My Brother Carey at Carry Me Home Blog wrote a poignant piece chronicling his family history and comparing it to all of our black history. In it he asks us to be careful how we treat our history and not to despise it, even if it looks difficult in some places. Obama belongs to us, and we should be careful how we talk about him. Listen to Brother Carey as he imparts a bit of wisdom…..
AFTER 1865 HE DIDN’T LOOK BACK..
President Obama has a huge weight on his shoulders and so did my grandfather. At the beginning of their new voyage, each of them were up against the mighty Goliath. A formidable foe for sure. Sticks and stones could break their bones, but that was the least of their worries.
In 1865, my grandfather (above picture) of six generations past, was released from slavery. Since that time, there has been 28 white gentlemen seated as President of The United States. Over Fifty Three Thousand days ago, since my grandfather was released from slavery, except for approximately 580 days, there has been a white gentlemen sitting in the White House. For approximately EIGHTY THOUSAND DAYS, there has been a white gentlemen sitting in the White House.
Lets move ahead a few years.
That little girl is my mother. Her parents didn’t have an easy row to hoe. They had 10 children and were sharecroppers, but that didn’t stop them from taking the time to dress my mother in her fine Sunday attire. The landowner wasn’t very nice. Some of the other sharecroppers bowed to his wishes and helped him brow beat his tenants. However my grandparents knew they had to keep on, keeping on.
Come on, lets move ahead.
My mother made it through those days on the farm. That’s her in the middle, with the glove on her thigh. Her life has not been a cake walk. Well, aside from being a black woman in America, the next picture will tell a more complete story.
She had me and my brothers. I am the confused looking guy on the left. Although I didn’t have a nice bow tie like my oldest brother or a fancy pair of shoes like my brother in the middle, I am grateful for my mother and my grandparents. My brothers and I fought amongst ourselves but we always fought harder for each other. If someone threw a rock at one of us, we threw 10 back at them. My grandmother is in the next picture.
Look at her, she’s so proud. She made it through the hard times, and she’s standing in the middle of a few good black men as they break ground for our new church. But the church wasn’t about her, she was building something to pass down. She passed away a few years after this picture was taken. But if she had listened to some of the other naysay sell-out sharecroppers, the following event might not have taken place. She and my grandfather stayed strong, stayed together, pooled their resources and got off that man’s property.
It’s our family reunion! Grandma ironed a few white people’s clothes and so did her mother, and so did my mother, but they didn’t let that stop them.
My father lost his dad at an early age, but he didn’t let that stop him either. In the next picture, see if you know where he’s standing?
That’s my father standing in front of the White House. Since 1789, there had been a white man living in that white house. Our president is now a black man. He’s only been living there for a little more than 570 days. Forty three white fellas had called that place home. In their tenure, they managed to keep racism alive, and hope but a distant memory. For 80,000 days and several wars later, they’ve managed to build a castle in the sky for them and theirs, and yet, a few of my black friends are quick to point fingers at President Obama. They say he’s not moving fast enough and he’s staying mum on black issues. I wonder if my nay say friends can trace their family history? I also wonder if they’ve read a few history books? More importantly, I’ve often wondered what rewards they are receiving from regurgitating negative opinions about our president? Could it be they adore speaking in a quasi intellectual tone, while missing the fact that they are being ineffectual? Frequently, their misguided “constructive criticism” is nothing more than 10 dollar words of bubbling babble that’s used to stroke an inflated ego.
My father has gone home. I miss him, but I remember his words of wisdom.
He was my little league coach and I was a pitcher. One day, a player on my team dropped a fly ball which caused me to lose my cool. As he scrambled to retrieve the ball, another player stumbled over him. The opposing team laughed and ridiculed the players to a point they both started crying. I didn’t make things any better with my mean look and foolish antics on the mound. Consumed by my emotions, I threw my next pitch with the fury of a Tasmanian Devil. I hit the batter square upside his head. My father called time out and approached the mound. His following words I will never forget… “look boy, don’t ever play another man’s game and don’t be nobodies fool. Their job is to get you mad at your players and have you act a damn fool. Don’t let them see you get rattled. Go out and tell Tommy it’s alright and we are going to win this game. We don’t need enemies on our own team”
President Obama has a huge task in front of him. He’s standing on the mound and the ball is in his hand. We don’t need enemies on our own team. If someone tries to engage you in negative criticism about President Obama, stop, look and listen, and then ask them where they are going? Don’t play another man’s game and don’t be nobodies fool.
