Stop the Madness! I'm Begging You!

This post started out as a comment to a poster who recently left comments on my blog, but I decided to make it an open letter to all who assume they know me and understand my motives.

You don't.

You have no idea how many e-mails I've received that start out something like this: "I respect your right to vote for whomever you please.  I do not respect your right to "tear down" or encourage a white man to attack an African American man."

Here’s how one poster began to address those who questioned her comments on this site:
“Thanks for asking that question because it lets me know that you are trying to learn our point of view too instead of just taking James' story that all Black people are mad at him for supporting McCain.”

How about asking me a few questions to demonstrate that you are trying to learn about my point of view.  It’s amazing to me that so many Americans of African descent think they know me.

People who are angry with me are trying to tell others what my motivations are -- what I think and how I feel... 

How absurd!

Tonight my kids started bickering . . . I hate that! I yelled three simple words: “I’m begging you!” We all froze, and then laughed out loud.  I’ve been saying that phrase for years along with “stop the madness!” Friends and family tell me that both are signature James T. phrases.

“I’m begging you.”  Town Hall Meeting … Uncle Tom.

“Stop the madness.” CNN… Sellout.

Sigh.

A childhood friend recently turned me on to a book by Dr. James Davison, Jr. called “Sweet Release: The Last Step to Black Freedom.” In the book, Dr. Davison says that: “Our black identity is a by-product of slavery and racism – an affectation, assumed rather than natural. Ideally, there should exist no such thing as black identity. It is part of our oppression, a notion propagated by those motivated to provide anchor to a people set adrift by slavery. I contend that that same anchor now ties us down, retarding our free movement…”

I agree.

I realize that as long as black identity is a by-product of slavery and racism, Americans of African descent will hate me for “begging.”

I'm cool with that.

But know this. I am not a victim. The people who despise me are victims. They are victimized by psychological slavery, a psychological bond to their racial past. The good Dr. Davison says that the only way to escape is by asserting one’s individuality.

Well my friends, as a free individual, I am begging you to stop the madness! 

Free yourself. Then we can at least agree to disagree about politics without all of the racial insecurity.

Comments

[Lauren]

You are one of my heros! You keep doing your thing James.

[Diana]

I've said it before, I'll say it again, James, those of us who have been listening to you on TMJ (radio and tv) are very proud of you! Please keep up the good work.

[LegioNofZioN]

James let me provide the internation seal of support, on behalf of Canadians d'accord mon ami. Je suis D'accord. I have been listening to you from Toronto for over a year now, I don't know you, but I respect you and your opinions which often are analgous to my own.

[really]

god bless

[really]

this was posted by a blogger on another topic and i think it is a wonderful message, it reads:

One of the most right-wing conservative people on TV made a comment a few weeks ago and I think that was the first time I actually AGREED with her. Someone asked Elisabeth Hasselbeck if Obama wins will she support him and her answer was “ first and foremost I’m an American and yes, I will support MY President.” That was her answer and I totally respect her for that. She did go on to say that she will support him but it won’t come without examination or evaluation but the fact that she said she is an “AMERICAN FIRST”, not a conservative, liberal, Muslim, white, nigga, sell out, sambo, begger, panhandler, plumber, man, women, “she is an American FIRST::::::: that’s what it’s all about

[Random Liberal Democrat]

LOL. With this post you prove, yet again, that you are no different than your "group-minded" opponents: the same application on what constitutes a monolythic group of people...the same ridiculous practice of separatism. This has nothing to do with political affiliation or practice. This, in my opinion is a huge character flaw. Please, go ahead and continue to prove me right...let the propaganda and insults continue to fly!

[redmirabai]

Great post, thanks. Isn't maturity about becoming an individual? Being part of any mass movement is comforting, in a way that democracy is never going to be comfortable. Argument and compromise is built in: if one accepts the liberty to be an individual, one must accept the discomfort of not always having the answers, and of having to deal with opposition, not just shout louder. Free citizens have responsibilities as well as rights.
Keep up the good work.

[dana michelle]

Random: I'm not seeing anything separatist about this post. How is choosing to be successful separatism?

Isn't achieving success in life a better tribute to the memory of those that endured slavery than anger over the injustices that were done to them?

You can't move forward in life unless you are willing to let go of the past.

[real black]

Real Liberal: shut the hell up. Seriously.

[Random Liberal Democrat]

LOL...keep it comin...

[Random Liberal Democrat]

Thank you dana and black for replying directly, and proving my point!

[macbrooks]

Dude, you totally rule.

