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Was it Too Little, Too Late?
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Posted By:
anbenson at 04/11/2008 5:06:48 PM
Comment:
Everyone is quick to criticize Hillary. What about Obama's great supporters: Rev. Eric Lee and Rev. "Wright? Why should any Jew vote for Obama when it is obviously not in their best interest? -
Posted By:
branqua at 03/30/2008 11:48:26 PM
Comment:
I'm a black woman and if I had voted for Hillary after the Bosnia Lies, I would Literally throw up..Boy that lady is a pathological liar/// -
Posted By:
branqua at 03/30/2008 11:45:53 PM
Comment:
Is it too little to late for HILLARY's Bosnia Lies.. Why don't You talk about this in lieu of Rev Wright..Hillary her self told these fantastic lies... -
Posted By:
1ProudAmerican at 03/22/2008 4:09:27 PM
Comment:
THANK GOD I DON???T VOTE UNTIL MAY (NC). Had I already voted, I would be devastated! Until I learned the truth about Obama, I thought he might be a stand-up guy. The recent controversy with Obama???s lies and America learning of his 20-year relationship with his mentor, radical anti-American, Jeremiah Wright, could provide some SUPER-DELEGATES with a justification for ???disregarding the will of the people???: THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY DIDN???T KNOW ABOUT OBAMA???S LIABILITIES. I don???t think you can associate with anyone for 20 years and not be affected by his views and his sermons.
Obama lied about Pastor Wright, Farrakhan, the NAFTA Meeting, Exelon, Tony Rezko and William Ayers. What else is he hiding? He only told the truth AFTER he was caught. If Hillary wins more pledged delegates and more popular votes from here until the convention but does not fully make up her pledged-delegate deficit (a very likely outcome), she can argue that the liability of Wright makes Obama unacceptable and that voters have shown that. It???s a shame two states will not be counted. Actually, it???s disgraceful! H opefully, Obama???s lies won???t divide our country! He has already divided the Democratic Party. Hillary is the better candidate. -
Posted By:
cstanton at 03/20/2008 9:50:18 PM
Comment:
Um... tragically, you missed the point of Obama's speech if you think that white resentment is a polite term for white racism. The resentment may be misguided, but it certainly has a reason. It is difficult for white people, who have never actively participated in racism, to hear our black churches and leaders paint with such broad strokes about white racism. Just as it is difficult for us, as black Americans, to hear white people not recognize that because of social racism we have been disenfranchised. The bottom line is that we must come together and try to understand each other if we are to continue to heal the racial wounds of this country. The divisive tone of this article missed this message entirely. -
Posted By:
Ahalana at 03/20/2008 2:32:06 PM
Comment:
For all the 'hate' people of EVERY race seem to have of their own country, this country - AMERICA... I don't see anyone hurrying to leave. Let's face it. EVERYONE... yes, EVERYONE... has some ault with their country - the politics, the policies, the everything. Why? Because we can't have our way all the time... because when we can have our way, we get exploited (Like having free speech, but then not liking what others say). Spoiled beyond all belief, we Americans (ALL) of us are selfish and petty. But that is human nature, so guess what... we are all human, and thankfully not without our good points too.
It's no secret that minorities, especially those born here, tend to feel disenfranchised. Patriotism is something that has to be taught to a citizen. It must be a seen and active demonstration.
Regarding both the 'Speech' and Rev. Wright's comments, I am writing from a double-blind by choice. I believe actions speak louder than words 100% of the time. So I comment on what I know of the situation and my personal experience.
This election is really the first time ever that I've heard presidential candidates discussed over the pulpits. The black pulpits, that is. There is talk by the door or in the pew, but never any strong urge from the podium. In contrast, I have always heard racial rhetoric. Always the stark reminder of why you need to stay prayed up because once you finish your song and shout, the same trials will await you. To this I have listened to with but one ear. To hear and not to hear. Because listening too hard would less likely aid me in being productive on my job where I am most times the only black person. I've always taken it as a que for what to watch for so that I know when to call down heaven and stand up for right; also as a warning to keep myself from the barbs of my own stereotypical mannerisms.
I don't doubt that Rev. Wright has some controversial things to say. Black pastors in a failing community often have to shock the younger degrading generation out of their stupid. It is a last resort, but never one that works toward any good result. It's yeild is far less than what love might have gained.
I believe the minority scar needs to finally heal... and if one speech can start to apply the stingy ointment - Let it. African-Americans/Blacks are not the only ones that hurt... Native-Americans, Immigrants, Asian Americans, and others all have those same sorts of conversations... those same sorts of feeling carried forward from the past. It's time to talk about it.
Whether too little or too late or whatever... it is my hope that our youth do learn from this point in our country's history if they continue to make this land their home. Come together. We are finally starting the racial antibiotics. It won't be easy, but let's do it together. -
Posted By:
loveAmerica at 03/20/2008 12:20:08 PM
Comment:
No, it was not too Late. This is a Good Man that this country of ours needs. the Demos and that evil monster Hillary Clinton and her cohorts are crucifying OBAMA but he will arise. I am White and a Republican and i am voting for him and working for him, 81 yrs old is not stopping me. Josephine H. Jensen -
Posted By:
jimcat at 03/20/2008 6:30:35 AM
Comment:
Dawson's article is an excellent example of just the kind of divisive racial thinking that Obama is trying to address and defuse. Even the author himself recognizes this. Dawson says: "If I'm wrong, and I could be, then the nation may be ready to move forward on race, or at least put race aside and tackle the issues that affect working and middle class people of all races."
YES, MR. DAWSON, YOU ARE WRONG. The best thing you can do is to stop fueling black/white tension and start working towards black/white reconciliation, as Obama is doing.
Obama honestly wants to mend the rift between the races in this country, and anyone who is going to do that has to get both white and black Americans on his side. His speech was forged from a realistic and pragmatic understanding. You can't get the black community behind you without acknowledging the injustices done to them, but if you do that, you will lose the white community unless you legitimize the pain that they have also felt as a result of the racial divide. Obama speaks on behalf of every white person who has ever crusaded for racial justice -- and there are many of us. All we ask is acknowledgement that we are part of the solution, not part of the problem.
Obama's speech has caused me to support his campaign even more strongly, because I think he hit the nail on the head with regard to the biggest problems of race relations in America, and what to do about them. Whites have to stop acting as though racism is a solved problem, and blacks have to stop acting as though the entire white population of America is their oppressor. -
Posted By:
preszdisrac at 03/20/2008 12:41:01 AM
Comment:
So scholars just "know" that "white racial resentment is really just a more polite label for white racism"? What scholars?? This is one of the most intellectually lazy things I've read in a long time. I can't believe slate.com is linking to this crap. -
Posted By:
obama4president at 03/19/2008 11:43:38 PM
Comment:
First of all, I am a diehard Obama supporter, campaign donor etc. etc. I think he's the best candidate for any political office I've seen in my lifetime. I want him to win to really badly and will be devastated if he's swiftboated by either the Clintons or the Republicans.