Remember, Rome was not built in a day and 43 white fellas have played in the white house for over TWO CENTURIES! President Obama has been there less than 17 months. My grandfather didn’t go back to slavery. He took the good with the bad, and kept on steppin. Step up… when someone tries to bring Obama down.
Lets build something to pass it on!
afrospear.wordpress.com 
Interesting post by Brother Carey. I was really taken by his family history and how they overcame, persevered and achieved great things against the obstacles that were thrown against African-Americans. It mirrors what my ancestors went through in Jamaica and all Black people who were brought forcibly to the New World.
However, I am one of those who reject the idea that because Obama has a Black face, those in the Black community shouldn’t criticize him. This notion that to hold him accountable to the Black electorate, who overwhelmingly supported him, means one is an enemy on the “team”, and you are playing “another man’s game” as well as being “someone’s fool” is just a form of groupthink brainwashing. This is really what is dangerous for it truly makes you a self-created deaf and blind fool!
Obama, regardless of his Black face, evidenced by what he says and does, is all about maintaining the status quo. My question is how’s the status quo benefitted the Black community in his America?
I’m just saying, in the words of P.E.: “a brothah ain’t a brothah just because of color!”.
I can’t agree with this man’s position. He seems to think we should not hold black people accountable for their actions because we are living under a racist system. This makes no sense to me. On the contrary, we should regularly critique our leaders as well as ourselves to ensure we are not helping to perpetuate the system that oppresses us.
Accountability is important! It is not a dirty word. I believe this blogger is being irresponsible by suggesting that Obama is above criticism. He is clearly trying to stir up the sentimental mood a lot of black folks felt at having a black president. Good luck with that. People are beginning to see through the lies and manipulation and realize they got played yet again. This time around it just happened to have been by a black man.
There’s such a thing as constructive criticism, and then there is just plain hateration criticism. I won’t pretend that I know all the ins and outs of American politricks. Don’t even want to know. But I do know that the GroupThink knife can cut both ways. There are those folks who are of the opinion that Obama was supposed to come in like gangbusters and destroy this behemoth that is White Imperialism all by himself with just his presence. And right now, dammit!
And now they’re all mad that he hasn’t done that. And that he seems unable to do that. He’s one person surrounded I’m sure by intimate enemies–in the democratic party, much less the republican party!
I don’t believe Carey is being irresponsible because he sees this thing from another perspective. What I hear the brother say is this:
“If someone tries to engage you in negative criticism about President Obama, stop, look and listen, and then ask them where they are going?”
“Negative” being the operative word. There are those folks out there, (not here in the Afrospear, thank God!) who are just trying to get blog hits and build their little blog empires. They are not interested in anything but controversy for its own sake and we ought to be aware when we engage–what’s it all about?
When I step back and look at this whole Obama presidency thing, I tend to believe that even though black Americans “overwhelmingly supported him” that he really isn’t in there for our sakes the way we thought he would be, but instead to bring a crisis to white racist Group Think, and just by his presence.
There certainly is a difference between constructive and destructive criticism. If you feel someone is critical of Obama to “get blog hits and build their little blog empires” you most certainly should keep it moving.
“When I step back and look at this whole Obama presidency thing, I tend to believe that even though black Americans “overwhelmingly supported him” that he really isn’t in there for our sakes the way we thought he would be, but instead to bring a crisis to white racist Group Think, and just by his presence.”
I’m pretty sure black people didn’t elect him to bring a crisis to white racist Group Think.
Faithsoulsistah—There is more than one opinion about things. I have no beef with you or any one else. Maybe with people who have issues with black culture. Yes. I have beef with them, no apologies for that.
I’ve read many blogs, and it was glaringly obvious that they are working on getting those blog hits. Ive been in enough blog confrontations to understand that it’s not so much about working towards a better understanding, but building their blogs. And whenever I felt the need to, I have kept it moving.
We have to be able to hear each other, even if we don’t agree, and it’s better if we can do it without being disagreeable.
