Dr. Cornel West endorses Bernie Sanders

[NorthCarolina]

Dr. Cornel West took to his facebook page about 3 hours ago and posted the following endorsement of Bernie Sanders.

Why I Endorse Brother Bernie and Reject Brother Trump

The American Empire is in decline. Our market-driven culture is in decay. The criminal justice system has failed us. And the political system is collapsing due to the weight of corrupt lobbyists and greedy capitalists. Only organized power of courageous and compassionate people can turn around these catastrophic realities. Social movements in the streets and jails over against the Establishment in both decrepit political parties are fundamental. And prophetic politicians -- always with their faults and blind spots -- who tell the truth about Wall Street, white supremacy, empire, patriarchy and homophobia, deserve our critical support. Yet even more important is the issue of integrity.

Brother Bernie and Brother Trump are authentic human beings in stark contrast to their donor-driven opponents. Yet only Bernie has authenticity and integrity, whereas Trump is for real but not for right. Trump's attacks on precious Mexican brothers and sisters are unconscionable -- even as his blessed mother was born in Scotland and grandfather (Mr. Drumpf) was born in Germany. His kind of nativistic hostility could have excluded them. And Trump's unpatriotic complicity with the plutocratic corruption of our political system for over 30 years calls into question his integrity, including his commitment to "make America great again."

My endorsement of Brother Bernie in the primaries is not an affirmation of the neo-liberal Democratic Party or a downplaying of the immorality of the ugly Israeli occupation of Palestinians. I do so because he is a long-distance runner with integrity in the struggle for justice for over 50 years. Now is the time for his prophetic voice to be heard across our crisis-ridden country, even as we push him with integrity toward a more comprehensive vision of freedom for all.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/drcornelwest/posts/10155953989390111

Welcome aboard Brother West!

[Autumn]

1. I like that endorsement post , the part about tRump cracked me up

So right about Bernie

[uponit7771]

2. West Hates Obama too... hates Obama with a passion, a cartoonish passion.

[TheFarS1de]

3. I have heard West state a lot of things

however hate is one thing I have NEVER heard him say . It is against his very character to promote hate . He may disagree but I cannot accept this pushing of him "hating" anyone .

[AgingAmerican]

7. He disagrees with Obama on several key issues

AKA hates him.

[uponit7771]

9. If you call all West racist slurs toward Obama 'disagreement' then well

[uponit7771]

8. It's hate... Well known hate... Calling Obama racist names kinda hate. Cartoonish

[Bonobo]

10. Wow, you know it would be AMAZING if you could back it up with actual quotes, in context, y'know!

Then it wouldn't sound like a comment from an anonymous internet person flung recklessly into cyberspace without much thought! We could like... discuss it and everything!

[uponit7771]

11. If you REALLY want to know a simple Google would do... It's between all over Google for years

"cornel west hates obama"

[Bonobo]

12. Hahahahaha. OMG....

That was BRILLIANT!

Wait, you were serious?

That's like how you get information???

Oh god, I think you WERE serious...

That's going to provide some real even-handed material alright.

[AgingAmerican]

13. When 'Google' is their link

We know why.

[Bonobo]

14. When you google "Cornel hates Obama" what the hell else are you gonna find? LOL. nt

[msanthrope]

15. Cornel West used the n-word to describe President Obama.....

I won't link to his absurdities, but Google is your friend......

He also accused the President of fearing free black men.....Google that phrase, it's an eye opener.

[Bonobo]

17. I quoted his thing about "nig*er-zed" below. It is not the same as calling Obama a "ni**er"

As for the "fearing free black men", it is a comment that elicited much debate in the black community as well, with some agreeing and others taking umbrage.

http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2011/05/black_intellectuals_take_to_twitter_over_obama_comments_by_cornel_west.html

One thing that is certain, is that it deserves a greater examination and by those with more moral standing to do so than you and I. By that, I mean, let black people hammer it out. It's a black thing, and you should understand that.

Another thing that is certain is that the long career of brilliant advocacy and humanity of Dr,. Cornel West cannot and should not be dismissed by the use of a few phrases.

[msanthrope]

19. Do you really think your asterisks hide anything? I think you are gratuitously

posting a slur.....

It's a black thing, and you should understand that.

That's fucking priceless......my suggestion is that you actually ask some black posters here what they think of West's racial drivel......


http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025445751

[Bonobo]

22. I thought that might be you. Yes, I do hope you will read my response to Warren below.

My question to you is: Do you REALLY think that using asterisks somehow is a "blow against racism"?

Actually I think asterisks are ridiculous. We should be able to use words when discussing concepts and not act like children saying "fudge" and "H.E. double hockey sticks"

[msanthrope]

24. You thought what might be me? nt

[Warren Stupidity]

23. So let me get this straight: Cornel West is a racist?

[msanthrope]

28. Anyone who writes this shite about President Obama......

"I think my dear brother Barack Obama has a certain fear of free black men. It’s understandable. As a young brother who grows up in a white context, brilliant African father, he’s always had to fear being a white man with black skin. All he has known culturally is white. He is just as human as I am, but that is his cultural formation. When he meets an independent black brother, it is frightening. And that’s true for a white brother. When you get a white brother who meets a free, independent black man, they got to be mature to really embrace fully what the brother is saying to them. It’s a tension, given the history. It can be overcome. Obama, coming out of Kansas influence, white, loving grandparents, coming out of Hawaii and Indonesia, when he meets these independent black folk who have a history of slavery, Jim Crow, Jane Crow and so on, he is very apprehensive. He has a certain rootlessness, a deracination."


http://www.slate.com/content/slate/blogs/weigel/2011/05...

[ancianita]

36. West's arguable critique of BO rightly sits within the black community's tradition of self critique.

When he calls him brother, the black community practices that, no matter how vehement the argument.

When he claims that BO's had a "white cultural formation," he's describing a commonly held view of BO from within the black community.

When he describes black/white tension that forces maturity of whites, along with BO's background that supports his claim of BO's deracination, he's being insightful.

West's critique is not shite. His is the language, context and viewpoint that is valid and arguable within both the black and race conscious white community.

Read West. Discuss his thinking with black friends who've also read him, and you'll not need to promote the safety of 'racist' assertions behind some feeling that you need to support the tired liberal stance of political correctness.

The race reality that white liberals need to acquaint themselves with can best be experienced through intensive exposure to black literature, history and conflicts within their religious and academic communities. Such effort will reward liberal whites with the confidence to fairly approach black people's problems as a stronger ally.

