Tag Archives: Joe Biden

African-American History

Are Black Politicians a Bigger Problem than White Moderates?: Reconsidering Dr. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”

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Experience has taught me how easy it is to get distracted from the “main thing” and mired in minutiae. The recent public spate between Hilary Rosen, a Democratic strategist, and Nina Turner, co-chair of Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, is such a moment. Just in case you missed it, the two battled on CNN regarding the applicability of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” to Joe Biden’s Presidential candidacy.  

Lost in the contentious feud was Dr. King’s tremendous intellectual offering. This is familiar terrain for Dr. King that resembles the muting of his political maturation by of all things, his “I Have A Dream Speech.”

No one should be surprised that Dr. King’s commentary in his “Letter From a Birmingham Jail” is as applicable today as it was the moment it was penned. According to Dr. King,

I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate.

I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says:

“I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.”

Shallow understanding from people of goodwill is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.

I have pondered over MLK’s words for decades and as the historical context changed, so did my understanding of this piece of history. As with most intellectual offerings, it is crucial that we revisit and reconsider them as context changes. As mentioned above, the role of White moderates such as Joe Biden in the political lives of Blacks has not changed much. Yet, some things have changed in regards to Black political realities.  

In some ways, it is shocking that Dr. King’s commentary that was aimed at the gradualism of sixties White moderates fits far too many of today’s Black political leaders. Consider the following assertion. Black political leaders have rejected Bernie Sanders’ calls for a radical redistribution of wealth in this nation because such matters would be appropriate for a “more convenient season.” Obviously contemporary Black leaders fit the description of those possessing what Dr. King termed “…a mythical concept of time…”

Today’s White moderates have been outdone in their calls for gradualism by a cadre of Black political leaders whose resistance to immediate change color them as Conservatives regarding such matters. The alluded to leaders appear undisturbed by the unfortunate reality that their inaction extends an all too familiar misery and suffering among their Black constituents; if one did not know any better they could be led to believe that Black political leaders have become comfortable in their present socioeconomic position.

There is neither rhyme nor reason that explains why Black political leaders from Michael Eric Dyson through Jim Clyburn are so strongly supporting Joe Biden. Could it be that they are sold on Biden’s penchant for eating Soul Food in a South Carolina “hole in the wall” or the fact that he served closely with Barack Hussein Obama? Not even his most strident supporters can effectively argue against the assertion that Biden’s most significant impact on Black America has been negative.

There is no reasonable explanation for the above political alterations within Black America. However, it is obvious that contemporary Black leaders are no longer feeling the immediate impact of grinding multi-generational poverty as the vast majority of their constituents. While Black political leaders enjoy the material accruements wrought by political careers where success is measured not in the delivery of racial justice but by significant increases in their financial wherewithal, poor Blacks remain mired in omnipresent misery and suffering. It is the “good life” that Black political leaders are enjoying on a daily basis that makes them hesitant to embrace an overthrow of inequality in this nation, even they realize that such a radical change would cost them their positions of privilege.

Dr. James Thomas Jones III

© Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2020.

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A Low Down Dirty Shame: How “Super Tuesday” Proves Yet Again that Black Political Leaders Know Nothing About Political Strategy

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The most predictable aspect of politics is ironically found in its unpredictability. Every political season is filled with twists-and-turns that seasoned political pundits cannot predict with certainty. The alluded to uncertainty and aura of mystery has proven true for all American groups, except for one, Blacks.

In the wake of the recent “Super Tuesday” that witnessed Bernie Sanders being surpassed by ol’ reliable Joe Biden, one is left in awe at the means that the Democratic establishment has been able to once again mount the backs of Blacks and alter the political winds. To their shame, Black voters are holding true to a well-worn pattern of following the dictates of do-nothing political leaders who accentuate nonsensical political cues that mean nothing significant.

Consider for a moment that Joe Biden’s political fortunes were instantaneously reversed by that old Black Magic conjured by Democratic Party Congressman Jim Clyburn.

