And so it begins. Again...

[Number23]

'Can Obama hold on to African American voters in 2012?'
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/can-obama-hold-on-to-african-american-voters-in-2012/2011/09/30/gIQA1IeisL_story.html?hpid=z2

"Recent Washington Post-ABC News polls have shown a drop in the number of blacks who have ”strongly favorable” views of Obama and those who think his policies are improving the economy. This has coincided with vocal criticism of the president among some members of the Congressional Black Caucus and other African American leaders.

But the focus on sticking together has prompted criticism from some who call it an overly simplistic view that shuts off dialogue about Obama’s achievements and his failures.

“It truncates vibrant conversation in the black community,” said Eddie Glaude Jr., a professor of religion and African American studies at Princeton University. “What I hear them saying is, ‘Black folk need to get in lock step because we don’t want Republicans to take the White House.’ There is a kind of disciplining of the black polity that doesn’t lend itself to a vibrant and detailed consideration about political issues.”

As has been occurring more and more lately, Al Sharpton provides the big money quote: "Sharpton said he learned an important lesson about supporting black politicians in the early 1990s, when David Dinkins, who was New York’s first black mayor, was running for reelection. Sharpton criticized Dinkins’s “deliberative” style and thought his policies were not progressive enough. Dinkins was hurt by the diminished enthusiasm and turnout among black voters.

“We beat up on him. He went down and we ended up with eight years of Rudy Giuliani,” said Sharpton, who has been among Obama’s most aggressive supporters. “I said I’ll never make that mistake again.”

[Number23]

1. Kathleen Parker, an expert in American race relations, responds

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/obamas-african-american-supporters-shouldnt-play-the-race-card/2011/10/18/gIQA12m9uL_story.html?hpid=z3

I learned a LONG time ago that people who use two very telling phrases ("race baiter" and "race card") tend to be the LAST people you'd ever want to hear talk about race relations. Parker does little to change my mind in that regard.

[Brewman_Jax]

2. I've read her articles before

and she's an "expert" (wink! wink!)

I wouldn't believe her if I asked her what the time was and she looked at her watch and answered.

[Number23]

3. Brew, oh my goodness

My grandfather used to say things like that all of the time.

I wouldn't believe her if I asked her what the time was and she looked at her watch and answered.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I have no doubt that if my grandad had read this idiotic article, he would say about Parker "I wouldn't trust her if she said I was black." :rofl:

It always amazes me the people who feel free to dictate to black people when it is or is not an appropriate time to "play the race card," which in their feeble, feverish minds means even MENTIONING race.

I'll play the "race card" any damn time I want to. In fact, I think I'll play it now!!

According to so many racial "experts" like Parker, it's never beyond arm's length anyway. :eyes:

[Kind of Blue]

4. Why is she living in the future?

Amazing that this is what she focuses on instead of the outright racists right now in Congress and those in Congress who've vowed not to work with the president on any thing. Obvious cheap shot, Parker.

[Number23]

5. Well, between the article in the OP

questioning with baited breath if the president's 85% approval in the black community means he'll win the "black vote" :eyes: and the absolutely idiotic response to black leaders requesting unity which Kathleen Parker considers "playing the race card" :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: it's hard to tell which piece is more inane.

I'm not sure if I agree with Tom Joyner when he says that blacks should vote for the president in order to show some sort of black unity. I honestly believe that most blacks will vote for him because they think he's doing a good job, they support the policies he's created/implemented or because they like Michelle and the girls. :) I'm not sure that I think the "support the brother angle" does us any favors.

Personally, I am supporting the man because in addition to liking him and his marvelous family on a personal level, I think that he has done some things exceptionally well and some things good enough. I do think that he's handled a few things poorly but they are not nearly enough to dampen my enthusiasm for this president.

[Kind of Blue]

6. Honestly, I think it's making a mountain

out of a molehill. Parker and the professor conflating it to mean playing the race card, when she herself writes that the president hasn't even done it, is astounding. I see absolutely nothing wrong with what Sharpton and Joyner are doing to counter the immense criticism of this president. It's called politics. But that's not the ONLY thing they're doing to fight Teapublicans, just what Parker thinks is the most important thing when we have Congress people on the record about their hatred from day 1. She's insulting.