Obama is an Othello for our times

Florence Yip

I wonder if the author thinks that similar underlying fears and prejudices exist about Hilary Clinton becoming president - surely not... a woman as president!? One who is not afraid to show emotions in public (even if contrived). Maybe this gives Obama a better chance as the alternative is equally unthinkable.

prinkipo

oh dear. who commissioned this nonsense? please, lets not have any more of this fatuous fluff in the magazine in future. no argument, no evidence, not even any wit.

Once again

"Today, racially motivated reservations express themselves much more subtly." But you don't! Worldwide, the public likes the look of Obama. It appears that US voters do too. Until he discusses his colour, keep your rancid ramblings about what others may think to yourself.

Nick Tol

It seems everyone is progressing except Venetia Thompson. One wonders what Thompson will think if Obama actually becomes President next year. A sad, bitter piece of writing whose sole goal seems to be to put race relations back 50 years. One expects better of the Spectator.

Jeremy

It seems that 'prinkipo' and 'once again' above have left comments without actually understanding this very good, refreshing piece of writing, maybe they should re-read it before making such rash nonsensical conclusions. Spectator has triumphed again.

Jackie S.P

Original and well-argued, touches on something noone has previously discussed which is important to acknowledge

Billy C

This is a very progressive article, it's a shame those people above who have left such daft comments have failed to understand the piece. Shame on them.

Jane R

If we take you at your word, Venetia, Mr Obama should not be subject to any of the normal rigorous scrutiny other politians seeking high office have to put up with but should be handled with kid gloves by everyone because he is black. Is that a little racist, don't you think? Or perhaps you've never heard the allegation of someone "lacking in substance" ever being levelled at a white politician? What a slimy little essay.

Brannis

This might very well be the most cretinous article I have ever read. In fact, sub-cretinous might be the better description. For the record, Obama's speeches are dismissed as vapid because, as a rule, they are. Most political rhetoric is, of course, but his have all too often had the feel of a motivational seminar for a sales firm. If, though, pointing this out means that one will be accused of subtle racism or the "Othello" syndrome, then of course Obama has been placed beyond criticism. Anyway, this piece is pure rubbish and the Spectator should have higher standards, even for its fluff articles.

Kirsty

What absolute rubbish! In case the author of this pathetic article has not realised Obama is actually winning the white vote and more importantly, in realtion to this article, the white male vote. It seems to me some people just do not want to accept that actually 99% of us white people are NOT racist and if Obama wins that will be proved.

Alexander

The problem with this article is the failure to address the fact that Obama is, in fact, lacking in substance. For example, look at his appraoch to Iraq. He wants to pull US troops out. Ok. How will he deal with the murderous aftermath? Quoting from his campaign web page: "As we remove our troops, Obama will engage representatives from all levels of Iraqi society – in and out of government – to seek a new accord on Iraq’s Constitution and governance". Isn't that rather lacking in specifics? I'd also like to suggest that a real overview of American race relations should have taken into account the draft Colin Powel movement that existed in the late '90's. But, of course, the purpose of this article wasn't to address race relations as they exist, but to let Venetia Thompson feel moral superiority.

Scott S.

As it happens, after his victory in Wisconsin on Tuesday, Obama gave a 45-tedious-minute-long speech in Houston that, for once, was not primarily vapid. It was entirely, uninterestingly, unimaginatively, unbrokenly left-liberal. You know what? The mouth-breathing, phallis-obsessive, dismissive white men critiquing the race (as well as their women counterparts, and those of non-white origin) cottoned on to this fact, changing the meme about Obama ... pretty much the moment such change was warranted. Alas for Ms. Thompson's unfortunate assertions above.

Scott S.

Sorry: that was meant to be phallus-obsessive. The agitation about Obama must have misdirected my keyboard sense for a moment.

Whistlecheese

It should be recalled that Obama is biracial-he's as 'white' as he is 'black'. And he was raised by the 'white' side of his ancestry.

Sylvester Charles

4 years ago this man was in a lowly state legislature, a part time job that about 5000 men and women perform in the US. He is now up for president on less than a single term of federal office. This is not much. But, we are not to question his substance because we cannot do so without being racist? What dangersous nonsense this is. And racist too.

