(Interrupted by Fox)
Fox News: "You said "Uncle Tom". I didn't say it, sir. With respect, I did not say it..."
Nader: "I said that's the question HE has to answer. He can become a great President, or he can become a toady for the corporate powers that have brought both parties to their knees against working people in this country, and have allowed our country to be hijacked by global corporations who have no allegiance to this country other than to ship its jobs and industries to fascist and communist dictators abroad who know how to keep their workers in their place. This is reality here. This is not show business. It's not celebrity politics. There are people suffering in this country, and we expect a great Presidency from Barack Obama, and we're gonna try to hold his feet to the fire..."
(Interrupted by Fox)
Fox News: "I just wonder if, in hindsight, you wish you'd used a phrase other than Uncle Tom"?
Nader: "Not -- at all. Do you know what the historic...."
(Interrupted by Fox)
Fox News: "Fair enough. Thanks very much. We'll have a response from our panel in just a moment."
Nader: "Thank you..." [3]
Ralph Nader was about to explain the historical significance of the term "Uncle Tom", obviously astonished by the ignorance of the young "journalist" from Fox News. But Fox abruptly ended the interview, almost before Nader could begin to ask: "Do you know the historical..."
More can be learned about Nader's intent by rewinding to June of 2008. Here again, Ralph Nader clearly challenges Barack Obama -- not merely for being black -- but for abandoning the needs of real people, black and white, for the sake of corporate interest:
"There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American," Nader told the paper. "Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white?" [4]
There is nothing new about this in Ralph Nader's agenda. His point is that the only difference between Barack Obama and any other presidential candidate seems to be the color of his skin. Do we really have a new President, or is he merely George W. Bush wearing black face? Barack Obama has made plenty of lofty promises about his commitment to "Main Street" as President that do not align with his actions as Senator, particularly his recent support of the Wall Street Bailout. So as Ralph Nader suggests, it is our responsibility as the people who elected him to "hold his feet to the fire".
Regardless of recent election results, our nightmare isn't nearly over yet. In fact, it's just getting started. Now is not the time to breathe a sigh of relief, roll over and go back to sleep merely because a Democrat was elected President. Now is the time for every American to learn as much as possible about what is wrong with a political and economic system that breeds poverty and homelessness and tolerates organized crime at the highest levels of government. Now is the time to make sure our leaders act in the best interests of the people in this country who elected them, not in the profit and power interests of multi-national corporations. After eight years of George W. Bush, now is the time for every American to scrutinize the character of our leaders, not to make general assumptions based on their party affiliation or the color of their skin.
All this in mind, Ralph Nader asked an extremely pertinent question. If his question ruffled some feathers, then so be it. Hopefully, his question forced people to think about what to expect from the Presidency of Barack Obama. If his question hadn't bothered anyone, it wouldn't have stirred up any discussion, and it would have soon been forgotten. Instead, there is little doubt that every American will remember Ralph Nader's question four years from now and far beyond.
Notes:
[1] Wikipedia (11/07/2008). "Uncle Tom". Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_tom
[2] King, Dr. Martin Luther (1968). Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos Or Community?. New York, NY: Beacon Press, pg 18. ISBN 0807005711.
[3] Nader, Ralph (11/06/2008). "Obama - Uncle Sam or Uncle Tom?". Fox News. http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=XkoB4r9FSzY
