freeSpeech: Eugene Robinson

Washington Post Columnist Speaks About Condoleezza Rice

(CBS)  Something like 85 percent of African-Americans disapprove of President Bush. As regular readers know, that includes me.

Yet the most visible, and maybe at the moment the most powerful member of the Bush administration is an African. It’s safe to say that Condi Rice provokes passionate feelings among black Americans, both pro and con — mostly con, in my case. But not always.

I’ve tried to get over the fact that a woman who grew up in Jim Crow Alabama is so loyal to a president for whom black America has so little love. I realize that black conservatives have the same right to be wrong as any other conservatives. She should be judged on foreign policy, not on whether or not she thinks like most African-Americans.

OK, fine, I think the war in Iraq is a disaster, I think this administration has created more anti-American feeling in the world than we’ve seen in my lifetime, and I look forward to the day when they have to pack up and go home. And that certainly includes Condoleezza Rice.

That’s the way I feel — until I hear some commentator describe her as, quote, articulate, which is code for a black person who speaks standard English. Excuse me, you were expecting the Secretary of State to be inarticulate?

That's when I get this involuntary twitch and I want to defend Condoleezza Rice — when she's patronized, the way black pioneers in all walks of life have been patronized. Look, it may be wrongheaded foreign policy, but Condoleezza Rice is making it.

Condoleezza Rice is a major, major player in this administration. So call her whatever you want, but don't call her a token or a puppet. And please don't call her "articulate."


Eugene Robinson, an associate editor of The Washington Post, writes about politics and culture. His column appears on Tuesdays and Fridays.

[molliebogart]

I disagree with your point of view regarding Rice being called "articulate" is a putdown. Regardless of race, being called articulate is a compliment. For example, our president is not articulate, as well as many other people. Otherwise, enjoyed your segment. Wish our president was articulate.
Mollie Bogart

[shelquis]

I found this "free speech" segment to be racist and repugnant. Am I alone?

[leslita1]

While I really liked your piece, I was thinking along the same lines as Mollie: Rice IS articulate and our President proves again and again that he is not. Excuse me, were you expecting the President to be articulate? -- I WAS/AM/DO! -- Silly me! Seems to me that neither race nor profession need determine one's level of articulation... or lack thereof.

[landabee]

I applaud your candor. I agree with each point, positive and negative that you presented regarding Madame Secretary Rice.

While some may find the segment "racist and repugnant" many viewers, like me find it a disappointing truth that needs exposure.

If more people would speak plainly and clearly (not in code) then articulate would only bear its' true definition/connotation.

It is okay to have your understanding and perception of people challenged and expanded. It is not okay to cover that surprise with a backhanded or coded comment.

[gentlearts]

Mr. Robinson,
Perhaps Condi Rice is just brighter than you?
It is you who call her a puppet and a token. As a white conservative, I assure you, no one I know thinks of her that way. Maybe you should just stop thinking of EVERYTHING in terms of skin color. It's possible if you would just stop beating the same old race baiting drum you would see that the African Americans who have chosen to be a part of the American dream don't need people like you to "fight" for them.

[gentlearts]

And another thing.. the govenment is FULL of really articulate boneheads. Being articulate may, or may not, have anything to do with whether or not what you are saying is true. It just means you can spout facts and be convincing about whatever you might be trying to "spin" that day.

[bellal-2009]

Oh my gosh, I would never call Condoleezza Rice a puppet or a token. She is absolutely essential in this administrations ambitious goals of a free Middle East and this could not have been easy for her without the support of the African American community. I admire her greatly. She is smart,tough and charming. I hope she runs for President because I don't believe there is anyone more qualified than her to run this country.

[kailumego1]

The public schools in urban cities are drastically inferior to suburban ones, in curriculum, technology, and academia. So, if you really want to enlighten political referendum and racism, why not start at home.
Start with the %u201Cism%u201D blacks have had for each other, start with addressing the issue of blacks coming together to strive for a better education, entrepreneurship, health-care, etc.
Start by addressing blacks need to be more vocal in their communities, at school board meetings, etc., because Condolezza%u2019s political affiliation is not the problem.

