As much s I celebrate our post-racialness here in America, I really wish my Blaxk Republican cousins would stop it with the ignorant slavery fetish. But hey, when you’re a shill for the political party that makes no bones about how they feel about minorities, I suppose it is hard to step away from the role of slave-catcher. Please believe: they take said role seriously.
For my Black Republican cousins, it seems like the only way they can gain acceptance is by establishing themselves as the good Negroes. It’s really sad because whenever I hear them speak, all I hear on j my head is them saying, “Oh please Massa, don’t whip me… see, I be’s one o’ them there good Negroes suh.” I hate to be stereotypical, but this is what I always hear in my head whenever I hear these jokers speak.
I don’t know whether such talk is just their way of gaining acceptability within the Republican party. Nor do I know whether their minstrel act in required per the GOP handbook and bylaws. But, I do know that much of it, in my opinion, is an embarrassment to the countless number of my now-dead Black ancestors who were once slaves. If they were alive today, I’m sure they would discredit much of the Republican nonsense.
Take the comments made by Bishop E.W. Jackson for example. Jackson, a well-known religious conservative who is running for election as Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor on the GOP ticket is no stranger to this foolishness. In a recent speech in Newport News, VA. Bishop E.W. Jackson compared government programs like welfare, food stamps etc. to slavery. This type of rhetoric is not anything new from the Black Republican playbook. But as coonish behavior would have it, Jackson made the claim that, “Slavery did not destroy the black family.” I must admit, this is a new one on me.
Here is his full statement:
”My great grandparents, Gabriel and Elijah Jackson were slaves and sharecroppers in Orange County, Va. I am a direct descendant of slaves. My grandfather was born there, to a father and a mother who had been slaves. And by the way, their family was more intact than the black family is today and I’m telling you that slavery did not destroy the black family even though it certainly was an attack on the black family. It made it difficult, but I’ll tell you that the programs that began in the sixties, the programs that began to tell women that you don’t need a man in the home, the government will take care of you, that began to tell men, you don’t need to be in the home, the government will take care of this woman and take care of these children. That’s when the black family began to deteriorate.” — Bishop E.W. Jackson
Watch the video:
Okay, so let’s ignore Jackson’s comment and look at the numbers for a minute. Yes, in the interest of accuracy, let us do just that. Okay? Good. According to analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities the poorest fifth of American households received 32% of all government benefits distributed in 2010. And, the top fifth of income earners received 10% of benefits — more than likely through social security.
There is no doubt that there are a lot of poor black folks. However, by percentage, the number of poor black folk may surprise you. According to the very same dtudy, 22% of black folks live in poverty. And overall, 14% of Black Americans recieve government assistance. Now I don’t know about you, but I sincerely doubt whether the 14% of Black folks on government assistance has, or is currently destroying us as a whole. Hell, if 14 out of 100 Black people can destroy us as a race, then who needs institutional racism or freedom for that matter? But I suppose during slavery my ancestors were doing groovy. In spite of all that slavery, oppression, and savagery, everything was fine until someone decided to be evil and introduce a welfare program which at one point in time, excluded Black Americans. Damn you, evil White man! We were better off as sdaves!
But hey, let us assume that Jackson and others who believe him are right. If the 14% of Black folk who receive government assistance are destroying our race. Why then isn’t the same true for White folks in America? I’m only asking because according to the same study, 42% of White Americans are in poverty. And, 69% of them receive government benefits. Maybe it;s a reach on my part, but given those numbers, shouldn’t White Americans either be extinct or begging to be enslaved right about now? No seriously, think about it and get back to me on it — I’d love to hear your excuses.
Study Here: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities