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Bravo.
Keith just reported about the 1986 joke McCain told where the punch line was a woman enjoyed being brutally raped by an ape.
Yes.
Go right ahead and make the jump.
Anyway.
Keith and Rachel talked about how if it was discovered that Barack had told this joke we would be on wall-to-wall special coverage as I type this. But other than Countdown or the blogs, this corporate media is silent.
Meantime Jesse Jackson uttering the N-word, which, by the way, Fox refuses to let us hear him utter, gets, to my dismay, lots of attention.
To quote Susan Rice, surreal indeed.
I don't think it's that (most) white people expect blacks to be funny or entertaining, but more about the lame "who would I like to have a beer with" presidential test (even though I'd much prefer to have a beer with Obama). Just look back to the last 4 elections. The supposedly more beer-worthy candidate has won every time. Humor contributes to that beer-factor that the media plays up so much.
I'm glad his personality and campaign border on too-serious. Running the country is serious business, we have a lot of serious problems, and the voters need to seriously consider what's happened to our political system, not make jokes about it. The jokes make me laugh to the point of crying. All in all, the serious tone seems quite appropriate to me.
I believe #3 is cultural.
Like RBL, though I have what people consider to be a ' friendly face', and can crack a joke with the best of them, I'm not one who, goes out of her way to make White people feel comfortable. I don't believe that's my job in life.
" Lighten up" is something I've heard many a time.
NEVER from Whites who have known me for a long time, and who are in my circle of friends.
But, yes, I've been told to 'lighten up'.
I believe RBL sees it through that cultural lens. And, especially being a Black male, who, from the beginning of this country, has always been seen as the most threatening being on the planet. (until Arabs and Muslims came along..but they're late to the game.)
Yeah, and look where that got us.
Our cultures and priorities are definitely different
Barack Obama is running to be the most powerful politician in America during one of the most unsettled times in this country’s history. And white folks are wondering if he is going to lose because he doesn’t make them smile?
Yes. From this perspective white people are the only real humans and everyone else is just there as objects in relation to that --"You don't actually exist except as you please or displease ME ME ME."
So. Ugly.
Anyway, I think this post is just excellent.
#3 is extremely accurate, in my view.
I definitely have noticed pressure on many other black celebrities, to "lighten up", and to even plain shut up about social or political issues, but I haven't really noticed that pressure as much towards black politicians. Most nationally known black political figures have had a pretty serious tone about them, and I haven't caught the lighten up vibe much. Maybe I haven't been paying enough attention.
I'll agree that no matter what the reason, it's a silly issue (sorry :), along with the elitism claims (I thought elite was good?). Luckily, I don't think it'll have any real effect this time, and for once we'll be electing the more serious candidate.
Anyway, thanks for this blog. It's in my top 3 for politics this season.
Just focus on winning. Save the style-points for some other time.
I don't want to wait for people to "get it" when we could just as easily be direct and unequivocal in our message. Be assertive. Don't rest on satire to get your point across. . . just make your point.
So the New Yorker wanted to convey the fact that Obama's not a Muslim? Well how about this . . . put his face on the cover with the words, "NOT A MUSLIM" in big bold red letters across his forehead. Then have an article dispelling the rumor and making the point that the word "Muslim" shouldn't be a perjorative.
See, Rush Limbaugh can be "cute." He can afford to be "cute" and "clever." After all, he's won the past two elections. We, on the other hand, ain't won jack in a long time. Stay focused.
McCain can joke about Ape Rape and get a pat on the back. But let Obama brush his shoulders off and you've got the MSM asking whether that means he's a sexist. This brotha can't fart without having some pundit ascribe an ulterior motive.
Trust, the media is NOT Obama's friend. Every one of those journalists would sell their souls if it meant they'd get the exclusive scoop to tear Obama down. No matter how much they want to see him crack a joke, you'd best believe they've prepared several ways to twist his words for the next manufactured "nontroversy."
