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: Analyst on 10/16/2008 1:50AM
Bro. James Harris showed he is not in awe of the elitist Obama's dark complexion and has put the welfare of the country before a vision of grandeur for the first non-white president of the United States. The ranks of "Blacks Against Obama" swell by the day and transcends party lines. I predict a significant number of black voters will reject the non-black American/non African American Obama on election day and cast our vote for the mature and experienced Sen. McCain.
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By: Pete Rock on 10/16/2008 3:32AM
Uncle Tom 08
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By: samuel rhoades on 10/16/2008 7:08AM
The Negro that was begging McCain on CNN is a typical examaple of the "Willie Lynch Mentality" you know some Negroes not only had the scars of slavery on their backs, but on our minds. Finally, I would like to ask that Negro to his face one question: What do White People mostly in private call Black People? Can you arrange this meeting for me please?
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By: Analyst on 10/16/2008 7:21AM
My question to the Negro Sam at Blog #42 is how in the hell he thinks Obama can be elected without the white vote? Only a fool would make his kind of comment and I oppose Obama.
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By: shirley on 10/16/2008 8:13AM
it's sad but true, if you can't buy a nig, you can still rent one. Harris was rented, and what a legacy he's leaving for his family, friends and associates, what an embrassament.
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By: samuel rhoades on 10/16/2008 8:19AM
My question to #43 is: cares about who you support. I will tell you to your face also; you set the time and place. You are a fool also; and McCain is an old fool.
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By: Vincent on 10/16/2008 5:10PM
Jennie, I found your comments to be the most articulate of them all. True True True!!!! We all know that a black man has to work 10 times harder than a white man to achieve just a small part of any amount of success. Obama is the Tiger Woods of the political world. Whether anybody from our black race wants to support him or not, we all know that he is a winner. Sarah Palin and John McCain low achievers who got by because they were privileged to be born white. Most black people really believe deep down inside that white is right. It is clear that the problem with black America is that we hate ourselves. Our communities are filled with black on black crime, our people don't vote, we call each other the N word, and we want even support someone who represents trend setting for all African Americans. Even if Obama couldn't do all that he has been promising, his winning the election would still represent a breakthrough for people of color all over this nation. Seriouly, how much more damage could he do in 4 years. Wouldn't it be worth it to have a black man in the white house just to improve the self image of our black children? Or, are we really too fearful of our own competence as a people.
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By: anthony paige on 10/16/2008 9:24AM
I am sick of everyone aasking that silly question..Where will the funds come from to fund Obama's policies? if no where else, as he has stated we are spending billions of dollars to fight in Iran which Bush and his Cronies all gained from. I don't understand it, why would people not want to invest in their own county. Billions of dollars we are currently spending to aid others could be used to AID Americans. Insteasd of building Iranians homes with Americans dollars, how about taking those dollars and keeping Americans in their homes what do you think about this solution mr. Harris.
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By: Sandy77 on 10/16/2008 11:59AM
Who cares if you are Repub or Democratic. I had the problem with Uncle Tom hoping to score points with the Massa. And if the truth be told he would be the first one in line that McCain would hang out to dry. Martin Luther Kingwould turn over in his grave to hear such hate come out of an uncle toms mouth toward Obama.
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By: Binvegas on 10/16/2008 9:29AM
Sad when a black man would stand up with a group of racist to support something so many blacks fought against. It just goes to show no matter how far you come the seed of self hate has been planted years before any of us where so blessed to witness what we are witnessing to day. Get ready world its an Obamanation taking place like it or not. Peace!!!!!!!!!
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