Black Progressive is An Oxymoron

Seems it has become fashionable over the past four years for African Americans to consider themselves to be politically progressives as opposed to liberals. The way I have managed to understand progressivism, in simple terms is that it is a political ideology that states it desires better conditions in society that is rooted in early 20th century liberal philosophy. It is supposed to be a response to the impact of industrialization as well is a political philosophy in between the response taken by traditional conservatives and socialist to deal with social and economic issues. Naturally, it started in urban areas and was first championed by folk advocating egalitarian and liberal methods to reform socioeconomic policy.

Scholars have had a very difficult time defining Progressivism. Some have even grouped both Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson as Progressives even absent of any common ideological ground between the two. They even add Lyndon Johnson and now, Barack Obama in scope and aim.

For some oddly coherently dissonant reason (historical and philosophical), I find it implausible and oxymoronic for any African American to call themselves progressives.

I would advance that most describe themselves as such either because of the aforementioned adumbrated definition, or because they support President Obama and white democrats call him progressive. In the past I have often had to disabuse politically, what I comprehended about the progressive political orientation. Specifically that it is rooted in the concept of liberal internationalism as implemented first via the foreign policy of Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States. Albeit not called such during the time of the imperialistic colonization of Africa, Wilson approach to the world (on behalf of the well-being of America) was immured to practices similar to what led to the enslavement of Africans and the subjugation of other world ethnic nationalities. This is the main reason I find African American progressive as a term, to be dysfunctional and improbable.

It assumes the false and contumelious Kantian Moral Imperative of exceptionalism that resulted in apartheid in South Africa and Nazism as well as the White Man’s Burden in Europe. The Progressive narrative in antithetical to the political philosophies of African Americans from a chronicled perspective and stresses a “muscular nationalism” designed to serve Americas well being only from a plutocrats perspective singularly internationally – meaning foreign policy is for the simple goal of protecting US national security (the wealthy). Ergo, the best national security involves advancing democracy abroad even by military force, regardless if nations desire such or not.

Back home, we have seen the pseud Darwinism of progressive politics from the attributing of race based cultural traits being antecedents for criminal behavior (Cesare Lombroso) and prior to that in the opinion of Chief Justice Roger B. Tanny who wrote in the Dred Scott ruling: that free blacks would always be “identified in the public [white folks] mind with the race which they belonged, and regarded as part of the slave population rather than free.”

True, Progressives began in response to political powers unwilling or unable to address the economic and social changes consequential of the industrial revolution in America; but somewhere it turned into a monster that overlooked liberty, self-determination, sovereignty and individual rights- all in complete contradiction of the struggles of African Americans from slavery to the civil rights movement. And just as then, Progressives today want the same things from safety to making sure that our political system is free from corruption. The problem is that they want all of this implemented by advancing American interests by a Hobbesian (warlordism) the internationalism that at the same time make positive-sum interactions almost impossible.

First progressives place America first and intentionally ignore that we live in a global world and not an isolated one. Thus they miss the bigger picture that most African Americans have traditionally observed, that declining living standards, weapons proliferation, deforestation and social injustice everywhere, especially when perpetrated by America, is a hazard and a danger to us all. This means that progressives applaud approaches put forth by men like Obama, Roosevelt, Truman and Wilson because simply put, their policy advocate that the United States knows what's right and what other should do -- all the US has to do insist that others snap into line. Thus both the left and right looks at other nations as objects of American foreign policy, rather than as being free agents themselves.

Now it seems in the age of Obama, even liberals support war under the cover of other attributes. The war in Libya was the progressive way to protect innocent civilians. President Obama is in many way similar to both Wilson and Roosevelt. This is why I assert that black and Progressive are incompatible just as freedom and ignorance, for progressives thrive and promulgate economic inequality for if it didn’t exist they would not be able to survive. This is the reason why the 99 percent exist, and why we find ourselves in wars in Libya, Yemen, Somalia and asking for one in Syria. The progressives do not send their kids off to war for a better life or struggle economically, they have it all, unlike most African Americans, even the ones who call themselves progressive.

From Pendegast to Blagojevich

I’m sure a few of yawl done caught wind of a certain state governor was arrested in his warm up suit – without the gold chain. Which was funny because it is so fitting of Mafia Dons and block watchers? As such, I can feel some that feel the Golden boy, a certain president-elect, may be damaged or tainted or hurt by this. And I just waana say don’t worry.

