Bill Cosby, Bill Clinton and Cornel West walk into a bar

[reddread]

what the hell is with the Cornel West hate?
A black scholar cant have an opinion?
since you dont know, let me tell you-

you should be ashamed.

[grasswire]

1. he has been critical of Obama.

As you say....he's entitled to his opinions, and he has the platform from which to speak if he so desires.

[grasswire]

3. not allowed by some. nt

[Historic NY]

152. Sort of like being critical of Bernie Sanders.....

[brush]

178. He's not well liked by many in the AA community. There was a huge debate here . . .

when it was announced that he was a Sanders surrogate. I mean of all people, he chooses a person who has continually bashed the popular and current Democratic president.

It was not a smart move.

And the Sanders camp wonders why African Americans, one of the largest factions in the Dem electorate, don't vote for him.

Guess they weren't aware that a candidate can't win the Dem nomination without getting a large percentage of the AA vote.

Maybe that lack of awareness also lead them to not compete in the early southern primaries where Clinton built up her huge vote and delegate lead. Bet they wish they had a do-over there.

Well, guess you live and learn. Tough way to learn what bad decisions bring — in a presidential campaign, God.

[bettyellen]

4. being suddenly critical because he didn't get extra inaugural ball tickets isn't democratic....

nor is calling Obama "nig*erized" very progressive. West has some issues with his hurt pride, as does Tavis Smiley.

[wendylaroux]

7. probably not about tickets,I;m just sayin. nt

[reddread]

9. and everyone else who never really loved Obama's Republican sourced reforms

whatever color they were. It surely isnt a few black people that are the problem is it?

[AgingAmerican]

17. Waaaaaaa!

Translation: they criticized Obama

[bettyellen]

20. no racial slur too disgusting to defend, eh? can't wait for sensible moderation to bust this shit up

because it is decidedly not progressive.

[AgingAmerican]

23. The term he used isn't a slur

But you already know that. They are reviled by Obama supporters because they are black, liberal and they saw Obama's 'compromise' for what it was. A right wing dreams come true list.

[bettyellen]

29. Nig*arized is most certainly a slur. Obama supporters revile people because they are black? Do you

even listen to yourself? Not a slur my ass. And everyone knows Tavis and Cornel wanted more access and were bummed not to be big advisors. Sad for them to show their asses like that over sour grapes.

[AgingAmerican]

31. Cornell was quite clear in what he said

"A black person who is afraid and scared and intimidated when it comes to putting a spotlight on white supremacy and fighting against white supremacy"

No racial slur there, sorry.

[bettyellen]

33. He used that word, despite you not quoting him accurately. And it is a goddamned slur.

He turned on Obama before Obama did anything. I love how people try to give that legitimacy here.

[AgingAmerican]

34. You don't like the meaning

So you do this instead because it fits your narrative.

[bettyellen]

36. I don't like any form of that word West used. West wanted access and power, and he got angry

when Obama gave him neither. Typical.

[AgingAmerican]

38. He was quite specific in what he meant

And you totally ignore it because it doesn't fit your simplistic narrative.

[bettyellen]

39. You pretend it is not a racial slur, and we both know better. It's disgusting.

And SBS fucked himself with black voters by standing alongside that man. Fool.

[1StrongBlackMan]

122. Don't you know that poster knows better about all thing racial?

[bettyellen]

127. And thinks it is just a coincidence when 5/6 men are hired. Funny they think everything ELSE is

rigged- against them. No other rigging going on, not now, not ever! Gotta love the navel gazing.

[1StrongBlackMan]

143. Well ... we really should move on to the really important issues.

[bettyellen]

145. Really, have been told where my place is for all my life- and I still forget to stay there. My bad!

[1StrongBlackMan]

147. Now ... Go make me a damned sam'mich! And make it snappy!

[still_one]

193. It was a racial slur. He could have expressed it other ways, but choose not

to.

Even Dr West's insinuation is that President Obama isn't "black" enough is racial

Those who argue it isn't racial are in denial, and i am not referring to a river in Egypt

[Lordquinton]

54. So you have a problem with "angry black men"

You sound like the people who got all twisted out of shape when David Howard used the word niggardly. You know the context, and you know what is actually being said, and you choose to completely ignore it.

[bettyellen]

64. That is a repulsive stereotyped accusation - it's not any less racist because you're trying to hang

those words- which are not remotely what I said at all- on me. "Angry Black man" is what came from YOUR lips.
Ugly that is what came to your mind. Revolting.

He called Obama "ni**arized" - and yeah, it is beyond the pale. There is no context where that is okay. I think West just sad it to get attention. Go sell your dumb ass "angry black man" stereotype somewhere else and STOP putting words in other peoples mouths. It's bullshit.

[zappaman]

98. "Cornel who?"-Bernie supporter before his endorsement.

"Oh wait, he endorsed Bernie? I've always loved that guy!"-Bernie supporter after his endorsement.

[bettyellen]

100. Someone actually referenced a black show runner's interview to defend this shit.....

and what the creator of Blackish actually said was that black men affectionately calling each other ni**a was becoming acceptable.

They quote black people they have never heard of before, saying things they did not even understand. Not having it.

