Also, I think the problem of black political actors like Obama, being seen to represent all black people, either as a scapegoat and or some kind of symbol of anything, is also a problem that black politicians AND activists perpetuate and take advantage of when they act as brokers or operatives that supposedly speak for people, that they …
Also, I think the problem of black political actors like Obama, being seen to represent all black people, either as a scapegoat and or some kind of symbol of anything, is also a problem that black politicians AND activists perpetuate and take advantage of when they act as brokers or operatives that supposedly speak for people, that they may or may not represent. The problem goes both ways and is endemic across the board, with I think mostly negative consequences. Anytime anyone says "we" xyz, without representing an actual constituency or group they themselves have organized, that have put that person in a position to speak for them, its a problem. The benefits of "faces in places" type identity politics, often are pretty slim, esp when you are talking about either extremes, centrist neoliberal Dems, who don't confront capitalism as well as hashtag activists who aren't doing actual offline, non symbolic organizing.
"also a problem that black politicians AND activists perpetuate and take advantage of when they act as brokers or operatives that supposedly speak for people"
Yep, I completely agree. Especially when what they say in utter nonsense. So many of the people "speaking" for black people do so from a position of utter weakness. Portraying us all as feeble, helpless victims.
But of course, the fact that they perpetuate this idea gives them a certain degree of clout.
Also, I think the problem of black political actors like Obama, being seen to represent all black people, either as a scapegoat and or some kind of symbol of anything, is also a problem that black politicians AND activists perpetuate and take advantage of when they act as brokers or operatives that supposedly speak for people, that they may or may not represent. The problem goes both ways and is endemic across the board, with I think mostly negative consequences. Anytime anyone says "we" xyz, without representing an actual constituency or group they themselves have organized, that have put that person in a position to speak for them, its a problem. The benefits of "faces in places" type identity politics, often are pretty slim, esp when you are talking about either extremes, centrist neoliberal Dems, who don't confront capitalism as well as hashtag activists who aren't doing actual offline, non symbolic organizing.
"also a problem that black politicians AND activists perpetuate and take advantage of when they act as brokers or operatives that supposedly speak for people"
Yep, I completely agree. Especially when what they say in utter nonsense. So many of the people "speaking" for black people do so from a position of utter weakness. Portraying us all as feeble, helpless victims.
But of course, the fact that they perpetuate this idea gives them a certain degree of clout.