Shelby Steele - "Racial Masking" in American Popular Culture

[davisismail1comcast]

WOW I cannot believe that Steele wrote this candid, sincere and very astute piece of literature. This is revealing, of him at least, that he does understand some of the struggles and the subtle campaigns that are people have to put on in order to survive in perdition, projection, and paranoid white society for all that they did to African peoples. Im embarrassed to say that i was one of those taught that Mr Armstrong was a sincere SHINE for whites, not knowing the man and the way he survived

[AgainstRacismDotInfo]

Smart man. Appreciate the logic and effort of this man. He may be trying to sell a book, after all he has to survive like the rest of us, but the messege and committment is there. Check out our YouTube channel for the website on againstracism.info

[Exofire]

Two words piss off liberals, black or white, more than any other:

Personal Responsibility.

This is why Shelby Steele is attacked. People would rather blame others in self-pity, rather than take responsibility for their own actions.

[countertreason]

You know what: there are not enough black academics out there. This guy is dead serious and rational. I don't know what it is like to be black, but I get upset when I see so many embarassing representatives of black academics. I see more rappers, preachers or members of lobby groups speaking for black America than real thoughtful individuals.

Blacks really need more Shelby Steeles. I do love, too, his genuine belief in racial equality. Blacks need to be excellent and not be victims.

[freein2339]

Steele is nothing but another useless uncle tom on the plantation payroll....

[dutytocareforothers]

@freein2339 I agree. Since when does using guilt and shame make a poverty stricken group improve?

[shareecehomes]

Shelby Steele is a Uncle tom, because his writing tends to aim to generalize a conquered minority, with no clear intention to his derision. Masking is the dumbest idea I've ever heard. Any Psych major knows that EVERYONE has many aspects of self- uneducated people see mask-educated people know human being change and so mask is too stagnant of a idea, hence the idea of saving face.

[shareecehomes]

Also, to suggest that the self of black people that makes them feel inferior is not real is a fucked up thought because it assumes and neglects to acknowledge the reality that is there. This sounds half paranoid and half offensive. Excuse my spelling in the middle of a paper.

[Davysprocket213]

Mr. Lighwave, you actually make one of his points. If you disagree with him, why don't you intelligently rebut what he says instead of just name calling. Name calling is easy.

[lighwave]

Shelby Steele is a conservative racist Uncle Tom and as such he is a worthless piece of crap.

[youcantakeapunch]

Why is Shelby Steele an Uncle Tom?

[ZDWmiamicane]

Why do you think that sir? Because somebody articulates facts, is well spoken, and a great person, doesn't mean that he's racist.

Also: Why do you think conservatives are racist? Remember Abe Lincoln? He was a conservative.

[shareecehomes]

o i remember Abe Lincoln. That was the president that freed slaves in order to punish the south and freed blacks based on timing.... probably the only karma justice in the history of the U.S. Now conservatives are not necessary racist, but they support many laws that perpetuate institutional and structural oppressive systems such as the death sentence.

[ZDWmiamicane]

What's it with this argument of "structural oppression?" That is the weakest argument that I've ever heard. You get it both ways with that argument. The death penalty is a states rights issue and isn't unconstitutional (see Gregg v. Georgia). Your Marxist arguments of "oppressive systems" get old and are not convincing. Try another argument . . . .

[dutytocareforothers]

@ZDWmiamicane Articulating the facts doesn't mean anything. Anyone can read facts out loud. It's the suggestions and dialogue one uses to engage people to improve. I believe it's very arrogant and stupid to nit-pick at minority groups. It's just a stupid waste of time. It doesn't make sense why Shelby cares so much for the group of people he really hates. Oh right, it's all about profits. Those books will sell.

[clubby1234]

are you kidding me? he's a genius, black face so he relates to black America, but white mind, so he knows how to live successfully and be a true American that doesnt need my tax money, for free, to live.

