Juan Williams, NPR and the Michelle Obama Fox Controversy

Juan Williams is an example of why many in the community think black Republicans and conservatives can't relate to Black America.

There are several items that most Americans can not pinpoint about why they can not believe, deal with, or accept Black Republicans or conservatives, notably Black conservative political pundits.

Williams just highlighted one reason that they can get their hands all over. ...

Williams' recent comments about First Lady Michelle Obama – probably the most popular First Lady since Jackie O – seem to illustrate the divide between popular Black perception of America and the perceived Black Republican acceptance of America. His opinion that Mrs. Obama's "... got this Stokely Carmichael-in-a-designer-dress thing going. ..." only makes it harder for those Black politicos not clearly aligned behind President Obama to get a pass for "being Black enough" from many Americas.

NPR ombudsman Alicia Shepard sharply criticized Williams for the statement last week, and said that the organization has asked that he no longer be identified as affiliated with NPR when appearing on The O'Reilly Factor. In response, Williams issued a partial, half-hearted apology for what he called the "faux controversy," according to Think Progress.

Mr. Williams' ambiguity of political affiliation aside, his regular appearances on Fox's "Fox News Sunday" and The O'Reilly Factor paint him as a conservative in the eyes of most Black people. His criticism of Michelle Obama (not his first) serves as the symbol of contrast between Black conservative thought and the gist of African-American thought: namely, that Black conservatives have lost their ability to relate to a genuine Black experience in America, regardless of socioeconomics.

I disagree. After all, driving while Black, voting while Black, and shopping while Black – among some other transcendent experiences – happen to Black people everywhere throughout America, despite Mr. Obama's new digs on Pennsylvania Avenue and Steele's new position in the RNC.

Williams also offered many by saying that "...her (Mrs. Obama's) first instinct is to...'blame America', you know, 'I'm the victim..."

Although Black America will never get ahead by fostering a victim mentality, it is also troubling to hear a leading national Black talking head voicing an opinion that seems to trivialize the racial challenges that still exist in our country.

James Byrd, Jr . wasn't murdered in the 1950s. He died during the last Democratic presidency. Jonny Gammage and Abner Louima weren't accosted by police officers in North Carolina and Mississippi of the 19th century. They suffered in urban America within my lifetime – and probably yours as well.
Barack Obama was elected president the night of November 4, 2008. By dawn, racial epithets about the 44th president were found in several public places throughout America.

Pointing out disparities and addressing the injustices still found in an image-driven America (and the racial consequences that come with that) from the White House pulpit doesn't make Mrs. Obama some nouveau Carmichael. In fact, it makes her a girl-gone-good from the south side of Chicago that has a chance to make America better by presenting the shared perspective of many from a unique position of influence – a perspective that both Black liberals and conservatives can relate to.

After all, having a "R" or a "D" after your name doesn't matter when you're DWB (driving while Black) in the middle of the night.

Playing victim and remembering one's history doesn't have to be the same thing, especially when hoping for change for the better.
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Lenny McAllister is a Republican political commentator and guest co-host for Fox News - Charlotte's morning show "Fox News Rising," where his commentary can be seen every Monday. His website is lennymcallister.com