No thank you. People want to joke? Fine, talk about his big ears; mock his speech patterns; joke about his skinny frame. But Obama has no obligation to "let it slide" when it comes to matters of race, religion and "terrorist fist-jabs."
They can call Obama uptight all they want, but there's a reason why people don't "go there" with McCain's military service . . . he won't let them. In fact, his camp makes it clear that you better think twice before you even think about challenging his military record (joking or not). He's got that game on lock, so much that you can't mention the word "McCain" without first prefacing that with "war hero" or "he deserves our honor and respect." That's a walking campaign endorsement.
No. There are many ways to show Obama's lighter side. Take Rachel Maddows advice and go dance with Ellen again; Make a stop on SNL; have a heart-to-heart with Oprah.
But draw that line in the sand. It's the small things that get you in the end.
Secondly, "they" have searched high and low for something derogatory that they can have FUN with and EXPLOIT! Cain't find it! That's their PROBLEM!!
Keep the "GAME FACE" on Mr. Obama!
Great article!!!!!
As always.
Exactly. And, to this day, some think Hillary won New Hampshire because of that "joke."
The man CAN'T win.
**Once they figure out that going after Michelle is not going to make Obama break down, they will start indirectly attacking the children and they're going to use a Magical Negro to do it. Bet on it.
But, we'll be here, pushing back.
I hope and pray that they do not go after the weeMichelles. That would be too much. I would only march on the rarest of occasions, but a march against attacking those girls would have my name all over it.
#3 is about the most ACCURATE comment Ive read on a blog about the currrent topic ever. As a proffesional, and someone who's lead people in the military at a time, I was labled an angry black man b/c I actually had the nerve to be on time, proper, fair in my discipline of subordinates, and most importantly , I didnt kiss any ass. Reguardless the color (but to be fair, a large part of the leadership in the military is white)
With that said, Baracks been hilarious to me. I dont know where to begin, Brushing his shoulders off, Calling Hillary Annie Oakley, and calling Senator Gramm Dr. Phil. Got me giggling. But, his humor as much as it makes us laugh, comes off as him being "uppity" which i think is code for them saying who does this nigger think he is.
As to B's point about John McCain's military service. I couldnt agree more. Of course IT SHOULD BE up for grabs, but rethugs have painted anyone who makes a comment bad about military servicemen as unpatriotic and unworthy of there security.
I COULDNT CALL BS MORE TO THIS POINT. If you all knew how much of your Tax dollar was really wasted on the military, I can assure you, it wouldnt be just John McCain who'd be put under the radar, but anyone who's ever ran using it as a backbone of there campaign would be heavinly scrutinized. no matter what party they claim.
As far as the whole military thing, I can't tell you how disappointed I was that the Obama campaign didn't back up Wesley Clark or at least read the interview he gave. People can have mixed feelings about Wesley Clark, but the man was clearly repeating verbatim what the interviewer asked him, i.e. qualification for President being shot down in a fighter plane, etc (paraphrase). And then McCain comes out about how he was trying to demean his service. I thought that whole thing was total BS. But you're absolutely right. Even if people do have legitimate questions about McCain's service in this election it seems to be off limits, whereas for Kerry, no one had any qualms about demeaning his service.
Another storyline that I found quite amusing was the consternation about some comics inability to make fun of Obama. If a comedian cannot make a joke about Obama that is not racially based then he needs to find a new career.
