The racism of Michelle Obama and White Flight
Manage episode 311583468 series 3147018
The racism of Michelle Obama and White Flight
Oct. 31, 2019. Season 1, Episode 20
Former First Lady Michelle Obama addressed the issue of White Flight recently during remarks at the 3rd annual Obama Foundation Summit in which she castigated White People for the phenomena of White Flight.
But the reality is that African Americans were just as responsible for the White Flight that took place in Chicago in 1969. I lived in the community, South Shore Valley, also called Calumet Heights during that White Flight. And it wasn't as simplistic as Michelle Obama tried to make it, claiming it was the result of White Racism.
White Flight was prompted by greedy realtors who use fear and fear mongering to frighten White homeowners into selling their homes fast and cheap, to run, so the realtor makes a fast and quick commission from the sale. They brought in African American families that aggravated community stereotypes and concerns, including one family on our block that had a handicapped daughter who walked up and down the street after renting their home through the realtor, yelling and screaming irrationally, It was a sad and tragic sight to see, but it fueled community fears about African Americans.
Within six months, more than 85 percent of the homes sold, purchased by African Americans who had no problem buying the "White Flight" homes at cheap discounts caused by fear. They didn't complain. I don't know if Michelle Obama's family was one of them but the fact that she never addressed the full aspect of the White Flight phenomena is disconcerting.
Worse is that Michelle Obama is willing to stereotype and entire race of people, "White people," and blame them for th racism that was a part of the White Flight that she showcased as a symbol of racism.
I wrote a book about the White Flight experience called "Midnight Flight" -- because in many cases, families were ashamed of fleeing and seeking their homes and they moved out in the middle of the night. You can read that free online book online by visiting www.SuburbanChicagoland.com. Go to the menu, select LIBRARY, then MIDNIGHT FLIGHT BOOK and then start with the INTRODUCTION Chapter.
Click this link to SUBSCRIBE FREE to Ray Hanania's mainstream Columns and Podcasts:
64 epizódok