You guys do realize the right accusing Obama of a shakedown is a racial dog whistle

[wndycty]

It is no accident that the Republicans are accusing President Obama of "shaking down" BP, back in 2002 Ken Timmerman wrote a book about "Jesse Jackson called: Shakedown: Exposing The Real Jesse Jackson."



http://www.amazon.com/Shakedown-Exposing-Real-Jesse-Jackson/dp/0895261650

Accusing Obama of shaking down BP is a dog whistle to those on the right who were very fond of this book when it was published. The choice of calling it a "shakedown" is not a coincidence.

The right likes to tie Obama to Jackson anytime they can, they like to play up Chicago style politics anytime they can and they love to use racial dog whistles anytime they can.

[backscatter712]

1. Southern Strategy at work. n/t

[Lasher]

2. Did not know that.

Thanks.

[jenmito]

3. Yup-it sure is. And another part of the dog whistle is when they call it "Chicago-style..."

It's so obvious.

[MadBadger]

22. And I see Chicago Style as a slam of The Daleys

[Mojorabbit]

39. I guess I have been more

brainwashed from commercials than I thought. When I hear Chicago Style, I automatically think Pizza. :)

[boomerbust]

42. Or

Hot Dogs!:hi:

[MadMaddie]

4. I would say with the exception of 37 % of Faux and Fatbauls

viewers and listeners, the rest of America has caught on to the nasty racial politics the Republicans are engaging in.

[Bitwit1234]

5. If BP was not admitting they were innocent

they wouldn't have put up the money. The republicans just want to take the heat off big oil companies.

[Electric Monk]

26. Admitting innocence is such a hard thing to do. I think the word you wanted was "guilty"?

Proofreading before hitting post is such a chore...

[grasswire]

6. I should have noticed that.

Ugly stuff. Never forget what they did to Jesse -- a man who earned nine million votes for president in spite of their hounding.

[saracat]

7. So what was it when Al Capone invented the "Chicago style shakedown"?

I always thought he was Italian and it was a mob tern. The Mobsters "shook the businesses" down for "protection money". It is a very old term and NOT racist.

[HughMoran]

9. Interesting

[saracat]

11. Yeah the mob would send the "enforcers" to do the "shakedowns".

Actually, I don't think the President shook them down enough.He even lets BP pay in increments so it doesn't hurt them. The Mob Enforcer would never do that. I think we shoulda sent the Mafia in to dreal with BP. (Only partly joking here)

[wndycty]

10. The term itself is not racist, but I do believe they are trying to imply a connection to Jackson

. . .you don't have to agree with me, but its what I believe and you most likely won't get me to see it your way.

[saracat]

14. Originally they were trying to frame Jackson as a "mobster".

and perhaps. The thing is Wall Street does shakedowns all the time and I think it is actually a compliment the Prez was accused of "shaking down" a criminal enterprise. BP has done more than its own share of shaking down. What people are wailing about is a raste of their own medicine.

[Hippo_Tron]

37. Yes but the media portrays organized crime as something only minorities take part in these days

The term "gangaster" doesn't conjure thoughts of Al Capone, but rather of the Cripps and Bloods.

[mkultra]

49. Its a term that reflects criminality, which is a common sterotype for racists

the term IS racist. Not all blacks are criminals.

[arcadian]

62. Your statement is racist

"Not all blacks are criminals."

Did you seriously just type that?

[mkultra]

64. Yeah, read it again with a snarky tone and it will make more sense

<snark>Not all blacks are criminals</snark>

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

88. Why are you taking issue with the comment "not all blacks are criminals?"

Do you disagree?

[CakeGrrl]

8. Oh yeah, just like Drudge saying the President was "going street"

Terms they'd never use to describe the actions of white men.

[AspenRose]

75. Or "Urkel channelling Jay-Z." (Right, Rush?)

I sure hope Michael Steele didn't suggest any of this stuff to the GOP operatives. You remember his hip-hop outreach wasn't so successful :rofl:

[MadBadger]

12. I think it has nothing to do with race. And making it about race unnecessarily changes the topic

[wndycty]

13. For some of us who deal with race everyday and understand history . . .

. . .its no so easy to dismiss.

