Putting a Blackface on American Aristocracy...

...doesn't fix racism...it's just a job...


aristocracy

Main Entry:
ar·is·toc·ra·cy
Pronunciation:
\ˌa-rə-ˈstä-krə-sē, ˌer-ə-\
Function:
noun
Inflected Form(s):
plural ar·is·toc·ra·cies
Etymology:
Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French aristocratie, from Late Latin aristocratia, from Greek aristokratia, from aristos best + -kratia -cracy
Date:
1561

1: government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class2 a: a government in which power is vested in a minority consisting of those believed to be best qualified b: a state with such a government3: a governing body or upper class usually made up of a hereditary nobility4: the aggregate of those believed to be superior

...And so it begins...

DuBois and his theory of a talented tenth...(I'm sure you've heard of it) spoke of educating and implementing a sense of responsibility for those of us who have the potential and desire to become leaders in an attempt to save the moral, economic and sociological image and status of Black people. *Stop*

These views are my own and not intended to reflect those of an entire race of people or intend to suggest that anyone else view them as words to live by...*carry on*

While I agree with the theory, I'm not certain that the practice of having a Black President of the United States constitutes that Black people in America have somehow "arrived". I reject the theory that in order to be successful in America one has to act, walk and talk in a similar style of people who have for the most part neglected, rejected and opposed their own. In other words, adopting the, "If you can't beat em'...join em..." philosophy leaves me feeling a bit uncomfortable.

American Presidents have had a long standing history of being connected to elitism. Reagan and Schwarzenegger used their celebrity status as a means to gain political power and catapult a fascist plateau which hides behind modern authoritarianism. Speak of the Bush family or the Kennedy's and it's a well known fact that they are "plugged" so to speak...eternally attached to their lineage and invisible "divine right" to lead the American people simply based on a brand name, image, wealth or celebrity status.

While the election of Barack Obama into presidency does motivate the idea of change in many of us, have we simply joined the gang hoping for the opportunity to become an elite partner in a political system with a history, a past that is so thick in separatism and conspiracy only to pass the legacy down to our own future generations as the pinnacle of being in the suggested best position?

At the same time Black America is having it's share of "moving on up" parties, racism is soaring. Robbie Tolan is shot in his drive way, Oscar Grant is killed by BART police, and a racially insensitive (and life threatening) cartoon was printed in public newspaper with no signs of eminent justice.

The problem with the talented tenth manifesto is that within the 90% of "seemingly" uneducated, untalented, and uninterested Black people lies a group of many who are culturally conscious and politically critical people who have decided to reject the American justice system and views it as being one of which only appeals to the needs of Black people when the outcome benefits a governmental need to be seen as diplomatic.

No matter how hard this may be to stomach, Obama's maternal parentage greatly enhanced his appeal to people who are not of color. I've heard people mention the fact that he married a sister who is darker than the blackest berry and that this somehow makes him a beacon for the people and the struggle. America has always accepted the Black woman, allowed her in their homes with little discomfort, running their businesses, etc. The image of the Black man being one that instills fear in the minds of some on the other hand has yet to diminish.