"the other 60% are not driven by those economic factors, and have pushed vast vasst changes, beginning with civil rights, and then affirmative action, or more subtle changes, such as acceptance of black neighbors or students."
Pathetic paternalism. Civil rights were not a gift nor was affirmative action - which turned out to be a sham for African Americans in many cases.
But after all, race does not exist- neither does your fictional 40%,
which in reality may be 80%.
A few hours ago, here in Germany, at a conference I am attending, a scholar
went so far as to say that colonialism was "color blind." I asked him about the systematic
race- based apartheid policies deployed by colonial administrators and settler colonists throughout
Africa, Asia and the Caribbean involving residential, transportation, school and even church segregation.
Someone said that it is actually racist to say that racism does not exist because it underplays and dismisses the real
tough struggles that Black people go through. Well I am still evaluating the merit of that comment.
History Department
CCSU. New Britain. CT 06050
africahistory.net
Gloria Emeagwali's Documentaries on
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 4:52 PM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Finally, Donald Trump is driving Americans crazy! – Tony Okoroji writes
i would argue that the u.s. is very divided when it comes to racist practices or beliefs. the maps that show where trump gets his support is from areas where relatively poor and uneducated whites live. about 40% of the workforce has lost in the past 20-30 yrs, and they bear resentments which come out in trump support, hatred of mexicans or blacks who are seen as inferior and taking away jobs.
the other 60% are not driven by those economic factors, and have pushed vast vasst changes, beginning with civil rights, and then affirmative action, or more subtle changes, such as acceptance of black neighbors or students.
there is no One America, and more than there is One Nigeria, and the differences aren't really ethnic or racial, but an economic interest that gets tacked on to race or ethnicity, or gender for that matter.
the story is complicated, varying a lot from city and neighborhood to city and neighborhood. when they are reduced to a Single Story, they occlude much, accomplishing clarity at the expense of truth.
part of the truth, which samuel's posting does well to demonstrate, is that one can support an institutionally racist policy, while being oneself against racism. that explains anomalies like clarence thomas or ben carson, who have moved into the ranks of the successful, and support beliefs that are inimical to the black underclass, along with all poor people, white or black
ken
--For me, having taught: urbanization: growth and development of the modern city, social inequality, religion in society, peoples and cultures of the United States, -- (all courses that have a lot of U.S. focus), I find this story very pertinent given the hullabaloo about Donald Trump being the epitome of prejudice. As I see it, what is most surprising and a matter of concern is not that Donald Trump said what he said, but that he was stupid to say it openly, unlike many other politicians, who may have the same views, or views close to those he expressed, but are smart enough not to say it publicly. How about those that say, they are talking about "real Americans." Which Americans are not real? The coded language there is those living in rural areas who are generally more conservative than those living in cities, presumably culturally polluted as liberals. It sounds nice, but often urban centers are more multicultural and diverse than rural communities in the United States.
William Julius in his work on the "Black Underclass" has argued that the real form of oppression that today keeps all minorities but especially black people down in the U.S. is historical injustice which has been transformed into institutional racism or de facto racism. There is no de jure racism as such today even though Acemoglu and Robinson in their "Why Nations Fail" cited article 256 in Alabama Constitution which up to the 21st Century contains some Jim Crow language of segregation. This is the kind of racism that destroys people slowly but consistently.
If I were to compare this with Nigeria, for instance, what this means is expressing anger on how Zak Zaky's people were killed in Zaria, which is legitimate and appropriate, but ignoring the fact that there are thousands of children and people in the country that are quietly being killed by acts of negligence on the part of the country's ruling elites. The killings are happening slowly but surely because of the way the system is allowed to function. This is true of many African countries. Because the deaths are not televised, they tend to be ignored or probably assumed not to be taking place for persons lacking the imagination to identify with persons treated as "surplus people" by the system.. If one wants to get such stories, he or she should go to rural hospitals across Africa and listen to the stories of how people die. A husband may refuse to take his wife or child to hospital on time because he is afraid of the bill, given that most African countries after the implementation of neoliberal policies privatized healthcare services. When the wife or the child dies, it is said to be predestination. How many people take note of that? It is along the same lines, how institutional racism impacts people in the U.S. The system encourages you to find a way to get ahead. Greed is good as they said. I once assignedThe Working Poor: Invisible in America
by David K. Shipler for review, and the students who were adults, broke into tears in front of the class. Even though they were white, and not from rich families but they did not know that there were Americans who were living such lives of abject poverty.