[Bonobo]

39. + 1!!!! nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

42. Myself I have been doing a LLLOOOOTTTT of reaidng

listening and talking

But wait, I was told here, on Saturday that I do not care about these issues. So I guess that is why today I just posted the material from Campaign Zero, with zero commentary from me regarding all presidential candidates and where they stand regarding police brutality.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251543722

For the record, reading the Root, and Grio every day, as well as yes, Cornell West, as well as MLK, Wb Dubois (hell, change some language and Dubois would be right at home with West... it is just the language of the age that was different.)

And I will add this, people are not really interested in policy, just gotcha

[msanthrope]

47. It's utter, racist shite to claim President Obama is afraid of free black men

because he white mother and white grandparents. West doesn't get a pass on saying racist things merely because you like his other politics. let's face it if Ben Carson came out with some of this shite....this Fristian analysis of President Obama's character based on the race of his grandparents..... he'd be rightly laughed at and excoriated.

West's silliness over not getting the proper inauguration tickets has pretty much sealed his fate.

[ancianita]

52. The black community would not agree with you. None would call what West says racist shite, either.

When I agree with West, it's because Obama's not "afraid" in the sucker sense of fear of race.
Whites should be aware that there have been plenty of mixed race blacks who, for complicated reasons related to slavery rape, "selling out" to 'fevers' or 'sugar daddies,' get rejected by both races and feel outcast by any tribe.

The "afraid" West refers to is the traditional biblical "God-fearing" meaning of 'afraid,' the kind of restraint that comes from deep respect and dread of being held in contempt by those fed by ancestral knowledge and love.

Just come out and say you hate the man in general for criticizing Obama.

If you want to come out with a couple of his harsh or "silly" one-liners and throw his whole life's work out the window over them, the black community wouldn't support you. Obama wouldn't, either.

[msanthrope]

85. The black community is not a monolith, but black posters on DU, whom I respect,

share my opinion..... as you can see if you read the link that I provided when West came originally came out with this insane crap. it's also why Glenn Ford of black agenda report doesn't get much traction here either......

Cornel West tarnished his own reputation regarding his silliness over inauguration tickets...... but I never base my politics on what religion teachers had to say anyway......

[ancianita]

95. Black DU'ers who agree with you also recognize the black tradition of self critique that

you call racist shite. It's not your place.

Back whichever side you want, but don't miscast their traditions or put down their participants as racist.

West might have tarnished his rep to YOU with some sour grapes comments, but you can't simply then cast aside his scholarly standing thereby, or you not only break with the black tradition of self critique by black folk, but you also break with the standards of Western criticism that rule out condemnation of the whole over the flaws of one or two of its parts -- whether it's literature, art or a black scholar.

On "letter of the law" criticism you get a short term win.

On "spirit of the law" criticism you get a long term lose.

[msanthrope]

97. self critique would be President Obama critiquing himself.

no t Corne West making a rather Fristian insert into what he thinks is President Obama's psyche.

oh yeah and I do get a call out racist shite when I see it. I not only just did...... I will continue to do so.

[ancianita]

99. Oh, please. You really don't know what you're talking about now. Go read something instead of

doubling down like a Republican.

[merrily]

111. Jury results. 0-7 to LEAVE IT.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Nasty personal attack. Agree or disagree with manthrope's characterization of West but this is uncalled for.


Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Post is borderline, but I vote to leave it as I don't think it obviously crosses the line.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given

[msanthrope]

124. it's interesting that you are characterizing an Obama campaign attorney as a Republican,

But offer no critique to the person who thought it was appropriate to use the n word to characterize the president....


you might want to rethink your labeling process. also from the level of anger you've displayed in this particular response it indicates to me that you already know that you've lost the argument. I don't envy you. I have a bevy of crazy relatives who show up at Thanksgiving and they spout silly racial nonsense about Obama's white grandparents...... but I don't have the job of defending them I just shake my head.

[ancianita]

126. Blaming me for not knowing who you are? Cheap. Lumping me with your relatives? Cheaper.

As a former campaign attorney you might take it upon yourself to read the works of West before casting shade on his character, and thereby on his endorsement of Bernie.

You might also respect the logic of support for any Democratic candidate's endorsers. Better to be a supporter of Democratic endorsers than spread the politics of spite on DU.

I don't argue with intent to win. So your claim is presumptuous.

Now that Obama's not running, whose campaign attorney are you now?

[msanthrope]

131. I'm not lumping you with my crazy relatives...but Cornel West. They exposit similar

Racial. theories regarding President Obama's parentage. Cornel West tarnished himself with his silliness and it was utter silliness regarding the inauguration.

as an atheist I don't particularly find Cornel West viewpoint of the world compelling nor erudite.

[ancianita]

132. Glad to see you backing off on the fristian racist shite stance.

[msanthrope]

136. I'm backing off of nothing. Cornel West and my uncle al

Share surprisingly similar views about President Obama's parentage. that doesn't make my uncle al as smart as Cornell west. It makes Cornel West as dumb as my uncle.

[ancianita]

137. Okay, dude. Got it. But it's not really about BO's parentage, just what he did with it. Him. Obama.

They're not loyalty testers for the black community, which is certainly not a monolith. But they may give your 'fristian racist shite' critiques all they want, according to self critique tradition of our greatest non-monolithic group, as a group, and ain't nothing you can do to discredit them to black people. Nuthin'.

[msanthrope]

141. Ahem.....my username indicates my gender. I am no dude. Again, perhaps your labels are a

bit off .

Whether it is my my uncle Al drunk at Thanksgiving or Cornel West arguably stone cold sober...... speculation about how having white grandparents from Kansas might make President Obama afraid of free black men is just kinda nuts.

[ancianita]

145. Clever by half. Again, blaming me for not knowing what you know. "Dude" has cross-gender use, fyi.

[msanthrope]

149. no.... just intelligent in full measure. But having been corrected more than once

Regarding your assumptions about me, perhaps you want to take a moment and step back.

[ancianita]

152. "Assumptions,"...fault me for not knowing you, then tell me to back off. You need a break.

[Number23]

158. I have studiously avoided every thread about the deranged Cornel West but this one kept bouncing

back up to the top and I've had a chance to read your exchange.

LOL It really reminds me of when I was very early in my career and I was working at a news station in a very small town and there was a young white woman who felt that her major or minor in AA studies at some university was the equivalent of my life experiences as a black woman. It was absolutely psychotic trying to talk to this woman. She kept insisting that because she'd "studied" or "read" something that this somehow made her an expert on being black, even more of an expert than an actual black person.

