Associations

Some people get nervous when too many blacks gather in one place. Jay Tea at Wizbang gives the Conservative Brotherhood its props (thanks, Jay Tea). Some of the commenters, however, think that people who associate with each other based on a shared culture (in this case black American) and interests are racist.

I wonder whether these same persons considers this group racist.

Or this one.

Or this one.

Are the above groups “shutting themselves off” from others? Is the Italian writers' group saying that, somehow, being Italian boosts the quality of their writing? (These were the things said about the Conservative Brotherhood's reason for being.) Or have the Italian-American writers merely gathered in one place because they have something unique to say about their experiences of being Italian-American?

Do black Americans get to acknowledge that the culture in which they have often been nurtured and in which they may find themselves in at the moment might be different from that of their countrymen in some respects?

Or have we become so politically correct—even on the right side of the political spectrum—that it’s not said in polite company?

Perhaps the reaction to the Conservative Brotherhood has a far simpler explanation; in the minds of some, anything that is all-black brings unconscious negative connotations. Hence the “cutting yourselves off” assumption and the totally ridiculous assertion that we were equating race with writing ability. No ethnically Hawaiian or Dutch-American association would ever have to contend with such negative stereotypes. (The Arab American group linked above, however, would, but of a different sort.)

I suppose I'm "cutting myself off" when I associate with Milbloggers or Bear Flag Leaguers also.

Consider this: the fact that the CB is conservative should be a clue that many of the other preconceived notions that people have about an all-black group might need to be thrown out of the window also. But there are always those few who can't/won't get it. Oh well.

UPDATE: More from Conservative Brotherhood members Cobb, Michael King and Samantha Pierce And the CB has added three new members (see sidebar).

UPDATE: Ambra and Molotov weigh in.

Comments

[Am I A Pundit Now?]

Oliver Willis' own protestations to the contrary as to using the terms Uncle Tom and race traitor, I think this group is indeed going to face more problems and criticisms from blacks than other groups. Ask yourself who REALLY gets nervous when this group of blacks gather in one place . . .

Heh, putting you on my blogroll by the way.

[Ken Summers]

Syrians and Italians are one thing but you darn sure SHOULD be afraid of any Scottish organization. Does the word haggis mean nothing to you?

[Zendo Deb]

The problem in America is that racism has become such a flash point. Certainly it exists - probably on both sides or all sides of the divide.

It is not the only way people divide themselves on some criteria...Sundays some people go to Catholic Mass, some to Baptist Service, etc. Are these divisions racist or prejudiced against one religion or another?

To me it isn't surprising that the Conservative Brotherhood exists. A minority who breaks with the hegemony of the left in this country is vilified by the left. (other groups that come to mind include Log Cabin Republicans another group who has broken with the left, and been attacked for it.) That like minded people, finding themselves outcast from and attacked by one group would band together either formally or informally for mutual support is not surprising.

(And forget about the haggis, look out for those bagpipes - they'll drive you crazy.)

[asher - Dreams Into Lightning]

Spot on! I can personally testify that Jews and queer folks get a lot of the same nonsense about "cutting yourself off" from mainstream culture. Thanks for posting this.

[Ken Summers]

Hey! I LIKE the pipes!

It's the haggis that scares me.

[Mike]

Keep in mind that the Liberals use "racist" to mean anyone who disagrees with them, whenever there's even the slightest connection to race (or culture, as in the case of the Scots).

It's basic human nature to want to associate with one's own (or what one can call one's own). It's something that goes way way back in human history. It's based on the family, on the clan, the tribe, the group.

In the extreme, it separates Us (the good guys) from Them (the bad guys), but for the most part, it does things like separate Angels fans from Lakers fans. Not that there isn't a certain amount of animosity there, either.

[JSAllison]

Ah haggis, if ever there was a reason for the pre-meal application of single malt this is surely it. Sufficiently numbed taste buds can handle anything found on Fear Factor. Perhaps it's merely coincidence that haggis has never been served on that show...

[Steven J. Kelso Sr.]

The anti-scottish bigotry is...(no, just kidding!)

Haggis? Can anyone say chitterlings?

