Obama’s success shows that the ceiling has risen for African-Americans
From The Economist
“Some blacks think their glass is three-quarters full; others think it three-quarters empty. Optimists can point to obvious improvements. Little more than four decades ago, blacks in the South could not vote. This year, a black man may be elected president. Under segregation, southern blacks were barred from white schools, neighbourhoods and opportunities. Now, racial discrimination is both illegal and taboo. Blacks have pierced nearly every glass ceiling. The secretary of state, the boss of American Express and the country’s most popular entertainer (Oprah Winfrey) are all black.
“What ails black America? Public debate falls between two poles. Some academics and most civil-rights activists stress the role played by racial discrimination. It may no longer be overt, they argue, but it is still widespread and severe. Julian Bond of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People reckons that racism is still “epidemic” in America.
“The debate is often bitter. Michael Eric Dyson, a leftish academic, argues that the black middle class has “lost its mind” if it believes Mr Cosby’s argument downplaying the importance of race. Larry Elder, a conservative pundit, wrote a book about blacks who blame racism for nearly everything called: “Stupid Black Men”.
TheStateOf . . . Blacks in America. Is the ceiling gone? Is the ceiling only gone for extraordinary black people like Obama? Is racism a part of your life, or is it in your mind? Has Obama’s success demolished the ability of blacks to complain about racism? Where are you along the continuum of the Cosby/Dyson debate?
Oh Lawd….
hm..
In other news.. that website reads much more like a blog,…errors and all.
In reality, through conversation we see that Obama, Cosby and Dyson have all hit many ceilings on their paths to our screens and minds.. and… they will continue to hit them… It takes much time, prayer, and energy to create holes in those ceilings big enough to pull ourselves and sometimes others through… many times too much for me.
I’m sorry, but ceilings on what?
Plenty of Black folks run their OWN businesses. How much higher does one need to rise than that?
This is such a bunch of cliche nonsense designed to keep the masses running around chasing their tails. The ceiling only exists for those who want to be promoted to overseer on the plantation.
Instead of encouraging Black folks to be independent and form their own businesses, this endless debate over ceilings distracts the masses to thinking being an executive at Wal-Mart is success.
Dang Dina said it all! Cosign!
And I am all for the Cosby school of bootstrap independence and responsibility…
I suppose there is still a ceiling in the sense that “white mediocrity” is acceptable but “black mediocrity” isn’t.
At the same time, that’s not really an area I care to traverse…
Oh Lawd… again
Dina, and all…
Of course we know what is meant by ceilings… ask Douglas, J Robinson, and it’s one of the reasons we haven’t have a brown skinner come close in our presidential elections…
but I’m with you on it being a distraction. I’m actually tired of all the talk on it. I’m with T
Well, the reality of the current situation is that not all blacks are self-employed, so in the context of our existence as 12% of the population, it’s important to know that a non-self-employed black person can do anything they want to do. Pardon me for being plantation-ish, but it’s important to me to know that a black man can be elected POTUS or be CEO of AMEX, not that I’d care to be either.
I think the point is…if the entreprenurial and talented of the bunch get off of the plantation and start businesses - they can grow into being the next Fortune 100 companies and employ the masses in the process.
People …people just starting a business does not mean success/liberation. 85% of new businesses fail in their first year on average (SBA). Primary reason’s for failure… Capital and Experience!. How does one gain capital and experience to increase their chances for success. First working for someone else like Oprah did. Secondly, minority business men & women still need policy makers who represent their business needs at the highest levels of state of federal government. So in either case this is a relevant question J posted… Not easily answered with Marcus Garvey type answers… As we see that did not quite work so well in the end for Garvey.
“As we see that did not quite work so well in the end for Garvey.” Anon
Whey dem bumbaclot get dat frum?
“it’s important to know that a non-self-employed black person can do anything they want to do.” Big J
Can a non-self-employed white person do anything they want to do?
No.
Why not? Employment is the handicap … not one’s blackness.
Barack Obama’s candidacy DOES NOT MEAN “an” African-American “can” become president.
It means INDIVIDUALS as dynamic as Barack Obama can become president. Obama aint just any ol’ Afrian-American.
Group Identity politics is a head fake.
A black person whose ambition is to become CEO of AMEX is as ridiculous as a white boys ambition to become CEO of G Unit Records.
-
DV,
Go get a sip of tea and then read what you wrote.
If you’re view is that only an extraordinary black can get elected POTUS, then just say so, Rev. Wright.
A black man is CEO of AMEX and a white boy runs G-Unit Records…
Now now calm down Chicken George,
Didn’t mean to upset your plantation sensibilities.
Yes, yes a Negro is “CEO” of AMEX. .. OK. Now what? How does that exercise in Affirmative Action empower other black people?