Institutional racism is built into the structure of the U.S. state, economy and society, and it infuses the day to day functioning of the society, which is considered "normal" by many and therefore innocuous. Many people fight only the egregious forms of prejudice that is blatant and crudely expressed such as Donald Trump's. What Donald Trump is doing is terrible, but assuming all the other politicians talk nicely, does that mean that the racial problems of the U.S. are gone? Well, for some people it means all is well. In reality, they are probably just honorably ignored. Did not Ted Cruz said something derogatory about Nigerians, even though he portrays himself as the mature statesman now? Was he drunk when he said what he said? See it here:
There are many so-called normal politicians who by supporting many trickle-down economic policies, they have underdeveloped many communities in the U.S. and sowed the seeds of social division which are rooted in the competition for scarce resources and the sense of alienation. If the minimum wage that was existing or was desired when Martin Luther King Jr. was fighting for sanitation workers in Memphis is adjusted for inflation or cost of living, according to Thomas Piketty, it should be around $16 per hour now. But how many states in the U.S. are paying that as minimum wage in spite of evidence that this is the true value of the minimum wage that was paid during Martin Luther King's day? Who are the politicians that oppose even the idea of setting minimum wage on grounds of strict commitment to the law of demand and supply, or for the sake of creating a conducive business environment? Many of them are Republicans.
To understand where America is today, see this article by Thomas Piketty:
A politician can destroy the livelihood of many Americans and be normal if he or she knows what to say, when, and where? This book written by a political journalists analuzes exactly how such politicians have undermined the livelihood of many Americans but quietly and gently. The book is " Chain Reaction: The Impact of race, Rights, and Taxes on American Politics" by Thomas Byrne Edsall et al. Anyone who has studied the history of political campaigns in the U.S. knows how politicians use coded language to exclude others or to say what they want, which actually is prejudiced. It used to be that they can talk about state rights in the South, or use terms such as "welfare queen." This is all coded speech. A guy that became an expert in this kind of campaign but regretted it towards the end of his life because of untimely death is Lee Atwater (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Atwater).
President Ronald Reagan who is considered to be one of the most "exemplary" American presidents persuaded white blue collar democrats to vote republican. They are called Reagan democrats. How did he do that? By telling them that the Democrats tax them high and use the money to pay "welfare queens." In effect, telling white blue collar workers that they are forced to support lazy black people. This was what contributed to the collapse of the New Deal coalition.
There are also research studies of General Social Survey data of white people that show that the more highly educated whites are better in masking their racial or racist opinions. I arranged to invite a speaker who is working in this area to make a public presentation in my university on the topic. The data clearly shows that uneducated whites tend to be more direct and crude in expressing their racial prejudice but the educated ones are good in masking it, which leads to the conclusion that education per se may not end racism or racial prejudice. One would hopes so. But the data is not as much supporting such simplistic expectation. How people use their knowledge or education is a moral and ethical issue and not an intellectual one. Educated people know how to give socially desirable responses. Thus, they found out that the educated whites change their responses to racial questions more depending on the racial identity of the interviewer. So what Trump is doing is terribly bad but there is more to the discussion than just Trump.
The Vice President of President Jonathan was caught during the last presidential campaign ridiculing Jonathan and his faith in a campaign in Northern Nigeria. He did not know that people video-recorded it. Meanwhile, in some parts of the North, President Jonathan was presented as the defender of Christianity. See it here: http://www.nairaland.com/2128955/apc-full-christians-vp-sambo. Many politicians are duplicitous and they do not care if they are not caught.