I know you're not black but this exchange reminded me of that. I really have no idea what that person is referring to re: 'self critique.' Cornell's comments have long since gone way beyond any type of legitimate criticism which is why he has been thoroughly dismissed by most black people for years as you well know. If anyone has garnered this apparently age old black tradition of 'self critique,' judging by what's been said about him and by whom, Cornell has been the one that's gotten it in spades and has been deemed lacking by every single black voice on DU, in academia and in the media that means anything at all to me.

His hate has become his legacy. Which is obvious by the people rejoicing the loudest at this endorsement.

[msanthrope]

162. Well, they've been "edumicated" in everything except how to shut the fuck up.

Bluntly......they think someone gives a shit about what they think about black people. I have an opinion about black lives, but I don't pretend it's something I know beyond my fucking rarefied perch. I have no fucking clue.

[Bonobo]

130. An appeal to authority argument is no more compelling by virtue of coming from the authority herself.

Actually it is less compelling since it is now carrying the stink of self-aggrandizement and braggadocio.

Also, the "n" word was not used to characterize the president.

As for anger, there are others here that showed a LOT more anger than the person you are responding to, and your own logic (if such existed) would indicate that they also lost their argument.

In summation, counselor, you have a shitty case.

[msanthrope]

135. creekdog is doing a rather admirable job down thread exposing your pattern

Of using racially i nteresting language. the N word was absolutely used to characterize the president. or are you trying the Will Pitt POSUC defense?

[nadinbrzezinski]

142. Counselor the words used by Mr.West

Are well within a tradition of self criticism going back to at least Dubois. This is part of a tradition that is older than Mr. West and will remain well after Mr.West is pushing daisies

I already told you that this talk is very common in the streets. If anything the kids are far less polite and far more blunt when they talk (some, but far from a few, and growing every day) of not just Mr. Obama but also local political leaders

To be blunt...they are tired of what they see these days as well empty promises. Mind you Counselor, there is a definite age patter to this. But to be blunt, they are tired of the bullshit.

You saw some glimmers of this come into the mainstream during the ferguson protests and later when kids got on the stage in New York City and were in deep disagreement with Mr. Sharpton. There is a definite line of demarcation these days.

By the way, these kids are quickly losing patience and they like Mr. West. To paraphrase two of my local leaders, Mr. West speaks for them

So you might want to take that under advisement. Not that I expect it.

[msanthrope]

146. Self-criticism by Cornel West would mean he was critiquing himself, not PBO, right?

I am fascinated by your take of what goes on on the "streets," nadin. it's good to have you there to explain it to us.

[nadinbrzezinski]

147. Well I report on what we see locally

And if you do not understand that this is part of a prophetic, at times revolutionary tradition, that included people like King and Malcolm X...well then, we are wasting out time, aren't we.

You go ahead and dismiss the anger. it's best that way.

[nadinbrzezinski]

100. Actually you are wrong on a multippe of levels and this goes way back to at least

WB Dubois.

But you know what? When people are actually critical of somebody at times people get very defensive of that somebody. I suspect once the POTUS is no longer in the WH, and we have a decade or two distance, people will be able to handle criticism far better,.

By the way, what Dr West spoke off, which is the betrayal of African American elites, of the rest of the community, is something I have heard quite often in the streets. This is a sentiment that is truly there, and I just listen. But there is quite the conflict also between some African American institutions, such as the Urban League, and the people in the neighborhoods.

TO be honest this is the context of respectability politics vs confrontation.

Now I expect snark in return... but it is DU, I expect no less.

[msanthrope]

125. I think your exposition of racial politics does not need any extra snark....

Much in the same way truly great television shows do not need a laugh track.

[nadinbrzezinski]

127. Got it, just little snark

And with that, I got some policy to read... really. I jumped here due to very personal attacks people are throwing... but then again, I got called a few choice things last Saturday, things that the throwers deny they did... so be it. People who throw stones like those usually deny it.

Unlike some folks here though I blame those people for that hate filled anger of theirs, not a campaign.

[uponit7771]

116. +1, I agree with what you're saying... West exhibits hateraide not just disagreement

[jwirr]

118. Agreed. He has deep convictions regarding many of the issues in today's

world and he is not afraid to stand up for them. But every time I have heard him discuss the issues it is not with hatred but with thoughtfulness.

I respect this man very much. He knows what he believes and he is consistent.

Thank you Mr. West for the endorsement.

[sabrina 1]

53. Once again, disagreement does not = hate! What a 'hateful' world it must be if we are now at the

point where 'disagreement = hate'.

Everyone HATES everyone they disagree with. Which, by that logic means that Obama, who obviously disagrees with West, 'hates West'.

[uponit7771]

115. West has gone way behind disagreeing...

[LiberalLovinLug]

138. ....jumping all the way to "hate"?

I disagree with that

(but I don't hate you for it)

[uponit7771]

139. When you take time to call a person names & tell partial truths about them I'd call that hate

[LiberalLovinLug]

144. ???

[uponit7771]

148. edited... West has ODS no doubt

[LiberalLovinLug]

151. ???

I had to look up ODS to find out what that acronym is supposed to imply. I'm still not sure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ODS

Online Dating Service?
Operational data store?
Ozone-depleting substance?
Operation Desert Storm?
Orbital Dysfunctional Syndrome from the film Pandorum?

[nadinbrzezinski]

154. Obama Derangement Syndrome

It is a cute adoption of the Bush Derrangement Syndrome the right loved to smear "the left" with. it is also quite revealing from a linguistics perspective.

[SamKnause]

4. I respect and admire Dr. West.

I respect and admire Senator Sanders.

[Bonobo]

5. The great irony of the sides that have been taken re Dr. West...

The exact same people who demand that BLM must be listened to are the same people that, from the other side of their mouth, say that Dr. Cornel West is a racist!! It is hilarious. They often bring up the fact that he said that Obama is the first "nigger-ized" President, but let's look at that quote in a little bit more detail, paying close attention to his discussion of the "White Supremacy" of the US, the very same language that is often used by BLM!!

Too many black people are nigger-ized. I would say the first black president has become the first nigger-ized black president…

A nigger-ized 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. 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.

We’re talking about moral issues, spiritual issues, emotional issues. White supremacy has nothing to do with just skin pigmentation, it has to be what kind of person you want to be, what kind of nation we want to be. Democrats and Republicans play on both of those parties in terms of running away from the vicious legacy of white supremacy until it hits us hard. Thank God for Ferguson. Thank God for the young folk of all colors. Thank God for Staten Island and fighting there. Thank God in Baltimore, now the precious folk in Charleston.


