With Obama Hip Hop BBQ headline FOX proudly shows dog whistle racists how its done, take notes!

By John V. Moore @johnvmoore

Dog whistle racists throughout America, step the fuck aside, FOX NEWS has out classed all of you with today’s headline “Obama's Hip-Hop BBQ Didn't Create Jobs” which is an article on the President Obama’s 50th Birthday celebration that was held at the White House on Thursday, August 4.

For the unenlightened, “dog whistle racism” as defined by the Center for Social Inclusion is “also known as symbolic racism – is political campaigning or policy-making that uses coded words and themes that appeal to conscious or subconscious racist concepts and frames.”

Given the demographics of the FOX NEWS audience and their perceived attitudes on race you can imagine the reaction that this dog whistle will elicit from that crowd.

This headline and accompanying photo are blatant examples of dog whistle racism. “Hip-Hop” is code for “Black people” even though many white folks like hip-hop music and many Black folks don’t. “BBQ” is another great code, which when used in combination with “Hip-Hop,” implies that there were bunch of Black folks doing what you’d expect Black folks to do and that the leads to a reinforcement of the “othering” tactic which has been used multiple times against President Obama.

By my estimation (based upon a pool report and my assumption that the President’s immediate family, including mother-in-law, attended) there were at least 49 guests and only 20 of them, less than 50%, were African American. However the photo accompanying the article featured four African American men, Charles Barkley, President Obama, Chris Rock and Jay-Z.

Yeah, there were at least 21 Black folks there, including some bonafide hip hop stars, but this was hardly a “hip hop BBQ.” Jay-Z was not working the grill, holding a 40 ounce and smoking a blunt as Barack and his boys (don’t get it twisted Pat Buchanan) were holding red plastic cups of gin and juice, while looking at the ladies in their Daisy Dukes dropping it like it was hot with Ice Cube’s “You can do it” blaring over the speakers in the Rose Garden. But with its framing, that is what FOX NEWS wants you to believe.

A more appropriate headline would have been “Diverse group of friends join President Obama for White House 50th Birthday Cook Out.” A more appropriate accompanying photo would have included Nancy Pelosi, President Obama, Robert Gibbs and Gayle King.

But as long as FOX NEWS is telling the story that is not going to happen.

Even the reporting of the music played undermines the frame that FOX introduces with its headline.

“ … with dinner in the Rose Garden, accompanied by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. Then the First Lady and his daughters presented POTUS with a cake, and everyone moved into the East Room for performances that included R&B singer Ledisi, and Herbie Hancock. Stevie Wonder came up at the end and sang a medley ending in “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.” DJ Cassidy played Motown, hip hop, and ’70s and ’80s R&B.”

Hip hop was played but so R&B, Motown and even given the presence of the Marine Band, I would dare suggest there was some John Philip Sousa bumping (hip hop term). Which prompts me to revise my headline one more time to “President Obama celebrates 50th Birthday Day with friends to the tunes of John Philip Sousa.”

Since FOX NEWS is making shit up let me join them in doing so. I decided to give this party a 2.52 rating on the “Fresh Prince of Bel Air Hip Hop (FPBAHH)” scale (which I just made up). A 5 rating equals the "Fresh Prince" himself (Will Smith) and 1 point equals "Carlton Banks" (Alfonso Ribeiro). A 2.52 FPBAHH ranking equals the father on the show, “Uncle Phil” (James Avery), who was a judge, lived in Bel Air but when he needed to knew how to get down.

My methodology (see guest list below): I gave each African American who attended a FPBAHH ranking, totaled them up and divided that figure by the number of reported/assumed AA attendees (minus Reggie Love who I assume was there but did not include). I gave careful thought (I really did) to each persons’ ranking. For example while Grant Hill is a Black male who has played in the NBA he went to Duke, so there is no way I could have ranked him higher than a 3. When it comes to the President’s daughters the Sidwell Friends/University of Chicago Lab School education really undermines their hip hop credentials as well. Even though Hill Harper graduated form Harvard Law with the President his 4 rating just feels right. POTUS gets a 5 just because as the first African American President he deserves it.

While my FPBAHH ranking is bullshit, so is FOX NEWS’s headline, accompanying graphic and the racist frame they are attempting and succeeding in introducing.

In a week that saw the President referred to as a “tar baby” and a “boy” FOX NEWS wins the week with its clever use of dog whistle racism. I do believe that Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-CO) and Pat Buchanan need to be taken to task for their comments but in my book its easier to give them the benefit of the doubt. FOX NEWS knew what it was doing and sadly the damage they have done will be much worse than the other two offenses.

