Can Cosby-Conservatism Work for Obama?
5 comments on this post
While reading an article in the Washington Post this past weekend, I encountered a term that I had never heard before: "symbolic racism." According to the author, Political Science professor Alan Abramowitz, "symbolic racism" means "believing that African American poverty and other problems are largely the result of lack of ambition and effort, rather than white racism and discrimination." According to Abramowitz, "almost 60 percent of white voters agree with the statement that 'blacks should try harder to succeed,'" and 58 percent of whites with no college education disagree with the statement that "history makes it more difficult for blacks to succeed." I looked into this concept of "symbolic racism" a little bit more and found that it is generally understood to have two components: anti-black sentiment and an emphasis on individualism. I found this second component to be particularly interesting - the emphasis on individual responsibility is certainly a dominant theme in current political dialogue, and it is often seen as a corrective to failing government programs. While Abramowitz doesn't parse out these two components in his article, I would imagine that the notion of individualism resonates greatly with working-class white voters. It prompted me to wonder if there is a way for Obama to actually capitalize on this sentiment (not on "symbolic racism" but on the emphasis on individual responsibility) and appeal to a demographic with which he has not faired well.For awhile now, Bill Cosby has been touring American cities spreading his message of individual responsibility and family and community building. Cosby is critical of any sort of "handout mentality" and the culture perpetuated by gangsta rap; he urges responsible parenting, with an emphasis on men being present as fathers in their children's lives. Consequently, Cosby has been seen as black conservative in the lineage of Booker T. Washington (there also seems to be a positive reaction to this brand of conservatism in much of the black community). Barack Obama has already included such rhetoric in his speeches (see, for example, his speech in response to the Rev. Wright affair, in which he states: "And it means taking full responsibility for own lives -- by demanding more from our fathers, and spending more time with our children, and reading to them, and teaching them that while they may face challenges and discrimination in their own lives, they must never succumb to despair or cynicism; they must always believe that they can write their own destiny."). I wonder if Obama could appeal more to working-class whites if he incorporated more of this Cosbyite conservatism into his campaigning. But, this isn't just a matter of appealing to a particular demographic; I imagine that a message preaching individual responsibility and the ability to better one's own life through hard work (paired with the provision of greater opportunities) would be inspirational to individuals throughout society regardless of race, class, gender, etc. Certainly there is nothing new about such a message in politics, but Obama is in a unique position to take advantage of this rhetoric to speak more universally to the American public.
By Kevin - 5/13/2008
5 Comments:
Kevin,
following Obama's career for the whopping 4 years he has been in the spotlight, I think it is fair to say he does exactly what you say he should do. All of his insight on poverty and race comes back to fathers and responsibility.
But I think we must consider another "unique" position he is in. If he hammers those issues, especially as they related to the inner-cities, he has a conflict.
On one hand, he may serve the excellent goal you lay forth.
On the other, he is bringing up race, which, by many, will be used to point out (or attack) him for anything that remotely bothers a those very people that harbor racial bitterness the polling outlines.
So I think Obama has the right balance currently. If you follow him and his speeches closely, he delivers a strong and relatively race-neutral approach to problems affecting inner cities. but he does it in a way that he cannot (fairly) be called a "black candidate".
He handles himself in a way that should not offend whites and should not offend blacks (unlike cosby, who comes off a little too grumpy and harsh at times. consider: obama can say what he says, but not get all high and mighty about all rap music being the devil).
I truly believe Obama transcends race
(regardless of what words his opponents seek to put in his mouth...i.e., claiming obama espouses to wrights claims, despite a lack of any evidence that obama believes anything "extreme").
It is Obama's ability to touch on such issues and similar issues that affect us worldwide that make him a unique figure. They are reasons I have been so drawn to Obama, and why so many other people have been drawn to him.
either way, thanks for a thoughtful article kevin.
Obama got rammed tonight
Well said Kevin.
I think part of what brought him to Rev. Wright's church was that message of self empowerment...of taking responsibility and ownership of your life. It's actually a pretty conservative position, and could lead to some resentment from African American circles that think he should be doing more. Cosby has taken heat for his opinions. That message, and the way he articulated white and immigrant resentment is why the "Philadelphia Speech" is a piece of art (as a side note, Obama will be giving his Democratic Nomination Acceptance Speech on August 28th, exactly 45 years after Dr. King gave his "I Have A Dream" speech...talk about positive energy and the stars aligning...that coincidence gives me goose bumps).
Truthfully though, if "hard working" white, blue collar voters took the time to get to know Obama, his messages would no doubt resonate. The problem is they write him off b/f they've even considered what he has to say. So it's up to supporters to bridge that gap and try to get our foot in the door.
That was a great piece Kevin.
I believe whole-heartedly that Obama should adopt these positions in an effort to appeal to more working class whites. For one, the message is the epitomy of the American dream. Too many working class whites, justified or not, believe that many blacks get where they are because of hand-outs. This runs counter to their idea of attaining success.
Secondly, for people like Chuck to assume Obama might lose some of the black vote by preaching responsibility, is to assume that blacks do not want to hear that message. It is to assume that the idea of being a real father is so repugnant to most black males, that they will switch over to Hillary. I whole-heartedly disagree with such assumptions.
Furthermore, I think if Obama discusses these subjects, many whites (myself included), will applaud him for discussing the issues that every politicain is afraid to discuss. I say this because it will signal to me that he is not afraid to talk about "politically incorrect" issues, even if it might make some people feel uneasy.
Let's be real, this issue is the elephant in the room. How often do you turn on the tv and hear about a robbery, rape, or some other heinous crime, and hear "two black males...". I mean seriously, let's just look at the crime statistics. Now please keep your accusations of racism to yourself, for I am merely talking about statistics, and not talking about causes. I am just merely saying that something must be done. Something must be done to turn the tide on the horrific realities of the inner-city.
Also, what did Chuck mean by this?
"On the other, he is bringing up race, which, by many, will be used to point out (or attack) him for anything that remotely bothers a those very people that harbor racial bitterness the polling outlines."
of course, i never said that obama would lose black voters by virtue of a responsibility message. what my statements reflected that people can be turned off by too much finger pointing and hostility (too much of the cosby approach).
and what i meant by the part you singled out is that Obama talking about race a lot only highlights him being a minority (and also reminds people of him going to predominately black church). and his race hurts him with a certain segment of voters, even swing voters.
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