RSSPicture This…
Maybe Barack Obama is just a picture. Maybe he’s a drawing, a painting, a photograph, graffiti—simply, a conjured image to “make us believe.” A token?
After eight years of a token-laden, compassionate conservatism-packaged Bush presidency, what better way to revive the Democratic party than to nominate Obama. Certainly, Democrats measured the political, social and psychological effects of an Obama presidency.
Undoubtedly, they calculated the number of white voters, who would vote for Obama because of their guilt that comes with acknowledging white privilege. Few Democrats understand this psychology, and even fewer admit to living with this we-need-to-help-the-poor-negroes mentality. But it definitely exists and drives many liberals in America.
There’s no question the party accounted for the black voters who are going to vote for Obama simply because he elevates their sense of self. Unlike white liberals, blacks aren’t afraid to admit their racially driven actions. Also, Democrats knew blacks wouldn’t question Obama because they question America. Ask a black Obama supporter where the senator stands on healthcare, or about his support of FISA legislation. Most wouldn’t know. Still, they’re black, he’s black, case closed.
Furthermore, liberals spent the past eight years studying the tactics used by conservatives to leverage the media. So surely they predicted Obama’s force field-like immunity to criticism and how the race card could be played at will to ward off attacks. Surely, they realized the incentive an Obama nomination provides the media. Take CNN for instance. The network’s focus on “the black candidate” is single-handedly responsible for its ratings boost, pushing it past conservative rival and reigning cable news champ, Fox news in prime time for the first time since 2001.
Speaking of 2001, September 11th made Obama possible. In the same way most Americans never a black president, most Americans never imagined being attacked on their home soil. Not only did 9/11 make “the unlikely” possible, it also made Americans more sensitive to symbolism. When the towers fell, the majority of Americans didn’t just see planes flying into buildings, they saw an ideological war steeped in faith—Christianity versus Islam. The event made Americans so sensitive to symbolism that a mere change of color to the Homeland Security Advisory System had people stockpiling plastic sheeting and duct tape. As the fear grew, all objections to war became unpatriotic. Enter Obama. Not only does his blackness symbolize progress, his Kennedy-like rock star appeal is alluring enough to grab the attention of the moderate voters who ignored liberals following 9/11.
Furthermore, an Obama nomination is an effective way of establishing a moral high ground for the party Internationally. Obama allows Democrats to say, without saying, “we like black people, so of course we like we like Arabs; of course we like Persians; of course we like North Koreans.” This we-like-black-people argument creates moral leverage that can be sold to the international media and advertised to the U.N., giving America negotiating powers in today’s chaotic geopolitical climate.
While the image of Obama allows us to hope, imagine and dream, dreams usually occur while we’re sleeping. Could it be that while America’s eyes are shut the Democrat are succeeding in creating the impression of progress without actually creating change? Hope not.
10 Comments, Comment or Ping
Troublsome
I think it’s a catch 22 situation. He is damn if he does and damned if he doesn’t. I think that the last 8 years has tormented everyone even the Republicans. Therefore Obama could be pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes, and just appears to be the perfect candidate. I just think that it will prove him to become more victorious at the end of the day. He will have to overcome and exceed every expectation that is placed upon him.
I still believe…
[Reply]
TROUBLMan reply on July 31, 2008 12:26 pm:
I’m not asserting that Obama is pulling the wool over anyones eyes, what I’m saying is maybe the Democrats are using him. We may be able to trust Obama, but don’t allow his nomination to erase all this shady politics that Dems are involved in. Don’t let Obama mask his party’s dealings.
[Reply]
"A Mom"
For me it not just a dream, and Obama is not just a token. I believe in my heart that this man is the one that will change our country. It’s all about faith. We can’t keep talking and assuming anymore. Our trust has to become real. Just like Troubl has made a change in me. I will keep believing that something better is coming. We have to understand that people have always tried to make us believe in what they want us to believe. We need to trust our own feelings and stand on our own. Stop letting people define us.
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TROUBLMan reply on July 31, 2008 12:39 pm:
I’t not just a dream in the sense that Obama is change. His nomination alone is a changing of the guard. Still, just because someone become president doesn’t mean they can affect their political party’s tradition. I hope Obama can, but It doesn’t just take him. It takes the rest of the Democratic party also. I’m a little afraid that the Democrats will think they did enough by simply nominating Obama. It’s like they saying to us “o.k. we gave you a black president, what more do you people want from us.”
[Reply]
Troublsome
I think the thing that excites me the most is the comparisons of Obama and Mr. John F. Kennedy. I wasn’t alive during Kennedy’s reign but always hear positive and uplifting stories about him. it is said that Obama is the candidate that is very similar to that. Just like I mentioned before, the past 8 years were horrible. and any change would be better. But in my gut feeling I do also feel is the man…
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Troublsome
This is besides the point, But I just noticed the artwork of Obama is constructed on a paer towel…. That’s dope
[Reply]
Nina Parks
So Basically Obama=Symbol of change. Just like Che’s image is the symbol of revolution or as an ak-47 is to rebellion.
Realize that WE are making him into our symbol for change in the minority communities including the mixxed race communities. He’s a symbol of empowerment and possiblities and with his presense we are hoping that that symbolism that we are creating around him will awaken some of the people primarly black and brown people to see that potential with in themselve.
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"A Mom" reply on August 1, 2008 11:56 am:
Well said. He is only what we make him, and we need to believe in our strengths as a people to perpetrate this change. We can’t just sit and wait for him to become President. We need to start empowering ourselves now.
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TROUBLMan
You know what else symbolizes–profits. You peep how many people are earning a buck off of Obama’s image.Buttons, T-shirts, posters. Obama goods sell in the hood and in the burbs.
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"A Mom"
I’m saying this from my heart. I’m truly a Troubl person and I try to make my actions speak.
All you so called people who pretended to be on board, now we don’t hear from you. Make me wrong. We talk about being real. “Where are You”, Shame on you. Players stay away.
From a real Troubl person.
[Reply]
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