Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell: Words Matter
PHOTO: Can You Spot An Obama?
If you've been watching cable news coverage of the presidential campaigns like I have, news of the black man who stood up at a recent John McCain rally and begged McCain to take the "gloves off" and to "take it to Obama" might have struck you recently. That man's name is James T. Harris. ...
And as I saw Harris' plea play out I was uncharacteristically speechless. I wasn't speechless because this black man was supporting McCain--that choice left me unfazed. I was shocked by the resolve of Harris' full-throated allegiance to McCain. Given that established and well-respected conservatives have criticized McCain's campaign for the nasty and at times violent and racist tone of its political rallies, Harris' complete and total buy-in to McCain and crew is remarkable. And I do not mean that in a good way.
Now Essence.com has conducted an interview with James T. Harris. I recommend you read it entirely, but here is an excerpt:
ESSENCE.COM: McCain has already addressed a lot of these issues, including Bill Ayers and ACORN, in campaign attack ads. What specifically do you think he should do, to "take it to Obama," that hasn't already been done?
HARRIS: That's different. That's ads. Barack Obama said yesterday that, "McCain hasn't said this to my face." You know what? He's right! Forget all these campaign ads. Say it to his face. I said, "We have one debate left, and we have a few weeks left; I am begging you take it to Obama!" That was the context. Not "Massa, please. Massa, please." That wasn't it. That's the context that's being looped on CNN and on blog sites. Nobody played the full clip. Maybe I'm just kind of jaded because of all I've been going through. I'm like, "Oh my God, this isn't right." I really do understand how this is an emotional thing, and people think Stepin Fetchit. But that wasn't the case at all. I don't think I carried myself like that, and I don't think my question was whining.
The first blog post I read post-Harris' beggin' was from the inimitable Field Negro who likened James T. Harris' enthusiasm for McCain to 'beat' Obama to that of "The Slave Catcher" of old. As is often the case, Field has it right on the money.
Comments: (397)
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By: steve on 10/15/2008 6:55PM
Harris is a plant. I saw him in the background when they showed Palin on t.v. giving a speech at a different rally in a different city. Of course the McPalin campaign has to make it look like there are Black people that are voting for him.
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By: Ethel Munson on 10/15/2008 7:36PM
This is America and citizens are free to vote for whomever they desire. What I do not understand why is this worthy of anyone's time.
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By: Not Surprised on 10/15/2008 9:50PM
This Harris guy was definitely a plant for the obama camp to say something that most would have thought was racist if said by a white supporter.
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By: Jean on 10/15/2008 9:46PM
I lived in Wisconsin for over 30 years and let me say that Mr Harris is typical of a AA in Wisconsin who want to be White, hate his Blackness and is probably
married to a WF. These type of Black men will not speak to a BF when they pass you on the street in WI, they associate only with Cau people. These men are what I call, weak, don't know his history and probably grew up with very few Black friends.
I feel sorry for him. However,he is free to support whomever he wish,but show respect for the other fellow and what he/she have to offer.
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By: kim d. curtis on 10/15/2008 10:00PM
let that dumb n-word keep going to mcain/palin klan rallys and maybe they will lynch right in hes seat because they hate all blacks and the uncle toms especially.
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By: ApprxAm on 11/03/2008 3:24AM
Mr Harris' support for McCain is his own choice, though I don't agree with it, I'm glad a black man is free to make it as he pleases. As for the "field negro" charge thrown at him, it always appears when some black guy isn't following the "Planned script" we're forced to abide by, lock-step with what Black ELites tells us.
Of concern to me was John Lewis' "George Wallace" commit about Sen. McCain. This from a man who has not had a real continscious campaign challenger for year, if ever, has forgotten, or don't know the road to high office. Using the "BLACK VICTIM" reflex to inject himself in order to endear himself to the peed-off voters in his district really only serves to under-mind Mr. Obama's position. Lewis, like "Cut your nutz off" Jackson and "nobody's listening to me" Sharpton, hates Obama and, like the other Elite Blacks, are absolutely trembling in fear. It's time to remove the old gaurd and that includeds Lewis, Jackson, Sharpton, Bonds, A. Young and all the rest of them. They need to go the way of the Kilpatricks of Detroit: fired and fried.
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By: Linda on 10/15/2008 11:51PM
May I educate some of you Black americans. From the time I was small, Old people would say=IF YOU WANT MONEY TO FLOW AND BE FREE VOTE DEMOCRATIC.If you want times tight and money locked down vote the other way.That COLORED boy that is sucking Mccain`s worm, needs to be buggy whipped. That white man could give a sh## about him if he is elected. That is one of them that led our people to the boat centuries ago!! Damn they are still around. With him who needs The K## get ready to wear the chains again.Granny would say slap that boy in his mouth with some HOT SH#T
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By: babydoll on 10/16/2008 12:12AM
As a black man, did Harris have to stoop so low. Who does he see when he looks in the mirror...Tom Cruise. Mr. Harris you were black before you were born..because your mother was black. Tell me why you had to make such a spectacle of yourself in a room full of "haters". Didn't a light go off in your head to let you know this was not a good idea...or are you looking for popularity. Fox is hiring Obama haters you should apply there.
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By: ugottabekiddnme on 10/22/2008 12:09PM
Nimroy (3)...what's your point? 'snake oil salesman" is the term, first of all. Obama can put whomever he desires in HIS cabinet. I don't believe color is a qualification. It certainly isn't, to be president. Take that backwards thinking from TX and get edumacated. Then post a thoughtful comment. As for Harris, he did sound like the "don't beat me massa" house.....As far as him being a conservative, if that is the only reason he votes for McCain...good for him. But its narrow
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By: babydoll on 10/16/2008 12:35AM
To #30
I have seen Harris in the background too. I think he is a plant also...what self-respecting black man would stand up in front of the world and make a fool of himself like that unless he was getting paid or something and very well at that. Maybe the people at Fox promised him a job. I know the people of Milwaukee are really proud of him. I think the reason he left the set at CNN is because he forgot his rehearsed lines...poor fool.
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