[Lordquinton]

150. I can't tell if this is satire or not

You know the context and choose to ignore it. You know what he said and focus on one word, call him angry (Which, contrary to your profanity laced diatribe, came out of your mouth, it was your dogwhistle) You can't argue his actual point, which used charged language to prove a point) and you're lashing out at anyone who points out that you can't support what you're claiming when actual context is brought into it.

[bettyellen]

153. I said he was "angry at Obama" and so chose to slur him. That is not to say who or what West is

but you just went there with the ugly stereotype yourself and tried to put those words in MY mouth. Nope.

Sorry- many people thought West jumped the shark- and for purely personal reasons. He wanted to be an "insider" at the White House, and it did not work out for him. Maybe that's because PBO knew he would say stupid and ugly shit like that to attract press.

[Lordquinton]

174. Except you didn't say "angry at Obama"

You said he got angry, now you're angry that you got called on using a racist dog whistle against a well educated black man.

This whole campaign is upsidedown, tearing down people like West and propping up people like Henery Kissenger. That Obama would hold any kind of celebration to honor that monster only supports West's point, which you have to tear him down in profanity laden tirades.

[bettyellen]

175. "West wanted access and power, and he got angry when Obama gave him neither." Did not say

he was an angry man- those were YOUR words. Stop trying to cram your bullshit stereotypes down other people's throats.
YOU went right to the "angry black man" meme just because I described the specific reason for his vicious attack on POTUS.

He's not angry, he spews ugly rhetoric for the press and laughs all the way to the bank.

[1StrongBlackMan]

141. "Fakeassedprogressiverized" ...

Last edited Tue May 24, 2016, 07:33 PM - Edit history (1)

Any progressive who says some really stupid shit in order to defend someone (they agree with) who did/said some really offensive shit that likely would have got them the shit knocked out of them had they the guts to have said/did it to that person's face.

It's Okay jury ... I'm just employing the proffered bullshit on display throughout this thread. http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=2037968

[bravenak]

151. +1

[Sunlei]

93. How else to explain Americas- "niggerisation"? & West explained very well in his interviews.

Here's a link, I wish we had more Americans willing to step-up to our Government Federal and State, keep 'pressure' on officials so they do the right thing.

QUESTON-You've previously written, “On 9/11, white Americans finally learned what it was like to be black in America.” What do you mean by that?

ANSWER-There’s a certain kind of niggerisation that for the first time, there was a collective experience in the country of all Americans feeling unsafe, unprotected, subject to random violence, and hated for who they were. And to be black in America for 400 years is to be unprotected.

Now we could tell a more complicated story of course about American US foreign policy and the various kinds of attacks on innocent people and so on and so forth. But this is about the experience of those planes going into the World Trade Center.


rest of interview is here, with Wests 'opinion about Obama..

"Just choices that he makes – human failures. Human beings make choices that end up not being justified."

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/thefeed/story/marc-fennell-interviews-iconic-author-activist-and-public-intellectual-cornel-west

[bettyellen]

94. Not excusing the use of the word to describe our first black president. You go ahead though.

[Sunlei]

95. Even Pres. O said,"it’s not just a matter of it not being polite to say ‘nigger’ in public"

“We are not cured of it,” Obama told Maron on the podcast, which was recorded last week in Los Angeles but released Monday. “And it’s not just a matter of it not being polite to say ‘nigger’ in public. That’s not the measure of whether racism still exists or not. It’s not just a matter of overt discrimination. Societies don’t, overnight, completely erase everything that happened 200 to 300 years prior.”



here's a link http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/22/obama-racism-wtf-podcast_n_7635520.html

Can you find the context of your "use of the word to describe our first black president"?

Did Mr. West call him the N word or use the concept/perception/definition that is well understood by both West and Obama? You seem more offended then President Obama. I'm sure he understood what Mr. West meant.

[bettyellen]

155. You're sure PBO was fine with being compared to racist murderer Zimmerman and "house negros"?

I'm not, and I thought it was ignorant of West to do that. But he knew it would make headlines and that will earn him lots more money. Similar to Bernie, if I can't be inside as planned, bern it down it is.

[Sunlei]

157. People have said much worse, he's used to it.For sure Mr. West lost his connection to free tickets.

[bettyellen]

158. Well now we are comparing what West said to hateful racists, so.......

That's that. Always good to see you here!

[pnwmom]

199. West said Obama is "n**gerized" -- meaning "afraid and scared and intimidated" when dealing with

with white supremacy. Is that okay with you?

It isn't with me. He called President Obama this as a slur, plain and simple.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2015/06/22/cornel_west_on_obama_the_first_black_president_has_become_the_first_niggerized_black_president.html

"Too many black people are niggerized," West said Monday on CNN. "I would say the first black president has become the first niggerized black president."

"A niggerized black person is a black person who is afraid and scared and intimidated when it comes to putting a spotlight on white supremacy and fighting against white supremacy," West explained. "So when many of us said we have to fight against racism, what were we told? 'No, he can't deal with racism because he has other issues, political calculations. He's the president of all America, not just black America.' We know he's president of all America but white supremacy is American as cherry pie."

[brush]

44. You're an absolute idiot if you don't think "niggerized" is a slur.

You should delete your post asap.

