My comments here are measured given my standing criticism of candidate, Senator Barack Obama. He has continually neglected to articulate what should easily be a hearty, detailed and realistic urban agenda we can all hang our hat on. But, I also find myself nodding furiously in affirmation to comments by Dr. Cornel West proposing we think critically about the Obama movement, while also defending his campaign from racist assaults. I perceived those offensives might be waged by right wing operatives and talking-heads who we know would never condone the election of a purported progressive Black President (and in fact, they would oppose a “qualified” ultra conservative Black President if such rejection could be negotiated after dark while noone were watching). With that, I never imagined the extent of the wrath of Bill and Hillary Clinton.

While these outrageous Clintonian tactics witnessed of late are stunning in their deceptive intent to burn the energy from the Obama campaign, they reveal a deeper reality about the Clintons and about progressive Whites - historically considered “allies” of African descendants in America.

That reality – of which most of us were well aware – is that such claims of loyalty to oppressed people were a
myth "from day one." Evidence of this illusion can be found in absurd mischaracterizations of Bill Clinton as the first “Black President,” and point to a dearth of awareness about what it means to be our friend.

Many who had been charmed by the Clintons are now surprised to see them conduct like hostile lovers who all along had been faking-it-until-they-could-finally-make-it. When it seemed success was slipping through their fingers, they roared ferociously and in no uncertain terms, “if we can’t have you, then nobody can.” And, now the Clintons have all but completed the arduous circle – from relationship, to separation, to a humiliating socio-political murder-suicide.


The Dysfunctional Relationship

White progressives who are good at what they do, often stake their entire careers on their ability to create populational belief systems grounded in non-truths. They are skilled at giving the appearance that they are comfortable in the presence of African descendants, and that they have a unique understanding of dilemmas of the Black body politic. They create what author Walter Lippman referenced as “pictures in the head” – including endless "diversity" schemes that leave some of us imagining goodness of heart based on footage and images of Black people seated at the table of brotherly (and sisterly) love. All of this works beautifully in an orchestral setting, but requires a cultural, emotional intelligence in a dichotomy in which more penetrating knowledge of racial power and control are paramount in doing the work of admission, reparation and healing.


The Separation

Black folk, a considerable number of Whites and then an amazing population of young people many with previous strong ties to the Clintons expressed through the absoluteness of their vote that they wanted to move in a new direction.

As respectfully as they could muster, they have declared to the Clintons - "let's resolve to be friends," and revealed they had fallen in love with another electoral message. While their appeal was gracious and kind, it was also swift, loud and clear. Obama’s string of wins have been riveting in their decisiveness, and have overwhelmed the Clinton's political machine. In fact, Steve Benson at Alternet.org says “Unless Clinton is able to at least win the primary popular vote -- which would take nothing less than an electoral miracle -- and use that achievement to pressure superdelegates, she has only one scenario for victory." That scenario Benson paints is that even if Barack Obama wins this contest in delegates and in votes, "this African American candidate and his backers would be told the prize is going to someone else."


The Murder - Suicide

Bill and Hillary Clinton have responded with a rash of ruthless acts of political violence, including the use of campaign surrogates such as Geraldine Ferraro to perpetrate a racist battering of the Obama candidacy. They exhibited a more pointed brand of disloyalty through both subtle and blatant use of the evil language of White superiority. Then there was Hillary Clinton's stone faced, stiff-upper-lipped response to Obama’s speech on race – claiming she hadn’t witnessed what she surely knew could be the most profound speech on race in her socio-political lifetime. And then there were she her partner’s claims that the Republican candidate would make a more successful President given their miscalculation of McCain’s superior love of country.

All these actions suggest a feeding frenzy that manifests and then boils over in a state of political depression. That aspirational hopelessness has hurled her to a process of forfeiting the Black vote while committing public self-destruction.

With that, Hillary Clinton should withdraw from her quest for the Democratic Nomination simply because her slip is showing. Her undergarment of White superiority is fully exposed for all to see. We know that a Republican Party, equally as desperate as the Clintons, will challenge, tamper with and manipulate the Black vote making extraordinary Black participation an absolute requirement for a Democratic win in November.

By her own hand, the evidence is stacked. Hordes of people of varying cultures have witnessed the scene of the crime, are sold on Barack Obama, and would be outright embarrassed to participate in the election of a Hillary Clinton.






Consider signing this petition designed by "Bloggers For Justice" calling upon Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Committee to do the right thing at:

Message to Senator Hillary Clinton and Democratic National Committee.

Thank you to Bloggers for Justice for the kind invitation.







Terry Howcott is a Master of Social Work, speaker, activist, thinker, and writer and your host at Terryhowcott.com

She can be reached at terryhowcott@terryhowcott.com

Photo Credits:

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"Proud Woman," Courtesy of: African Millennium Foundation, www.african-millennium.com

"Agave2." Courtesy of: John Villinski, Abstract Southwest, www.abstractsouthwest.com

African “Egghead” and Black Man in White
Courtesy of: Gene Pearson, Gene Pearson Studio, www.genepearsonsculpture.com