But that’s not to say that we have to see things from the same perspective. If I dont see it your way, it doesnt mean that Im a part of GroupThink. I dont do GroupThink. I also understand if you don’t see it my way, doesn’t mean that you’re a part of GroupThink either. But in the interim, I might try to influence you to see it my way. And you may do the same. But in the end maybe we hold our original positions. AND THAT OUGHT TO BE COOL TOO!!
When it comes to my black people, even Obama, I give the benefit of the doubt. Too often we black folks don’t get the benefit of the doubt. We get “shoot first, ask questions later”. I’ll even give the benefit of the doubt a second and third time, because that’s me. I can do that.
I happen to not believe we should CONDEMN Obama. I dont feel on the other hand that “he’s above criticism” and I NEVER said that he was. When I commented at your Obama Open Thread post, I said as much. I know that there are people who cant stand Obama–for them he’s the neo face of White Supremacy in the USA, and that has its merit.
Faithsoulsistah, I didnt say that black people elected him to bring a crisis to white racist Group Think. What I said is
“he really isn’t in there for our sakes the way we thought he would be, but instead, to bring a crisis the White racist group think.”
Im looking at all that’s going on–all the racists out in the open and all the obvious crisis that IS happening within white America. There IS a crisis! And it will be interesting to see how it works out.
I’m here at this think tank to share ideas, share information. I’ve spent 30 plus years of my life working with books, and studying my black culture. Ive done alot of research and this space is beautiful for me because I can share what I’ve learned about my black people.
As I have said in the past, I elected Obama because he is black and I wanted a black man in there. So if it turns out that he does nothing for me as a black woman–well I have to deal with it. And I will, and still I’ll rise.
The Sunday best came from knowing how to sew from whatever material available. I can even remember that if you bought flour in certain quantities, it came in cotton bags. I remember patterns for those sacks that one would dye and could cut into a child’s dress, apron or cross stitch doily. Cross stitching and crocheting were very inexpensive ways to decorate clothing.That quality of cotton today would cost about 15 dollars a yard. Well enough of reminiscing.
This one Black person did not vote for Obama because he was Black nor did I expect him to solve all problems relating to Black people. I voted for him because I didn’t think his Presidency would disrupt the country, that if he succeeded in getting a little of his program through, that the country would better and that I didn’t want a dynasty with Hillary Clinton or a possible theocracy with Sarah Palin.
Most Black people of my age have been aware of just how responsive or great each white president has been since Truman. I expected no more or no less of Obama.
The thing I have problems with his administration has to do with things people would not consider traditional Black issues; it is how his Justice Department deals with privacy issue and warrants, because of the “war on terror.”
Sometimes I think some Black people want an Imperial Presidency, they don’t realized that any of Obama’s agenda on domestic policy has to go thru congress. That is who they should be leaning on. Right now there are some pretty powerful Black congressmen. President Obama doesn’t have the political capital that a Lyndon Johnson had or even a Majority Leader or Speaker of the House that is really on his side.
Well, let me step in here, and thanks sister Anna.
Of course I disagree with a couple of the comments. I think if they read my post (really read the post) they will understand that I classified my opinion. As Anna noted, I did not say “constructive criticism” is not warranted, at times. But again (as she pointed out) much of the “banter” is of a negative nature and much of it is regurgitated mess.
The problem with some “views” is in the words “make him accountable. That’s a trite phrase that many use and do not understand how to make him accountable. Talking negatively about issues that are out of his control (as Hathor noted) is irresponsible. It’s not making him responsible. It’s more akin to foolish behavior.
@asabagna & Faithsoulsistah. I would suggest that the both of you keep an open mind and read the following to get a better understanding of my position. You may not agree with my style, but if you are looking for the truth, check them. But remember, I’m talking about the rewards and risks of some forms of “criticism”. Then I have to challenge the both of you to tell me how effective YOUR criticism has been to seeing results that are satisfying to you. Not maybes and could be, and all those ambiguous “possibilities”. Show me the fruits of YOUR labor. I think you will have a hard time doing that and then maybe you’ll see my point.
And a big question is, if you don’t like Obama, who would you put in Office?
