Tuesday
24Jul2007
CNN/YouTube Debate Highlights - Reparations
(cross-posted to Jack & Jill Politics)
Last night's "user generated" Democratic debate was incredible. It proved to me that we don't need a mainstream media to "mediate" all of our political discussions. Many times I was shocked into applause or laughter or just deeper levels of shock by the directness and depth of the questions asked. Only two struck me as approaching the silly or trite: one, which used a snowman character to ask about global warming and another, in which a man-on-the-street asked Democrats if they would raise taxes like they always do.
Otherwise there were heartfelt questions about healthcare which dramatized the point with personal tails,
There were several dealing with issues of race, both directly and indirectly including how the response to Katrina might have been different if it happened in an "affluent white city" and more. I don't have time to link to all of them now, but I wanted to focus on the biggest shocker for me. A brotha out of Boston asked about reparations for slavery. Seeing the post-debate analysis, it turns out that this moment in the debate marked the absolute lowest in viewer satisfaction (surprise surprise). You can se the mood drop on CNN charts as soon as the man starts to speak, but here it is for those who've missed it.
The question. Oh, and Dennis Kucinich is for reparations, btw.
Last night's "user generated" Democratic debate was incredible. It proved to me that we don't need a mainstream media to "mediate" all of our political discussions. Many times I was shocked into applause or laughter or just deeper levels of shock by the directness and depth of the questions asked. Only two struck me as approaching the silly or trite: one, which used a snowman character to ask about global warming and another, in which a man-on-the-street asked Democrats if they would raise taxes like they always do.
Otherwise there were heartfelt questions about healthcare which dramatized the point with personal tails,
There were several dealing with issues of race, both directly and indirectly including how the response to Katrina might have been different if it happened in an "affluent white city" and more. I don't have time to link to all of them now, but I wanted to focus on the biggest shocker for me. A brotha out of Boston asked about reparations for slavery. Seeing the post-debate analysis, it turns out that this moment in the debate marked the absolute lowest in viewer satisfaction (surprise surprise). You can se the mood drop on CNN charts as soon as the man starts to speak, but here it is for those who've missed it.
The question. Oh, and Dennis Kucinich is for reparations, btw.
tagged 
Boston in Pop Culture, Social-Political
Boston in Pop Culture, Social-Political 
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Reader Comments (4)
I'm with you. I thought the debate was really remarkable - I feel like I actually learned a little about the candidates that will inform my choices. I also thought the "No Child Left Behind" headbang question was kind of lame, but I was heartened to see everyone say they'd scrap it (and for Joe Biden to lay it - rightfully - at Ted Kennedy's feet).
yeah i agree that one sucked. I forgot about. What I hated more was the fact the CNN thought they could do fancy multi-camera shots while I tried to read the damn question. They should just fill the TV screen with the youtube clip and let that be that
If the 'brotha' had spoken intelligently and didn't use awful grammar then he would've been taken more seriously. And the fact that Kucinich started his argument with "The Bible says..." just cancels out his answer. Nobody who is alive on this planet was alive during the slave times.; therefore, nobody should be entitled to any sort of reparations. I don't blame black people for trying but none are entitled to it. If my ancestors slipped on some soil 1000 years ago in what is now known as Seattle, I can't go suing Microsoft, can I?
I did enjoy the experimental version of the debate, though. The people asking questions over the internet was a breath of fresh air in what had become a very stale event.
