http://hotair.com/archives/2011/02/15/the-strange-racist-attack-on-herman-cain/
The strange, racist attack on Herman Cain
While young conservatives chased out a white-supremacist recruiter from CPAC, it seemed that one site on the Left felt more comfortable with racist attacks. AlterNet, a site that proudly proclaims
its “strong content” and “huge readership and reach,” offered its
analysis of Herman Cain’s speech at CPAC by calling the former CEO of
Godfather Pizza a “monkey in the window”:
In the immortal words of Megatron in Transformers: The Movie, Herman Cain’s speech at CPAC really is bad comedy. As you know, I find black garbage pail kids black conservatives
fascinating not because of what they believe, but rather because of how
they entertain and perform for their White Conservative masters.
When race minstrelsy
was America’s most popular form of mass entertainment, black actors
would often have to pretend to be white men, who then in turn would put
on the cork to play the role of the “black” coon, Sambo, or Jumping Jim
Crow. Adding insult to injury, in a truly perverse and twisted example
of the power of American white supremacy black vaudevillians would often
pretend to be white in order to denigrate black people for the
pleasures of the white gaze. …
In total, CPAC is a carnival and a roadshow for reactionary
Conservatives. It is only fitting that in the great tradition of the
freak show, the human zoo, the boardwalk, and the great midway world’s fairs of
the 19th and 20th centuries, that there is a Borneo man, a Venus
Hottentot or a tribe of cannibals from deepest darkest Africa or Papua
New Guinea on display. For CPAC and the White Conservative imagination,
Herman Cain and his black and brown kin are that featured attraction.
We always need a monkey in the window, for he/she reminds us of our
humanity while simultaneously reinforcing a sense of our own
superiority. Sadly, there are always folks who are willing to play that
role because it pays so well.
Yes, well, I’m pretty sure that Cain is comfortable enough from his
private-sector success to not need the supposed financial windfall of a
CPAC appearance. His radio show may pay a decent salary — knowing what I
do about regional radio, that’s a rather risky presumption — but it’s
not exactly the kind of money that entices CEOs with proven rescue power
out of the business world. Cain has been pretty clear about his
passion for conservative politics, and his speech at CPAC — as well as
at other venues — was powerful and moving.
Having had to follow him on stage at one event, I can personally
attest to the sinking feeling that produces in speakers that have the
unfortunate chance of that scheduling. Having spoken with Cain on a
number of occasions, I can also attest to the fact that this man has no masters, white or otherwise. Herman sails by his own compass at all times, which is one of his most admirable qualities.
But just as with any political figure, Cain may not be everyone’s cup
of tea, especially if one disagrees with his conservative stances.
AlterNet doesn’t just attack his positions or his ideology, both of
which are fair game, but attack him for the color of his skin and
declares him inauthentic. In doing so, they make the same assumptions
that Jamie Kelso makes and tried to propagate at CPAC, which is that a
black man can’t decide for himself what kind of politics he likes,
honestly and authentically.
John Hinderaker at Power Line saw this before I did, and notes that my friend Dana Loesch pushed back against AlterNet’s descent into race-baiting:
No, the author doesn’t at all take into consideration
Cain’s individuality; in their sloppy logic they shows their cards: all
black people must be Democrats thus, if Cain isn’t a Democrat, then he’s
a captive conservative. The author insults Cain’s free will and shows
once again exactly what progressives think of black Americans: pawns
that must be told what to believe. Humans who lack the cognitive ability
to make valid choices. Black Americans couldn’t –Cain couldn’t
– possibly come to the realization of their conservatism alone! They
must have been brainwashed! Because progressives don’t believe that
black conservatives possess the ability to make such rational arguments,
they, the progressives, must “save” them. And again, progressives
insult black conservatives by insisting that they are victims of
stupidity.
This is progressive compassion? The complete lack of regard for the
beliefs and freedoms of black Americans? Alternet succeeded in
showcasing a possible reason for Cain’s conservative beliefs with such
an inane display of racist-fueled illogic. With such friends to black
America as these, who needs enemies? Is this “New Tone?”
Cain released two statements over the last couple of days on his Facebook page:
Please join me in condemning AlterNet for their shameful
behavior towards me and all black conservatives. Special thanks to my
friends Niger Innis, Dana Loesch and Andrew Breitbart for standing with
me. …
I am humbled by the outpouring support from friends and
supporters across the country willing to stand with me to defend civil
rights of ALL AMERICANS who love this country and believe in the power
of the American Dream. May we never forget the dignity of the individual
(which INCLUDES the freedom of thought) as the core of this great
nation’s founding and as the calling of this great nation’s future.
AlterNet owes Cain an apology, and perhaps those publications who
give “Chauncey deVega” a platform should reconsider their relationships
with the writer.
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/02/15/the-strange-racist-attack-on-herman-cain/