[1StrongBlackMan]

118. WTF ...

Oh ... I didn't see who wrote that turning the N-word into a verb isn't a slur bullshit.

[Android3.14]

156. Noun

[1StrongBlackMan]

161. Uh ... VERB ...

The verb signals an action, an occurrence, or a state of being. Whether mental, physical, or mechanical, verbs always express activity.

http://www.gingersoftware.com/content/grammar-rules/verbs/

[Android3.14]

165. State of being verbs

state of being verbs include the following: is, be, am, will, has been, was

ization, isation - used to form nouns of some verbs

The word in question is a noun.

[1StrongBlackMan]

173. Okay ... I'll email the comment in question to a PhDed grammarian

that proofed writings I have done. If they agree with you, I will post their response, apologize to you AND hail you as the superior grammarian ... However, If they disagree with you, I will post their response, and accept (as gracefully as possible) your apology.

Deal?

[Android3.14]

179. Deal.

Though the usage in the post, my subsequent link and examples already show the word to be a noun.

[Android3.14]

189. Still waiting

A deal means that your word is on the line.

[1StrongBlackMan]

190. I haven't received word back ... and, frankly, had forgotten about it ...

But, in the English language, adding the suffix, "ized", typically turns a noun into a verb.

[Android3.14]

191. The suffix West used was "-ization"

Which makes verbs using the suffix "-ized" into a noun.

Please don't cheat.

[1StrongBlackMan]

192. I don't have to cheat ...

It doesn’t have to be overt, the president is right about that,” West continued. “But too many black people are niggerized. I would say the first black president has become the first niggerized black president.”

“What do you mean by that?” asked dismayed host Poppy Harlow.

“A niggerized black person is a black person who is afraid and scared and intimidated when it comes to putting a spotlight on white supremacy and fighting against white supremacy,”

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/cornel-west-on-cnn-obama-is-americas-first-nggerized-president/

[Android3.14]

195. See post 93

You are not referencing the quote that prompted the discussion.

[reddread]

24. hello darkness

censorship has sailed?

[bettyellen]

40. This is a moderated site with community standards. Enforcement of which might upset you.

I myself cannot wait till b*tch and ni**er are gone again. Fucking trolls took over the juries, but not for long. LOL.

[uponit7771]

112. Calling Obama some form of nigger isn't just "criticiing" a Person of color.

[AgingAmerican]

114. Cornel West is brilliant

Especially on this particular subject

But you won't bother watching it, choosing instead to clutch pearls and cry false tears.

[uponit7771]

115. Calling Obama some form of nigger isn't brilliant at all

[AgingAmerican]

117. You are uneducated on this subject

Here is a little primer for you:

Liberal and figurative language

[uponit7771]

120. Ad homs are an indicator of a weak position

[AgingAmerican]

121. Here is a primer for you

Literal and figurative language

[uponit7771]

123. Either form of any form of the word nigger isn't acceptable to progressives

[AgingAmerican]

126. You are baffled

Isn't it NORMAL that a person who has never been explained a particular idiom would be baffled by it or try to pick it apart logically to understand its meaning or simply take it literally?

[uponit7771]

129. You're apologizing

[bettyellen]

159. No one is baffled as there was plenty of context- as in PBO as a "global George Zimmerman"

Yeah, not so easy to walk back from. West is an asshole.

[1StrongBlackMan]

131. This has to be the stupidest sub-thread of DU in days.

[uponit7771]

133. amen, there are people actually defending Cornell West on this and even contextually West was

... dead wrong seeing Obama had a speech on race before he was elected POTUS.

[1StrongBlackMan]

146. I thought I had seen EVERYTHING on this site; but, "progressives" defending the use of the ...

(suffixed) N-word because the person that said it supports for president the same person they support takes the whole damned bakery.

Tell me again how the asshole "progressives" that do that shit are any different from the asshole right wingers that do the same damned thing? Can we call these assholes racist, yet?

[uponit7771]

166. RIGHT!! I've been saying for around 2 weeks the word "progressives" is starting to get a four letter

... form

[Atman]

142. Oops...bad alert.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Racial epithet.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Tue May 24, 2016, 07:50 PM, and the Jury voted 0-7 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Is this the right post to alert on?
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I think it's pretty clear the poster is referring to someone else's use of the term. Seems like a disingenuous alert.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: In a sea of shit, someone spots a turd? C'mon, I saw forty-eleven varieties of the "N word." Should be alerted in Outdoors, under trapping.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Attention alert trolls: The discussion is about something Cornell West actually said in reference to Obama. That is not an acceptable word in any other context. However, in the post alerted on, it is NOT being used used by the poster as ANY form of insult or epithet towards anyone. Read the whole thread.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Probably an outlier on this, but I'm sick of pretending that using a couple of asterisks makes us pretend we're still not using the same damned word.
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I don't like it but that was the word that was used.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Nice try, alerter. The phrase is being used in a context to point out how it was used abusively against the president.

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[uponit7771]

169. Thx for this !! I knew they would try this crap, I'm thrown back at how many are defending West

[Demsrule86]

11. It is a Democratic Covention

We don't need criticism... ah well, the tales he will have for his Fox buddies. I have no respect for West anymore...not after the things he said...and that Bernie chooses him is no surprise.

