with a black press like this, who needs a white one?

i normally refrain from criticizing the boston banner. the banner is the local black paper, and usually, it's decent. but, i am sad to report that the paper is in the throes of obama fever, and the condition appears quite serious. first, i am going to quote from a recent editorial in the paper. i will then comment on the editorial, and then reference another article from the very same paper which acts to completely contradict the nonsensical euphoria of the initial piece.

"past generations of african americans lived disciplined lives, studied and worked hard to prepare for jobs that were not available to them despite their qualifications. they carried on through their disappointment to challenge the barriers of racial discrimination so that their children would have greater opportunities. the inauguration of obama as president of the u.s is the fulfillment of those sacrifices.
the younger generation confronts a different world. racial discrimination has not been totally eliminated, but it is now more of a petty inconvenience. today's real challenge is competition for professional positions on a global scale. it has never been more important for the youth to accept the wisdom of the elders - education paves the road to success."


ok, let's take this step by step. did all "past generations of african americans live disciplined lives?" of course not; some did, some didn't. some worked hard, others did not. some were sober, others were alcoholics. it is no different than today. romanticizing the past is an insidious way of denigrating the present. it is akin to praising hank aaron as a prelude to knocking barry bonds. this is a tactic that the white man normally uses to put the modern black man in "his place." sadly, the banner is doing it for "charlie." the fact is, most black people in the past, just as most black people now, or for that matter, most people, spend most of their time trying to survive. sometimes they fight injustice, other times they keep quiet, just like everybody else. yes, there were exceptional people in the 60's, and in the 30's, and before that, but there are surely also exceptional people now as well. but, in every era, most people get up in the morning, raise children, and pay the rent. it is an injustice to use the past as a hammer with which to knock those living in the present.

the banner then makes one of the most embarrasing statements i have ever read. "racial discimination has not been totally eliminated, but it is now more of a petty inconvenience." excuse me? are we now to believe that because obama has become president, that racism is now akin to a slow line at the supermarket, or a bus that doesn't run on schedule? racism "is now more of a petty inconvenience?" are racial health disparities, including wide disparities in infant mortality and life expectancy, a "petty inconvenience?" is police brutality a "petty inconvenience?" if so, i would like to hear the editorial writer explain his position to the families of oscar grant, shawn bell, mumia abu jamal, and hundreds of others. are impoverished, segregated schools a "petty inconvenience?" are unequal prison sentences, convictions, and use of the death penalty, a matter of "petty inconvenience?" are poor, segregated neighborhoods, with a lack of access to banks, supermarkets, and various cultural outlets, a matter of "petty inconvenience?" is a black unemployment rate that is twice that of the white unemployment rate, a matter of "petty inconvenience?" is the fact that the average black person makes 60 cents to the average white person's dollar, a matter of "petty inconvenience?" one could go on. and on and on and on...

the tragedy here is that the banner is doing the work of the white power structure. it as if cosby wrote this piece. surely, we should acknowledge that obama could not have gained the presidency 40 years ago. the fact that he became the president does say something positive. but, to read his ascent in this way is to drastically underestimate the extent to which american racism is an institutionalized, systemic set of structures which continue to impact the lives of millions of black people. the rise of obama doesn't mitigate that anymore than the rise of colin powell or condi rice does. for, the american power structure (ie, institutionalized white supremacy) has always allowed for individual people of color to succeed. but individual success stories within the structures of american power can not end racism, because racism is built into those very structures. obama can't end racism anymore than michael jordan or oprah can. millions of well off whites voted for obama, and feel great about it. have these same whites thought about redistributing their wealth to benefit the black masses? are they aware of the racial health disparities, segregated schools and housing, and police brutality that i mentioned earlier? if so, what are they doing to acknowledge them? are they acting to eliminate these manifestations of white supremacy? while they weep for joy for obama, do they have a plan to employ young black men? have any of the white obama voters protested on behalf of bell or grant? do they know who they are? do they care that a white man with a prison record is more likely to find a job than a black man without a record? do they know that a white man with a high school diploma is more likely to find a job, and makes more money, than a black man with a college degree? and, if these liberal lovers of obama do know these things, just what are they doing to try to change a culture which produces such outcomes?

by the way, on the next page of the banner was an article that spoke to the ongoing racial inequalities in employment, and the high rates of black poverty. while reading the article, i did not have the feeling that such matters were a "petty inconvenience."

and don't forget the next line in the editorial..."today's real challenge is competition for professional positions on a global scale."

sorry folks, but i give up. i don't even know what the fuck that means.

all i can say is that this was not a banner day for the boston banner.