Hillary Clinton’s Cynical Race Appeals: The Revenge Of Neoliberal Identity Politics - Salon

[WillyT]

Hillary Clinton’s cynical race appeals: The revenge of neoliberal identity politics
Clinton has adopted notably more progressive language on identity politics this campaign. But to what end?
Daniel Denvir - Salon
Friday, Feb 19, 2016 04:58 AM PST


Hillary Clinton (AP Photo/) (Credit: AP/Bryan R. Smith)

<snip>

Hillary Clinton, scraping the bottom of the barrel in her attempts to discredit Bernie Sanders, is now repeatedly making the case that democratic socialism is too narrowly tailored to accommodate a true rainbow coalition. Never mind that the rise of Bill Clinton’s corporate-aligned Democratic Leadership Council served to marginalize the forces represented by Jesse Jackson’s actual Rainbow Coalition within the party.

“If we broke up the big banks tomorrow, and I will if they deserve it…would that end racism?” Clinton asked a Nevada crowd last week. “No!” they roared back again and again as she criticized Bernie Sanders’ purportedly single-issue agenda. “Would that end sexism? Would that end discrimination against the LGBT community? Would that make people feel more welcoming to immigrants overnight?”

“No!” “No!” and “No!” the shouts came, refracting across the funhouse mirrors of 20th century liberal politics.

Clinton is panicked, terrified that a growing number of non-white voters will not back her reflexively in the Democratic primary. Seeping in through polls and pronouncements geared to manage expectations ahead of the Nevada caucuses, there is a creeping sense that Sanders might just attract not only white women but a surprising number of the people of color that pundits describe as Clinton’s “firewall.” This is American politics at peak neoliberalism, where a distorted version of identity politics is used to defend an oligarchy and a national security state, celebrating diversity in the management of exploitation and warfare.

“I think it’s very cynical,” says Rutgers historian Donna Murch, the author of a recent New Republic article titled “The Clintons’ War on Drugs: When Black Lives Didn’t Matter.” “Saying that political economy doesn’t matter to black people, I think that that is terrible. Especially when you look at the impact of what happened with the subprime crisis.”

Clinton, who not so long ago bragged that Obama had failed to attract the support of “hardworking Americans, white Americans,” is now tweeting through the lens of intersectionality and entreating white voters on the campaign trail to “recognize our privilege and practice humility.” Clinton, however, is using racial justice against class-based grievances as a tool to attack Sanders from the right. Her campaign has gone so far as to suggest that Sanders’ pledge to make public universities tuition-free is racist because it would exclude private historically black colleges and universities. Only this campaign, this year, could cause a Democrat to suggest that free public education is racist.

What “identity politics” means depends on whom you ask...

<snip>

More: http://www.salon.com/2016/02/19/hillary_clintons_cynical_race_appeals_the_revenge_of_neoliberal_identity_politics/

[MisterP]

1. I think this is the end for "Tumblr politics," where it only matters what group you're "representing

and it doesn't matter what you're saying as long as you're ANGRY and VALIDATED and WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED

they're rent-a-radicals, plop 'em down and watch 'em chant

http://sadydoyle.tumblr.com/post/136215579983/cchristina-hendricks-im-not-a-phony-never

once reality reasserts itself as a proper topic for politics, you can't scream anymore that jokes that Clinton's favorite jazz musician is Kenny G count as cishetonormative silencing
http://www.salon.com/2016/02/02/bernie_bros_stop_this_meme_your_dumb_joke_about_hillarys_music_taste_isnt_funny_its_predictably_sexist/

[noretreatnosurrender]

2. Thanks for the post

Donna Murch was mentioned in this post. She had a great piece in the Washington Post.

Five Myths about Martin Luther King, Jr.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-martin-luther-king/2016/01/15/4094b44a-ba62-11e5-829c-26ffb874a18d_story.html?postshare=2271452898258646&tid=ss_fb

[WillyT]

5. Thanks For The Link !!!

[Senator Tankerbell]

3. Good article!

Thanks!

[uponit7771]

4. You mean when she associated her campaign with Cornell West who called Obama "n-word-izzed"

... while she was in IA and NH... but now West is taking a VERY VERY low profile while in the SEC states?

[dreamnightwind]

6. Kicking, will read the article later

I very much agree with the points given in your excerpt, it has been obvious for quite some time how identity politics are being used as a wedge to distract people from focusing on systematic reform. There is room for all of it, it doesn't have to be either-or, and Sanders knows this.