So, which is it? Do we listen to black voices and not try to sit in judgment or do we only do that when it suits our own agenda?

[Warren Stupidity]

18. FYI

On Mon Aug 24, 2015, 09:23 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

The great irony of the sides that have been taken re Dr. West...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=544047

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

This is a disgusting and overt use of the n-word, posted just to offend. The vast majority of Sanders supporters do not act like this, but it's time to clean up the bad apples.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Mon Aug 24, 2015, 09:36 PM, and the Jury voted 3-4 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Ugh. Really?
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I don't see any attempt to offend. Even the word itself isn't offensive within the discussion context. The word "niggerization," a label that should be used cautiously and sparingly, is a recent labeling of the long history of bigoted media's and social media commenters' unfair stereotypes of any blacks in the public spotlight, from the president to popular rappers.

This thread is under the "General Discussion -- Primaries" for a reason. The alerter should discuss the reasons for their offense with the poster. This particular word's offense depends on the poster's context. I say it's appropriately applied here, and its use merits questions and replies from thread participants.

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

[Bonobo]

20. I actually thought someone might alert on that. And I did leave it as it was despite that.

I have come to despise the kind of mealy-mouthed slogan-wielding, symbolic-action, politically-correct bullshit that people practice -such as trying to hide the word that I stupidly have to insert ****** into to be acceptable even as I discuss it as a concept.

It is anti-intellectual and it is nearly fundie in its bs symbolism and inauthenticity.

Thank you for showing me that bs alert and thank you to the jury for not hiding.

Racism exists whether I throw stupid little asterisks into a word or not and pretending to fight it by fighting the word itself is fucking ridiculous and contempt-worthy.

[Warren Stupidity]

21. You lucked out and got a reasonable jury. It happens.

[Bonobo]

26. I put my trust in the higher powers.

I should be more careful, I am just back from an extended vacation for daring to discuss these things.

[ancianita]

31. Fundies hiding behind politically correct battles better pick their battles, else they show their

Republican values. This is a Democratic site. That means that people had better understand that "the word is not the thing," a semantic distinction never made by projecting, fearmongering, censoring Republicans. We can do better than that.

[Juicy_Bellows]

34. Thank you for posting the quote in full context.

So often people laser in on a word or two and miss everything - just hear one word and go full shutdown, total dismissal.

"Don't concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory"

[CreekDog]

51. remember when you said "Obama is not a black leader" ?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023308683#post65

maybe this BS will catch up with you, eventually.

but people have to see the patterns in your posts first.

since you're not black, can you tell us why you see fit to tell African American posters here that Obama is not a black leader? you don't just tell them that, you argue with them, as if you have greater insight into the question than they do.

well isn't that special.

[LanternWaste]

55. Well, he did of course effectively cower behind "it was a general statement"

Well, he did of course effectively cower behind the qualifier, "it was a general statement"; so we should give the little fella some points for that.

[CreekDog]

56. dangit, no "like" button for your post

right on target though.

[Bonobo]

58. Oh, I guess you think you got me on something, but I'm not sure what you THINK that is.

You're like a couple of HS kids digging in your elbows into each other but you don't seem to have enough confidence to come out directly and say what you THINK is the offense.

Now's your chance. I'm waiting. Spell it out.

Because I agree with what I said and I don't think it is offensive either.

Here, let me give you the same thing for Bernie Sanders. We'll see if you find this offensive too.

"Bernie Sanders is not a Jewish leader. He is a leader who is Jewish."

[CreekDog]

78. Are you playing Madlibs?

Are you so clueless that you don't understand the difference between saying that Obama isn't a black leader versus Sanders isn't a Jewish leader?

I'm no scholar, but even I recognize that you can't just cut and paste wantonly as you please.

Another tip: I'm a Hillary supporter, who also likes Sanders a great deal. I encourage you to STOP helping Sanders because you aren't helping Sanders.

You're doing the opposite.

You aren't Dr. West, quit acting like you throwing around his quotes as sloppily and transparently as you are is doing anything to help Sanders.

[Bonobo]

81. You have a lot of personal anger against me. I see that.

I really think you need to work on it and I am NOT being flippant and I am NOT playing games.

The Jewish leader/Black leader metaphor IS apt and NO, I will not stop posting and not stop advocating and not stop speaking despite your threats and personal attacks on me, CreekDog.

[CreekDog]

88. stop kidding yourself and others here, you aren't advocating for Sanders here

somehow you'd like us to believe that inserting West's quote about Obama is supposed to somehow help Sanders.

please.

[Bonobo]

93. Actually, CreekDog, could you please just stop your relentless personal attacks on me.

This is getting tiring.

Of course I am advocating for Sanders and have been doing so for quite some time.

[nadinbrzezinski]

101. Why the personal attacks?

really, you think they are helpful?

Don't bother answering, I know I won't answer.

[Bonobo]

60. Not just a general statement, a direct quote from a black writer.

And now it sounds like you're telling them they're wrong.

Oooops!

[CreekDog]

65. have you asked Cornel West if he wants his quote thrown at black people by a white person?

have you asked Dr. West that?

you actually exemplify pretty much everything he's been advocating against over the years.

[Bonobo]

68. Excuse me, but that's a really stupid question.

I think I will take the opinion of Ancianita over yours. She sounds like she knows what she is talking about.

She knows that symbolic pretense does not achieve shit. We see eye to eye on that and your outrage over surface shit doesn't mean crap to me.

[CreekDog]

71. you're trying to insert inflammatory arguments and terminology into DU and watch fights that follow

you've been here long enough for everyone to recognize that pattern.

Oh, are you claiming some lofty purpose in quoting Dr. West to make a slap at Obama to say that Obama is not a black leader?

Oh really? What is that all about? What are you really trying to argue here that's going to advance some lofty goal?

Nope, it's to start fights and to use one black scholar's quote to take a racially-charged shot (coming from you as a white person, you have to know that it becomes racially charged when you do it...) at Obama.

That IS NOT the way Dr. West's words are intended to be used, when you do so, you ignore the context of his work.

You and me as white people don't get to tell black people which black person they need to listen to.

[Bonobo]

72. Creek, that post was from 2013. I didn't bring that into this discussion.

I am on this thread merely defending Dr. West and I have said NOTHING to attack President Obama here.