Laura Shipman

The sheer poison in this feature is quite something to behold. It’s apparently a lecture on prejudice that opens with just such a vice. Venetia spots somebody else in the Donmar audience and, sage that she is, becomes a mindreader. Aren’t we the lucky readers? She notes of this person: “More interesting was his look of slight bewilderment; unwittingly mirroring the faces of the Venetians onstage”. What? How do you know he wasn’t struggling with the language or rapt at the performance? Nah, stuff that. You’re an intellectual, aren’t you, Venetia? You know what’s going on inside his head – especially if you can work it into some silly little argument about anyone who criticises Barack Obama as being a racist. Because you’re very good at this mind reading act, aren’t you, Venetia? You continue: “It is becoming commonplace to allege that he is somehow ‘lacking in substance’, too heavily dependent upon such vague notions as ‘hope’ and ‘unity’… Today, racially motivated reservations express themselves much more subtly.” Er, it is commonplace for any politician who sets out their stall for election to have their utterances characterised in some shorthand way by the public and commentators. For 10 years we all heard Tony Blair ripped apart by commentators of every colour, creed and gender as they talked about his “lack of substance”. Why does such a commonplace criticism suddenly equate to racism if it’s levelled at a black person? Oh, because you say so, Venetia. You and your mindreading powers. I keep forgetting. And then we get a notional conversation about a black person that somehow equates as a reflection of racism on anybody who criticises Barack Obama. And I love this catch all phrase: “However well concealed this response may be…”. What a genius you are, Venetia. No-one can ever defend themselves against your charges of racism. Why, never mind that Venetia can’t prove racism, it’s simply the fact that it’s been concealed by the people she accuses. I think we can take it that Venetia was never considered for a career in law. I don’t know what colour your skin is, Venetia, as I’ve never seen you, so please rest assured that I am colour blind when I suggest that you are entirely lacking in substance. Since you seem to be more interested in theatrical posturing rather than serious journalism, is there a chance you could get a career on stage? You’re very hammy, so it might be a struggle to find work and I certainly won’t be paying a penny to see you myself, but you couldn’t be worse at that than you are at proper journalism. Let’s see. What could you play? Oh, how about one of the prosecuting authorities in Franz Kafka’s The Trial. Yes, no matter what poor Josef K says or does he is guilty what you say he is guilty of. He’s bound to have concealed his guilt, after all. I doubt you’ll be needing any rehearsing or method acting – it’s a part that should come quite naturally to you.

Martin O'Hara

Rubbish.

Sonny D. Jalfrezi

There are some extraordinarily defensive, personal and emotional reactions to this provocative piece of opinion. Let's not forget that this rag probably isn't meant to be anodyne. That some people feel their beards to have been plucked regrettably lends credence to some of the writer's more sinister musings.

Herbert Thornton

So, Venetia thinks that Obama is giving the populace frissons of various kinds about race and sex? Absurd.

It seems to me, after reading her somewhat agitated article, that if anybody is having frissons of that sort, it's Venetia herself.

Mike D

Oh boy, what a marvelous example of the confused attempting to intellectualise - with the result being damage. Ms Thompson's tired old theme and left wing cant may well have been relevant in the 1960's. They no longer are. The world has moved on. Yes, initially, people may have reservations about black abilities. A pity certainly. But considering history and a precedent of underperformance, perfectly logical. It would in fact be illogical and of concern for such a response not to be part of the thought process. The point however is that it is now common cause that a choice based on fact rather that myth and prejudice is likely to provide the better outcome. Inventing problems where none exist does not help in creating an efficient selection process. And by the way, Mr. Obama is part black and part white. By what logic does that make him black and not white?

PeterC

The article is interesting and thought-provoking, if somewhat exaggerated and lacking in solid evidence for some of its assertions. But does not merit some of the more hysterical reactions which have appeared to date. The author's essential message is that if Obama should be a candidate in November some (some - not all - but it is the margin which counts in elections) white Americans will cast their vote on purely racial lines. This might seem shocking to some but it shouldn't be. Just look around the world and find numerous examples of where political alleigance is based on racial, ethnic, class or regional considerations - things more visceral than are to be found in the loftier realms of political ideas which we are all supposed to inhabit. What sane person would see any point in screaming 'racist' at the notion that it is doubtful that South Africa would elect a white president? None of this demonstrates the human condition in its most attractive form, but there it is nonetheless. I know that America is not supposed to be that sort of place; it's just that America might not live up to its ideals in their full perfection.

