Black People as Footnotes

Its funny how Black people have become footnotes or fodder for background discussion during Obama's campaign for President. Reverend Wright. Obama's Father's Day speech. Jackson referring to Obama's private parts and most recently the revelation that Jackson uttered the word "niggas" off camera. As a footnote, discussion takes place beneath the surface of real issues. These footnotes also serve as distraction from real issues and avoid conversations with black people emeshed in political and soçial struggle for decades. Many white people, especially those who have leadership in media, narrowly define the issues and the landscape for public discourse.

In a sense, Obama becomes a smokescreen for whites. If Obama says Black men must take responsibility for their lives and families, the footnote becomes: OBAMA URGES BLACKS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. Coming from White folks, that statement has a whole different tone. This will happen whenever Obama speaks on issues of race or the black community.

A real discussion would meaning talking to people about education, jobs, health care and other issues that have rendered blacks at a disadvantage in America. A conversation without footnotes would entail talking openly about racism and the intersection of class, gender, homophobia and other forms of oppression. It's time for America to stop hiding behind Obama. Come out and talk about what's really on your mind.