Damn, Jason Johnson is a total a**hole

[ChrisF1961]

Going after Biden for giving a speech.

[padah513]

1. I know right?

Lost a lot of respect for him over the months.

[True Blue American]

2. I have no use for him.

He carries on, shouting, throwing his hands around. They let him host once, I turned him off.

[SoonerPride]

3. I have no idea who you are even talking about. Who is "Jason Johnson?"

....and why should I care who he is or what he thinks?

I have no idea. really.

[Goonch]

8. Jason Johnson

Political scientist
Jason Johnson is an American political scientist, commentator and writer. He is the author of the book Political Consultants and Campaigns: One Day to Sell. Johnson is an associate professor of communication and journalism at Morgan State University. He is a regular political contributor to MSNBC and CNN.

[SoonerPride]

17. OK. So he's a talking head on the infotainment circuit. No wonder I have no idea who he is.

The less you watch that drivel the better off you will be both in terms of mental health and the quality of information you take in.

Read good journalism and leave the infotainment turned off.

YMMV

[Hortensis]

83. I watch some, but agree a whole lot more than otherwise.

People who watch CNN and/or MSNBC as main "news" sources test poorly for understanding and knowledge.

[SoonerPride]

85. I admit to watching some CNN and MCNBC.

But mainly I have it on in the background while I am reading.

Rarely will I watch it intently.

I pay almost no attention to the talking head brigade.

I will watch to garner some news, especially if there is a breaking story.

I used to watch MSNBC incessantly.

After 2016 I basically turned it all off and went back to just reading newspapers.

My mental health improved A LOT.

I don't know if my understanding of issues was any better or not, because frankly I am not that bright to begin with.

[Hortensis]

87. :) "My mental health improved A LOT." Absolutely.

Like understanding or lack of it ( ) , it's not a problem people seem to be aware of while it's ongoing, only when they detox and look back. But we see A LOT of it here.

[malaise]

4. No he isn't

listen carefully to what he's saying

[ChrisF1961]

6. I am

and he’s being a jerk.

[uponit7771]

40. Saying police don't give a damn about interracial couples is being a jerk ?!?! Did you read the...

... article?!?

Biden is correct in his speech, that line ... WILL ... get him in trouble

I love Biden but disagree with that sentiment, bad police don't give a damn about how many interracial couples there are in America

[ChrisF1961]

45. Not talking about an article

Referring to his rant on Nicolle Wallace’s show.

[True Blue American]

9. I am listening.

He is not helping. We need positive action.

[StarfishSaver]

18. He's saying almost exactly what a lot of people on DU are saying

Sometimes messages are heard differently depending on certain characteristics of the messenger.

He's angry, just as many of us are. But angry Black men are usually not well-received.

[PortTack]

22. This!

[malaise]

23. THIS

[malaise]

24. THIS

[joetheman]

53. THIS X 1000!

[uponit7771]

38. THIS !!!! ☝🏾☝🏾☝🏾 I don't think anyone is reading the article just responding to the OP title

[Bettie]

86. Right? I finally got a chance to hear at least part of

his segment.

He's not saying anything that isn't true. He's frustrated, you can hear it.

I didn't see him so much as angry as passionate, but I'm frustrated with the same things he is.

[StarfishSaver]

89. The reality doesn't quite fit the stereotypical smear, does it? nt

[Bettie]

93. No, but it hardly ever does

White women are "hysterical" or "shrill"...

Black women are "crazy" or "unhinged"...

Black men are "angry" or "raging"...

white men are "firm" or "resolute"...

Sigh. It's always the same.

[True Blue American]

5. Three women are unhappy

With him.. he will not be on Nicole again. Look at their faces.

[DURHAM D]

7. He has done this before.

I recall that he bashed Hillary constantly during her campaign for 2016.

I wish the MSNBC producers would lose his number.

[USALiberal]

10. Maybe one sentence of context would've helped!

[obnoxiousdrunk]

11. True ..

[BigmanPigman]

14. He was going on and on that what Joe was saying wasn't enough.

He was really strong in his delivery and I found it unappealing as a guest.