Brent McKeon

Not being in the US can't comment on the innermost thoughts of US white males. But bet you the following: a higher % of Whites have and will vote for Obama than Blacks will vote for a White; bet over 90% of Obama supporters black or white currently don't know anything of Obamas policies, they are being carefully kept in wraps and the main stream media is not digging; no matter what happens in the US the media simply cannot keep race out of it especially if it is not an issue and remember the wise Eastern saying,'the faults you see in others are your own faults.'

Kevin Dunn

The logic of this article appears to be that any criticism of a black politician by any white male is racist. This presumably applied to Idi Amin or Robert Mugabe as well as Obama. The criticism that Obama's speeches and policies lack substance cannot have anything to do with the fact that they actually do lack substance, and by the same logic the fact Idi Amin was widely described as a murderous maniac was nothing to do with the fact that he actually was a murderous maniac. It is all to do with penis-envy or something. This attitude is as irrational and racist as anything I have ever encountered.

John J

So all her white male friend cares about is "dismissing the relationship as purely sexual" sounds like a racist generalisation to me. One can hardly believe such drivel got commissioned by this publication. Maybe I should start reading Viz instead.

Mutimba

The idea that Hillary Clinton is presidential material because she 'has experience' is greatly irrelevant, but also difficult to take in. Being the former president's wife does not make her a better policy maker than Obama. Remember she was the president's WIFE not Vice President.

Kid Charlemagne

More worrying than anything Venetia Thomson actually says is how this sort of unsubstantiated waffle masquerades as political comment, as risible as a Bird and Fortune dinner party conversation. The arrogant professions of wisdom are matched only by the covert racism underlying the whole "argument": Obama = black man in public office = Othello ... I could knock that off in an afternoon. (I also find it astonishing that one of the comments here claims it's "left-wing". Define your terms, please.)

Bothwell

Excellent article which I wish I had written. It shows an a deeper level of understanding of the issue of 'looking different'. As a black person who spent childhood and later adult in Europe I can only agree . The Obama experience has forced many around the world to confront niggling prejudices, sometimes subconscious. I am certain it can only bode well for all of us whatever colour we may be. Once again thank you for your insight.

Albert A.

"White men only pretend to admire the presidential contender, writes Venetia Thompson. Beneath their supposed approval lurk primeval racist fears of the black ‘super-male’" After fiddling a bit with the sentences above, in my idle hour, I arrive at these two: "Black men only pretend to admire the (white) presidential contender... Beneath their supposed approval lurk primeval racist fears of the white ‘super-male’" Oops, I must be a racist. Subconsciously, to be sure.

Mark Gutglueck

I am a Republican in California. Of the three realistic contenders in the presidential race, I am leaning toward supporting Obama, despite my party affiliation. Yet, I do have misgivings about his relative lack of experience and, while impressed with his eloquence and some (but not all) of his stated objectives if he were to be elected, I wish that he would be more specific in detailing how he intends to accomplish his goals. This has nothing to do with his race. I want specificity from all of my public officials, or potential public officials. Too often politicians speak in buzz words or use what I call elliptical suggestion, seeking to achieve a consensus or drum up support by suggesting something without actually making a commitment or defining the action they will take. To the extent that Mr. Obama employs this common political rhetorical device, he, in my opinion, engages in a behavior I find objectionable in all politicians, of whatever race. To object to this in him, or anyone else, or to question whether this tactic signals a lack of substance is intellectual honesty. It is not racism, as the author suggests.

Tony Hillbear

Who on earth decided to let this Venetia Thomson write for the Speccie? Last week she was showing us how cool she was with white lumpen, this week it's how cool she is with blacks. What can we expect next week? Why marrying your first-cousin is the hippest thing imaginable? How we should all be suicide bombers? I missed buying the Speccie a couple of weeks ago for the first time in about seven years, and I'm not sure I'm that bothered about the fact. It has declined since Boris left, I'm sorry to say. The article above is rather babyish, and the one on Cuba is perhaps even sillier. Come on, Charles Moore, find somewhere more intelligent to publish your articles.