Unfortunately, such articles by "supporters" like Michael Dawson don't really help Obama's cause. For a professor at an elite institution he's ill at ease with logic. To wit, according to him, anyone who does not support reverse discrimination (a/k/a affirmative action) is obviously a white racist (I guess, many Asians, Latinos and even blacks would be included in this group). He then proceeds to explain racial gaps in achievement purely as being due to ...white supremacy. How did white supremacy arise in the first place, then? (I'm aware that Obama said it too, but as a politician, he's simply not allowed to anything else publicly). Then Dawson blames white liberals from walking away from militant Black Power movements. What were they supposed to do, stick around despite being made to feel unwelcome in a "black" movement?
With so much blame emanating from even the supposedly enlightened black intellectual class, is it any wonder the rest of America is concerned about Obama's association with his pastor, who delivers essentially the same message, only with more animation? I'm not saying America SHOULD be concerned by Obama's associates, only that such sermons and writings, which reek of a major victimhood complex, do not help his cause. Such statements have, and will, be mercilessly exploited by Obama's foes. Or perhaps this is what Rev. Wright and Dr. Dawson desire, whether consciously or not - to have the best (black) presidential candidate ever succumb to racial issues so that they can claim to victims of white racism forever? -
Posted By:
David Forrest at 03/19/2008 11:24:03 PM
Comment:
What black people don't understand about race and racism in America.
It seems to be beyond question among black people, even to Obama, that wariness of young black men on city streets is nothing more than racism, pure and simple. Further, there's a simpler equation at work in Dawson's article: white racial resentment is racism.
I disagree and argue that Dawson fundamentally fails to understand the white experience, and needs a more complex and nuanced picture of race relations in America.
The many, real, and serious, wounds which white people inflict on blacks are largely invisible to whites who aren't actively engaged in them. As most of us don't hire people, approve loans, or admit students to college, we don't even get to make the choices that blacks rightly decry. Most of us are pretty careful to be polite to black people we meet, but otherwise feel pretty powerless to affect the system we live in. If "white institutions support the ghetto", well, those institutions are largely beyond our individual control.
On the other, the injuries that black people inflict on whites are generally individual, personal, and extremely visible to us. Let me take my own family as an example. In 1974, my mother was raped by a black man who talked his way into our house with a story about being a community organizer. (He was never caught.) In 1994, my brother's apartment was robbed, twice, by black teenagers who lived in his building (they were caught the second time with his possessions). In 1996, one of my friends from graduate school was shot to death by a group of black teenagers who had just taken his wallet. (They were caught at the scene.)
These experiences are real and serious wounds inflicted on us (my family) by black people.
I understand fully that these particular black criminals did not intend to take on a role as representatives of the black community. I also understand that many blacks have been victimized by white criminals, and I don't intend to equate our suffering to that of others who have surely suffered more.
But I do insist that these things happened, they hurt us, and they matter. If Dawson (and Obama) can't understand that blacks can be responsible for injuries to whites, and that whites take these injuries into account in certain situations, then they are claiming that none of this happened. That black crime doesn't matter (or worse, that it matters only insofar as it results in black incarceration). And that, in the end, that it's ok for themselves, as scholars and thinkers about race, to fundamentally misunderstand race in america. -
Posted By:
gamer-chick at 03/19/2008 10:24:09 PM
Comment:
I stopped reading this article after the first paragraph. Are you going to be the firt commentator to once again stop an honest conversation about race. White resentment is just that white resentment. If black rage is real then why isn't white resentment real? I'm black with the same racial makeup as Barack. I live in NC and week after week I see black men kill white people, black people, latino people, arab people and asian people in absolutely staggering numbers. The rate at which the crime is commited compared to the actual percentage of the population black men make up of the community is outrageous. You know what, I resent the hell out of the fact that black youths are the majority of violent crime offenders in my area and seemingly in every urban area. If someone is white and they say that are they racist or honest? Am I racist too becuase my mom is white. Give me a break. If you don't feel that white people can see your point of view or motivations then don't pretend to know white peoples motivations. -
Posted By:
TriciaNC at 03/19/2008 9:23:14 PM
Comment:
It's NOT about race.
IT'S A HATING AMERICA ISSUE.
He managed to turn this around to try to manipulate us into being ashamed:white guilt. Well, shame on you, Sir.
The most brilliant thing he did is that he turned it to race instead of what it really is about: ANTI-AMERICANISM.
This idea that Obama has no responsibility and accountablility is ridiculous. He is running for the most powerful position in the world, my President.
My President doesn't justify, nor promote persons who rant "God damn America" and still enjoy its privileges.
My President doesn't accept disrespectfulness towards a past President by his Reverend gyrating their private parts for the entire congregation (in front of children?????).
My President doesn't accept mocking of the National anthem with words of racism, hatred, and Anti-Americanism.
My President doesn't participate in an organization that fosters beliefs that the government created AIDS to eradicate a particular ethnic group. Or that we distributed drugs to try to keep them down.
Their 12 point black value system (coincidentally no longer on the church's website):
???Those so identified as [sic] separated from the rest of the people by:
"Killing them off directly, and/or fostering a social system that encourages them to kill off one another.
My President doesn't pledge to an organization which requires of him to put his race and to promote them above all others. This is against the premise that "all men are created equal."
My President doesn't try to justify our great country being called the US of KKKA.
My President, never, ever, under any circumstance tolerates someone saying, 5 days after 9/11, when 3,000 of our citizens gave their lives, that we were responsible for it and brought it on ourselves.
This forever taints his character and judgement, having no place in our White House as it also serves to diminish all that we have accomplished and sacrificed for throughout the world.
I am very angRY and sadly disheartened as he could have made history but just like most catastrophes in history such as the 9/11 citizens lost that he dishonors, this is unexcuseable and will not be forgotten.
Someone who wants to be OUR President, doesn't tolerate any of this atrocious, unpatriotic, ANTI-AMERICAN behavior from anyone, at any time, period..no ifs, ands or but he's like a crusty, old Uncle
Remember that famous quip: "It's the Economy , Stupid."?
IT'S THE ANTI-AMERICANISM, OBAMA! -
Posted By:
TriciaNC at 03/19/2008 9:20:51 PM
Comment:
It's NOT about race. It's a hating America issue.
Why does Obama even think it's about race?
I think he desperately wants it to be and HE IS MAKING IT A RACE ISSUE to ignore the real horrendous truth: IT'S A HATING AMERICA ISSUE. He managed to turn this around to try to manipulate us into being ashamed: white guilt.
