Considering the lack of minority – especially black – voices and faces in elite political discourse, I am always amused at the amount of contrarian opinions that get pushed into the print and broadcast press. You don’t get to hear much from people who hold widely held positions in the black community unless they’re retreads like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, but if you have some wacky idea (ie “Slavery Wasn’t So Bad”, “Jim Crow Was Moral”, “Clarence Thomas Is A Legal Supermind And Not A Sleazy Pervert”) you get upgraded to first class service. Long time readers know that I hold some opinions that are outliers within black America but I guess I’m not out of orbit by enough degrees.
Today’s example is Cinque Henderson writing in The New Republic about Obama skepticism. Now, not only is this an opinion of rapidly increasing minority, he doesn’t make a good case. The entire article is “I don’t trust Obama” and that’s about it. But I’m pretty sure the TNR editors saw black writer and contrarian opinion and hit the button to forward the e-mail to their copyeditors. The only information I could find on this Cinque Henderson is that he was a staff writer on Studio 60, which has the distinction for me of being the only Aaron Sorkin TV show that sucked.
Hey, I’m a black person who watches Aaron Sorkin shows. That’s pretty fracking contrarian. Can I now be a CNN pundit?
I’m a young black woman who agreed strongly with the article and I’m glad it was published. I don’t think it’s contrarian in the same way as your examples. Most of black people’s contributions this campaign cycle seem to be to reaffirm how angry black people are going to be if Obama doesn’t get the nomination, which is a pretty limited role.
Cinque?
You’re welcome!
I assume that the character of the black comedy writer who wasn’t funny was based on him. Boy, that show is not missed.
the presidential race should not be about race.the fact of the matter is, the president has a limited amount of power as does congress. the power structure is full of mostly old white bankers who just carry on what their grandparents started.we need a president white,black, latino,asian,male,female,homosexual,heterosexual,democrat,republican,christian,catholic,muslim, whatever cause nonoe of that matters do they stand to protect the american public from these bankers and coperations is what we need to focus on.this cuontry is gonna change dramatically very soon and race wont matter it will be all about rich vs poor, wake up people don’t be fooled!
A Hollywood writer who cozied up with Dreamworks wants to bad mouth Obama for his ambition. I knew Cinque many years ago and he is very ambitious. VERY! He very much wanted to be rich and powerful. Not my thing but I never faulted him for that. Strange. I don’t get it. He went from somebody who wanted to be a community leader to a Hollywood player writing for a show that is a load of bilge. He is highly intelligent with a better heart than most and I agree with some of what he wrote. However, after reading the article, one question remains: WHY? I hope this is not the green-eyed monster of jealousy. He is too good for that. I will give him the benefit of the doubt. BUT Obama most likley loves Michelle–do not over analyze it! The Clintons looks more like a marriage for political reasons–and I do not judge them either as I am not that idealistic.