Talking Race After Obama and Imus: Can we Calm Down Enough to Learn From Each Other?

This is hard for me to admit -- but I haven't been listening enough.

Not because I regret any of my views about the Don Imus debacle -- if you doubt that, read my column in today's Perspective section.

But because it feels like the whole country has been shouting at each other for more than a week -- pitted against each other by a wrinkly radio star with a penchant for race humor and a news media determined to find ratings heat from racial friction.

You can watch me grapple with these issues on CNN at 10:30 a.m. today, when I stop by Howie Kurtz' Reliable Sources show to talk Imus for what I hope will be the second-to-last time (I'm also scheduled to go on Bubba the Love Sponge's satellite radio show Tuesday). I think I have strong, well-reasoned arguments for why Imus had to be punished for his long history of racist jokes, so I'm not inclined to give much argumentative ground to those who think otherwise.

Still, I found myself thinking about midway through last week: Isn't there a better way to talk about this? 

I have another story in Perspective today talking about Barack Obama and how his presidential candidacy has forced all of us to think about race in new ways. Focused on inclusion and unity rather than conflict and confrontation, Obama has staked out a way of taking about race which is more confortable for white people -- less about making them feel guilty and more about uniting all races in common goals.

Which is a wonderful thing; until we hit a subject on which we can't agree.

Imus wasthe perfect example of this problem. Black people couldn't understand why some white people kept trying to explain away his transgressions; white people couldn't understand why some black people would laugh at Eddie Murphy using the word "ho," groove to Snoop Dogg rapping the word "ho," and demand Don Imus' head for using the same word.

We in the media, charged with bridging those gaps, did nothing but add fuel to the fire -- finding the most contrarian voices for cable TV "debates," turning to Rev's Sharpton and Jackson every chance we got and challenging those trying to end the racist humor more than those who hired the racist humorist.

Worst of all, this debate was taking place mostly on cable TV and talk radio -- the worst mediums for discussion of complex, emotional issues. A teachable moment about race and culture flew past, as everyone was too busy making their own points to consider the viewpoints of others.

Perhaps it's time to admit a few truths:

-- Black people have tolerated awful language referring to black people in rap music for a long time. But one reason white folks don't know that black people have been debating this issue for years, is that mainstream media outlets didn't care so much about the discussion until explicit rap became a counter-argument for Imus.

--- Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are seriously flawed leaders. But mainstream media outlets didn't pay attention to the complaints about Imus, started by the National Association of Black Journalists, until Sharpton joined the protest. One reason peopel feel these two monopolize black issues, is because they are among the few who draw sustained media attention.

--- As attractive as Obama's message of unity is, I'm not sure it would have rid broadcasting of Imus' show effectively as protest and confrontation did. Those executives broadcasting his show already knew how awful it was -- and had already apologized for past jokes before. They were fully prepared to ride out the protests until the sponsor defections, internal protest and bad publicity got too bad. It's telling that Obama didn't issue a statement until after Imus was suspended and Harold Ford jr. -- another black politician with a different take on race -- didn't say much until after he was fired.

--- Some white people argued the issue without fully understanding black people's perspective on things like use of the term "nappy headed" -- not necessarily a slur -- and the fact that a lot of rappers DON'T use racist language liberally. Some black people -- this one included -- were so busy pressing the case for Imus' accountability, we couldn't acknowledge white people's anger over the hypocrisy issues.

And, unfortunately, the lesson so far is that Sharpton's way of addressing racial inequality is more effective than Obama's. Wonder if we'll ever figure a way to address these tough questions without tearing each others' guts out?

 

Comments

[Robin 'Roblimo' Miller]

I'm white. My wife is "black" although compared to some of the Africans-from-Africa I met when I dispatched for a cab company in Baltimore she is nowhere near "African black" but is more of a medium brown. She's obviously of mixed racial heritage, and her father's family came from a plantation in Georgia where genealogically-inclined descendants of both the "white" and "black" branches of the family know darn well that they're all related -- and aren't a bit ashamed of it. What is, is, right?

I also -- through Debbie -- have three grown black stepchildren. And seven black grandchildren. We've been through the whole ghetto hip-hop culture thing to the point where I'm simply sick of it. But I'd be just as sick if I had a white adolescent granddaughter deluded enough to think she didn't have to study because one day a rich rapper would pick her up in his Hummer and take her to his mansion, where she'd live happily ever after -- with servants to do all the household chores she now refuses to do.

