An Interview With Gore Vidal

Melvyn Bragg: What are you most pleased about in terms of what you've done, Gore, over the years?
 
Gore Vidal: I've never killed anybody. Despite enormous temptation.

If you like intellectual irreverence half as much as I do you will enjoy this most recent interview with the eighty-five year old American author, playwright, and activist thinker, Gore Vidal.

Read the entire transcript in the New Statesman here.

Onward!

Picture Credit

"Tribal Intellectualism"?

I have been reading a lot of posts about the whole Field Negro House Negro dynamic of late, and I must say that most of them have been quite good. (Well, most of them. Some of them; not so much)I have weighed in on the subject before, but unfortunately my position on the subject is still a little misunderstood.

Recently I stumbled on another well written thought provoking article on the subject from my good friend, fellow yawdie, and co-founder of the Afrospear, Asabagna. He wrote it over two years ago over on the Afrospear blog, ( a must stop for all you blog surfers) and I am embarrassed to say that I just discovered it. I found "Asa's" article interesting because he touches on the House Negro Field Negro dynamic, as well as the North American black versus other blacks in the diaspora dichotomy that often exists among certain [so]called black folks.

Here is an excerpt:

Lately I have been doing a lot more reading of both books and blogs, than blogging myself. It’s like I’m going through an intellectual and spiritual growth spurt and I’ve been enjoying the time, reading and reflecting on what I’m taking in. At the same time, I have taken a self-imposed moratorium on watching or reading anything that is primarily about the U.S. presidential race… if I can help it! Even here in Canada, although we are going through a federal election ourselves, we get inundated with overwhelming election fodder from south of our border (see here). The coverage has gone from being ridiculous to lunacy… and it’s all become very “Jerry Springer-esque”!...

I read an interesting article by Jose Vilson entitled “The House Negro”, which along with some other stuff I’ve been reading, inspired this post. He asks what do we perceive and therefore define a “house negro” to be? I find this interesting because it’s certainly not clear to me if there is a universal definition or agreement within the Black community of what is a ”house negro”. Plus I am of the opinion that today, this whole idea of branding someone as a “house negro”, is primarily an African-American phenomenon that is used as a form of punishment… a “groupthink” control mechanism utilized mainly by (so-called) Black progressives to censure (so-called) Black conservatives. I call it: tribal intellectualism. I find that it is used primarily to discredit the beliefs, opinions and arguments, not by offering opposing arguments or engaging in a constructive debate, but by this very pointed personal attack. So instead of focusing on the debating the issues, you discredit them by calling into question their loyalty to the Black community. The term is also used to label particular African-Americans who have achieved a certain amount of financial and/or social success, as well as those who may have chosen to live, work, marry, speak, travel and engage in a lifestyle that is not considered “Black” or “Black-enough”…. whatever those concepts may represent to the name-caller… and therefore are seen as turning their backs on the Black community. They may also be referred to as an “Uncle Tom/Aunt Jemima”, “sell-out” or “acting white”.

One of the blogs I read frequently is The Field Negro and on the right margin he has a spot for the “House Negro Of The Day”. There are a variety of personalities… male, female, conservatives, liberals, democrats, republicans, politicians, sports figures, celebrities, and even some white folk, upon whom he has bestowed the designation. He explains why they receive the moniker for that moment and it’s usually for some behaviours, opinions or statements made, which he feels has a negative impact on the Black community. Most times I agree with him and I must also add that more often than not his choices and reasons cracks me up. The fundamental question though is what’s the perception The Field Negro wants his readers to have of the person whom he has labeled as a “house negro”… and more importantly what is the perception “we”… the reading audience… now have of that person… regardless whether we agree that they are a “house negro” or not?

An interesting twist I found regarding this issue was in a discussion I was following among Regular Brotha, Brotherpeacemaker, and The Black Sentinel. The discussion is a snapshot of a continual debate within the Black community between those who believe that some of our behaviours and/or choices is what is primarily holding us back, as opposed to those who believe it is primarily the actions of white society. The Black Sentinel surmised that those like Regular Brotha (like myself) who hold to the former position, are suffering from a psychological disorder: The Stockholm Syndrome! In effect, as she quotes: “The captives begin to identify with their captors. At least at first this is a defensive mechanism, based on the (often unconscious) idea that the captor will not hurt the captive if he is cooperative and even positively supportive. The captive seeks to win the favor of the captor in an almost childlike way.” Is this a blueprint for the classic House Negro!? Although this discussion spanned across 3 blogs… across a number of days, I will share one post of each of the participants which I found rather insightful: “Blacks Display Stockholm Syndrome” by The Black Sentinel; “Sentinel, I don’t want no trouble” by Regular Brotha; and “Wasting Keystrokes” by Brotherpeacemaker.

