Herman Cain: The CPC’s Minstrel Act
***WARNING*** If you have a problem with the BRUTAL TRUTH GTFO and don’t read any further!!
I find it with a sense of comic relief as well as anger and frustration how republicans get together and have these little events and make sure there are plenty of cameras so they can let everyone see they don’t mind the Garbage Pail Kids (Black Conservatives) playing alongside the Cabbage Patch Kids (their White Conservative masters). Make no mistake, it’s not that they believe in the harmony and diversity of it, it’s that the Garbage Pail Kids entertain, perform, and are willing to make a complete mockery of themselves to curry the favor of the Cabbage Patch Kids.
When race minstrelsy was America’s most popular form of mass entertainment, black actors would often have to pretend to be white men, who then in turn would put on the cork to play the role of the "black" coon, Sambo, or Jumping Jim Crow. Adding insult to injury, in a truly perverse and twisted example of the power of American white supremacy black vaudevillians would often pretend to be white in order to denigrate black people for the pleasures of the white gaze. Herman Cain–an ironic name if ever, and one more suited to a tragic figure in a Harlem Renaissance era novella–is not "blackening twice" as some race minstrels chose to do.
Instead, Herman Cain’s shtick is a version of race minstrelsy where he performs "authentic negritude" as wish fulfillment for White Conservative fantasies. Like the fountain at Lourdes, Cain in his designated role as black Conservative mascot, absolves the White racial reactionaries at CPAC of their sins. This is a refined performance that Black Conservatives have perfected over many decades and centuries of practice.
Let’s consider the routine. First, Cain enters the stage to Motown music. Then Cain feigns swimming after rolling up his sleeves to show them his black skin and how he is a hardworking negro (not like those other ones). Cain bellows in a preacher affected voice and channels the folksy negro down home accent of his late grandpappy. In the money shot, Cain gives the obligatory "black folks who are not Republicans are on the plantation" speech to the joyous applause of his White benefactors. And he doubles down by legitimating any opposition to President Barack Obama as virtuous and patriotic regardless of the bigoted well-springs from which it may flow.
In total, CPAC is a carnival and a roadshow for reactionary Conservatives. It is only fitting that in the great tradition of the freak show, the human zoo, the boardwalk, and the great midway world’s fairs of the 19th and 20th centuries, that there is a Borneo man, a Venus Hottentot or a tribe of cannibals from deepest darkest Africa or Papua New Guinea on display. For CPAC and the White Conservative imagination, Herman Cain and his black and brown kin are that featured attraction.
As far as republicans go, they'll always need a "metaphorical" monkey in the window, for he/she reminds us of our humanity while simultaneously reinforcing a sense of our own superiority. Sadly, there are always folks who are willing to play that role because it pays so well.
*Sidenote*
Just so I make this clear as the high pitch "ting" of a bell. REPUBLICANS YOU’RE NOT FOOLING ANYONE!! In fact the Black community finds such spectacles as Cain’s insulting! No matter how many Herman Cain’s, Allen Wests, Daneen Borelli’s, Alan Keyes, Ron Christies, Michael Steele's and Clarence Thomas’s you slap at the end of leashes and promenade around in your own little Version of the Westminster Kennel Club Show, you only further alienate the minority vote you’re seeking so bad for your power grab.
I tell you what Herman Cain, Lets see if The Council Of Conservative Citizens throw a fundraiser for you, and your children or grandchildren are accepted to attend Carroll and Calhoun Academies.
Top Opinion
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snipe 2011/04/01 02:12:13
I was accused of racism because I said Cain was a token. What do you think about that?
I've not seen Mr. Cain denigrate himself nor the black race in any matter at all. I truly respect the man and consider him to be a far better candidate than any of those "old white guys." Mr. Cain is an excellent man which I would be more than proud to have as a president.
No conservative should have a problem voting for him. Don't concern yourself with the man's color, look at his character. Mr. Cain has a fine one.
No need to say more.
To compound the issue you choose to insult a man that actually can form an original thought. He does need to be spoon fed his opinion. Nor does he have to ascribe to the group think attitude. That believes the lie that conservatives are the great satan. You my dear need to grow up get a clue and live life. Rather then in your youthful ignorance. Spout off about a man you don't even know.
