Issue Number 1017 | No Country for Black Men

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No Country for Black Men

John McCain may put his country first, but has America earned that honor?

By Jasmyne Cannick

From The Advocate October 21, 2008

Maybe if I wasn’t keenly aware how black people came to be in the United States to begin with. Perhaps if this country’s wealth hadn’t come on the backs, labor, and lives of people who look like me. Maybe, just maybe, if all men and women in this country were treated equally and given the same “opportunity to reach their God-given potential,” I’d share Sen. John McCain’s patriotism and the idea of “country first.”

But as a descendant of African slaves who were brought to this country against their will and forced to work for people who looked a lot like Cindy and John McCain, I will never claim America as my country -- let alone put it first.

“Country first” empowered colonists to cross the Atlantic for human cargo, who would be used to build the wealth America so often boasts about -- wealth cultivated in tobacco and cotton fields by the hands of slaves and their descendants. “Country first” forced those same slaves and descendants to adopt a language and a religion that to this day has us praying to a white man with blue eyes for our liberation. “Country first” justified the torture, rape, and death of countless black people.

McCain likes to tout his experience as a prisoner of war. I say, Whoop-de-do. Blacks have been prisoners of a war since the first ship arrived in this country. At least McCain was released at some point; my people are still waiting.

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Keywords: Jasmyne Cannick

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

Name: Andrew
Date posted: 2008-10-27 1:10 PM
Hometown: Portland

Comment:

I read this article because my wife had to for a masters class. I honestly think that it was quite insulting to both Americans and African Americans. Jasmyne Cannick is honestly taking her freedoms this country offers for granted. (Freedom of Press and Speech). Saying "You will never catch me waving tis country's flag." and "I won't get on my knees and thank his God that I am American" leads me to believe this writer does not remember what this country offers her in ways others do not. This article was very narrow minded. History is riddled with one race enslaving another or oppressing another. The thing to remember is History cannot be changed. Only the Future can. Also if anything Native Americans have had it a lot worse off then African Americans. You never hear a hew and cry from them like this. Articles and thinking like this do not move this country forward. The past should not be forgotten but learned from to make a better future.

Name: jo
Date posted: 2008-10-18 3:12 PM
Hometown: columbus,ohio

Comment:

My forefathers were brought to this country not of their own free will. They were made to work for "the Boss" man. In the years that followed they continued to work when set free they were given only the clothes they were wearing. With their new found freedom they found again hard work. In working hard and much Dedication they were able to finally secure a place to live and food for their families. They sent their children to school They learned to speak English, fought in American Wars. They call themselves Americans. I think one of the biggest mistakes this country has made is to continue to keep giving in to the whining of one group. Why give them a title separating them from Americans. At the same time lets add in where is the united white persons college fund,White entertainment TV, Ms white America. I would like to point out I am in a relationship with a black man and he also has the same view as myself.

Name: Abbie
Date posted: 2008-10-10 12:12 AM
Hometown: Seattle

Comment:

Black folks can be racist too, you know. And, Ms. Cannick appears to be just that, a racist. I am fed up with hearing how much Blacks feel they are OWED by Whites, as though they were auto-entitled. Do for yourselves, already! Stop "trippin' " on us. If Ms. Cannick feels as marginalised as her article makes her out to be, then may I suggest that she leave the US & move to a place where Black people and Black men predominate? Try going back to your roots, and relocating to somewhere in Africa, Ms. Cannick. After all, don't Black People (African Americans) insist that they are Africans FIRST, and Americans second? As for Whites owing Blacks for the what happened during slavery? Well, guess what? Life isn't fair, for anyone. Get over this 150 year grudge you have against The White Race, and rise above it. First though, you'd have to get over yourself, and, that might be a bit tricky.

Name: TJ
Date posted: 2008-10-08 1:46 PM
Hometown: Washington, DC

Comment:

As an African American woman, this article was embarrassing. It's this type of rambling diatribe that makes us all look bad. I definitely understand that we were mistreated, and there are times when, even now, we are discriminated against. But does that mean that I stop being a productive member of society? Does that mean that I wait around for the "white man" to do for me when I have the ability to do for myself? Heck no! I got a degree in math and I became an actuary because I'm smart. I got my house (not apartment) because I worked to get it. No one gave me anything because no one had to. I know my worth and I'm not going to wait around for reparations or an apology that will never come. Get over yourself and move on so we can rise as a people, GEEZ! And I have to agree with many of the comments on here, and it's precisely what I'm going to do if McCain gets the nomination. I'M MOVING TO CANADA!!!

Name: Greg
Date posted: 2008-10-03 12:38 PM
Hometown: Merrick, NY

Comment:

The fact that Jon Barrett allowed this garbage to be published in The Advocate is baffling to me. This article has absolutely no relevance to anything contemporary at all except Cannick's personal, self-loathing racist agenda. And maybe John McCain. Hey Jasmyne - thousands of years ago, my people were enslaved by AFRICANS (Egyptians, technically) and there were no reparations... ever. In fact, we Jews are still exploited, harassed, and abused to this day. Maybe you should move on out to Egypt where you'll find many friends who hate the U.S. - and the Jews - just as much as you. Better yet, head to Iran where you'll find the same and get access to all of the money our government takes from us here and pours into that country as a sweet icing on your ignorance cake!

