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The Hard R

THE HARD R: GOD FORBID’S DALLAS COYLE ON RACE IN AMERICA

Monday, March 17th, 2008 at 3:21pm by

Dallas CoyleI really should keep these blogs to music but this Obama vs. The Right Wing has got my pea-brain to react. So I will.

I’m a person of mixed race like Barack Obama. My mom is black and my dad is white. But times were so tough, I was raised by my grandparents on both sides which is where a lot of my values come from. That being said; (Bmouth spin headline) White people are afraid of this dialogue of race in America. When I say white people I mean Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Bill Cunningham and Fox News in general. Not white metal heads.

I’ve said it countless amounts of times. I don’t watch Fox News for the news. I watch it for the stiffys. There are a lot of hot blondes on there that can use a porking or two. It’s true. I’m a proud American and will always be. I believe this Jeremiah Wright stuff is old news brought up by the GOP and the Clintons to belittle Obama as a man associated with hate. But it will all backfire on them. Americans now have a chance to do their own research. Why do black people feel the way Jeremiah Wright does? Why are whites offended by the nature of the argument? The reason is because this issue is a gut issue. It hits you like food poisoning. You have to react but you can’t react with a clear head because it is such a divisive subject. No, I can’t blame my white friends for slavery. I never would. That’s stupid. But there is a palpable, intangible element to this very real issue and it’s based around fear.

Playing metal as an ethnic band we’ve run into all sorts of racism across the world. In Europe, some people hate Americans. In the south, we’ve been called niggers. This comes with the territory. None of us are holier than thou but a lot of us act as if we are. Being in a metal band is amazing because the music itself is based in white culture which I’m proud of because I’m half white. Without metal I’d be another statistic in a prison cell obviously labeled a black man.

Through our career there has always been an identity crisis about who we are relative to the scene we love. Are we not as known because we’re black or have we not connected with the audience in the right way? One can never tell but I refuse to say us being black has hindered our success. I reject and denounce that claim vehemently. It’s bullshit.

We have fans around the world who love us because we’re black. We represent change and evolution in a country that has had many race problems. I feel we’re part of a cure, not the opposite. Obama is the same way. My cousin is black and he’s a Republican. He calls Obama a smooth talking nigger in a derogatory way. I take offense to it but I don’t condemn him for it. It’s his opinion and we all have our experiences to make us feel the way we do. He’s my cousin. I love the hell out of him. But his views have nothing to do with what I’m about as a person. My values are about helping other people get what they want and need. I’m a leader. I will tell you what’s what and why it is the way it is. The answer you’ll get will probably piss you off but you need to be angry. Your government is manipulating you.

How many of you know that The Federal Reserve is a PRIVATE company that prints money for America? They charge interest on the money they print to the American people. Your income taxes pay down that interest owed. Essentially, all of us as Americans are paying the interest on Americas platinum credit card. Do you know who owns the Fed? Three families. They are white families. Hey, I don’t hate on them. They did something right. And they are part of the 10% of the population that owns 90% of the wealth.

This Jeremiah Wright story is so funny because he is so cliche it might as well be a part in the movie ‘I’m Gonna Git You Sucka’. He looks like a damn wizard. But take away the tone of his words and read a transcript of the sermon and you’d all say the same thing: ‘He’s got a point.’ It’s a shame that white people are so afraid of black people. Black people are loving, gracious and peaceful for the most part.

We live in an amazing time these days. I’ve got white friends, black friends, asians, etc etc. Race for my generation isn’t too much of a big deal but it is for the people who grew up in the 60′s. Jeremiah Wright is one of those people. His views may seem radical but they are documented in more books by white Americans than black ministers.

Sean Hannity talks about the Black Church being racist. He says put white in the places where black was and it’d be racist. Unfortunately you can’t compare Apples To Oranges. White culture is transparent. Black culture was defined through the civil rights movement through liberation theology. Liberation theology is about being free. The old white pastors preached about lynching blacks because they were lower on the food chain. These are radically different views. Hannity knows nothing of liberation theology. Why didn’t the media malign Seinfeld for his ties with Michael Richards when he went on his racist rant? Because Seinfeld didn’t say them. Richards did. Most of these comments come from moments of anger, not true beliefs. It’s a way to win an argument, albeit, through a dirty, disgusting tactic.

