Condoleezza Rice – Ain’t It About Time We Give Her The Proper Props

This article is courtesy of Roland Martin. Blacktina usually doesn’t completely post another article, but this was just too compelling to keep to myself.

Sen. Barack Obama has called for a national discussion on race in America, and one of the folks who sure didn’t hold back when asked was Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

In a discussion with the editorial board of the Washington Times on Thursday, Rice called racism a ‘birth defect’ of America , and said that black Americans have loved the nation even when it didn’t love us.

The Times reported:
‘Black Americans were a founding population,’ she said. ‘Africans and Europeans came here and founded this country together – Europeans by choice and Africans in chains. That’s not a very pretty reality of our founding.’

‘As a result, Miss Rice told editors and reporters at The Washington Times, ‘descendants of slaves did not get much of a head start, and I think you continue to see some of the effects of that.’

‘That particular birth defect makes it hard for us to confront it, hard for us to talk about it, and hard for us to realize that it has continuing relevance for who we are today,’ she said.

Rice later said: ‘ America doesn’t have an easy time dealing with race,’ Miss Rice said, adding that members of her family have ‘endured terrible humiliations.’

‘What I would like understood as a black American is that black Americans loved and had faith in this country even when this country didn’t love and have faith in them – and that’s our legacy,’ she said.

Wow, was all I could say to that.

What was even more stunning was the relative lack of coverage on this issue. I was told CNN’s ‘The Situation Room’ did a piece on her comments Friday. But when I surfed the Net to see follow-up stories in other papers, it has pretty much been ignored, except for some briefs.

Why would the mainstream media be so dismissive of Rice’s comments? Imagine if Rev. Al Sharpton or Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. said such a thing. Do you think they would have gotten ripped?

The fact of the matter is that Rice was right on the money with her comments, and should be commended. She spoke honestly and openly about the issue, and deserves credit for speaking the truth.

I just wish my colleagues in the media would do a better job at advancing the issue of race in America and our sordid history.

We went bonkers about the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, but when Rice, the nation’s chief diplomat, spoke truthfully, it barely made a ripple.

Roland S.. Martin, CNN Contributor
www.rolandsmartin.com

We’re in the Hzzhouse!

That’s right peeps one of us is in the White House and proud we should be. A real Black man with a real black wife, there I said it! You can’t get no blacker than the Obamas. He’s pure half African, which some of us can’t even claim and she’s straight up sistah! Now with all that being said I’m sure we’re all walking around with our heads up high with a can’t tell me shit attitude. And honestly after all we been through it’s OK we carry on this way, it’s about time. While I’m walking around all happy I have to be honest with my true self. Why am I so happy??? Is it because he’s just black? Does that mean if Pookie made it to the White House or Al Sharpton, would I be just as happy? I don’t know about the rest of you but no I wouldn’t be happy, I might of felt ashamed.

The Obamas to me just don’t represent a Black family that achieved the ultimate success running the largest country. They represent our struggles and how to overcome them. Just look at Barack, hell just the name alone could have slammed doors to job interviews and I’m sure it did. You know an employer can identify a potential candidate by his/her ethnic name. Trust me many saw the name Barack Obama and were like I know he ain’t white. Yet he was able to overcome these obstacles and become the President of the Harvard Law Review, work for a prestigious law firm and the rest is history. Look at Michelle Obama, as Katt Williams said, “She’s a thoroughbred sistah.” Michelle ain’t no joke. You know she’s down from the hood but she knows when to turn it on and off. She too has had her share of adversities and struggles. Michelle can’t pass for anything other than black. Her hair ain’t fine, she ain’t nowhere light, his hips are wide, her lips are big and no she don’t have a European nose. Yet this woman graduated from Princeton and went on to work at one of the country’s most prestigious law firms. What I admire most about the Obamas is they just didn’t sit on their behinds. They weren’t privileged, nothing was easily fed to them. I’m sure Barack suffered many instances of identity crisis growing up white and the real world letting him know he was Black, we all know how cruel that can be. And Michelle, God bless her sistah soul, she openly discussed the racism she experienced on her college campus, and was brave enough to say “I finally can say I’m proud to be an American.” There was nothing to sugar coat about this statement. We all have to admit, how proud could we be as Americans when America has constantly reminded us that they didn’t want us unless we’re willing to work for free, live in squalor and deal with occasional rape. I’m convinced that when Sidley Austin paired Michelle as Barack’s mentor, they did so because they were Black. Little they did know how well the pairing would pay off . Even their pairing no matter how successful was a form of racism. Michelle knew and yet she held ground and I’m sure that firm would love for her to recognize them over and over again.

I’m happy that the Obamas are in the White House because they inspire me. This is not some mushy BS feeling that I have. When I look at what they may have gone through which is mirrored to what we all go through and to reach the level of success and acceptance makes me think that nothing is unattainable. It’s no secret from this blog that I hate working and playing the dual role. I work to pay the bills and in this day and age I’m fortunate to have the ability to do so. Yet I would love nothing more than to pursue my passion and acquire independent wealth. For years somewhere in the back of my mind I doubted myself or put myself in that all too familiar comfort zone of being happy where I’m at. As I viewed the Obama swearing feelings of pride, excitement and joy overcame me and I vowed since that day that I too am going to take chances. I’m going to follow my spirit which is led by God and pursue my dreams. I can be happy everyday and pursue independent wealth. I shouldn’t be afraid to take chances. To quote Laurence Fishburne from Akelah and the Bee ” Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. We are all meant to shine. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.”

I wish I could personally thank the Obamas for exemplifying courage, determination, tenacity and all done with a touch of class. Everytime I see him or her I always think of ways I can better myself and NEVER EVER let any obstacle whether it be my own self doubt or reservations from others ever Stop ME!!!! Black America or whatever color you are, take a cue from the Obamas, if two ordinary people can achieve this much success then what’s stopping YOU. You have to ask is it YOU????