Much of the language used by the GOP to attack Obama is influenced by race. They could have very easily said extortion.

[saracat]

17. So can the mob, but they say "shakedown". Who comes for the

extortion money" ? Or says they are "extorting anyone"? No one. Can you imagine the Godfather sending Freddy to "extort " money from a casino?

[wndycty]

19. I just don't understand your hard on when it comes to shooting down this hyposis. . .

. . .I think given the racist language, especially dog whistle language, used by the GOP/other Obama haters it is a valid concern that this could have something to do with the book "Shakedown" written about Rev. Jackson.

You have stated that you think I am wrong, we can agree to disagree but it seems like you have a vested interest in defending a charge I made against those using the "shakedown" language, a charge that I fully stand behind.

[Clintonista2]

23. So a book attacking Jesse Jackson called "shakedown"

automatically makes shakedown a racist term? :rofl::rofl::rofl:. You really are too much.

[wndycty]

41. Go ahead and doubt me, look at what I found via google this morning

From: http://serr8d.blogspot.com/2010/06/shakedown1-obama-channels-jesse-jackson.html

ShAkEdOwN!!!1!! Obama channels Jesse Jackson; Rep. Joe Barton, you speak for me.

From: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2537011/posts

Rainbow Putsch and Obama's DC (Did Obama Learn BP-Shakedown Tactics from Jesse Jackson?)

[vaberella]

77. I don't think Shakedown is a racist term, but a safe way to imply Obama is a thug.

And that is where the racism seeps in. When Bush was going unilateral---I don't think anyone named him a thug or anything he did as a shakedown.

[saracat]

24. I dislike when history is misused or misrepresented.

I think historical context is imperative in the search for truth. One cannot discuss the use of the term "Chicago Style Shakedown" without understanding its Mafia roots and its significance to Capone. I always feel I have a vested interest in history. I fought professors on English history and proved them wrong. I believe when the term was applied to Jackson, it was to portray him as a mobster with illicet dealings. The same term is oftem applied to Rahm Emmanuel by the way.He has often been called a "Chicago Style Shakedown artist " and a "Chicago Thug".

[wndycty]

48. And history is not being misused. . .

. . .they are using the term "shakedown" to tie him to Jesse Jackson. If you'll notice on links I provided this morning its not lost on the FreeRepublic crowd.

[mkultra]

51. historical context is only a portion of etymological meaning

The term shakedown is a term used for all criminals today, not just mobsters. Painting blacks as criminals is a common method of racists. Anything that forwards negative stereotypes about blacks is, by its very definition, racism.

[mkultra]

50. i understand it.

[dionysus]

54. the same people that defend this racist shit also defend teabaggers every chance they get. i sense

a pattern here.

[wndycty]

56. oh oh

:kick:

[EffieBlack]

68. You're dealing with something all too common on DU and beyond . . .

Some folk are always willing to acknowledge that racism exists - it just is NEVER at play in THIS instance . . .

[wndycty]

72. You head the nail right on the head

:kick:

[AspenRose]

74. Well, unless the 'n' word is said or there's burning crosses somewhere

it isn't really racism.

:sarcasm:

[MadBadger]

18. Nothing I hate more then when somebody responds to an answer and treats me like I'm dumb

"And understand history."

[wndycty]

20. Hey if the shoe fits wear it. . .racism is something I have to contend with my entire life. . .

. . .I don't know much about you, who you are, what your experiences are, etc., but the ease by which you can just dismiss what I see I as a potential racist undertone makes me question whether or not you fully understand racism and its history.

[Clintonista2]

40. Hey, it's better than them implying that you're a racist for not buying their stretch

As the OP has done several times in this thread.

[wndycty]

53. I implied as much? Really?

I don't think I accused DUers who didn't agree with me of racism, I just declared we came at this from different perspectives of history.

[depakid]

15. That's a bit too much of a stretch

and I've accepted a LOT of stretches on this issue.

[wndycty]

16. Just like I can't convince you of the connection you aren't going to convince me its a stretch

Do you also deny that the GOP/Obama's opponents have used racist dog whistle language against Obama?

[depakid]

29. Nope- I don't try to talk people committed to pet theories out of stretches- doesn't work

I will note though that I was the only one to post Cesca's takes on racism as the sole and overriding motivation behind the teabaggers on this forum.

