Friday, July 23, 2010
The Alvin Greene Conundrum
My love-hate relationship with Alvin…
On Monday, the Manning Branch of the South Carolina NAACP sat anxiously as they waited for Democratic Senatorial candidate Alvin Greene to make his first public remarks. The organization invited Greene to speak so its members could get to know him better.
Meanwhile African Americans all over the country secretly prayed that he would not embarrass the race too badly. After his surprising, OK let’s face it, bizarre, primary win, Greene gave the first speech of his non-campaign. After doing several awkward, bumbling and downright strange interviewswith various media outlets, the South Carolina Democratic electorate now watched their miracle candidate nervously, hoping that, at the very least, all his subjects and verbs would agree.
So, how did he do in his first campaign appearance? Alvin Greene probably did better than most people thought he would. He didn’t make any major errors, didn’t use profanity and did not show pornography to the audience. He stayed on-topic (for the most part), focusing on his three major themes of jobs, education and justice. He talked about the fact that the country lost 125,000 jobs just last month.
Next, Greene hit the criminal justice system. This is when it got a little weird.
He tells some bizarre story about “a guy” who got tangled up in the criminal justice system - we all know that when someone talks about “a guy” or “friend” he or she is probably talking about him or herself.
Anyway, this “guy” got in trouble, and although he qualified for pre-trial intervention, he was denied and the trial was delayed.
You could almost hear the crowd’s collective “WTF?”
All in all, it wasn’t the utter and complete disaster we all have come to expect when Greene opens his mouth. He nervously read his notes from a black spiral notebook, wiped his brow and did his best to sound authoritative. Senatorial even.
He made a little quip in the beginning about being a perfect candidate for the NAACP Image Awards, although I have a sneaky suspicion that he didn’t write that joke and didn’t seem to know what it meant. Frankly, it didn’t sound like he wrote any of it.
It sounded like a bunch of policy positions that had been cut and pasted from different websites the night before. Unfortunately, the only part that sounded genuine was that creepy part about his “friend.” The 6 - 12 minute elocutionary extravaganza ended with Greene timidly waving, looking unsure of what he was supposed to do next.
I know you’re not supposed to say this anymore, but what the hell, he looked kind of retarded. Ok, maybe not full-retard, but like whatever Forrest Gump had.
He cracked a child-like smile as he got a standing ovation before an audience of more than 400 in his hometown of Manning. Greene took no questions from the audience and hustled past a group of reporters on his way out of the building without stopping to talk.
Another onlooker, Jerry Johnson, said Greene looked much better giving his speech than he has in interviews. “I wasn’t blown away, but he didn’t do bad,” Johnson said. “Considering I didn’t know anything about him coming in, that’s not so bad.”
OK, if no one else is going to say it, I will:
He was absolutely terrible. Did the fact that he wasn’t as bad as we thought he was going be, make him less terrible? No. It was violently bad. Face it, it was awful and horrible and stinky. I will admit, though, I’m conflicted. On one hand, I want to support this brother who is a legitimate candidate (like it or not) in following his dream of becoming a senator.
Or, to many South Carolinians, is a thumb in the eye of Jim de Mint worth lowering the bar of expectations? I just don’t know. This dude is embarrassingly bad and I don’t know what we accomplish by not holding him to the standards all our leaders should be held to, like forming a cohesive thought without having to read it, but on the other hand, the Republicans have Sarah Palin….
THERREN DUNHAM
on 23 Jul 2010 at 7:25 pm #
I know that the NAACP is a bit out of touch these days, but I never thought that it regressed to the point that it’s not properly vetting black candidates BEFORE the win their primaries. I, too, wanted to give Greene a puncher’s chance, to find a reason to find his candidacy credible. But I can’t, or I simply won’t, because he clearly isn’t qualified to be elected dog catcher, let alone a senator.
This man makes Michael Steele look like the second coming of MLK. And it’s a shame that nobody else sees this as the farce it is. My parents are from the SC lowcountry; Manning is one of those poor, rural, black towns who the Lindsey Grahams and Mark Sanfords don’t give a shit about. Those people are desperate to have someone, somebody look at them and hear what’s important to them. Alvin Greene is the best thing to happen to them since Althea Gibson (who’s from the same area). They’re going to be more charitable than most, because they NEED him more.
