The coming onto the scene of Jim Webb with his discussion on Scotts-Irish poverty, introduced on Morning Joe, could in my opinion lead to a profound transformation of the Red State Blue State map, if I am reading this correctly.
There is a potential for a much broader argument on race emerging. Frankly, I was not expecting this dialogue at all, but I welcome it!!
I can tell you that as an Italian, born in Brooklyn and living in Philly, my people do not feel responsible IN THE LEAST for slavery in America. But we do understand there is a historic and a present level of discrimination when it comes to African Americans that needs to be overcome; but that feeling has a real spectrum of intensity and relevance in every day life.
A lot of folks, not only Italians, don't feel they are historically responsible for the plight of African Americans in this Country, but they live the reality of the consequences of this battle in inner city politics. The Italians have their political reps in Unions, City Officials, etc. The Black people have their guys, that represent their interests in inner city life, etc. The battle between races is a battle of constituencies bringing their interests to the table, vying for a piece of the pie.
I don't know the sentiment among Scotts-Irish, but I can understand Jim Webb's point about the cultural backlash of disenfranchisement when it comes to groups among Whites, considered White, but who were not historically involved in slavery, and who feel they have missed the opportunities of empowerment that came with Affirmative Action.
Cleary we have to understand that Affirmative Action is not just making up for slavery, but rather is about an ongoing process of transformation of society aiming at allowing generational wrongs to be made right... giving opportunity to human beings who for generations were pushed down and hurt to overcome the ripple effect of those generational wrongs through time. I think Jim Webb's point was, in fact, that this description is felt as relevant for more than just African Americans in this Country.
We should ponder the fact that there are groups among Whites in America who hold more culpability than others for what happened to African Americans, and some groups may feel a common sense of disenfranchisement in society, like the Scotts-Irish according to Webb, which unavoidably leads to an ongoing battle of interests. I think this was what Webb was getting at in his recent interview on Morning Joe. So, I believe there is an opportunity here to unite these interests, these segments of society that feel they have been hurt and neglected.
This dialogue can and should be conducted carefully as one meant to unite rather than divide.
If we could look at the common plight of our ancestors, which has lead to the kinds of division existing in our country, I believe many could feel a sense of being disenfranchised by power. The question is WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THAT NOTION?
Will we use this notion to foment anger and rebellion within and without, which Webb sees at the basis of the Appalachian vote; or will we use it to find a new form of Populism as Jim Webb suggests?
Clearly, there is racism in Appalachia, no matter how we slice it or dice it. In fact, this whole issue is about explaining how that anger and bitterness Barack was speaking about in San Francisco is finding a narrative in society. Will we hide our heads in the sand, or can we find a path to healing? I think Jim Webb has found a narrative for this, perhaps relevant within the consciousness of Appalachia, and that we should pay close attention to.
If we choose to pay attention, listening rather than judging, we have a historic opportunity to start a dialogue among racial segments that are in the same boat when it comes to economics, uniting these groups more fully under the banner of similar goals. Racism no doubt has a basis in socio-economic struggles. Perhaps in working together along these very lines we have an unprecedented opportunity at hand to start a dialogue which is relevant to each party in question, and which has the potential to bridge gaps in ways that words alone are unable.
I think the Democratic party already has this message of unity within its agenda, but has been unable to motivate a very large segment of Red States to vote in their economic interest because it has not united the cultures, the histories, the narratives - correctly.
Can Obama and Webb start a movement to unite disenfranchised people of different cultures and races under one populist banner? What impact would this have on the geography of Red and Blue States?
Can you imagine the opportunity at hand when it comes to furthering equality in this Country?
I sense a profoundly impactful opportunity at hand.
Comments are closed for this post.