[USALiberal]

31. Thanks! Nt

[uponit7771]

36. No, he was going on and on about Biden intimating there being more interracial couples on

... tv commercials being a sign of progress in America and then somehow associating it with policing.

I don't agree with what Biden said, it was awkward and he's right ... that could get him in trouble but Biden is a friend and can be worked with

[Ocelot II]

12. He's not an asshole but he often tends to be negative and critical.

That said, he's a sharp guy and he sometimes can be very funny. I have no problem with MSNBC bringing him on - even if you don't agree, he offers food for thought.

[hlthe2b]

21. I very often disagree with him, but he's not self-promoting in his comments nor "performing"

I can respect that.

Cornell West on the other hand... sigh

[StarfishSaver]

33. You're the third person on this thread who has compared Johnson to Cornel West

The only thing they have in common is that they're both Black and they are both professors, albeit in completely different fields.

How odd but interesting ...

[hlthe2b]

37. Not at all. West was on CNN discussing the Biden speech at same time as Johnson was on MSNBC

doing the very same. Simply reading through the threads would have allowed you to realize this.

I don't understand your need to imply some malign intent that is simply not there.

[StarfishSaver]

39. Lots of people have been on TV discussing Biden's speech

I'm not suggesting any bad intent. But some self-reflection might be helpful.

[hlthe2b]

41. How rude for you to suggest everyone except you needs some "self-reflection"

[StarfishSaver]

43. I didn't say I can't use any self-reflection

I check myself all the time. I don't assume that I have achieved perfection in matters of race and therefore have no room to learn from anyone else and have no need to examine my own prejudices and assumptions.

[hlthe2b]

68. Doesn't seem like it... n/t

[Sneederbunk]

13. He was suspended 5 months from MSNBC for attacking Bernie's female staffers.

Don't know why they let him come back.

[senseandsensibility]

26. Really?

Do you have any more info about this? I haven't heard anything about that.

[Sneederbunk]

28. Just Google Jason Johnson MSNBC suspension.

[Vinca]

15. I think he's just frustrated by more words . . . and more words . . . and more words and,

seemingly, little action. Unfortunately, nothing will happen unless Democrats manage to keep the majority in the House and get a supermajority in the Senate. Republicans sure as hell won't go along with anything remotely resembling justice.

[Dream Girl]

16. Not watching but I have no use for him.

He’s like Cornell Wes Jr.

[StarfishSaver]

29. Actually, he's nothing like Cornel West

Well, he is in a couple of more obvious ways, but not in any way that matters.

Curious about why you chose to compare him to Cornel West?

[Dream Girl]

44. Black intellectual for whom no one is woke enough unless he says so.

If Biden had said in his speech that he was prepared to cut a cut a check for the descents of Tulsa, he would have said wat about the millions of AA who are victims of systemic racism who are not in Tulsa? If Biden had glossed over the history, he would have said that Biden shouldn’t have glossed over it, for most Americans this is new knowledge, blah blah blah. Same kind of shit West did with Obama. Nothing he did was ever progressive enough. Obama wasn’t black enough (cuz he and Travis Smiley didn’t didn’t get invited to the White House for some event or other...I forget the details).

[StarfishSaver]

47. Black being the operative word

Because the air waves are full of intellectuals expressing their opinions just like West and Johnson, but for some reason people here are lumping those two men together.

And, FYI, Johnson has never claimed that no one is woke unless he says so. He has, in fact, expressed the same kinds of frustrations about Biden and other Democrats that many other Democrats have expressed - some right on this board. But for some reason, when Johnson does it, he's out of line and he's compared to a Black man who has expressed a very different opinion in very different tone and substance.

[Ghost of Tom Joad]

19. I guess Jason is not familiar with

Native American history. They have received little to nothing from centuries of crueltiy by the American government and white settlers. From confiscation of land to massacres of villages to the kidnapping of children. The graves found at schools in Canada are also here in the states. Kill the Indian in the child. Native American children taken from their families, put in uniforms, hair cut and punished for speaking their native languages. It's just so frustrating, I was glad that Joe mentioned Native Americans. But what Jason said today was a bit much.

