Of Holder And Obama

Patrick J. Buchanan, practically ubiquitous on MSNBC, appeared on Hardball Thursday in debate with Michael Eric Dyson about Attorney General Eric Holder's remarks Wednesday to Justice Department employees on to mark African American History Month.

Not surprisingly, but accurately nonetheless, the passionately culturally conservative Buchanan argued that referring to Americans as "essentially a nation of cowards" is not conducive to starting a dialogue about race.

Fair enough, but also fair enough to note that Holder's remark as applied to the reticence of Americans to discuss the issue with people of another race is largely valid. The Attorney General deserves credit also for observing "there can, for instance, be very legitimate debate about the question of affirmative action. This debate can, and should, be nuanced, principled and spirited." Unfortunately, a moment later Holder would refer to officials, "black or white, elected or self-appointed, who promise relief in easy, quick solutions, no matter how divisive, are embraced- a somewhat cryptic reference to those who would promote "divisive," AKA conservative, solutions.

But then Holder ventured into the arena of political incorrectness, ripping the security net America has erected by establishment of "black history" apart from American history. Without resort to awkward metaphor, he explains it better:

For too long we have been too willing to segregate the study of black history. There is clearly a need at present for a device that focuses the attention of the country on the study of the history of its black citizens. But we must endeavor to integrate black history into our culture and into our curriculums in ways in which it has never occurred before so that the study of black history, and a recognition of the contributions of black Americans, become commonplace. Until that time, Black History Month must remain an important, vital concept. But we have to recognize that until black history is included in the standard curriculum in our schools and becomes a regular part of all our lives, it will be viewed as a novelty, relatively unimportant and not as weighty as so called "real" American history.

Still, the main thrust of Holder's remarks (and especially as captured by the mainstream media) is the need for honest communication among Americans of all races about race. And it's not going to happen.

For many years, numerous individuals on the left, such as former New Jersey Senator and presidential aspirant Bill Bradley, have argued for the need for racial dialogue in this country. It has not happened, and will not happen until the right is convinced the left is sincere and open to all opinions on the subject- and maybe not even then. Ironically- but predictably- the election of the nation's first black )or African-American, or biracial) President will not facilitate such a discussion, and may even inhibit it. In his generally wrongheaded monologue today regarding Holder's remarks, Rush Limbaugh reminded his audience that

A number of you people called here, and some of you said, "It's an interesting thing, Rush, I mean if we elect Obama, can't we say the country is no longer racist?"

Similarly, on January 2, 2007, Steve Sailer, a columnist for American Conservative magazine, blogged

So, many whites want to be able to say, "I'm not one of them, those bad whites, like that guy on Seinfeld. Hey, I voted for a black guy for President!"

Plus, I suspect there's an even more hidden reason many whites wish Obama is elected President: They hope that when a black finally moves into the White House, it will prove to African-Americans, once and for all, that white animus isn't the cause of their troubles. All blacks have to do is to act like President Obama—and their problems will be over!

In what is only one example, the day after the presidential election, the Wall Street Journal reported on a conversation between a husband and wife (Democrats who decided, reluctantly and at the last minute, to vote for Obama):

Look at all the power people they have,” Mrs. Kluchar added. “Oprah, Colin Powell, Obama. What’s that woman who works for Bush?”

“Condoleezza Rice,” Mr. Kluchar said.

“Right, Condoleezza Rice. I think it’s proof that there are no excuses anymore. It’s up to the individual,” she said.

The dialogue advocated by Holder is desirable. And the election of Barack Obama over John McCain (and, especially, Sarah Palin) was desirable and necessary. But, alas, the latter is not likely to lead to the former.