Robert Wahl

I will wager that more black men will vote for Obama because he is black than the number of white men who will not vote for Obama because he is black.

Yank

Obama would not be considered a presidential possibility if he weren't "black". Very large numbers of "white" people want to feel good about themselves by voting for a "black" man and thereby proving that they are not racists.

Mike

I fear that Venetia's article is more a mirror of her own inner world than the reality on the ground here in the states. Essentially Obama is the first affirmative action president in history. If Obama were white he would not even be a minor presidential contender let alone the man likely to win the presidency. Possibly 8 years hence with more substance than a junior senatorship under his belt the white Obama would have at least a chance. Recently an audience applauded when Obama blew his nose on stage - that dear Venetia is a public more in love with the idea of a black president than interested in presidential substance. We are about to see a presidency that will make Jimmy Carter's tenure look accomplished

John Telford

Ah! "A super subtle Venetia(n)"

Roy

Whether fluff, rubbish, or a masquerade, I thought it an interesting article. Why shouldn't the writer be able to put down their thoughts on a truly topical subject. Some would have press censorship even more than it is already.

Stephen Dugas

Oh dear, would someone plese inform the real Venetia Thompson that some lunatic has escaped the asylum and presumed to submit a piece to The Spectator under her name?

Joe Blow

So Mrs. Thompson, are you saying his policies actually do have substance? Try naming some! The fear of the black super male may there, but it doesn't follow that this one-term Senator is not a lightweight. If we discredit white men's motives, we can do the same with white women: i.e. can't we also say that white women could be voting for him because they are secretly attracted to him?

Eleanor Williams

The allegation against Obama is simply that he lacks substance. The way this would normally be countered in political debate by fleshing out his policies or detailing his track record, both of which have been either dubious or negligible. That the author chose not to deal with these areas merely strengthens the argument that Obama is a lightweight. Just show us the beef, will you? Crying racism isn't going to fill the gap where substance should be. Is somebody now subconsciously classist if they say David Cameron lacks substance? What planet are you on? Funny, too, how Obama's own supporters come to the same conclusions as his critics. Here's Susan Sarandon on Obama: "I think he definitely has convinced people that he stands for change and for hope, and I can't wait to see what he stands for." http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200802/20080211_sarandon.html Sorry, Venetia, you probably found the last part of that Sarandon quote a little bit racist - or subconsciously racist or whatever it is you're calling it today. In less than seven days we've had this drivel about racism and Pollard and Forsyth saying silly things about David Cameron insulting Jews (re: the unfunded Auswitz trips that schools are forced to pay for from their own budgets). Champagne for the brain? Sorry, not this week.

Aristeides

As many have pointed out already, this drivel is unworthy of the Spectator, even during its current slide in standards. What would be interesting to know, for all the assertions about American dinner and cocktail party attitudes, is whether Venetia Thompson has actually been to America in the past twelve months. Since she is so free with her generalisations and accusations of racism based on such experiences, that would be a good test of the basic integrity of her article and arguments.

Terry Haller

What crap. Obama leads over Hillary in polls among white guys.

dave b

I learned something from this piece: Venetia Thompson is a bore. Get a life, Venetia.

Jimbo

It may be that the author is just unfamiliar with American politics. Or perhaps she is and is regrettably annoyed that the lack of substance charge, previously reserved for the left, has been leveled against one of her own (politically speaking that is). Can she really ignore the 8 years of the lefts constant claims that Ronald Reagan was a doddering old man that lacked substance? How does one ignore with a straight face the 8 years of the left claiming that George Bush lacks substance? that he is a tool of more intelligent men? C'mon Venetia! Are you givin us a laugh?

Emiliano Zapata

I understand this essay quite well. It is a piece of racist, misanthropic, crap, and not well written, either. Are you Brits really so stupid as to think this passes for a well thought out analysis of "the white man's psyche? Should we conclude, as one would, were ones so foolish to follow this to the illogical conclusion, that white women will both fear and desire Barak Mandingo Obama? Ironically, this type of rank racial and gender hatred is just the thing that Senator Obama is campaigning against. Here is a little clue; Othello was only a play, men of any ethnic or "racial" make up do not all think alike, Obama is as white as he is black, and you have some serious issues. Greetings from America!

