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White. Male. Republican. Black president and First Lady. Mix these together and what do you get? Here's a short smattering of recent comments:
Newt Gingrich: "President Obama is the most effective food stamps president in history." (Jan. 2012).
Mike O'Neal (Kansas House Speaker): "I'm sure you'll join in wishing Mrs. YoMama a wonderful, long Hawaii Christmas vacation--at our expense of course." (Dec. 2011).
Brent Bozell (a conservative media researcher): "...people might want to describe President Obama as a ‘skinny, ghetto crackhead.'" (Jan. 2012)
Jim Sensenbrenner (Wisconsin congressman): "[Mrs. Obama] lectures us on eating right while she has a large posterior herself," and that she has a "big butt." (Dec. 2011).
Rush Limbaugh, speaking of then newly-elected President Obama:" I hope he fails." (Limbaugh is an American. Obama was elected president of the country and this "American" hopes that the president of his own country fails?) (Jan 2009).
Rusty DePass, South Carolina GOP activist and former Senate candidate: "I'm sure it's just one of Michelle's ancestors--probably harmless," (after a gorilla had escaped from the local zoo; June, 2009).
Mitch McConnell (senator): "Making Obama a one-term president is my single most important political goal." [Really!? What about you, together with your political colleagues, work to do the best you can do for the American people?] (Oct. 2010).
Michelle Malkin: "Mrs. Obama is her husband's ‘bitter half.'" (May 2008).
Plus, there's the constant refrain to "take our country back" and "let's reclaim our country." Uh...where did it go? Take it back from whom? Were we taken over by aliens? No. Barack Obama is American-born and was duly-elected.
What is there to say about these demeaning comments toward the president and first lady of the United States of America!? In case Newt and the others think they are fooling anyone, most well-reasoned people recognize that these statements as poorly-veiled racist comments. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to break the "code" of their words. Let's just call it like it is: This is blatant hate-speech. Many of these people feel oh my God, there is a ["n-word"] in the White House, and, he's not mopping floors or laying bricks.
I remember a clearly befuddled White man at a John McCain event in 2008 asking, "How did this happen?" [Translation: How did this happen, that a Black guy may become president of the United States!?]
First of all, Newt, there are more White people on food stamps than Black people. And to Sensenbrenner and others re: a "big butt": Why do so many people gawk, craze and lust after Kim K's and J-Lo's butt? [NOTE to all: Most Black women have always had nicely-rounded derrières, long before those two were ever born. Black women's butts are all natural: No butt enhancers. No store-bought fake padding. Black women also have beautifully tanned/browned skin, full lips, and womanly curves; no bronzers/tanners or lip collagen fillers required! When is fake cubic zirconium better than natural diamonds? And why is color so good so desired, so valued in all other aspects of life--think plants, art, flowers; even chocolate, bread, lettuce--but so despised when it comes to skin color? [there's a poem about this in Melodies of the Heart.]
Anyone who follows my writings knows that I am NOT one to cry racism for most things. In fact, I write about this at length in my blog and many places. In fact, in chapter 12 of Living Well, I step on many Black people's toes and tell my people "to stop crying ‘racism' when there is none."
For sure, some Black people cry racism too often; but also for sure, many White people don't acknowledge--i.e., own--it enough. Why aren't other White people speaking up and telling these racist-leaning people to ‘stop it!'...?
WHY is it that many Whites, even in 2012, just cannot accept, understand, or minimally, "respectfully deal with" the fact that yes, there is a Black man in the White House, as president; as commander-in-chief?
WHY do many Whites still harbor such arrogance, that only they can have or be: "Noooo, you can't attend ‘our' schools. No, you can't read ‘our' books. Noooo, you can't live in ‘our' neighborhoods. Nooo, you can't get a good job. Nooo, you can't be a success. Nooo, you can't be president and first lady of the United States. Nooo, this is only for us"...?
When Bill Clinton left office, the US had a bountiful surplus, and unemployment was low. Americans were doing well; great even. Enter George Bush--‘43'--and what happened? The mess we are in began long before President Obama took office and it has been a colossal mess to clean up and correct. It was not going to be easy, but it has to be done. But we had to still be courteous toward President Bush, despite his failed policies.
Barack Obama IS the duly elected president of the United States of America, and yes, millions of White people voted for him. Do you have to agree with everything he does or says? No. But all AMERICANS should have enough decency and respect for the president of our great country to be respectful of the person who occupies that position.
On Obama's watch, Osama Bin Laden was killed; Khadafi was taken out. Other terrorists were captured or killed, and jobs are slowly returning to our workers. Is it too much for some Whites to acknowledge these bona fide facts that have been good for our country and the world? You weaken your hand, and look foolish, when you can't even admit the good that has happened with Obama as president.
Michelle Obama IS the First Lady of the United States of America. Do you have to like whatever she does, or even what she wears? No. (In fact, many of us would often make other fashion selections for her). But without a doubt, her work with childhood obesity and military families is stellar! Those are facts that should not be denied. How and why would anyone criticize her for trying to stem childhood obesity in this country? It is an epidemic in this country and it is killing our children!
Michelle Obama is a smart, educated, Harvard-educated attorney who is a wife, mother, daughter and, yes...First Lady of the USA. She is intelligent, articulate, healthy, energetic, well-spoken and a great role model and representative for girls, women and the American way. She deserves as much respect as did those who preceded her and those who will follow.
I have not agreed with all that Pres. Obama has had to do, but again, he was handed a very bad hand. Nor am I defined in any way by Michelle Obama. And I don't usually post about political matters here at PT, but this is about basic decency and calling racism out for what it is. To see people be so nasty, and demeaning, and vile, and disrespectful toward America's First Family is absolutely unacceptable. Shame, shame, shame on all who engage in such discourse and disrespect.
Copyright © 2012 Dr. Melody T. McCloud. All rights reserved. Any excerpts reproduced from this article should include a hyperlink to this--my original post on Psychology Today, with author credit. Feel free to post the link to this, and any of my PT posts, to your social network pages. Follow me here at PT (mostly); and now (I'm finally joining the fray) on Twitter: @DrMelodyMcCloud.
Melodies of the Heart: Poems of Life & Love (eBook)
Living Well, Despite Catchin' Hell, a new book about health, sex and happiness, with a foreword by Pauletta Washington, musician and wife of Academy Award winner, Denzel Washington; and endorsed by psychologist Dr. Jeff Gardere and others. The book includes current comparative data for Black, White, Hispanic, Asian and Native American women. The first book in 8 years addressing Black women's health; also addresses the effects of negative stereotypes. (print and eBook).
Medical Bloopers! Amusing & Amazing Stories of Health Care Workers (foreword by Dr. Neil Shulman, author of Doc Hollywood). (now as an eBook)
Blessed Health (print and eBook)