[wendylaroux]

14. Dr. West is right on. He is for the common man.Just like Bernie.

[rhett o rick]

43. What the hell has happened to our party that we have those that don't like criticism and

skepticism. This is the Democratic Party and we live on criticism. If one wants no criticism, join the Republicons.

The Corporate / Conservative Wing of our Party doesn't like anyone with an opinion. They want us to sit down and shut up.

Eugene Debs said it well with, “Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization. Progress is born of agitation. It is agitation or stagnation.”

Again if you want everyone to walk in lock step, you are in the wrong party.

[reddread]

81. right wingers cant help themselves

possibly no real sense of direction?
maybe theyre home address is stitched into their clothing and we can get them back where they belong?

[rhett o rick]

84. It's not the right wingers that bothers me. We could win w/o them. It's the turncoat

Democrats that control our party. Bought and paid for by conservative capitalists they are killing the middle and working classes because of their idolization of the Wealthy.

[reddread]

86. that is who I was talking about.

[reddread]

88. Feral conservatives are one thing

its the superpredators you have to watch.

[rhett o rick]

89. Good way to put it. But like the bullies they are, the super-predator corporations would be nothing

w/o their minions groveling and drooling, doing their bidding.

[reddread]

90. for imaginary crumbs

[arcane1]

101. It's not allowed by someone who endorses Sanders.

Outspoken black men are only acceptable if they support Clinton, apparently.

[wendylaroux]

103. huh,learn something new everyday around here.

[pnwmom]

198. Calling Obama a "n***erized President" isn't allowed. Among other things. n/t

[reddread]

5. I think its unfortunate when skin color is a factor, but

sometimes polite company will extend the benefit to experienced individuals
and not excoriate them for simply having an opinion more informed than they may ever possess.
I mean, since when does a campaign capitalize on race and some fantasy of justice while telling BLM that "all lives matter" and expect to get over?

something stinks like a pile of dead fish.

[1StrongBlackMan]

6. Yes ...

And that opinion is an outlier opinion.

And, Dr. West stopped being an "academic " when he traded in the research world for the (white) liberal speaking circuit.

[reddread]

13. so you favor Larry Summers

over Cornell West?
is Larry Summers an academic?

[1StrongBlackMan]

18. Did I say anything approaching that? ...

Regarding Summers ... has he published any research lately? If the answer is "No", then, the answer is "No". If the answer is "Yes", then, the answer is "Yes" ... whether his conclusions match my, lesser credentialed opinions, or not.

[reddread]

22. if you back Obama to the point that criticism is anathema

and I have no notion that this applies to you, but those who hate West for his criticisms of Obama
are standing with Summers against Cornell, arent they?

[1StrongBlackMan]

45. I know you will find this hard to believe, and won't even consider the fact that ...

Black folks' loss of respect for Dr. West (relative to his criticisms of President Obama) is unrelated to economic policy. That is easily known for people in tuned with the Black community ... and for those, unfamiliar/un-in tuned, it is easily researched.

[reddread]

52. if we must narrow the focus, let us skip the personalities

how do the same "Black folks" feel about payday loans and mortgage fraud (much like electoral fraud and other victimless crimes, Iraq for example-shit happens, from above) within the Black community.
thank you so much.
this is valuable.

[1StrongBlackMan]

57. Do you not see how it is you that has "narrowed the focus"? ...

how do the same "Black folks" feel about payday loans and mortgage fraud

Do you want to know what "Black folks 'feel'?" Or, do you want to tell me how you think Black folks SHOULD feel?

[reddread]

58. I claim no right to your input on a discussion board question.

[1StrongBlackMan]

59. Read what you post ... You most certain ARE claiming the "right" ...

But you won't see it.

[reddread]

60. right about that

[Todays_Illusion]

47. When I first signed into DU, I was shocked at the prevalence of Anti-Obama attacks, I was so ashamed

that a site named Democratic Underground was promoting all the MSM anti-Obama attacks and lies.

Seems pretty stupid to hate Cornell when so many here jumped right in on the MSM attacks.

[Demsrule86]

8. He hates Obama and all Democrats.

He called Obama the "N" word too. No surprise Bernie likes a Fox guy like Cornell.

[reddread]

10. Ive heard that word used

lousy music all these kids play.

[Demsrule86]

15. So funny

I suppose the Bernie types will love a messed up convention...thanks to Bernie Sanders...but the majority of us don't want that. Let Bernie be Bernie and hopefully poison the well for all time. Because I want nothing to do with Bernie...like Nader...he is dead to me. Not having to see or hear about him will be a real treat. And I used to like the guy.

[reddread]

16. please, if you will just do me one favor

blame it all on me.
how much for a sponsorship?
there will be a historic cockup ahead, but it wont be because of Sanders.
I want nothing messed up, period. vote counting integrity, access to the polls.

but you need a scapegoat.
allow me.

[rhett o rick]

73. If a "messed up convention" is the alternative to bowing and scraping before the anointed queen,

put me down for the messed up convention. Revolutions are messy. I bet you'd have tried to tell our founders to not be so messy with their Revolution. Here's the deal, the Rich and Corporations have hijacked our Democracy. While I know that you don't care as long as you get a pat on the head, some of us value our freedoms and liberties. It's time to fight once again against the tyranny of the Corporations. Don't blame Sanders, he is just our spokesperson. Blame us, the Left that will not bow down and be enslaved as some.

