Obama's decades-long support for the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, combined with his refusal to completely disavow this man, suggest that beneath his calm exterior, Obama may be seething with racial resentment. So far he has managed to conceal it, while his wife Michelle Obama lets out the occasional petulant outburst. But inner rage is the only explanation for why the Obama family is so close to Wright. He articulates their deepest feelings about race in America, feelings that they know are imprudent to air politically.
Yet what do the Obamas have to feel resentful about? They are one of the truly privileged families in America. They both got an Ivy League education. They had the benefit of top graduate schools. They have held enviable jobs such as Michelle Obama's hospital post that pays more than $300,000 a year. They live in an upscale neighborhood very far removed from the drug and crime-infested ghettos of Chicago. So what do these two have to whine about? Would they trade places even for a week with a working-class white family?
Well, the standard answer goes, it's still painful despite one's advantages to live in a racist country. But how can America be a racist country if Obama has a serious shot at the presidency? How would it even be possible for Obama to win predominantly white states as he has been doing in the primaries? Would a racist country be likely to have allowed affirmative action and preferential programs to blacks in university admissions, job hiring and government contracts for nearly 40 years?
The Obamas seem to be experiencing what Ellis Cose years ago termed "the rage of the privileged class." Cose accurately identified the rage, although he could not diagnose its source. For many black leaders, there is one obvious source: white racism. Several years ago I debated Jesse Jackson at Stanford University and challenged him to show me a racism today that prevents his family or mine from achieving the American dream. Jackson admitted he couldn't, but then he said this merely showed that racism had gone underground, it was covert rather than overt, racism had now become institutionalized. To italicize his point Jackson went into some impressive rhyme schemes: "I may be well dressed, but I'm still oppressed," and so on.
The racism may have largely disappeared from view, but the rage of the privileged class is real. I think I know where this African American rage comes from. Imagine if you were Michael Jordan and someone said to you, "Every time you reach to dunk the ball into the basket, let's lower the net by six inches." This is basically what affirmative action does: it gives historically disadvantaged groups a break to compensate for the effects of past and present racism. Whatever the justification, however, the effect of such policies is to completely discredit the achievement even of competent beneficiaries. Michael Jordan's claim to be the greatest basketball player ever would be utterly destroyed if he played by a different set of rules as everyone else. And I wouldn't be surprised if Geraldine Ferraro were on hand to say, "Jordan only got where he got because of the color of his skin."
Consequently those who stand to benefit from racial preferences, as the Obamas may have done in gaining admission to university and graduate school, typically accept the subsidy while at the same time resenting the implication that they have gotten an unfair leg up. Their seething anger, however, is not directed toward affirmative action or toward the liberal paternalists who have implemented it. Rather, they ascribe generic blame to societal racism. In this weird framework, more affirmative action is then demanded to fight this unseen bigotry. Needless to say, the rage shows no signs of abating and only intensifies.
Want to learn more about all this? Read my book The End of Racism, a national bestseller which offers a vision for how we can truly transcend this destructive racialization of our society. Don't buy it to pay me reparations for the colonial subjugation of my ancestors over many centuries. Buy it because it's really good stuff.
Reader Comments ( Page 7 of 29)
91. Sorry Paul - Getting you and Dave confused. You do sound alot alike in my defence.
Gwen at 12:29PM on Mar 26th 2008
92. Is it possible to have a rational discussion without always accusing one another of being racist? Reading some of these comments is tiresome! The word is too serious to be used flippantly. If you disagree state why in plain English without resorting to hurtful hyperbole!
janesophie1 at 12:19PM on Mar 26th 2008
93. Obama is just a typical politician, just like all the rest, in some way he is worst. He attended a church for 20 years listening to his pastor teach hate, especially to kids, kids learn from what they are taught. What do this say about him, do he rally want to unit this country or end racism. He not only threw his grandmother under the bus, she was ran over because of him? Obama is a poor choice for president.
Ella at 12:20PM on Mar 26th 2008
94. "whites have to take care of them.racism is still strong in america,but its more on the blacks side than the whites. because the whites know what is going on."
Oh brian (yes I fucking KNOW it's you),
You don't the right to label anyone else racist anymore. Playtime is over, go sit by yourself in the corner and think about what you've done.
Mokele-Mobembe at 12:29PM on Mar 26th 2008
95. Moke,
You KNOW that "DEMOCRAT" is actually brian.
brian KNOWS you are black.
I think I'm the only person on here with no faith whatsoever.
AndrewV at 12:33PM on Mar 26th 2008
96. Tim-Rev Wright is a racist.
pointing out the names of some white Preachers and Reverends does not change Rev Wrights, he is still a racist.
Obama father blacj, his mother was white.
Obama is not black or white, he is Malato.
Obamas father was a Muslim.
Obamas mother was a Atheist.
Obams step father was a Muslim.
Obamas first 2 schools years were at a Muslim School.
Obamas next 2 school years were at a Catholic School.
Obama got a Masters Degree, major part of study was study of Islam.
One would not be incorrect to say Obama was a Muslim till he converted.
robert okane at 12:40PM on Mar 26th 2008
97. mo,
nope do not know what you are talking about. i read the comment now if i said i would be man enough to admit it
brian at 12:40PM on Mar 26th 2008
98. AndrewV,
It IS more faith than knowledge, but I SWEAR if I was called in by the prosecution as an expert typographical witness I could get a him a conviction.
Mokele-Mobembe at 12:42PM on Mar 26th 2008
99. andrewv,
sorry democrat is aname i owuld never give myself ever. i have always just gone by my name. no need to be anything but what i am. sorry, you guys will have to look elsewhere. too quick to jump boys!!! shows your real colors though!!
brian at 12:43PM on Mar 26th 2008
100. Who still uses the term Malato? Really?
Gwen at 12:46PM on Mar 26th 2008
101. "One would not be incorrect to say Obama was a Muslim till he converted.
robert okane "
OK. So you've said it. We care why?
Oh, that's right...OOOGA! BOOGA! HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A MUSLIM AT SOME POINT! THE END OF THE WORLD IS NEAR!
brandon at 12:44PM on Mar 26th 2008
102. Moke, I know what you mean. Sometimes someone on here just feels wrong. Like the atheist who slapped his mother, I swear that was a plant.
AndrewV at 12:45PM on Mar 26th 2008
103. ssounds like democrat has stirred the pot? why? you guys are like kids i tell you. whoever democrat is can get you madder than i!! and i thought i was king get you mad fellow!! i have been replaced :>(
brian at 12:46PM on Mar 26th 2008
104. Robert 97
I did not say Rev Wright is not a racist. What I am saying is no-one seems to want to call anyone else on the point that their "spiritual advisors" are frauds, fakes, charlatans and bigots. Only Wright (who has retired and is no longer active, unlike several others in my post) and Obama by association. Of course, since racism in this country is something that people can't seem to address like adults (yes, little b-rian, you little sack of dung, I mean you), then I guess you missed the point, too.
Tim at 12:50PM on Mar 26th 2008
105. brian, i never said you were, i was just commenting on MM's observation. You did leap to the conclusion that I was gay once, though. I'm sure it fit your image of what an atheist should be.
AndrewV at 12:50PM on Mar 26th 2008