Candidate Herman Cain speaks in the spin room following the Republican presidential primary debate June 13, 2011 at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.
*The birther movement against President Obama may have died down in the wake of his birth certificate being released, but Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain is now shifting the focus to where he was raised — and Cain says it was in Kenya.
The suggestion from the former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza came during an interview with Bloomberg View columnist Jeffrey Goldberg last week in an exchange about why the GOP hopeful doesn’t consider himself an African American, reports the Huffington Post.
“I am an American. Black. Conservative,” he said in explaining his view on the matter. “I don’t use African American, because I’m American, I’m black and I’m conservative. I don’t like people trying to label me. African American is socially acceptable for some people, but I am not some people.”
Cain said that he considers himself to be “a black man in America” and feels stronger ties to the United States than to Africa. He suggested his perspective has been informed by the fact that he can trace most of his ancestors to the U.S. and it also “goes back to slavery.”
The presidential contender went on to draw a contrast between himself and the president, who he described as “more of an international,” before suggesting “he was raised in Kenya.”
In an interview with The Atlantic’s Joshua Green at the Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this year, Cain was asked whether he believes Obama was born in the United States.
“I have no idea,” he said at the time. “The fact that it has become an issue, or a controversy, does raise a question that I can’t say that I feel one way or the other because I have not reviewed all the various ‘proof’ one way or another.”
While Cain has generally been regarded as a longshot contender in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, recent polls show the GOP hopeful making headway in his pursuit of the White House.
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I read that interview with J. Goldberg and H. Cain sounds like a straight up buffoon if he actually believe BO was born in Kenya. I don’t have to know anything else about him at this point.
Cosign.
Do you have the quote of Cain saying O was born in Kenya? I cant’ find it.
I don’t know why blacks are so afraid of calling themselves ‘African’. Every other race of people have been here for generations yet have no problem identifying themselves with their ancestors country/continent of origin. Whether blacks realize it or not, there are some traditions that were African centered that we held onto despite the efforts of the Europeans to ‘beat’ it out of us. This Herman Cain cat is desperate for white votes and the more he distances himself from anything Obama (which is why he is bringing up the point about not being ‘African’), the more he thinks he stands of chance of being elected. He is one of those blacks who think being white is normal while anything remotely associated with Africa is somehow ‘abnormail’. It’s all about blacks like him being seen as ‘normal’ and not like the ‘other’ hence wanting to assimilate into so-called mainstream culture. Well, at least, that’s my theory.
I watched the debate last night and I can not understand how Mr. Cain who is an older Southern black male was able to stand there and listen to the bs rhetoric regarding states’ rights!
Missouri wants to do away with child labor laws and other states want to roll back aspects of civil rights leg. Depending on where you live you can be denied service at a particular business because of your skin color and there would not be a d@mn thing you can do about it.
I have no problem with Mr. Cain being a conservative BUT he needs to step away from today’s republican party rehtoric which is all about dog whistle racism.
If you’re talking about the part on illegal immigration, his stance was that if the federal government would not enforce the immigration laws on the books, states should have a right to enforce the laws to protect their state’s security and economic interests.
Is that the part you are referring to on the states’ rights and if so, you have a problem with his stance on illegal immigration?
Just curious.
I think dude is a joke but I don’t really like African American either. For one, it’s too d*mned long to write!
Two, I grew up being called black. I’m used to it. I don’t mind it. James Brown was “I’m black and I’m proud!” I’m down with that. Thurgood Marshall called himself a negro til he passed because that’s what he was used to and he saw nothing wrong with it. It was not degrading to him.
Three, “European Americans” do NOT call themselves anything but American. If asked they will give you their origin but they don’t say, “I’m European American.” They are more prone to identify with the European country their family originally came from. “I’m Italian” or “I’m Irish”. And even African people from Africa do not say “I’m African”. They will tell you the country they are from. “I’m from Ghana” and even Latinos do not tell you “I am Latin American”. They will say, “I’m Salvadorian” or “I’m Brazilian”.