Clyburn appeared in front of Black South Carolinians in a manner that reminded me of the house Negro that Malcolm X made infamous and delivered an impassioned plea to remind his people that Joe is one of us. Joe eats that good ol’ South Carolina soul food. Joe has been our friend, pay no attention to his prior transgressions when he didn’t need Black America’s support. Much like Bill Clinton, Joe is an honorary Negro. Clyburn all but told Black South Carolinians to not let their feeble Black minds slip to a point that they forget that Joe worked with Barack Obama.

Put simply; Joe is one of us!!!!!!!!!

Noticeably missing from such persuasive speeches is the articulation of a single policy, initiative, or serious desire that ol’ Joe has in mind to aid Black America. Yes, I am speaking about the same Joe Biden whose debate performances were troublesome due to his inability to explain away statements and policies that displayed an undeniable strain of racial bigotry that not even the Negroes of the Congressional Black Caucus have been able to explain.

If what we are witnessing at the present moment occurred in the mean streets of America, Black America would be little more than a “two-dollar hoe” whose goods are readily available and easily had by anyone with a bit of change in their pocket. The rush to serve a figure such as Joe Biden portrays Black America as a woman afflicted with such low self-esteem that her singular purpose appears to be currying favor with the very men who degrade and disrespect her as an integral part of their favorite pastime. Nevertheless, she services their immoral needs for a pittance.

When one considers that Joe Biden’s path to Lazarus status was made possible by the Blacks of South Carolina, North Carolina (he beat Sanders by 40 points in this state), and Virginia (he beat Sanders by 55 points in this state). The most reasonable question that political rivals should be asking Biden is the following one.

“What did those Black votes cost you? I know that you had to give away the farm.”

I am certain that Biden would smile at the question and respond with the following quip.

“That’s the thing about Blacks. They want you to show up at a few events, such as a church, sit down and eat a bit of soul food, and just tell them that you are on their side. They are ‘salt of the Earth’ type of people who want nothing more than to please. If you truly knew the Blacks, you would understand that they prefer symbolism over substance, sizzle instead of steak, and that is the reason I didn’t offer any concessions to them. And I guarantee you that me not doing anything for them will not cause them to abandon me during my re-election effort. What choice do they have? Trump? C’mon, give me a break!!!!!”   

If it is true that a people are known by their previous actions, I am afraid that Black America, particularly its politicians, are woefully ignorant regarding how to leverage their crucial status as the bedrock of the Democratic Party. It is pastime for Black America to become politically astute and savvy, unfortunately, not even Black political leaders possess this ability. Most disturbing is the predictable reality that these failures are not likely to change anytime soon, just ask ol’ Joe. He knows our people better than we do.

Dr. James Thomas Jones III

© Manhood, Race, and Culture 2020.

I thank you and appreciate you visiting Manhood, Race, and Culture.

If you enjoy the content that you find here at Manhood, Race, and Culture.

It would be greatly appreciated if you would consider purchasing my book, “Foolish” Floyd: The Life & Times of an African-American Contrarian.

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We’ve Seen This Political Dance Before: Why The Shift from Biden to Bloomberg Says So Much About Inept Black Political Leaders

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Maybe it is God’s fault for making Blacks the way that they seemingly are. Meaning the propensity to be so eager to forgive any non-Black person who issues half-hearted insincere requests for forgiveness. On second thought it could be Black parents who should be blamed for not developing a semblance of common sense in their offspring. Better yet, it may be the school system that shoulders the brunt for Black America’s on-going failure to recognize their collective interests, develop a plan, and then execute the plan. Regardless of where the blame should be placed, I am sure that we agree that there is something wrong in regards to how Blacks deal with what can only be termed the commonsense political matters.