I know .. “All you was sayin’ was…”
BTW. What white boy “runs” GUnit?
“You no dey gotta be a white boy behind all dat muney! Dey aint gwan let no negra sell all dem records and murchindise n concurt tickets witout no white boy callin da shots!! Niggas aint dat smart!! Fiddy Cent didn’t evun go tah college!! You no dey rite dat boy lyrics!! How sum Nigga frum da street gwanna make A Hundred Million dollars witout no white man behind it?! GGGGGG Gunit my ass!!!”
My Brother DV, it is my opinion that for years, you have been among the most consistent contributors of well versed, impeccably worded, well thought out postions, posts and opinions here on TSO, whether or not I agreed with your position. What I respect most about DV is your message that not only is Black NOT a handicap, but it is, indeed, an advantage. I have felt this way for quite a while. But you were the only other person who I witnessed outwardly express this. There is a power in your words. You have a great talent. And with great talent comes great responsiblity.
But today, for the first time, you have fallen short of the lofty expectations which I have selfishly set for you. It appears to me that you have done the unthinkable and set a limit to the level of what a Black man can expect to accomplish.
“A black person whose ambition is to become CEO of AMEX is as ridiculous as a white boys ambition to become CEO of G Unit Records.”
WOW! There must be an imposter. Someone else must have signed in under your name. Well, at least that’s what I’m hoping for.
LOL. Nah Brother Wayne.
It’s me man. Peep method and madness: Challenging the value of “a black person becoming CEO of Amex” is consistent with the notion blackness is a self-affirming asset that is neither validated nor denied by becoming the token head of a white corporation.
Is a smart young black person getting “accepted” to Yale more of an accomplishment than a smart young white person getting “accepted” to Morehouse? Why? Is it because they don’t bother to aspire to a Morehouse education? Why should they when the smartest blacks are scheming to get into white schools?
I submit the perceived value of a Yale education compared a Morehouse education is simply because we buy into the notion that white is right.
When I was in college, all the brothers who wanted to get into the music business schemed and hustled to get jobs at Epic Records. Later I saw younger cats scheming and hustling to get jobs at Bad Boy records. By then, Bad Boy was black owned and more profitable than Epic. I saw 26 year old Sistas interviewing 22 year old Brothas for marketing and finance gigs.
Black people spend $70 billion per year on consumables. Why is there no black owned equivalent of Amex? Where is the finance equivalent to Rockafella Records? When are the “educated” corporate cats going to do what the “uneducated” street cats did business wise?
Rejecting the perceived value of “working for” an Amex, is the first step in that direction for our young black best and brightest.
“Is it because they don’t bother to aspire to a Morehouse education?”
actually they do….sorry to get off topic…but check this out….white morehouse valedictorian
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/05/11/morehouseman_0512.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
Charming article Paul, but it only reinforces DV’s point. How many times and in different ways can the author say “he could have gone to Harvard but chose Morehouse”?
The theme through the entire article is about how “special” this guy is for choosing the least of his choices; that even a guy from Morehouse can get a job at Goldman Sachs. GTFOOH.
This author may as well write an article about a rich good looking guy who could have had any woman in the world and chose the fat dumb broad in the corner because she was different.
Nowhere in the article was there a challenge to the notion that the quality of “education” is any different among the schools.
DV
I submit the perceived value of a Yale education compared a Morehouse education is simply because we buy into the notion that white is right.
Bad comparison!…. Morehouse is a better option than Babson Community College which is white… Morehouse is better than Florida A&M and that’s black.??? Review your logic
Just like there are top athletes… There are top universities… Obama talks about language such as yours… denouncing brothers and sisters to acheive the in institutions that increase the chances to open doors to develop relationships to power and wealth is only one method to changing the landscape of capital and policy making gains.
DV
Black people spend $70 billion per year on consumables. Why is there no black owned equivalent of Amex?
That’s part of the problem we spend… Where is the savings/investment?… Last thing we need are credit cards… which is why we need brother’s and sister’s understanding global economics and banking at our best learning grounds. Not watching BET/MTV’s consumerism of chains, cars, whips and guns on the stupid tube rap videos.
DV
Rejecting the perceived value of “working for” an Amex, is the first step in that direction for our young black best and brightest.
Most brothers and sisters in jail or on welfare thought the same way during their 12K education … Indifferent! about learning because … I am going to rap or ball my way to financial success. (Thanks for the advice uncle DV as the cell door closes)
Dina
Charming article Paul, but it only reinforces DV’s point
What point??
Dina
Nowhere in the article was there a challenge to the notion that the quality of “education” is any different among the schools.