Either many minorities are not aware of the serious damaging consequences of institutional and de facto racism, or if they are aware of it, they do not know how to confront it or if they know, they think fighting it is futile because of its complexity, even if one wants to fight it. So we often end up focusing on what social realists in their epistemology will consider appearances, while ignoring the real underlying realities or forces. Actually if Trump undermines the Republican Party as we know it, and compels it to reexamine and reconstruct itself to take into cognizance the realities of contemporary American society, he may have inadvertently helped in changing the U.S. by forcing one of the major parties to change, just as Sanders is doing for the Democratic Party. If Sanders and Trump persists, they will compel American politics to move to the left, in spite of how the editors of the Economist characterize the United States as:The Right Nation: Conservative Power in America by John Micklethwait (Author), Adrian Wooldridge
Millions of Americans are in pain and when someone is desperate, they are looking for a political messiah. Now when they rush to the so-called political messiah, we are focusing on the presume messiah while ignoring the social conditions created by American society that led to his emergence. Sociologically, this way of thinking is too superficial. Trump's politics is part and parcel of the reality of American society today, much as it is not nice to admit. Social realist epistemology emphasizes among other things that, what you see on the surface is not the full reality. The real thing is underneath the appearance and you have to work hard to unravel it, showing the relationship between the appearance and the deeper reality. Donald Trump is an appearance of a deeper problem in the structure and process of U.S. society, which was condoned by normal politicians who want to convince us now that they are people who care for everyone everywhere and always. Why is it that unemployment is 30% or more in some Black communities? What did late Justice Scalia said about black students which was discussed a lot, especially in Chronicle of Higher Education because of his seeming assumption that black students are incapable (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/12/10/where-justice-scalias-got-the-idea-that-african-americans-might-be-better-off-at-slower-track-universities/)
Many white people who stand up for the underlying problems of the U.S. are demonized. The mere fact that Sanders is able to stand on stage and on screen on national television to call for a political revolution in the U.S. and receive an ovation shows the gap between the elites and ordinary people.
I wish the people in Chicago organized their own rally, or some kind of seminar to systematically challenge Donald Trump's bigoted rhetoric. My apology for suggesting this because as an academic, I prefer calmed exchange of ideas, than physical confrontation as we saw on TV. In any case, I learned a saying in Nigeria that I think is from Igbo culture (if my memory is correct) , that says, if you are having a shower and a madman comes and take away your clothes, and you leave the shower and pursue the madman naked, then you too will be mad. There is deep sense in the saying.
It did not make me feel proud even though I disagree with Trump, to see people in "the most advanced society" where, according to David Brooks as he once said in his New York Times column, western people are the type that resolve their disputes through debates in the marketplace of ideas, not through fighting, but through the disciplined exchange of ideas. I do not believe he is totally correct on that, but the illustration of his point is for instance when Apostle Paul when to Athens, he visited the Areopagus as the marketplace of discussing new ideas.for this reason, let people say what they want to say and let us organize a systematic way to challenge that. Why not organize a conference in Chicago and publicize it and bring credible speakers to deconstruct Trump's arguments one by one and destroy it? But to deny the guy the opportunity to express himself for me is an example of how people are desperate.
On a different note, maybe people should appreciate Trump for being honest to tell them his true thoughts. This is why I like late Professor Milton Friedman even though I do not agree always with his positions. He makes economic arguments that have devastating implications for some category of human beings, which many people find appalling, but he is straight forward. For instance, when asked in one documentary film about how many people are still suffering in the U.S. in spite of the economic growth experienced, he looked at the camera and said, you cannot make an omelet without breaking an egg. Case closed. A British ambassador to the U.S. described Friedman in one documentary as someone who even when he is wrong, you know where he stands.
Some may also remember what Trent Lot as the Majority leader of the U.S. senate, one of the high ranking positions in the country said about Strom Thurmond, which led to his resignation because it conveyed his deep prejudice. Read the story here if you have not heard about it:
Sometimes you do not know when people apologize after making such remarks whether they are honest or just that they are being strategic. It is all about us all working together sincerely to create a more just, fair and inclusive society that truly respects the dignity of all.
Even if the widening inequality in the U.S. is legitimate as per the arguments of some libertarians, sociologically, it is naive, simple and simplistic to assume that simply because such yawning inequality is legitimate, nothing will happen. On the contrary, history shows that this is not the case.The situation can just one day spin out of control. All that is needed is a catalyst at the right time. I hope that Trump does not win, but this does not mean that I am under the illusion that because others do not say any nasty things as he does, they will while in office, fight institutional and de facto racism seriously. T rump winning the primaries would surely compel a transformation of the Republican Party and in that way, he would have helped in accomplishing what would have been extremely difficult under normal circumstances. The people supporting him sociologically are not stupid. They are very rational even if we concede that their rationally like everyone's else is bounded.