Well, shame on you, Sir.
The most brilliant thing he did is that he turned it to race instead of what it really is about: ANTI-AMERICANISM.
This idea that Obama has no responsibility and accountablility is ridiculous. He is running for the most powerful position in the world, my President.
My President doesn't justify, nor promote persons who rant "God damn America" and still enjoy its privileges.
My President doesn't accept disrespectfulness towards a past President by his Reverend gyrating their private parts for the entire congregation (in front of children?????).
My President doesn't accept mocking of the National anthem with words of racism, hatred, and Anti-Americanism.
My President doesn't participate in an organization that fosters beliefs that the government created AIDS to eradicate a particular ethnic group. Or that we distributed drugs to try to keep them down.
Their 12 point black value system (coincidentally no longer on the church's website):
???Those so identified as [sic] separated from the rest of the people by:
"Killing them off directly, and/or fostering a social system that encourages them to kill off one another.
My President doesn't pledge to an organization which requires of him to put his race and to promote them above all others. This is against the premise that "all men are created equal."
My President doesn't try to justify our great country being called the US of KKKA.
My President, never, ever, under any circumstance tolerates someone saying, 5 days after 9/11, when 3,000 of our citizens gave their lives, that we were responsible for it and brought it on ourselves.
This forever taints his character and judgement, having no place in our White House as it also serves to diminish all that we have accomplished and sacrificed for throughout the world.
I am very angry and sadly disheartened as he could have made history but just like some catastrophes in history such as the 9/11 citizens lost that he dishonors, this is unexcuseable and will not be forgotten.
Someone who wants to be OUR President, doesn't tolerate any of this atrocious, unpatriotic, ANTI-AMERICAN behavior from anyone, at any time, period..no ifs, ands or but he's like a crusty, old Uncle
Remember that famous quip: "It's the Economy , Stupid."?
IT'S THE ANTI-AMERICANISM, STUPID! -
Posted By:
bossacucanova at 03/19/2008 8:23:09 PM
Comment:
I thought Sen. Barack Obama did an excellent job yesterday with his speech on race. It made me proud. But, I was and continue to be angered by any necessity on the Senator???s part to address the issue; this bogeyman, called race, who continues to tap America on the shoulder.
It angered me that the Senator had to answer for someone else???s words. But I understand that he had no choice since he had been sucked into the maelstrom of Rev. Jeremiah Wright???s pulp. I must say it bothered me to see a person of color explaining themselves to the masses. To some it may have been salve, to others it was an Ivy League a tap dance routine.
I, too, have seen the footage of Rev. Wright caught up in the spirit. And while he certainly went over the top, I said to myself that it was nothing, in substance, I haven???t heard before from the pulpit of God-fearing, born-again, Spirit filled, socially conservative, intelligent Black preachers. Walk into any Black church across the land, and sooner or later the dynamic of Rev. Wright will play itself out. Since the Senator???s speech, I have spoken with other blacks, who felt the same as I did. Not one was shocked by Rev. Wright, but neither did any one fully agree with him.
I was proud of the Senator, which for me is saying a lot, because I think too many politicians and most crooks come from the same cloth. The exception is that politicians are cut from the frayed edges of the cloth. I was most proud of the Senator for distancing himself, but not disowning the man. He would have lost the respect of a people and been viewed as less than a man.
There are those who are going to try and curdle as much blood out of this controversy as they possibly can. Unfortunately, that???s to be expected. Indeed, there are some among us whose existence is worth less than a warm bowl of spit. That said, let???s move on, and back, to 1903 and the words of W.E.B. Du Bois in ???The Souls of Black Folk???, in which he wrote: ??????the problem of the Twentieth Century is the problem of the color-line.???
Yesterday, March 18, 2008, eight years into the 21st Century, we again watched as a person of color walked that same, well-defined, all-too-trodden, color line. Will we ever learn?
### -
Posted By:
Andrew Patner at 03/19/2008 6:52:29 PM
Comment:
A different view of Obama and Hyde Park than that referred to in Salon.com:
http://viewfromhere.typepad.com -
Posted By:
George at 03/19/2008 6:04:50 PM
Comment:
Good grief man....I completely agree with your title, but disagree with everything that followed. It is the same old issue...taking responsibility. He would truly be a giant among men if he had given this speech to respond to accounts that Hillary's pastro had made racist comments, and that she sat through them, over and over again, and even brought him on as an advisor...that would be statesmanship. This is purely self-serving rhetoris, all the more distatsteful because much of what he said is ture, but those who those words might be meant for are mostly aghast at his yes audacity.
Imagine Eliot Spitzer on the podium, using the opportunity to make a landmark speech against the sexual exploitation of women. That would have played equally well. But Obama, well, he just gets another free ride form an astoundingly out of touch media. Not one commentator outside of Fox indicated utter revulsion at his willingness to throw his GRANDMOTHER overboard just to save his sorry hypocritical ass. One thing is for sure, every single superdelegate knows that the Republicans will slice and dice him when the time comes..they will take no prisoners...so we can guess how they will vote. -
Posted By:
universe42 at 03/19/2008 5:47:33 PM
Comment:
Only the right wing media circus would accuse Obama of being the scary Asiatic Black Man that wants to round whites up and burn them at the stake. Come on, did I just walk into a reality where old white ladies clinch their purses when they see Tiger Woods walking down the street? F no I didnt. I would never question Obama's blackness as it isnt my place but one thing I know he isnt, and you can scour through 2 years of extensive media scrutiny to credit this point, he is NOT the disenfranchised angry militant Black man these morons are trying to portray him as, no matter how hard they try.
Obama is one of the most optimistic, racially neutral, uplifting figures in modern history. That in itself offers promise and hope to those intelligent enough to see it. -
Posted By:
dm at 03/19/2008 5:46:34 PM
Comment:
PatrickMay--I take issue with the following point you made: "...ask yourself if it would be acceptable for a white candidate to attend Klan meetings for 20 years..." I think over exaggerations like this is what leads to divisiveness. I understand what you were trying to get at but PLEASE do not compare the Rev. Wright (one man) with the organization that is the KKK. The Klan did a lot more than incite people along color lines; they murdered numerous African Americans and non African American Civil Rights supporters in often horrific, ritualistic ways and thrived on terrorizing families and entire neighborhoods. Your charge is inaccurate and does nothing to further the point you are trying to make. -
Posted By:
universe42 at 03/19/2008 5:45:18 PM
Comment:
only the right wing media circus would accuse Obama of being the scary Asiatic Black Man that wants to round whites up and burn them at the stake. Come on, did I just walk into a reality where old white ladies clinch their purses when they see Tiger Woods walking down the street? F no I didnt. I would never question Obama's blackness as it isnt my place but one thing I know he isnt, and you can scour through 2 years of extensive media scrutiny to credit this point, he is NOT the disenfranchised angry militant Black man these morons are trying to portray him as, no matter how hard they try.