Peter Gee

This is a really superficial piece of writing. Obama's hysterical, religious appeal is precisely because he offers to redefine the tired racial politics of the USA which hitherto boil down to blacks saying to whites, "Give us something and that will prove you are not racists". Obama projects himself as a post-identity politics candidate. Black enough so that voting for him will reedeem white Americans of the stain of their (presumed)racism, but white enough that he is not anchored in the perpetual grievance politics of the traditional black/white paradigm. If Obama is not voted to the Ptresidency it will be because he is furthest to the left of any US Presidential candidate since George McGovern and not due to his colour. Contrary to what the author writes, Americans are actually anxious to vote for a black candidate but not neccessarily a leftish black.

JimmyJazz

This has to be the silliest thing I have ever read in The Spectator. Not only does Thompson know what's going on in white men's heads -they all think the same!! Looks like a textbook definition of racism to me.And some comments in support. Oh dear, no wonder Britain is in trouble. And if Obama loses that will make all Americans racist, I suppose. I hope he does lose and not because he's black but because he reminds me a little too much of Jimmy Carter.

Matthew

Barack Obama will rise or fail based almost without a doubt on his position of "change". Will independents and moderates in both sides of the party buy this campaign slogan or will they look at his positions and judge them as very status quo liberal positions. The idea that subtle racism will decide the election is absurd. While it may have some effect among racists around the country, which party do you think they vote for already?

Roger

The Othello parallel is ludicrous. Othello was a war hero with stories to tell. In this campaign that is McCain, not Obama.

If you wanted to make any parallels with Othello, you missed the boat, Venetia. But then the understated, solid dignity of a man who held high office like Colin Powell wouldn't appeal to to you. He's not the sort to spout enough theatrical hot air that would appeal to a cosseted North London "I went to the theatre the other day, don't you know" type.

Why don't you pull yourself away from the smug Donmar Warehouse set for a bit and read books on McCain and Powell and then you'll learn about real warfare and real honour.

Sam L

What happened to the idea of Spectator as refuge from this sort of earnest, guilt-ridden, humorless, sexually and racially confused, grad-school level PC drivel ? With this article's publication my reliable old friend has debased itself in an unaccountable way.

Mark Hamilton

One of best recent Spectator articles. All I have to say on the matter.

Zanch Avina

It seems not everyone is in total concord with this article! Shocking. Isn't it wonderful we're allowed to express our opinions. Thanks Venetia for an interesting and humorous take on Obama. Classic spec-writing (ie provocative).

Joe Brennan

your nuts

Kurt

The key fact is that, for the first time, a black person has emerged as a viable candidate for president. This would remain even if Clinton somehow recovers and wins the nomination, or if Obama is nominated but not elected. Racism has not disappeared, including the psychosexual variety that obsesses the author, but a crucial barrier has fallen.

Lucan C. Heraclitus

How does this play back in reverse? Black men only pretend to admire the presidential contender, writes Tommy Tomkins. Beneath their supposed approval lurk primeval racist fears of the white ‘super-female’

Fergus Pickering

May I ask (not that I suppose I would get an honest answer) how many of you would vote for a black candidate for member iof Parliament. Would you not have a nagging feeling that such a candidate might put 'black issues' at the top of his/her agenda. Why would you think that? Just look around at our present black MPs. And won't Americans feel the same way? Maybe I am wrong. We shall see whether Obama or McCain becomes president.

Fernando

I feel most of the above commentaries miss the point. It is not that Ms Thompson has written an article which lumps together all white men as racists. Nor does she pretend to understand and conclusively solve the supposed enigma of why white men vote for Obama. She merely points out that the criticisms against his candidacy are very symptomatic of a silent kind of racism on the part of a portion of his detractors who are only too willing to point to his inability to perform his presidential responsibilities in a competent fashion because he has no blueprint (I doubt most of the posters have any idea of the HRC blueprint, as that seems as confusedly based on the idea of 'experience' as Mr Obama's is on the principle of 'hope').

I believe this is an important point of social observation, not particularly a political issue as some have argued. Well done Ms Thompson.

David Space

Absolutely huge numbers of white men already have voted for him. He is far more popular within the white male community than within the Latino community, for instance! Venetia is going to look pretty idiotic when Obama wins big in November, with majority support from white males.