[freein2339]

@clubby1234 "Blace face , but white mind"...sounds like an uncle tom sellout asshole to me....

[dutytocareforothers]

@clubby1234 Tax money goes to libraries, roads, the fire-stations, public entities, and the post office. Do we need to pester and belittle you about using the roads and libraries that other people have paid for?

[josephjstern]

What exactly makes him a racist?

[dutytocareforothers]

@josephjstern He is using white supremacy to line his pockets with cash. He knows there are a lot of whites that hate black people. They look down on black people and wish they'd go away. Shelby picked a target audience or market segment i.e. angry white apologists, then wrote books geared to them, all for a profit. Have you noticed his suggestions haven't made a positive difference. You just see a bunch of arguing and fighting.

[afannell]

Shelby must be really dumb for writing that book now that Obama has won!

[ericwhithr2007]

You must not have understood 1 word he said.

[iratetruth]

Hey shelby you asshole; he won now what. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA and I voted for him.

[JamesOrwell]

Can someone tell me what book he is reading from here?

[JohnAdamCulligan]

A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win

[JamesOrwell]

Thank You.

Well obviously the "Why He Can't Win" part was incorrect, but I think this will be an interesting read. I am going to pick it up. I just won't read it on the train.

[Samphye]

"...not an authentic presentation of one's true self. Rather, it is a presentation...that angles for advantage." Ironically, everyone masks. It's a sycophantic method of currying favor or better yet not attracting force/fear. (i.e. smiling). Malcolm, Wallace, MLK, Farrakhan wore no masks. These men understood the law of nature and ppl in power NEED to know that either u don't know the law of nature, u won't exercise it or you'll defer to them knowing that they will/can exercise that power.

[mhrb26]

Shelby Steele is brilliant. You critics need to free your mind and listen closely. If racism were to end tomorrow Shelby would have a career and would be pretty well off. Al Sharpton and his ilk would not. Shelby also came up through the Chicago riots and the black power movement.  He didn't discover he was black while attending an IVY university. He understands race. He isn't a Michael Eric Dyson... He actually tells the truth to his people.

[trypinn]

I agree with you entirely except that Eric Dyson is also a brilliant speaker on the subjects of race and social issues. How you cannot clearly see that baffles me.

[Frnlam]

Another exploiter of the black race.Pin stripe

suit all the way to the bank! His "mask" is pretending to be/sound intelligent, knowledgeable at the expense of his victims.

NO love lost here.

[texastootall]

Steele is clearly a race pimp, he is the right wing version of Al Sharpton. This guy is clearly jealous of Obama and is still struggling with his own racial identity. He will never be as confident and comfortable with himself as Obama. Obama seems happy, confident, intelligent, and accepting of all people. Steele seems angry and ignorant of "modern black culture".

He accused Obama of not discussing his mom b/c she is white but a quick google shows that Obama has always talked about his mom.

[junesteward]

You should be thanking Obama--you're back in business again!

[jbvoter]

Axelrod is a kingmaker; Kerry and Kennedy the Advisors; and, Obama is the Boy King... just like the olden days in ancient civilizations.

[junesteward]

Who would Shelby Steele be without "race". Not much!

[texastootall]

Exactly right! Sharpton Jr. The difference is Steele is unfamiliar with the black community. All he does is streotype blacks based on his old school image of who he thinks blacks are. I doubt if Steel actually wnet to Chicago or Springfield to do research on Obama for this book. ahs anyone noticed that he only speaks to white audiences? If he is so interested in black culture why is he afraid to speak with blacks? Uncle Tom? I guess that is why the MSM loves him though.

[ptricky15]

He grew up in Chicago through the 60's... civil rights... riots... he knows what he's talking about... even more so than Obama... listen and try to understand what he's saying.

[snowtrot]

Well said. Obama is a politician--more of the same. His policies do not indicate change. His values do not indicate change. He's merely more of the same.