Obama is one of the most optimistic, racially neutral, uplifting figures in modern history. That in itself offers promise and hope to those intelligent enough to see it. -
Posted By:
amberalicia at 03/19/2008 5:28:14 PM
Comment:
You just dont get it do you!! Mr Obama is running for president not Pastor Wright!Just Listen to the man and let your predisposed bias go rest for a momment so that you can understand what this man is trying to do.We will never have a chance to heal if people like you or so negative.THINGS ARE ONLY IMPOSSIBLE UNTILL THEY'RE NOT!! -
Posted By:
Jacksoniandem73 at 03/19/2008 5:21:57 PM
Comment:
Monday Marc 17th, Obama said He never heard any contoversial remarks...that chnaged in his speech yesterday. WORDS MATTER -
Posted By:
mjkoch at 03/19/2008 5:21:54 PM
Comment:
If my rabbi delivered vile, hate filled sermons against Black Americans I would let him know that I disagreed and that if the sermons continued I could not remain a member of the synagogue. God is not present at only one house of worship and if the minister, priest, rabbi, or imam would deliver hate filled sermons against Blacks, Whites, Jews, Gays, Asians, Hispanics or any other group the congregation has the responsibility to remove that religious leader from the pulpit, and if that is not possible, the member of that temple, church, mosque, or synagogue should voice their displeasure by finding another place to pray. When we sit silently and allow the leaders of our religious institutions to broadcast hate we demean and debase ourselves. -
Posted By:
Stephen at 03/19/2008 5:03:22 PM
Comment:
This country has gone through a worm hole in the last 80 days. No one could have predicted the current scenario before the Iowa caucus. The man and the reaction to the man defies linear time and space. Late and little are not proper terms for the distance traversed in this country over the last 80 days. In fact, we have arrived in an after Obama (AB) world from a before Obama (BA) world. Reverend Wright is BA, not that we don't have a lot of work to do in the promised land. -
Posted By:
naive at 03/19/2008 4:47:31 PM
Comment:
It is never too late to speak up on the race issue. His speech and delivery is one the best. However, it still failed to explain why it took him so long to speak up. If his grandmother was in the audience that day what would he have done!? Would she feel more comfortable about a black person from what she heard? Would he be doing something more than generalize the problem?
South Chicago is a convenient political lauching pad for him but it cal also be an political albatross. -
Posted By:
sandiegowryter at 03/19/2008 4:29:57 PM
Comment:
Actually, it was just in time for me. i am a Clinton voter all the way and I was annoyed by all the accusations of racism by Obama supporters and by the presentation of Obama as so saintly.
I was very touched and moved by this speech and am very impressed by Obama's capacity to reach out in this moment of crisis for his campaign. If he is our candidate, I will vote for him with confidence. -
Posted By:
naive at 03/19/2008 4:26:10 PM
Comment:
His repudiation of the words used by Rev. Wright is now a political must, but his long association with the Rev. Wright' and his church was not satisfactorily explained. It is hard to believe that this just happened once in 20 years while he is not in attendance. And it is not clear whether he had done something directly to change these views harbored by the reverend or the congregation. Has he done something like this in his church? Or has he just been 'present'.
If he is a leader of 'Change', he needs to show more. Clear the air more and be the next President. -
Posted By:
ttf at 03/19/2008 4:12:44 PM
Comment:
"...white racial resentment (which scholars know is really just a more polite label for white racism)..."
Well, always trust a scholar to call a fig a tulip. Are you saying that racist comments I've had to deal with, such as "supercool white dude" when ignoring a panhandler, or the black guy who punched my brother in the face on the New York subway because he didn't move over in his seat fast enough shouldn't create resentment? That if it does this resentment is actually racism?
If you want to tell me what you're thinking, that's fine. But when you cross the line and tell me that you know what I'm thinking and why, as though you're more of an expert on my motives than I am - THAT'S racism! -
Posted By:
inbetweenhomes at 03/19/2008 4:04:01 PM
Comment:
Michael Dawson, sitting in his endowed chair in the hallowed halls of academe, wants to oversimplify "white resentment" as purely "white racism." Rich. I'm sure the heart of poor white boy from Appalachia is touched by Dawson's deprivation. Until the likes of Dawson recognize that class issues are as critical today as race matters, and that race in America is no longer about the binary opposition of "black vs. white," then Obama's speech will no be "too little, too late" but "too nuanced, too son." Too bad the people who hold endowed chairs can't grasp the complexities of the 21st century. Perhaps a brush-up course in freshman logic is called for. -
Posted By:
csiddiq at 03/19/2008 3:46:01 PM
Comment:
Nice article. It states clearly the challenge of trying to stay true to who you are as a black person and trying to bridge the divide into white america. I think many whites lose sight of the fact that blacks have been the most oppressed and rejected group in America since its beginning. We're even spate upon by new immigrants- white, asian and even african. Even though I thought Obama gave an important speech, it was still pandering- attempting to equate white racism with black bitterness and resentment. The "reverse discrimination" claim is a sham. The most qualified whites will do perfectly well in America. Not always so for the most qualified blacks. Especially for those who identify and carry themselves in a way that is common to the masses of black people. I also didn't care for his "shocking ignorance" phrase. In some respects it seemed as though he were merely an observer of the black ethos, but not really a part of it. As though he's a scientist trying to fully understand the culture. I don't believe that is how he feels really, but he was attempting to paint that picture- "In it, but not of it." But even being near it will be too much for many whites who remain on the fence. On the other hand, it seems that there should be some kind of boundaries in vetting a candidate. Picking on someone's church should be out of bounds. And even though Mitt Romney received some heat, controversial texts from the Book of Mormon or speeches from any Mormon priest that he may have been affiliated with never surfaced. It would have been very easy to pick controversial things from the Book of Mormon and ask Mitt to state how he feels about those phrases. But if a black person comes from a church that exalts blacks, or espouses anything controversial...we've got a serious problem. So even though he speaks of everyone coming together, its not going to happen. "Integrated" public schools is what coming together looks like. -
Posted By:
mjkoch at 03/19/2008 3:39:29 PM
Comment:
Hillary will not get the nomination. It is clear after Obama's speech yesterday and the more than two million downloads on YouTube of that speech that he has touched people in a way no other politician has since John Kennedy did in 1960 and his brother Robert did in 1968. The number of young people that are joining the political process because of Obama is staggering. The commentators like to speak about the Black vote but he is not winning States such as Minnesota, Washington, North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska and Wyoming because of any Black votes. He has clearly tapped into a deep yearning for change in the American people and for a leader to bring the country together. If you hate the Republicans then I guess you are going to vote for the revenge minded candidate, Hillary Clinton, but what both both Clinton's have failed to understand is that America wants to get beyond the politics of divisiveness, polarization and demonizing those who don't agree with our particular point of view. Obama's message is the message of hope and a new way of getting the nations business accomplished without angry and nasty partisanship. -
Posted By:
parker at 03/19/2008 2:59:01 PM
Comment:
As a white, liberal feminist who voted for and intends to continue supporting Obama, I found his speech to be fantastic. His candor and sincerity in describing his experience with race were moving. I can't imagine that anyone would really think that racism has been eradicated. While Rev. Wright has made some controversial comments, I just don't understand how anyone could place responsibility for those comments on Obama's shoulders. I think it's ridiculous that anyone would demand that he renounce his spiritual mentor and long-time friend. I'm shocked that so many of my peers are so upset about this. If these men were white, I don't think they would be so outraged. -
Posted By:
Adam SC at 03/19/2008 2:58:30 PM
Comment:
Wow. What a small minded little article. I think history is going to prove most of Mr. Dawson's poorly conceived points incorrect.