Guest List Black folk in bold
1. Al Sharpton FPBAHH Rating 3
2. Patrick Gaspard FPBAHH Rating 3
3. Robert Wold
4. Julius Genachowski
5. Nancy Pelosi
6. Paul Pelosi
7. Tim Geithner
8. Arne Ducan
9. Ron Kirk FPBAHH Rating1
10. Hillary Clinton
11. Eric Holder FPBAHH Rating 1
12. Katheleen Sebelius
13. Debbie Wasserman Shutlz
14. TIm Kaine
15. Anita Dunn
16. Bob Bauer
17. Robert Gibbs
18. Davd Axelrod
19. David Plouffe
20. Valerie Jarett FPBAHH Rating 1
21. Michael Stratumanis
22. Pete Rouse
23. Bill Daley
24. Alyssa Mastromonaco
25. Denis McDonough
26. John Brennan
27. Rahm Emanuel
28. Tina Tchen
29. Sam Kass
30. Julianna Smoot
31. Marty Nesbitt FPBAHH Rating 2
32. Eric Whitaker FPBAHH Rating 2
33. Linda Douglass
34. Jay-Z FPBAHH Rating 5
35. Hill Harper FPBAHH Rating 4
36. Charles Barkley FPBAHH Rating 3
37. Steve Harvey FPBAHH Rating 2
38. Tom Hanks
39. Rita Wilson
40. Grant Hill FPBAHH Rating 3
41. Gayle King FPBAHH Rating 1
42. Stevie Wonder FPBAHH Rating 3
43. Ledisi FPBAHH Rating 3
44. Barack Obama FPBAHH Rating 5
45. Michelle Obama FPBAHH Rating 3
46. Sasha Obama FPBAHH Rating 3
47. Malia Obama FPBAHH Rating 3
48. Marian Robinson FPBAHH Rating 1
49. Eleanor “Mama Kaye” Wilson FPBAHH Rating 1

Elisabeth Hasselbeck tries to attack Shirley Sherrod on THE VIEW and fails

While the rest of America understands that Shirley Sherrod was the victim of an attempted media lynching THE VIEW's Elisabeth Hasselbeck, most likely reading from a script provided by Sean Hannity, went on the attack. First she took issue with Sherrod stating her belief that some of the Republican opposition to Obama's health care plan was racist, then she questioned whether or not she violated the Hatch Act. Sherrod wasn't having it, at one point looking at her like she was a simple idiot before putting her in her place with a strong response.

Dear President Obama its time for "A More Perfect Union" to fight the race baiting

After watching the craziness of the Shirley Sharrod situation and the manufactured New Black Panther Party controversy I just couldn't take it anymore. I'm beyond disgusted by the blatant race baiting of FOX NEWS, Andrew Brietbart, Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, et al. I decided to write President Obama and remind him he made us believe in "A More Perfect Union."

Dear President Obama-

I hope this letter finds you well.

Its time for you to be the man who went to Philadelphia to deliver the speech “A More Perfect Union,” instead of a president whose administration is timid and clumsy when it comes to dealing with the issue of race. That speech was one of the most powerful, truthful, yet hopeful commentaries on race in America. We need you, the man who gave us that speech, to be the president who will move this country in the direction of “A More Perfect Union.”

As long as you concede your moral authority by remaining cautious/silent on the issue of race you allow FOX NEWS, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, Andrew Brietbart, talk radio, et al to moderate this discussion and as a result our country risks further polarization. Under their moderation we have seen discussions of racism distorted and used to divide us, instead of bringing us together.

This group is responsible for manipulating the facts of the New Black Panther Party (NPP) case in an attempt to make you and Attorney General Holder look soft on racism directed at whites. They also succeeded in destroying the reputation of USDA employee Shirley Sherrod by creatively editing a video of a speech she recently gave to an NAACP chapter in Georgia. Sadly, in the case of Ms. Sherrod your administration took the bait and prematurely forced her to resign.

I can’t believe the man who gave us “A More Perfect Union” would have allowed his administration to be manipulated like that.

It should be pointed out Mr. President that neither the NPP or Ms. Sherrod were the real targets of this race baiting, you were and you will continue to be vulnerable to these attacks as long as your administration abandons its leadership role in this area. You have been taking the high-road, while people who seek to do you harm politically will stop at nothing, including dividing this country along racial lines, to destroy you and derail your agenda.