I did so because he proved his point in sweeping and exceptionally persuasive detail.

[Clintonista2]

21. Nope. eom

[phleshdef]

25. Anyone that doesn't understand the racial code in associating a black President w/ violent criminals

...would have to either be completely out of touch with American culture or just willing to give passive aggressive racism a pass because President Obama is the target.

[saracat]

28. Anyone who is unaware the term "Chicago Style Shakedown" originated

with Al Capone and the Chicago Mafia in the twenties and thirties is completely "out of touch with American history". Black Americans are not often identified with prohibition era mobsters. This was not a racial epithet when it was applied to Rahm Emmanuel. I certainly do not believe in giving passive aggressive racism a pass but I do not think this is about race so much as it is an insinuation of corruption, which given the circumstances is laughable.

[phleshdef]

30. Black Americans are not identified with gangsters, my ass.

And history doesn't apply here. Culture applies here. At that same point in history, the word gay meant happy and had nothing to do with being a homosexual. There has been an ongoing effort by some on the right to associate President Obama with thuggery and anyone with half an iota of mainstream awareness can see the racial implications in that.

[saracat]

31. Rappers identify themselves as "gangsta" which isn't the same as

Prohibition Era mobsters. I never saw any emphasis with Black mafia style mobsters in the Prohibition Era. The Mafia of the time didn't hire Black enforcers. And the right would be trying to paint Obama as corrupt or a thug no matter what race he was. That is what they do.

[phleshdef]

34. Prohibition era gangsters inspired the use of the word gangsta.

But all that is beside the point when, as the OP pointed out, that Shakedown has all ready been used by the right to attack one of the biggest black civil rights activists of our time. All things that I may agree or disagree with Jesse Jackson on aside, no one can deny that he has been one of the poster whipping boys for Republicans that play racial identity politics with. The Republicans simply could have used the word "extortion" and got the same effect from the attack. But they took it step further and made sure to identify it with organized street thuggery. Its the same way they have attacked pretty much all of the prominent black leaders that have pissed them off.

[AspenRose]

79. Times change, and so does the reference point

THIS is what they are referencing in this particular instance. Which is why they mentioned "Urkel channeling Jay-Z" specifically.

Notice it doesn't say "American GANGSTA," but "American GANGSTER." 'Gangsta' is an informal way of saying the same thing.

[mkultra]

82. are you grinding an axe or burning a cross?

i cant tell which.

[avaistheone1]

65. I agree with you.

You have shakedown in the appropriate context. Actually I agree with all the points you raised.

[suzie]

38. +1,000

[kiva]

71. Or perhaps they rely on broader cultural awareness than

you exhibit? One slice of American culture does not define the culture at large.

[jgraz]

27. A right-winger moving his lips is a racial dog whistle

Unless it's a "git yer guhns and shoot sumbuddy" dog whistle.

[Beartracks]

32. Racial "dog whistle"?

No wonder I didn't hear it. :silly:

I didn't remember this book, by the way.

Interesting catch.

----------------------------

[whistler162]

44. According to some anything that is said against the President

is racial!

[wndycty]

47. No, but when there is evidence that something may be racially motivated are supposed. . .

. . .to be quiet as not to offend those who do not like to discuss race?

[Clio the Leo]

33. As a genuine white person from the South I can honestly say....

.... I have NEVER heard that term used before (as relating specifically to African Americans.) And trust me, I have HEARD them all.

But, hey, I like you, I'll take your word for it.

I can honestly say that the vibe I get from your average over-40 white southerner is that, as far as him being African American goes ... they tend to categorize him with Bill Cosby, or Oprah, or OJ before he started killing white folks. :)

It's that age old notion that the South hates the race and loves the individual (and the north is vice versa.) ... A way of thinking that I have heard described NUMEROUS times as "there are blacks and then there are ____. .... Of course that line is a steaming pile of BS. But a lot of people here still think that. It's vile and wrong, but that's the way it is.

To be totally honest, I think most people in this part of the world have more of a problem with him being "foreignish" than JUST being African American. I'd say it's 60/40 .... 40% the fact that he's an African American and 60% him being "weird" and "didn't grow up in America" and "a Muslim."