The fact that 'change' has been attached to his campaign without any more reason than his having a darker complexion than others indicates that the liberal party is mostly racist, shallow and outdated in their thinking.

Also, why is he called 'African-American'? His white American mother's parents raised him. He's American, nothing else.

[Samphye]

All politicians start out as being wide-eyed change the world types. Obama hasn't been debased by political games that soil others. U sound angry. Tip: Vote 4 him simply b/c He's absolutely better than the other guy.

He's AA b/c of how he's been TREATED his whole life. U'R American. He's AA. C the diff.? That's why Tiger NEVER wanted 2 be called Black, he knows the TREATMENT that comes w/ it...but Fuzzy (& all the other WP who were 'Hitler-stunned' at his skills & determination) fixed that.

[snowtrot]

"He's absolutely better than the other guy"

Absolutely? There's not one thing both Obama and McCain can do which McCain can do better? Not one thing? Unbelievable!

"He's AA b/c of how he's been TREATED his whole life"

No, he's American of African first descent. Big difference. Language is lost. People clump many into one incoherent concept.

"U sound angry"

What's worse, 'being angry' or 'being wrong'? Regardless, "sounding" and "being" are two very different things. You are wrong.

[Samphye]

We've interviewed these two for 2 yrs! Name the 1 thing.

U(& most ppl, me included) REALLY want 2 believe that there is 1 US, but in ur heart of hearts (& mine) u know that is not the case. Race is society's way of determining HOW ppl r 2 b treated/viewed/depicted. Not even u Mr(s). Red Herring ("lang. lost?" what does that have 2 do w/ anything?) can argue that. There is nothing wrong in my comment & if u don't know, ask.

I implore u, watch this vid again. no really watch & listen 2 it.

[snowtrot]

Not my statement. The onus is on you.

Bob Barr (or rather Ron Paul) are heads and shoulders better candidates. But the American public will not pick the best candidate, they will only elect the more accepted one. The media will drive this country into the ground without good, honest independent thought.

Race is an illusion. Do we really want to go back to tribalism. It's just a temporary step backwards.

I've watched the video many times. What's in question is a concept, an abstraction

[snowtrot]

Speak with blacks? Know the black community? Steele used to be a Black Panther. Maybe he just doesn't speak with your beliefs.

The name 'Sharpton' is a thorn in the heel of Justice. Charity is quite separate from Justice. In fact, they are contradictory in a sense.

What is "black culture" by the way? Is it the "ghetto life"? Well, only 24% of blacks live in poverty. The majority of blacks are middle to upper class. Imagine that...Who's stereotyping now?

[junesteward]

You're an insult to African-Americans. You make money from insulting your history and people. Congratulations!

[EnjoyTheBuffet]

Nobody ever handed me anything for being white. Neither of my parents even went to high school but they taught me the value of hard work, best exemplified by the fact that I was born in a log cabin that I built with my own two hands. Let's see anyone else do that regardless of race.

[Jitpring]

Read anything you can find by Shelby Steele. Brilliant.

[giaramos2010]

@Jitpring

This is the same man who swore to White America that Mr. Obama would not win the presidency! Mr. Steele is wearing the mask that White America must see and that is a total dis-association from the Afrikan struggle to be as Afrikan as Italian, Irishman, WASP, etc., and still be respected as Americans. Mr. Steele's mask is the pretense that he is an evolved Negro having achieved the understanding that the White man will give you more if he thinks you don't really need the hand out.

[Jitpring]

@giaramos2010 Very fashionable on all counts. Congratulations!

[everybodysfavourite]

get over it buddy

[pajasa62]

Gee, I wish I could read people's minds like that....yeah right!

[fla0303]

this is guy is stuck in an intellectual rut.

[allenamerica]

you know what's another way that black people have of ingratiating themselves to white people? by suggesting that another black person is a "house negro" type. white people are gonna watch this video and be like, "yeah man, louis armstrong, what an uncle tom. shelby steele is cool though."