[kailumego1]

What does being African American or black mean?
Most African Americans, probably including yourself don%u2019t seem to know.
I didn%u2019t vote for Bush, and neither do I agree with his politics, but I%u2019m not going to %u201Cbash%u201D Condolezza Rice, because she supports policies I%u2019m in dispute.
The African American race is so fractionalized how can you expect for one individual to a representative of a race that has a lack of cohesion.
Instead of criticizing Condolezza for her politics you need to be addressing a long standing problem of black apathy towards each other, resulting in black folks murdering each other, disproportionate number of blacks in prison, black illiteracy, single-mothers and absentee fathers, a lack of sufficient black entrepreneurship, low-numbers of blacks finishing high-school and going on to college, and learned-helplessness.
There are much greater issues to concern yourself with concerning African Americans besides ranting over Condolezza Rice%u2019s assimilating into white America%u2019s ideology.
Certainly many blacks disagree with Bush%u2019s policies, but, still, many refuse to get out and vote.

[rlsdrumm]

09/19/06
Robinson stated that although he may not always support our Secretary of State in her political responsibilities, he may be more concerned that she just doesn%u2019t think like an African American, graciously forgiving her conservative values. To my knowledge, the basis of our American Government is %u201Cfor the people, by the people%u201D not
%u2018for the races by the races%u201D, of which there are many in America. The fact that Condoleezza Rice is an African American Woman from Jim Crow Alabama rings a resounding triumph that she is our country%u2019s Secretary of State! Ms Rice is an intelligent Diplomat who daily addresses World Leaders of all races and confronts global issues with wisdom and articulation demanded by this position. Ms Rice successfully communicates the values, political position, and determination of the American People not to stand idly by while there remains human oppression at any spectrum of the Global Scale. Of course, this is not always popular and does created anti-American feelings among countries that prefer terrorism, communism, and oppression of freedom. I will agree with Mr Robinson on one point and that is that Condoleezza Rice is a major, major Asset to this administration and should be recognized as such.

[rcdfarias]

All I know is that Bush has pointed more minorities on his staff and not because the color of their skin but for what what they can do. Unlike the Democrat party which do not allow minorities in senative positions.

Bush has kept America safe period I would hate to think what a Gore would do we already know what a Clinton would do NOTHING which of course has led to the middle east mess and china mess too

[jbella5]

Wonderful!!! I believe he expressed my feelings of Miss Rice exactly. His opinion of her, this disastorous war, this misleading administration, the horrible ridiculous foreign policies that have created more hate and harm in the world, and more reasons to be "terrified" than ever before in my life time, I whole heartedly agree. I can't wait for this administration, Miss Rice, and Neocon paranoid fear tactics to step down, go fishing or duck hunting--blast away as much they'd like in that arena. The whole world would be a whole lot safer. And possibly some able folks with "Inteligence" and "Diplomacy", role modeling, and ferocity and focus in getting the right guy, ie. Osama Bin Ladin, could step up and set us on a better path. Condi and Gang have only made our world a more dangerous place and acted with alarmingly low smarts in thwarting the spread of hatred and extremism in the world.

[davidsmithla]

Condoleeza Rice IS articulate, but I agree that that is not her most redeeming quality - Robinson is correct it is something we should expect from the Secretary of State - ESPECIALLY since it's not a pre-requisite for Presidency as of 2000.

[davidsmithla]

Also, she is not a token. She is however a puppet, not because of her skin color, but because most of those in this administration are - to disagree is to be dismissed; case in point.....Colin Powell.

[boogied]

His comments about "representing Afro-Americans" tells me that he is only focused on part of America. The Secretary of State needs to represent all of America. Because of his racially biased comments and belief system that says to focus on a race, I discount everything he said. He is not looking out for what is best for America, so he is not a source for help with what we need as a country.

[greystreeter]

While I very much agree with Mr. Robinson's feelings of the Secretary of State, his comments about race are off the mark. The problem with the African American community is that everything is always about race. You can't give a black person a compliment or criticism without someone playing the race card. When I look at Condi, I don't see any color. She is articulate, despite the nonsense she articulates. And she is unlike our president, who is inarticulate (which is not code for white trash).

[snowbrd7]

It is very naive to think that the Bush administration has created American hatred. They have only expedited what was always there brewing under the radar. We are not able to keep our childish heads buried in the sand any longer. It is a big dangerous world and to ignore that our freedoms are at risk is silly and naive. Condoleezza Rice believes in freedom and maybe her African American roots give her an extraordinary capacity to believe in freedom.