You brought that thread link into THIS discussion. Am I responsible for that?

I didn't bring up his attacks on Obama either. I merely supplied the whole quote and defended his right to say them.

[CreekDog]

76. The quote today is for the same purpose. You posted it for effect, you knew what you were doing

then and now. same M.O.

you wouldn't use one quote as a hobby horse if you were truly here to expound on Dr. West's work.

[Bonobo]

80. I don't expect you to believe me but here is what motivated me in this:

A few days ago, there was a mega thread attack on Cornel West.

There, Cha, posted the accusation about Cornel calling Obama a Ni**erized " President.

As an admirer of Cornel West, I decided to look it up, believing there MUST be a context that would better explain HIS thinking.

Here is the link to the thread and quote by Cha that was my true motivation and not what you are accusing me of:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251531392#post121


It doesn't seem likely that you will believe me since your opinion of me seems to be that I am a real piece of shit. Be that as it may, it is the truth.

[Bonobo]

57. That's pretty weak, Creek Dog.

What do you want me to tell you again?

1) Why I thought that and still think it?, or

2) Why I feel I have the right to state my opinion?

Which one?

As for seeing the patterns, sounds like you're deep into your head about some kinda weird shit and I don't even WANT to know what might be going on in there, so I'll just say "Ick" and take a few steps backwards.

[Bonobo]

59. It was a quote from a Time article by a black man.

http://ideas.time.com/2012/03/29/why-obama-will-never-call-out-racism/

"Barack Obama is not a black leader. He’s a leader who’s black. This is not an insignificant distinction. In order to become President, he had to promise to be President for all the people and not be someone who would be a special friend to the black community, and he has lived up to that pledge. Black America has enjoyed the spiritual boost and pride injection that’s come from seeing the brother break the highest glass ceiling and strut through the White House lawn and parade his beautiful family before the world. But when Obama turns to governing, it’s a different story."



So, it seems YOU are the one telling black people what they can and cannot say -and telling black people what is racist. Hilarious.

[CreekDog]

62. And you've posted it a dozen times because YOU WANT to say it in your own words, but can't

you're using West's words (and you are no Cornel West...) because you found a quote that let's you say something racial about Obama that you know you would not be permitted to say if it were your own words.

so you take a scholar's words and throw them at black people on DU.

am i calling you racist? no, i have no idea why you're doing it. what seems more likely is that as with women's issues here, you're simply itching to offend and fight with a particular group on DU, a particular demographic.

your posts on women's issues do that. your posts about Obama not being a black leader are designed to start arguments with black folks here (and others) about that.

it seems what you are going for is to insert inflammatory language and insensitive language into the debate here and get away with.

that's the pattern over the years.

PLEASE stop using Dr. West as your toy.

[Bonobo]

66. Like I said, you got some weird things banging around in your own head.

I will NEVER think Dr. West is my toy and I will CONTINUE to defend him against the people here who are demonizing him simply because it suits THEIR political positions.


Weird, it's like you're talking to yourself in a mirror upside down and backwards.

[ancianita]

96. You really need to stop insisting that you know B's intent better than he does. The language he's

used is in no way inflammatory. You, however, are. Context of any word's use is everything. Everything.

Conscious race discussion among whites should at least give the benefit of the doubt to others who support their own thoughts by using quotes from black scholars and leaders. That's just legitimate discussion. Which YOU seem to be trying your damnedest to de-legitimize.

Hate, cynicism and distrust of each other get too much play on DU. It's the dark hell of Bad Faith argument. This is a fucking discussion board, not a purist personal attack board.

Please. Lay off. Take people for the spirit of their words and not your distrust of their intent. Even when you find "patterns," people can still evolve. If you don't believe that...If you don't give room for people to change here, then you're not democratic.

[CreekDog]

157. I don't need to read his mind when his posts pretty much demonstrate his intent

[freshwest]

160. Got it there. n/t

[ancianita]

25. I'm juror #7. Any alerter want to come forward and prove the poster's intent?

[Bonobo]

27. Thank you for taking the time to treat jury duty so responsibly.

I agree with you completely and I am grateful for people such as yourself.

[ancianita]

29. Thanks. As a teacher of West's work and semantic range, I hold that context is everything.

[Bonobo]

32. I am a tremendous admirer and wish you would share some of your insights.

I believe Dr. West has been unfairly bad-mouthed here for a few comments out of context and should be seen for the brilliance of his insights over his career.

[ancianita]

33. Absolutely, he's been bad-mouthed. This was on Truthdig. Have you seen it? It's powerful.

[Garrett78]

49. Obama has pandered to opponents of racial justice.

Just as Clinton is labeled a liberal extremist by right wingers, Obama has been accused of promoting a radical black agenda (whatever that might mean) and hating white folks. In reality, of course, Clinton is moderate (at best) and Obama has bent over backwards to appeal to opponents of racial justice. From throwing Rev. Wright under the bus to using right wing racial code words, Obama has been very soft when it comes to speaking out against racial injustice.

And yet there are those on this board who imply (or flat-out state) that Bernie Sanders and now Cornell West are racists. Go figure. I guess they're stealing a page from the right wing playbook (accuse your opponent of being the exact opposite of what they really are).

[Bonobo]

64. I'd like to all those that are bad-mouthing him watch this.

THEN they need to come back and tell me that his insights into Barack Obama are not grounded in deep thought, historicity and experience.

[Catherina]

128. Thanks for posting this.

You beat me to the exact same video. Brother West speaks the truth and truth is inconvenient, especially now. I hope you post a lot more.

Thank you.

[ancianita]

129. Anytime I can ...

[Catherina]

134. Good. I'll be looking for your posts

[Catherina]

133. That's part 2 of their excellent talk. Here's part 1

Transcript is at http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=14415

Excerpt

WEST: But I think in our day and time, though--and this is what this book is very much about; it's a love letter to the younger generation in our age of Ferguson and Baltimore and Staten Island and Cleveland and Oakland and so--and Charleston, North Charleston and Charleston. And what I mean by that is to say, young people, you are waking up in a magnificent way from your sleepwalking. But there's a magnificent tradition that constitutes wind at your back.

You're not going to get it in corporate media, you're not going to get it in mainstream discourse. The neoliberals who dominate corporate media, they want to financialize, privatize, and militarize. Lo and behold, the black prophetic tradition says, no, we're critical of pro-Wall Street policy that generate more capitalist wealth and inequality. When it comes to privatizing, no, we want public life. We want a sense of what we hold in common, including at the workplace vis-à-vis bosses, oftentimes just run amok with corporate greed. And the same would be true in terms of militarize. That's part of the anti-militarism that you rightly talk about that goes hand-in-hand with anti-imperialism.