The series of questions/points Hillary was asking are disingenuous. Economic democratization won't end racism, no, and Bernie knows that.

How will Hillary end racism? She won't, and more than Bernie will.

What else won't she do? She won't be a credible force for economic reform, she's a neoliberal who will use people like Larry Summers to continue screwing over all of us to the advantage of the extremely wealthy

[KoKo]

7. Interesting read and perspective...

Snip from the article:

But race politics, in the hands of oligarchs, narrows the scope of what’s politically possible by justifying class-based inequities that impact poor people of all races as a reflection of fair market value.

Last week, Clinton performed that very sort of sleight of hand, mobilizing Congressional Black Caucus members to not only bash Sanders but chide young black voters for their naiveté. The entity that actually endorsed Clinton, however, was the CBC PAC, governed by a 20-member board that includes 11 lobbyists working on behalf of companies including student loan giant Navient, Newport cigarette maker Lorillard Tobacco, and OxyContin manufacturer Purdue Pharma, according to the Intercept.

Clinton hopes black voters are a monolith, and treats them as such

Generally speaking, Clinton’s strategy is to secure across-the-board support from party elites and leaders of established liberal and constituency-based organizations. This approach reaches its zenith with black voters, who the strategy presumes are more eager to do whatever leaders tell them than others. It’s an approach reminiscent of how immigrant voters were described during the Tammany hall era of urban political machines. In the process, a lot of internal political conflict and difference within the black electorate is obscured.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

8. Black voters are not doing what anyone tells us to do. We are voting on our own accord, and

exercising our own judgment. I don't understand why white people are so eager to insult black voters who have been the most loyal Democratic voters.

Both sides--Hillary and Bernie--do this. These charges leveled at HRC is the exact same way Bernie Sanders supporters have been treating black people. There's no difference.

The condescension is absolutely disgusting and we are watching this play itself out.

The more Sanders fanatics talk down to, insult, and otherwise offend with their arrogance and racist paternalism, the more it's a turn off.

Arrogance and condescension will not get me to vote for Bernie Sanders, who I once was a supporter of.

[TheBluestEye]

9. I have never experienced the paternalism that you speak of...

I have experienced sincere attempts by Bernie supporters to make the case for voting for him. I don't see how pointing out the failure of Bill Clinton's criminal justice reform is insulting. I don't see how pointing out Hillary Clinton's racial pandering is offensive.

I can understand that arrogance and condescension wouldn't get anyone to vote for either candidate. What I am trying to understand is why Clinton supporters seem to think that Hillary's fawning and flattery will.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

14. No. Sanders fanatics have been horrible to people of color. Horrid!

[DisgustipatedinCA]

18. Citation, please. Extraordinary claims, extraordinary proof, etc.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

20. Sanders fanatics have been horrible to blacks! That's why he's losing the majority of us.

DEAL WITH IT!!

[DisgustipatedinCA]

23. See previous post. Citation, please.

[Green Texan]

31. Speak for yourself

You're throwing a tantrum. Every race has been brought into this. Bernie's supporters are always being criticized. You are a Hillary supporter, and all you have is desperate attacks and lies.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

43. That's the point. I SPEAK FOR MYSELF! Black voters speak for themselves!!

[farleftlib]

42. Yes, exactly right

The new way to squelch criticism of Clinton and defense of Bernie's reputation is to claim either one is a racial attack. It's blatant and I ain't buying it.

[Number23]

45. So the countless articles on the horrible treatment of people of color by Sanders supporters

was, in your view, simply "trolling?"

When ACTUAL black people created the berniesoblack hash tag on Twitter to counter the relentless trolling from Sanders supporters, that was actually the BLACK people doing the trolling??

The comments from Occupy, Thom Hartman and even MINORITY SANDERS SUPPORTERS about how horrible many of Sanders white supporters were being to black people online was the trolling itself and not a response to being trolled themselves? The article by a black female attendee of Netroots Nation that she actually felt "unsafe" there because of white, male Sanders supporters was the trolling? http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/7/22/1404615/-A-black-woman-s-negative-encounter-with-a-Sanders-supporter-after-NN15-BlackLivesMatter-protest

This video by a bi-racial Sanders supporter castigating Sanders supporters for their relentless attacks against Black Lives Matter and black social media users was trolling?

