[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nODHv2gxTTo] The incomparable Ms. Smith pointed me towards this segment from the Colbert Report (I hardly watch television any more, even with a DVR, which probably comes as a shock to those who knew me circa "The College Years.") in February where guest, writer, and critical race theorist Debra Dickerson appeared to promote her new contentious book "The End of Blackness" (Confession: I haven't read it). And on the show, she argued that Barack Obama is not actually Black, and consequently lacks credible access to the shared history and legacy of African Americans, because of his biracial heritage.
"But...but, I thought his father is Black?" you ask.
"Nyet" says Dickerson and she notes the oh-so-important distinction that Obama Sr. is Kenyan.
For the layperson, her statement dangerously appears logical, but as Colbert quickly underscored, it's a rather (and obviously) specious argument that she presents, which collapses under its own very illogic nature. To state that Barack Obama isn't Black commits two fallacies. One, it ignores the binary racial framework and reality of American society, as well as the historical roots and context (eg. One drop rule) within which racial identity is formed and shaped in the United States. Second, it robs Obama of his ability to translate and inject his personal narrative into a transformative and empowering voice in an entrenched and static political landscape.
I like to suspect that Dickerson's denial of Obama's Black identity originally developed as an intellectual exercise among her and her friends or colleagues that grew beyond the scope of its purpose and now she's painted herself into a corner on this issue. It's all so ludicrous.