I understand how discussions of race can distract us and derail your legislative agenda, but think for a moment about the damage your silence is doing. Think about what is in the best interest of the country. The folks seeking to divide us along racial lines are going to attempt it whether you are silent or not, you may as well speak up and lead on this issue, because your administration’s silence will cost us for generations to come.

When the NAACP did the right thing and pushed back against some of the racist signs and rhetoric associated with the tea party movement, a number of folks in the media questioned whether or not they crossed the line. Think about it for a moment, there were blatant examples of racism, yet the NAACP has to be careful about how it addresses the situation.

Those attacking the NAACP are being reckless, accountable to no one.

After taking heat for coming out against the tea party the NAACP ended up on the defensive, took the bait and also prematurely condemned Sherrod. I may be in the minority, but I don’t blame them, they were manipulated.

Believe it or not, I don’t even blame those who manipulate these incidents in an effort to divide us. It is what they do, it is what I have come to expect of them. These folks are despicable excuses for human beings, but sadly they are only living down to the very low expectations I have of them. Your administration is allowing them to moderate and control the discussion of race in America.

The White House is in a position to foster an environment that encourages tolerance as well as understanding, and it needs to take the lead. By moderating the discussion in a healthy, inclusive manner you limit the damage that those who seek to divide us can do, while making this country “A More Perfect Union.”

Mr. President, I know you have a lot on your plate, but this problem will not go away if the administration doesn’t address it immediately. Its not just a discussion of race that this country needs, it needs an open and ongoing dialogue on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social class, tolerance and how we celebrate our diversity.

Americans want to get along with one another, sometimes they just need a leader to show them how. I am confident you are that leader.

As an African American I cannot tell you how proud I am of the example that you and the first family set for all Americans.

As a progressive I’m thrilled with your legislative victories and accomplishments (yes, despite what the blogs say, happy progressives do exist).

As an American I and others need you to be the President who went to Philadelphia to deliver that speech as a candidate, not because you are first African American President, but because you are the man who made this country believe in “A More Perfect Union.”

Sincerely,


John V. Moore
Hyde Park
Chicago, IL

FOX NEWS decides that a MLK relative no one has heard of is relevant just because she criticized Harry Reid

This is classic FOX NEWS. Before you read the FOX NEWS article can you tell me the name of Dr. Martin Luther King's niece? Also, before you read the article can you tell me what she does and why her comments on Senator Harry Reid are relevant other than the fact that she is Dr. King's niece?

I ask these questions because FOX NEWS found a Black person, who is related to a really famous historic and heroic Black person, Dr. Martin Luther King, who is calling Sen. Reid out and it has decided that her opinion of him was newsworthy.

Only the first three paragraphs, of a 16 paragraph piece, mention Dr. King's niece and we don't even learn her name until the third paragraph. You would think if her opinion was relevant, her name would be just as important as mentioning her famous uncle's name. Other than telling readers/viewers that she is Dr. King's niece, FOX NEWS does not inform us why her opinion is newsworthy and deserving to mentioned in the headline.

Did FOX NEWS reach out to Dr. King's surviving children, Dexter, Bernice and Martin Luther III? (Yolanda King passed away in 2007)

Well after reading this article I learned her name, Alveda King, however I still didn't learn anything about her and why her opinion was so relevant, so I had to go to Wikipedia to find more about her. After reading the entry on her I learned that she is a senior fellow at a conservative think tank and a former Georgia state legislator. She is also anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage.

Does she have a distinguished career? Not really, especially not compared to Bernice King or Martin Luther King III, but FOX NEWS didn't bother to ask them.

She is free to her opinions and to promote herself as Dr. King's niece, however when FOX NEWS pretends like she is a well known African American leader just because her uncle is MLK, while ignoring the opinions of many better known, self-made, more accomplished African American activists, it reinforces the notion that its not a legitimate news source.

From FOX NEWS:

MLK JR.'S Niece Doesn't See Compliment in Reid's "Negro Dialect" Comment

The Rev. Al Sharpton, the Congressional Black Caucus and the NAACP all jumped to the defense of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid after his controversial remarks about President Obama, but the niece of Martin Luther King Jr. is calling Reid's comments "sadly outrageous."

The Rev. Al Sharpton, the Congressional Black Caucus and the NAACP all jumped to the defense of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid after his controversial remarks about President Obama, but the niece of Martin Luther King Jr. is calling Reid's comments "sadly outrageous."

"If Michael Steele or any other conservative had said anything like it, the remarks would be labeled racist and plastered over every available news outlet," Alveda King said in a statement released Tuesday.

-snip-

Brit Hume needs to have his head examined. . .