One of these post talks about accountablity and the other speaks to the rewards some people recieve from laying in popular opinion. They may have great intentions, but they have not stopped, looked and listened to the whole message.
http://careycarey-carrymehome.blogspot.com/2010/07/play-it-again-sambo.html
http://careycarey-carrymehome.blogspot.com/2010/08/please-dont-take-this-personally-but.html
I am open for “an exchange of ideas” if you are prepared to support your opinion with facts. And I hope (“challenge” )you to find something in any of my posts that are not a fact!
@ Carey
“You may not agree with my style, but if you are looking for the truth, check them.”
So you’re the bearer of “truth” are you!? Truth about what? That Obama is above criticism?
“Then I have to challenge the both of you to tell me how effective YOUR criticism has been to seeing results that are satisfying to you. Not maybes and could be, and all those ambiguous “possibilities”. Show me the fruits of YOUR labor. I think you will have a hard time doing that and then maybe you’ll see my point.”
You’re so-called “challenge” is ridiculous and childish. This is a pseudo-intellectual feat, which only creates “straw men” arguments in an effort to shut down any criticism of a point of view… especially since you have already concluded that we will have a “hard time” and come to accept your gospel of the messiah Obama. However you can query previous posts we have done here over the years which address your comments.
“I am open for “an exchange of ideas” if you are prepared to support your opinion with facts. And I hope (“challenge” )you to find something in any of my posts that are not a fact!”
Wow! Very “white” of you to offer to exchange ideas with facts! lol! Thanks but I’ll pass on your offer. Let me however end with a little history lesson of my own, that my grandma taught me: “don’t throw your pearls before swine!”
@ Anna Renee, you said
“… black Americans “overwhelmingly supported him” that he really isn’t in there for our sakes the way we thought he would be…”
This is a fundamental problem. The majority of people, black people, thought just this. In this time of our history its apparent that this so called democracy is a failure. For this population, this electorate to believe this or even have this thought is the fruit of a failed democratic society.
@ Carey, I would tend to agree with your baseball lesson meted out by your father, and in fact it was sound advice in the situation you faced as a young baseball player. However, in the case of president Obama, he has not dropped the ball. He has caught it, and made a superb throw to second base. President Obama has done exactly what he was meant to do as president of the United States. Those who see a dropped ball have mis-understood what ball game he would be playing.
Let me leave you with this:
“If this is to be a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Then the enlightenment of the people must be the corner stone of a truly democratic society. It is only when the masses of the people are enlightened and have enlightended self interest that vote in a democratic society has real meaning.” Anna Renee, the majority of our people are in the dark.
Hi Brother! I got some research to do, I see. Where to start? Can’t do CNN or MSNBC or FOX.
The first un-truth in your post:
“President Obama has a huge weight on his shoulders and so did my grandfather. At the beginning of their new voyage, each of them were up against the mighty Goliath.”
Obama is not up against “the mighty Goliath;” he is the running dog for “the mighty Goliath.” Obama is Goliath’s crack rock. One puff and can’t nobody see what’s happening.
The second untruth:
“Over Fifty Three Thousand days ago, since my grandfather was released from slavery, except for approximately 580 days, there has been a white gentlemen sitting in the White House.”
The man sitting in the White House may look like a brotha (and I would suggest that that is where the resemblance ends), but the very week he took office, he authorized a drone attack inside the Pakistan border. From Raw Story:
“During his first nine and a half months in office, he has authorized as many C.I.A. aerial attacks in Pakistan as George W. Bush did in his final three years in office. The study’s authors, Peter Bergen and Katherine Tiedemann, report that the Obama Administration has sanctioned at least forty-one C.I.A. missile strikes in Pakistan since taking office—a rate of approximately one bombing a week. So far this year, various estimates suggest, the C.I.A. attacks have killed between three hundred and twenty-six and five hundred and thirty-eight people. Critics say that many of the victims have been innocent bystanders, including children.”
Brown babies. Brown women and children. Innocents. No trial, no jury, murderous mayhem. He may be brown, but he ain’t down with brown that’s fo’ so’.
The biggest lie in your piece is to appeal to brown people to give Obama a break simply out of “skin affinity.” “Don’t critically examine what he does to me and you and people like me and you the world”, you insist. Take him on the basis of how much melanin he’s got, or how much kink he’s got, or where he tells you he’s from.