The question for the rest of us is, at what cost? My fear is that whites in that state will see it as Reconstruction (or the lie it was depicted as, rather) all over again. Somewhere in Washington, James Clyburn weeps. Bitterly.
AVERAGE JOE
on 24 Jul 2010 at 12:32 pm #
All I can do is shake my head. I like to see brothers doing well, but please learn to speak eloquently. Obama won mostly in part by how well he spoke. He was and is a wordsmith….. this guy on the other hand reminds me of the kid we snickered at when it was time to read in grade school…. We have qualified people of color, please elect and use them not whatever is handy at the time.
Micah
on 24 Jul 2010 at 1:52 pm #
THERREN, I love the way you put it: a punchers chance. I am not sure what to think. I mean if we are honest with ourselves, is this man any less qualified for his position than our previous president? I am not sure. But what I think the post was really talking about, what resonated with me at least, is the idea that we as a people would be happy to support anyone just because they are black. I remember thinking more than once that it would be great to champion someone of our race who didn’t shame us as they were used to spotlight some issue or other.
What concerns me is a longer reaching effect that a lot of us thought about when Obama got elected. Many of the people that I know that support him spend a lot of time hoping against hope that he succeeds, not just for the country as a whole, but for our race. We know that a black man who is the first to do anything has to be better than anyone before or a brother will never get another chance. We know that if something doesn’t work out it will be because the individual is black, not because something else happened as far as those who lay the blame are concerned. And the pushback from that could last years, and the effects could be devastating.
Imagine if this brother DOES get elected and crashes and burns. How much ammunition does that give those who want to bring us down? Not the random overt racists at some truck stop either. I am talking about the covert racists on TV and the radio.
Is this a moral dilema? Should I hope for someone to be elected that is not in lock step with an ideology that I find antiquated and repugnant? Or should I hope for someone to get elected who may share some core beliefs with me but who’s election may do more harm than good? Who is woefully unable to effectively execute the tasks with which they are responsible for? This is not an easy thing to come to grips with.
I suppose, because I think that for the next few years the immediate need is someone who will not make things worse, or stagnate the process, I should support him from afar. Hope he has a good showing, maybe a victory. In those circumstances maybe he can be brought under a charismatic, well meaning individuals wing and learn what he needs to know to be effective.
But if he wins and is a failure, the next person to run with a more moderate/liberal ideology won’t have a chance.
Miles Ellison
on 25 Jul 2010 at 12:18 pm #
This will not end well.
THERREN DUNHAM
on 26 Jul 2010 at 4:21 pm #
@Micah: LOL. I appreciate you pointing out the pun.
I honestly don’t want this guy to win. The black electoral success theory is outdated and will only serve to undermine black political efficacy. But if Greene wins, this will be the model our enemies will hold up, that blacks vote their race instead of their interests.
Alan Keyes bringing up the rear in nearly every campaign he’s run makes that a lie. Our angst and divisions (and ultimately, our rejection) of Clarence Thomas makes that a lie. Lynn Swann getting trounced in Pennsylvania, even having all the advantages that his white opponent could only dream about, makes it a lie. But the B-E-S-T becomes gospel if Greene wins.
White, evangelical Christians and Marion Berry supporters notwithstanding, no self-respecting person will ever undermine the interests and aspirations of his people and his state to see one similar face in office.
Micah
on 26 Jul 2010 at 5:26 pm #
@THERREN: We have already proven that, and not strictly politically. Think of every athlete who proves they are a scumbag (even his Airness (”Republicans buy sneakers, too”)) to every one of our “leaders” who embarrass us (I bet those Duke Lacrosse players are still waiting on that apology press conference Mr. Sharpton) to celebrities who can’t keep their hands off underage girls or who make coonery a cottage industry (Paging Mr. Kelley and Mr. Perry). OUR problem has long been not understanding the difference between supporting someone who is black and someone who is worth your support. The problem now, which has been pointed out perfectly, is that this is someone that has shown no worthiness. Is the country better off with a qualified bigot or an unqualified … I don’t know what he is.
I was going to continue, but I think I hear Creflo’s helicopter. Apparently he’s looking for another check. Ah, I am just SWELLING with pride when I think of all of my people who are making us look so good.
THERREN DUNHAM
on 26 Jul 2010 at 6:24 pm #
LMBAO at Creflo Dollar!
