Doug Wilder Denounces Obama's "Black Enough" Critics

By: Lowell
Published On: 8/28/2007 11:45:01 AM

According to The Politico, "Douglas Wilder of Virginia, who made history as the nation's first elected black governor, is preparing to campaign aggressively for Barack Obama, and predicted in an interview that the charismatic young candidate could shatter the Republican Party's virtual lock on the South."  Very interesting.  Also, Wilder blasted critics who ask whether Obama is "black enough":

He called the "black enough" criticism "inappropriate."

"What is blackness?" he asked. "Is it the way you talk? Do you got to say, 'Dey this, dey dat.' Or the way you dress? Or is it the forgiving of certain things? What is black enough? Is [Jesse] Jackson black enough? Is [Al] Sharpton black enough?"

I completely agree with Doug Wilder.  This entire line of criticism about Obama, incessantly asking whether he's "black enough," is ridiculous.  I remain neutral in the 2008 Democratic prsidential contest, but this type of garbage should be out of bounds for any of our candidates.  What next, is Hillary enough of a woman?  Is John Edwards enough of a man?  Oh wait, I forgot, Republicans are already saying that garbage about Clinton and Edwards.  Grrr.

Comments



black enough (bherring - 8/28/2007 12:16:11 PM)
Questioning whether he's "black enough" is an effective way of screaming "HE'S BLACK!" without actually, you know, saying that.  Just code to the frothing base, that's all. 


That's even more despicable. (Lowell - 8/28/2007 12:32:27 PM)
This garbage makes me ill.


In context (Vivian J. Paige - 8/28/2007 3:23:10 PM)
It's not whites that are asking this question, it is blacks.
Wilder also denounced African-American activists who question whether Obama is "black enough"

If you follow the black blogosphere, you will find a lot of discussion on the issue. And it has nothing to do with Wilder's claim of "pimping the race."

Whether or not you agree with it, it remains a concern within the black community and one that needs to be addressed.



I expect Republicans to do this kind of stuff (Lowell - 8/28/2007 4:17:24 PM)
Not Democrats.  Do white candidates ask each other if they're white enough?  Is Bill Richardson asked if he's Latino enough?  Is Hillary Clinton asked if she's female enough?  Is Dennis Kucinich asked if he's short enough?  Is Mike Gravel asked if he's senile enough?  Is Chris Dodd asked if his hair is white enough?  Well, you get the picture. :)


Well, since you asked (Vivian J. Paige - 8/28/2007 6:05:44 PM)
I don't know if Hispanics ask whether Richardson is Latino enough - I suspect that there are those who do. I've had female friends question Hillary on the basis of her being female. And I've had them say that they would not vote for her because she's female.

In this case, it has nothing to do with party - it has to do with self-identification. It's a perspective that can be difficult to understand unless you happen to be a member of group. Internalized oppression comes in many forms.



I'm well aware of the phenomenon. (Lowell - 8/28/2007 6:31:28 PM)
In my group, it's called "self hating Jews."


Many criticisms of various Democratic candidates (Teddy - 8/28/2007 4:40:00 PM)
find their origin in the inner campaign circles of Republicanism and are floated about in false-wondering tones, or as phony political analysis by pundits and "fringe" elements of the media... they are nothing more than test marketing by Rovian campaigners to see what creates a flap, what engenders doubts, questions, worries, etc. In other words, "black enough" is one more case of run it up the flagpole and see who salutes it--- so the republicans will have an arsenal of tested smears and campaign themes, whoever the Democrats may finally select as their standard bearer. Very clever of the meanies, ain't it?