Obama 08! -
Posted By:
Adam SC at 03/19/2008 2:57:17 PM
Comment:
Wow. What a poor article. I think history is going to prove most of Mr. Dawson's points wrong.
Obama 08! -
Posted By:
jazflutesmith at 03/19/2008 2:55:17 PM
Comment:
He will do fine. -
Posted By:
BrianCooper at 03/19/2008 2:51:14 PM
Comment:
An interesting article-- I especially like the section describing the mainstream Black America's complicated relationship with more radical elements.
I don't think the religious element should be overlooked. Anyone who has read long passages of the Bible (rather thanisolated verses) will note the theme of antagonism toward temporal power. And I'm not just talking about Jesus's sassy comments to Pilate and the Pharisees. In the Old Testament, prophets frequently rail against the Kings of Israel, good and bad, for their shortcomings. Maybe Pastor Wright went too far, but Pastors aren't politicians, and should be expected to be a little "out there" in one way or another. I can understand why Obama didn't make any such points in his speech, but for me it resonates with what you say. -
Posted By:
Houston Texas at 03/19/2008 2:44:14 PM
Comment:
If Obama was a white man he never would have made it past Iowa with such a light resume. A woman of any race and he wouldnt have even made it to Iowa. All GF was stating is that the main stream media is afriad to make him answer questions for fear of being called racist.
Funny, I know where Clinton stands on all issues. I know where McCain stands on all issues. I have no idea where Obama stands on most issues except he is hoping for change. He hasnt mentioned how that will occur. I guess wishing makes it so.If Obama was a white man he never would have made it past Iowa with such a light resume. A woman of any race and he wouldnt have even made it to Iowa. All GF was stating is that the main stream media is afriad to make him answer questions for fear of being called racist. -
Posted By:
antigoglin at 03/19/2008 1:58:14 PM
Comment:
Ok. Let's say you are right. What should have Obama done? -
Posted By:
antigoglin at 03/19/2008 1:57:39 PM
Comment:
OK, so what should have Obama done? -
Posted By:
journie at 03/19/2008 1:50:54 PM
Comment:
When did Obama become responsible for his Pastor's views. He goes to church for spiritual growth. Obama's Pastor is not a mind controller. Obama is not an idiot. I am amazed how so many people believe that just because Obama's half African-American that he can't think for himself. How can he be a racist? That would mean he would have to hate himself. Many Caucasians people get their underwear in a bunch thinking they might have to face the race issue. Caucasians can't challenge us they can only say "If someone is pro-black they must be anti-white." I don't agree with everything Pastor Wright said and believe that most of what I heard could be heard in any Barber shop. So what happens then Obama should stop getting haircuts if the people in Barber shop supports him. Obama is his own man, stop looking for a problem and listen to the solutions. -
Posted By:
chuck at 03/19/2008 1:31:02 PM
Comment:
I think that Obama has problems that can't be easily solved by his speech. However, I think your article, quite disingenuously, biases those problems away from those that the black community is creating for him. There is a lens through which he is supposed to "see" racial issues and a coded language that he must use in order to maintain support in the black community. These straightjackets help to rationalize the negative urban legends in the black community that we compulsively cling to despite the march of history.
Start with white racial resentment being a nice word for white racism. Does that mean that black racial resentment can NEVER be racism? I doubt it. Or using his grandmother to prove a point. Why is it the only time he discussed his white family publically is when he is tossing them under the bus, using them as rhetorical foils instead of people. (I would have felt better if he gave her the same deference he gave Rev. Wright).
Is arguement that he can't reject Wright anymore than he could reject the black communit is a patent rationalization that really means, "I can't reject Wright without losing black voters I need to win" No profile in courage here.I have heard white politicians use the same language to coddle rednecks in THEIR coalitions, arguing that their historic privations make such responses a part of their "struggle".
FInally, you end by saying that a black politician can't belected to national office unless he is politically whiter invalidates most of what Obama was striving for in his speech! You are basically saying that black politicians have to rationalize or embrace some of the nuttier, exclusionary, resentful and paranoid ideas in the black community or be thought of as being politically traitorous/white. He doesn't need to worry about white swift-boaters when he has black ones (his allies??) that will do it for him.
Finally, the black community has lots of privations grievances and issues that need to be resolved to bring us towards full parity. It is simply not credible to say in a majority white country where we have blacks incorporated totally into the mainstream from music and sports to business and politics. When America has a significant black middle class as well as black bank presidents, CEOs, doctors, scientists, Secretaries of State, Joint Chiefs of Staff, viable presidential candidates, etc etc, etc to say that we are rushing towards racial disaster. I'm African-American, but when a white guy says to me "Yeah, there still are racial inequities, but the Secretary of State is a black woman, so how bad can it be?" I have to admit he has a point!
