that Black voters, pissed off by the lack of support given by those who should have been their allies on the question of race relations, and the history of the Black church, will stay home en masse in November is not unfathomable, i.e., don't believe that this can't happen, because it certainly can. It may not be at the 90% level, but it will be more than enough to lose the Democrats the election. And personally, I believe that they will be justified.
And so, in wanting to be perfectly clear, I do believe that if Hillary finagles the nomination due to this, and if there is no attempt by those who could make a difference in reference to the issues dredged by Wright's fiery sermons, than I foresee Hillary losing the General Election, and the Democratic party becoming once again irrelevant.
I add, as this is important, that timing is everything, and that the Black Community as well as true progressives of all colors are watching the clock.
What is most unfortunate, if this goes where I see it going, is that soon White Women and Men will be rationalizing that they were simply "fearful" and didn't understand what Wright's words meant, and will want to have the discussion that needs to be had now, too late. But that excuse will not serve them, and instead the whole sordid affair will conclude with Supreme Court nominations by President McCain. That is when these men and women will suddenly understand what happened......once the issue of reproductive rights and personal freedoms are placed in direct jeopardy. The often used "first they came for them, then they came for......." saying will escape the ones that will protest the most.
Morally, we cannot expect good men and women to stand behind an institution that does not stand by them. It is also the duty of those reading this to call onto their leaders and the media to do what is right instead of exploiting what could have been a serious discussion all in the name of gotcha politics.
Otherwise Wright's words will resurface and accurately be applied to the missed opportunity with his statement that the "Chickens have come home to roost".
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