Kiana sneers at my early-90s Jeep Cherokee. It's a hoopty car, you know, barely fit for a Fine Lady like herself. Eventually she'll learn that the hip-hop life is an illusion (and that a free-and-clear hoopty car is a lot better than a fancy one with big payments attached to it).

Out here in real life -- as opposed to the life shown in BET rap videos -- no rapper is going to treat Kiana the way she thinks her dream star will. If she wants to live like a star she'd better start practicing singing and acting herself. Not that she believes me when I tell this to her; she believes she is soooo cute and has so much "natural talent" that she can become a star just by snapping her fingers. Uh huh.

I just hope like hell that Kiana doesn't end up pregnant by the first decently-dressed guy with a decent (by her standards) car who comes along, a depressingly likely possibility.

Then there's my stepson Dominique. When he was 16 I suddenly became a Dumb Old White Man who didn't understand being young, being black or much of anything else. Now he's 24 and guess what? I have gotten a lot smarter and more understanding in the last eight years. I seem to recall Mark Twain saying that this was a normal attitude change for a teenage boy toward his father that came with the boy's own maturity. I just find Dominique's change in attitude toward me amusing, and I see nothing particularly racial in it.

Debbie comes from a "black family" that has white people in it. I come from a "white family" but I have two black cousins. We're both in our 50s. We're accustomed to who we are. I don't want to be black and Debbie doesn't want to be white -- although she likes country music a lot more than I do, which is sort of eerie. I mean, if you marry a black woman you do *not* expect her to know all the lyrics from Gretchen What's-Her-Name's hits, down to and including "Redneck Woman." You never know these days. (sigh)

Maybe Debbie and I are messed up by some people's standards, but we've been together for 15 years and we're happy with each other.

I don't see Obama as anything special in a racial sense. I see an intelligent man who would make a better president than most of the rest of the current candidates. I'll happily vote for him without caring much about his skin color. That's simply not an important qualification, one way or another, for *any* candidate for *any* job.

As for Imus: I never liked his show and only listened to it a couple of times. I'm not a big fan of "shock jock" or hatemongering talk radio in general, especially the virulent right-wing kind. I think Al Sharpton is a jerk. I have no respect for Jesse Jackson. I have no respect George Bush and his "Ask not what you can do for your country, but how much your country can do for you" cronies, either.

When people see my dog and ask, "What kind of dog is that?" I say, "An American."

And so she is. Terri the Terrorist Terrier is a mixed-brown furface who is loyal, friendly, brave (except during thunderstorms), and generally a fine companion. We got her from the Manatee County Animal Shelter, and no one could possibly wish for a better friend.

Thinking of which, I asked Terri about all this Obama and Imus nonsense, and she said, "Woof! Woof!"

Translated, this means, "You humans need to stop arguing over stupid stuff. Can I please have a treat now?"

So in the end I think I will join Terri and just say "Woof! Woof!" to it all.

Eric, can I have a treat now? Please? :)

[Chuck Welch]

Eric -- I don't doubt your words, as I was making a point that there isn't a "single" black or "single" white viewpoint.

I don't believe a white segment of culture could claim it is hypocritical for any individual black person or segment of a black population to call for Imus resignation based on the comment. Just because some segment of a black population uses the term doesn't mean another segment can't protest the slur.

Also, you seemed to ascribe to me comments on Barack Obama. That comment was from "dreaming."

[Eric Deggans]

Kate, I don't know what to tell you.

Imus doesn't seem like a tough stand to you. But for those of us who have had to deal with the effects of institutionalized racism for years, opposing really famous people who make a lot of money for saying racist things is very important.

There are lots of black people who feel the same way. And a political candidate who comes to them and says those fights are not important will lose their vote -- no matter what race he is.

[kate]

Imus isn't a tough stand. Are you referring to issues like racial profiling or affirmative action or something that's relevant and real? I think Obama does and will continue to take these tough stands.

You know, many of my fellow liberals cried when Clinton was elected. That he wouldn't represent *us*. Come on!

These people actually have to get elected.

Which means they don't have the luxury of speaking for fringe groups. I don't think the majority of black people are interested in shaming the system into bringing them justice. Because they are now a part of the system. They want someone who represents THEM. Not someone who represents what their grandparents or even their parents went through.

Otherwise Obama wouldn't be so popular. Especially amongst our young people.

And isn't that great news?