[baldilocks]

Steven: the c-word is banned around here! ;-)

[DarkStar]

Oh, this is TOO DAMN FUNNY!!!!
Project 21.

'nuff said.

No, not 'nuff said.
Gonna have to chime in, though it's your group being slammed.

Gotta ask a question. You label yourself conservative. What does that mean?

Liberals call me conservative.
Conservatives call me liberal.

Some conservatives parrot Rush Limbaugh and claim moderates are liberals who don't admit being liberal.

Define what makes a person conservative and why I'm deemed not to be.

[baldilocks]

Darkstar: You're assuming that *all* conservatives would call you a liberal.

[Guy S.]

Racist seems to be a word bandied about much to much by folks on the left. We all come from different backgrounds and heritage, hopefully we will all come be part of a larger (the largest) group calling themselves Americans. On the other hand, to belong to a group or organization in which you share heritage, history, or common ideas/philosophy, is not, despite what the social engineers would have you believe, racist.

[Ward Gerlach]

Hmmmmm....

I could join the local German/American Association.

I could join the local Scottish/American Association.

I could join the local Irish/American Association.

Aww...the heck with it! I'm American!

And...Conservative/Liberal/Libertarian/Something-or-other!

Oh, yeah, does color count?

I thought not.

Red White and Blue.

My take on the Wreckyll, presuming I can get there, will be forthcoming.

I'll tell you if the AcidMan really does go all weak in the knees for red toe-nails...

[DarkStar]

Darkstar: You're assuming that *all* conservatives would call you a liberal.

True, 'cuz so far, from those who have applied a label, it goes in that direction 100%.

I find this soooo funny in an ironic way...

[baldilocks]

I would call you an independent, sometimes contrarian, but not a liberal. :-)

[Ken Summers]

Call me whatever you want, just don't call me late for breakfast.

[Samantha]

Darkstar you can rearrange your numbers. I wouldn't lable you anything but contrarian, often annoying, and sometimes right (as in correct, which makes you even more annoying).

[baldilocks]

Samantha: LOL!

[flaime]

No, I wouldn't call them racist. I would say they aren't to be trusted too dearly. They are something before they are Americans. I want people who are Americans first and then something else.

Not that this has anything to do with the "Conservative Brotherhood" as I haven't read anything from them. under that label...I have read the occasional post from Cobb (who seems normally pretty moderate, most of the time) and Barber. Just that I want to see more people who are American first and then whatever else they wish to identify themselves as. Not the other way around.

[baldilocks]

flaime: I am part of the "them" of which you speak (see right side bar). Run your mouse over the name "Juliette Ochieng."

[Ken Summers]

O'chieng? I didn't know you were Irish [duck]

[flaime]

Which them? The groups you refer to who identify themselves as something Americans? Or the Conservative Brotherhood?
As to the second, I gathered that, and was saying that I hadn't read the Conservative Brotherhood. Is the Conservative Brotherhood a group blog? Or just an extended blog roll of some sort? If it's the second, I don't really get the point, but I don't have a problem with it. If it's the first, I haven't looked at it yet. Will look when I have more time (our main backup server puked this morning and I'm just checking Random Fate and The Moderate Voice; Random Fate had a link to David Anderson, who linked here.)

[baldilocks]

flaime: click the link (below, right side bar; or in the post) and have your questions about the Conservative Brotherhood answered.

[Marty]

Seeing the word "haggis" reminds me of a bowling league I belonged to while stationed in England. Somehow, a paper sack with haggis within began to be "awarded" to each week's low team (overall low team score). The following week, the bag would be passed to that week's low team. A tradition was born and, let me tell you, haggis gets pretty ripe after awhile!

[baldilocks]

"Ah the haggis is in the fire for sure!"

[DarkStar]

Darkstar you can rearrange your numbers. I wouldn't lable you anything but contrarian, often annoying, and sometimes right (as in correct, which makes you even more annoying).

OH... NOW THAT IS FUNNY!!!!! :-)
:0)
:^)
:)

[flaime]

J,
Looked at the link. Have to say I really don't see the point, but so what? People have the right to group as they wish. Of course, my blog is just a personal blog with rants, so I don't do much analysis:).
And I'm still not sure that I understand what DA was upset about, but that's just me.