So why would I want to go by this broad African American label if nobody else does the same? I don’t. Yeah, I wrote a dissertation here on labels but I don’t like African American. It also got us into trouble (so to speak) at Univ of Maryland becaus the dumb f*ck “African American” – a white boy from South Africa claimed he was eligible for an “African American” scholarship because “he’s from Africa and he’s American” when everyone knows d*mned good and well that the scholarship was for a person OF COLOR = a black person. So as much as it pains me to say it, I agree with this buffoon on this point.
Qb, I know whites don’t call themselves ‘European Americans’ that’s why I stated that: “Every other race of people have been here for generations yet have no problem identifying themselves with their ancestors country/continent of origin.” Country/Continent I know are two different things and I also know that Africans themselves, like Caribbeans, go by country of origin, hence why they don’t like to be called ‘black’ (which, ironically, offends ‘blacks/African Americans, too). My assumption is the African American term is used because Black Americans do not know their ancestors country of origin in Africa. I understand it. I’m clear on it. Everybody identifies themselves as to what makes them comfortable. But I do know that Blacks didn’t fall out of trees or came from outta space 400 years ago and allowed themselves to be enslaved. Calling myself American is not that deep to me. I can do without it.
im an american. im also black. white people arent white american or european american. they are white or caucasion so i want the same. with that said im not disowning my heritage while my family can be traced back to africa and im proud of that i am american.
Cain has no solid proof htat Pres Obama was born in Kenya so he needs to SHUT UP!!
Did he say O was born in Kenya?
I wish someone would post the exact quote of him saying O was raised in Kenya. I can’t find the exact quote anywhere.
Anywho, Cain has some strong attributes, but ultimately, he is not sophisticated or graceful enough to be elected dog-catcher much less president. Maybe as a holdover from his talk radio days, he keeps saying ish seemingly for attention and shock value and he is not graceful enough a politician to dig himself out of the holes. He looked like a straight FOOL last night during the debate trying to explain not being “comfortable” around Muslims and refusing to hire any Muslims for his potential candidates. Yet another dumb-azz statement he wishes he hadn’t said.
Re his “considering himself Black.” Um, he IS a Black American. And while his Kenyan dig against Obama was stupid and unfounded, there IS a distinction in his background and O’s, and if Cain had the grace of an ant, he could easily sell it. In many ways–race issue aside–he has a compelling “all-American” story to share. His coming from humble beginnnings, attending a “regular” college, working for the government and then the private sector, are all things middle America could relate to. Had he had any political skill whatsoever, he could use his background to his advantage, while drawing a sharp contrast to the elitist, unorthodox background of the current president and most of the beltway even. But nooo, Cain has now cemented himself as another clown in the Republican circus.
My hope is that even if it doesn’t come from the Republican party, there is a formiddable opponent, progressive, independent whatever, who will mount an aggressive, winning campaign against this coward in the White House. I know this is a long shot, but I can still hope. *sigh*
“he is not sophisticated or graceful enough to be elected dog-catcher much less president”…..LMAO!! Too funny!!!
Types like him never want to claim their “roots”, until they get busted for something…. then they change their colors quick (pun intended) Sounds like he thinks his “millions” gives him some kind of distinction, but those whom he is trying to impress will NEVER embrace him, unless it is to have a closer aim at his back! He will be used by them publically, and mocked by them privately. His credibility is shot because he is basing his platform on being an Obama hater, and not on anything of real substance. Where was he when Bush was in office whose policies were blatantly ineffective! Now all of a sudden that Obama is in office, and is black, these whack jobs are coming out of the woodworks crying “foul” when nothing that Obama has done even compares to the havoc Bush created! This is why VOTING matters!
Are you saying slavery is not his roots? He claims slavery as his history.
I am not saying anything, HE is saying that he “doesn’t consider himself an African American” which is denouncing HIS roots! Just because he can trace most of his ancestors that HE knows about here in america, his hertige goes far beyond that BEFORE SLAVERY. So why exactly is he distancing himself from his “african” roots? Because he is trying to be more identifiable to white america, but he is really only highlighting his “identy crisis”
So claiming slavery makes him more endearing to White folks?
