Too often, the claim of racism is nothing more than the last refuge of black scoundrels. And it behooves all black people of conscience – especially those of us who advocate for real victims of racism – to condemn these scoundrels. Because, as sure as it is undeniable that blacks are the victims of racial profiling and other forms of institutionalized racism, it is also undeniable that our efforts to fight this social cancer are grossly undermined by blacks who make frivolous claims in this regard.
Therefore, based on the undisputed facts surrounding her alleged assault on a Capitol Hill police officer, US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) should be condemned. And, here are the damning facts – as reported by the Associated Press – to explain why:
McKinney, 51, scuffled with a police officer on March 29 when she entered a House office building [in Washington, DC] without her identifying lapel pin and did not stop when asked. Several police sources said the officer, who was not identified, asked her three times to stop. When she kept going, he placed a hand somewhere on her and she hit him, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Apropos her campaign, I have no idea why Harry Belafonte and Danny Glover sullied what remains of their political credibility by standing behind McKinney in this self-indulgent and misguided charade. After all, Glover barely muttered that “We’re not here to judge the merits of the case, but here to support our sister.” Meaning, I suppose, that it does not matter if McKinney is an irresponsible, arrogant, belligerent and delusional megalomaniac, she’s his black sister: right or wrong?
At any rate, here’s why McKinney thinks she should become a cause celebre for the advancement of black civil rights:
Let me be clear. This whole incident was instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me, a female Black congresswoman.
However, with all due respect to this Black congresswoman, if she were responsible enough to wear proper I.D. (as all members of Congress are required to do) and had enough respect for the Capitol Hill police to heed a request to stop when asked, this officer would have had no need to (attempt to) detain her. Moreover, if the members of the Congressional Black Caucus had any moral or political spine, this incident would have been settled within hours. Because they would have prevailed upon McKinney to appreciate how asinine it is for her to express indignation and incredulity that every member of the Capitol Hill police force is not able to recognize the faces of all 535 members of Congress, to determine who gets in and out of the Capitol building. Especially since all members have to do is wear a standard-issue lapel pin to be appropriately recognized. (Indeed, I doubt all black Capitol police officers would recognize McKinney or the other 42 blacks in Congress even if their lives depended on it – to say nothing of recognizing all 492 white members. And, of course, to expect them to is patently absurd.)
Nevertheless, a clear indication that McKinney and her defenders have no regard for the merits of her defense is their fatuous attempt to have the world believe that her only crime was “working while black”, and that the officer tried to stop her merely because she changed her hairstyle. But we all recognize this as a not so subtle attempt to co-opt the racist notion amongst whites that “all blacks look alike”. Because, truth be told, McKinney was stopped for walking through the security check-point without presenting proper I.D. And when the officer acted reasonably to stop her, she assaulted him. That’s why she’s being charged. And deservedly so!
NOTE: There are too many racist cops in America victimizing black people for us to be wasting time and effort defending McKinney’s impudent and criminal behaviour. (See the movie “Crash” for a crash course in real race matters.) Indeed, instead of supporting her, Belafonte and Glover should have advised McKinney to do the right thing: apologize for her bad behavior, shut up and remember to wear proper I.D. next time.
Moreover, I do not believe McKinney has said in any of her public statements that she simply did not hear the officer asking her to stop. Instead, on CNN’s “The Situation Room”, she expressed consternation that he did not recognize her when “security people in airports all over the country and all over the world recognize me.”
Frankly, the sooner McKinney is booted from Congress, and no one in Washington has to bother about recognizing her, the better it will be for her constituents and for all of black America….
What you mean we all look alike….
Cynthia McKinney, Capitol police, assault racism
James says
I’m confused. The NY Times made it seem like the congresswoman was a real victim. But after reading your commentary, I feel like canceling my subscription. This article explains so much about racism and black politics in America. Thank you.
Rebecca says
OMG Anthony!
LOL!!!! You’re too much. How can you end such a serious article with that hysterical photo and tag line? This is so funny because I was trying to figure out who she reminded me of. Buckwheat! That’s priceless…
Anonymous says
It is amazing to me how people in positions of power seem to quickly adopt the diva mentality. The slightest perceived indignity sets off a spiraling chain of events often time resulting in collateral damage. Did this woman take a page from Naomi Campbell’s “Rules of Engagement”? But more importantly, ALH is correct in that such pathetic claims undermine the real struggles of women and people of color to level the playing field. We need more voices out there to distinguish between this self-serving politician and the more legitimate issues confronting our society.
Rage…..
Michelle says
Hi Anthony
I think it’s really brave of you to write so critically of Afrian American leaders. I had my doubts about Congresswoman McKinny’s claims but was afraid to share them with any of my black friends. I emailed your article to one of them this morning and she called me up and said and I quote “He’s deep. But that brother is right!” I was relieved but I wish I did not have those doubts about the way she would react if I said anything negative about McKinny first.
BTW, she thought your last photo was hysterical and so do I.
Em Asomba says
Another pure demonstration associated with the lust of power, and how ethics can put to rest in the drawers. Nice piece.
Cheers — — Emma
Karen (London) says
ALH insightful as usual! When I first heard about this I have to say that my knee-jerk response was ‘Not again!’ Because like it or not, the support of celebrities adds credibility to these claims. That’s just the world we live in. Now I’m doubly ticked by the apparent duplicitous maneuverings of this ELECTED official. In these times of heightened security, what kind of moron tries to enter a government building without proper ID? Just because you look like a celebrity (Buckwheat)doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be recognised. As you said, she needs to apologise and shut up before her constituents come to their senses.
BTW.. Love the caption and photo at the end!