You may not have to prove me wrong. Be aware I will contact the real author of this particular swill. With you claiming to be the author. Going forward just a little FYI. I will call you out if you plagerize anyone elses work. If there is a grain of truth to your claims. The folks from the root are cowards. Talking cash shyt about another black person. Because they have a difference of opinion. Is a punk move when you don't claim ownership.
You go Shigyrl.
As for the twit who plagerized this blog. Well she has not been back since I challenged her. In fact she sent a few attack dogs and even they were easily silenced.
http://hayhur.typepad.com/.a/...
I came to know quite a few white conservatives over the years. I have never been mistreated. They have always gone out of their way to be respectful. I was always blessed with the gift of perceptibility and black conservatives are NO uncle Toms. They'd jump up and slap a white conservative for being a racist just as fast as you would!!!!...well, not as fast as you...but you're looking for it in everything.
The point is, you are only holding YOURSELF back.
***I always noticed the hyperbole increased at election time.****
I got paid to go to college.
On top of the generous income stipend I got a loan for college I didn't have to pay back.
I got a low...VERY LOW...interest rate business loan.
I got into Med School over white people with better grades. I received points on a grading system simply for being a minority.
And I'm not mentioning what I got when I turned 18.
I know, I'm ashamed :( Shouldn't I be?
I could go on and on
Cain-Personal Information
Born Herman Cain, December 13, 1945, in Memphis, TN; son of Luther and Lenora Cain; married Gloria Cain; children: Melanie and Vincent.
Education: Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, B.S., 1967; Purdue University, Lafayette, IN, M.A., computer science, 1971.
Memberships: Chairman, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, 1992; president, National Restaurant Association, 1994-95; board member, Creighton University, 1989-; board member, Super Valu, Inc., 1990-; board member, Utilicorp United Inc., 1992-; board member, Whirlpool Corp., 1992; member, Economic Growth and Tax Reform Commission established by Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole.
Career
The Pillsbury Company, Minneapolis, MN, vice president/corporate systems and services, 1977-82; Burger King Corporation, Philadelphia, PA, regional vice president, 1982-86; Godfather's Pizza Inc., Omaha, NE, president, 1986-88, president/CEO, 1988--.
Life's Work
Herman Cain has enjoyed a stellar career in the business world. He became the youngest vice president in the history of The Pillsbury Company in 1977 after just three years with the company. He left this position in 1982 to lea...
Cain-Personal Information
Born Herman Cain, December 13, 1945, in Memphis, TN; son of Luther and Lenora Cain; married Gloria Cain; children: Melanie and Vincent.
Education: Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, B.S., 1967; Purdue University, Lafayette, IN, M.A., computer science, 1971.
Memberships: Chairman, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, 1992; president, National Restaurant Association, 1994-95; board member, Creighton University, 1989-; board member, Super Valu, Inc., 1990-; board member, Utilicorp United Inc., 1992-; board member, Whirlpool Corp., 1992; member, Economic Growth and Tax Reform Commission established by Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole.
Career
The Pillsbury Company, Minneapolis, MN, vice president/corporate systems and services, 1977-82; Burger King Corporation, Philadelphia, PA, regional vice president, 1982-86; Godfather's Pizza Inc., Omaha, NE, president, 1986-88, president/CEO, 1988--.
Life's Work
Herman Cain has enjoyed a stellar career in the business world. He became the youngest vice president in the history of The Pillsbury Company in 1977 after just three years with the company. He left this position in 1982 to learn the restaurant business at Pillsbury's Burger King subsidiary. In 1986, his success with Burger King prompted Pillsbury to select Cain to assume the presidency of another of its struggling companies, Godfather's Pizza. Finally, he became the first black president of the National Restaurant Association, the food service industry's leading trade organization.
When Cain started working at a Minneapolis Burger King in 1982, he cleaned toilets and flipped hamburgers. After completing the management training program in only nine months, Cain was named vice president and general manager for the Philadelphia region of the Burger King Corporation. Attaining this position was particularly special for Cain, considering that he and several friends were refused service in a restaurant in 1952 when they attempted to buy a hamburger.
