These images are viscerally offensive. But they were not created by those you would expect. The second photo appeared on the cover of a Georgia newspaper. The first illustration was created by a liberal, white blogger at Daily Kos named ONECITIZEN – trying to make a point. This is unsettling because I expect violent, angry, white racists to always fantasize about raping, torturing and possessing strong, black women. They will always twist their craving for sexual dominance into some kind of hollow-piped rhetoric trumpeting racial purity and white superiority.

But I expect more from people who call themselves allies. And I expect more from “legitimate” journalists and I condemn the choices of both images to illustrate important stories. I don’t believe the intent was to incite violence against Obama or his wife, but these are boneheaded choices sinking to the lowest, most incendiary perspective. Why not a photo of a hooded Klansman in the crosshairs? That would have actually made more sense since the article details how agents have infiltrated white supremacist groups. Maybe no one in crosshairs? There are smarter ways to make a point. But in no way would it ever be acceptable to put Barack Obama, a United States Senator poised to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for President of the United States, in the crosshairs of a rifle scope. Or to depict Michelle Obama being lynched. Never.

But the ‘Roswell Beacon’ is not alone in it’s offense. I get the feeling that they are tapping into.

It is also unacceptable for a national television news and radio host to speak of Michelle Obama and lynching parties.

It is also unacceptable for a national political figure to joke about Barack Obama ducking in fear as a gun is pointed at him.

Yes, I know what’s being said around the dinner table, at the bar and in the lunchroom. I’ve heard it, too.

“Someone’s gonna shoot him.”

“He’s going to get shot.”

I’ve heard this now dozens of times. I am surprised by how many times I’ve heard it and from the breadth of people I have heard it from. From older black ladies at the beauty parlor, to young activist people of color, from Wall Street professionals to conservative political pundits, a lot of people are saying it. I know you’ve heard it. Heck, you may have even said it. But what bothers me most is that it’s not said in a tone of defiant derision, but with a kind of agitated resignation.

Well I strongly disagree. I do not believe that Barack Obama will be shot or assassinated. I do not believe that evil will necessarily triumph over good. I am not naive, of course Barack Obama is a target, as were Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford. I also believe George Bush and Dick Cheney are targets, but what magazine or newspaper would put them on their covers in crosshairs or talk about lynching their wives?

I pretty much stick to nuts and bolts on this site. But I firmly believe in the power of visualization as a tool that guides outcomes. I for one refuse to accept that the worst possible outcome is the probable outcome. I believe there are more of us than there are of them. And by them I mean angry, violent, destroyers who use the issue of “race” to shroud their sociopathic lack of human empathy.

But it will take more than “happy thoughts” to have the country many of us believe in. There is little room on the sidelines now. Speak up when you see or hear something wrong. Pick up the phone and make a call. Send an email. Your voice, our voices must be heard. There are more of us than there are of them. Please remember that.

Hat Tip to Amani for letting me know about this.

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