There is lots written about how Men of Color always have to be polite, can't raise their voices. There is something strange in American society - that requires a Man of Color to be exceptionally calm, or he will be identified as being enraged.
It just doesn't happen to men. A few years ago, in a meeting with some un-named colleagues I (calmly) asked why a certain decision was being made that only seemed to be arbitrary against Men of Color in the group. My colleagues reacted immediately saying I was "enraged" and they were afraid. I was never so amazed in my life. A few people in the room were also surprised - telling me that I didn't sound angry in the least.
Yet this is an old American story - goes back to slavery times, when black slaves could not show emotion (other than joy i.e. our beloved Louis Armstrong) or their masters would worry they were about to rebel.... For those of you that want to learn a bit more about history and the reason behind things we still see in the 21st century... read about the world's reaction to the Slave Revolt that occurred in Haiti in 1793 - otherwise called the "Haitian Revolution."
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Op-Ed Contributor
What Progressives Don’t Understand About Obama
By ISHMAEL REED
Published: December 11, 2010 - New York Times
... Progressives have been urging the president to “man up” in the face of the Republicans. Some want him to be like John Wayne. On horseback. Slapping people left and right.
One progressive commentator played an excerpt from a Harry Truman speech during which Truman screamed about the Republican Party to great applause. He recommended this style to Mr. Obama. If President Obama behaved that way, he’d be dismissed as an angry black militant with a deep hatred of white people. His grade would go from a B- to a D.
What the progressives forget is that black intellectuals have been called “paranoid,” “bitter,” “rowdy,” “angry,” “bullies,” and accused of tirades and diatribes for more than 100 years. Very few of them would have been given a grade above D from most of my teachers.
When these progressives refer to themselves as Mr. Obama’s base, all they see is themselves. They ignore polls showing steadfast support for the president among blacks and Latinos. And now they are whispering about a primary challenge against the president. Brilliant! The kind of suicidal gesture that destroyed Jimmy Carter — and a way to lose the black vote forever.
Unlike white progressives, blacks and Latinos are not used to getting it all. They know how it feels to be unemployed and unable to buy your children Christmas presents. They know when not to shout. The president, the coolest man in the room, who worked among the unemployed in Chicago, knows too...link to complete NYT article
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