[tishaLA]

20. Trymaine Lee echoed a lot of what Mr Johnson said

And I have to say that IMO their anger is well-earned and their cynicism is a result of many years of good speeches without follow through. OTOH, the columnist from the Herald was also right: six months ago, this conversation couldn't even been taking place because FG was so pathological.

[uponit7771]

35. +1, they have a point; more interacial couples on TV have little to do with bad policing we know

... Biden is the awkward friend we can work with though so they don't have to come at him like the FG.

[tishaLA]

55. It sorta reminds me of Tweety

(who's being interviewed by Joy Reid right now)--his heart is almost always in the right place, but he has difficulty talking about certain issues like race and gender.

[uponit7771]

62. +1

[Nexus2]

69. What did Johnson say or do that caused the acrimony? [nt]

[StarfishSaver]

71. He criticized Biden for not moving fast enough on voting rights

People, here and elsewhere, criticize Biden a the time for not moving fast enough on various things - and do it much harsher tone and language than Johnson did. But a Black man speaking passionately about what he thought Biden isn't doing set a few people off.

[Me.]

25. Is THat Cornel West In Disguise?

[StarfishSaver]

30. Why are you comparing him to Cornel West?

And not, for example, James Carville or Michael Moore?

[Me.]

61. Because JJ Has Been As Critical Of PJB

as West was of PBO. MM...pfft.

[StarfishSaver]

64. Seriously?

That applies to several million people, including a whole lot of people on DU. Funny how those two just happened to get linked together.

A whole lot of white people are critical of Joe Biden, but I have yet to see anyone claim that any white critic of Joe Biden is "Cornel West in disguise" or "Cornel West, Jr. - ever, much less multiple times in one thread.

As I said, some self-reflection may be warranted.

[Me.]

66. Yes, Seriously

Both Presidents have come into office facing a mountain of serious problems and PJB is doing his best to address them without leaving them or anyone out. And it's not just today but constantly. And I for one find that rants have little effect when they are endless as did the other panelists today. JJ was furious that PJB didn't just cut a check as if it was that easy.

I for one would like to see him go off on the Cons as much he does on the Dems because he can spend all his anger on PJB but it's not constructive and unless things such as voting rights are protected there will be very little change.

[StarfishSaver]

70. That has nothing to do with why some people here decided to lump together Johnson and West

It wasn't because Johnson criticized Biden and West has criticized Obama on the past.

They were lumped together because they are two Black men who showed anger about a president. Countless other people, white and Black have done the same thing but Johnson wasn't compared to them . Instead, he was compared to another angry Black man who criticized a different president on the past for completely different reasons, altogether unrelated to anything that Johnson said yesterday.

Black people are frequently compared to each other this way. And usually it's done by negatively comparing the current subject to an unpopular Black.person as a way of diminishing them. (Al Sharpton and Minister Farrakhan were favorite foils in the past) when we really have very little in common but our Blackness and the fact we're saying things that some white people don't like and saying it with passion. On the other hand, white people are seen as individuals.

For example, James Carville often goes on television and rants and raves about what Democrats are doing wrong. But we don't see folk on DU dismissing him as "Michael Moore, Jr."

Think about it.

[Me.]

73. It Has To Do With Why I Did

And I don't appreciate being chastised and accused of racism because I didn't and don't agree with Jason Johnson's and Cornel West's never enough rants.

[StarfishSaver]

75. Johnson's criticism of Biden for not moving fast enough on voting rights has absolutely nothing

to do with Cornel West's past criticisms of Barack Obama, either in substance, tone or topic. And your explanation of your objections to Johnson's criticisms could not be applied to West's since they are completely unrelated - as evidenced by the fact that you didn't even reference West in your later comment - and certainly doesn't explain why you and others see them as having something in common other than that they are both Black.

You have not been called a racist. Not even close. Pointing out that, like virtually every other human being on earth, you have may an unexamined bias is not an accusation of racism.

In fact, it's just the opposite. I assumed that you are open-minded enough to want to do better, and intelligent and insightful enough to be willing to consider how to do that. Only you can know if that was an overestimation.

[Cha]

94. Mahalo, Me.. Excellent rant!

Damn.. you Are Allowed to feel how you want to about this without being Chastised.

