We Shall Overcome
Much has been made about Barack Obama's ethnicity during his run for the Democratic Nomination, but it wasn’t until Tuesday that the nation realized what his biracial identity can do for healing our nation’s persistent racial wounds.
OBAMA AND GRANDPARENTS IN NEW YORK CITY
Photo courtesy of classicvalues.com
In reading many articles analyzing his “A More Perfect Union” speech, where he was likened to Abraham Lincoln, this ABC News article, cites one Shelby Steele, a biracial writer who says Obama is confused about his heritage and can’t have any idea what it’s really like to be white despite his background. His reasoning for this is that people—obviously including him—see his skin color and stop there. Steele’s assessment of Obama’s balanced speech is antiquated and part of the problem that keeps us from a unified solution.
This issue hit home for me, as I am a biracial woman. My mother is black and my father is Puerto Rican. Yeah, it’s not much of a difference as I like to tell people insisting on knowing what I am “mixed with” (as if I am some type of effin' potion) that I am “black and blacker.” That’s my way of explaining it. But in Obama’s speech, he showed those of us born with dual ethnicities have a unique insight—that of the plights of two or more peoples and exposure to the prejudices of the same.
YouTube VIDEO OF "A MORE PERFECT UNION" SPEECH
As I watched the YouTube video of his speech, I nodded and felt my heart do—something. Does he know what it was like to be born in multicultural New York City then move to one-dimensional New Mexico where people openly and vocally questioned me and my last name?
“Torres? You don’t look Hispanic, how did you get that last name? You married?” This rhetorical question was asked of me by a Mexican-American woman with an afro kinker than my own nappy roots when I was in high school. After being subjected to that, upon return home to New York City, I was greeted with:
“You’re not Puerto Rican, you don’t speak Spanish.”
And those Nuyorican mofos, who barely spoke Spanish themselves were not kidding. Although rejected by my own, I was never confused about who I am or where I fit. I knew it was other people’s prejudices or perspectives that was the problem not me. The black community as a whole never rejected me—although there have been challenges—which led me to ignore my Hispanic heritage becoming militantly pro-black during my formative years. It wasn’t until my early 20s when I started going to the Latin Quarters in Harlem (a perfect mix for my perfect mix) that I began to proudly embrace the Latina in me, albeit solely through Salsa y Merengue for quite some time.
No, it’s not the same as Obama’s grandmother looking her black grandson in the face and telling him she was afraid of black men but the sentiment again hit home. My own PR grandmother didn’t care for blacks either. My mother once told me a story about how she described the way blacks looked while dancing: “like monkeys.” Ugh, how embarrassing that I am blood related to one who could even think that. I guess, it’s good she’s dead now as all of her grandchildren from my father—her son—are each more African-American than the one before. That was Obama’s point. These people were born in different times and raised with differing beliefs. It’s not an excuse, simply an explanation of the makeup that is America.
Being biracial is not a black-and-white issue. It is a discussion about inclusion, tolerance and rising above the ugly history coloring our nation’s past. So far, nothing has worked to heal those wounds. But before that cursed bullet took out Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he dreamt of a future where we were all one. And I bet in his dream that future was led by a someone like Barack Obama.
In the same ABC News article, some suggest Obama’s perfect speech was only to appease white voters regarding his association with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. I agree it was his motivation for the scheduling the speech. However, his words went beyond appeasing bigoted, would-be voters. I rebutt with this article about the Clintons’ Washington machine playing up to the fears of white voters. Old Hen Hill’s tone has become increasingly more racially incensing and only because of recent backlash did she step lightly when addressing the comments made by Obama’s former pastor.
Even staunch Clinton supporter, NM Gov. Bill Richardson recognized either Clinton’s tendency to play to the fears of white voters or Obama’s unique ability to unify America by endorsing him earlier this week.
As for people like Steele, who believe there is no way to bridge this gap or move forward leaving our ugly history behind, you are simply not listening and definitely don't embrace your own biracial identity. Being of two worlds gives us the special ability to create a unified one rooted in understanding and mutual respect.
Obama’s words, eloquently characterized why the African-American community harbors such anger against the white establishment and, conversely, helped me understand why some whites resent that black anger. In this understanding lies the catalyst for progressive change. If Obama can get us to hear and understand one another, then he can lead the way forward—not so we can forget the past but to overcome it. The way Dr. King dreamed it.
OBAMA AND GRANDPARENTS IN NEW YORK CITY
Photo courtesy of classicvalues.com
In reading many articles analyzing his “A More Perfect Union” speech, where he was likened to Abraham Lincoln, this ABC News article, cites one Shelby Steele, a biracial writer who says Obama is confused about his heritage and can’t have any idea what it’s really like to be white despite his background. His reasoning for this is that people—obviously including him—see his skin color and stop there. Steele’s assessment of Obama’s balanced speech is antiquated and part of the problem that keeps us from a unified solution.