But to say that most older white southerners think of the President in the same way they think of the dudes they see on the nightly news ... I dont think is accurate. That's certainly not the impression I get. I have more people questioning his faith or place of birth than I do whether or not he's a "thug." Now, that's not to say that his ethnicity doesn't enter the picture ... but I think the best way to explain it is to say that his ethnicity makes them MORE suspicious of his faith and national origin. His ethnicity contributes to his mystique and it is that mystique that raises suspicion. .... But the good news is that it's that very same mystique that makes him a LOT more popular with the younger crowd, regardless of their ethnicity.

Throw in the fact that he's a "big spending liberal" and you are then able to account for his approval ratings .... or lack thereof.

But to say that the south simply dismisses him in the same way they dismissed Emmit Till or any other countless thousands of African American men throughout history oversimplifies things too much.

[Mithreal]

35. A dog whistle to anyone who knew about that book maybe.

And why are you posting an amazon sales link?

And if racial dog whistles are a sign of being from the right, this place needs a better scrubbing. Here's a hint, follow the dogs.

[LoZoccolo]

46. It's actually more common that just this book.

They have been using the phrase "shakedown lobby" to describe the movement for reparations as well.

http://www.capitalismmagazine.com/culture/racism/4320-Slavery-Reparations-Shakedown-Lobby.html

[Wilms]

36. There's been a nauseating stream of racism directed at Obama since the campaign.

But in this case, I accept that you see racism.

[Bonobo]

43. Reminds me of when Hillary tried to hang "slumlord" around his neck.

I just had the feeling then that she was trying to tie him to "slums" aka "ghetto".

I don't want to reopen old wounds, I am just telling it like I saw it then.

[dionysus]

55. bing

+1

[AspenRose]

80. For reference

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Is_Senator_Obama_tarnished_by_slumlord_0127.html

I'm surprised no one asked you for a LINK. (OK, not really.)

[TheKentuckian]

45. It's the Republicans, it's standard operating procedure for them

Nothing super standout in the context of their 24/7 365 bullshit.

Minorities understand this and white folks either get it (some of those eat it up) or pretty much won't short of burning crosses, white hoods, or yelling nigger.

The Republicans are a de facto racist organization and must be to firmly hold a significant portion of their base, many of which were Democrats until black folks were given a seat at the table.

[AspenRose]

76. Exactly.

They know exactly what they're communicating.

[VMI Dem]

52. Maybe they are just saying that to get votes.

Probably not really racists. Right?

[ecstatic]

57. k&r. I caught it as soon as it was said

I didn't associate it with Jesse Jackson specifically. It is a word that is commonly used in reference to black activists who get results. The word choice + the person who used it = obvious whistle.

[wndycty]

58. Yup, but some DUers not only disagree with me but have PROBLEM with me seeing it. . .

. . .oy vey.

[AspenRose]

78. Take heart: Digby "gets it" too.

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/shakedown-talking-point-of-many-colors.html

Some people just don't want to be challenged or enlightened. If they aren't familiar with it, and it challenges their current world view, then they can't be bothered.

If you are a person of color and try to point it out, you are playing a race card and see race everywhere (as if you have the luxury NOT to), which grows 'tiresome' (read: uncomfortable) with folks. Some may even accuse YOU of being racist for pointing it out. If you are white and try to point it out, you are an apologist who suffers terribly from 'white guilt,' and are accused of being ashamed of being white.

[Hosnon]

59. I agree with the posters who relate it to corruption and not racism.

When I hear "shakedown" and "Chicago-style", I think absolute ends-justify-the-means politics, a la Rod Blagojevich.

[wndycty]

60. Are you familiar the book I referenced, and the fact said book was popular with. . .

. . .the folks currently using the phrase to describe what the Obama White House is doing?

As I mentioned up thread the use of the phrase is having an impact, the Freepers got it immediately and that is how dog whistle politics work.

[Hosnon]

61. Nope, not familiar with the book at all. And your average conservative/Republican

probably isn't either.

While the terms may have racist meanings, they aren't the only meanings (and probably aren't the dominant meanings).

