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Some people are blinded by their own racial arrogance. They are so convinced that their perspective is relevant on what life is like for people of color that they regurgitate hackneyed perspectives on race as if they are revelations.
Writer Erica Jong, famous for books, including 'Fear of Flying,' published a column in The Huffington Post that stands as exhibit A of this kind of annoyance.
Jong uses derogatory racial language to promote sensationalist writer Kitty Kelley's 'Oprah' tome (without having read it!), while at the same time attacking Oprah Winfrey's racial consciousness. Here's an excerpt:
But Oprah seems to have gotten more mistrustful with fame, not less. And she seems to have gotten more race conscious than she was when she was younger. You never felt that Oprah was a professional Negro. She seemed totally unaware of race -- but what do I know about being black?
Absolutely nothing, obviously.
Note to Jong: As a black person, no matter how much money you have, or how much of an integrated life you live, America's racism slaps you in the face from time to time.
And, what in the hell is a "professional Negro"? Jong doesn't stop:
I believe that racism is far from extinguished in the world -- despite the celebration that greeted the election of Barack Obama to the presidency. Racism lurks in our country and all over the world. But people who have transcended prejudice have a special obligation not to carry grudges. After all, grudges hurt the grudge-holder most. We also have a responsibility to set a good example by not holding grudges. Source: Oprah, Kitty and Me - Erica Jong, Huffington Post
"Transcended prejudice"? I've never met or heard of a person who has achieved that. Further, Jong implies that black grievance is merely a "grudge." And with that characterization, Jong minimizes the real, often life-and-death concerns of an entire group of people.
It's no surprise really. Jong is the ardent "Hillary for president" supporter, who referred to President Obama as "the new boy on the block" and a "sepia Brad Pitt." She wrote of Oprah in 2008:
Or Oprah who forgets she wasn't always Oprah -- I knew her when she had two names. She was always really smart, but she used to identify with women. And now she's joined the Obamarama. I get it. I understand. People want their own color in the White House (pun intended). Source
In yesterday's column, Jong recounts that she and Oprah shared a casual friendship in the early days of Oprah's career. Jong makes a big point of pointing out that at that time "she" was the "more famous" of the two.
Over the years, Oprah dropped Jong, and Jong can't seem to get over it. I have no kind explanation for her insulting and journalistically limp column. She also admits that she hasn't finished Kelley's book.
Read the entire column for yourself.
Jong even insinuates that she may have sparked the idea for Oprah's 'O' magazine. That is rich.
Perhaps the most insidious aspect of this indulgence in female envy, is that Jong cites Oprah's heightened black consciousness as the reason Oprah Winfrey dumped Jong.
Jong displays a stunning lack of self-awareness in this regard. She is blind to the possibility that she got dumped, because she's the type of person who would write a column like this.
Comments: (50)
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By: MeritaBread on 4/14/2010 11:23AM
Erica Jong's star died. She thought Oprah was a little star. Turns out, Oprah is a planet around which other stars revolve. Erica Jong, like so many other has-beens and wannabes, is now filled with envy and malice. This was her opportunity to try to take a little shine off Oprah, but she, like Kitty Kelly, falls woefully short.
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By: All Winners LOVE Winners on 4/14/2010 3:07PM
Well Said - period
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By: sheryl on 4/15/2010 9:10AM
Yes....very well said, all I can add to this is that 'ignorance is truly bliss'. I don't even want to read the article in its entirety as I already know that it probably doesn't get any better.
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By: charles on 4/15/2010 12:57PM
Yes you got that right I wouldnt dwell on what this woman wrote, it dont amount to a hill of beans
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By: NiecyC on 4/14/2010 11:24AM
I'm not really an Oprah fan but I respect her and it is so sickening how people try to tarnish her as often as they can. She is pretty much an open book about things that have gone on in her past and shares a great wealth of information about herself that I don't see the need to "dig up dirt".
I'm actually glad to hear that Kitty Kelley feels blacklisted by the media for the promotion of her book. The View & Larry King said no. Good for them!
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By: dbelieve30 on 4/14/2010 11:38AM
Ms. Jong sounds bitter.
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By: All Winners LOVE Winners on 4/14/2010 1:38PM
AMEN
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By: Mimi on 4/16/2010 11:24AM
SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THIS ERICA JONG (BY THE WAY WHO IS SHE ANYWAY) IS JEALOUS OF OPRAH.
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By: Katy C. on 4/14/2010 12:58PM
I agree with you meritabread this white woman is bitter and ingorant of black sucess in america. This is not the jim crow era this is the obama era and we can achieve anything we put our mind too.
Stop the hate!!!!!!!
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By: Jbaby on 4/14/2010 1:09PM
What's a professional Negro?????
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