Anonymous says
my brother, my brother! this shit is deep. that karen chick is right man. we see belofonte and glover backing her and we automatically think her claim is legit. but i don’t know man. you make them look pretty lame up there.
so i’m thinking you’re one of them white is always right brothers and then i read some more of your stuff like the thing on duke and i see you just one deep motherfuker. keep the faith my brother. you and cos are speaking truth.
Anonymous says
Perhaps we can call this another “Week of Shame” in Washington. While this story is juicy, it is clearly outdone by the Department of Homeland Security official charged with “chatting” up a 14 year old on the Internet. This fool used his real name and cell phone number to lure this young girl. And the cherry on top is that he works in a national security role. God help us all.
Jennifer says
LOL!!!!
Hi Anthony
I agree with Rebecca. This is an amazing column on so many levels. I really like the way you question why no black leaders have been able to get her to see how counterproductive and crazy her claim looks to the rest of us. I love you devilish sense of humor. That Buckwheat picture is too funny. But only you can get away with that.
Do you think she’ll be reelected?
Richard says
ALH
This is brilliant commentary. You put black leaders as well as professional journalists covering this story to shame. The real racists are having a blast watching African Americans and white liberals trying to defend this congresswoman.
Anonymous says
Thank you so much Anthony for writing about this issue. I cannot stand this congresswoman’s stance and arrogance. I, like Michelle, sometimes feel leary about expressing my opinions regarding certain topics with my black friends. There are some blacks that I have encountered that are extremely racist towards white people and walk around with chips on their shoulders.
Ravic says
I too agree with your assessment of this situation and praise your ability to keep this in perspective. I think that she was wrong, she knows it, and this is her defense.
I do want to add that as a black man, I frequently have to wonder if I’m treated incorrectly because I’m black or because the person is having a bad day (or maybe I did something wrong). Two weeks ago, I went to deposit my paycheck at my bank when the teller commented that I make a lot of money for the type of work that I do. This is an older white woman who does not know me nor the work that I do (and my paycheck is barely average). I was completely caught off guard by such an unprofessional comment.
If I were Congresswoman McKinny, I could have attacked, but instead I assumed that this woman simply showed unprofessional behavior and that it did not have anything to do with her presumptions based on my skin color.
ALH, perhaps you don’t experience this sort of stuff in DC when you’re dressed like a lawyer … or do you?
ALH ipinions says
Ravic
I appreciate your question. In fact, it seems as though every black person I know has had an experience similar to the one you describe. But I’m encouraged that not too many of us cry racism at the mere suspicion of racist treatment. For example, I think you handled your situation just fine. However, because I tend to be a little cheeky, I probably would have said – with a discernible wink – something like “Actually, this is just for a little overtime work…”; and left it there. But whenever I detect that subtle, but no less pernicious, form of racism that too many white people feel all too comfortable with (it could be a racist remark, a condescending look etc), I make a point of challenging it – often with repartee that exposes it for what is, but without challenging that person to a duel over it.
I think race relations would be greatly improved if those of us with white friends like Michelle and the anonymous commenter who cited her take every opportunity to engage them in frank conversations about race matters (in every permutation imaginable). And, I admonish my white friends that it would be helpful for them to reach out to blacks in this manner as well. I am convinced that much of this pent-up racist nonsense between the races can be diffused through simple conversation. Indeed, I have “educated” my white friends to such a degree that none of them needed to read this article to feel comfortable calling me up to denounce McKinney as a “race-baiting fool”. And, that she is.
Of course, there’s no objective way to go about having such conversations. But here’s an extreme example to illustrate my point: You may have a friend who likes to tell racist jokes or make racist remarks. And, let’s face it, some of them can be really funny. But at some point, even he might go over the line. And when he does, you ought to call him on it and explain why that joke is just unacceptable. And if he’s was the person you thought he was, I think he would appreciate that caution.
My favourite comedian was Richard Pryor, and no one told more racist jokes about white (and black) people than he did. Yet I do not think Pryor was a racist. (Indeed, he came to appreciate that using racially charged words was inappropriate even in the context of telling jokes….) And, incidentally, it’s pure rubbish that black people can’t be racist. Because some of the most racist people I know are black. And I challenge them with equal vigor whenever I encounter them.
Nonetheless, I fully appreciate that there are some white fools out there who might come into my face with really provocative and offensive racist shit. And, if any of them did, I have no doubt that I would do my best to render him a “dead honky” in a hurry…. But, thankfully, I have yet to meet a person of that disposition in all of my dealings with white people.
There’s so much more to this subject but I hope this suffices for now….
Jennifer
I’m afraid, based on the Marion Barry precedent, it’s entirely possible that this incident has only made her more electable. But if federal prosecutors have their way, she might have to run her campaign (and big mouth) from behind bars…
paula says
Anthony
This is a really interesting article and your comment reveals a lot about you. You’re a fascinating guy. Keep up the good work. I agree with the others, that photo is hysterical.
Ravic says
This has happened so much to me so much since I first moved here in ’92. I remember feeling guilty the first time I questioned if someone was racist … can you believe that?
Anyway, thanks for your comments. This is really a discussion that is generally missing in all levels of society.
I wish I was a quick thinker, but I usually come up with a smart comment to say two days later! I calmly explained to the lady that I had two masters degrees and asked her if she still thought I was overpaid.
Arthur Ashe explained that he wasted so much time having to educate, argue with, and explain to ignorant people that they’re wrong. I sometimes sympathize and feel it is simply not worth it (for example to get an account with a different bank as my friends suggest I should do).
Sir Monty says
Anthony, You make it very hard for an ignorant man to think straight. When American are saying their” now I lay me down to sleep” before they go to bed at nights, they need to thank God that your one of the watchmen at the gate of reasoning. By the way, we celebrated the swearing in of our Premier in Turks and Caicos this evening.