Slavery/ Jim Crow laws was not interrupted until the 1964/65 civil rights act. The atrocities enacted upon my forefathers still transcends until this day. The self-hatred projected in our communities as well as the mis-education/ poor community services (overall institutionalized racism)is a by product of that not long ago era. The out-right poverty and poor quality of social services I experienced as a youth as many others (still this day) is truly a proliferation of Racism/ Institutionalized Racism (corrupt/unjust & unequal criminal justice system, poor quality educational services/resources, inefficient and poor health care, etc). The very essence of our foundation was soiled and spoiled through slavery (Self-Hatred/ Psychology of Racism). Yes, our ancestors were great people our existence til this day proves that. In spite of all the demoralizing and ghastly actions we were forced to endure, our ancestors managed to raise and guide us through all that creepiness in that we would have a chance and excel in spite of the Vile actions directed our way. It is not incomprehensible that some would fall by the wayside. No other group has endured such and no real studies of the impact has been thoroughly developed or researched (across the diaspora slavery was different - America's slave system gravely impacted and subjected to be the worst as far as oppressive, sadistic and vile (the freedoms wrangled by our family members on other parts of the globe, prompted tightened nooses for Africans enslaved in America) - but really no oranges and apples - slavery/oppression is and was vile in all forms).
Many in our society who manage to work hard and acquire goods/resources/ wealth are able to leave to future generations. No doubt our ancestors wanted no less (ever witness the cries and gut-wrenching pain of a parent who feels so beaten and thwarted by a system that denies them the basic and God Blessed right to provide basic food and safety for their children - 70's, with such remnants still today).
Yes, I want my reparations since I know my parents and grands would have no objections to me as well as them and their descendents receiving such; even when they raised me to "Hold My Head Up & Respect Myself" irregardless of the circumstances (Black Pride & Self Respect must persevere). And, personally I still have Elder family members alive that were directly subjected to the Slavery/Jim Crow vileness (i.e. elder family members who treasured the opportunity to go to school for the first time in the late 70's/ early 80's - Note: Hear Minnijean Brown Trickey, Arkansas Nine express her recent feelings, "untold before" - similarities to my nearly 2-3 decades later experiences). "Jews" are able to claim reparations for their "Holocaust". Paintings and various artifacts are claimed by their descendents from various institutions and populations. Hell, Venus Hottentot (Sarah Baartman) remains (genitals) weren't allowed to be removed from a museum in Paris and returned to South Africa and be buried until a couple of years ago, nearly two centuries after her death. And, what about all the Magnificent diamonds and artifacts originating from Africa and located across the globe in various museums/ collections that bear ownership as non-Africans. What about land in Africa inhabited by whites and the "ownership" of much of the continents natural wealth (diamond mines, oil, etc) controlled by whites and the masses of the people terribly impoverished. The plight of Today's Africa is deplorable all a by-product of slavery & Colonialism (black on black crime is self hatred/ignorance and the psychology of Racism/ institutionalized racism instituted by others outside of the race for their own monetary and selfish gains). The story/plight goes on and on, which is why as a community we haven't really gained a hold of curtailing the issues since we want to live and forget. Our ancestors didn't forget they just worked with what they had and made sure we were cognizant of the facts/issues so that we could overcome/ RISE. They didn't teach us to hate (no time for that;however we were made aware of the oppressor & his inner guts). Primarily the teachings were first and foremost Respect Ourselves (unlike the oppressor), trust God (Higher Power), work hard ("what's in your hand"); diligently persevere and that "Education would get us further than anything in the world" (that which they were denied) That is why we did so much better with much less vs today. Psychology of Racism, Self Hatred, and Ignorance of our history is impacting our community profoundly.
Reparations for Africans and their descendents across the diaspora is a viable argument. However, I also recognize that there is no amount of monetary value that can truly compensate for the atrocity of Slavery and the vileness enacted upon my ancestors (correcting a system that fosters racism for generations to come would go a long way - remember, the ancestors lived their plight; so their primary interest was that we not have to endure the same - "Is This The One"). Note: The bulk of the wealth generated in this country and throughout many parts of the world and controlled by the various "family dynasties" are by-products of slavery/ Racism (economic oppression based on race).
Do the real research (John Hope Franklin, Carter G. Woodson, "Complicity", by A. Farrow, Lerone Bennet, Dr. Van Sertima, etc). Had my family gotten their "Forty Acres and a mule" to their satisfaction, maybe this could be a null topic. However, NOT!!!!!!!!!!
*******Mostly in response to that CREEPY COMMENT from the "brotha" BJ........********