I have known Barack Obama since the early ’90s. My various conversations with him had convinced me he was an indelible progressive. I celebrated his entry into politics with his first election to the state senate from Illinois’ 13th District, and he compiled a strikingly progressive legislative record during his seven-year stint. Conditions conspired perfectly to grease Obama’s route into… return to article
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Reader Comments (10)Page 1 of 1 pages““Bill Cosby card” (that is, focusing on individual behavior as the primary cause of racial disparity) in his latest speeches.”
Let’s hope that he is saying it because he believes it. The hope of black americans is the same as the hope of white (or mexican or asian or etc) americans. To blame ones life on race is not only foolish, but more importantly counterproductive, you can’t change your race. To make choices that allow one to move from the lower class to middle class is what we should be advocating. In this latter context, i have no problems with the government helping the process along (via better access to education, etc).
The message should be: stay off drugs, don’t engage in premature sexual behaviours (both due to pregnancy and STDs) and stay in school. These are not choices that involve race in any way, but make a huge difference in where one ends up (poor or middle class).
In any case, hopefully the next president will concern themself with important issues, like energy independence. As opposed to the non-issue of race.
Posted by wolf on Jul 26, 2007 at 8:54 AM “His political masterminds have transformed Obama...”
Please, let the fantasy bubble about Mr. Obama remained busted, and let’s move on to reality. Mr. Obama is the person responsible for his talking points that fail to reflect the realities of race. The PR advisers, pollsters, and handlers he hires may recommend, but he alone decides what he will and will not speak to and represent.
Many of my white, progressive, Democrat colleagues here in Chicago have waxed eloquent about the “magical, dreamlike quality” in Mr. Obama that you noted. However, this Black man never saw it. The other side of the coin in his mostly good legislative/policy positions is the often self-serving style of his moves in city and ward politics here. We’ve seen many disappointing, politically-motivated decisions by Mr. Obama that the media will never investigate or report. Why? So far, most are busy boosting him up in preparation for tearing him down.
Let’s take the blinders off and stop blaming others for stealing Mr. Obama’s “personal magic.” When push comes to shove in politics and posturing the candidate is responsible for the course of action he takes. No one else.
Posted by Michael J. Harrington on Jul 26, 2007 at 11:57 AM I cannot come close to imagining the differing pressures that Mr. Obama is and has been subjected to on the course of his political ascension… certainly those who are critical have their place in any discussion, but the awareness that “White America” is not even “close” to being prepared to accept a Black man as President keeps my optimism well in check.
Sincerely,
Dave Myerswww.discussrace.com
Posted by dave myers on Jul 27, 2007 at 12:25 PM Come on. Give Mr. Obama a break. Obama mania, as you call it, has nothing to do with race. It is all about his leadership qualities and the simple fact that people feel he listens to them. He conveys strong feelings of love and trust and hope. I don’t believe for a second that white voters consciously follow Mr. Obama so that they can feel less guilt about anything. Most white voters don’t even know what racial disparities exist and they certainly don’t know anything about the legacy of slavery. We shouldn’t pressure Mr. Obama to blast white America with the realities that hold back black Americans, not yet, at least. You know that would be political suicide. Of course he is an “electoral product, just like every other presidential aspirant”. Of course, he is laying low and not speaking to the real cause of racial disparity in this nation. Of course, he knows better. He needs to play the game in order to get in. The last I looked, this is still a highly racist society, with a white majority of voters. White America may be ready to accept black leaders; it isn’t ready to accept black issues. Mr. Obama is wisely taking it nice and slow. When he gets in, he can make his move. I know that three hundred years is a long time to wait, but we must continue to be patient. We are getting so close.
