This article from the Times of India is interesting, because it raises issues that I often think about with regard to representation by people of color: Should we be proud of Bobby Jindal?
Because we’ve got lots of Bobbys in our midst.
And I often have the sneaking suspicion that part of the reason these Bobbys are held up by white conservatives is because they epitomize the model minority. Yes, you too should be working against the interests of the brown! Look what a good person of color does.
Does anybody think that people like Bobby and John McWhorter and Michelle Malkin would have achieved their prominence with a social justice agenda? What about if they were white? Then they’d be just another white conservative talking head. Nothing to distinguish themselves from the blathering masses.
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November 8, 2007 at 5:28 pm
RayU
While I agree with numerous opinions and positions in this blog, this is a post that I have some mixed reactions.
The assumption that comes across to me here is that there’s a political-racial connection:
‘conservative’ = ‘White’
and
‘progressive/liberal’ = ‘Brown/Minority’
If a person holds a politically conservative viewpoint (on whatever the issue), it automatically means the person is “working against the interests of the brown”?
So a brown person HAS to have a specific set of political views? Or that a brown person HAS to have Social Justice as agenda #1?
We minorities constantly struggle against stereotypes and ‘boxes’ that the majority try to put us in, yet you’re criticizing Bobby for not being in your Social Justice box as he should be because he’s brown?
We try to promote racial and cultural diversity, yet not want political diversity among our crowd? Social Justice should be promoted to be on everyone’s radar, regardless of political affiliation. Bashing them (Bobby, Michelle, et al [I don't know who John M. is]) because it’s not agenda #1, or #5, or even #10 doesn’t help. But raising awareness and encouraging them to at least get it on their list of agendas is a starting point helps to move things forward.
Although I lean conservative, there’s a bunch of issues that I don’t tote the conservative line. I hadn’t even heard of Bobby until brought to my attention on this blog. I just get tired of the political-racial polarization.
November 9, 2007 at 12:48 pm
resistance
RayU,
I demand complete and utter fealty.
November 9, 2007 at 7:38 pm
sinoangle
RayU,
I understand what you mean about accepting diversity in all aspects of life. Speaking for myself, I certainly accept that not every one, nor even every person of colour holds the same political views as myself. And resistance wasn’t saying we shouldn’t.
In fact, what was said was that it is so rare to see a poc succeed in a field such as politics, that we want to be proud of this person who could be a role model for our children’s self-esteem and a representative of our community to the white majority. What hurts is when the role that is being modelled is one that does not do much for our self-esteem or for the image we would like to have with the white majority; is one that in fact harms us overall.
But let’s talk politics. Broadly speaking, conservatism is about maintaining the status quo, and liberalism is about equal rights for all. Though there be regional variations around the world, these basic definitions hold true.
Therefore, when you say, “If a person holds a politically conservative viewpoint (on whatever the issue), it automatically means the person is “working against the interests of the brown”?”, I say, “it’s not about individual issues, but about realising that conservatism does not result in a shift in the power base, and therefore, since non-whites do not hold power as a group, they are adversely affected by such a political stance”.
You are right that non-whites do not HAVE to have a specific set of political views, but I find it difficult to imagine why anyone would want to disadvantage themselves and others like them. But then I’m a self-confessed liberal.
Incidentally, resistance did not bash Bobby et al for not having Social Justice at the top of their agenda either, but was pointing out that had they been stereotypical poc political activists, they would not have gained the prominence they have.
Maybe you’re not tired of political-racial polarisation but tired of the systemic racism conservative policies uphold and reinforce?
November 9, 2007 at 8:51 pm
A
Sinoangle said:
“You are right that non-whites do not HAVE to have a specific set of political views, but I find it difficult to imagine why anyone would want to disadvantage themselves and others like them.”
Sinoangle, you have to post or comment more. I love the way you break things down and allow us (the confused bunch) to understand better. For years I have been told by a white person that I should vote certain ways because of the color of my skin. I resented that for a long time. Lately, I understand that it is not all about me, it is about being an ally to the non-white community. When people of color cannot totally rely on white people to be their anti-racism allies (sometimes not even white liberals), losing Bobby hurts.