Name: John
Date posted: 2008-10-02 6:21 PM
Hometown: New YOrk City

Comment:

Many of these comments, such as a KFC mention and the tired "Africans sold slaves" excuse whites use to skirt accountability, only add credence to Jasmyne's article; that America is a hostile place for Blacks. For the record, the first American to shed blood on behalf of this land was a Black Bostonian named Crispus Attucks. While I do not agree with paid reparations for African Americans I do think America as a whole, especially whites, need to own up to past crimes against humanity. And Americans need to recognize that race is a major issue in our society. One can not even express an opinion without racist jibes about fried chicken thrown in their face. Land of the free, home of the brave. These comments and views are truly cowardly.

Name: Rain
Date posted: 2008-10-01 2:53 PM
Hometown: Louisville

Comment:

I am sick and tired of having the slave issue slammed in my face as a white American. First Africans where taken to other countries prior to the US, not to mention that Africans as well traded and or sold there own people to other countries and they even kept there own slaves to work for them.It seems though that Americans are the ones who get the punch in the belly for all of this. Some of my family came from Ireland, some were Native American Indian which I state they too were slaves and so were WHITES. It was not just African American people who worked those fields. My people did it as well and were treated just the same as any other person. I have a black female friend who tends to agree with me on this issue, as she is very well educated about her past history, one would think you would be too. You should stand proud to say you’re an “AMERICAN”.

Name: Robert
Date posted: 2008-09-30 10:35 PM
Hometown: Joplin, MO

Comment:

Stop blaming everyone else for your own problems Ms. (or Miss or Mrs.) Cannick. It's not only self-defeating but ultimately; it's just makes people mad for all of the wrong reasons. I'm not going to tell you to stop speaking your mind but, please, for the sake of civil discourse , stop repeating the dogma you've been taught. If a white person said some of the horrible racist things they've been taught about blacks; you would be right there letting them know it wasn't right and that they should stop being so ignorant. I give you the same lecture; stop being so ignorant. Not all white men and women are out to oppress you or destroy your way of life. You have done a great job of that yourself.

Name: Robert
Date posted: 2008-09-30 10:32 PM
Hometown: Joplin, MO

Comment:

Wow. Interesting point of view, but I really fail to see how the actions of several thousand English men and women in the 16th Century is some how "my" fault. ("my" in the collective sense) I find it appalling that a woman of obvious education continues to believe the lie that "all white's are out to get black's". How dare I treat black men and women as equals, or as equally foolish as I. How dare I assume that I can sit near or talk with a black man or woman. Heaven help me if I smile in a friendly way; because that obviously means I'm about to murder/rape/enslave someone. Stop blaming everyone else for your own problems Ms. (or Miss or Mrs.) Cannick. It's not only self-defeating but ultimately; it's just makes people mad for all of the wrong reasons. I'm not going to tell you to stop speaking your mind but, please, for the sake of civil discourse , stop repeating the dogma you've been taught.

Name: Tara Diab
Date posted: 2008-09-28 11:01 AM
Hometown: Arlington, MA

Comment:

And country first "forced...slaves...to adopt a language and religion that to this day has..." YOU "praying to a white man with blue eyes" for liberation. Someone is still FORCING you to pray to that image? Be serious. There are 10000 different houses of worship, religion, call it what ever you want that you could seek out if you looked past the end of your nose. And your "people are still waiting" to be released? Are you enslaved? I do imaging that you are employed by the Advocate of your own free will? Correct? And that they pay you? (although not nearly what I'm sure you're worth - according to you- AND clearly not even close to what white people at the Advocate are paid...right....) (see next posting for the rest of this response)

Name: Tara Diab
Date posted: 2008-09-28 10:57 AM
Hometown: Arlington, MA

Comment:

Why don't you take a long hard look in the mirror. You are free to be anyone you want to be in this country. I'll grant you that it is harder for some than others, but will and perseverance usually trump perceived insurmountable objects. I could go sentence by sentence at your article because the entire thing is horseshit. However, I'll leave you with these two thoughts, which I'm sure you'll ignore as some privileged "white bitch speak" You ought to thank your grandfather, the WWII vet for his service to HIS country. clearly a man who understands the concept that freedom is never free. I thank him, gratefully, for his service. AND, IF YOU HATE THIS COUNTRY SO MUCH, AND IT'S SUCH A TERRIBLE PLACE, THERE IS NOTHING STOPPING YOU FROM LEAVING. GO. PLEASE GO. LEAVE THIS HORRIBLE LAND. PLEASE. AND IF YOU NEED HELP, EMAIL ME, I'LL BUY YOUR TICKET. Make sure you wave at the border patrol as you're going.... it might not be so easy to get back.

Name: Brandon
Date posted: 2008-09-27 4:14 AM
Hometown: Wichita, KS

Comment:

1 - Canada is north, Mexico is south, neither require anything more than a vehicle with 2 tires and a bucket of KFC to get to...perhaps you should going there if America is so horrible. 2 - Maybe "your people" wouldn't be "prisoners of war" and still waiting for freedom if they would quit acting like you and blaming whites for everything and perhaps some self regulation of "your people" would cut down on things like drug sales on every corner. 3 - FREEDOM OF RELIGION IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT, exercise it! "We" don't make you believe in a white god, Buddha, or any other religious figurehead - you do that on your own. Maybe you should research the religions that the African natives practiced back in the day so that you can feel normal.

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