Word of Bond

I haven't been so quick to call blackfolks d dysfunctionally dependent on government largess (and scraps) as some Conservative bretheren. But nothing quite demonstrates the orientation of entitlement as the following mission statement:

We, the undersigned, vow to step up in the aftermath of Katrina, to ensure that no one is left behind again.

We commit to doing our part to ensure that all people are regarded as full humans, not as second-class citizens, and that our government is responsive to their needs. We commit to helping those who have been continually ignored gain a powerful political voice.

We will insist that those who have been pushed to the margins become a priority in this country, and that the federal government take responsibility for people in crisis. We will hold the government, and ourselves, accountable.

Together, we will be a powerful force for change.

I'm not going to deconstruct this at length. I think it speaks for itself. If there is going to be a race and class discussion about Katrina then let us use Julian Bond's declaration stand in (for the sake of argument) for the cause of liberal, poor blacks. The fact that this will be popular and considered by its signers to be unassailable IS the 'unbridgeable' difference between them and the cause of conservative, rich whites, for whom Bush purportedly singularly loves. If and when I find such a manifesto on the other side of the fence, I'll plop it in here.

In the meantime here are some dichotomous talking points, personalized for the sake of Socratic dialog with the Kanye asslicks who are bound to follow.

I: Heard the news and got out of dodge when the mayor announced. You: Don't watch the news.

I: Don't expect the President or other Government officials to care because they have no incentive to do better and they are largely incompetent bureaucrats.
You: Don't expect the President or other Government officials to care, because they are heartless, racist criminals who enjoy watching people suffer.

I: Look at 60 Billion dollars in aid from the government as a boondoggle and an incredible opportunity to stimulate the entire economy of the region for blacks and whites alike.
You: Believe it's all going to Halliburton anyway, if it's even true.

I: Am heartened by the generosity of Americans all over the country who have opened their arms, wallets and communities to displaced blackfolks who now have a chance to start over.
You: Are still looking for more dead bodies to amp up the volume of your complaints.

I: Understand that nobody can be prepared for the inevitable slings and arrows and unpredictability of life.
You: Want safety and security at any cost to insure that 'this sort of thing never happens again'.

I: Am satisfied that the overwhelming majority of people survived this ordeal and that valuable lessons have been learned.
You: Will continue to focus on those worst cases and use them to typify an inplacable and ongoing 'institutional bias' that will never change.

I: Believe Kanye West is out of his depth, and is probably dumber than Tupac who wasn't too bright himself.
You: Believe that Kanye West inherits the mantle of Malcolm X, and that I should be shot for dissing 'Pac.

I: Believe that most of the people who died in New Orleans were the elderly and infirm, and that this is similar in many ways to the people who die from heat exhaustion in Chicago, despite warnings by the mayor that they should drink plenty of water and stay by A/C.
You: Think that the Superdome was just a Nazi concentration camp or a slave ship in disguise.

I: Am hoping that the displaced people can find the courage and assitance to move on with their lives.
You: Are hoping to build another MoveOn.com to make political points out of suffering by placing blame at the foot of GWBush.

I: Am saying all this in anticipation of a provocative yet nuanced debate about the real political differences between Americans in matters of class and race.
You: Can't wait to call me names.

So this should be fun.