Take it easy.

mac :]

[LegioNofZioN]

Random, that is your point of view, maybe we do subscribe to group think, or a more in depth inspection might simply reveal we (the regulars here) have a similar world view, so right or wrong our opinions tend to be in line with each others more often than in conflict. If stirring the pot with charges that only you see is your idea of a fun time, then power U and go right ahead. People on here will call you out on it and you can continue exchanges back and forth and hopefully your ego will be stroked in the process. The truth is, those of us on here regularly are here simply because we heard a man on radio echo our thoughts on life, responisbility and in some cases religion. We flocked here to hear our own opinions reflected and to pipe up in support or in some cases to voice our discontent or disagreement when we don't see eye to eye.
I personally came here because James opinions more often than not sound like those of my father and my grandmother, the two greatest influences on my short life. I live in Toronto, an unabashedly Liberal stronghold in Canada, where opinion like this is shunned and rarely available. I come here to feel like home, to hear voices in agreement with my family's humble beginnings on a small west indian island called St Vincent. If you don't share our point of view, why are you here ? Do you have something substantive to add ? Or are you simply stirring the pot ?

I don't know, and it doesn't matter. Good day to you, and God bless you and keep you as I pray he does all of HIS children.

One.

[real black]

Random, I am an African American with a PhD, but I have no time for this kind of idiocy. Not every opinion is evidence of "group think." James is exactly right that he is being slammed for putting his core beliefs before his color. He is not giving in to any particular "group think." He has criticized George W. Bush on this blog as much as Obama. Your only purpose on here is to tear down a free-thinking, independant black man. You're the one who is pathetic.

[white tiffany]

perhaps your picture should appear in this wikipedia record:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Ruckus

...and YES...I am a white conservative republican who totally disagrees with your tirade and point of view. You prove that ignorance comes in all colors, political party set aside.

[real black]

white tiffany = KKK

[Random Liberal Democrat]

Black...how typical of you to hide behind your PhD on this one...and even as you don't have time to entertain my "idiocy"...you still find the time drive my point home with every word you type. "Free-thinking" my liberal ass.
--respectfully (lol--you're really funny, aside from being a so called "educated black man"--are you also a comedian?)

[white tiffany]

real black = JUDAS

[Random Liberal Democrat]

Legionofzion--

I can only respect your positon and your response here. Thank you for remaining civil in your exchange. It is refreshing to finally chat with maturity here...even if we do not agree on some issues.

God be with you and yours as well.

[Random Liberal Democrat]

...and as for your question about me "stirring the pot?" Well, of course I am! Just as your host of this blog has done: I am merely exercising my right to disagree with the majority...right?

[dana michelle]

"Thank you dana and black for replying directly, and proving my point!"

Posted by: Random Liberal Democrat | October 24, 2008 at 12:02 PM

Random: I'm sorry, but apparently I've missed something. What point of yours did I prove? Being successful = groupthink??

This is not intended as a "challenge". I am sincerely confused by your comment.

[Derek]

Black people as a whole have to deal with race being used as a wedge. We ALL suffer the effects of Reverand Wright, we all suffer the effects of politics that pit blacks against whites.

Look at this:
http://kdka.com/local/attack.McCain.Bloomfield.2.847628.html

A mccain supporter lying about being attacked by a black man that was an obama supporter? For you not to realize that encouraging things like attacking Obama through Reverand Wright relies on the same kind of tactics is utterly amazing.

It's not group think, it's the fact that you are willing to sacrifice civility and racial unity to win a damned election.

[andrea]

People are just so ridiculous sometimes! Really! Just get over it & get on.

Agree to disagree. It's not like discussing any of this is going to change anyone's opinion. Move on.

[stagolee]

Mr. Harris writes: "an open letter to all who assume they know me and understand my motives. You don't."

Yet you claim to have a clear window into the voting motives of millions of Black people.

[Random Liberal Democrat]

Dana, my point is that those who pretend to stand for their convictions before they are attacked can easily be tricked into participating in the same behavior that they are opposing, per the mudslinging thats taking place here. Your responses prove this point.

James (and most of the subscribers of this blog) are convinced that their decisions are not motivated by race and history, but your responses speak to the contrary:

"Random, I am an African American with a PhD, but I have no time for this kind of idiocy. Not every opinion is evidence of "group think." James is exactly right that he is being slammed for putting his core beliefs before his color. He is not giving in to any particular "group think." He has criticized George W. Bush on this blog as much as Obama. Your only purpose on here is to tear down a free-thinking, independant black man. You're the one who is pathetic."

Posted by: real black | October 24, 2008 at 12:36 PM

"Isn't achieving success in life a better tribute to the memory of those that endured slavery than anger over the injustices that were done to them?

You can't move forward in life unless you are willing to let go of the past."

Posted by: dana michelle | October 24, 2008 at 11:25 AM

My problem isn't with black conservative republicans, its with PEOPLE in general who adopt self-righteousness, yet constantly contradict themselves. Based on James' postings...and others here that are similar, his point of view is not so independent and progressive at all!

Respectfully...