One of the issues which is often overlooked is that the Black community in North America is neither homogeneous in their beliefs, experiences, economic and/or social position… nor country of origin. There are many immigrants from Africa, the Caribbean, South and Central America who may be “black” in skin tone, but have different (and a variety of) values, opinions, desires, motives and methods to achieve success, than those who are born on North American soil, especially in the USA. I read an article in the Wall Street Journal entitled: “Black in a New Light” which argues that Barack Obama and his presidential candidacy has “sparked a debate about identity in the African-American community”. One of the sources the article quotes is a 2007 Pew Research survey which found that almost 40% of Blacks said the values of poor and middle-class Blacks have diverged so much that they can no longer be thought of as a single race. If we accept that all this is true, even a significant portion of it, what does it mean today to be “Black” and from this premise, who do we now define as a “house negro”?

The reason I say that this labeling someone “a house negro” is “primarily an African-American phenomenon” , is because growing up and living in Jamaica and Canada, visiting some African countries, as well as having discussions with my Canadian, Caribbean and African friends, we never use this term to refer to other Black people who have a particular belief or lifestyle. However, when I was living in Jamaica, we would refer to those in the middle or upper economic classes… those considered “establishment” Jamaicans… as “baldheads”… as opposed to “dreads”. This came from the idea that Rastafarians, who wore “dread”-locks were anti-establishment, non-conformists, cultural and political revolutionaries… while those who cut their hair… “baldheads”… did so to conform with the (neo)colonial standard of an acceptable Black person...." [Article]

Read the comments that follow the article as well, because they were also, for the most part, well thought out and insightful.

Finally, I would like to finish this post with some commentary:

Many of you are under the impression that I am as ignorant as the people I trash regularly for their racist ways on this blog. I am not. I am a racism chaser by default. It just so happens that the people who more often or not fall victims to racial bigotry are people of color.

Please don't ever think that I will check my humanity or sense of human dignity at the door because of someones race; their nationality; their sexual preference; or their religion. That's what bigots do. Field Negroes are not bigots. They are bigger than bigotry. The people who put them in fields know that, that's why they don't ever want them near the house.

Easy riders.

I see that the folks over at News Corp are living up (down) to their reputation as scum bags. Great guy that Rupert Murdoch, if only we had more like him. I know that the republican party wishes that they had more guys like him.

"Cablevision has said it currently pays News Corp $70 million every year for its channels, but the Rupert Murdoch-run company is demanding more than $150 million a year.

Fox Networks said Cablevision was seeking "preferential treatment" in negotiations.

"After days of posturing and the appearance of negotiating, they formally stopped even the pretense of negotiating at 8 p.m., declaring an "impasse," and made no further efforts toward reaching a new agreement before the expiration," said Mike Hopkins, Fox Networks' president of affiliate sales." ....'We remain willing to negotiate and hope that future talks ultimately will be productive, but as of now, Cablevision has declined to counter our most recent proposal."'

Both companies have been at loggerheads with other parties this year over the contentious issue of rising programing fees paid by cable and satellite operators.

Some of Fox's channels are currently off air on Dish Network and there is a possibility more Fox stations will go dark on Dish at the end of the month. "

And, finally, why is Obama and the main stream media trying to keep a brotha down in the upcoming Congressional elections? That ain't right. So the brotha rides with the Outlaws. It's not like he is dealing "meth" with them or anything.

"NBC News late Friday reported that Republican challenger Allen West, who is running in a tight race against Rep. Ron Klein, ignored a supporter's warning not to invite the Outlaws, a national motorcycle gang, to a campaign bike riding event earlier this year.

In its report, NBC said it obtained an exchange of e-mails between West and an unidentified supporter who warned, "criminal organization members in leather riding up [I-]95 is not the picture Allen wants.

West, NBC says, replied: "Please, no more references to criminal," adding, "I was never more amazed at how members of the Outlaws guarded me during an interview. In the NBC report, West is asked why he'd "defend" the Outlaws: "I don't think I defended the Outlaws," he says. "Did I say I condone their behavior? That I'm happy for them to do whatever they want?"

The segment -- which says the incident has hurt West among law enforcement Republicans -- was broadcast nationwide on NBC Friday and Democrats pounced, using it to slam West and the GOP. "

Do you see that, people? They just "guarded"him. He did not ride with them. He is not an Outlaw.

"Allen West is just the latest Republican candidate with an extremely disturbing past that Republican Leader Boehner and the (National Republican Congressional Committee] have promoted,'' the Democratic Congressional Campaign Commitee[sp] said in an e-mail."

Oh stop it. Would you say that if he was a white man? Or a democratic black man? Where is Michael Steele when you need him?