The comments from Ta-nehesi Coates about the trolling he'd received from white Sanders supporters after his pieces on reparations were released was the actual trolling?

This is a simply fascinating tale you're telling. Utterly fascinating.

[Number23]

48. Many, many, MANY other black people are saying the complete opposite

Including from personal, one on one, face to face experience as I showed in the Daily Kos link.

That you are so quick to dismiss their opinions and experiences is even more fascinating than your original tale.

[Number23]

50. That's the complete opposite of your initial "point" which was that you thought that "not even half"

of the black people who were complaining about the attacks they'd received from Sanders supporters "were really of color."

For someone who tells no tales, you sure change tacks quickly. But I get why.

[Number23]

52. Because you have not personally experienced something does not mean that it does not exist

Again, your initial "point" was that you believed that not even half of the folks who have written extensively about the racist trolling they've received from Sanders supporters "were even of color." And you have apparently based that on absolutely nothing beyond your own anecdotal experience on social media while conveniently overlooking the BEYOND extensive body of writing that has been done on this topic by minority and female pundits and regular social media participants. That's squarely on you. Take a second and read up.

I don't see how I contradicted myself by saying that there may have been a "few" incidents.

You didn't make that point until now but not before you castigated the opinions of minorities that have well documented what's been going on as "probably not even people of color". Don't feel bad, though. I'm having almost as much trouble keeping up with your train of thought as you are.

[Number23]

54. I posted one video and one Kos entry and referred to about 5,6 other things

But I could plaster this entire thread with story after story from minorities detailing how many have felt browbeaten and mistreated by some of Sanders more fervent supporters. There is a thread in this forum right now where a well known Hispanic/labor activist says she felt disrespected by Sanders supporters. But I'm sure you just missed that.

As for your idiotic "who sent you?" bit I decided to ignore it as a kindness to you. Hint: It's not nearly as clever or relevant as you apparently think that it is.

I see beyond the afrocentric avatars. You aren't fooling anyone.

Does my avatar bother you darling?? If you can even tell me what my avatar is without googling, I will be incredibly impressed.

[Number23]

56. Oh, so you did see that? Do you think that Dolores Huerta and America Ferrera are lying about being

people of color too? Since that seems to be your MO in the what, five days that you've been here?? That it's the black people and the brown people that are the problem?

Edit: Actually you've been here seven years but only felt compelled to start posting and speaking up in order to "chastise" the minority posters here! How very, very curious!

We know why you really won't answer the question. Here's a hint for you, your deflection isn't working either. Nice try though.

Let me reiterate, your "who sent you?" bit makes no sense. It is an incredibly stupid comment that has no bearing on anything. As I mentioned to you before, I ignored it out of a kindness.

Your avatar doesn't bother me, but I do find it a bit obvious.

You're right. I should have avatar'ed or named myself after an incredibly powerful and tragically written tale about the dangers of self-loathing.

[Number23]

58. Of course you didn't. She has to be lying, right? It couldn't be that maybe that video was made

from a different perspective from what she was able to hear. Everybody is always lying about Sanders! And it's usually people with melanin, even though you've already said that you don't even believe that half the people of color who have complaints about Sanders or his supporters are really people of color.

I defended Bernie supporters and that makes me a racist? Good one. Good one.

Wow. Leave off the fact that I never said that or even implied it, this comment is incredibly telling. Sounds alot like the type of folks that the countless articles have been written about. People who constantly screamed that they have been called "racist" when no one has come close to doing that or who holler that someone is calling Sanders a "racist" when no one has come close to doing that either. I've never seen a self-identified black person actually do that before. What a strange and interesting person you are.

[Number23]

61. "Good luck convincing the masses that Bernie is being supported by white racists."

I'm beginning to understand why this 7 year old account has suddenly leapt into action. Talk about seeing "right through" somebody.

As I said, I provided multiple examples of the harassment. I provided a video, I shared that a renowned liberal radio host and a massive progressive organizations had made comments, I shared a Kos diary, a hash tag and an acclaimed intellectual. And you've ignored and dismissed every single last one of them so that you can pretend that none of this has happened and that the big, mean people of color are lying about Bernie, lying about being people of color, lying about EVERYTHING!1!!one

You on the other hand, have provided nothing but dishonest and stale talking points about "calling somebody racist" which is a classic attempt at deflection usually used by NON people of color to change a subject brought up by people of color that they SERIOUSLY don't want brought up. There are folks who use that same tack around here, folks who have done nothing but chase after and minimize posters of color and our perspectives. Seems they've found a new friend in you. Congrats. Seems you guys deserve one another.

