Yes, I know there is an inauguration going on, but as far as I am concerned it is the day I planned to start working in earnest, so I am working (despite jury duty, which I hope to dispatch post haste).
In this post I will work first by reminding Obama of certain campaign promises he made (see the video below). Next, I will work by musing on some ways the themes of my book have made it into the news. Finally, I will work by unplugging the Internet – possibly for the rest of the day.
A
1. What do you want to bet that CNN anchor V. de la Cruz’ Wikipedia page is self-written?
2. Exactly how unusual is it nowadays for a person under 30 years of age to use Facebook, shoot video, edit video, use a Mac, and Tweet?
De la Cruz wants to make a documentary on “Generation O” which is apparently (a) young, (b) biracial, and (c) tech savvy. She says:
Did you grow up mixed-race? Bi-racial? Willing to share your story? How do you feel an Obama presidency might change people’s perspectives on race? Are you tech-savvy? Do you blog, vlog or have a video journal? Did you campaign for Obama and use the web or new media? How so? We want to hear from you! Please drop us an email and preferably a video explaining why you would make a great subject for the documentary. Reach out to us: generationOdoc@gmail.com.
This reminds me of the past, when “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” and The Cosmic Race were both new.
B
I am sure a support group or organization for people sorting out their “mixed” heritages and experiences is fine. I point out, however, that the need for such sorting out is a result of racism, not of phenotype itself. I am skeptical of this mixed race movement because I still think it is part of the “whitening” bandwagon and that it wants to leave racism behind by leaving darker people in an oubliette somewhere.
3. Why do so many consider it necessary to create a person who can “bridge the races” before we can drop racist attitudes? (Is it not obvious that that essentializes race?)
4. Is it really true that we did not recognize the variety of racial mixtures existing in this country before now?
C
Now we will visit the Whirlybird in Opelousas, LA:
H/T Dissent.
Axé.
coldhearted scientist وداد 
P.S. Dissent, I still can’t seem to get a comment to post on your blog.
P.P.S. I reiterate, in a slightly different key – I think all the hype about how Obama isn’t Black is not just so people can deny we have a Black President – it’s so we can deny that Black people have a Black President. And notice that one of the things white people like to do is say who is Black or not (usually to their convenience).
You’re so on it, Profacero! I’ve been trying to make some of these points all the time, but you state them so directly and clearly I give you props….
word.
O good, so I’m not being old fashioned and un hip?!
(You two got awards from me yesterday, you know.)
You should have seen the inauguration party here. Better than anything Obama himself attended, I am completely sure!