Imus, Racism, Rap Culture

This is not about Don Imus and the disparaging comments he made regarding the Rutgers women's basketball team. It is about the post-Imus conversation, specifically the hour-long talk-in show this morning on National Public Radio. The conversation was uniformly - almost - blistering of Imus; the disagreements - and there were several - were limited to the appropriate penance to be paid and what his act said about American culture - Is this just Imus or is this all of white America? How deep-rooted is racism and what are the appropriate remedies? There was one counter-current voice; it came from a woman, obviously white, obviously nervous, likely aware of the perilous waters into which she was venturing. Her point was how much Imus' words and others equally revolting are part of rap culture, first  black but eventually incorporated - co-opted - into white culture. What part does that play, she raised in the discussion? Her point was immediately dismissed - Early on rock music was also accused of poisoning the culture, so don't blame the music! And that was the end of her point. So now back to making the issue black and white - pardon - blameless victimized blacks, oppressive racist whites. There is an exercise in the Organization Workshop called Their part, your part.  The point is when someone does something that hurts or offends you, the first things to do is to describe for them very clearly just what it is they said or did and the impact it had on you- your feelings, your impulse to action. That's their part. Now what's your part. Is there some way you contributed to this situation? Maybe yes, maybe no; but at least look at what your part might have been.  That is still a legitimate question for the black community. Are there cultural issues in the black culture that  contribute to white racism? This is not to deny the pervasiveness of racism; that's  their part. Can you also work on what may be your part? It would help some of us who are willing to confront racism to know that we are all in this together.

Thanks for treating us as human beings

I was walking through Boston's Copley Square on my way to meeting Karen when I was approached hesitatingly by two people - black male, white woman - asking if I could help them get some breakfast. I gave them a dollar. It felt generous to me but really doesn't go very far toward breakfast. Rather than moving on, I stopped to talk. They had come up to the city from New Bedford; there was a job possibility ("Not exactly under the table," he said.) They talked about how hard it was in the city - the temperature has been unseasonably cold; and she talked about how mean people had been, some calling her - she began to cry - nigger lover. We talked for a few moments more, then I moved along. Behind me I heard him say "Thank you," and then "Thank you for treating us as human beings." That struck me. The dollar was helpful but being treated as human beings was much more appreciated.

Passover, Pharaoh, McCain, and Denial

Was Pharaoh stubborn or in denial? God says "Let my people go," Pharaoh says, "No." God sends the plague of  Blood, still "No." Then Frogs. "No." Then Vermin, Beasts, Cattle Plague. "No." "No." "No." "No." Let's try Boils, Hail, Locusts, Darkness."No." "No." "No." "And No." Only when it comes to the death of his first born son (with consequences for the end of his dynasty), does Pharaoh relent. Didn't he know that the game was up with that very first plague? Why go on? The deeper story is that the game was up as soon as it began with that decision to enslave the Hebrews out of fear and greed.
On a recent visit to Baghdad John McCain saw "signs of progress" as he strolled peacefully through a marketplace. The surge is clearly working. It so happened that his peaceful stroll was enforced by 100 troops in armored Humvees, attack helicopters overhead, sharpshooters posted on rooftops, restricted vehicular traffic (which also dampened business.) Is McCain being stubborn? (I said this was a winnable war, I still say it's a winnable war, and even after it is lost, I'll maintain it was a winnable war...if only...) Or is he in denial? What will it take for him to recognize that the game is up, more than that, that is was up from the very beginning, from the decision to invade Iraq under the cover of lies and greed.

The Anti-Mohammed

In Islam, is there a concept parallel to the AntiChrist - a charismatic teacher who preaches in the name of Allah while being in the service of the devil? If it's not in the Koran, given the daily murders of innocents in Iraq, I'd suggest penciling it in.