See, he's an uppity black man

[RZM]

1. Here's why I think they are emphasizing it

Last edited Thu Mar 8, 2012, 06:11 PM - Edit history (2)

When it come to Obama and race, there are essentially two conflicting narratives.

1) Obama is 'post-racial' - This is the one championed by many liberals and a good deal of media figures. It holds that Obama is a transcendent figure who finally eclipsed the mold of the traditional 'black politician' (i.e. people like Al Shaprton and Jesse Jackson) by de-emphasizing racial issues in favor of broader themes. He's a talented, ambitious, and savvy Democrat and that's why he won the presidency. His race isn't particularly relevant. He was just the best man for the job and has governed not as a black Democrat, but just as Democrat.

Evidence for this includes: His broad-based appeal, his rejection by the black Chicago establishment (he lost big to Bobby Rush and was shunned by black Chicago politicians in Springfield), his background and pedigree (raised in Hawaii by whites, educated at the Ivies), his reticence to emphasize racial issues, etc.

2) Obama is a traditional 'racial spoils' politician with a history of left wing activism - This is championed by conservatives and some figures in the conservative media. It holds that Obama is essentially a wolf in sheep's clothing. While he's pretended to be 'post racial' and relatively moderate, he's really just a better disguised Al Shaprton, with a dash of Saul Alinsky thrown in. He made his career on racial and far-left issues, especially before he rose to national prominence. He's in it to benefit blacks at the expense of whites.

Evidence for this includes: His pre-politics career . . . mainly things like this video, his career as a community organizer, the space dedicated to white racism in his books, also Rev. Wright and Bill Ayers. Eric Holder and the justice department play a role here too (the 'my people' comment, dropping the case against the black panthers, etc.).

The video plays nicely into the second narrative, which holds that Obama is a secret socialist who doesn't like whites and has built his career on endorsing things like affirmative action. That's why they think it's important. Except it really isn't. Nobody really cares what Obama did 20 years ago, especially since he's already a known quantity.