"West's campaign manager, Josh Grodin, denounced the report as a "political hatchet job by the liberal mainstream media...Let me be perfectly clear, Allen West has absolutely no ties to the outlaw bikers club - an organization with a history of criminal activity, as well as racism against African Americans." [Source]

You tell em, Josh.

Just checking in.

Sorry fellow field hands, I have been off the plantation for a couple of days. I will have a post tonight. I am away on business and trying to mix a little pleasure in between. (Don't worry, I won't end up like this guy. Damn! Even strippers are dangerous in these divided states of A-merry-ca)

Anywhoo, I just got to some of your comments from the last post. Some of you people need Jesus.

I will holla at you later.

Go Phillies!!!!

It's too late Mrs. Obama; dirty spirits are already here.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me." ~Psalm 51:10~

Mrs. First Lady, let me help you out a little bit, because no one seems to want to get your back. I know that is the scripture you were thinking of when you asked us to get in our prayer circles and pray to keep dirty spirits away from you and "O".

I see that you are under attack from the wingnuts for asking us black folks to pray for you and keep "the spirits around" you "clean". And, as is to be expected, the wingnuts are losing their minds. You have become the butt of all their jokes. Glenn Beckkk, a man who is supposed to be religious, and who has called A-merry-cans to turn to god, dedicated damn near an hour of his show to making fun of you and your religious reference. Nice people those Christians. Remind me to reserve separate rooms when I get to heaven.

Look, I know why you had to go on Tom Joyner . You had to appeal to us old reliable black folks to send a shout out for you and his O ness upstairs to the big guy. Lord knows he will need all the prayers he can get. If it's one thing black folks can do is pray. Unfortunately, I don't think all the prayers in the world will stop the wingnuts from big wins this November. But you have to do what you have to do. You are the designated black person in the White House.

Still, this is all a little unsettling. Even for an agnostic like myself. Here we are supposed to be a Christian nation and wingnut Christians are making fun of you because you asked your people to pray for you and "keep clean spirits around" you. Folks in the majority sure don't understand black folks and their religion. Personally, I wish we would have kept all the religions from the old country. A little Obeah would have been just fine with me. That would have really scared white folks. -Well, except for white folks like Christine O'Donnell. She is already a witch.-

"So, once again, we have the power. We’ve got this man in office. I think we’re all proud of Barack and his accomplishments. Everybody I know in our communities are praying for us. Every day we feel that. And let me just tell your listeners that it means all the world to us to know that there are prayer circles out there and people who are keeping the spirits clean around us."

Michelle, there are a lot of spirits around us, and they ain't clean. Maybe that prayer circle will have to get a little larger. Somebody hold my hand.

4 Bones and Counting

I am amazed at the amount of time that has elapsed since I started this blog in a tea shop in south Delhi four years ago today.  Last year I thought it unnecessary to even mark the third bone.

Since Delhi this blog has become a proud member of the Aboriginal News Group (ANG) and I count the Angryindian and Sina (my co-editors at ANG) as two of the most inspirational and committed struggle folk I know.

Please allow me to share a few user statistics behind this blog.  

The blog averages about 120 hits a day.  Since February 3, 2007, there have been 77.477 hits in total according to Clustermaps.

The vast majority of readers are in the US, followed by South Africa, the UK, India and Germany.

These are the top 5 of the most read/viewed blog entries over the last 6 months according to Blogger:

1. African American Women on NBC News (November 27, 2007) - 428 pageviews

2. Fun and Lynching (June 13, 2007) - 330 pageviews

3. Pedal Voyeurism (June 11, 2007) - 291 pageviews 

4. Eid Mubarak (September 21, 2009) - 265 pageviews

5. Remembering the Soweto Riots (June 16, 2008) - 264 pageviews

 My friend and fellow blogger Dade Carriega of the excellent blog "Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing" is the third most popular spot to re-direct reader traffic here (from May 2010 till now).

It strikes me funny that the top three most read/viewed posts are from 2007 when I was in Portland, Oregon, for six months before returning to my hometown of Kimberley in South Africa.

The Pedal Voyeurism post touched a raw nerve among the white bicycle devotees (and a few others) and still does.  The post led to someone starting a blog for the sole purpose of dissing my thinking and rounding the delusional into pedal power consensus.

My friend and fellow blogger, Eugene of  "Pudgy Indian 3", put the final exclamation mark on the Pedal Voyeurism post and the furor when he wrote a comment here in July 2006:

Bicyclists, like vegans, seem to get this attitude of "holiness" by simply riding a bike or not eating meat. In my activism, I have had to face off with MANY vegans who were holier than me because I eat meat. But, as I pointed out to them; "Being vegan doesn't make you holy, it only makes you vegan." Being a bicyclist doesn't make you holy, it only makes you a bicyclist.

Eugene's words of deconstruction are profound for many reasons.  I remain in awe of his no-nonsense style of blogging.