[broswall]

Mr. Robinson,

I have read your columns and seen you on panel discussions and more than once have thought that
you were well spoken, articulate, even eloquent.
I now know that I should not have had these thoughts and would like to apologize to you.

Sincerely,
Broswall

[paszabo]

Mr. Robinson,
After watching your commentary about Condolezza Rice last night, I certainly understood your point about using the word "articulate", however some thoughts sprung to mind when you said: "Excuse me, you were expecting the Secretary of State to be inarticulate?" - I thought to myself: "okay that's true, but how about our president? I would never descibe this guy as articulate, and he's our highest elected official."

Anyway, I do understand your point (I think) that describing Condi as "articulate" is revealing in terms of how the our society may perceive african americans..

[falkenstein1]

This tirade was so rediculous that I am shocked that CBS would air it. This commentator is a (reverse) racist and is as bad as any KKK member spewing their garbage. Whites appreciate being refered to as "articulate" why on earth would someone with dark skin ? I dont think this commentator has a clue how stupid and devisive his comments really are.
Im not going to be watching CBS news because CBS is shallow and short sighted by allowing this type of commentary on air.
To bad because I had planned to follow Katie to the evening news. Oh well, I guess my evening choice will be Brit Hume instead of hear this rediculous insipid rhetoric !!
Goodbye CBS and your goofball commentator
Eugene Robinson --------

[a013024]

Bush has made the world a more dangerous place? Condi has done the same? How can people be so blind to the hate for America regardless who's in office from many of the Crazies around the world? Hostages were taken on Carter's watch. Cuban Missile crisis on Kennedy's watch. Vietnam on Johnson's watch. Why can't rational American's see that it is ideology that is at stake. Making IRAQ an democracy or some form of Republic regime is part of the key to a long term peace in the region. Why are people ashamed of being American and being successful. Our enemies want to be America. If they cannot have it they would just as well destroy it. Bush nor Clinton nor Carter nor Nixon started America's success. American's did. The Governments role is to assure its continuation for all Americans which, in turn, benefits the entire world. Yes, even our enemies.

[broswall]

Mr. Robinson,

I keep mulling this over and now have my own conclusion of this issue as it applies to you.

As I stated in a previous post: "I have read your columns and seen you on panel discussions and more than once have thought that you were well spoken, articulate, even eloquent."

My conclusion is: A person that is "well spoken, articulate, even eloquent" need not be intelligent.

[willyeli]

Sir....

Exacatly what words would be acceptable to you when a white person wishes to compliment a person of color / african american when they believe this individuals performance merits some type of notation in the public forum ?

Im no fan of Bush, but this person is throttling the cowboys love of ordinace with what appears to be reasoned logic.

You sir are just another african american who is completly enrolled in the polarizing non - sense that controls both political parties.

[papagresh]

"Articulate" is a patronizing term when applied to blacks? According to who? You? Don't look now -- but your codswallop is showing.

Your stereotyping of blacks as generally unable to speak standard English (since you suggest that "articulate" blacks like Rice are recognized as such only in condescension) is a disgraceful ruse even a child could see through.

I am shocked at the level to which you will apparently stoop in order to harvest fresh pettiness and offendedness with which to crudely fashion new race cards for your aging and worn out deck.

You're pretty articulate yourself, by the way -- but alas, it does little to mask your ignorance.

[nynative1340]

I rarely hear the terms 'Irish-American', 'Italian-American', or 'German-American' anymore. My friends from Bulgaria just became U.S. citizens, but they don't refer to themselves as 'Bulgarian-American'. They are very proud to be 'Americans' just like the rest of us.

'African-American'. 'Mexican-American'. How will 'hyphened-Americans' ever be integrated into main stream American society if they refuse to identify themselves as Americans? How can Mexican-American citizens expect to be integrated into main stream America when they march in protest to our (immigration) laws and show their loyalty to Mexicao by waving Mexican flags?

I know a lot of people who are very 'articulate.' (Generally, reporters and journalists aren't among them.) What really impresses me is someone whose master of our language is 'impeccable' in spite not living in this country since birth.

[willyeli]

Mr. Robinson..

Are you reading any of these ?

Please respond accordingly...

Do you have the courage ?