[bravenak]

27. I have.

[Number23]

63. I can't tell if you got banned because you were "malicious" the way that MIRT said or if it

was because you were so clearly not really a black person even though you kept saying that you were. That's what I meant downthread when I talked about "seeing right through you."

I don't know how MIRT got hip to you because I never alerted on any of your ridiculous posts.

But either way...

[DisgustipatedinCA]

17. I don't imagine anyone's going to beg you for your vote.

You're just like the rest of us--we're all working slobs, and we do what we can. But I can't imagine any candidate is going to get on his or her knees and beg you. Pick someone, or don't. That's on you.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

19. I don't want you to beg me for anything. Just accept that black people will vote the way we want

and deal with it. I don't need your begging, condescension or rudeness.

I vote the way I want.

Black voters vote the way we want.

End of story!

Stop telling us to "pick someone". We know what we're doing. You don't get to tell us to do anything.

Slavery is over.

DEAL WITH IT AND MOVE ON!

[DisgustipatedinCA]

22. I just did tell you to pick someone. You're left to pick someone, or not.

But in any case, it's all on you. All voters vote the way they want. You're not the only game in town, so take up your exclusivity with someone else.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

24. Thanks I already know that. I'm a grown woman. Don't need YOU to tell me anything. You need to work

to convince people to vote for your candidate and leave the insults and condescension behind.

Again, slavery is over! Black people are free to do whatever we want.

[bravenak]

28. She will do what she wants regardless of what you 'tell her' to do

[DisgustipatedinCA]

29. No shit? Just like you? Just like me? Just like everyone else here?

Hey, Bravenak. Vote Sanders! Is that an example of me telling you what to do? What a damned pity.

[bravenak]

30. I will NEVER vote SANDERS

[DisgustipatedinCA]

35. And I believe you. But thank you for torpedoing your own accusation.

I wasn't telling either of you what to do, but when I said to you, "vote Bernie", I used the same construction--yes, by design. Thanks for proving my point.

[bravenak]

36. You are welcome

[DisgustipatedinCA]

37. Have a good weekend. nt

[CentralMass]

34. Maybe it is a difference of style or how we process thing, and I

don't mean black vs white. You seem to have taken the post that you replied to as a personal affront. The "don't tell me what to do or think or how to vote" response.

How was that reply telling you how to think ? This is an exchange of information that spurs discussion. The poster waso quoting thing from the article that showes a corrupt system that institutionalizes racism and a PAC that accepts contributions from entities that prey on or are harmful to the black comminity.

If you don't agree with it countering with the reason why might be much more beneficial.

[AtomicKitten]

10. k/r

[Waiting For Everyman]

11. I agree with Ms. March, it's cynical in the extreme.

Unfortunately, I think the black community will find out too late what she's really up to. She must think she's mighty clever.

Be that as it may, it's just possible that Bernie may win enough support anyway.

[mhatrw]

12. Cogent argument

[hifiguy]

13. "Identity politics" is just a more sophisticated version

of the same old Divide and Conquer horseshit that the Pukes have been using for years. Only this time it is being used by the oligarchy's nominally "Democratic" operative to protect it's countless billions rather than by the Repigs exclusively.

And so many are wilfully blind to that.

[kath]

25. +1000.

[WillyT]

15. Kick !!!

[Armstead]

21. This......Some of us have memory

[ladjf]

32. Good OP. nt

[FlatBaroque]

33. Powerfully accurate sentiment in this sentence

This is American politics at peak neoliberalism, where a distorted version of identity politics is used to defend an oligarchy and a national security state, celebrating diversity in the management of exploitation and warfare.

[lumberjack_jeff]

38. Articles like this make me proud to be a democrat and a Sanders supporter

This is exactly right.

[amborin]

39. Hillary is a racist at heart; her true feelings leak out all the time

[Odin2005]

44. Divide and conquer.

Manipulate one half of the Proletariat to fight the other half.

[WillyT]

47. Kick !!!

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

59. Bernie's Kids are making it about racial pandering?

Color me surprised since no one knows pandering like the youngsters with Bernie's freebies. I guess they don't feel special anymore?