Please support Obama because I have a window in his thinking. He’s angered by these comments because he doesn’t feel this way. I don’t either. This racial rhetoric is old news but it is still relevant in bringing America together. I believe metal can help bring America together and I believe we will help in that fight.

I do disagree with one thing Wright said. He said, ‘Hillary Clinton has never been called a Nigger!’ Well that’ s not true. I called her a nigger three weeks ago! HAHA! I’m a damn psychic! Get your fact straight Rev. Wright.

If Blabbermouth is going to spin this, spin it in a constructive way. This specific blog is important for me and I want people to read this with an open mind. Everyone should agree metal is a medium for dialogue. God Forbid has no problems with any race ’cause we all fall under the same flag of metal!

Rock On. Investigate for yourself.

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  • Fink

    Harping on race, by anyone – black, white, or otherwise – merely serves to strengthen racial divisions. I really think the conversation needs to move away from such polarizing discussion; granted, we cannot ignore race entirely, but I really don’t think it helps to have a black man preaching against white America, however right he may be.

    I really believe the discussion needs to move toward that of helping lower-income families by providing them with education, health-care, and other seemingly basic social services. It’s true that many African-Americans are not provided the same opportunities that many white Americans are afforded, but I think, particularly now, that this is a result of a less direct, more social and institutional racism that strives to keep wealth and opportunity in the hands of the already wealthy. The percentage of poor black Americans is far greater than that of white Americans, and we simply aren’t doing enough to bridge that gap. When the playing field is leveled and we provide chances for the less fortunate to move up in the world (as is supposedly so inherent in the American dream… what the hell happened?), I believe racism and racial divisions will follow suit (albeit slowly – I think any kind of massive social change like this is simply slow by nature).

  • http://www.metalsucks.net Kip Wingerschmidt

    Purple child of the 80s here — “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” rules, and so do you, Dallas.

    Entertaining and enlightening….thanks dude!

  • http://hookssobig.blogspot.com Wayne

    Good post, Dallas. Unfortunately, this is all just the customary important-issues-misused-as-mudslinging that we pay attention to as we aren’t noticing the Republicans rigging the whole machine. Would love to be wrong, but it’s a little too quiet in G.O.P.-land don’t you think? If you don’t hear Dubya mangling the English language, that might mean that the Grinch is taking the voting machines to, um, his..um, “Workshop” for, um, “repairs”.

  • Mike

    Interesting article, Dallas, but I think criticizing Obama for his ties to Jeremiah Wright is perfectly legitimate. One of Wright’s sermons claims that the United States government created AIDS to kill blacks among other things. The guy is a nut. I would like to know why Obama would continue to associate with this man. I am not religious and do not attend church but if I did I would leave it if the pastor spewed the same crap Wright did.

  • Matt

    The Jeremiah Wright thing won’t stick,just like everything else they’ve tried to throw at Obama. He took the necessary steps and rebuked his comments and severed him from his campaign. Problem solved. If McCain tries to bring this up, I hope Obama brings up Hagee’s hate speech.

    Much love. Happy St. Paddy’s

  • Dallas

    You should understand that many black people feel the HIV conspiracy is true. Why do they think it’s true? The question isn’t about his associations. It’s about the reaction to the rhetoric. True or not is not the point. The point is “white america’ (sean hannity’s of the world) fear black people. Why? Do you think Obama should be judged from his pastors views? I don’t.

    This is a conversation we must have. Metal is always ahead of the curve. We’re the chosen ones because we investigate what’s going on.

    Criticizing Obama for his ties to Wright is like criticizing Seinfeld for Michael Richards. But no one did. And the whole,’Seinfeld isn’t running for president’ doesn’t apply. This is about black and white, sadly. But Obama is a black and white man. He doesn’t see the world the way Wright does so the legitimacy is only in the reason for the smear. Obama has a value system that is good and true. Hes not an angry black american. Wright is.

