THE POLITICS OF RACE: Republican Ad Mimics Common Tactics Used Against Blacks in the Workplace
Harold Ford, the African American senatorial candidate from Tennessee (Dem.), has found himself on the receiving end of a blatantly racist ad from the party of his opponent, Bob Corker (Rep.).
The advertisement features a White woman (blonde and apparently topless) stating that she met Rep. Ford at the Playboy mansion. The ad ends with the White woman winking and saying “Call me, Harold!” Bob Corker says the ad is a "low blow," and swears that he asked the Republican party to pull the ad. But, the Republican spokesperson who says the ad will run through the November 7th election is the same woman who rides along with Mr. Corker on the campaign trail. So, not only did he likely know the ad was being created, he probably knew the exact content, and approved it going on air...despite what he now says. And, I'm sure he is the person authorizing the RNC to continue to air the ad because he has often trailed in the polls to a Black man IN TENNESSEE! He will lose his "White papers" if he loses to a Black man. He will be banished back to the Caucus mountains!!
I think it should be very clear to all of us that the purpose of this ad, which does feature other people speaking about Mr. Ford, is to appeal to the racist underbelly of American society. It is no accident that the ad ends with this White, apparently topless woman, winking and smiling at the Negro candidate. One of the first so-called “great films” in this country was “Birth of a Nation,” which also hyped the image of Black men coveting White women.
What’s ironic is that the Republican strategy is not about challenging Rep. Ford on the issues, but to make personal and personality based attacks. To supplement that tactic, racist rhetoric and additional stereotypes are thrown in as the icing on the cake.
So, that would explain why we’ve heard Mr. Corker refer to Rep. Ford as “childish,” which is a common stereotype that has been historically used against Blacks—especially Black men. Blacks are supposed to be childlike in behavior and mentality, which is why we REQUIRE White “leadership” and “intervention” in every aspect of our lives. We are incapable of adult or rational thinking. We’re just so darn immature!
On top of that, we see the Republican strategy of depicting a Black man as not only hypersexual, but as attracted to a White woman. We are apparently still living in the days of Emmitt Till, since Republicans believe that just the image of a random White woman (an actress) winking at a Black candidate and basically saying “hollah at me” is supposed to rally the White men IN AN ENTIRE STATE to support the White candidate.
Additionally, voters in Tennessee have been subjected to negative ads and rhetoric from the Republican candidate that implies that Rep. Ford is just another Black criminal. Mr. Corker keeps repeating that Ford’s father was indicted, even though ALL CHARGES WERE DROPPED. And, he’s alleged that Ford’s other family members are criminals. To my knowledge, no one is in jail…although Ford’s uncle has been charged with some crime. But, Harold Ford said it best, when he asked Mr. Corker on CNN, what any of those allegations had to do with him! He, Rep. Ford, has NEVER been charged with a crime. And, Rep. Ford added that Mr. Corker wasn’t running against anyone in his family, so any reference to them was inappropriate.
The question is, for any person that thinks Mr. Corker has a right to bring this up:
WOULD IT ALSO BE OKAY FOR REP. FORD TO DISCUSS MR. CORKER’S FAMILY? White people in this country would go buck wild if a Black man began attacking a White challenger’s family members. White people would be telling it from the mountains! Oh, no he didn’t call Mr. Corker’s daughter a crystal meth fiend!! But, it’s apparently okay to talk about a Black candidate’s family. There is very little REAL uproar about this Republican Party tactic (the ad is paid for by the RNC).
So, art has in fact imitated life. In politics, as in the workplace, if you’re a White person who has a bone to pick with a non-coonish Black person, just make personal attacks, fall back on stereotypes, and appeal to the racist impulses of any Whites who are or who may become involved in your situation. It usually works every time!! Let’s see if this succeeds in derailing Rep. Ford’s quest to become the first Black senator from the south since Reconstruction. Harold Ford's website is: http://www.fordfortennessee.com/.