PS
In defense of Obama's grandmother, I have heard some anti-white or anti-Hispanic things come out of my relative's mouths too. As for being afraid of some black men, I've heard jess Jackson say that too, not to mention some of my relatives too. -
Posted By:
1nine at 03/19/2008 1:26:38 PM
Comment:
The media plays a extremely significant role in this election. Most people will not listen to the actual speech just like most people will not listen to Jeremiah's entire sermon. The media will summarize and simplify the speech. Even when this is done with good intentions, when it comes to the issue of race in America, it has a negative impact on the one speaking. Your article, and I fear most of the media's coverage, will be no different. People will read and watch summaries and brief commentaries to form their personal opinions. I think discussion is vital to America's recovery from its racist past, but the media best stay out of it, or recovery will never come. There is just too much "he said/she said" with media coverage and THIS issue can not be dealt with in that way. I cringe to see the 4-5 word headlines on the speech....just draining it of what it was. -
Posted By:
cosmicthunder at 03/19/2008 1:21:50 PM
Comment:
hollywoodactor28 espouses the familiar and miopic position of 'reverse discrimination/racism' failing to grasp that views such as those expressed by Reverend Wright and others in the Black community, are the effect of centuries of systematic and crushing white oppression/racism toward Black people-still prevalent, tough subtler. As Obama courageously put it, 'he cannot disown Reverend Wrighte or the Black community, no more than he can disown his white grandparents. Perhaps we should also ask that every white leader either in government, industry or academia to disown these among them with equally disturbing views about the Black community and the Black world in general. Obama is not guilty by association; exactly because he has been exposed to these kinds of views makes it commendable that he is spousing a philosophy of reconciliation and unity. By taking the path that he has taken proves that he has not internalized or accepted these views, while respecting and appreciating the good in those, whose life experience has rendered them wounded and bitter. This is indeed a unique time in America and it will be very sad indeed if it fails to grasp it, yielding to the thinly disguised dark forces of prejudice which have made Reverend Wright an issue. I hope men and women of reason will have the last say. -
Posted By:
Leslie Kratz at 03/19/2008 12:58:33 PM
Comment:
I just finished reading the complete transcript of Barack Obama???s speech he gave yesterday
regarding Race, Gender and Democracy. I viewed the speech twice yesterday???once live as he gave it??? and a second time yesterday evening on YouTube.
I am deeply moved by his words, his integrity, his passion and his compassion for humans, of all race, sex and cultural heritages. It was a powerful, moving speech. What struck me most??? was his honesty. I was left with a deep sense of hope for the future and and an empowering and energizing feeling that??? FINALLY??? people (in this case Barack) are addressing the REAL CHALLENGES??? THE REAL ISSUES ??? Humanity faces.
Barack Obama shared his true spirit and soul with the American people??? within this speech. I hope that he continues to move from this space forward??? dumps the managed political marketing messages and allows us to continue to know and connect with his true spirit and soul. I was left with a strong sense of hope???
???We must accept life for what it actually is??? a challenge to our quality without which we shall never know what stuff we are made, or grow to our full stature.??? Robert Louis Stevenson.
Too Little Too Late? How could that be... No other political candidate has had any where near the courage, commitment or brevity to address this issue in real and human terms? -
Posted By:
cosmicthunder at 03/19/2008 12:54:10 PM
Comment:
I hope not! I hope the people whose minds Obama has opened remain steadyfast. I also hope they vote in greater numbers in November; than those he has not persuaded, should he be the nominee. Deep Sigh! Heavy Heart! -
Posted By:
Mack10 at 03/19/2008 12:49:20 PM
Comment:
I don???t think "the writer" understands how COMMON Jeremiah???s comments are within the Black Community. If you were to say, ???I cannot associate with people who know people who view the world that way, you may as well give up all relationships you have with all African Americans.
This article seems to be at best just a viscerally negative reaction to a topic this ???writer??? clearly does not understand. Those of you who reject the Obama???s speech as "Too little Too Late" should know Jeremiah Wright's comments ARE NOT Obama???s comments. Obama does not owe anyone an explanation for Jeremiah Wright???s comments. Also know that the sentiment given by Jeremiah Wright ARE NOT UNCOMMON in the African American experience. So when it is said "Jeremiah is a SCUMBAG(John 55)" what you have really said is the African American experience and perspective is Invalid.
This was not a just a Political speech. This article however, article is unhelpful and unfortunate. By all means, be outraged at what Jeremiah Wright said, however if your angered at Obama you have only trapped yourself. -
Posted By:
tom praska at 03/19/2008 12:43:17 PM
Comment:
"...which scholars know is really just a more polite label for white racism." The person who said this, or thinks it, is a racist.
Tom Praska -
Posted By:
shot1me at 03/19/2008 12:23:03 PM
Comment:
Why must we always punch holes in admirable efforts? Obama's speech wasn't perfect. Big surprise! But it was the most serious, comprehensive and public assesment of race relations in America I've heard in some time. The idea that it failed because it didn't enumerate all of the wrongs perpetrated against black America in 210 years or that it didn't paint a simplistic racist picture of white america is absurd. It was one speech! It also wasn't a failure just because white racists still exist after he delivered it.
Anti-black racism in America is undeniable. That's why Obama did not need to list the abuses in this particular speech. Few who would deny its existence. What Obama understands is that there really are lower and middle-income white Americans who do not benefit from white privilege (especially in communities where there are few, if any, minorities, who are they privilged in comparison to?). It's heresy, but it's true.
Obama also understands that affirmative action, while absolutely necessary to right wrongs hundreds of years in the making, does undeniably sometimes disadvantage white people who were not, and in many cases are not, part of that legacy of discrimination and oppression. Mr. Dawson seems to argue that these people are not entitled to any level of bitterness toward their situations without that resentment being categorically labeled as racist.
I support affirmative action because it's necessary due to this country''s history and because of its present. However, I think the goal is a society in which affirmative action is not necessary. The underlying society is not yet ready for that. In the meantime, however, in righting the wrongs of racism, the affirmative action system has to necessarily tilt in the opposite direction of the bias its responding to. The reason I support such policies is that I don't believe you can just shift immediately from centuries of oppression directly into a meritocracy. You have to account for the baggage of that legacy. That doesn't mean we can act as if the remedy is fair for everyone though. If a lower-middle class or middle class white person feels a sense of frustration or resentment at not being able to get a job - in some cases (I know at least one) being told outright that they may have been considered if they were a minority - I think that we can allow them that frustration without labeling them racists.
And Obama clearly does not deny the terrible legacy and persistence of anti-black racism in America. To glean that from his speech is to highly-selectively listen to it to say the least. In fact, he speaks about it a great deal.
I see nothing but positives in Obama's message. To nit pick and criticize him for not having repaired every racial wound in the country or to take issue with him for not totally treating one group as victims, while not totally demonizing another, is completely counterproductive. -
Posted By:
rfusty 3 at 03/19/2008 12:11:10 PM
Comment:
Every note that needs to be played on race has been played. The real problem is that many people cling to the fiction that we are an innocent nation and that we need not dig through the history of the last half century to understand 9-11. That means many more future problems for the ignorant citizens of the American Empire. -
Posted By:
sandiegowryter at 03/19/2008 12:09:03 PM
Comment:
I voted for Clinton and have been more than a little annoyed at the constant accusations of racism from Obama supporters.
AND I thought that Reverend Wright's comments would doom Obama.