    America needs to hear what the black community thinks. This is perfect for Obama because this directly supports his message. These lines exist and it’s time to obliterate them. McCain and Hillary can’t speak about the racial divisions in any substantial way because they don’t have the experiences.

  • Dallas

    America should be more worried about the country destroying itself from the inside out. Not the outside in. We are more dangerous to ourselves than Al Quaeda is to us.

    If there were a civil war right now, which is a real possibility, Iraq is fucked, we’re fucked. It may be time to go out and exercise the 2nd amendment for ourselves.

  • http://www.metalsucks.net Vince Neilstein

    @ Mike: criticizing Obama for his ties to Jeremiah Wright is most certainly not fair. Surely you don’t actually think that every friend of yours must hold the exact same views as you do. Hell, Axl and myself don’t agree on our opinions of every metal band and we run a fuckin’ metal site! Even if Axl isn’t a minister like Wright, I still think it’s unfair to say you have to believe / stand by everything your minister says.

  • Dallas

    Also, the most troubling disagreements bring out the best ways to solve a problem. And in America the race problem is so troubling for all of us. There are so many poor people in America. The race problem should be buried so we can help each other.

  • http://www.hibernum.net Hibernum
  • http://www.hibernum.net Hibernum

    P.S., I’m curious on your take on Hillary telling Barack he can be the V.P.

  • Dallas

    Hibernum, why send a link about the federal reserve from the federal reserve website? The Fed is in fact private. this has been since 1916 to my knowledge. JP Morgen, Rockefeller are two of the three families seeing this monopoly through.

    Ur feeding us BS from the site creating the BS.

    Woodrow Wilson gave a speech : This is part of it.

    “I am a most unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country. A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit. Our system of credit is concentrated. The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men. We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated Governments in the civilized world no longer a Government by free opinion, no longer a Government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a Government by the opinion and duress of a small group of dominant men.” -Woodrow Wilson, after signing the Federal Reserve into existence

  • Dallas

    I think Hillary is nothing but a smooth politician. I think it’s political suicide for Barack to run as her VP.

  • http://www.infowars.com Schultz

    Dallas. I am very proud to see you are doing your best to enlighten people to the truth. I am very aware of the Federal Reserve System and how the “Money Trust” gathered at Jekyll Island to create this sham against the American public back in the early 1900′s. It is very frustrating to see people’s eyes glaze over when I try to explain these facts to them and your efforts to create awareness about this grave situation within the metal community is very honorable and brave. Our country is in big trouble right now and our dollar is in serious danger of collapsing. This is not a conspiracy theory folks. The shit is real. Don’t believe Dallas… don’t believe me. Look it up for yourself. I hope some day soon we can share a beer and some ideas. I will be looking for you the next time God Forbid comes down to South Florida. Keep up the good fight brother!

    John Schultz (former CM gerbil)

    P.S. Did you know Osama’s wife is a member of the CFR???

  • http://www.infowars.com Schultz

    Whoops… I meant Obama. WTF?!

  • Sammy

    I don’t understand any of it. I just don’t fucking get racism. Or plain old bigotry. Assholes come in every color, every religion, every race, every country of origin. There are no bad races, just bad people, and they’re everywhere.

    And no one should be held accountable for what his fucking preachers says or believes. Talk about distracting from the true issues. Attack him/her on their politics, not what some crackpot preacher says. If I were condemned for everything anyone I know ever said that was moronic, I’d be dead by now.

  • Dallas

    If i ever run for office. My HIllary Clinton is a nigger line will get me in trouble. But i have the perfect answer… Well, isn’t she?

  • Tommy Toughtits

    I’m a white metalhead and although I’m very conservative, I can also say that I’m not one of the douchebag conservatives that doesn’t have an open mind or cares about a candidate’s ethnicity, religion, or gender. I would gladly vote for Condi Rice or Alan Keyes, but I just plain don’t agree with Obama on several key issues. He’s a fine man, very charismatic, and I certainly think there have been worse candidates–like John Kerry. I’m not going to vote for Obama, but I definitely won’t be upset to have him as my president.

