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Author: Unknown 11/18/08

Racism Defined

"How do you feel about the election?" I was asked by a friend at the

pub a few nights ago.

"I have a cold. I don't feel very well."

"But about the election? About Obama?"

"Well, it's great that a black man can be elected President in

America. But it doesn't exactly expiate the great national sin of slavery does

it? Martin Luther King said he dreamt about an America where a man could

be judged for the content of his character and not the color of his

skin. But it looks like most black people voted for Obama because he's

black, not because of what he believes. Not that it bothers me much.

It's probably a great thing that 12% of the American population woke up

today and felt like they belonged to an America where anything really is

possible. It may be the first time many of them felt that way. It's

great."

"That doesn't sound so optimistic."

"It's realistic. It is what it is. If people were proud of America for

seeing past race, well then I reckon American could justifiably be proud

for surprising the world again. But from what I saw, people were more

proud of Obama than they were for America."

"So what?"

"So that's the takeaway from this election. This election wasn't

about the deficit, global warming, or the neo-cons. It was about a vote people

could make to feel better about themselves. Obama offered people that

chance. The Republicans got exactly what they deserved for betraying

small-government, fiscally-conservative, sound-money and

non-interventionist foreign policy principles. But they also

underestimated how badly people want to believe in something today. This

election was all about pathos, not logos."

"You make it sound like it was a Greek tragedy."

"More like a comedy. It wasn't a campaign at all. It was one long

personal narrative, a two-year reality TV show with some world-class

editing and producing. Barrack Obama convinced people that his story was

America's story. Once he was able to sell them that story, there was

only one way it could end. Americans love a winner."

"But isn't he like a black Kennedy?"

"I have no idea what that even means. Race still matters in America just

like religion still matters. The things that make us different aren't

always bad. Besides, that just sounds like a bunch of romance and

nostalgia from people who have always wanted believe that a dynamic

leader could take us toward better, more enlightened government. Don't

these people have romance and drama in their own lives? Why are they

living vicariously through Obama's life? I understand wanting to be a

part of something greater than yourself. But anytime people feel like

that, they usually end up doing something stupid like burning books or

drinking Kool-Aid."

"Not always. The Civil Rights movement was about being part of something

greater than yourself. That turned out okay."

"Of course. But look, all I'm saying is that this wasn't a

transcendent election. It was a synthetic election. The power of America's mass media

and entertainment image-making machine was harnessed to a candidate for

national office. Obama became a feel-good brand that would magically

repair America's damaged reputation in the world and her economy at

home. But the Obama brand has all the depth and staying power of a

catchy pop tune. It's like Mountain Dew, all sugar rush, no nutritional

value. You feel better but you're not getting any healthier."

"You sound bitter. Or drunk."

"Not at all. Just a little alarmed. Modern politics is about the

manipulation of people's emotions (fear, hope, anger, envy, and sloth)

through words and images and really compelling but hugely false

promises. The Obama campaign was a masterpiece in manipulation, a

triumph of style over content. McCain just couldn't find a big enough

lie to latch on to. The campaign also represents the triumph of the cult

of personality in American politics. And anytime people have faith in a

man over faith in ideas, it's dangerous. We're supposed to be a nation

of laws, where our ideas - equality before the law, opportunity, freedom

of speech - command our loyalty."

"You're just a sore loser."

"Hardly. I lose all the time. I'm used to it. And you know I don't even

believe in voting. In fact, that's what's sad about voting. The high

voter turnout was a disaster for people who love liberty."