There is a “prank” that has been making the rounds on the Internet. I thought twice about posting it 
because the whole concept of specifically choosing Black people in Harlem means that they were already had a stereotype in mind when they set foot on 125th Street. And we are talking about Howard Stern. In any event, I decided to post it because it has now gone from simply being an internet joke to making international news.
I received an email this morning from a journalist in France looking for “somebody to defend them.”
I’m curious to know your views about the “prank” and the potential outcome as it relates to the world’s view of Harlem residents in light of this “prank.”
Listen here [France24]
Related: Narmer posted a link to an ABC survey that blindly asks you to match your views with those of the candidates. See how well you do and report back.
creaminthecoffee
October 16, 2008
I’m not voting for him, not because he’s black, but because I feel like getting taxed 48% (Fed + NY State + NYC) is “patriotic” enough. I’m a small business owner that resides in Harlem. I employ people and incur risks that the average card carrying union member cannot fathom. I do it for the shot at making money (I think it used to be called the American Dream or something?). When you take more money out of the pockets of the folks in the $200k-$1million/year (I grew up in a poor household I know this is a lot of $ but these are bright hardworking people for the most part not the “evil” fortune 500 CEOs) you are cutting off your nose to spite your face. They employ wage earners, they also fill those empty store fronts referenced elsewhere on this site! They are willing to pay the 48% in taxes to live in the US and in a city like NY. However, raising the Federal rate, taking the combined rate over 50% and they start thinking about moving out of the city to at least alleviate the city tax burden. When they move they are no longer contributing to the tax base of a revitalizing Harlem. If you are a Harlemite who sees gentrification as nothing but a bad thing, you are justified in voting for the nice, educated man who has these as his policies. All the power to you, wanting to go back to Harlem circa 1975. Otherwise, you need to think twice about how much you now enjoy sipping latte’s while you blog using free Wi-Fi in a gentrified Harlem.
naomidagenbloom
October 15, 2008
With all the important issues we all face, I get very, very impatient with this sort of thing. Something that’s non-news becomes international? There are so many forms of racism and those who would tap into it that I’m amazed Obama is doing so very well.
Eye on the prize, people. Any of us belong to an American group–Jews, Italians,seniors, etcetera–that we wish were better educated. Didn’t our current president make white Protestants look dumb?
Last debate tonight. Another chance for this Harlem resident–that one, the white one, old lady–to admire her candidate and be amazed that the American dream is possible.
jonolan
October 14, 2008
Agreed, D.Bell. I have just personally seen and heard corroborating evidence to this implication. Worse, I’ve heard from people who I thought much better of.
Let’s be fair though – if you were Black, what would your thoughts be? Obama is their “first, best hope” for the Presidency.
And if refer back to a large percentage of the woman who staunchly support HRC…
D. Bell
October 14, 2008
When you make sweeping statements like all Black people are voting for him because he is black and not because they believe in the issues he support then you are setting up a line of attack. The last thing we want is for something like to this turn into personal attacks. Someone else brought up a good point, why didn’t they attend one of the Debate Parties to get people’s viewpoints? Sure some people would still be clueless but you would have a better pool to choose from. Reminder about comments:
http://uptownflavor.wordpress.com/?page_id=1545
jonolan
October 14, 2008
I live in BedStuy and my Black neighbors have bluntly said that they’re voting for Obama because he’s Black, and that they’re unconcerned about his policies. They’re primary concern is getting a Black man elected POTUS because of the good that they perceive it will do for their community outlook.
I’m assuming that they do like at least some of his policies though, so this wasn’t as hard of decision for them to make as it might have been.
In other words, it’s sad that Stern chose to do this because he would never do it in a compassionate manner – but the answers he received are indicative of the Black viewpoint.