    On a slightly different note, I am waaaay against affirmative action. People should be helped because they need it, not because they’re a different color.

  • Jon Croak

    Well done Dallas. I agree with you 100%. My political view are as moderate as they come. However the only candidate I see as heading in the right direction is Obama. I really can’t see myself supporting either Clinton or McCain. They just seem like they would contribute to the same old bullshit America is notorious for. We need to come together as a country, and the only way to do that is to break down the barriers of racial stigma. Of course, having a half black president would be a great start. It sickens me when people say shit like “If Obama wasn’t black he wouldn’t be getting all the votes. He’s the least qualified.” The first part is true, however I don’t see what’s wrong with that. Personally, I’m sick of america’s presidential history only consisting of old white guys (I’m white by the way). As for the 2nd part, Yeah… least qualified to fuck up the country more. Anyways…

    God Forbid is currently my favorite band, no doubt. Not only are you guys fucking amazing musicians, but I think it’s beautiful what you guys are doing for metal. I long for the day when there are more metal bands that are as racially diverse as GF so metal can no longer be typically considered “white people music”.

    I’m really looking forward to the next album. Keep up the good work man.

  • Pingback: Dallas Coyle on Race in America

  • http://www.sithomeandrot.com manny

    “Criticizing Obama for his ties to Wright is like criticizing Seinfeld for Michael Richards. ”

    Wrong. Seinfeld never came out and said Richards was his mentor and guiding light and helped show him the way. See how that is a world of difference? I do think it’s and issue. A BIG issue. I susptect most of you raised eyebrows when Bush or anyone else talks at Bob Jones University and yet won’t cast the same critical eye here. (which you should do in BOTH situations)
    Obama has flat out denied and condemned Wright. As far as I can tell he is telling the truth and nothing has seemed to suggest that he is a closet ‘troofer’ or something. However, that doesn’t mean the question shouldn’t have been asked in the first place.

    Also one side note, how about a little fact checking, Metal Sucks? Every major newspaper edits editorials that have factual inaccuracies. The Federal Reserve is NOT a solely private organization (it’s member banks are). It’s a NON-PROFIT semi-private entity (which means it’s also semi-public) and if you understoof why it was set up that way you would understand why it’s important. The quick and easy version is: being semi-private it is shielded from the 3 branches of the government in terms of being corruptable for politcal favors like you see in places like Venezuela, China etc. The ECB is set up the same exact way.
    I suppose if you want a bank system that works for a politician and not your 401(k) then have fun living in a cardboard box when you are 95 still working at McDonalds

  • http://www.coreymitchell.com Liquidman666

    @Manny: Are you as incensed about John McCain’s willing acceptance of Pastor John Hagee’s endorsement? You know, the religious figure who has called the Roman Catholic Church, a “false cult system,” an “apostate church” and a “great whore”?

  • Seth

    First let me say that overall, I think Dallas’ editorial was well written and interesting to read. Also, he made some good points and I respect him for feeling passionately about something and expressing his views in a forum such as this. That being said, I disagree with some of his sentiments.

    The Federal Reserve claim was a bit overstated. I’m not denying that there may be somebody benefitting financially from the actions of the FR; however, corruption such as this is inherent in any large beaurocracy. In almost any country around the world, corruption in the monetary system is far worse, and the semi-private system that the U.S. implements is far better than the alternatives, and for the most part, does avoid corruption.

    Also it should be noted that corruption has no race–it just happens that America was a country built by white European defectors after the essential eradication of the Native Americans (not cool, why don’t people ever talk about that?). White Americans are generally the folks that, if corruption exists, would be responsible for it in this country (as the country was built by the founding fathers, who are all white, etc). In a country that is predominantly black, or hispanic, or asian, who is responsible for the corruption there?

