Breaking News for Black America » This Week In Blackness

Mitt Romney’s “Special” Kind Of White

Elon James White — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:24:46 +0000

The United States of America has what some might call an issue with the whole “United” thing.

In the wake of electing the first black President there has been a constant barrage of pointing out that this President is very different from Presidents past. Whether questioning his education, his place of birth, or his very belief in the concept and ideals of America, the Republican Party has been obsessed with putting Barack Obama in the “other” box and keeping him there by any means necessary.

But what do I mean by “other?”

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America’s dirty-little-highly-known secret is that “American”=”White.” It doesn’t need to be stated or highlighted because it’s assumed. With whites being the majority in this country and everyone else being initially disenfranchised, the very idea of being an American has been tied to whiteness in ways that are still being fought against today.

But America isn’t all white. Whites are losing their “market share” of the population day by day. In many major cities across the country white citizens are a minority, and this fact is disconcerting for many.

But the magic part of “America” is that this definition, this supposed default image of the physical representation of our country folk can be challenged, argued against, and, above all else, changed. America was built—in theory—to be welcoming and to represent all kinds. That sort of rhetoric opened the door to direct assaults on this default image. And as Americans of all races, creeds and colors create families and rise through the layers of class and careers, what being an American means is being redefined in a way that many who felt disconnected from the history and heritage of this country are finally feeling a part of—even proud of—what being American is.

But too many Americans still believe “American”=”White.”

But not just white. A special type of white. A type of white for which many who are “white” now didn’t qualify just a hundred years ago, when Jews, Italians, and the Irish — who all now enjoy the magic of white privilege — were actually seen as being of different and lesser races. Luckily these special whites just got their special back, courtesy of Mitt Romney:

“We are part of an Anglo-Saxon heritage, and he feels that the special relationship is special,” the adviser said of Mr. Romney, adding: “The White House didn’t fully appreciate the shared history we have”. – Romney Advisor via The Telegraph

On the heels of previous comments by Mitt Romney about the NAACP (and, by proxy, the black community) wanting “free stuff,” Romney’s new statement is just awe inducing. Do I believe that the Romney campaign actively tried to alienate large swaths of Americans in order to appeal to others via a loving shoutout to an Anglo-Saxon heritage? I don’t. What I do believe is that this comment was made without any clue of the optics around it. The statement was made from a position of privilege that sees nothing odd with “American” being equated with “Anglo-Saxon.” The blatant ignorance shown by Romney is yet another point in the larger diagram charting the tone-deafness of the Romney Campaign and the Republican Party as a whole when it comes to the ever-changing and evolving face of America.

The day after Romney’s comment hit the Web, the Romney campaign responded:

“It’s not true. If anyone said that, they weren’t reflecting the views of Governor Romney or anyone inside the campaign,”- Andrea Saul via CBS NEWS

Are we supposed to believe that this was just some random statement—completely not based in the previously demonstrated thought process or established view of the campaign? A simple misspoken set of words? Or is it more likely that because of the “anonymous” nature of the initial statement that this is simply another moment when instead of acknowledging a mistake, they claim it never happened and aren’t responsible for the racially ignorant viewpoint. The campaign says “WE KNOW WE CAN’T SAY THAT” all while saying things equally insulting and ignorant but framed in a more palatable way. A shoutout to America’s “Anglo-Saxon heritage” is a tad different than implying black folks want more free stuff.

The Romney Campaign can deny it and the media will simply let it ride. To push a deeper questioning and understanding of such blatantly ridiculous statements would be looked upon by conservatives as the liberal media being “all liberal and bias-y.” Now those Americans who are soothed by such statements silently nod and move forward knowing they have the right candidate. The Romney Campaign can yell “withdrawn” as much as they want, but people have already heard it.

The Romney campaign were accused of “dog whistle” racism. But with the commentary being this blatant and this clumsy I’d argue this was more like a full-throated “Here, boy!”

Elon James White is the host of the award winning This Week in Blackness & TWiB RADIO which can be listened to Monday – Thursday at 1:3opm EST at TWIB.FM and subscribed to on iTunes. Follow Elon on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and Google+

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The March You Should Have Heard About

NewsOne Staff — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:31:01 +0000

Last week I had the opportunity to cover the #SELMA2012 march. This I found interesting because many people I spoke to was unaware of the historic retread of the Selma to Montgomery march of 1965. Outside of a small select group of media outlets the march went largely ignored by mainstream media. While you can check out my on the ground coverage here on NewsOne.com check out my wrap up video on the march, it’s purpose and why you should be paying attention…

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Elon James White: “Just Say No To The War On Drugs”

NewsOne Staff — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:52:26 +0000

Comedian and host of “This Week In Blackness” Elon James White and the ACLU recently released a hard-hitting, yet humorous, video-blog condemning the war on drugs in America.

White speaks about how “the drug war has failed,” Attorney General Eric Holder, and “The Wire,” and the ever increasing incarceration rates for African-American men.

