The black liberal website released a photo gallery of folks that it would like to see axed from black history, which is stirring controversy. Bookeristas weigh in on the list:
Duane Brayboy: "Still Trying To Impress White Folks"
The conservative blogger in metro Atlanta, Ga. writes: "At one time I thought that [T]he[R]oot.com was one of the more mature online Black publications out there. But with this particular article, I really have to question that. Black Folks We’d Like To Remove From Black History On William Jonathan Drayton Jr. (a.k.a. 'Flava Flav') 'As a member of the pioneering hip-hop group Public Enemy, Flav should be known for It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. Instead he’ll be remembered for proving it takes only a few dozen to make us all look crazy.' >Make us all look crazy…to whom?? The same sentiment goes for all the rest of their lineup 'Stop embarrassing us!!' To that again I ask 'To whom?'"
More: "Do a Google search on the following and tell me what you find White people we would like to eliminate Asian people we would like to eliminate Hispanic people we would like to eliminate Only a person with an enslaved mindset believes that one or a few people can embarrass an entire race. This feeds into th[e] notion that no matter how hard we strive to better ourselves as individuals, we are just as chained together as our African ancestors on slave ships. And all it takes is a few Fat Alberts to pull all of us overboard. TheRoot.com needs to grow up!"
Victoria Williams: "You're Embarrassing Us"
The libertarian-conservative blogger in Seattle, Wa., writes about a recent feature on black liberal website TheRoot.com: "The Washington Examiner did themselves a favor by shedding light on The Roots' [sic] ridiculous commemoration of black history a month - a photo gallery of people they'd like to remove from black history. Thankfully, the folks at The Root have at least gotten over their infatuation with OJ Simpson, even if it did take him going to jail for theft or gun-waving or whatever it was. Still, the list holds everyone - from ridiculous to genocidal - making sure to take swipes at three of the more prominent black people on the right side of the aisle: Alan Keyes, Michael Steele and Clarence Thomas."
Ms. Williams continues her commentary: "I'm not going to pretend I know enough about Mr. Keyes' policies to defend them. But wanting to remove him from 'black' history (as opposed to history for the rest of the world, I'm assuming) because he embarrasses you is the epitome of pettiness. Same goes for Michael Steele. Clarence Thomas is smeared because of his statements on the colorblindness of the Constitution, (it is, the Framers specifically left out any reference to skin color or social status) and for claiming to be a man who happens to be black. Why? Because you fail the BAT if you find more identity in your humanity than in your black skin. My Twitter friend, Jeff, made me feel a little better when he said about the list, 'I just laugh at it now. It's the "He/She is embarrassing US' syndrome; it's total insecurity.' I appreciated his perspective on the matter. The black community on the Left is insecure. My mother recently called them paranoid. It's a description that is beginning to seem more and more accurate."
Torrey Spears: "Who Knew John Allen Muhammad And I Had So Much In Common?"
The conservative Republican blogger in Florida takes issue with TheRoot.com's decision to list prominent black center-right figures with murderers and dictators, simply because of their political views: "So, if I'm reading this correctly, The Root is suggesting that Michael Steele, Alan Keyes, and Clarence Thomas - all prominent Black Conservatives - should be eradicated from Black America's history because they are 'embarrassing' to Black America. This may be the most amazingly absurd thing I've ever read as a Black Conservative - and this is from a guy who has been called a 'racist' and 'race trader' and other defamatory remarks that don't deserve credit on this page. Who do these people think they are??? It's ignorance like this that feeds into the perpetual yet brazenly incorrect assumption that the Conservative movement in America has a monochromatic face. It's closed-minded, and pathetic, and frustrating."
Mr. Spears continues his commentary: "I'm still waiting for Black America to advance to a level where we can advance past race as an excuse to push political ideology, but when things like this get written - it makes me sad because I see how far we have to go. We may disagree philosophically on which political ideology will offer the betterment of Black America - but when we continue to do trivial and derisive nonsense like this - it only serves to galvanize the stereotypes that plague our nation. It's time to grow up, The Root.com. No doubt you were all thrilled to elect the post-partisan post-racial President...so let the rest of us know when you're ready to be adults and sit at the big table, okay??"
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TheRoot.com Releases "Black Folks We’d Like To Remove From Black History" List: Bookerista Response