[zappaman]

154. You headed to the convention to mess it up, Rick?

Man, that's cool!

[Tarc]

25. There's a difference there, it's called "context"

You're a @#$$%^

vs.

My @#$$%

Worlds apart.

[bettyellen]

71. Someone made the same argument below, it appears if a black person said it, then no context is

needed! Same shit happens with people who defend sexism, their arguments never allow for context. Or history.
They are ridiculous.

[bettyellen]

30. defending the use of ni**er because rappers do it. THAT makes sense. to RWers.

[1StrongBlackMan]

46. Sorry BettyE ... I have to disagree a bit ...

defending the use of ni**er because rappers do it. THAT makes sense. to RWers and "progressives".

[Bonobo]

61. You should listen to what Kenya Barris said on the issue recently on a Fresh Air broadcast. nt

[1StrongBlackMan]

63. Who is Kenya Barris ...

beyond someone Black that agrees with you, on matters involving Black folks?

[bettyellen]

66. A black person they Googled, and will now pretend they heard of before.

Have seen quotes from a feminist they googled, and pretended they knew of all along too. LOL.

[Bonobo]

67. Wow, no. nt

[1StrongBlackMan]

69. Google is a wonderful thing to create support from spots ...

that support is lacking ... Huh?

[bettyellen]

70. I found the quotes from that Kenya guy- who created the show Blackish.....

It does not say what Bonobo seems to think it does- because it is not being used as a term of solidarity between black men as below. West basically was calling Obama a house ni**er, everyone know that. Amazing he would even think this quote has ANY significance. WOW.


"On the N-word

I think it is one of the most divisive, densely discoursed, just polarizing words in American history. I think a lot of things around that word are what this country [was] based on, and I feel like, as a writer, I believe our words are powerful. But I do believe that ... anything that has power, it means it has growth, and in having growth it can evolve, and I think that word has evolved. ...

Obviously there's the "er" and the "ah" ... but I feel like the word is sort of a tribal badge. ... My generation ... we took the disdainful indictment that my mom's generation would use it in — because of how it was said to the generations before her — we took that away from it and we made it a badge of tribalism between two members of that tribe: To say ... "Look, I know that you're a part of this tribe and we have some shared heritage, whether I know you or not.""

http://www.npr.org/2016/05/18/478414550/kenya-barris-on-black-ish-and-what-kids-lose-when-they-grow-up-with-more

[1StrongBlackMan]

72. LOL ... Spot on.

I refuse to do the work because each and every time I've done it ... I have arrived at the conclusion that what they say it said, was not what it said.

I'm tired.

[uponit7771]

97. Yeap... but ... but... the "southerns states"!!!

[JaneyVee]

12. Is Cornel West the punchline?

[TwilightZone]

68. He is, but the joke isn't very funny.

[senz]

19. Like other activist AAs, West was disappointed that Obama didn't do more for AAs.

What he failed to take into account is that Obama has had to walk a very delicate line, and pro-AA activism from the WH probably would have damaged Obama in particular and AAs in general.

Or that's my take.

He is also disliked by Clinton supporters for supporting Bernie.

To me, West seems real, caring, and sincere. I like those qualities very much. Perhaps he recognizes them in Bernie Sanders.

[bettyellen]

35. AAs like Cornel West and Tavis Smiley, yes. They were bummed not be chosen as inner circle,

betrayed Obama could not show up to events they had told people he was attending. Bruised feelings.

[iandhr]

49. Actually it is because he didn't get chosen to be in his inner circle and his ego was crushed.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/22/cornel-west-barack-obama_n_3635614.html

But then a month and half later I would run into other people on the campaign and he’s calling them all the time. I said, ‘Wow, this is kind of strange. He doesn’t have time, even two seconds, to say thank you or, “I’m glad you’re pulling for me and praying for me,” but he’s calling these other people.’ I said, ‘This is very interesting.’ And then, as it turns out with the inauguration, I couldn’t get a ticket with my mother and my brother. I said, ‘This is very strange.’ We drive into the hotel and the guy who picks up my bags from the hotel has a ticket to the inauguration. My mom says, ‘That’s something that this dear brother can get a ticket and you can’t get one, honey, all the work you did for him from Iowa.’ Beginning in Iowa to Ohio. We had to watch the thing in the hotel.

[Number23]

74. That bit you quoted is pretty much exactly when black folks started giving Corny the side eye. And

note that that bullshit he spewed was from 2011, YEARS before BS ever even contemplated running for president.

[1StrongBlackMan]

50. Here we sort of agree ...

President Obama HAS had to walk a very delicate line, and pro-AA activism from the WH probably would have damaged Obama in particular and AAs in general ... But Dr. West's disappointment in President Obama is that President Obama didn't do more for HIM.

As BettyE indicates in post #35, both Dr. West and Smiley, wanted desperately to be in the Presidential inner-circle ... an ambition that he/they should have known to have been dashed in 2000, with their support of Nader.

He is also disliked by Clinton supporters for supporting Bernie.

Nope ... not even close ... well, at least for Black Clinton supporters.

