Ward Connerly = Darth Vader?
Ward Connerly reminds me of Darth Vader.* In a sea of 99.9% of the white folks in the Star Wars trilogy, Darth Vader is a “Nubian god” who is voiced by James Earl Jones. Then, in Return of the Jedi, Darth Vader’s helmet is removed to reveal a “crusty white man.” Darth Vader is black on the outside and white on the inside. Ward Connerly presents as a person of color, but he engages in a campaign against folks of color that seems to be driven by internalized oppression, tokenism and assimilation. Ward Connerly’s efforts to disassemble affirmative action reek of white supremacy. Ward Connerly’s words and actions are counter to social justice and anti-oppression work. In seeking to end affirmative action, Connerly is dismissing the realities of historical context, present day discrimination and white privilege. Fortunately, his anti-affirmative action campaign was recently halted in Oklahoma due to a lack of signatures. Unfortunately, like Darth Vader, Ward Connerly’s campaign is wreaking havoc in the galaxy. Affirmative action policies in Arizona, Colorado, Missouri and Nebraska are all being targeted by Connerly.
*This “Ward Connerly = Darth Vader” post inspired in part by this scene from Chasing Amy:
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Hmm…don’t you think a black man has a little more credibility on the “historical context, present day discrimination and white privilege.” After all, no matter attuned you are to these issues, isn’t discrimination and oppression his “lived experience” (to use a term seen here on your blog) far more than yours? You are free to not agree with him, but to attempt to associate a black man with “white supremacy” is laughable. Also, you argument seems to run counter against to all the posts you have made that attempt to nullify any effort by white people to have opinions on racial issues.
FinanceBuzz
20 Apr 08 at 6:19 pm
So I just watched your video clip and I think that it is appropriate that that clip inspires a post here. That character at the podium is obviously a caricature not to be taken seriously in order satirize those that sincerely take such stands. Very appropriate.
FinanceBuzz
21 Apr 08 at 7:08 pm
Dear Derek Brian Cook aka FinanceBuzz of the newly create blog – Gwinnett Buzz,
I think that Ward Connerly is an excellent example of an assimilated token. I’m sure he could talk about that for hours or even weeks. I think his lived experience has been more about internalizing oppression. Ward identifies as “25 percent black plus 37.5 percent Irish plus 25 percent French plus 12.5 percent Choctaw.” He may present as a person of color, but his words and actions are that of any white supremacist.
Are you batty? I’m a white person that has loads of opinions on racial issues. How am I trying to nullify myself? My posts may bother you because I present arguments that are counter to the rhetoric of Fox news, Stormfront members, or other white supremacist outlets.
Eric Stoller
21 Apr 08 at 7:15 pm
Perhaps I am not the batty one. You used to present reasoned arguments on this site that at least provoked someone who disagreed to think. Lately, you are more commonly making radical comments such as this one. If you are seriously connecting Fox News and white supremacy, why waste my time offering a rational response?
And please…keep telling us that a black man is a white supremacist. It makes it easier on us that have to debunk so much of the white-hating rhetoric we read on your site.
FinanceBuzz
21 Apr 08 at 9:16 pm