Now I consider my self to be a top shelf advocate of the importance of history. Moreover not often I can use modern or current day events in an attempt to make parallels thereof. As such, I want to try and ease some the fearful ruminations associated with one of the other aforementioned having a negative impact of the image of the other. For before Obama there was a Truman.

It’s hard to believe that he was just 13 presidents ago, he being the 33^rd president. He started out as judge. I think from my reading about him, that his approaches to foreign policy and national security will probably best follow him. He put in place the National Security Act in 1947, which unified the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Truman also dealt with the Jewish-Arab problem in British-controlled Palestine prior to the creation of Israel. And I would be remiss if I didn’t include the Korean War (North Korea and South Korea), the start of the cold war with Russia and most importantly, his decision to drop the bomb on Japan; even when historically we knew they were trying to surrender before that. But this is not the point.

Truman, is like Obama, epitomized the American dream that anybody could become president of the United States, being he had no college degree. He was honest and humble and stood for the regular person. Just like Obama, has demonstrated the same democratic idea. But just like Obama, Truman prior to becoming President had a tenuous relationship with a one with Thomas J. Pendergast. Pendergast was Blagojevich before he was born. Pendergast sponsored Truman for the Senate through his powerful and corrupt political machine, which eventually landed him in Leavenworth for tax evasion in 1939.

Truman was an honest man, as he was regarding his association with Pendergast but still had a stigma associated to him from his relationship. Because it was Pendergast who backed Truman’s 1934 successful primary and general election races. And just as Truman, Obama appears to be an honest person as well. And just like Truman’s relationship with a corrupt person, the Governor of Illinois will have less of an impact on Mr. Obama, especially since he did not fund him.

So no worry, Obama will not be tainted. This is an example of one: Chicago (old school machine politics) and greed of a natural born Hustler. So do not fail for the bait, or you will be talking about something that makes no nevermind. Truman was honest and had integrity just as Obama does. The both are(were) men of good will and the people can see such. The only difference I see was that Truman's suit game was top shelf.

Dewey revisited

As I write this, I figure there are about 36 hours left before we find out who the next president of this great country will be. I hope Obama can pull it out, albeit I wrote my name in on the ballot, but I feel that McCain will be that next one. Unless he passes out on his 8 state tour tommorow and folks can see what old age will get them.

Don’t hate folk, let me just tell you why. First, I will never forget what I learned in History regarding Dewey and Truman. But that is besides the point. Mathematically, even including or not including McCain’s appearance on SNL, America has a history replete with skeletons in its closet. I don’t expect most white folks to agree but America was made and founded centrally on racism. This is a truism that even many of my arch nemesis will not disagree with. From the fundamentally flawed constitution which Obama spoke about concerning all other than white being three-fifths of white men; to the collective unconscious that may assert that many white folks feel they must do for African Americans before we do for ourselves. And dont let it rain, or be cold anywhere Obama urban supports live for they may not show up.

Hillary Clinton knew this and campaigned to this and is even seeing her words used in McCain’s robot calls. Admit it, a lot of yawl aint gone vote, yawl think it is in the bag. Shit yawl basically complacent, I mean you don’t read the constitution – tell me im wrong. Then add to that them folks that may be mad that Obama always on each and every magazine cover, and on TV all the time – they may just want to prove a point. Then there are some folks who never ever will believe nor support that a man of color will have the interest of them when they know and don’t expect folks like them to care about others – more greed and selfishness that has been a trade mark of the impact of race in America.

Then two-thirds of voters this time gone be using new technology, like optimal scanning machines that aint even been field tested. Add to that provisional ballots, where if your middle initial is missing from your name, or you address on your license is different for what ever reason – you may be obviated as being a legal voter, shit may hit the fan and law suits may hold off the announcement of a victor for days if not weeks. I mean when I see McCain, in places like Peterborough, New Hampshire, or any where, it’s hard to count folks who aint white in the crowd. This aint racist, just math, like not supporting Israel is anti Zionist and not anti Semitic. So if Obama looses don’t trip, its American and will always be the place where General Amherst gave Indians on the trail of tears blankets infected with small pox and where dogs and water hoses where put on folk demanding their un-alienable rights. Think I’m tripping, ask Joe Lieberman. And McCain has the nerve to say he won’t be tested - I just say this, Russia don’t give a fuck about you either; they still putting missiles in Cuba, because your boy GWB put them in Poland. I mean, folks don’t want change although most black folks do and some white folks, the average American like how they been living since they ganked the Indians for turkey and cranberries back in the day of the Mayflower.

PS: had a ball skoolboi stopped by shop for some vino sat.