[lbo-talk] words for the black community

Dwayne Monroe idoru345 at yahoo.com
Fri Jul 2 13:19:37 PDT 2004


R wrote (in apparent praise of Kultur Minister Cosby's tirades):

but i'm used to hanging with afro-americans who don't feel sorry for themselves; who don't want *anyone* to pity or patronize or do it for them; and who have proven track records of being able to do what's necessary for themselves against whatever odds society imposes -- and, like cosby, demand the rest of their people do the same. and who are giving back to the community.

..........

Wilson Barber replied:

I disagee. Bill Cosby is an elitist who diminishes the devistation caused by the political/economic policies by government and corporation. In addition and ironically affirmative action has help to create an intra-racial class conflict within the Black community.

======================

Yes, precisely.

Let's assume, just for the sake of argument, that Cosby's "analysis" has merit and should be taken to heart because of, among other marvels, his supposed track record of "giving back to the community".

What follows from this line of reasoning?

Do we (and by "we" adopting R's often stated view of group determined causality and responsibility, I mean Black people) institute a sweeping self-discipline and family integrity program - perhaps along the militaristic lines of the Nation of Islam or the old Marcus Garvey organization of the early 20th century?

Let's suppose such a Spartanization project, or something, is successful and millions of wayward Black youth - and their reportedly mush mouthed, blame-others-for-all-my-troubles parents - 'get right' and step, with near perfect speech, "normal" names and starched, white shirts into the blazing sunshine of American life at large.

What then comrade?

Will they all go to fine schools, graduate, get good jobs in nice corporations (or start their own businesses) purchase lovely vehicles, move to tidy neighborhoods (or transform the ones they're now in to showcases) and become well adjusted people safe from the criticisms of Kultur Minister Cosby?

Perhaps that's too vague so let me cut away the fat.

Are there no structural impediments to millions (millions we're talking about here) of people achieving the sort of success - within the narrow scope of the capitalist system - Cosby demands of them? Is the US producing the volume of educational and employment opportunities necessary to absorb and direct this vast population of unwanteds?

The collapse of the 1960's Civil Rights vision of success was as a direct result of that vision running smack up against two factors: racism (sorry to be vague Woj) and capitalism.

Now in some circles people talk all day and night about racism but have zero understanding of the workings and impact of capitalism.

It was all very well and good to win voting rights and the rest of it. But the material basis of the pleasant middle-class-itude Cosby yearns to see cannot be created for the maximum number of people so long as capitalism dominates our life and our dreams.

Why are more Whites doing well? Because the benefits of capitalism (such as they are for workers) are directed through a racialist filter.

Cosby's words are less than zero to me because they come from nothing - as in, no analysis of the material conditions - and lead to nowhere since we cannot make the changes he demands on the scale he longs to see.

Indeed, to repeat myself, even if his words could be turned into a program (or programs) and successfully remade the so-called underclass the end result - after all was said and done - would be another descent into ennui since racialism and capitialism would, once again, prevent that energy, directed towards capitalist defined success, from creating a sustainable infrastructure for the majority.

.d.



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