And so somebody like Martin King, who of course reaches this point with tremendous eloquence in the last three years of his life, what does he have to do? He has to cut against the grain: 72 percent of Americans disapprove of him; 55 percent of black people disapprove of Martin.

...

WEST: That's right. They pushed back, because, I mean, Mumia Abu-Jamal is still as strong. We know that. Assata Shakur is still strong in Cuba. There are a number of powerful, grassroot, local activists who are still strong.

But in terms of the national presence of the black prophetic tradition, look at Jeremiah Wright. Vicious attacks trying to demonize him and somehow dampen his spirit as we moved into the culmination of the highly individualistic, narcissistic proclivities of black professional class, which is, of course, the first black president.

HEDGES: Well, and you're very critical of this class, and you see it as a very destructive force. Would it be fair to say that there are two principal strains, the black prophetic tradition and the Booker T. Washington accommodationist tradition? Would it be too much of a stretch to say that figures like Barack Obama, Al Sharpton, Mr. Coates from The Atlantic, who you have called out, I think, recently, do they veer more towards the Booker T. Washington tradition? Or is it different? They've certainly walked away from the black prophetic tradition.

WEST: Yeah, they certainly walked away from the black prophetic. I think what you get, though, the black neoliberal tradition, which would still not necessarily be the same as Booker T. Washington. Booker T. Washington really goes straight to Clarence Thomas. He's actually deeply conservative. He did some wonderful things for black people on an individual level, with Tuskegee, with white money, and so on, but he's deeply conservative. He's anti-labor, his anti-immigration, and so forth.

HEDGES: Well, he--and he would not denounce lynching.

WEST: Edit least publicly he wouldn't--and therefore Ida B. Wells has to run right into the fire with unbelievable courage.

But, no, the neoliberal one is one that comes out of the civil rights movement, in which you get the formation of a black professional class that acts as if they're prophetic, who really convince themselves they're progressive, when in fact they're so tied to capital--.

HEDGES: Right. The lumpen bourgeoisie.

WEST: The lumpen bourgeoisie. Absolutely.

...

WEST: But the aspirations are intense and want to somehow act as if they're tied to Malcolm. I mean, the peace by brother Coates a few years ago said that brother Barack Obama was part of the culminating expression of Malcolm X, now, that is about as wrong--that's like saying I come out of the Beach Boys. You know what I mean? And Malcolm's legacy had nothing to do with Barack Obama.

Barack Obama comes out of a highly cultivated black professional class that's tied to neoliberal policies of Wall Street domination, drones, which are U.S. war crimes, massive surveillance, so COINTELPRO on steroids, every day, keeping track of what we do and so forth. What that is is in fact a culmination of not just black professional class; it's a professional class in contemporary monopoly capitalist America, you see. And so it's pro-imperialist. It acts as if it's antiracist. And it is antiracist within a very narrow bourgeois liberal order. But when it comes to massive unemployment, massive underemployment, decrepit housing, dealing with this unbelievably--what's the right word with our educational system? Let's say soul-murdering educational system, you see. Where is the structural critique? Hardly at all. And when it comes to the Middle East, for example, if you can get a black neoliberal to say that the killing of 500 precious Palestinian babies is a crime against humanity, it would be fascinating to see that take place. It will never take place.

...


WEST: (...) And that's a beautiful thing, because the system now is just decrepit. You know, the two-party system is as weak as it can be. You've got escalating ecological catastrophe. You've got increasing nuclear catastrophe. You've got the economic catastrophe in terms of the wealth inequality that brother Bernie Sanders and others talk about. You've got the moral catastrophe of--.

HEDGES: He won't talk about empire, though.

WEST: Now, we've got to put some pressure on brother Bernie in that regard. And I think that--.

HEDGES: And he won't talk about the Palestinians, and he won't take on the military.

WEST: I think he's more and more open to a critique of the Israeli occupation. I think he at the same time has to somehow walk a tightrope between the liberals who are excited about him. But thank God he's talking about Wall Street domination.

HEDGES: He's raising real issues. Yes, he is.

[ancianita]

140. Thanks!

[Catherina]

155. Anytime because this forum really needs your voice

[ancianita]

35. As for my insights, within the DU context I'd strongly urge all of DU to read his books.Then I would

be happy to discuss anything anyone wants in reference to his works and intellectual leadership.

Could you tell me which books of his you've read?

[Bonobo]

37. I am shamed to admit that I was only a long time listener of his podcast with Tavis Smiley.

That and some short excerpts here and there of his work have been sufficient to tell me that he is brilliant.

What would you recommend I read first?

[ancianita]

38. Glad you asked. Start with "Race Matters." Then go with his copyright sequence. MOST

importantly, if you ever get to see him speak, please drop other plans and go.

I've seen both him and the Reverend Farrakhan at least twice each, and I'm reduced to tears every time I witness their powerful faithfulness and brilliance before the black community.

On that note, if you ever get invited to go to church in a black community, go. Now there is where Christianity lives.

[Bonobo]

40. I will if I ever get the chance!

Thank you for the recommendation!

[ancianita]

41. DU'ers can buy West's books for as little as one penny on Amazon.

[nadinbrzezinski]

43. I lucked out

I got Race Matters for 99 cents at the Goodwill store just the other day

[ancianita]

44. Hah, cool. I taught it 20 years ago. It should be required reading for white people.

[nadinbrzezinski]

45. There is a lot that should be required reading :-)

[ancianita]

46. Trudat.

[Garrett78]

50. Tim Wise

Tim Wise has also written a lot of books and articles (and given a lot of talks) that should be required reading/listening for white folks (of course, as Wise himself will point out, it says a lot that he - a white guy - is taken more seriously than persons of color when it comes to matters of racism, privilege and racial justice). www.timwise.org

Peggy McIntosh wrote an easily accessible paper on white privilege: http://amptoons.com/blog/files/mcintosh.html

Not long ago Leonard Pitts, the fairly well-known newspaper columnist, wrote a bunch of articles that should also be required reading. See below for the links:
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/leonard-pitts-jr/article4249431.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/leonard-pitts-jr/article4249431.html]

http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/leonard-pitts-jr/article4149075.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/leonard-pitts-jr/article4149075.html]

http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/leonard-pitts-jr/article4187602.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/leonard-pitts-jr/article4187602.html]

http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/leonard-pitts-jr/article4392106.html

[CreekDog]

67. et tu Brutus?

please. the idea that you're defending West's work by using his words as weapons against other African American posters here is as ridiculous as it sounds.

just get over yourself.

