While joining the national honor society in college, the most studious member of the organization made us memorize what seemed like an ancient Asian proverb. R.D.’s service to Albany State University as an administrator, a member of my honor society and a member of Omega did more to help young African Americans climbing the socioeconomic ladder than anyone will ever know.
The proverb from Confucius, goes:
He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool – shun him.
He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a child – teach him.
He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep – wake him.
He who knows, and knows that he knows, is a wise man – follow him.
I think about that adage frequently when considering politics and governing and it came up this weekend.
Former Tennessee GOP leader Chip Saltsman (who is a candidate for the RNC chairmanship) sent out a cd this Christmas featuting a song call “Barack the Magic Negro.” First of all, parodies take place in politics all the time and at times lines are crossed. I am still deciding if Saturday Night Live’s skit on New York Governor Paterson’s sight was over the line. Sarah Palin took some rough shots this year and President-elect Obama has displayed some cool toughness.
“He who knows not and knows that he knows not” is becoming the motto for a branch of the right that seems to be saying “I am limited, know it and relish my ignorance.” This division of the right (they love Joe the Plumber) really wants to say “we are rural and our worldview is based on what we can see while sitting on the sofa on our front porch.”
We live in a free country and people have a right to be as smart or as something else as they like. I live in a rural area that should not be equaled to unsophisticated since everyone in the cities yearns for weekends and retirement next to our idyllic lakes and rivers.
Message to the RNC: He who knows, and knows that he knows is a wise man – follow him….Newt Gingrich. Since we are on Asian knowledge today, the Art of War recommended that you respect the strength and knowledge of all actors in the theater of war. Obama, both Clintons and Gingrich are intelligential giants on policy and governing; notice that I wrote “policy and governing” rather than just “campaigning and politics” because winning elections is half the battle; actual governing is the hard part.
Past RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman made every effort to make his party more inclusive but those attempts failed because many rank and file members want a party that only looks like them and they want a return to days past. In my Black community, we also think about the days when family meant this, church and school did that, and young people were driving for excellency—pushing to be Kings, Huxtables and today Obamas.
I am reading a 1200 page book (okay, glancing parts) called “1,000 Places to See Before You Die” by Patricia Schultz. The book lists on and off the beaten track sites and towns in the U.S. and Canada and reading it is part of my life-long endeavor to find to coolest town with like-minded people so I can put down roots and enjoy the rest of my life.
As a Georgian, I naturally think that place is in Georgia or some part of South. But when you find a great looking area, you might also finding that Joe the Plumber’s southern cousin is there with strong feelings about putting uppity folks in their place, or Pookie and Ray-Ray that eagerly waiting to make you a crime statistic.
Americans who want a better America and world are wise but those who think it will come easily are naive. My concern is that the loud ignorant divisions in our South will cost us economic opportunities and other regions will capitalize on this negative image.
Let’s hope that Newt will be an important part of the new leadership of the right because he is about solutions and his place in history rather that pushing drama for party or personal gain.
African Americans could consider supporting GOP centrists who are dragging their party into the future—kicking and screaming. Those on both extreme ends of the political spectrum who laughing about naughty political antics while the nation suffers are fools—shun them.
Project Logic Ga 