[potone]

91. I agree that both West...

And Smiley were offended that Obama didn't court them. They let their egos get in the way of supporting him. It is unjust to Obama to assert that since he didn't seek their public benediction that somehow he is afraid of strong black men and only comfortable with upper-class white liberal men, as West asserted (I am paraphrasing here, I don't remember the exact wording).

As a Bernie supporter, I think it is a mistake to give West such a role. His policy positions are not the problem; it is the way that he has talked about Obama and failed to support him.

I also agree that West has largely abandoned his academic work for public advocacy. I think that is regrettable. He did important academic work, and I regret that he no longer seems to be doing it.

[1StrongBlackMan]

92. Yeah ...

It is unjust to Obama to assert that since he didn't seek their public benediction that somehow he is afraid of strong black men and only comfortable with upper-class white liberal men, as West asserted (I am paraphrasing here, I don't remember the exact wording).

Not only unjust; but, absolute projection ... Dr. West's audience for the last 15 years has been increasingly upper-class white liberals.

[NCTraveler]

21. There is no shame in disagreeing with someone's opinion.

I didn't know that in itself was an issue.

[stone space]

26. Some folks may find the N-Word a little anoying.

I've found it annoying here on DU when I've asked for it to stop. and it just continues, and DU juries simply accept it as normal.

It was one of my first experiences with DU juries.

I'm sure that others might find it annoying at times, as well.

Does it really surprise you?

[onecaliberal]

27. I've never seen that word here

[stone space]

28. I have. (nt)

[Lordquinton]

51. In what context?

[Goblinmonger]

65. Dude. Seriously.

You had no clue about the discussion that was had. You need to let this drop

[stone space]

75. Dude. Seriously. Some folks do indeed find it annoying.

Does that really surprise you?

[Goblinmonger]

76. AGAIN, you make it sound like people were dropping the N-word

like they were a fucking klan member or something. It was used in a discussion of social movement reclamation of terminology used against the group. I understand that is outside your area of study, but then don't go off "he said the n-word" crazy when you don't understand what was being said. The jury understood just fine.

[1StrongBlackMan]

162. What I find more than annoying is all the apologia from "progressives".

[stone space]

180. One could quibble about the word "progressives" in some cases.

I thought that you hit the nail on the head above with "Fakeassedprogressiverized".

Some of the folks in this thread would (and have) run from the specter of anything even remotely progressive, radical, or militant in any other context.

[grossproffit]

32. IBTL

[ancianita]

37. What the hell is with all the hate-flinging around here, period. This horse was flogged a year ago!

[ancianita]

41. Damned right. He is a major voice in the prophetic tradition. He is a model of progressive ideas

for this country.

He's had much to teach everyone, if they would only read his works.

Only the silly season perfectionists are gnashing over Cornel.

[kwassa]

104. Well, he thinks himself a prophet.

Others, not so much.

[ancianita]

144. Others like black Christian churches? Academia? Whether you agree or not,

living and working with black students and their community in Chicago's South Side taught me this.

[kwassa]

160. His constuency is small .

And he made it much smaller by his irrational attacks on Obama, in the eyes of most African Americans.

West is far more left than most AAs, too.

[1StrongBlackMan]

164. And, he might be/ have been able to make his cause ...

to Black people, if he didn't spend so much of his time talking to upper-incomed, white people.

[ancianita]

171. According to friends of mine in NOLA and Chicago, it took awhile for African Americans to warm

up to Obama, as well.

[1StrongBlackMan]

163. Really? When was the last time Dr. West found favor in Black Christian churches?

[ancianita]

170. You tell me, since you imply that you know and I got something to prove here.

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/18691-cornel-west-and-the-fight-to-save-the-black-prophetic-tradition

[1StrongBlackMan]

172. No ... I, simply, asked when was the last time Dr. West was embraced by ...

Black Christian churches ... I have a pretty wide social/civic network and among that network, Dr. West is rarely, if ever, mentioned ... that might be because the groups, I associate with cannot afford his Honoria.

BTW ... the videos you posted ... What are the dates and are they associated with Sanders' campaign?

(Note: I might click on them later ... But I have no interest in listening right now.

[ancianita]

176. 2013, 2015, 2015, 2010. You can just click the links and read the dates. I've seen him twice,

once with a busload of students in 2004.

These vids are from the East Coast, West Coast and Midwest. I don't claim that he himself is prophetic but that he espouses the spirit of the prophetic tradition's power to inspire hope and action. He's primarily an academic and social critic, and he writes well.

One thing that's apparent to me is that young people dig him and he loves them back.

I think he'll cut to the ethical chase in party platform development. I think he'll convince the committee that the party renew the power of its past in trying to seriously implement the platform.

[1StrongBlackMan]

177. Okay ... I've met him once, at a wine and cheese meet and greet ...

After hearing him speak on Blacks Supporting Blacks to Create Empowerment. I doubt I'm on his Xmas card list because I asked why he was associated with Princeton rather than Prairie View A&M University

I think he'll cut to the ethical chase in party platform development. I think he'll convince the committee that the party renew the power of its past in trying to seriously implement the platform.

I think he would talk at people and accomplish nothing.

[ancianita]

182. He's an academic, writer, social critic. They talk. The platform is talk. The Chief Exec and party

do the accomplishing. Talk that comes from well thought out vision and humane paradigms has usually accomplished much.