Evidence of Black America’s penchant for forgiving political figures who dedicated significant portions of their public life rallying the White community to aid in their efforts to further oppress their darker brothers and sisters abound. The latest example of what can be best termed Black America’s political stupidity is found in their escalating support of former New York City Mayor Michael “Stop and Frisk” Bloomberg.

Black America’s affinity for White political leaders who led the charge to harm them may be the lynchpin that activates Black political support. Could it be that the reason Black political leaders have advised their constituents to shift their support from Joe “Crime Bill” Biden to Michael “stop and frisk” Bloomberg is a subconscious, yet omnipresent self-hatred referenced by Black psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark’s “Black and White baby doll test?” When one considers the illogical decision-making of Black political leaders, questions regarding pervasive self-hatred are rather reasonable. Put simply; does the self-hatred of Black America run that deep?

I honestly thought it a joke when I heard that Black political and civic leaders in Houston, Texas were orchestrating a political rally called “Mike for Blacks” in support of “Frisky” Michael Bloomberg. After a moment of incredulous laughter, I realized that the alluded to event is what I have come to expect from a Black political leadership cadre perched between the lack of wisdom and political strategy. If nothing else, the alluded to leaders have proven consistent in their ability to fumble political opportunities.

Nevertheless, here we are AGAIN, witnessing self-appointed and White endorsed Black political leaders shifting their political allegiance from Joe Biden, the architect of a draconian crime bill that disrupted Black America in untold ways, to Michael Bloomberg, a man whose policies reveals a segregationist heart that reminds one of Strom Thurmond and Bull Connor. Although unfashionable to state, Joe Biden’s Crime Bill and Michael Bloomberg’s rationale and execution of his “stop and frisk” policy would be applauded by ardent segregationists of yesteryear and even today. Let me be clear on this matter, Michael Bloomberg, Black leaders political darling of the moment, was a key cog in the building, maintaining, and executing of institutional racism throughout New York City.

It is time that Black America wakes up and realizes that the thoughts, viewpoints, and activities that Michael “stop and frisk” Bloomberg executed as Mayor New York City represent his true identity and only a fool will believe that his public affinity for Blacks is anything other than a ploy to secure the crucial Black vote in his pursuit of the Democratic Party nomination. In many ways, it is criminal for Black leaders to convince naïve trusting constituents that Michael Bloomberg has had a “come to Jesus” moment that turned his heart of stone into one of flesh when it comes to Blacks.

As mentioned earlier, I am unsure of who to blame for the continuing existence of an uninformed Black electorate whose political expectations are not met by the rewards they have historically received for their crucial support. There is no room to argue against the assertion that the tradition of Black elected officials being installed for decades to serve as modern-day members of the know nothing and do- nothing party serves as a prerequisite to Blacks pervasive pessimism regarding the political process.

I am sure that you understand my hesitation to term the current Black political economy as an occurrence of “plantation politics”; I have no choice considering the evidence. There is no doubt that an uninformed Black populace has placed their votes in the pockets of opportunistic leaders whose most meaningful actions are the trading of those precious votes for a personal favor.

Black America’s never-ending “have not” status leaves one to deduce that Black leaders are some combination of grossly inept in their dealings with powerful Whites and sly like foxes in their dealings with uninformed, yet very trusting Black voters. This wicked formula invariably results in a continuation of Black misery and suffering of Black men, women, children, and babies. And as you well know, when mired in such a terrible situation the question of whose fault it is, finds itself a distant second to how do we get out of this situation. One thing is for certain, the solution to Black America’s problems will not be provided by inept political leaders who seemingly have made the alluded to suffering secondary to their opening of increasing their personal situation.

What a shame!!!!!!

Dr. James Thomas Jones III

© Manhood, Race, and Culture 2020.

I thank you and appreciate you visiting Manhood, Race, and Culture.

If you enjoy the content that you find here at Manhood, Race, and Culture.

It would be greatly appreciated if you would consider purchasing my book, “Foolish” Floyd: The Life & Times of an African-American Contrarian.