Does it? Nothing in my response has suggested that, so not sure where your question derived….however, to reiterate for clarity sake, what I said was, why is he “distancing himself from his African roots” which “goes far beyond” “BEFORE SLAVERY” And my conclusion was because he is trying to be more “identifiable” to white America. His roots reach far beyond “the mother ship” and anyone who feels being African American is synonymous to slavery is a bit simple minded.
Justsayin, you stated this: “Because he is trying to be more identifiable to white america”
So yes, your assumption is he is disowning his African heritage because that makes White folks like him more. I’m not saying you’re wrong, but I do think if his aim was to totally “identify” with Whites, he would do what the current president does and REFUSE TO MENTION RACE AT ALL. That seems to be a safer bet as far as “identifying with Whites,” wouldn’t you say?
I really don’t think the current president HAS to mention race, considering his life history was plastered all over the media BEFORE he became president, considering he has a “muslin name” and African father, which would be a big joke if he was to denounce his “African roots” considering he did live in Kenya with his “African” family, I think the obvious was/is much louder than anything the current president can say, so why then would he need to “mention it” ….. to confirm it? LOL It is just as obvious that Cain, is black, and NOBODY is ever going to believe differently, but his attempt to differentiate “what kind of black” he is, is a laughable attempt at “watering down” his heritage so that he can be more “white user friendly” and more marketable and “acceptable” as a possible candidate, otherwise, why bother to try to make a distinction?
“watering down” his heritage so that he can be more “white user friendly”
So (again) you’re concluding that Whites are more comfortable being reminded of their slavery past than of Africa? Not sure why you keep denying this is what you are saying when you keep saying it. lol
Anywho, my point is, not for the sake of White folks, but if his distinction matters at all, it could mean something to some Blacks who think having more familiarity with the traditional Black American experience than O could mean at least some attention paid to issues affecting that particular community. Not saying this is so, but just saying that if Cain’s distinction matters at all, it could matter there.
I’m done though. This is a circular conversation and it’s boring me now.
Thank you, justsayin. You articulated better than I did in my previous post. No matter what most black people say, they do have African roots. They just don’t pay attention to it.
We come from kings and queens, which is a far better history than what can be claimed here in America, though our record is very good here as well, in terms of our successes, espeacially in spite of the negative (deadly) “climate” it seems people have a negative connotation regarding Africa, which is sad, especially when it is the birth place of ALL men, not just blacks! But that might be TOO deep for some, so, claim who you want, but you can’t hide from the truth!
I co-sign with queeniebunz and NueNue on the whole topic of the label African American. Queeniebunz, I couldn’t have said it better myself, even away from work. I, too, identify myself as Black and American. Two separate things with global implications. Black means that no matter where I go, I will be categorized in a particular segment as prone to violence, theft, and rape. American means that no matter where I go, non-Americans will see me as American once I start talking and ascribe a number of stereotypical political and social views to me as a result. Being Black and American, I like to be referred to as “brother” or “nigga” and enjoy rap and hip-hop and don’t value education.
But what I hold is that I’m Black and I’m proud. And I don’t hold to all the tenets of American society, rather I hold myself to a higher standard of understanding and sense and compassion than the label ‘American’ can describe.
African Americans are my Kenyan neighbors across the street. Caribbean Americans are some guys I went to Morehouse with. What unites us is our Black skin. The diaspora has confused so many of us to the real material of our African roots that the homogenized and rehashed version of what our African culture was and/or has become is not organic at this point, but manufactured.
Not to say that we shouldn’t embrace our African heritage, but that we shouldn’t denigrate those who claim what they know – America.
And the only thing I see across the web on this topic quotes Herman Cain out of context, i.e. “The presidential contender went on to draw a contrast between himself and the president, who he described as ‘more of an international,’ before suggesting ‘he was raised in Kenya’.”
You never know what he said immediately before “he was raised in Kenya” or what he said immediately after, i.e. CONTEXT.