When one can't see the effects of talk, doesn't mean talk doesn't accomplish something.

[TwilightZone]

42. "The First Niggerized Black President"

Yeah, nothing wrong with that.

Or calling Obama a war criminal.

Or equating Obama to George Zimmerman.

This place has lost its fucking mind.

[reddread]

53. America is a war criminal

how do you feel about paying the TRULY INEVITABLE bill on that one?
you think you can opt out?

[TwilightZone]

55. So, you're ok with calling the POTUS the N word.

Gotcha. That tells me all I need to know, thanks.

[reddread]

62. you might polish your detective work

[TwilightZone]

77. You might learn how to answer a question without deflecting so hard

you hurt yourself.

[reddread]

79. would you take no for an answer?

Last edited Tue May 24, 2016, 08:44 PM - Edit history (1)

enough bullshit lying and junior high jinks going on around here.
hypocrites holding up AA's as a shield, after doing things like
WELFARE DEFORM.
CRACK IN BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS.
DISPARATE SENTENCING.
SUPER PREDATORS
AND PRIVATIZED PRISONS.

I find their opinions crystal clear.
I dont think Cornel West has a problem spotting hypocrisy either.

[reddread]

83. feel free to respond

by jiminy I hate crickets

[reddread]

82. do you see me posting that?

"Too many black people are niggerized," West said Monday on CNN. "I would say the first black president has become the first niggerized black president."

"A niggerized black person is a black person who is afraid and scared and intimidated when it comes to putting a spotlight on white supremacy and fighting against white supremacy," West explained. "So when many of us said we have to fight against racism, what were we told? 'No, he can't deal with racism because he has other issues, political calculations. He's the president of all America, not just black America.' We know he's president of all America but white supremacy is American as cherry pie."

[uponit7771]

119. I don't know, seems like you have more defense on West calling Obama some form of nigger than

... deploring the use of the word or even his content of his cricisism seeing its bullshit on its face

[uponit7771]

110. +1, they'll swear up and down this shit wasn't here in a month or two

[iandhr]

48. Are you serious

Cornel West Attacks Al Sharpton: ‘Bonafide House Negro of the Obama Plantation’

http://www.mediaite.com/online/cornel-west-attacks-al-sharpton-bonafide-house-negro-of-the-obama-plantation/

[reddread]

56. sharpton certainly saw his fall and rise

his name had low respect for some time.
Gotta love rehabilitation.
Personally, I would rather attend to the words of the nearest person of color,
than to follow any damn thing that came across the cable cast.

[Autumn]

78. Him's was mean to Obama!!!

[Hiraeth]

80. Don't you know, POC can not insult other POC but, if they do, they must use PC language

when they do it.

[uponit7771]

107. Calling Obama some form of nigger isn't just "insulting" a Person of color but it's not suprising

... that a group of people on DU support this guy

[Orsino]

85. Real progressivism frightens the Establishment. n/t

[reddread]

87. and they will be clubbing us like baby seals

if Hillary gets the nod.

[uponit7771]

108. "real" progressivism isn't calling a PoC some form of nigger either but go ahead and trumpet the...

... people who do like Cornell West.

Sanders had him stump for his campaign in front of mostly white IA and lost IA PoC by 23%... no wonder

[.99center]

194. You look like a fool for trumpeting Katt, while you attempt to convince everyone

That Cornell was labeling Obama a N-word. Real "progressivism" isn't idolizing homophobes and someone who calls all PoC n-words.

[uponit7771]

197. Wtf does Williams have anything to do with ... this is stupid

[uponit7771]

96. Calling Obama "niggerized" isn't just having an opinion and you know it

[reddread]

99. the only thing I know for a fact

is Clinton supporters dispense with the truth to make their phoney points, and this
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=2041536
would be a perfectly good example.
Now I know Will Geer was never to be trusted, but in that movie The Reivers
he gave a very important speech to his errant grandson.

?t=551

[uponit7771]

102. Red Herring, he calls Obama niggerized and mostly Sanders supporters trumpet him...

... and people aren't supposed to notice.

When they do Sanders camp changes the subject... typically

[reddread]

105. if only I could trust you

maybe once I finish cleaning the punch bowl again.

[uponit7771]

106. Irrelevant, calling Obama some form of nigger or supporting that person isn't progressive at all

[reddread]

109. I will fight for the right of anyone to say anything, as long as they arent lying.

his point was clear.
the hatred he receives somewhat murky.
but reminiscent of Sharpton's previous life.

[uponit7771]

111. Obama isn't any form of nigger, that is a damn lie so this post belies your position

[reddread]

113. so adjectives and nouns give you trouble?

[uponit7771]

116. Nah, calling people of color some form of nigger does though

[reddread]

124. i would rather hear it from a bigot's mouth

than drive that sort of hatred into hiding.
there is NO shortage of hardcore racism in this country.
you are OK with it as long as people dont say it,
isnt that right?

[uponit7771]

125. I would rather the bigot learn that calling a PoC some form of nigger isn't acceptable at all

... and then not stump in front of mostly white people for the "progressive" candidate to boot.

[reddread]

128. how many forms are there?

I would like to understand what you are saying.
could you please clarify?