This issue hit home for me, as I am a biracial woman. My mother is black and my father is Puerto Rican. Yeah, it’s not much of a difference as I like to tell people insisting on knowing what I am “mixed with” (as if I am some type of effin' potion) that I am “black and blacker.” That’s my way of explaining it. But in Obama’s speech, he showed those of us born with dual ethnicities have a unique insight—that of the plights of two or more peoples and exposure to the prejudices of the same.
YouTube VIDEO OF "A MORE PERFECT UNION" SPEECH
As I watched the YouTube video of his speech, I nodded and felt my heart do—something. Does he know what it was like to be born in multicultural New York City then move to one-dimensional New Mexico where people openly and vocally questioned me and my last name?
“Torres? You don’t look Hispanic, how did you get that last name? You married?” This rhetorical question was asked of me by a Mexican-American woman with an afro kinker than my own nappy roots when I was in high school. After being subjected to that, upon return home to New York City, I was greeted with:
“You’re not Puerto Rican, you don’t speak Spanish.”
And those Nuyorican mofos, who barely spoke Spanish themselves were not kidding. Although rejected by my own, I was never confused about who I am or where I fit. I knew it was other people’s prejudices or perspectives that was the problem not me. The black community as a whole never rejected me—although there have been challenges—which led me to ignore my Hispanic heritage becoming militantly pro-black during my formative years. It wasn’t until my early 20s when I started going to the Latin Quarters in Harlem (a perfect mix for my perfect mix) that I began to proudly embrace the Latina in me, albeit solely through Salsa y Merengue for quite some time.
No, it’s not the same as Obama’s grandmother looking her black grandson in the face and telling him she was afraid of black men but the sentiment again hit home. My own PR grandmother didn’t care for blacks either. My mother once told me a story about how she described the way blacks looked while dancing: “like monkeys.” Ugh, how embarrassing that I am blood related to one who could even think that. I guess, it’s good she’s dead now as all of her grandchildren from my father—her son—are each more African-American than the one before. That was Obama’s point. These people were born in different times and raised with differing beliefs. It’s not an excuse, simply an explanation of the makeup that is America.
Being biracial is not a black-and-white issue. It is a discussion about inclusion, tolerance and rising above the ugly history coloring our nation’s past. So far, nothing has worked to heal those wounds. But before that cursed bullet took out Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he dreamt of a future where we were all one. And I bet in his dream that future was led by a someone like Barack Obama.
In the same ABC News article, some suggest Obama’s perfect speech was only to appease white voters regarding his association with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. I agree it was his motivation for the scheduling the speech. However, his words went beyond appeasing bigoted, would-be voters. I rebutt with this article about the Clintons’ Washington machine playing up to the fears of white voters. Old Hen Hill’s tone has become increasingly more racially incensing and only because of recent backlash did she step lightly when addressing the comments made by Obama’s former pastor.
Even staunch Clinton supporter, NM Gov. Bill Richardson recognized either Clinton’s tendency to play to the fears of white voters or Obama’s unique ability to unify America by endorsing him earlier this week.
As for people like Steele, who believe there is no way to bridge this gap or move forward leaving our ugly history behind, you are simply not listening and definitely don't embrace your own biracial identity. Being of two worlds gives us the special ability to create a unified one rooted in understanding and mutual respect.
Obama’s words, eloquently characterized why the African-American community harbors such anger against the white establishment and, conversely, helped me understand why some whites resent that black anger. In this understanding lies the catalyst for progressive change. If Obama can get us to hear and understand one another, then he can lead the way forward—not so we can forget the past but to overcome it. The way Dr. King dreamed it.
I enjoyed this blog so much because it hits to the heart of what is really going on in this campaign. It also saids a lot about the whole who's more American and the right given to those that are thought to be "true" Americans. We are all true Americans and Obama is the perfect example of America the way it should be, mixed! Forget all these group out there that bad mouthing Obama for his racial difference. He is right on point, he is the most American candidate we have. We should be grateful that he choose to run for president. Because it's NOT "crazy" to think that we could have a mixed president.
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Hey Muj,
Not crazy at all and the more I hear him talk, the more I believe he is the leader black America needs and actively seeks. We are stuck in this rut of post-Civil Rights era looking for the next 'black' issue and I believe that is ill-fated. Dr. King and his contemporaries took up the banner of their day and it's time for our generation to deal with the issues of our time and Obama has a grasp of that. It's not black against white against brown. It's middle class blacks, whites, browns, yellows and everyone inbetween against the corporate establishment usurping the hope right out of this country.
Of the 300,000,000+ Americans, 1.6 percent or 4,790,375 (if my math is correct) of us claim two or more races, according to the 2006 census. Although, it seems like a small number it's nothing to sneeze at because as this country's diversity grows so will the number of mixed Americans. It's high time we embrace our fellow man and move on or risk being stuck in this rut continuing to hand the fat cat, corporate elitists their power.