[wndycty]

63. And how might you explain the following thread on FreeRepublic?

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2537011/posts

[LanternWaste]

67. Free association.

"And how might you explain the following thread on FreeRepublic?"

Free association.

[Hosnon]

70. FreeRepublic represents the average Republican no more than DU represents the average Democrat.

The sample is tainted by self-selection.

[K8-EEE]

66. Yes as is "Chicago style" politics...as a black man he doesn't "negotiate"

He does "shakedowns." It's a fave Freeper term.

[Uzybone]

69. of course it is. For a white democrat it would have been called unfair negotiations

[AspenRose]

73. I mentioned that last week. It seemed pretty obvious to me.

I've only heard the GOP mention the word "shakedown" twice in media outlets - in reference to Jesse Jackson and Barack Obama.

I've heard them use "thugs" in reference to Obama's Chicago entourage (Rahm, etc.). Rush Limbaugh, specifically.

I can't recall any white democrat ever being called a "thug" or being accused of shaking anyone down by anyone in the GOP in recent events. Even when they had their crazy accusations of Vince Foster's murder and God knows what else, I've never heard either Clinton referred to as a "thug." (Or John Kerry. Or John Edwards. Or Joe Biden.)

And this argument about "original context" reminds me of the "tar baby" issue on DU. People arguing left and right that the "original context" of "tar baby" wasn't racist, therefore current usage isn't racist. Same tired argument.

[Karenina]

81. Bingo.

[Name removed]

83. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[wndycty]

85. WOW so you responded to this OP by posting that offensive graphic. . .

. . .class act, just a class fricking act.

[CBR]

89. Stay Classy! nt

[Raineyb]

91. Quite the right wing racist meme there. Never can a black person bring up something to do with

race without certain types of head in the sand people insist on accusing them of "playing the race card." Racism in this country is a bloody deadly business which of course you don't give a damn about because you don't end up on the wrong end of it in this country do you?

This is a disgusting right winged racist meme that does nothing but belittle black people. God forbid you might actually listen and learn something about how some black people see things. You are as bad as that pig Limbaugh. Welcome to my ignore list.

[slackmaster]

94. Sometimes a cigar...

...is just a cigar.

[proteus_lives]

84. The term is about corruption, not race.

[Mathilda]

86. What Obama did was not a Shakedown, but I don't see the racism.

Anything can be spun into being racist if we try hard enough. I just don't buy the racism angle when it takes too much effort to explain how something is racist.

If you didn't think it was racist upon hearing the comments the first time around, it's not racist.

[last_texas_dem]

87. Bob Seger was a racist, too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk-W_i7Z59I

Little known fact: Seger actually began his career in the '60s recording pro-segregation 45's for the Reb Rebel label, so incorporating the well-known racial epithet "shakedown" into his first #1 single was old hat for him.

(Hey, one major stretch deserves another...)

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

90. "'Negro' is the Spanish word for black."

"And since 'nigger' is simply a corruption of the word 'negro,' therefore 'nigger' isn't racist.'"

:eyes:

Hey, you're the one that said one good stretch deserves another.

[wndycty]

92. Shakedown is not a racist term, the attempt to create a meme that both Jackson and Obama. . .

. . .are shakedown artist is.

Have fun ridiculing me, have fun calling it a stretch. . .they don't call it a dog whistle for nothing.

[SweetieD]

93. Knew it was race based as soon as I heard it. Right always refers to Sharpton and Jackson as shaking

down someone.

[Igel]

95. You completely miss the point.

Either that, or all the conservatives I know that have agreed with the "shakedown" statement don't hear high frequence "dog whistles."

This is how they understood it. All of them.

It's a shakedown, not because Obama is black, but because of how they define shakedown. A shakedown isn't just getting money. It's making a veiled or behind-the-scenes threat, one that you're able to make real because you have an organization behind you that can execute the threat, probably in a way that provides plausible deniability to you and will escape legal interdiction; in exchange for not carrying out the threat, you're paid off. It's extortion. But "extortion" is a more neutral term, but I think of extortion as preferentially what one person does to another person or organization. A shakedown is what a protection racket does, even though in court they are the same term. We're not in court.