[uponit7771]

130. to call the a PoC in that context? none... how about that? tia

[reddread]

132. "some form of"

form of a vanishing point?

[uponit7771]

134. any form of ... that better? syntax.. tsk tsk

[reddread]

135. just how many are there?

some sort of spectrum involved?
different parts of the planet where white people took offense at the natives?
I bet there are endless permutations.
never occurred to me.
etymology...

[uponit7771]

136. None that are acceptable to progressives

[reddread]

137. can I borrow your rule book?

Must have lost mine.

[uponit7771]

138. Yes, Got to link inside

www.I_Am_Trying_My_Best_To_Be_A_Decent_Person.com

[ancianita]

196. Yes. It. Is. You can't accuse someone except by agreed upon context. This whole conversation

Last edited Tue May 31, 2016, 10:55 AM - Edit history (1)

about what being "niggerized" is was long and loud well over two years ago. THAT context should have had some effect around here. But no.

Why do people have to keep starting this shit up around here. Every. fucking. year.

Let African Americans be the judge. Not you.

[uponit7771]

200. He was still wrong !!! Obama had talked about white supremacy even before he got elected !!!!

Even going by your gracious standards the using this form of nigger to describe Obama is dead ass wrong in context.

Sounds like some people just want to call Obama a nigger and mind the form

[ancianita]

202. The whole laughable way that people here adhere to the narrow, Southern pejorative meaning

that has grown beyond its original context and intent should make you think twice.

It amounts to the silly political correctness that goes off the rails -- all that whitesplainin' the word by white people to white people, when "nigger" itself has gained its own valid uses across academic and cultural contexts since the 70's, when blacks accepted all kinds of other connotations for its use in other non-pejorative contexts -- music, conversation, comedy, dialectology, literature, and African American studies.

If Cornel West knows how he means a word, and his black audience knows how he means that word, y'all whites had better stop the desperate search for a reason to dump on the reputation and status of a well respected black academic and social critic based on the only meaning you can grasp! Even Obama hasn't held West's statements against him.

One should rightly suspect the broader ignorance of whites who do.

[RufusTFirefly]

139. West has been remarkably consistent in criticizing corporate-friendly politicians

Here he is writing about the Democratic Party during the Dubya era:

The Democratic Party elites are too often unwilling to tell the American people just how connected they and their Republican colleagues are to powerful corporations and influential lobbyists. Their caving in to Bush's Iraq war, and their support for the loosening of regulations on corporations that led to the recent wave of scandals, are two blatant examples. In these legislative votes, most Democrats failed to follow their conscience, following instead the polls and their reelection strategies. Unlike their idol, Bill Clinton-a masterful neoliberal communicator who subordinated his conscience to the exigencies of reelection strategies, but was able to conceal his opportunism with his charisma-the vast majority of Democratic Party elites are rendered impotent by their timidity and paralyzed by their cupidity (their courting of corporate donors). Their unprincipled compromises reinforce the idea that corporate influence and lobbyists' clout run the U.S. government.

I think his analysis is spot on. And it's still just as valid today as it was when he wrote it more than a decade ago.

[reddread]

140. now that explains the hate.

thank you.

[uponit7771]

167. You don't know why West and Obama have fueded in the past?! ITS OVER SEATING ARRANGEMENTS!!

... and that's not a reason to call the president any form of the word nigger at all.

[Eleanors38]

148. Wow! What a bowel-burst thread! I'll return to a civilized group:. The Gungeon. nt

[pdsimdars]

149. He is a genius. And just as eccentric, but a real genius. Can't help loving him. Brilliant.

[uponit7771]

168. REAL progressives don't think its brilliant to call anyone any form of the word nigger, thats stupid

[B Calm]

181. The only one I see using the N word is you.

[reddread]

184. should we count?

Clearly, they are opposed to usage.

[MrMickeysMom]

183. Oh, it's just the usual hate-fest...

... Ready fire and aim, reddread!

Shame on them, indeed...

[LanternWaste]

185. Who is denying a black scholar their opinion? And what is the specific mechanism used to deny that o

Who is denying a black scholar their opinion? And what is the specific mechanism used to deny that opinion?

[reddread]

186. conservative Democrats who support Hillary Clinton

you might think verbal bullying and ganging up on progressives is good sport.
Its hard to think like that for me, but it could be even worse.
He is a black man.
even been called a leading intellectual.
I think that may mean uppity to some folk.
he is no match for your Straw Man, though.

[LanternWaste]

188. You consistently allege bullying and racism, but you provide zero evidence

You're moving the goal post from denying a person an opinion to bullying. You consistently allege bullying and racism nad your entire premise is built on that, but you provide zero evidence supporting those allegations, simply more unsupported accusations. Hence, I have to conclude you are merely using race as a political tool to advance your own agenda.

You shame yourself by exploiting race for political points. You will of course rationalize it as something else, but your exploitation of it more than obvious to see, as others have observed throughout the thread.

Referencing fundamental and irrational flaws in your premise is not a straw man.

[firebrand80]

187. I just popped in here to see why

this thread was still going.

Holy shit.

[RandySF]

201. Yes, he's allowed to have an opinion.

But he's also an adult who understands that people may not like using the "n-word" to describe the first black president.