[Bonobo]

69. Creek Dog, keep playing to your audience.

But you aren't fooling anyone and I am not TRYING to fool anyone.

[Gormy Cuss]

73. Well, I can't prove his intent

but I can see that he used the term at least two times too often to make the point and from the context of his own posts in the thread it's apparently also making a point about his disdain for the asterisk substitutions that have become the norm. I hate the substitution of asterisks for "bad words" but if I chose to write out the word it would have quotes around it and an acknowledgement of the word's pejorative and offense usage. YMMV.

I've read West, I've seen him speak, and I am a long time admirer. However, there's no way would I write a post here using "nigger-ization" that liberally.

[Bonobo]

83. Fortunately a poster who actually TEACHES Cornel West agreed with me.

So you have me wrong.

[Gormy Cuss]

87. I was responding to that poster

and since I was clear that I can't speak to your intent, I'm not wrong about you.

BTW, thanks for editing out your call-out in the Sanders group.

[Bonobo]

92. You are welcome.

I'm a reasonable person, and those that actually know me will testify that I am nether racist nor misogynist.

Right now I am being slandered and attacked right and left and am merely trying to defend myself -and be as polite about it as I can be.

I am not attacking anyone in the manner I am being attacked. This is really fucked up.

[CreekDog]

74. i'm not the alerter but it's a long time pattern

he found a quote by Dr. West that he could use to make a racially insensitive comment that the poster himself could never get away with.

and he's using it here and elsewhere to badger African Americans here who have the temerity to consider Barack Obama a black leader.

he's telling black folks who they have to listen to and/or he's trying to make it sound as though they aren't allowed to simultaneously agree with West in certain respects and consider Obama a black leader.

bottom line, it's just to start fights.

[msanthrope]

91. You and I don't agree on much.....but this, yeah. nt

[sibelian]

164. Yeah, I saw that...

It's very simple, they just need to dream up things that sound like they oppose their selected targets on DU. Oh, and in media in general. When their ideas totally contradict each other, it's because you're racist.

I wouldn't worry about it. Real black people have their own ideas. Their self-appointed representatives on this board are here primarily to play that role, not really to participate in any re-empowering of black people.

Anyway, you know all that what with being a horrible MRA and evil feminist hater and everything

[Bonobo]

165. Dude. one of them was a wait for it... lawyer for the Obama campaign!

That's like second only to the pope in terms of unassailable moral purity.

[cprise]

6. West is a great intellectual

He could run for office himself.
I am glad to see him weighing in for Bernie!

[Bonobo]

16. Dr. West has such deep insights into society. He is truly amazing.

He thinks and feels on a level that is truly profound. I wish I could think of a better word then "deep", but that's what it comes down to.

It's as if his eyes simply can look into the pure reality and see past all the bullshit.

In some ways, the vantage from which he views things, his inner humanism, reminds me of Kurt Vonnegut, though he is more optimistic I believe.

I think he chose spirituality for that reason, rather than as a superstitious believer, but as someone who felt that it was needed to arrive at optimism. That too sets him apart from Vonnegut.

[ancianita]

30. Agreed. He believes in the the prophetic faith that has historically empowered black people.

I'm an atheist and I'm totally down with it.

[leftofcool]

48. Good. It will keep him away from Hillary.

[SidDithers]

54. ...

Sid

[Bonobo]

61. What a great progressive you are. Do you find his image funny, Sid?

That's the impression I get.

[SidDithers]

63. I find him funny...

And I don't give a flying fadoo about your impressions.

He also a bit of an anti-Semite. I'm surprised you're a fan of his.

Sid

[Bonobo]

70. I'm certainly willing to CONSIDER that he is an anti-semite. But until I saw some evidence, I would

not accept that statement as true.

As a scientist, I am sure you understand the need for skepticism.

[SidDithers]

77. He was the featured speaker at the Million Muslim March, on Sept 11, 2013...

Which was organized and hosted by the American Muslim PAC, and noted anti-Semite Kevin Barrett.

Kevin Barrett runs a couple of sites. One, called Muslims for 9/11 Truth, it a nutbar conspiracy site which blames 9/11, and just about every other significant event in the last 100 years on The JOOOOS.

Barrett is also runs truthjihad.com, which is more of the same, but includes his radio show.

The ADL thinks Barrett is an anti-Semite, and has plenty of material concerning him:
http://blog.adl.org/tags/kevin-barrett


Anyone with a lick of sense would have stayed hundreds of miles away from that event.

But here's West, onstage, speaking to almost nobody:



And West, chatting with the odious Kevin Barrett




Personally, I believe that if you're involved in an anti-Semitic event like the Million Muslim March, organized by a raving anti-Semite like Kevin Barrett, you've pretty much impeached your credibility. West was either ignorant of the people he was getting in bed with, which makes him a fool, or he knew and did it anyway.

Sid

[Bonobo]

82. I would call that inconclusive.

He could have other motivation for being there and guilt by association is not a tactic I like very much.

[ancianita]

104. It IS inconclusive. West's talks with anti-semites is to build consciousness/common ground. It's a

Christian thing in the black community.

[Bonobo]

105. I am glad I was skeptical. I can smell anti-semitism. It comes from years of being victimized by it.

The love between Jews and Blacks, the shared history and commitment to each other runs VERY deep.

I smell or sense no anti-semitism from Dr. Cornel West.

[nadinbrzezinski]

112. Sid would not know about that even if it snuck up and tapped him in the head.

[nadinbrzezinski]

106. I guess all my local AA community is antisemitic by your logic

I mean... horror of horrors, but the Nation of Islam participates in the marches and within the community like ALL THE FREAKING TIME!

Hell, I must hate myself as a Jew, since I have had a very cordial relationship with leaders of this community and talk to them OFTEN.

Thanks for the tip Sid. I will self report to the purity board now.

[SidDithers]

107. Are you defending Kevin Barrett, nadin?

Do you even know who Kevin Barrett is?

Sid

[nadinbrzezinski]

108. Nah I am just using your pretzel logic

enjoy that pretzel logic Sid

[SidDithers]

109. You don't know who Barrett is...

and the nutbar anti-Semitic garbage he's promoted.

But you're defending West's association with him.

Have I got that right?

