Pimpin' Ain't Easy

Since we're all friends here, let's talk about race, politics, and America...... Damn- ya'll hear that? That was the sound of folks clicking off this blog with a quickness. For those of you still here, I want to have an open discussion. I don't have all the answers. Actually, I don't have any answers at all. Shyet, I've got nothing but questions, but unless we start talking about it, there will be no resolution and no understanding. The single request that I have is that you proceed on with an open mind. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

Pimpin' ain't easy. It ain't easy for Hillary, and it definitely ain't easy for Barack. Hillary has to define herself as a politician, outside of her role as wife and confidante to the beloved Bill Clinton. Sometimes she gets the roles confused. The Clinton camp wants us to know that a vote for Hillary is not a vote for the non-running Bill. I get that. But many black folks in America may not. The struggle for Hillary will be in not trying to ride her husband's coattails into the White House.

Barack on the other hand has to contend with so much more. He's got black folks complaining about the fact that he does not speak out on "race" issues. He has been accused of trying to "transcend" his race. Now, before I go any further, let us for a moment discuss the word "transcend".

Dictionary.com defines the verb transcend as:

1. to rise above or go beyond; overpass; exceed: to transcend the limits of thought; kindness transcends courtesy.

2. to outdo or exceed in excellence, elevation, extent, degree, etc.; surpass; excel.

3. Theology. (of the Deity) to be above and independent of (the universe, time, etc.). –verb (used without object)

4. to be transcendent or superior; excel: His competitiveness made him want to transcend.

Let's just examine this word, in relation to Barack Obama. Shall we?

First of all, how in the hell is Barack going to rise above or go beyond his race? And let's define race for the purpose of this conversation as: an arbitrary classification of modern humans, sometimes, esp. formerly, based on any or a combination of various physical characteristics, as skin color, facial form, or eye shape, and now frequently based on such genetic markers as blood groups (again with the dictionary.com). When he walks out of his door in the morning, does he get to leave the brown skin, thick lips, and kinky hair at home? I think not. Where he goes, it goes. It's the first thing non-African Americans notice when they meet him. It is a block to check on every legal form in the country. How does he transcend it? He doesn't seem the type to go for skin bleaching and then calling it vitiligo.

Second point: is it really that hard to outdo or exceed the current African American political leaders? Oh wait, there aren't any. Sorry folks, but the title of minister, pastor, community leader does not equate to experienced politician. Now I know I'm stepping on some toes with this one, but someone has got to say it. Politicians hold PUBLIC OFFICE. They are elected, even if it is rigged, and given a salary, perks, and kickbacks to move and shake things at the local, state, and national levels. Don't let me forget- the other way to hold public office is to be appointed by your shyster friend. I can march anywhere I want to at any time, and that still does not make me a POLITICIAN. That makes me a civil rights activist! Big fucking difference, and it is about time we learn this. So again, I ask, is it really that hard to EXCEED or outdo the current level of POLITICAL leadership in the African American community. Not so much. Whycome some of us are still holding on to the fact that leaders in our community HAVE to be ministers or preachers. I don't even go to church, so those folks can't get me to do shit. But that's just me. And don't think I don't know the historical perspective- I do. And I'll break it down for you another day. (You southern Baptists can stop praying for me, my God and I have an understanding.)

I won't talk about the theological use of the word. That's about the one thing no one is accusing Obama of.

Finally, I will say that why should he not want to meet the fourth definition of the word: to be superior or to excel? Who in their right mind would want someone representing them who is an underachiever? Oh, my bad, that's what we've been subject to for the last eight years, courtesy of the republican political machinery. We are complaining that the youth of today don't have ambition, don't have drive, don't want to improve their lot in life. Well, Barack Obama has chosen to excel, to strive for superiority, to do the damn thing. He could have continued on the wrong path and ended up in jail or dead. Instead, he decided to put to use the brains God gave him- and exceed the limits placed upon him by his environment and society. OK. Maybe if we as Americans decided to take this concept on as a national endeavor, Toyota would not be number one in car sales in these United States. I'm just saying.

I know I have only scratched the surface with this race and politics thing. There is so much more ground to cover. I just can't do it all in one sitting ya'll. I gotta give the devil his due so that I can pay my cable bill to keep my internet up. There is plenty more where this came from. Can you say Bob "I was talking about his community service" Johnson (are you fucking kidding me), invoking the name of MLK, Jr., and Tavis Smiley. Ok, ok, I'ma get off of Tavis- seriously. I really do like a lot of what he says and stands for. Seriously.

My questions for today: why is the minority candidate the only candidate required to address race? Do we not expect majority folks to do anything about racial disparities in this country? How come no one is accusing Hillary of trying to transcend her race? Is she not pandering to non-majority folks for their votes? I'm just saying.

I'll see ya'll tomorrow. Be kind with your comments, or not. I'll just delete the really nasty ones. Or not.