THEN I watched the speech. Wow.
If Obama is our candidate in the fall, I will vote for him without the reservations that I had before. He may not be perfect. . .
Actually, that was what worried me about him. I admire the way he took this very difficult situation and handled it in such a beautiful way. -
Posted By:
decentman at 03/19/2008 12:05:34 PM
Comment:
As a fellow American who happens to be white, I appreciate this discourse on race, but have grown weary of the whole "chip on the shoulder" mindset that always seems to prevail in these discussions. We can keep pointing the finger of blame about racism for eternity, but what as Americans are we doing to end this divide? What efforts are blacks and whites really doing to come together as simply Americans? And who decides when enough atonement has been made to everybody's satisfaction? Obama's speech had courage and spoke the truth, unfortunately racism like ignorance is a bad habit some people are just too lazy and afraid to change. -
Posted By:
maven at 03/19/2008 11:51:04 AM
Comment:
"We may not talk about them in mixed company (as Obama hinted in his speech)..." Mr. Obama did not "hint." He made a statement. Do the editors of The Root vette the copy of those they give bylines. Sloppy use of the language is ok when you're at the bar chatting with folks or blogging but in a forum as public and broad as this I would think more care would be taken with the commentary you give bylines. Or do the anything goes blog rules apply there as well. Just asking. -
Posted By:
davisad at 03/19/2008 11:49:26 AM
Comment:
In fact, I had questions, before his speech, about his relationship with his pastor, and his judgment; his speech, far from being too little, too late, not only reassured me that he has the judgment and the clarity to be President; it convinced me that we would be foolish as voters even to consider the near-senile McCain, who proved yesterday that he doesn't even really know much about what's happening in Iraq, which is his issue, or the competent paper-pusher Clinton, whose skills belong in the Senate, where she can help President Obama with the nuts-and-bolts of translating his vision into policy. Your writer either simply wanted to stir the pot, which is what Slate writers sometimes want to do, or he has tin ears and should be writing about something besides politics. -
Posted By:
maven at 03/19/2008 11:40:51 AM
Comment:
To Laureate:You wrote - "The fact that Obama denounced his church and his minister and his faith for this election..." Obviously, you neither listened to nor read the speech only some of the mendacious headlines written by others who also did not listen to or read the speech.
Mr. Obama denounced no one. He denounced words. He openly declared he would no more disown Rev. Wright than he would his community or his grandmother who was given to racist utterances.
Mr. Obama has a long way to go to penetrate the hearing of those who choose to listen with deaf ears. That's easier than thinking or exposing one's self to new information, I suppose. Still, I believe Mr. Obama will prevail. I look upon this long campaign process as a blessing for him because change is a process. It requires time and patience. He seems to know that better than anyone in this campaign. He is exactly the right person who will be the right President at this, the right time in America. I'm up for the healing. -
Posted By:
maven at 03/19/2008 11:17:46 AM
Comment:
To Laureate:You wrote - "The fact that Obama denounced his church and his minister and his faith for this election..." Obviously, you neither listened nor read the speech. Mr. Obama denounced no one. He denounced words and declared he would no more disown Rev. Wright than he would his community or his grandmother who was given to racist thoughts.
Mr. Obama has a long way to go to penetrate the hearing of those who chose deafness so they don't have to think or admit misunderstandings. But I believe he will prevail. I look upon this long campaign process as a blessing for him because change is a process. It requires time and patience. He seems to know that better than anyone. He is exactly the right person who will be the right President at the right time. -
Posted By:
The Unified Scene at 03/19/2008 11:08:55 AM
Comment:
This is a well-written article, but it is an unfortunate one in that it merely reinstantiates the sentiments that justify white racial resentment. As a scholar, I find it troubling that Dawson suggests that all of us academics know that white racial resentment is really a polite rhetorical means to justify white racism. Indeed, such suggestions are largely responsible for the continued vitality of white resentment. Many whites outside of the academy do resent grassroots black politics, but much of this resentment is due to the constant claims by black intellectuals that there is NO rational basis for white resentment in this country. Until there is a popular black politics that concedes the many rational justifications for resentment in whites (which is indeed a social problem), there will not be a black president in this country. This is not due entirely to racism - there is good reason for whites not to vote for a candidate who will not make such concessions (what sorts of policies might be advocated by such a candidate? -- it is this UNcertainty that warrants suspicion). Indeed, Mr. Obama did not go far enough. So many of us long for the day when a viable presidential candidate can admit the legacy of the systematic discrimination and exclusion of blacks in this country, and at the same time express regret that some of the policies undertaken to combat that legacy have warranted the resentment of whites. This is the quandary we are in. I'll keep looking for the candidate who can walk that line, but I'm sure of one thing: It's not Obama. -
Posted By:
MaryM at 03/19/2008 11:01:15 AM
Comment:
Read Dahlia Lithwick's post today on Slate about apologizing for Germaine Greer. I agree that, if Obama is the candidate, there will be a racialized response, but I also think that, if it is Hillary, the response will be genderized. It already has been--think about the fuss about her 'crying.' The important thing is really that we all stick together behind the Democratic candidate, no matter who it is, because what we all want is to get the party of George Bush OUT. -
Posted By:
Paul Bosco at 03/19/2008 10:57:35 AM
Comment:
How would "black disillusionment" be affected if Obama is nominated Vice President, and thus the frontrunner for the Prez nomination in 2012 (if Hillary loses) or 2016 (if he serves 8 years in the White House as VP)?
I still think Hillary would make a better President in 2009, but maybe Obama, starting in 2017, would have the tools to be the greatest President since Lincoln. I have discounted the message of hope and change, based on soaring rhetoric, as well as voters' presumption of autheniticty that is, in significant part, based on his color. But I do believe that change starts with UNDERSTANDING, which was main component of his speach. I never doubted he had substance; it was there in the debates, and maybe any time he was forced "off-message".
Overall, I only agree with the article 50%. The speach may be "too late", but rather than "too little" it may have been, alas, TOO MUCH.
--Paul Bosco, a white Manhattanite -
Posted By:
David L. at 03/19/2008 10:46:27 AM
Comment:
"To her {Hillarys} credit, she will fight for blacks-- despite the way they have treated her."
What about the way her husband treated the black community in SC?
I'm sorry, but as a white person, I have been appalled by the way the Clintons have subtly used race to try and knock Obama down (Ferraro didn't just accidentally make those statements, folks...that was planned). They forced Obama to give this speech...and again to Obama's credit, it was mighty speech, one that I believe puts this whole controversy to bed, once and for all...commentators are comparing this to Kennedy's speech about his Catholicism, and I think it's magnitude is just as great. History will remember this speech years from now...and hopefully as Obama sits in the White House. -
Posted By:
Paul Bosco at 03/19/2008 10:43:34 AM
Comment:
How would "black disillusionment" be affected if Obama is nominated Vice President, and thus the frontrunner for the Prez nomination in 2012 (if Hillary loses) or 2016 (if he serves 8 years in the White House as VP)?