And I couldn't agree more with the comments about suddenly Obama is responsible for everything that comes out about him. I watched Jon Stewart and his it's "a fuc*king satire" moment and complely lost it. I then watched the editor of the New Yorker, David Remnick, on Charlie Rose, blame Obama (he's too thin skinned) for the media's overreaction; and then he thanked Jon Stewart for his support and understanding. Are you kidding me? You put out a cover that could be construed as anti-Muslim and anti-black and somehow it's Obama's fault that people were offended. Any idea that this cover was in fact intended to highlight the ridiculousness of the smears was erased after five minutes of watching that smug prick bask in the controversy he caused. I think what has been so surprising about this process is watching the so-called left struggle with their own issues about race. Suddenly the people who were oh-so-progressive when it comes to race (theoretically) seem to struggle when they are confronted with someone who doesn't fit neatly into those boxes that have been reserved for the "exotics." (And by the way, if I hear Chris Matthews refer to Obama as exotic one more time, I'm going to scream.)
And If Obama is smart and I know he is, he will continue to keep the media at a respectful distance. Since he secured the nomination they have taken great pleasure in twisting his words and perpetuating untruths about his "shifting" positions. Anyone who has heard Obama speak about Iraq for the last 18 months, knows he is saying exactly the same thing today that he said then. So, why is Mark Halperin of Time magazine on MSNBC this morning (or yesterday) talking about Obama's flip flop? They want this race to be close and they will continue to give McCain a free ride. They are going to scrutinize every move that Obama makes and should he crack a joke, they will call him arrogant and Jon Stewart will call him a douche, again. (Yes, Jon is on my sh*t list with his seeming inability to be critical of the insanity that is McCain.) That is the minefield that awatis Obama. The good news is I think he knows it.
Chris Matthews is another one. He has this weird man crush on Obama, but during the primaries he was saying stuff like, yeah Obama is popular with African Americans, but how is he going to appeal to regular folks. Yup. There is Black people and there is regular folks. Now, I'm sure that he didn't mean it to be offensive, but it just goes to show you that subconsciously, some "progressives" or "liberals" still view Black people as this other that needs to be figured out, or categorized.
"
On the lighter side, I thought the commercial of the car salesman parodying Obama was funny.
The first inkling came from a one liner at a debate just before the Iowa primaries.
(It also shut Hillary, who was laying it on a bit thick, up).
Then the next example came during a rally at Nevada.
Of course there was the dirt off your shoulders, Annie Oakley, Dr. Phil and his response after hearing Hillary claim his message was tantamount to wishing a choir of angels will sing and unicorns will make the world better ("Hey, that sounds good to me.").
So the fact is, the guy isn't humorless. He's funny and unlike Hillary or McCain, he has great timing and delivery.
He's just not a buffoonish character. He's good looking but he doesn't appear overly high maintenance. (No $400 haircuts for him). Extreme displays of emotion are unheard of, unless it's during a passionate barnstormer of a speech. He's intelligent but he's doesn't come off as too intellectual. The change message he talks about has been painted by his opponents as overly idealistic, but there is this undercurrent that Obama is not some pie in the sky dreamer. His campaign has been drama free from the start.
So I have watched the late night comedy shows and there is no easy material for him. They usually fall back on his race or his African heritage. "I have a package, and it needs some stimulus," anyone?
Comedians can try to forcing a buffoonish personality on Obama, or falling back on his race, but it won't work. It doesn't come off as something unique to Obama so it will never really be all that funny.
The few successful attempts at comedy I've seen have been when Obama plays the straight man to someone else's fool.
That's why they're hoping he picks a vice president that's joke fodder. That what the late night shows are left with.
It's become quite clear that some in the media are expecting that Barack to channel his inner Dave Chapelle--I mean, we all have an inner Dave Chapelle, right?
I reserve the right to change my mind about going after her if she decides to go after Michelle again.
Obama is my slave T-shirt
Many White Americas have much to learn about Black Americans, their culture, and sense of self. I thought the commercial of the car salesman parodying Obama was funny. Obama was being mock. So in answer to Maureen Dowd question, Obama can be mock. Maureen Dowd’s wit works well with main stream White Americas, – and I have no problems with her Bama spoof – but she is out of her element when it comes to having an appreciation for black culture and humor. Black people understand how the vines of twoness wrap around American’s landscape. Black people are often guarded, because we have to be. Not angry, just mindful. We understand how familiarity can breed disrespect and contempt from those who are only vaguely acquainted with you. Many Americas do not know him merely because he has not been on the national political scene for a very long time, they do not know him because many Americans do not really know the nuances and sensibilities of black behavior. The closest many every got to seeing it was from watching the televison show “In Living Color.’