I think we see the same thing, but I don’t think that Jordan, Kelly, and Perry are the people we should take issue with. Sharpton I’ll give you. And it’ll be a cold day in Hell before dude apologizes for anything before Tawanna Brawley.
Jordan is a transcendent figure; as much as I didn’t agree with his sentiment, I have to say that it was not only expedient but smart for him to say that. Before we diss Tyler Perry (and I had some of the same quarrels with his work that the ‘Boondocks’ did), let’s remember that he’s printing money only because he tapped a market that was ignored for far too long. Now, competition makes all things better, and if we want better pictures from Tyler Perry Studios, it’s gonna have to come from someone else who appreciates that demographic. And it ain’t gonna be TD Jakes. R. Kelly, unfortunately, was seen by blacks as another hood prodigy, by whites as a latter-day Jerry Lee Lewis. But I submit that someone should have held the judicial sysytem responsible for his trial lasting a decade, with some 80% of his charges DROPPED before he even takes the stand.
I’m accepting these people as the exceptions instead of the rules. It’s a stretch, I admit, but we get excluded from juries for a reason (never mind that black juries convict black defendants all the time). We know what’s important to us, and if others really care about our votes, they’d make a concerted effort to compete for them.
THERREN DUNHAM
on 27 Jul 2010 at 8:38 pm #
Oh, and Average Joe: I actually caught up with an interesting piece about Willie Herenton, or rather, his opponent. It heartens me to see that time and time again, we continue to vote our INTERESTS, and not simply our RACE. I think Stephen Cohen will continue to serve Tennessee well, should he win.
“Black people don’t vote for candidates just because they are black. If Clarence Thomas ran for president, he would get five black votes.”
–Michael Eric Dyson
Micah
on 27 Jul 2010 at 9:56 pm #
Does anyone think that he can actually win? I don’t know about the voters in his district. Can he carry it? Could he actually be a member of congress?
THERREN DUNHAM
on 27 Jul 2010 at 10:40 pm #
I’m guessing that historical precedent will pan out. inevitably, people will see him for what he is (and isn’t), and blacks for the most part will stay home. Biggest landslide in SC history.
A crying shame, perhaps, but we will be better off for it.
Crazy Asian
on 28 Jul 2010 at 4:15 pm #
I don’t understand why people are wringing their hands trying to justify voting for this guy. I’m all for the little guy… but I’m even more for intelligence!
How exactly can he represent the people of South Carolina? After listening to his ideas (his own action figure? Are you freaking kidding me?), how could he possibly sift thru complex legal documents? He’ll be a puppet Senator!
I have no say in this election since I live in Colorado. Seriously though, will people really vote for this guy and just look for ANY reason to vote for him because he’s an African-American?
This is the problem with 98% of the African-American population being Democrat. Now, given a ridiculous candidate you have little to no voice among Republicans. If 30% or more of the African-American population were Republican, they’d have to make policies and address issues in your interests because you’d affect their primaries… but that’s a WHOLE different enchilada.
THERREN DUNHAM
on 28 Jul 2010 at 7:08 pm #
For the most part, I agree. But here’s the problem: One, as I stated earlier, black folks voting on race is passe, even if others don’t see it. We have grown to be an incredibly sophisticated electorate, and the good thing about Alvin Greene’s candidacy is that it will challeenge how we as a voting block are seen. Second, you fail to understand that nobody is going to support your platform if you don’t engage them. We’ve only been about 2 generations from having blacks vote solidly Republican. the change came about because the GOP could never win unless they embraced the racist, segregationist whites in the south. Over time it’s softened, but the GOP strategy has always been a southern one, and to engage blacks (and to a lesser extent, Asians and Latinos) risks offending southern whites. Black republicans are no better at engaging their Democratic brethren. If Republicans want to see more than the 10% of the black vote they usually get, then they’re going to have to give blacks a reason to.
Greene will not, and should not win.
Crazy Asian
on 29 Jul 2010 at 10:03 am #
Therren - I think the problem with a lack of black republicans is really a problem for everyone. Neither party is properly balanced and we see that across the nation in local elections.
Personally, I think some Democratic candidates take the black vote a little for granted because they realize that Republicans aren’t even trying. Having a better balance in the political parties FORCE both parties to compete for the voting block.
I don’t offer a solution how that would happen. Republicans seem wholly inept at attracting minorities and the party has been increasingly hijacked by the hardcore evangelical Christian right. Thanks Palin (freak)!