I still think Hillary would make a better President in 2009, but maybe Obama, starting in 2017, would have the tools to be the greatest President since Lincoln. I have discounted the message of hope and change, based on soaring rhetoric, as well as voters' presumption of autheniticty that is, in significant part, based on his color. But I do believe that change starts with UNDERSTANDING, which was main component of his speach. I never doubted he had substance; it was there in the debates, and maybe any time he was forced "off-message".
Overall, I only agree with the article 50%. The speach may be "too late", but rather thantn "too little" it may have been, alas, TOO MUCH.
--Paul Bosco, a white Manhattanite -
Posted By:
wayhey1 at 03/19/2008 10:41:35 AM
Comment:
This white male thought the speech was brilliant and uplifting. I believe Obama is the one to take America into the future. He is a conciliator and a uniter, and his message is sorely needed at a time when we face some truly daunting challenges. What he said about Rev. Wright was dead-on, and I am glad he stood on principle to defend the ones he loves even if he sometimes doesn't like what they say. Truly a great man. -
Posted By:
mjkoch at 03/19/2008 10:30:01 AM
Comment:
We want the person we select to be our president to have the courage of their convictions. Barack Obama does not. For twenty years he sat silently in his church while his pastor made dozens of hate filled sermons about America and Jews. When you sit silently as your pastor accuses your government of creating the HIV virus to kill your people and makes repeated and vile anti-semitic remarks then you are just as guilty for sitting there and doing nothing to voice your opposition. It took Obama twenty years to come forth and try and distance himself from the hate filled remarks and the ONLY reason he did so was because he is running for President. I am Jewish and I was an Obama supporter but I will vote for McCain if Obama is the Democratic nominee in November. I want to vote for someone who, whenever they hear hate filled rhetoric directed towards Blacks, Whites, Jews, Hispanics, Gays, Asians, or any other group speaks up then and there and does not wait for a time when they are forced to do the right thing for their political career. -
Posted By:
kdsing1 at 03/19/2008 10:20:49 AM
Comment:
Great comentary. I hate to admit, but I think you are right. In terms of me as an African American, I am ok with whatever decision white america makes. I can overcome slavery, segregation and poor education. But I can't overcome ignorance, when the affected person does not want to listern, learn or have discussion. What a missed opportunity for the country if Obama is not elected. -
Posted By:
greenie227 at 03/19/2008 10:08:42 AM
Comment:
conventional black political attitudes = what? can you explain that to this white Jewish woman whose fear and anger in this world are simply white racism, according to you?
I was quite dismayed to read this piece. I am a Hillary Clinton supporter for one reason -- because she can gets things accomplished, and she has, albeit a small amount in her few years in the Senate. Sen. Obama is a fabulous speaker and thinker, but I don't know yet what he can accomplish because as a citizen of Illinois I haven't seen him accomplish a whole lot on the national stage, except to not be present during votes during the campaign season. His years in the Senate are fewer than Sen. Clinton's, there is less to see in his experience.
That is the SOLE reason I am supporting Sen. Clinton. It has nothing to do with Sen. Obama being black, it has nothing to do with -- is it conventional? is it radical? is it truth and justice? -- Sen. Obama's position in the black community, or his support of the black community (whatever that means, as opposed to his support of the white community, or the Jewish community, or the Latino community....).
You speak against Sen. Obama's hope with every cliched, generalized, and blanket comment you make. I was inspired by Sen. Obama's speech yesterday -- I got it, even though Wright has spoken out about Jews in terms that make my heart contract. I got it, hearing his acceptance of the pain of history and his desire to move forward and make that pain a stimulus for good, not a burden on those who feel it or a chimera to those whose ancestors caused it.
Sen. Obama may have earned a supporter yesterday; you certainly tried to lose that same supporter today. -
Posted By:
Sydney at 03/19/2008 10:04:36 AM
Comment:
What America is witnessing in Barack Obama is a brilliant, thoughtful and commanding leader. He speaks to us much differently than the other so-called leaders. He engages us in intelligent, thoughtful, and yes provocative conversation. He is special, he is brave, he is a leader. The special people in America, historically have not fared too well. I am 63 years old. Some of what Rev. Wright has said is true. Some of what he said has not been proven. I too hope we won't pass on this young leader. It will be a long, long, time before we see the likes of him again. -
Posted By:
loris bay at 03/19/2008 9:45:30 AM
Comment:
If America does not understand this powerful message , America does not deserve Obama, then there is truly no hope at all for America. This country is doomed! -
Posted By:
salinkis at 03/19/2008 9:42:49 AM
Comment:
White folks had a fragile agreement with Sen. Obama. Don't remind us that you are (part) black and we will pretend that we're ready to support a dark-skinned man for President. Republicans saw the strength of our support, the desire in our hearts that maybe race could be trumped, and knew the fragility of the dream. That a man's lifetime of service would be distilled to five and 10 second you tube clips would be a small price to pay.
If Barack survives, he will have shown the ability to weather the best of right-wing attacks. Personally, I don't think he can do so by appealing to the rationality of the American people.
And I'm so sorry for that. I did my little bit, knocking on doors and pulling out voters for the Obama campaign. I saw hope in the eyes of black folks who were surprised by a white guy working for a black candidate for President. Then, I went home. -
Posted By:
salinkis at 03/19/2008 9:36:38 AM
Comment:
We had a deal with Sen. Obama. As long as he didn't remind us white folks that he was from the black community, we would pretend that he could be President. It was a fragile truce and the Republicans knew it. They knew that they need just remind us that he is from the 'other' America and we would become disenchanted. The 5 and 10 second snips from Rev. Wright's lifetime of sermons would do well to label him as dangerous.
If Barack survives, it is because he will be able to weather the attacks launched by the right, and that will make him a great candidate. But appealing to the better judgement of the American people is not the way to survive. -
Posted By:
Barry at 03/19/2008 9:23:14 AM
Comment:
Democrats might as well, scream "Bonzai" and throw themselves in front of the Republican M-60's!! I shall vote for Barack but he just lost Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, independents, and many blue-collar Democrats, (of which I am one), etc. If by some miraculous intervention of the political gods, Hillary were to be nominated, the internecine civil war among the Democrats have probably sacrificed her also. If those same political gods would intervene in Denver, then perhaps the Party would do what it should have done originally, nominate one that can win in November... John Ewards. But, we know that is impossible; so, 'Hello President McCain," aka George Dubya Bush redux.