So this could all be a political ploy to exploit the “crabs in a bucket” syndrome / ghetto/slave mentality rampant in our community that once we get hold of a sound bite, we all swarm it like ants or flies around a stinking carcass. This stinking carcass is a Black conservative questioning the nationality of our brother President. And now we’re all swarming him like the dark spirits swarming evil-doers in the movie “Ghost”.
Oh yeah, and by the way, I omitted TGen from the list of posters I co-sign with. I agree with TGen in his assessment of Cain as not quite sophisticated in his delivery. As a political hopeful, he should know that this words will be taken out of context. Of course, there’s also the possibility that he’s well aware of this fact and sees his statement as a calculated risk that will endear him to the masses of white people (which comprise a majority of the voting public) versus the voting bloc of black people.
HHCassisus, no he is not purposely throwing out dumb statements for some grand strategy. He is putting his foot in his mouth and diminishing whatever chance he might have had to be taken seriously in the process.
There is a spot for an independent conservative to make waves, but Cain apparently is not that conservative.
P.S. I am a female.
My bad about the gender mixup.
No Cain never said Obama was born in Kenya and we don’t have the context in which he said he was raised there.
I agree with him about not referring to himself as African-American. Maybe I would feel better about it had black americans (as we move up the class scale) not tried to do whatever we could to ignore our culture/history while attempting to assimilate with other cultures.
Jewish holidays? Heard of any?
Black/African holidays? Of course not.
I can dig that, musb.
Personally, I am sick to death of the ‘political correctness’ when speaking about Muslims. I don’t want Sharia law in the US courts, either. Mr. Cain is an American first.
I don’t want dog fighting to replace baseball as America’s favorite pastime.
However, it, like US following Sharia law, will ever be a topic of discussion beyond the radicals. And introducing a law banning sharia law is indeed radical.
Okay… Cain is merely packing the cement around his grave. I having nothing to say about him because he will not be a factor real soon…
TGen, here’s the link below. J. Goldberg also mentions it on his @ theatlantic:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-13/herman-cain-on-why-the-black-guy-is-winning-jeffrey-goldberg.html#0_undefined,0_
“Barack Obama is more of an international,” Cain said. “I think he’s out of the mainstream and always has been. Look, he was raised in Kenya, his mother was white from Kansas and her family had an influence on him, it’s true, but his dad was Kenyan, and when he was going to school he got a lot of fellowships, scholarships, he stayed in the academic environment for a long time. He spent most of his career as an intellectual.”
Thank you Melody! After reading it, I have to agree with your earlier assessment, he’s just not to be taken seriously now.
That said, I think there is some merit to the crux of his statement. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that O has a very different background than most Americans and that given his diverse experiences, he may not be quintessential “Americana” as most would define it. I think it’s safe to say he might be more of an “international” type. Recall how awkward he was during the 08 campaign trying to bowl and drink beer and prove his “American” bona fides to middle [read: White] America. He looked awkward because that’s not his reality. His reality is going to elite schools in Hawaii, being raised by a White family, and entering elite colleges probably due to the legacy of his African dad. That’s very…different, you have to admit.
And that’s essentially what Cornel West was saying. He just said it in a much more sophisticated way than did Herman foot-in-mouth Cain.
While I could sorta agree with you, your distinctions really aren’t that great.
Even if that’s his reality, white people, at elite schools, raised by their white parents, who go on to ivy league colleges, drink beer and know how to bowl.
It may have been akward because it was just akward. Not because he’s “less american.”
Like those who focused on Cain’s “raised in Kenya” comment or on Cornel West’s “he didn’t thank me for campaigning for him” comment, you focus on a minute tidbit instead of the overall point. What both of them and what I was basically saying is that O may not fully relate to many of Americans’ experience because his background is so vastly different. That idea is not politically correct, but it does hold merit.
He’s just another self hating uncle tom making a fool of himself.
Now I get it, he’s related to Clarence Thomas! That’s where all this disavowing of his lineage comes from. brother, and you too Clar’, if there was a way to stop you from being a “skin” folk, I’d do it in a flash!!…until then…….TOUGH LUCK NIGGA!!