Watch the video below.

Abortion Foes: Stop Trying To Save Black People!

NewsOne Staff — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:00:25 +0000

Over the years, Elon James White has been steadily building a following for his always-impactful, always-funny video blog, This Week in Blackness. We have loved posting Elon’s videos revolving around politics, race, and entertainment. Today, we at NewsOne are proud to announce our official partnership with Elon and TWiB!

In this week’s episode — his first for NewsOne — Elon dons his “Black History Month glasses” (which look curiously like he grabbed them off of Malcolm X’s end table), and goes after those kindly white conservatives who care so much about unborn Black people, but lose interest after those sweet little Black children actually get born…

Elon also hosts a radio show that you should check out called “Blacking It Up” at TWIB.ME/LIVE.

Elon James White is a Brooklyn-based comedian, writer and host of the web series “This Week in Blackness”; a satirical look at race, politics and pop-culture in a so-called “post-racial” America. Follow Elon on Twitter at www.twitter.com/elonjames and visit him online at ElonJamesIsNotWhite.com and ThisWeekinBlackness.com.

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What To Do When You’re Stopped By The Police

NewsOne Staff — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 05:05:02 +0000

NewsOne contributor Elon James White tackles what to do when you’re stopped by the police in this video.

The video, which was featured on the ACLU website, is based on the ACLU’s know-your-rights card, What to Do if You’re Stopped by Police, Immigration Agents or the FBI.”

Click on the link and read about your rights during law enforcement encounters.

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George W. Bush Doesn’t Care About Earthlings

NewsOne Staff — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 18:39:44 +0000

In the latest installment of the award winning web series “This Week in Blackness” host Elon James White discusses Comments made by former President George W. Bush concerning the low point of his presidency.

And no, it wasn’t any of the death or heartache that occurred during it and THANK GOD, because that would have been a downer…

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For Colored Boys Who, Of Course, Sell Drugs

NewsOne Staff — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:54:41 +0000

The Brooklyn Comedy Company proudly presents This Week in Blackness: Mini Edition.

Host Elon James White discusses the republican/tea party candidate Al Reynolds and his thoughts on minority men and education. Brought to you by Giant Life.

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If The Tea Party Wins, It’s Your Fault

NewsOne Staff — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:16:53 +0000

Disappointed that Obama hasn’t zapped the Republicans with his magical powers like Harry Potter? Not planning to vote in the upcoming midterm elections in protest? Then you need to watch this video…

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Black People And White People Are Different

NewsOne Staff — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:25:26 +0000

We’ve all heard comedians telling “Black people and White people are different” jokes right? In the latest episode of “This Week in Blackness” host Elon James White crafts his own version based on Governor of Mississippi Haley Barbour’s interesting version of what it was like to go to school in in the South in the 1960’s.

After this you’ll be ecstatic to find out he’s one of the names being talked about as a possible 2012 GOP Presidential candidate!
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Dr. Laura’s Disease: Edgy White Person Syndrome

NewsOne Staff — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:18:07 +0000

White people saying “nigger.” That’s always pleasant right? Saying “nigger” eleven times with head held high? Feels more like a massage. A really racist massage.

In this week’s episode, we journey into the twisted, entitled mind of America’s favorite repressed, gay-bashing, antifeminist “radio therapist,” Dr. Laura. And what we find is a disease I like to call E.W.P.S., or Edgy White Person Syndrome. And even though Dr. Laura is already slinking away into the media twilight, her dysfunction will live on in every white person who asks the idiotic question, “Hey, you guys say it, why cant I?”

Now you will know how to answer them…

CLICK BELOW TO VIEW…

Elon James White is a writer/comedian/bruncher. Follow him on Twitter and prepare for awesome!

How To Scare White People

NewsOne Staff — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:23:31 +0000

Scaring white people is wrong. I do it—but it’s wrong.

And when I say “scare” I don’t mean I hide in the bushes and jump out and say “boo!” Although hilarious, this isn’t what I would choose to spend my day doing. When I say “scaring” I mean simply by appearing at times. I live in a slowly gentrifying neighborhood in Brooklyn and I was walking down the street late one night and a young white woman who recently moved in was walking in front of me.

Read rest of essay after video:

She was obviously terrified because of the Negro apparently walking behind her for 2 blocks (we both got off of the train and we both lived at least 2 blocks in the same direction.) She turned around a few times very nervously and eventually stopped walking allowing me to walk in front of her so she could know where “I” was going.

See? I wasn’t even TRYING.

I thought about saying “Greetings random White lady. You may not know this but I’ve lived in this neighborhood for years and if anyone should be looking around nervously it should be me because anytime I see a young white woman in this area at 1am I’m terrified. Why? Because very soon my rent will be going up.” I didn’t say that because I didn’t want to be responsible for the young lady ruining a perfectly good pair of underwear but darn it I was really close to doing it.