Your family story, while touching, actually exposes the Obama lie. Your mother actually did something on behalf of her family and community; she didn’t just talk about it.
What has Obama done for you, for us, besides break the ‘white’s only’ streak in DC? Given you hope? What does that rhyme with? That’s what the dope man offers you – hope, a cheap high and nothing else. Is that enough?
Who has Obama aided, bailed out, given “no-strings-attached” free money too – your money?! Not you, brotha. NO, he has played black folks. We should know, as Ensayn indicates, ain’t no justice gonna be filtered through the politrick system and its HNIC.
Politics is the real “dream catcher”; it catches all of the silly ass, delusional dreams of the folks who believe in it. Obama may call himself a Democrat and he may call himself black. But he works for the ruling class. And he sure ain’t on your team and he sure ain’t your or my brotha, brotha.
First, I’d like to apologize to the supporting members of Afrospear.
Since I was fortunate enough to be invited as a guest, I should not have allowed myself to engage in conversations that you’ve witness. However, to a large degree, it did illustrated my point about engaging in conversations that do not have a defined purpose. Frequently the conversations move off the central point and the knives come out, and personal agendas hit the floor. I’ve learn through this discussion) that I am still vulnerable to the winds of confusion. I knew that, but I still stepped in that puddle. I have not arrived. But I did reinforce a belief that if I go somewhere, that I do not belong (people,places and things) I might be converted before I convert someone else.
To those that believe they are “free men or free slaves”, I question what solutions they have for the problems in America, and why do they live here? I mean, if they do not believe in the political sysytem in this country, where would they live that has a better system?
I ask that question because I am wondering if those that vehemently despise the system and talk negatively about it, only do so to argue?
Again, if they are free to go, why don’t they? Is there a better country?
Thank you
Carey, my personal agenda is seeing things for what they are, not through some nostalgic, rose-tinted glasses. Doesn’t mean I don’t often get it wrong, but usually the arguments people bring are a little stronger than “you’re either with us or against us.” Puhleaze!
We must be critical thinkers, not kool-aid drinkers. Some of us are not as confused as others; you should not assume that you aren’t the one very, very confused — as opposed to the “light bringer.” In my experience, it is those who operate regularly from “beginner’s mind” who tend to absorb more, IMHO.
As to other countries better than the States…there are plenty. The Netherlands, France, Japan, Canada, Cape Town SA, all have elements to recommend them. Should I shut up and/or leave? Is that what you are suggesting?
the freeslave,
This is off topic, but I wonder just how would you respond to 9/11. There were black and brown folk who died that day. Is it that you don’t like war period or the way this one has been fought or do you not think that any of the victims of terrorism deserve justice?
Hathor, I think “they/we” are fighting the wrong people. Who did 9/11? Was it who Bush and crew said; or was it the Bush crew itself?
The people we need to be fighting are the ones here at home who are committing crimes here and across the globe.
I don’t believe in war unless it is absolutely justified. 9/11 was a crime. Arrest the criminals, those who weren’t incinerated in the planes and bring them to justice. Do NOT make war on civilizations and call that justice. You only create terrorists.
Finally, who are the REAL terrorisists? Who has killed the most people without a conscience while claiming their right to do so? I think Amiri said it best.
The freeslave,
I don’t quantify evil.
I am assuming you do not like how the war is fought. To bring Bin Laden to justice requires more than just the police, it does require counter-insurgency tatics, which only can be a military operation.
I am not a person who believes in nation building as a way to prevent terrorism, but I am not so naive to believe that an event like 9/11 will never happen again and I think that it will be totally independent upon America’s action. Religious fervor is never dependent upon how one is treated, it is much more complicated. All of those on the planes and Bin Laden had benefited by America’s imperial ambitions.
Did Bin Laden actually DO 9/11? I don’t think so. There is more evidence that the US government sponsored this attack in order to green light their plunder of the treasury and Middle Eastern oil on behalf of their friends and employers: the Ruling Class.
The narrative that our government tells, is a LIE! The “BIG LIE” is what Hitler called it. The bigger the lie, the easier the sell. This whole war thing is a lie to rape the planet. And they have a wonderful salesman in the black lackey, Obama.
WE, meaning we people of color and other right thinking folk need to build a new nation right here.