Jackson was viewed as a shakedown artist because his organization, they say, tended to shout "racism" very loudly; however, if you look at organizations that contributed large sums to him or his causes you found very little loud shouting. The "shouting" might be community organizations with representation on local boards, it might be showing up during public comment sessions during city council hearings, it might be issuing press releases and filing suits fueled by pro bono lawyers. Don't know if it's true; I did know people livid at Jackson in the '90s because after going after some companies loaded for bear Jackson gratefully thanked them for a large check and then either defended them or refused to say bad things about them; the people livid at Jackson were activists also going after the same companies and felt betrayed, and said that Jackson was paid off. I'm not about to say that just because Jackson is black he is somehow not prone to the usual temptations of man; as a minister, Jackson himself would be compelled to say that if Jesus was subject to temptation then he, Jackson, certainly would be. Did he yield? That's covered by, "Don't know if it's true." I'll leave that judgment to those to the far right of me and those who were to the left of me. On this, they agreed. Again, I really don't care whether self-appointed spokesfolk are fallible or not.

The "shakedown" term could be applied to Obama because he runs a very large administrative apparatus, one that can make life impossible for any corporation or citizen that has to deal with the federal government. You see calls here for him to abuse his power: sic the IRS on people, make sure regulators hound certain businesses or kinds of business, make regulations to rein in individual corporations or even take extra-legal, extra-constitutional actions because "justice" has to do with some people's personal morality and not with the law or Constitution. While Obama's not likely to do the latter, putting out the word that BP's financial filings with the IRS, environmental filings, SEC filings, oil-field contracts, international financial dealings, etc., etc. be examined in detail and no error be permitted--so that misspellings, improper date formats, incomplete filings completed after the deadline, etc., etc., all be rejected--would constitute decision and damaging action, all legal. In other words, demand letter-of-the-law perfection. Obama could do that because he's the executive. BP would quickly be bankrupt. Or you, if the word went out to focus on you. Is it harrassment to demand compliance with long-standing regulations and laws? Perhaps, but there's no need to mention people by name--a hint, wink, and nudge would be sufficient. And if it went to court and Obama lost, so what? Arthur Anderson showed that winning and being declared not guilty after you're bankrupt and liquidated is pyrrhic vindication.

It's nice to think that Holder and Obama don't talk, that Obama can't influence Holder, but let's be real. If Holder thinks that all he could get is a federal misdemeanor against BP, would he file? If his boss said to. Nothing illegal or wrong in it. But it would severely hurt BP. Just a whisper: "You know, I might put in a good word with Holder if you pony up $20 billion in the escrow fund." Did it happen? Dunno.

The thing is, Would an actual shakedown need to happen? After all, if you open up shop in Capone's neighborhood, if you know that there's a protection racket, you might pre-emptively buy off the hoodlum organization. Your action might save money--hire the nephew at $200/week, not pay $250/week. But it would show respect, and in some circles a show of respect is very important. It's a cost of doing business. In this case, you know you need the US administration's good will in the best of times; moreover, ill will from the administration would be very, very bad. So you put up $20 billion, you've made the gesture and set the figure: Could Obama come back and say, "No, $30 billion"? No shakedown needed; you've shaken down yourself, preemptively.

That, by the way, would make the $20 billion a kind of bribe. Unprovably so, by the way. And one that Obama could be seen as having accepted. But Barton was playing politics, and Obama was the target. So

As for "shakedown" being racist, a lot of people interpret things through their own experience and sensitivities--and look for things that offend them. Then, because they view them as racist, they must be racist in some objective way. This confuses "perception" with "objective"; it simultaneously adds to the list of racist acts they've observed. It's wonderfully self-justifying. It also utterly dehumanizes the person accused because their intent is suddenly unimportant; they have no will, no volition, no intent, since it's all defined by others' perceptions. It's precisely what happens when my mother sees a black kid wearing gangsta-style clothing: He's a thug, a loser, a criminal. What he is is unimportant: My mother's perception is that the kid's a gang member and dangerous, so what does his intent--being fashionable, looking like his buddies--matter? The certainty that the kid is a criminal reinforces her perception that all blacks are criminals and dangerous--with rare exceptions. For example, while she's racist to the core, she's also a lifelong dem and makes room for Obama since he, as she thinks, has a PhD.

Very often, the modes of thinking at the extremes meet.