After all, Obama sees himself as a Black person but was not able to do much because of the institutional structures and processes of American society. Other than Sander's political revolution, which I do not see it coming soon, I cannot imagine an immediate solution. All that people are fighting for as they fight Trump is like saying you can ignore us in our poverty and unemployment situation, but please do not say nasty things publicly about us, and we will be alright. What we need to be fighting seriously is institutional and de facto racism which destroy people and communities in normal day to day life.. But that requires more than destroying Donald Trump's podium, even though, it is understandable that such destruction can give momentary satisfaction.
We await the result later today.
Samuel
On Sat, Mar 12, 2016 at 7:44 AM, Korah sheevensky < fabiyi@live.com > wrote:
--http://www.newsroom.ng/finally-donald-trump-driving-americans-crazy-tony-okoroji-writes/
Finally, Donald Trump is driving Americans crazy! – Tony Okoroji writes
by Newsroom
2016-03-12 14:08
By Tony Okoroji.
Did you see the scenes around Chicago last night and this morning? It is like finally Americans have decided to go to war but not war against theIranians, North Koreans or ISIS? This war is Americans v. Americans. Finally, there are those who have had enough of the Donald J. Trump nonsense.
Those for the bombastic Donald Trump for president and those sworn against a Donald Trump anywhere near the White House threw free speech to the dogs and went after each other eye ball to eye ball. Law enforcement had a hard time controlling the thousands of Anti-Trump protesters in Chicago who swore that Donald Trump would not have a rally nor speak in their city. They were adamant that Donald Trump ought to take his divisive rhetoric elsewhere.
Anybody who has watched the drama unfolding in America may have concluded that Donald Trump will always have his way. He has got theRepublican nomination! He is unbeatable! There are many who have resigned themselves to the horror that nobody can stop Donald Trump. Last night Donald Trump did not have his way. His planned rally in Chicago did not hold. It was shut down.
For months Donald Trump has been swearing, cursing and wagering his fingers at everyone. He has gone after Muslims, cannot stand Mexicans, is railing against the Chinese and loathes Nigerians. He has taken on the Pope. Donald J. Trump has used foul language in its most incendiary manner and turned the race for the most important office in the world to a blatant WWF contest with the swearing, boasting and flexing of muscles.
The Donald is known to have insulted Pope Francis, women, Mexicans, Muslims, protesters, and the media.
If you like violent sports, Donald Trump can be very attractive. If you like raw entertainment, the guy who fired people in NBC's Apprentice would give you as much as you want. What has become obvious is that there are millions in America who love blood sports and raw entertainment and confuse these with leadership.
But for those who want a thinking man, a man who has the intellect and depth of character to weigh the myriad of issues that will confront the President of the United States of America and take decisions that are not just eye catching and popular for the moment but will stand the test of time, they are revolted by how any person who is not drunk can choose Donald Trump. That is a major fault line in today's American politics.
Few months back, very few gave Donald Trump the slimmest chance of getting anywhere near the White House. The pundits said that it was a joke. But that is not the way it has panned out so far. It is no longer a joke! Donald Trump has stoked the fears of Americans.
He has stoked latent hatred and racist tendencies in America. The next President of the United States could very well be the trash talking Republican egomaniac who spews obscenities as much as he openly sprouts hatred, a guy who has run his companies four times into bankruptcy and has been married to three different women, the latest being a stripper whose stark naked photographs are everywhere for everyone to see.
That is troubling to many decent people not just in America but around the world. Indeed, the thought of it is driving a lot of people crazy even within Mr. Trump's Republican Party.
If you think that what is taking place in Chicago will not be seen several times across America, then you have not followed history. The elections in America will take place in November. November is many months away. Be prepared for many months of rough battles across America. Chicago is simply a sign of things to come.
Turbulence!
Tony Okoroji is chairman of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON).
Listserv moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To subscribe to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Current archives at http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
Early archives at http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "USA Africa Dialogue Series" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to usaafricadialogue+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Listserv moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To subscribe to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Current archives at http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
Early archives at http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "USA Africa Dialogue Series" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to usaafricadialogue+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
-- kenneth w. harrow professor of english michigan state university department of english 619 red cedar road room C-614 wells hall east lansing, mi 48824 ph. 517 803 8839 harrow@msu.edu--
Listserv moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To subscribe to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Current archives at http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
Early archives at http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "USA Africa Dialogue Series" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to usaafricadialogue+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
No comments:
Post a Comment