In the four years of writing here I still believe that this blog, and blogging, is not real struggle.  To pose as if blogging on a capitalist tool like Blogger is struggle, or revolutionary, is delusional.

When I write here I remind myself that this is just a blog.  Still, I represent and believe what I write here and for that reason I do not hide who I am.

In the four years I have written from India, Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico, the US, and now South Africa.

At each stop the issues have been about social and political justice.  In this time I have also thought a lot about identity in the post-apartheid era.

The issues of black identity and black struggle have mostly dominated the 46 bones that count my life.

In the last couple of years the focus on black struggle and identity has lost its weight for me.  It was inevitable in the sense that being black and in struggle is not a fact but a construction or a framework.

I have been moved and my politics advanced.

I recognize that among the oppressors are prominent black faces aligned with class interests that cut across continents and ages, races, genders, and sexual orientations.

Their recall of being black and blackness is duplicitous and meant just to amass wealth and power over all else like those who came before and the others who come before and on and on.

Changing times have impacted largely on the need to re-frame resistance and it is for this reason that being black and in struggle is not my priority reference and definitely not an accurate descriptor of my struggle activism and thinking anymore.

In a sense this 'arrival' is consistent with what I have developed in my academic work over the years.  I have argued that the notion of making race irrelevant to struggle must begin with resisting whiteness.

That much has not changed.

What has changed is the racial-class make-up of whiteness and its power arrangements.  Inside whiteness race is a relevant trading scheme meant to express interests and to configure power.

Whiteness is still about domination and thievery and oppression.  Only now, powerful black and brown and Other faces have been admitted to make whiteness, as an ideological value system, universal in its dominance.

In the last year or so I have met many black powerful and influential people alongside the 'garden variety'.

What has struck me is that some of the strongest adherents to whiteness are black people who will be severely offended to be called white or the fruit variety thereof (coconut).

In a Gramscian sense, whiteness is the uber ideology.  The common sense toward 'greater wealth and happiness.'

This universal 'truism' is imbibed without historical interrogation and context and at the "end of the day" it is hard to tell a black oppressor from a white oppressor for the values they espouse are the same.

In this frame, being black and protesting an authentic blackness is contrived for among those who suffer the death knell of drones from above and those who eat destructively manufactured foods from Monsanto are not drawn together by skins.

The oppressed are more complex than the binary of race that has delivered Mandela and Obama to the power positions they occupy inside the value system of whiteness.

I now understand what Frantz Fanon meant when he said: "I have seen the future of the black man and it is white."

For too long these words smelled of defeat and pessimism I wanted to believe did not exist.

But it does exist in ideology and in structure.

I hope to expand my thinking here and to use this platform to speak without guarded academic jargon (as best I can).  And I will hear criticism of all kinds except that which espouses racist violence and directs personal attacks.

Thank you for reading.

Here's to the next bone ... of contention that is ;0)

Onward!

What is a worker really worth?

I see that Glenn Beckkk is back, and I am happy to report that he is not dying........that is what he said, right?

Anyway, let's talk about my republican friends, shall we? It seems that they are hell bent on getting rid of the minimum wage. That is an interesting economic tactic, because it basically says that the federal government shouldn't mandate to employers what they can pay their employees. If, for instance, you just started your business and can only afford to pay a worker say $5.15 an hour, (the federal minimum wage prior to 2007) you should be allowed to do so. Who says that every worker should be worth at least $7.25 an hour? That's just the federal government involving themselves in places that they don't belong. What ever happened to states rights?

Republicans will tell you that the reason we are losing so many jobs to places like China is because they can afford to pay workers say .40 an hour. We don't create a pro business climate (the type the Chamber Of Commerce is pushing for) if we force businesses to pay workers a whopping $7.25 an hour. Besides, they reason, if you are allowed to hire a worker at say $3.50 an hour, you could hire two workers for what you would pay one at minimum wage rates. Aren't republicans smart? That would cut the unemployment numbers in half here in A-merry-ca with one quick swoop.

"The minimum wage is something that FDR put in place a long time ago during the Great Depression," Raese told ABC News Top Line. "I don't think it worked then. It didn't solve any problems then and it hasn't solved any problems in 50 years."

This is coming from a man who is running to become a senator from that very wealthy state known as West Virginia. Nice. Is it any wonder that Bruce Josten and the folks over at the Chamber are doing everything in their power to get the republicans back in power?- Even if it means funding republican campaigns with foreign money.- Because people being hungry in A-merry-ca doesn't really matter. It's not like they are corporations or anything. I don't know, maybe the people who strategize on behalf of the republicans told them that people who earn minimum wage don't vote. All those teenagers working at McDonald's don't have time for the voting booth.

Oh lawd! Where is his O ness when you need him? Wait.... never mind.