I'd like to see some of the egocentric national reporters and anchors handle having themselves and their spouse mocked on a major magazine cover surrounded by hateful images and see them laugh it off. Let's start with Maureen Dowd, and surround her with Irish Catholic hateful imagery and mock her miserable love life, and see how much she laughs.
Like others here, I think Obama's got a great sense of humor, a priceless laugh, and a very calm, balanced temperament that will make him a great leader in a time of crisis.
Off-topic, but you may find this newsworthy... Obama hate activist and Georgetown professor Heidi Li Feldman, head of the anti-Obama 527 "Denver Group", is running ads to sabotage Obama's candidacy. Ran one recently in Chicago Tribune and one again today in Congressional Quarterly trying to force an open roll call for Hillary at convention as only way to "insure legitimate selection" of nominee. She doesn't seem to realize primary race is over and Hillary conceded, and Denver Group's efforts are only giving MSM and McCain anti-Obama talking points. Her contact info and more here: http://roadkillrefugee.wordpress.com/2008/07/18...
I"m glad folks pointed out all the times Obama did make jokes. I should have mentioned that in my blog. Like so many of y'all have said, Obama can be funny but it's not that Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy in Norbit funny. He's not going to be grinning and skinning. He's a Harvard-educated lawyer running for president. He's not going to be making fart jokes in public.
A lot of you like point 3 in my blog but I really thought point 2 was the most important. Comedians are whining that Obama and his cult members won't let them joke about him, but the reality is that Obama supporters will not let them make racist, demeaning jokes about him. We will not allow him to be dehumanized for profit. It's happened too many times to far too many black folks in power and we are sick of it.
I'm glad we're taking that stand.
Obama is funny - the media is just not listening.
And keep in mind, he was a law lecturer for a good chunk of his career - not exactly a profession known for hilarity. I don't see anyone asking Alan Dershowitz why he can't be more like Jerry Seinfeld.
You did mean "self-deprecating humor" didn't you? (:~) Self-defecating humor would have caused a real mess. (:~)
But he IS expected to tell "uncomfortable truths" to the black community?
I'd rather him crack jokes and be that funny guy, than speak about issues he's got no technical business talking about (black fatherhood has about as much to do with the energy crisis as eating trix does with the space shuttle).
And thanks for reminding us about the shoulder brush and the HIlary remarks. I don't watch TV and ignore the debates as much as possible (that's just me) so I missed a lot of that. I did watch the shoulder brush on Youtube and thought it was pretty good even though I am a middle-aged white lady and did NOT get the reference at first. Even without knowing about the song, his timing and delivery made me laugh. All I saw was him brushing it off and that was funny on its own. Then I watched the music video and made the connection. I call that a universal laugh moment if you didn't have to know the reference to find it funny. He then bent over and brushed off his shoes - I thought that was great.
Re: humorlessness and being "angry." This whole conversation reminds me of how much I keep myself in check about MIddle East issues, because if I so much as list a few Israeli atrocities in a calm voice, I get called angry. The only thing more dangerous in America than an Angry Black Person is an Angry Arab. We Arabs have to step very very carefully around non-Arab people (that includes my African-American sisters and brothers, too) lest our talk of oppression make people uncomfortable.
Angry Arabs are scary to Americans. The US public has been brainwashed for two generations to believe that angry Arabs are going to come and get their mamas. 9/11 made it all too real. Yep. Can't have any Arab anywhere say anything angry because maybe they'll KILL YOU RIGHT LIKE THAT. Because only Arabs kill thousands of people by bombing with airplanes...