SP

As a well-informed (and yes, white) American, I find this article extremely ignorant and of novice standard. Was any research done apart from cocktail party chat amongst uninformed company? The claim of Obama lacking substance isn't commonplace: it is a tactic by Hillary Clinton that according to CNN and all major news outlets was completely nullified by the latest debate. Regarding Obama v McCain, your very own SKY news reported findings that Obama was seen favorable by 50+ % when polled against McCain. If one pays attention to polls, the demographics who support Obama, daily news and the series of debates, it is clear that none of the author's opinions have any valid or educated ground. The Spectator should be embarrassed for publishing such a ridiculous article.

Enrico Rigatoni

Get a grip, blog-loons! This piece of opinion is being tested as though it were a paper in Nature. It sounds like some people want opinion to be banned unless it can be proven conclusively with data. As someone already pointed out above, such a prickly reaction raises all sorts of questions.

Malcolm Lochhead

It's not just white men who are saying Obama is lightweight. Many women make that accusation too, notably Hillary Clinton! And Obama is far more popular among white men than among Latino men (and women). Thompson's wierd asumptions about how white men feel about black boyfriends reveal more about her own prejudices against white men than their prejudice against blacks. And a posh girl from an English public school is unlikely to have much experience of this anyway, which further reveals that this article is based on prejudice more than experience or evidence. Obama is not just 'taking part'. He's probably going to win in November with plenty of support from white males. Thompson's unpleasant prejudice will be even more evident then than it is now.

Joe

What a lot of tosh.

Tim Fuller

What is obvious is that the author's previous experience milling about with boorish male Brit floor traders has influenced her worldview. It's how she fit into their world for so long in comparison to the other girls. Now she think herself an expert on racial relations vis-a-vis US politics and make such positive declarations in regard to the male psyche as to lead one to believe she has a penis herself. Enjoy.

Abu Nudnik

How does the author know what's in other peoples' minds? I don't. I really wish the Spectator didn't publish such specious and juvenile nonsense.

M

Does the author realise that Mr Obama has many white ancestors as he does black ancestors? Dare we suggest that this piece was commissioned as a gesture of sypmathy, after her first Spectator article got her sacked from her day job?

CSX

I appreciated the comments whose authors understood the piece. Indeed, I do feel ashamed that I do not. I wish only that these authors had had the time to explain its meaning to me, as opposed to merely rubbing it in my face that I do not, alas, understand. Reread as I might, to me, the piece is nothing more than one conclusion after the next. It seems to be, for lack of a better phrase, lacking in substance. Ah! I understand! It is modern art whose content mirrors its subject. You're right. Brilliant!

Tony Metatattica

Way to go Venetia! At last someone who can say something that the majority of people actually feel but are afraid to mention. Your writing as Jeremy has said is "refreshing" You are superb!!

Claire

Oh God. Go back to university, or try to spend some time living life before you have audacity to presume your 23 year old thoughts are of some worth to the majority of the intellectual community.

10tul10

Probably the most inaccurate and stupid piece ever written. Obama Sr. was killed in a drunk driving crash, Barack Obama was not even in the country and barely knew his father. Obama Sr. was a wealthy, powerful Government Minister in Kenya. No one really cares about inter-racial relationships. They are common to see in both pairings (black man, white woman, white man, black woman) in places like Crystal City (next to the Pentagon) or Falls Church VA. If anything the attitude of BLACK WOMEN towards Black men who date/marry white or asian women is the real racist issue. Black women don't like it and flat out call it race treason. They feel they can't compete with women perceived as more "feminine" and worry about "preserving the race." See the film "Something New" with Sanaa Lathan, Simon Baker, to get the point. Most guys divide women into two parts: the hot and the not. Race does not come into it. As for Obama, he is a strictly limited appeal. He can't get white working class men and women, or the middle class. Only Blacks, a few Latinos (who are in conflict with Blacks over who gets Affirmative Action spoils) and rich white yuppies. That's it. Meanwhile failed Black Maryland Gubernatorial candidate Michael Steele carried nearly half the white vote but lost the Black vote.

Andy Bradshaw

This gal is in need of an editor.

num

There are mental faculties of blondes are obviously exaggerated.... To esteem clauses of the author enough what to understand it =))))