“Race 2012: A Conversation of Race & Politics in America”
This week I continue my weekly post along with a group of bloggers around the country on the impact of race on this year’s political election leading up to a PBS documentary that will air on October 16th. You know that I am a boomer and I fortunately have a few lifelong friends. Every now and then I find myself with a childhood friend with whom I have a shorthand way of communicating. We can look at each other and have a full conversation with only our eyes. When we sneak and try to talk about someone in the presence of that person, we try to code our intent by flipping the verbal script.
But because we do not have the benefit of an unwritten language of extreme complexity like the Navajo or Choctaw Code Talkers above who were responsible for saving American lives in WWII, talking above someone’s head does not generally work. Yet we find this happening regularly during this political season requiring that one be ever vigilant that the Code Talkers and Wind Talkers AKA politicians, not get us confused about what is truth and what is hot air.
Consider this code-speak of Newt Gingrich, former Republican Party presidential candidate, speaking on Fox News, the week of Sept 30, 2012. Ask yourself what was he actually saying with the following comments.
“I’m assuming there’s some rhythm to Barack Obama that the rest of us don’t understand. Whether he needs large amounts of rest, whether he needs to play basketball for a while. I don’t watch ESPN. I don’t know quite what his rhythms are. But this is a guy who’s a brilliant performer as an orator, who may get reelected at the present date, and who frankly, he happens to be a partial, part-time president. He really is a lot like the substitute referees in the sense that he’s not a real president. He doesn’t do any of the things presidents do. He doesn’t worry about anything that presidents do. But he has enormous power in the White House and he’ll go down in history as president, and I suspect he’s pretty contemptuous of the rest of us.â€
WHAT DOES HE MEAN
Now I ask myself WHAT DOES HE MEAN. We know what he said, but what does he mean? His words do not make sense to me and maybe that is because he is talking in code to someone I can’t see.
WHY DOES HE SAY WHAT HE SAYS
Why would he describe the President of the US in terms of rhythm and basketball. To say “I don’t watch ESPN,” as opposed to say National Geographic or NPR could be interpreted as disparaging. IF that’s not enough, he goes on to claim the sitting president is not a real president because he doesn’t DO what presidents do. Is this madness or real talk? Gingrich has always wanted to be president himself. Given this, are we supposed to value his assessment of what a president is supposed to do when we know he covets this job? To even answer this question (Gingrich is a professor somewhere) presumes its legitimacy. Gingrich concludes this rant by saying, Obama will go down in history as president (yes because that is what he is) but he doesn’t think President Obama thinks much of Americans. And how could Gingrich know this? On what basis does he make this claim that the President doesn’t think much of people like “us, we Americans.” Look carefully at this as a coded message. Racists talk like this although I do not know if Gingrich would describe himself as such.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE IF THIS A CODED MESSAGE
I consider this a coded message. Umm, my point is that this is a racial message, something Gingrich would never admit: clandestine talk coded to cover what Gingrich actually thinks. To me, even the sequence and syntax of these statements that don’t seem to flow with each other affirms this.
Unfortunately, many people have come to accept this type of Code Talk as a legitimate expression of universal truths rather than what it is. Unlike the Navajo and Choctaw who put a undeciperable code of their native tongue in the service of the American military, this type of Code Talk is being put in the search for power at any expense.
As we listen to debates, news, pundits and even our friends, it is important to be aware of this and to not buy into it when it takes place in our presence. I encourage you to take a look at the Race 2012 on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/
aaryn b. says
I LOVE your analogy of whether Newt would have mentioned National Geographic or NPR (he wouldn’t have because those don’t fit the stereotype he was aiming for). So smart! I tackled Gingrich’s remark, too, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on my take when you have a chance. This kind of coded language happens all the time, but it really defines the GOP. They can’t run on any policy, so instead they will divide Americans by playing to the fears of the lowest common denominator. It’s nothing new, but it’s ugly and dangerous.
boomrwiz says
Newt just reveals the contempt and disrespect for so many citizens that some others manage to hide. I agree with the pundits who say voters should remember this when they go to the voting booth.
Oh yeah, can’t wait to read your post. I am heading over to http://www.aarynbelfer.com right now as anyone reading this should do as well. Thanks for sharing.
Krystal Grant says
Today’s politics makes me very angry. I wish we had more politicians who were upfront and honest instead of playing mindgames with American society. What a great country we’d have if our leaders were more concerned with the people they serve than their party affiliations.
boomrwiz says
Hey Krystal
It’s true today’s politics do make me angry as well. But I guess playing mindgames is part of the political and power process- messing with people’s perception of reality. Unfortunately most of us live such busy lives that we have to be careful not to rely upon others to masticate difficult topics for us. I admit I am a big Melissa Harris Parry wonk and of late I started to watch Chris Matthews because MHP and CM are thoughtful and have smart friends. This is not to say I am in total agreement but their discussions help to keep me on my toes. I have been hesitant to express where I am coming from for more reasons than I care to go in right here. But having readers like you help to keep me on my toes and I thank you for sharing. Later Chica.
Monica's Tangled Web says
Frankly, I was horrified when I heard him say this on Fox News. Horrified that no one on that channel bats an eye, that no one questions. They take it in without mulling it over, giving it a second thought. Racism is the “elephant” in the room. It’s there and you’re right. The Newts of the world would never admit to it. But still this is they way they talk when amongst themselves. Remember, Newt is also the one who refers to President Obama as the “Welfare President,” not caring that statistics show majority who receive welfare support are white. The truth is carved and re-shaped to fit their message. Fact checkers mean nothing to folks like Newt.
boomrwiz says
Me too Monica, that is I was also shocked. But Melissa Harris Perry made the point that race has been codified into law in North America. Had not thought about it that way. Me thinks Gingrich’s comment is an implicit expression of where he is really coming from.