Posted by Ginger on Jul 27, 2007 at 3:36 PM Dear Mr. Muwakkil:
I could not agree with you less. And let me explain why. Mr. Obama is not running as a black candidate for President. First and foremost, he is running as a candidate for president. His blackness is no more an issue than Mrs. Clinton’s sex should be.With that said, I believe the Senator has done a remarkable job in addressing racial inequality in this country and as one who has listened to every speach so far, I have heard him talk about the disproportionate number of young black men in jails across America, the educational divide which limits the options for black children, the ‘corridor of shame’ which runs throughout communities in America.
While I do agree that Obama has been managed by his handlers, I have sensed over the past month or so more of the original independent progressive emerging. This is no where more evidenced than just today when he became the first presidential candidate to call for talks with the Saudis regarding the fact that they are responsible for the majority of insurgents in Iraq and for his candor about the role lobbyists are playing in dessimating the lives of rural communities through farm bill subsidies.
In closing, sir, I want to say that America today is crippled beyond much more than our racial divides. We the citizens are all threatened by the rogue government in Washington, by the loss of our civil liberties, and by the swollen disparity between the elite and the rapidly growing numbers of the lower class. It is my hope, and I firmly believe it is Mr. Obama’s hope, that if we move together as one America, rally as one America behind a mission to reclaim our rights and actively participate in the redesign and rebuilding of our culture, we will emerge UNIFIED.
While none of us can ever compensate or fathom the horrific injustices this government over time has perpetrated upon our black communities, it is my hope that in a New America, an America that honestly seems to me to be fixed in Senator Obama’s worldview, all will be equal, all will be empowered and the joy we share in this opportunity will heal all wounds and start us afresh on working towards creating the ideal America which promises “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all.
Thank you for reading my post.
Posted by stella on Jul 27, 2007 at 10:04 PM I do not contest the substance of Mr. Muwakkil’s points. However, as several respondents have already pointed out, the process of “disenchantment” routinely occurs as the “product” (and let’s face it: this term is objectively accurate for all Presidential Candidates) goes from local adoration to market saturation.
Aging youngish people of my age group know what it feels like for “their” favorite musical acts to “sell out” by going “mainstream.”
Never having talked to Obama personally, and being a white guy, I cannot speak intelligently to the scope of Mr. Muwakkil’s racial disappointment with the former’s “handlers.”
However, as a lifelong resident of South Suburban Chicago married to a very effective CPS teacher in an all-Black school, and as a person whose immediate neighborhood is actually integrated, and as a teacher who works hard every day to help my multi-racial/ ethnic students succeed in the same careers....
....Shall I renounce my support of Obama because he’s playing the same game that Bill Clinton did? Should I not reconsider supporting Hillary from a pragmatic perspective?
What, SPECIFICALLY, has Obama done wrong?
Posted by francis frank on Jul 27, 2007 at 10:10 PM Stella, you are inspiring, and your thoughts feel honest to me. And, by the way, what great turn of phrase: “...heal all wounds and start us afresh...” Let us know when you run for any public office because I want to vote for you!
Posted by Michael J. Harrington on Jul 27, 2007 at 10:20 PM Mr. Harrington,
Don’t think I haven’t considered it. I would love to be the one to report on what happens to our rising leaders as they enter the pernicious battle for position in America. I’d like to be the one who delivers the blow-by-blow account of what they discover that makes it impossible for them to hold onto their values and in fact their ability to represent their constituencies and hold to their vow to protect the constitution ...There is a beautiful article published in London’s The Guardian by JFK’s former political advisor Ted Sorenson in which he quotes Kennedy as having once said: Experience is like tail-lights on a boat which illuminate where we have been, when we should be focusing on where we should be going.”
I invite you to read it in its entirety at its reposting site http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=20070723&s=sorensen072307
I hope this article and my comments can bring hope to those who fear Senator Obama may not be the leader so many dream for.
Posted by stella on Jul 28, 2007 at 1:29 PM I question the authors use of the term “schizophrenia” within the context that is used. I find it particularily disturbing that in a progressive article, misperceptions of mental health terms are continued.
Posted by lalava1953 on Aug 1, 2007 at 10:58 AM Page 1 of 1 pages -
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