Sid

[nadinbrzezinski]

110. I am using your guilt by association pretzel logic Sid

by your logic my whole local community is antisemitic. It is YOUR LOGIC Sid.

Continue with it... quite entertaining at this point. Please do tell me more about guilt by association.

[SidDithers]

120. And sometimes, those who choose to associate with nutbar anti-Semites like Kevin Barrett...

have some of the slime rub off on them.

West chose to participate in Barrett's event.

Did your "whole local community" speak at Barrett's event? If not, then I'm not the one employing the pretzel logic, nadin.

Sid

[nadinbrzezinski]

122. Again, by your logic my local community is hate filled

continue with that guilt by association. It is quite entertaining. Predictable, but entertaining. Are you taking the show on the road?

[Bonobo]

123. Sid, are you Jewish? The real Sid Dithers was of course, so maybe you are.

Fine either way, you don't HAVE to be Jewish but it would lend a wee bit more credibility to your accusations of anti-semitism for me anyway. It wouldn't sell me, but it wouldn't be chopped liver either.

[ancianita]

113. Just stop. Casting a stereotype on a black scholar without giving credibility to Black-Jewish

historical relations seems to smell of Republican tactics.

Your series of posts. Not cool.

[nadinbrzezinski]

114. He is a black white thinker kind of a person

and his knowledge of any of the background is utterly inexistent.

[ancianita]

117. It's the mocking of posters that never helps DU. DU's whites HAVE to have race discussions worthy

of the party and country they occupy.

These ignorant, unread, bad faith attacks will NEVER inspire confidence in black members of DU whites' ability -- however they perceive their abilities -- to be good allies.

The thread problem of stupid attacks is what bothers me most.

[nadinbrzezinski]

119. And he is not even American, he is Canadian

but don't ask him to expound on the Harper administration and how conservatives have made politics up north that much more polarized over the last decade, or how they have also stopped trying to do great things. Or for that matter to expound on the coming election that seems to be a doozy.

At times I wonder if he even votes in Canadian elections?

But his role here is just snark, and yes, I will say it, hate and bullying,

[ancianita]

121. Hah! Guilt by association posters will have to account for their own. And no standing here, even!

Wow.

[ancianita]

98. Read West's chapt., "Black-Jewish Relations" from "Race Matters" before you call him an anti-semite.

[Bonobo]

102. I am sure I will beat him to it. Thanks for the heads up.

I couldn't believe it. I heard Cornel's love for humanity shine through too much in his podcast to believe it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

75. Is that an angry black man? Yup...Sid

only adding snark and stereotypes to the discussion. :thumbup:

[SidDithers]

79. You're still here? I thought you quit DU again yesterday...nt

Sid

[nadinbrzezinski]

86. Even more snark

wonderful Sid... if nothing else you are quite predictable

So you added an angry image of a black man...that is quite the ahem... dog whistle there.

Now please do play with yourself, with continue this snarky conversation with yourself.

[Bonobo]

84. I can't believe I am being attack swarmed on this thread for defending Cornel West.

And the ultimate irony is that I am being called a racist!

Life is weird and DU is weirder and some people who post here on the weirdest.

[nadinbrzezinski]

89. Oh I was called that on saturday

at least they are not calling you mentally unstable. So there is that.

When people have to go down to that... line of argument...

[CreekDog]

90. for using him

not for defending him.

[Bonobo]

94. Are you done yet? I have gone out of my way to explain EXACTLY what prompted me to defend him.

It was the mega thread that brought up the quote I used that I only quoted in full to show the larger context and to remove some of the unfair demonization of Dr. West that was happening.

If you do not believe that, it is only because you have a preconceived and wrong idea about me.

But you have been attacking me over and over and over on this thread, slandering me and I think it is time for you to stop.

[nadinbrzezinski]

103. You have added nothing to this discussion

but rank personal attacks.

You feel better now?

[LiberalLovinLug]

143. These are acts of desparation

Calling Cornel West "racist" is not only laughable but incredibly disrespectful. One of the greatest AA thinkers we have, whether one agrees with everything he says or not.

In fact, perhaps we will hear now how Martin Luther King was also a "racist". Did you know that that infamous racist Bernie Sanders marched with MLK? Shocking!!!

If have to add this:

[nadinbrzezinski]

150. Worst.

They are calling posters racists, white supremacists and mentally unstable.

I will not blame the campaign for that abhorrent behavior. I do not believe it reflects badly on the Secretsry. I will hold it on the individual posters themselves. This is abhorrent behavior. And given some were the most active in saying Sanders was responsible for posters and their behavior...the term projection comes to mind.

As the campaign increasingly looks like 2008 redux I expect a lot more ugliness

And yes...desperation comes to mind. West, people like these folks have been trying to sideline and make lesser than for decades. There is real anger, at the Democratic Party in the streets as well. Ignoring that will be well, grand. as well

[Catherina]

153. Calling Cornel West racist is despicable. Worse, we have posters calling him a "coon"

for his temerity to criticize Obama on policies instead of giving him a pass because of race. Lovely no?

Thankfully DU gave that shit against Brother West a 7-0 hide but you'll notice how none of the vocal pro-Obama, anti-West posters had a problem with that. Acted like they didn't even see it. Thankfully BigTree wouldn't let it go in other threads.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5444646

[sibelian]

167. If that incident doesn't make it crystal clear what their true motives are...

... nothing does.

[Catherina]

156. Believe it. West speaks against neoliberalism, miltarism, exploitation, privatization and war

and he speaks against the bloodthirsty capitalism that motivated capitalists to practically extinguish over 200 American Indian nations and then go into Africa to rape it for the unpaid labor that built the United States so believe it. But a few LOUD attackers, in their rabid support for neoliberalism, do not DU make. Thankfully.

[sibelian]

163. You don't understand, he's one of the NASTY black people.

Last edited Wed Aug 26, 2015, 05:06 PM - Edit history (1)

Black Lives Matter unless it's a black person criticising another black person, in which case - eeeeek.

It doesn't have to make sense, Bonobo, it just has to be said, lots and lots, until everyone thinks it's true.

[Bonobo]

166. Yes, shut up and let black people talk about it! Just not THAT black guy!

In fact, don't even share his opinions or put his full quotes in context or YOU are a racist. You just want to use the "N" word!!!!!!!!

Oh god, it's like a stupid convention ran into an asshole convention and they decided to hang out.

[senz]

159. K&R -- glad to see the endorsement

Sorry it upsets some people.

[Metric System]

161. Hey, why aren't there over 100 recs for this thread?