From Raw Story:
Brit Hume: Tiger Woods must become Christian to be forgiven

By David Edwards and Gavin Dahl


Buddhism is inferior to Christianity when it comes to forgiveness of sins, according to Fox News pundit Brit Hume. Tiger Woods should turn his back on Buddhism and become a Christian to be forgiven for cheating on his wife, Hume told Fox News' Chris Wallace Sunday.

"The extent to which he can recover seems to me depends on his faith," said Hume. "He is said to be a Buddhist. I don't think that faith offers the kind of redemption and forgiveness offered by the Christian faith. My message to Tiger is, 'Tiger turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world."

-snip-

Why other media outlets need to cover the ACORN "controversy"

This morning in Chicago, FOX32 poo poo'ed and tsk, tsked the fact that no one else is really reporting on the whole ACORN controversy. Well I thought about it and I agree, because as long as FOX is the only news organization spending time on this manufactured controversy we know that the truth will not come out.

What happened was shameless and embarrassing and those who were caught on camera need to be terminated, however the whole story needs to be told. We need to hear about the offices that rejected the "pimp and ho" (filmmakers) who were staging this sting, including the office in Philadelphia which called the police. We need the filmmakers to explain why they went with the whole "pimp and ho" angle.

As long as FOX is the only telling this story then we are being misled, we need real journalists, objective reporters who will examine this entire project and tell the whole story.

Bigot Limbaugh proves us right on his reaction to bus attack

This morning at 11:08 AM in an OpEd on this blog regarding the bus attack outside of St. Louis I wrote:

I hope I am wrong but within the next day this clip could end up in heavy rotation on FOX NEWS, quickly followed by CNN (Lou Dobbs will have a hard time leaving it alone) and eventually MSNBC. Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and others on hate, er uh, talk radio will declare that in the age of Obama white kids can’t get on a bus without being attacked by a group of savage Black students.

Well Media Matters is reporting the following:

Limbaugh: "[I]n Obama's America, the white kids now get beat up with the black kids cheering"

Sadly, I was right when I predicted this. It is amazing how accurate I was. If I tell you there is cheese on the moon grab your crackers.

Just an FYI per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the police are now saying: UPDATED, 11:35 a.m. with police captain backtracking on whether attack was racially motivated.

Mike Sola, madman who screamed at Dingell, threatens lethal force on FOX NEWS against folks who...

. . .harass him. He also dared Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer to come to his house and call his son "un-American."



You got to see the this FOX NEWS clip, it is absolutely ridiculous. No one should be going to his house and harassing him, but his threatening of lethal force is inexcusable. FOX NEWS and the right wing echo chamber won't be happy until someone dies.

It is hard for Sarah Palin to claim her family off limits when they put themselves in play. . .

We believe that the children, even adult children, of politicians are off limits because they did not sign up to be in the spotlight. However when the children decide to seek out the spotlight the rules change and they open themselves up for scrutiny. Ronald Reagan's children, one even posed for Playboy, and John F. Kennedy's have put themselves in the spotlight and gave up their privacy.

Once Governor Sarah Palin was introduced to America we were told by her and others that her family was off limits, including her daughter Bristol who was pregnant by her boyfriend Levi Johnston. Up until February 16 we agreed with those who said she was off limits, but after she agreed to be interviewed by Greta Van Susteren on FOX NEWS and saying she wants to be an advocate against teen pregnancy we feel that Bristol has declared herself a public figure.

We don't feel she should be scrutinized for the sake of scrutiny, but the claim she is "off-limits" no longer applies.

By the way what we found it interesting that this wasn't a situation where Governor Palin was being interviewed and Bristol happened to be available, but an interview scheduled with Bristol that the Governor did not find out about until the day before. If Bristol Palin is booking her own interviews she is definitely not "off-limits."

From ABC NEWS:
-snip- But this was not the only surprise Bristol Palin said she had for her mother, Alaska's youngest governor. She told Van Susteren she had only told her mother she was doing this national television interview - in which Van Susteren and crew flew to Alaska - one day prior to the taping. -snip-

TV Newser reports:Fox News Channel Producer Arrested

From TVNEWSER:

-snip-
A TVNewser tipster tells us Aaron Bruns, a producer in the Fox News Channel Washington, D.C. bureau, has been arrested and charged with one count of possession of child pornography. A Fox News spokesperson confirms, telling TVNewser, "We are aware of the arrest and he is currently suspended without pay."
-snip-

Evidently if FOX did a criminal background check on Bruns they would have found out about a previous arrest on child pornography charges. We find this link via Mediabistro.

The Michigan Daily: Brun leaves 'U' in criminal case