THERREN DUNHAM
on 29 Jul 2010 at 3:23 pm #
No arguments here, CA, save for one thing: the Dems take our votes a LOT for granted.
washington dc
on 08 Aug 2010 at 4:44 am #
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washington dc’s last blog post..The Obamas, the Fentys, and Brian Stokes Mitchell…oh my
Pictogram
on 17 Aug 2010 at 3:39 pm #
Jam, I love your work. I love your integrity. I think I love you… which is what makes the wince hurt so much more when you, a brilliant sister among brilliant sisters, use the word “retarded”…there is a population of loved ones and caregivers who NEVER think this word is okay in non-detached descriptive use.
It HURTS - it hurts EVERY TIME.
Alvin Greene is a mystery. Plase, keep digging.
Did AG over-invest with money he got somehow (people have suggested Alvin’s father, who isn’t that healthy, provided the candidate’s $10,400 filing fee - money that would have bought some legal defense against the obscenity charge) and somehow WIN the look-at-me, look-at-me lottery political hopefuls play every day?
Maybe.
Did the DNC fall asleep watching this primary?
Oh yeah.
Is Jim DeMint the kind of Senator that belongs in the past more than the present?
Absolutely.
From what I’ve seen, AG isn’t impaired. He is totally out of his depth. He has wandered into the Differential Equations class when he registered for Pre-Calculus. He’s opaque. He has embarassing biographical details. He exasperates a media culture which does not feel/believe AG DESERVES the kind of effort that understanding him requires. He is rushing a fraternity without a sponsor and the by-laws permit him. The same media is not in agreement on Jim DeMint - but they hate gate-crashers (like Richard Heene, the Salahis, etc.) and AG has reached for the tube of celebrity anointment without anyone’s permission.
Since you have Alan Keyes’ number (and I assume you know about what he decided about his daughter) I’m sure if you keep watching AG something will click.
Sharron Angle - same lack of depth or preparation, but European-American and so patronizing she seems like a drunk den mother. The Surrealists are still relevant.
Crazy Asian
on 20 Aug 2010 at 3:52 pm #
Pictogram - I take issue on a couple of your points. Firstly, AG is a fluke and a product of no one really caring about a primary. He doesn’t really “DESERVE” anything. Secondly, it’s even laughable that you use him in an analogy of Differential Equations and being at “Pre-Calc” level. Holy Cow, AG is still in Advanced Plusing.
It should have been someone’s job at the DNC to meet all candidates on the ticket and throw some real weight behind “qualified” candidates. I’m not saying they should take sides, but… OK who am I kidding!?! They should take sides(!!!) and have worked to smoke this guy. Now it’s a shoe in for Republicans. AG’s numbers are like 15% or something. I think those are even within the 15% margin of error.
If anyone suggests that AG is a “retard”, it’s because no other single word describes that guy more simply or comprehensively. The other day a reporter went to talk to him. He was yelling “GO” and “NO!”, I almost fell back in my chair… stunned. If this guy somehow gets elected, then I’ll 100% know it’s time to move to Argentina.
charles849
on 25 Aug 2010 at 9:32 am #
when it comes to politics I’d rather have a sincere person than a slick talker any day. Has anyone notice we are our own worst critics . I never hear of white people feeling embarrassed and shamed . At least once a week I see the crabs in a bucket syndrome rearing its ugly head. I think Alvin Greene saw it too. With the white folks gunning for him and black people criticizing his every move and syllable I don’t expect him to finish a term then you all will get what you really want a white man running the show. I’ll bet you wont be checking his speech for proper enunciation .
~JaBe73
on 30 Aug 2010 at 7:17 pm #
Jam,
It’s been a long time since I’ve visited ur blog; u were truly missed. As usual, u were right on point. Ur asides keep me laughing.
~JaBe73
on 31 Aug 2010 at 6:09 am #
Although Greene’s Manning speech was difficult to sit and sift thru, I managed. I mean not everyone can deliver a great speach(perhaps he should buy and watch the Great Debaters); many stumble and are a little awkward. However, I watched the Alvin Greene interview with Keith Olbermann(10JUN10) and that pretty much put the nails in the coffin. He knew of and agreed to the interview so why was he so unprepared for basic interview questions? Did you campaign? How did the voters know about you? Did you pay the filing fee from your own funds? Are you wearing a shirt and tie? As Mr. Omar would say ” tragic”.