General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Any thoughts why Cornel West always finds it necessary to refer to the color of the Presidents skin [View all]JustAnotherGen
(31,683 posts)My race does not define me - it's how I've experienced America.
We are not a monolith.
I do not use brother or sister unless I'm referring to one of my siblings.
Achievement is everything.
It's nice to be important - its far more important to be nice.
Reach down and pull up - but when dragged let go.
I don't think Obama has forgotten me. I've seen a man - who I share more in common with in many ways than I ever will Smiley or West. I look at him, Booker, and yes - even Ford - as partners. They do not assign blame to black women and do not ask us to subjugate ourselves to their will. I see this in many young voices of feminism as well. And certainly our partnership with the GLBT community is one.
I'm quite familiar with Mr. West's body of work. It just doesn't fit the narrative that most young black Americans need in order to move forward. We can't hear him in between all the brothers.
We don't need the "brothers" - we need to hold the line and hear more CEO's. We need to "win" with other groups. We need less faith based - and more reason based objective thought. Striking down DOMA - was as much a win for us black folks as it was the GLBT community. Had Rmoney won - I have no doubt we would have had more attacks on the rights of women.
Some of the strongest voices at DU who see what is going on with black America - are from those groups. We are better together.
You asked me to define new black - I'm one. It's all there.