The advertisement features a White woman (blonde and apparently topless) stating that she met Rep. Ford at the Playboy mansion. The ad ends with the White woman winking and saying “Call me, Harold!” Bob Corker says the ad is a "low blow," and swears that he asked the Republican party to pull the ad. But, the Republican spokesperson who says the ad will run through the November 7th election is the same woman who rides along with Mr. Corker on the campaign trail. So, not only did he likely know the ad was being created, he probably knew the exact content, and approved it going on air...despite what he now says. And, I'm sure he is the person authorizing the RNC to continue to air the ad because he has often trailed in the polls to a Black man IN TENNESSEE! He will lose his "White papers" if he loses to a Black man. He will be banished back to the Caucus mountains!!
I think it should be very clear to all of us that the purpose of this ad, which does feature other people speaking about Mr. Ford, is to appeal to the racist underbelly of American society. It is no accident that the ad ends with this White, apparently topless woman, winking and smiling at the Negro candidate. One of the first so-called “great films” in this country was “Birth of a Nation,” which also hyped the image of Black men coveting White women.
What’s ironic is that the Republican strategy is not about challenging Rep. Ford on the issues, but to make personal and personality based attacks. To supplement that tactic, racist rhetoric and additional stereotypes are thrown in as the icing on the cake.
So, that would explain why we’ve heard Mr. Corker refer to Rep. Ford as “childish,” which is a common stereotype that has been historically used against Blacks—especially Black men. Blacks are supposed to be childlike in behavior and mentality, which is why we REQUIRE White “leadership” and “intervention” in every aspect of our lives. We are incapable of adult or rational thinking. We’re just so darn immature!
On top of that, we see the Republican strategy of depicting a Black man as not only hypersexual, but as attracted to a White woman. We are apparently still living in the days of Emmitt Till, since Republicans believe that just the image of a random White woman (an actress) winking at a Black candidate and basically saying “hollah at me” is supposed to rally the White men IN AN ENTIRE STATE to support the White candidate.
Additionally, voters in Tennessee have been subjected to negative ads and rhetoric from the Republican candidate that implies that Rep. Ford is just another Black criminal. Mr. Corker keeps repeating that Ford’s father was indicted, even though ALL CHARGES WERE DROPPED. And, he’s alleged that Ford’s other family members are criminals. To my knowledge, no one is in jail…although Ford’s uncle has been charged with some crime. But, Harold Ford said it best, when he asked Mr. Corker on CNN, what any of those allegations had to do with him! He, Rep. Ford, has NEVER been charged with a crime. And, Rep. Ford added that Mr. Corker wasn’t running against anyone in his family, so any reference to them was inappropriate.
The question is, for any person that thinks Mr. Corker has a right to bring this up:
WOULD IT ALSO BE OKAY FOR REP. FORD TO DISCUSS MR. CORKER’S FAMILY? White people in this country would go buck wild if a Black man began attacking a White challenger’s family members. White people would be telling it from the mountains! Oh, no he didn’t call Mr. Corker’s daughter a crystal meth fiend!! But, it’s apparently okay to talk about a Black candidate’s family. There is very little REAL uproar about this Republican Party tactic (the ad is paid for by the RNC).
So, art has in fact imitated life. In politics, as in the workplace, if you’re a White person who has a bone to pick with a non-coonish Black person, just make personal attacks, fall back on stereotypes, and appeal to the racist impulses of any Whites who are or who may become involved in your situation. It usually works every time!! Let’s see if this succeeds in derailing Rep. Ford’s quest to become the first Black senator from the south since Reconstruction. Harold Ford's website is: http://www.fordfortennessee.com/.
posted by S. Mary Wills at 11:48 AM
2 Comments:
OMG! You are so right. I had a before review where I was told that everyone in the office thought that I didn't smile enough. I was told I was too serious. Theydidn't say anything about my work. They just told me to smile and "open up" more because it would make me seem more approachable. Whites definitely will go for personality when they can't go after work related issues.
I don't think there's a racist underbely -- just a racist hairy beer belly for all the world to see.
If the ad works and Corker wins, I won't be surprised.
American racists revel in this kind of ignorance.
And when they bring it to the workplace, determine how much of a bone you want to give to these idiots (e.g. go out for drinks with them once a month or organize a co-worker's (one that you actually like) bday party).
Because you will have to give them something until you start your own business, marry rich or win the lottery.
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