Race, Politics and Colour - Essay Example

Race, Politics and Color RACE, POLITICS AND COLOR There used to be a strong argument in America that being black could affect youraccess to power. There was an argument that being black was a disadvantage and that you would always be limited in what you could accomplish simply based on the color of your skin. These perceptions would hold true in the past America, but in this modern age where power is more accessible to people of all races. The argument that you cannot get ahead because you are black is more of a crutch than something, which is factual. Like Toure stated in his book “Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness” we are entering an era where there are so many different ways to be black (Toure, 2011). Nobody has to keep up some pre-conceived black image because honestly there is not one. It’s common to think that people in general often wonder how others view them based on their appearance. This type of perception falls into the psychological concept of the looking glass self that was talked about in Toure’s Book. This states people shape themselves based on other peoples perception, which leads people to reinforce other peoples perspectives on themselves (Toure, 2011). Naturally, people want to portray a certain type of image. When you think of people who are in power you typically think of someone who is white and who is male. This is why some believe that blacks who have lighter skin tones are more likely to be power. This color complex has shaped the way not only the way whites view blacks, but also the way blacks view other blacks. So much emphasis has been on skin color that people will do anything to get an appearance that they feel will give them the best opportunity to be successful. The further you stray away from this image the more challenging it will be for them to be in a position of power. This outdated view of politics is not a part of how it works anymore. Money, class and connections fuel the realm of politics and control who is in power and who is not. Being light or dark does not really control how you fit in this modern day political atmosphere (Toure, 2011). We are entering an age where people at the top come in all different shapes and sizes. Many people feel that the election of Barrack Obama marked the start of a post-racial America. Some critics are of the opinion that his election as president, coupled to his status as a global super-star, is the symptoms of a dawn of a post-racial America. Post race can have two meanings; one is an era where the civil rights movement succeeded, with racism now having little significance, and the other is living in an era where race is not significant (Dawkins, 2010). Obama came to power with a compatibilist perspective that engaged hope and intimacy by challenging historical narratives regarding mixed race alienation, as well as the current narrative of post-race relations. Via acknowledging and embracing his white and black heritage, Obama embedded his heritage into America’s character. His rhetorical doubling when it comes to his speeches acted, and acts to promote two points simultaneously that act as an invitation for Americans to hold productive racial dialogue (Dawkins, 2010). Obama acts to challenge the racial thinking that ensures black people have no obligation other than to demand equality and justice from the administrative powers. Simultaneously, Obama challenges racial thinking allowing white people to be complacent and to tell black people to be more self-reliant and more responsible for their problems. Obama’s presidency has invited America to be more reflexive and engaged in leveling the play-ground. Obama’s presidency has also demonstrated that sincere expression of mixed race identity can be utilized to acknowledge division of race, as well as its awkwardness and predicaments (Dawkins, 2010). His presidency suggests that a resolution can be achieved in rhetorical discourse with communication being the key. Communication using mixed race identity has helped to explode the myth that individuals of mixed race either want to be or are already in a post-race era. His continued talk about his heritage has acted as a starting point in the comprehension of how identity of mixed race can be read as a beginning to inter-racial dialogue that contributes and expands on America’s racial story. The American political stage that Barrack Obama now exists in is very different to that in which MLK Jr. worked in some forty years ago. This is especially visible in the fierce opposition that martin Luther King Jr. faced from white Chicago mayor Richard Daley. Fast forward to 2008, one of Obama’s closest allies in Chicago was Daley’s son, Richard M. Daley Jr. (Wise, 2010). While King’s battle involved the struggle for full voting rights being availed to African-Americans, Barrack Obama relied on the mobilization of an already existing base of black voters within the Democratic Party. This shows the maturity and advancement of African-Americans in American politics after the Civil Rights Movement. Unlike MLK Jr., Obama did not come up against vile acts of racially motivated violence. However, it is important to note that Obama sought to lead America in a political environment that was toxic, pitting Americans on Americans concerning ideology and identity (Wise, 2010). As a collective, African Americans involve themselves more in American politics compared to other minority groups (Russell-Cole et al, 2011). They now have the most representation in Congress of all the minority groups in America. At present, most African Americans are in the Democratic Party although, historically, they belonged to the Republican Party since Abraham Lincoln, a conservative leader, was vital in the abolition of slavery. African American Democratic Party affiliations are traceable to the Great Depression of the 1930s when President Roosevelt instituted the New Deal Coalition that provided African Americans with economic relief. Their inclusion into the DP was solidified over the coming decades with presidents such as Lyndon Johnson and JFK supporting the Civil Rights movement (Russell-Cole et al, 2011). President Obama, who won a landslide portion of the African-American vote, further cemented this. The Black Power Movement is probably one of the most impactful movements for African–Americans and their assimilation into American politics. The movement did not provide an immediate cure for the myriad of problems facing African Americans in the 60s and 70s, including narrow political space. However, the movement contributed, directly and indirectly, to the development of black politicians and their acceptance into mainstream American politics. As a successor to the Civil Liberties Movement, the movement led to the creation of what experts refer to as the positive, radical flank effect (Russell-Cole et al, 2011). This had a telling impact on political affairs at the time and continues to do so to date. While the relationship nature between the two movements is a subject of much debate, a study into the relationship between mainstream movements for Civil Rights and black radicals indicates that the Black Power Movement caused a crisis in most institutions in America that made their legislative agenda more business like, realistic, and polite. This effect, in turn, led to a more appealing bargaining position for black politicians. Therefore, it can be argued that the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power Movement acted to enhance indirectly the bargaining position of the more moderate African American politicians and activist. Black Power approach to politics was filled with creativity, wit, variety and vitality, which helped to shape the path for coming generations like the present African-American presidency and the way that current African-American politicians deal with their societal problems (Russell-Cole et al, 2011). The activists capitalized on America’s recent insights into the political nature and manifestation of oppression, which was also a primary concern for the Civil Rights Movement. This resulted into numerous caucuses for political action and associations at community grass root level. References Dawkins, Marcia. (2010). Mixed Messages: Barack Obama and Post-Racial Politics. Post Identity , 9-17. Russell-Cole, Kathy. Wilson, Midge. & Hall, Ronald. (2011). The color complex: the politics of skin color among African Americans. New York : Anchor Books. Schuyler, George. (2012). Black No More. Lebanon: UPNE. Toure. (2011). Whos afraid of post-blackness?: what it means to be Black now. New York : Free Press. Wise, Tim. (2012). Dear White America: letter to a new minority. San Francisco: City Lights Books. Read More