Identity Politics Empty Symbolism: Putting Black Faces on Imperial Policies

GLEN FORD—The Emil Jones brand of Black politics is based on the assumption that African American aspirations are limited to a simple desire to see Black faces on display in high places, no matter the public policy content of that representation. It is as if emancipation of the slaves could be achieved by moving Ol’ Massa out of the Big House, and installing the Black butler in his place, while the conditions of life and labor in the fields remain unchanged. After all, the butler is one of “ours.” The slaves should be happy to experience a vicarious freedom, through their “son.” Further, it would be downright unfamily-like to pester our own kin about the need for forty acres and a mule per household.