[Eric Deggans]

Kate, I appreciate your comments. But the imus situation proves black people need champions who will challenge the white mainstream to eliminate institutional racism, even when it doesn't want to.

If Obama is too busy being a uniter to take these tough stands, would you blame black people for wanting to support someone who can actually shame the system into bringing them justice?

[kate]

This discussion is probably a good thing for race relations in this country. With some growing pains mixed in for good measure.

The days of Al Sharpton (whom I admire) and Jesse Jackson are behind us. Barack Obama represents a different kind of era. And those with ties to the old way of doing things are probably sad to see their influence diminish.

More people respond to Obama than ever did to Jackson. Partly because of his multi-racial background - which can connect him to blacks, whites, and those who are themselves bi-racial (an ever-growing segment of the population). But more importantly it's the way in which he communicates and the desire for change in our entire population.

It's sad that so many are questioning his legitimacy as a black hero. But it also indicates that he's more than that - a hero for everyone.

[Joel]

You're right, Eric - that's why I'm here reading your blog and the stuff of several other Times writers. It's nice to see the online content used to expand on print stories, rather than just a copy/paste job.

[Eric Deggans]

So many comments, so little time.

Chuck -- there is an African american culture which does hold certasin values close. There is also a mainstream culture in the U.S. dominated by white people's values because white people dominate the population. If you doubt my words, ask an anthropologist or social scientist (I interviewed four of them for my story on racial identity today).

I think it is unfair to ascribe Obama's entire appeal to his race. He is an amazingly smart guy and a powerfully gifted politician who is coming along at a time when people of all races are hungry to support someone who is not part of the old way of doing business in washington.

Barack Obama is considered black because HE HIMSELF identifies as african american -- mostly, because he believes that's the way society views him, anyway. So you can be insulted all you want, it's Obama himself who insists on being called black.

And Joel -- I don't know what newspaper you are reading these days, but the St. Petersbnurg Times is not filled with Take a little time to read our paper for a few days and compare it to others in the area. You'll find more journalism per pound than anywheres else...

[Joel]

"Worst of all, this debate was taking place mostly on cable TV and talk radio -- the worst mediums for discussion of complex, emotional issues."

While I love The Daily Show's special assignment segments, they are really the only thing about the show that feels out of place in a satire of cable news. A reporter gathering stats, interviews and such to create a "special report" seems to have lost out to the roundtable-style discussion as the preferred approach to a topic.

That's really the niche newspapers should be trying to fill, rather than getting away from that and just loading the pages - physical or virtual - with AP wire stories and quick stories. TV does that so much better.

And as long as newspapers are writing complex, hard-hitting stories, roundtable participants will have something to simplify and shout over for 3 minutes on cable. And thus the media hierarchy is maintained.

Barack Obama isn’t black or white. As a Caucasian, I’m insulted by the constant reference to him being a black man or African American. If he’s 50% Caucasian, why not categorize him as a Caucasian American? If Obama exploits this angle, or allows himself to be exploited this way… he will not get my vote.

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[dreaming]

you make a quite thoughtful case. of course, no one is more a creature of the white media than barack obama. how else to explain his ascendancy? were he white, he would not be on the radar. i mean, what, just a few years in public office and he is ready to be president? i dont think so. after he loses, it will be interesting to see if he becomes the medias new go-to guy on race issues, overshadowing sharton and jackson. thats probably his future role, and it will be a relief if the rhetoric comes down and the thoughtfulness level goes up.

[Chuck welch]

I don't see the hypocrisy, Eric. While some claim morals they don't posses, many do. I see a continuum. There isn't a "black" viewpoint or a "white" viewpoint. Neither race is virtuous as a whole. But, we shouldn't expect a single viewpoint from either race. There are numerous individuals in both races that possess a virtuous character. And numerous that don't. Rush Limbaugh doesn't speak for every white person. I refuse to let his hypocrisy silence my outrage.

While some whites use the term "nappy headed" as a slur, some don't use it at all. The same is true of blacks.

In this case, I don't think it is hypocritical of any black person to react to the term being used as a slur. That's how it was said. That's how it was intended. Let alone the word "ho" which is a slur every time, everywhere.

Still, today, as I think of black and white relations, I choose to mediate on Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese.

[Daniel]

There are many talks about Imus, of course, I like to do it with my Friends on EbonyFrie3nds.com, maybe we can calm down to learn from each other.