And I do feel lucky to be alive and American these days. Given the chance, Obama will change what we know America to be into what we all hoped it would become!
Thanks so much for stopping by,
LL
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It was a helluva speech. But I wonder how much faith I have in white America. They're fine with you until you make them feel the least bit uncomfortable or guilty, then they slink away and forget they knew you.
I have less "hope" than Obama.
Most people it seems, be they black, white or otherwise, seem perfectly content to be hateful and racist. People just don't want to give that up. I don't understand it. I think it has everything to do with identity, not matter how warped it may be.
So, for me, it's not a question of how do we heal. The question really is, do we WANT to heal?
And frankly, I think the answer is no.
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Hey Joy,
A very valid point, indeed. America is quite comfy in its own identity of land of the bigoted racists. Obama mentioned his audacity to hope rests in the voting bloc of the very young. I think as the Civil Rights' generation retires and Gen X and Y matures, we will see the tide change. The offspring of the comfortably ignorant are bold, courageous and don't like the status quo. They don't want their country to be saddled with the weight of race/gender oppression to give to their kids. So you are right, some folks don't want to heal, but hopefully, this election is not up to them. As I see it, this is the chance to shake things up or Obama's prediction that we will be distracted election cycle after election cycle will be proved true and we as a country will get nowhere. Personally, I want something different for my own future, not to mention, the kids I don't even have.
Your insight always adds something to the discussion. Thanks!
LL
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I think the world in general places way to much emphasis on the external. We should all look at individuals internally, that's where the truth of an individual lies.
These people that judge by the outer and not the inner are what I call shallow people.
We are all God's children no matter what package we have chosen in this lifetime, and we all deserve the same love and respect that our creator wants for "All" his children.
Great Blog My LL:
God Bless Us All
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Hiya Nash,
Sadly, race isn't the only outward thing the American society places a lot of value on. Women have to be viligant in our overall appearance just to be accepted by mainstream society, race notwithstanding. Women of all creeds struggle to achieve an overall weight or a bust size that is unnatural to their body types just to be considered beautiful. But as the benchmark for beauty remains white, blue-eyed with blonde hair even women of color do crazy things to conform to that ideal. (I saw a recent picture of Whitney Houston, who curiously looked shades lighter than what I remember her to be. WTF???)
When we can look at the merit of a person, without considering the superifical, then we have moved on as a people, a country. Hopefully, Obama has helped us with that first step.
In more reading, the reaction to "A More Perfect Union" seems mixed. On one blog, geared for journalists of color, Obama's speech didn't do much to quell the Wright issue. But in today's NYT Op-Ed page it's the clincher in his win of the Dem Nom. Now, the problem is the GOP War machine, ooops I mean, campaign strategists, are planning to use his association with Wright against him.
What no one seems to realize is that Wright's words were his own. Now, it's ammunition for the Republican right. However, when evangelical preachers say racists shit, which they do, especially in the south, it never gets airplay on Fox. It's such a double standard because GOP candidates (at least in election cycles before this one) never have to distance themselves from them, instead they woo those bigots. And there's only moreof this to come. I said this before, and I'm saying it again, Ol' Hen Hill just keeps making the GOP's job easier by prolonging this thing.
Nash, you are so on point: God help us all.
Thanks for stopping by,
LL
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I AM TOO CLOSE TO THIS STORY, BUT BE SURE EVERYTHING IS TRUE; BUT THE FACT REMAINS OUR FAMILY ROOTS ARE OF MANY RACES, BUT WE WERE ALL BROUGHT UP AS ONE BECAUSE OF ONE WOMEN WHO WAS RAISED IN SEGREGATION BUT THROUGH HER BELIEF IN GOD, WHO MADE ALL OF US TO HIS LIKEING; SHE ALWAY INSTILLED IN US THAT WE ARE ALL THE SAME. GOD IS LOVE
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Hey Aunt Carol,
Those challenges I mentioned in this post, brought back to mind one of my trips to NC with Grandma. (This is my maternal grandmother, who was also bi-racial black and Native American, not the GM mentioned in the piece.) Anyway, I was around 3-yo and it was shortly after my mother had the discussion with me that being black couldn't be equated with what was found in a box of Crayola crayons. Long story. Grateful for the clarification, I was stunned and equally hurt while in North Carolina when I tried playing with another little girl (black) until her brother showed his disapproval.
He told her not to play with me because I was NOT black. Utterly confused, I went to Grandma in tears. She patiently explained again there are all different kinds of black people and not everyone could accept all those differing types, including some black people. (Obviously, she didn't explain it like that but the message stayed with me.) That was the last--and single-most important--race conversation (re: clarification) of my life. Never again, can anyone tell me what I am, or not, because I don't look, or sound, like them.
While I had one GM who was racist, I was blessed with another, with whom I was initimate, who was not and possessed the biggest heart for all. Through her grace and eloquence, we all were given an example of how to be.
Glad you're back. =)
LL
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