    It’s also not a “white” thing to want to stay rich…I find it hard to blame the 10% of the population for wanting to stay on top, and having the power to do so. I’m not saying its right, or ideal, but in any political system, this is the case. Communism was based on “equality for everybody” yet those in political power running the system held all the wealth and exploited it. A system where there is no rich controlling powers at the top is just not possible in a country the size of the US. Yea, maybe in Switzerland it works because a) every person, racially is exactly the same and b) the country is about 100th the size of the United States. Nobody talks about the fact that Switzerland has the toughest immigration policy in all of Europe, deporting anyone found to be illegal instantly (to become legal you must constantlyapply and reapply for temp status, pay taxes for 12 years, have no criminal record, and only then will you even be considered to become a “swiss” citizen).

    This sort of got off topic, but the point i’m trying to make is, oftentimes, the race argument, especially as it pertains to Obama and politics, ends up getting tied up in the shortcomings of America argument. Yes, there are many things that need to be improved, but alot of this energy is focused in the wrong places.

    Obligatory political loyalty explanation: I am undecided who I will vote for, although I hate Hillary and like Obama. If Obama gets the nomination, I will likely vote for him, but I need to do more research.

  • http://www.hibernum.net Hibernum

    Dallas,

    Your argument is typical of conspiracy theories in that it is inherently circular in nature. “Of course, that’s exactly what they want you to think”.

    When exactly did Woodrow Wilson make that statement? Was it before or after his stroke?

    I think these sorts of conspiracy theory statments seriously detract from the main thrust of your argument.

  • Dallas

    Who saw Barack Obamas speech? It said a lot about how my life is and what I see. If you haven’t check it out.

    As far as the Fed, I will never be convinced. The point is, Woodrow Wilson made a speech. His stroke had nothing to do with it. If he had a brain tumor you’d have a point.

  • dalenkwint

    I fear most people will simply never understand where any of this comes from. They are blind.

  • dalenkwint

    I mean I expect most of the “controversy” or, in other words, what the media outlets decide to repeat over and over all this week, will go away for the most part. Obama’s speech will make no difference to anyone in the end because I think many people are to ignorant to feel the meaning of it. I believe that a lot of what I heard from the speech doesn’t really need to be said out loud to be understood because it is basically right out in the open and easy to understand. I think many people just refuse to believe it.

    I’d like to see this whole thing backfire and end in his favor. I feel that is most likely anyway.

    One last thing off topic: Does anyone else get the urge to see Hillary get bitch slapped violently in the face to put an end to just one of her ugly fucking smirks?

  • http://www.sithomeandrot.com manny

    @ liquidman666: Yes I am as a matter of fact. I am generally opposed to the use of religious endoresements by candidates and when it comes to people like Hagee & Wright not being excoriated and ostracized for what is obvious imflammatory bullshit it makes me think less of a person who believes in them.

  • Dallas

    But people aren’t one thing at the same time. I’m sure a lot of us are guilty of saying inflammatory things out of anger but I don’t think a persons character should be judged on their political beliefs. I think you have to take into account the good they do for their friends, community and loved ones. Obviously Hagee and Wright can’t be considered evil, they just happen to be public figures who said some fucked up shit. Like Don Imus. Whatever,’Nappy Headed Hoes’ is still priceless.

  • http://www.hibernum.net Hibernum

    Dallas,

    Fair enough, you are free to believe what you wish about the Fed.

    I saw Obama’s speech. It was quite good. I think it was reminiscent of Kennedy speaking about his Catholicism in 1960, and it might become the signature moment of his campaign. Interesting to see the way the talking heads are spinning it, isn’t it?

  • Dallas

    It is very funny and it’s actually very predictable. Sean Hannity drummed this up to destroy Barack Obama but he’s done the complete opposite. This is Obamas issue and his alone. In 6 months many normal americans will have conversations with each other they never had because of this speech. I know anyone can ask me questions about being mulatto and not feel fear of doing so because of the reality put forth in his speech. This is good for america. And as far as Jeremiah Wright and Obama, I will never blame Obama for his associations because radicalism is at the heart of America. It goes to show that Obama can handle different views and move past them to get things done.

    At least now everyone knows he’s not a Muslim…