Following in Condi and Colin's Footsteps.

Via M.J. Rosenberg:

Before Bush, African-Americans were appointed to some good posts but not to our #1 foreign policy job. Two African Americans (one with a pretty odd first name) served as America’s face to the world. That eased Obama’s way. It is not Tiger Woods in whose footsteps Obama is walking — it’s Rice and Powell.

Fact is, “W” never gave any evidence of holding racist attitudes. I’m not talking about his programs which, to put it mildly, did not help African-Americans unless they were in the upper tax brackets. I’m talking about old fashioned racism — or even just the slur the occasionally slips out of the mouth of even our most liberal leaders.

I actually don’t disagree too much with this (though I have no idea what the Tiger Woods reference is about).  Thoughts?

G.D.

G.D.

Gene "G.D." Demby is the founder and editor of PostBourgie. In his day job, he blogs and reports on race and ethnicity for NPR's Code Switch team.
G.D.

Latest posts by G.D. (see all)

  • Steve

    I mean George W. overall had a pretty diverse cabinet… and made efforts for a diverse judiciary…

    and it isn’t like he had to do that… and if anything, it will be one of his few positive legacies..

  • Steve

    and I mean in terms of policies…whether we agree with it or not… NCLB was one of Bush’s MAJOR policies and its principal mission was eliminating the achievement gap between students of color and white students…

  • You know what they say about good intentions, Steve. Also, eliminating the achievement gap is a big part of the rationale for “school choice” as well.

  • h

    the tiger woods remark seems to point towards woods as a racial trailblazer who did not have an example to follow. a “true” first of his kind. if it’s true, barack would be following in the footsteps of two af-ams, “one with a pretty odd first name.”

  • I’m assuming the Tiger Woods reference points to a ‘black man in a white man’s sport’ (golf) and his being the king of that sport. That is, here’s somewhere else that a lot of people never thought they’d actually see a black man. It’s a good analogy, I think. And I’m thinking it’s working out really good for golf; imagine how good it’ll work for America as a whole.

    Time though for it to no longer be about the “black and white”; time to “go grey”: http://simplyscott.wordpress.com/

  • I agree re. Rice and Powell. But although I’m willing to believe that Bush himself isn’t racist, he sure as shit was willing to use racism in his campaign (remember McCain’s black child?). Of course so was Clinton and so was McCain himself. He may not be personally racist, but he isn’t particularly anti-racist, either.

  • ladyfresshh

    G.D. it seemed to be a sarcastic shot at a potential simplified list of trailblazers most which gear heaviy towards sports.

    i certainly appreciate condi and colin now… that the administration they served under is almost gone and palin was trotted out and showed me what a true political puppet looks like

    although id argue about ‘W’ racist attitudes which were more classist than racist granted but i think we continue to mistake a laid back casual subtle racism(i wonder how he would react to a black son inlaw for instance) for the intense angry racism(kkk,hitler) most people think of

  • Bphd: I don’t see how someone can use racism as a tool to their advantage and not be somewhat racist themselves…

    LF: I think Bush skewed more toward classist, as well. But I won’t excuse him from being a racist.

  • the black scientist

    just because bush didn’t pull a kramer doesn’t mean the man doesn’t have racist attitudes. especially considering his policy. does racism only count when it is ‘old fashioned’ these days?

    in response to steve- I don’t know whether to attribute the poor results of NCLB to this administration’s inability to write effective policy, or to question, in fact, the ‘intentions’ of said policy in the first place…

  • the black scientist

    P.S. just watched the video.

    condoleeza identifies as black? holy smokes… (excuse me – “african american”)
    also, is it just me or does it appear as though she’s adopted some of obama’s speech mannerisms? particularly the rhythm and the body movement…

  • Condoleeza has always identified as black though. Every time I’ve read about her speaking on race she’s been pretty clear about the challenges that come with being black in America. Its one of the things that make her fascinating despite her politics