But they are different… That’s like sayin that every golf course is the same… That the public course is just as good as the private. That a Yugo is just a good as a Benz…. Get a grip… Maybe just maybe the young man wanted to be a big fish in a little pond… Worked well with all the write up he got… Smart young man!
As long as your azz is black you will be a victim of racism. Watch Obama come out of the gym, basketball in hand with a hoodie on and no secret service and se if his black azz can catch a cab.
At the same time, there is a lot more opportunity for black folks than ever, especially educationally.
And, lawdy, lawdy, the valedictorian at Morehouse is white for the first time.
And understand that a Morehouse education is just as valuable/viable in the world as a Harvard education; I’ve got both so I can tell you folks white and black are equally impressed.
When I was a freshman there were 200 bio majors; 11 of us graduated on time. Morehouse ain’t no joke. And the house graduates more black men each year than any other single higher ed iinstitution. It’s the ‘black’ Harvard, or as we call it, the Morehouse of the north.
“As long as your azz is black you will be a victim of racism.” Prez
No no no no no Prez. Negros still talking that shit in 2008. Damn shame.
As long as you see blackness as a handicap, it will be.
I’ve had cabs pass me by at 2 in the morning on 8th Avenue and 52nd Street when I was dressed like ODB and I’ve had cabs shoot past white people at 2 in the afternoon on 5th Avenue when I was wearing a Brioni and carrying a briefcase.
If a cab passes you on the street - black aint the only reason. Often it’s black cab drivers doing the passing.
Is a white boy getting picked last in a pick up game of basketball evidence of racism against whites? Or evidence that white boys aren’t expected to jump? I used to own piece of a restaurant. Black and white waiters alike dreaded large groups of blacks because they feared there would be a) Problems and b) Little or no tip.
Racism? Or Pattern recognition?
Anon, the colleges in this country produce thousands of blacks with degrees in finance every year. Yet among the largest black owned financial companies are Check Cashing joints.
The Liberals did a Switcheroo with you Plantation Negros. Got you chasing carrots on sticks that lead to cubicles owned by Mr. Bernstein.
-
DV….u either an uncle tom….and out of touch….I’m leaning towards out of touch.
*uncle tom….OR out of touch….
Paul, DV is school for you.
-
“Paul, DV is school for you.”
True. What’s your point? That still has nothing to do with the fact that you’re either an uncle tom or out of touch.
The point is:
1) your inability to comprehend that what DV offers is liberation from your self-imposed mental slavery. Racism is as dangerous as you buy into it.
2) Plantation Negros really .. really … truly … don’t want to be free of racism. Which is why the perpetuate it with stupid little memes like “as long as your azz is black you will be a victim of racism.” If racism magically disappeared tomorrow - how would you know and what would you do next?
3) No people have ever earned their freedom or empowered themselves by working for other people. None.
4) Based upon your little bitch ass supposition, you don’t know me.
-
Your logic is flawed. Me admitting racism and discrimination occurs does not mean I’m in self-imposed mental slavery. Racism is real. Do I really care? No….doesn’t stop me from getting paid, educated and living how I want to live. Maybe my perception is a little different because I’m from the South. I agree that you should empower yourself by being self employed. My signature is on my pay checks bruh. My clientele and businesses are diverse enough that if I NEVER received one cent from a white person, I would be good. You’re right…I don’t know you…..my supposition is based on the way your present yourself online…..I don’t have to know you to deduce that…..as Ice Cube would say, be “true to the game” homie.
“A message to the oreo cookie
Find a mirror and take a look, G
Do you like what you see?”
DV
Yet among the largest black owned financial companies are Check Cashing joints.
DV you have said some stupid sheeet in the past …but this one takes the cake my brother…. That statement is such a sad commentary… I feel sorry for you… You will just say anything to try and prove your argument…
DV.
in my hometown the African cab drivers won’t even pick up black folks.
“DV. in my hometown the African cab drivers won’t even pick up black folks.” pres,
1) Why won’t they pick up black folks Pres?
a) Black Africans hate other black people?
b) Black passengers are thought to be less than lucrative for cab drivers (ie. poor tips, requests to go to parts of town where a return fare will be difficult, crime)
2) Doesn’t the fact that BLACK cab drivers often choose not to pick up BLACK passengers nullify the assertion that failure to pick up BLACK passengers is purely the product of RACISM?
3) Does labeling all difficulty faced by blacks “RACISM” do black people a disservice by focusing our energies and attention on factors that cannot be changed, like skin color, instead of behavior variables that could be adjusted like tipping and crime.
It’s not race. It’s class. You’d think a black man from Harvard would admit that.
-
you so outta touch house negro
DV
The Africans are tired of getting shot in the back of the head for $20 by niggers. That’s why they are not picking up black male passengers.