But I didn’t want to scare her. I don’t benefit from her being terrified. Hell I might have ended up with a can of mace in my eyes and a strong kick to the gut had I really scared that poor girl. This wouldn’t and isn’t the case for the Republicans and the Tea Party.

They’re enjoying scaring the holy hell out of white people. Putting fear into their souls about losing a country that in all honesty was never Theirs (it was stolen and then handed down to them.) They’re profiting off of the fear of negroes and we aren’t even doing anything. When the young lady I was walking behind was scared at least I sort of understood–but the fear mongering that’s being ratcheted up by right wing news outlets is illogical. They’re throwing around the word “reparations.” Yeah, that thing that no one’s talking about BESIDES them.

So if you’re confused as to why middle of the road white folks seem to be a bit antsy just watch an ep or 2 of Glenn Beck. Mystery solved.

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Shirley Sherrod + NAACP + Tea Party = Blackest. Summer. Ever.

NewsOne Staff — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:30:44 +0000

Elon James White is back with another edition of This Week in Blackness, brought to you for the first time by GIANTlife.com!

With Jesse Jackson attacking the Cleveland Cavaliers’ owner, the NAACP fighting the Tea Party’s racism, the NAACP then buying into the racism of a Fox News attack on Shirley Sherrod, Elon says that 2010 has been the Blackest. Summer. Ever.

Elon’s best bites:

“At this point, Jesse Jackson is just like Black people’s crazy uncle.”
“There’s a time to talk, and then there’s a time to Shut. Shit. Down.”
“The NAACP completely sold [Shirley Sherrod] down the river on some bulls**t… It was amazing because all the cool points the NAACP just got [went] completely out the window.”
“If Glen Beck can go on television and be a d***hole every day, I think I should be allowed to be a little bit of a douche. I’m a douche for Good.”

Check it below [NSFW - Language]:

Firing of Shirley Sherrod

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TWiB: The Words “Black” And “Ghetto” Are Not Interchangeable

NewsOne Staff — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:56:06 +0000

There are a lot of things that we all take for granted as being commonly known facts. This Week in Blackness host Elon James White wrote a few #BlackFacts in a Twitter Discussion and decided to share them with you.

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TWiB: Thanks To Supreme Court, Pepsi Can Now Choose U.S. President

NewsOne Staff — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:21:07 +0000

In the 5th installment of “This Week in Blackness: Season 3″ Host Elon James White discusses 2 stories: One concerning a brand new Basketball League & one on the Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United. We think you can guess what he might think about think about this.

TWiB: Obama's USA Still Can't Have Reasonable Conversation On Race

NewsOne Staff — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:54:04 +0000

The Brooklyn Comedy Company Proudly Presents Season 3, Episode 4 of “This Week in Blackness.” On MLK Day, MSNBC had a discussion on race and host Elon James White did not want to miss it. He might have wished he missed it AFTERWARDS, but before hand? Really didn’t want to miss it…

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TWiB: Dyson, Steele, And Reid's Critics Need To Shut Up

NewsOne Staff — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:45:39 +0000

In the brand new third season of This Week in Blackness, Elon James White returns with a flurry of new episodes tackling everything from the Michael “Brotha’-Still-Here” Steele and the “Negro” controversy to the increasingly inane metaphors of America’s Hip-Hop Professor, Michael Eric Dyson. Check out the three latest episodes, proudly presented by The Brooklyn Comedy Company, below:

Episode 1 – Keepin’ It Steele, Son!

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Episode 2 – On The Word “Negro”

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Episode 3 – “Michael Eric Dyson Should Shut Up” & other black musings…

TWiB: On The Word "Negro" … I Don't Really Care

NewsOne Staff — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:42:49 +0000

The Brooklyn Comedy Company proudly presents the 2nd installment in season 3 of “This Week in Blackness.” Host Elon James White (NewsOne, VH1, NPR) continues the new year with the brand new conversation over the word “Negro.” With Harry Reid dropping it in closed door conversations and it appearing on the 2010 census, is the word NEGRO back to its full glory? Watch one Negro…er…Black Guy’s take on it…

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TWiB: Keepin' It Steele, Son!

NewsOne Staff — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:52:34 +0000

In the brand new season premiere of This Week in Blackness, Elon James White (VH1, NPR, Hufffington Post) comes back to start off 2010 gearing up for Republican National Chairman Michael Steele’s new book “Right Now: A 12 Step Program to defeat the Obama agenda.” Plus White puts up a few theories on how to best explain Mr. Steele…

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TWiB: Obama Is The Worst. President. Ever.

NewsOne Staff — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:36:50 +0000

The Brooklyn Comedy Company proudly presents the 5th Episode of Season 2 of “This Week in Blackness.” Host Elon James White comes back letting you folks know that Obama is most likely the worst President ever. Didn’t you know? We knew. We totally knew.

ROUND-UP: Why Obama Is Not The Change We Can Believe In