Are the pundits right? Do they think we really think that much about what everyone else thinks about the possibility of Barack Obama becoming the first African American president? I don't think so. But then again, I always thought "pundit" was a funny name for a job title. As a matter of fact, I think it's becoming less of an issue all the time. I'm here to tell you, believe it or not, that the fearless leader for racial equality at the top has become Fox TV. Yes, Fox. Hear me out before you click over to Harry Shearer. They've become the most progressive voice for social change in years. Yes, I still mean THAT Fox - the network & everything.
Last week was a big week on two fronts for black presidents both potentially and fictionally. Senator Obama announces one day that he hears the call and America sees the promos and tunes in to the new 24 for another season-long "day" of drama with a story about likely terrorists and unlikely LA travel times. Don't get me wrong, I love the show, but this year, I've found one of the more exciting revelations to be that the new POTUS is the African American brother of former African American President, David Palmer. (Remember how he was physically threatened in earlier seasons and assassinated last year in the shocking first episode because he was on the verge of exposing a massive White Wing conspiracy in the Nixonian Logan administration?) And now on "Day 6," it's two years later and the new President Palmer, Wayne, in a RFKesque role, is under incredible stress due to the barbaric Arabs who are terrorizing the subways and malls of America. Can he handle the pressure? Who's behind the bombing - really? Will Jack Bauer survive??? (fingers crossed).
What I find exciting as well is the realization that Fox has now green-lit TWO black presidents! And no one on the show seems to care. In the world of 24, Wayne Palmer is just another beleaguered president with too many leaks in his staff (stupid pun intended). I love the message the show sends. In the world of 24, black presidents ain't no big thing.
So why can't real life copy art? If 24 is popular with its heroic black leader, why couldn't a REAL heroic, ethnic politician go on to earn the ultimate power forward position? Maybe Fox is trying to tell us that if America accepts the "Palmers" then America will accept Obama -Damn the NAMES even sound similar! As I thought further, I started getting all warm n' fuzzy about Fox...Fox! Maybe we really shouldn't judge a book by it's cover and it's content!
I thought all of the above until something hit me last night. While Wayne Palmer seems like a good guy, he just doesn't seem "presidential", does he... young, tall, skinny, long neck... I know you're thinking Lincoln, and he was pretty okay, but it was just "something"... and that something had been bugging me since the mushroom cloud of hour four and I JUST COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. Then my own mushroom cloud hit (figuratively) over our bed (my wife did not wake up by the way, but trust me it was big). It hit me harder than Simon making fun of that guy with the eyes in Seattle. The real war is on! Boy, those guys at Fox are good. Stay with me. Like most good Americans I'm a conspiracy theorist. And here's the real deal. I believe Fox knew Obama was coming even before HE did. Fox has been setting this up for six years. They're scared of Obama, or any potential black president, and they're using 24 to prove their point.
While it seems like they're saying; "Hey, blacks can become president too." What they're really saying to America is; "Hey, elect a black man and somebody's gonna shoot him. Elect his brother, and the country is gonna get blowed up." (Yes, they're even going to talk like that to appeal to middle America). Sure white President Logan had terrorists last year, but he was also a "bad" guy. That doesn't count - he deserved terrorists.
No the real villains are the Fox guys...those bastards! If I had my own series that took place all in one day, I would make Fox executives the bad guys (unless of course I got it as a series deal on Fox). How about "them" apples! Am I right? Who's with me?!?
Okay, here's what I'm thinking now... I've changed my mind from the early paragraphs - it's time to take a stand. I'm calling for a "TiVo boycott" of 24 - yes, if you can't be home to watch it live, then tough luck - that's the sacrifice I'm asking of you. Please do NOT TiVo 24 until Fox inserts a scene with some major CTU character (Chloe for instance) saying to President Palmer; "You know Mr. President, America is not being terrorized because of your skin color." Bring it on Fox-y! Bring it on!
Think clearly America - Don't listen to Fox! Nukes or no nukes, if you like Palmer in '07, I think you're gonna love Obama in '08.