Michael Eric Dyson on Barack Obama: A Response to metricpenny

My conclusion -- debate is good.  As long as its sincere and factual.  Cynicism and rhetoric simply for the fun derived from divisive conversation?  Not so much.  Let's give metricpenny the benefit of, never mind!

Dr. Dyson's Points

There is an over riding theme to this conversation which has been missed by metricpenny, a point I might add, that most non-Black listeners would miss.  And that is,

• We can not (or do not) trust, love, respect, or identify with one another.

This piece is much less about Barack Obama, and much more about a white supremacist mentality in the mind of Black folks.  The conversation is profound because the answers are painful.  Why is it that Black voters  work so hard to find reasons not to vote for Black candidates? 

• Black politicians deserve our equal consideration in getting our vote, "functional solidarity"

What is interesting is how metricpenny has not taken into account the current conversation in African American media.  Perhaps he is not aware?  Presently, there is a real move to overly scrutinize Barack Obama while not leveling the same standard to other presidential candidates (republican or democrat).  You'll often hear something along these lines, "Well how do you know that once Barack Obama obtains the office of POTUS, that he'll really address issues of concern to African American voters?"  Funny, but no one even expects that of Giuliani or McCain, so we don't ask!

"Functional Solidarity"?  Let's not exercise a prejudiced mentality toward ourselves!  Be informed.  Be critical.  Hey, follow metricpenny's example and be a cynic.  Just exercise that cynicism in all directions!