Although there have been many reasons for Cain's business success, he credits maintaining a sharp focus as a key component. The 1997 website for the Business Leadership Summit held at San Joaquin Delta College, Leadership Summit, Inc. stated, "Faith, focus, and follow-through are the ingredients of the successful recipe of Herman Cain." Eric K. Washington in American Visions wrote, "Cain credits a single overriding principle--'focus, focus, focus'--for his success." Cain told Wallace Terry in Parade Magazine, "My philosophy has always been to exceed the expectations of the job." Responding to a question by Policy Review about establishing a successful business in the competitive market Cain remarked, "Because I am a black American, I've had to perform better than my white counterparts. This is a personal standard that I've set for myself: I've got to perform a little better in order to get the same opportunity. I can't just be as good; I've got to be better. It should not be this way, but it is." After receiving the International Food Manufacturers Association's Operator of the Year/Gold-Plate Award in 1991, Cain was quoted as saying in Restaurant Business, "Success is a journey, not a destination."
Cain's relentless focus and continued striving for excellence turned Godfather's Pizza around when its survival was questionable. And he did it in less than eighteen months. In 1988, Cain purchased Godfather's Pizza from The Pillsbury Company and became president and chief executive officer. In 1995, Godfather's Pizza, Inc. was the fifth-largest pizza chain in the nation.
Despite his successes, Cain does not forget his humble beginnings. His parents, Luther Cain, Jr. and Lenora Davis Cain provided examples of hard work that he would remember the rest of his life. His father at one time worked three jobs: cutting hair in his off hours, working part-time at Coca-Cola as a chauffeur, and working an evening shift as a janitor in a bakery. His mother worked as a domestic. This work ethic would inspire Cain, not only to work hard, but to "rise up singing," as DuBose Hayward's lyrics stated in "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess. Singing would come later in his life. Cain told Wallace Terry in Parade Magazine, "My father never looked for a government program, a government handout. I never heard my father complain about somebody owing him anything. All I ever saw was how hard my father worked to get what he wanted out of life. My mother was my spiritual light--Mom talked to me about God. She taught me that success is not a function of what you start with materially but what you start with spiritually. Those were my beginnings. They have been with me ever since." Cain carried these values through Morehouse College in Atlanta, into his work as a mathematician for the Navy, and later to Purdue University, where he earned a master's degree in computer science.
In 1994, after Cain was elected president of the National Restaurant Association, he proposed several reforms affecting the restaurant business, such as allowing sixteen-year-olds to work past seven o'clock on Friday nights. He also envisioned restaurants of the future that would use architecture, lighting, service, and decor to expose patrons to different geographical regions or eras.
In 1994, Cain became active in politics. He campaigned around the country against President Clinton's health plan, contending that small businesses would be hurt by it. Cain served as a member of the Economic Growth and Tax Reform Commission established by Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole. According to an Associated Press report in The New York Times, Cain "promised that his industry would give welfare recipients jobs, training and a chance to gain economic success." Because of his far- reaching views, Cain has served on numerous boards, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Creighton University of Omaha, Nabisco, Inc., SuperValu, Inc., UtiliCorp United, Inc., and Whirlpool Corporation. He continues to serve on the Joe Edmonson Youth Outreach Program for troubled teens in Omaha. In 1996, Cain recorded his first compact disc, Sunday Morning, a collection of gospel hymns which will in part benefit the outreach program.
Cain has not only received five honorary doctorate degrees, but he has been recognized by the Horatio Alger Society, an organization in Pennsylvania that honors those who rise from rags to riches by hard work, honesty, and religious principles. Cain has received awards for his humanitarian efforts; businessman of the year awards; special recognition awards; and excellence in leadership awards.
Cain has achieved such remarkable success because he genuinely enjoys life and its many challenges. As he told Wallace Terry in Parade, "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. And give God the glory."
Awards
Honorary Doctorate, Morehouse College, 1988; Top 25 Black Executives, Black Enterprise, 1988; Honorary Doctorate, Tougaloo College, 1989; Honorary Doctorate, University of Nebraska, 1990; Entrepreneur of the Year, 1990; Operator of the Year/Gold Plate Award, International Foodservice Manufacturers Association, 1991; Honorary Doctorates, Johnson and Wales University and New York City Technical College; recipient of humanitarian awards, businessman of the year awards, special recognition awards, and excellence in leadership awards.
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