Aloha

[Me.]

95. Mahalo Cha

and thank you. I think you know where I stand so I'll leave it at that. On another topic I am so happy that Netanyahu is being being booted. I have wanted him to get his comeuppance ever since he (with Republican connivance) was so disrespectful to PBO.

[Cha]

96. I know I just saw that! Incredible!

Best Hopes for the new government!

[Initech]

27. See that, conservatives? This is what presidents actually do for a living!

And this is also what happens when you elect a president who does his job and doesn't mean tweet, golf, or watch Fox News 24 hours a day.

[uponit7771]

32. Yeah, ummmm I agree with Jason Johnson more biracial couples on TV doesn't solved bad policing

... and is not an indicator of tolerance in America.

America has even had a person of color as vice president before

[StarfishSaver]

34. And why is he so ANGRY?

Just like Cornel West ...

[uponit7771]

50. RIGHT !! I UNDERSTAND Johnsons anger but we have to talk and smile and shit so people don't

... get alarmed before they understand what is said.

DU is an example of where America is racially, there's ... NO DAMN WAY ... I'd want mostly white officers policing mostly black neiborhoods.

[StarfishSaver]

52. People spit nails here every day

But let a brother go on tv and say the same thing people say here and he's an asshole.

[Funtatlaguy]

42. He is a staunch advocate for racial reparations.

Although I agree that they are deserved, that would be a big political loser for Biden especially with someone like Manchin.
And, right now, our biggest and only focus needs to be dumping the filibuster and federal voting rights legislation.

[StarfishSaver]

46. That's the argument that's been used against reparations for the last 155 years

It's never the right time, something else is always more important. We need to back burner it and take it up when it's more convenient...

[Funtatlaguy]

48. I disagree. It would be the exact RIGHT time if we end the filibuster

and save our democracy heading into 2022.
No legislation will matter if we don’t drop the filibuster.
Also, could an Executive Order be used? That would guarantee it.

[StarfishSaver]

51. Not going to happen

There will always be another excuse for not doing it.

[ecstatic]

49. I just watched Biden's speech

I haven't listened to Jason Johnson's comments yet, but here's what I thought and wanted to hear:

First of all, great speech! I learned a couple of new things.

I like how he tied the past in with current events.

I wanted him to announce something bold, like actually moving forward with reparations at least for the descendants of those massacred in Tulsa. It's time for the US to take responsibility for the atrocities that have happened here.

Also, what I've been thinking: I need Pres Biden and others to get more aggressive behind the scenes to get the voter rights and police brutality laws passed. There is nothing more important than protecting basic human and civil rights. So many people seem to view these issues as optional or something to get around to when time permits. It's heartbreaking and I won't forgive him or Schumer if they fail. Get it done!

[StarfishSaver]

54. That's pretty much what Jason Johnson said

[uponit7771]

63. +1

[FloridaBlues]

56. I know, Have little use for his opinions.

[Hekate]

57. Actually he is not, & it was more complicated than that. Nicolle handled him well, tho she disagreed

As I do — that is, I disagree with Jason Johnson today, but he’s worth listening to.

[ChrisF1961]

58. Problem is

he could have given some thoughtful commentary. Instead he went on an angry rant bashing Biden.

[Hekate]

59. That's where I disagreed. Biden's not just juggling the usual problems, he's juggling chainsaws. nt

[ChrisF1961]

60. Very true

That’s why Johnson’s rant was unfair. He could have made all the exact same points but done it in a calm and thoughtful manner. But he went on an angry rant attacking Biden.

[ecstatic]

65. A lot of people are hurting right now. Frustrated, and yes, angry.

Anxious. We wonder if our votes will ever count again, or if we'll ever live in a country where we don't have to panic when a cop pulls us over. We see our allies acknowledge certain atrocities that have occurred, but yet when it comes to actually DOING something to either make amends (for example, reparations for survivors of the Tulsa massacre) or putting in place strong federal laws to stop unfair/racist practices, there's nothing but crickets. On top of that, we have the same type of domestic terrorists who destroyed Greenwood running wild in our country, completely unchecked.

President Biden gave a great speech. But what we need now is for everyone, Biden and congress to take it up a notch. Fight fire with fire while we still have the chance.

[ChrisF1961]

67. Then direct the anger at Republicans

or Democrats like Manchin not on Biden who is trying to do something. In the that will only hurt him and others who are trying to help.

[StarfishSaver]

72. This is amazing

Last edited Wed Jun 2, 2021, 11:44 AM - Edit history (2)

People on this board criticize Biden, his administration and Democratic leadership all the time for not moving fast enough on things they care about (for example, angry posts complaining that Biden and DOJ haven't yet prosecuted Trump and his cronies and that Schumer and Pelosi aren't "playing hardball" and lack spines are daily fixtures here). For example: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215487995

And many of them express their frustration in language and tone considerably harsher than Johnson's.

But there's something about an angry Black man expressing his frustration that really sets some people off. He's simply an "asshole" who's dismissed and infantilized as "Cornel West, Jr."

[ChrisF1961]

76. Yes some do

and they are wrong to do so. And this has nothing to do with Johnson being black and everything about him being a jerk.

[StarfishSaver]

77. Yes, some do, but not this time, of course

It's never "this time" - only in the abstract.

It's surely possible to disagree with Johnson or to think he's an asshole for reasons unrelated to his race. But the number of people who immediately linked him to another completely unrelated Black man - a common tactic of people who are seeing things through a racial lens of which they may not be aware - raises a red flag that his race might be, even in part, shaping some of their opinions.

We all have racial biases. But most well-meaning non-racist people don't realize their own unconscious biases (hence the term, "unconscious bias".) until they're brought to their attention - and often the initial reaction is just the kind of defensive denials we're seeing in this thread. The assumption that they are immune to prejudices and never form or express an opinion that could even possibly be tainted by such prejudices is contrary to all logic and human reality. Such biases don't make someone a racist or anything close to it - it just means they're human.

I'm hoping that once folk get over their initial anger at being challenged, they'll think about it and consider whether their view may be tinged by the kinds of bias we all have and then try to evolve a little bit more.

[ChrisF1961]

79. I never did

And I actually agreed with some of what Johnson said. But he could have done in a constructive, positive manner. Instead he decided to go on an angry rant attacking Biden. That is not at all helpful and he was being a jerk. And not for the first time.

[StarfishSaver]

80. Black people who speak passionately are often accused of "angry rants"

while white people who show the same spirit are praised for being passionate. That's just a fact.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Tim Ryan completely went off on the House floor people here went into a rapture.

James Carville spews nails and spit on a regular basis, criticizing Democrats to his heart's content. He's not called a "loud mouthed agitator"

People on this site rant and rave about Biden all the time and when it's suggested they tone it down, the response is that their anger is warranted and their passion is the opposite of complacency.

Folks need to consider whether they are unconsciously seeing a Black man speaking with passion in a different way than they see white people speaking in the same manner.

[ChrisF1961]

81. Doesn't forgive him for being a jerk

And I've seen many people here slamming Michael Moore for anti-Democratic party rants.

[StarfishSaver]

82. And yet, he's never been called "Cornel West, Jr." or regularly compared to random white men with

whom he has little in common except for his skin color.

[ChrisF1961]

84. I never called him that

So why bring up other than to distract from Johnson being a jerk.

[StarfishSaver]

88. I didn't say you did

But we weren't talking about you.

[ChrisF1961]

90. We weren't?

Then why bother to respond to me?

[StarfishSaver]

91. One can only respond to you if they're talking ABOUT you?

I'll make a note of that for the future.

[ChrisF1961]

92. Sure

Why bring what someone else said that is unrelated to what I posted, unless the goal is to distract from that Johnson is a jerk. Case in point. Here is one of his greatest hits: “I don’t care how many people from the island of misfit Black girls you throw out there to defend you,”
https://moguldom.com/262928/after-suspension-by-msnbc-the-root-parts-ways-with-dr-jason-johnson/

[LetMyPeopleVote]

74. I agree

[CrispyQ]

78. I like him & always look forward to when he's on a show or hosts a show. -nt