A good piece in today's
Washington Post discusses a few issues that
Barack Obama has been highlighting on the campaign trail:
Sen. Barack Obama is delivering pointed critiques of the African American community as he campaigns for its votes, lamenting that many of his generation are "disenfranchising" themselves because they don't vote, taking rappers to task for their language, and decrying "anti-intellectualism" in the black community, including black children telling peers who get good grades that they are "acting white."
The achievement gap between races is a major, major issue for our country, and one that isn't being adequately addressed by any other current candidate. Of course, race itself is one reason why. Can you imagine the outcry if
Rudy Giuliani or
Bill Richardson approached this matter as directly as Obama while standing at the pulpit of a black church? Not everybody in the African American community, however, is thrilled to hear Obama's thesis.
The gap is "not because black 7-year-olds are holding back other black 7-year-olds," said Melissa V. Harris-Lacewell, a professor of African American studies at Princeton University. "This black pathology argument is appealing, but I think he's wrong empirically."
But Obama's call for self-examination is, by and large, being very well received as he travels the country. It's no wonder, really, given the disparity of
incarceration and
infant mortality rates between blacks and whites, that people want change and have grown weary of waiting for others to give it to them. In fact, more than a century after slavery, nearly every
economic,
educational, and
physical health indicator puts African Americans at a marked disadvantage. As Obama puts it, "There's an old saying that if America has a cold, we have pneumonia." What I like about Obama is that when he speaks he doesn't seem much like an actor at all.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 7)
16. I DON'T THINK THE ISSUE IS WHETHER HE WILL WIN OR NOT. THE ISSUE IS HE IS RUNNING, HE IS A VIABLE CANDIDATE, AND WE THE PEOPLE ARE LISTENING, AND WE ARE READY FOR A KNOWLEDGABLE, ARTICULATE, AND FORWARD THINKING PRESIDENT!!! WHO CARES IF THEY ARE BLACK, WHITE, PINK OR GREEN!!!
GINA
GINA at 7:01PM on May 3rd 2007
17. obama is costing us money already,what this bull shit he got to have protection.his wife did not look that mean to me.
william mccotter at 7:03PM on May 3rd 2007
18. Mr.Obama has my vote !! It does my heart good to see so many so call good white christian America act like scare coward !!! Mr. Qbama has never made this presidency about race, you all have !! And you know who you are !smile)It scare the hell out of the white man to have to face toe to toe with such a "Articulate " Educated " God Fearing Man !! Mr. Obama May Our Lord continue to Bless You and your Family !!
Sandra at 7:13PM on May 3rd 2007
19. Its refreshing to see a black leader leading up towards achievement rather than down towards resentment. Whether he becomes President or not, he is certainly a welcome voice on the national scene, in my book.
Steve Bonomo at 7:15PM on May 3rd 2007
20. When in the world and how in the world did Hispanic ever become a RACE?
Magrum Yuff at 7:15PM on May 3rd 2007
21. I am an educated, middle-aged white female who is proud to say that I completely support Barak Obama. I wouldn't care if the man were polka-dotted; I like his philosophy and his vision for this country. I also admire the fact that he is not afraid to say what needs to be said, or do what needs to be done. I have had the priviledge of hearing him speak (in person) on two separate occasions, and I liked what I heard. I think Obama will bring intelligence, dignity, respect, honesty, and fairness back to the White House; those qualities have been missing in Washington for far too long.
Mary Dudzienski at 7:21PM on May 3rd 2007
22. I am a 66 yr. old white and American Indian woman. I read so much nagitivity on here and yes raceism too. I have worked with a lot of different people of different races during my life time and found that as in any relationship,it's a give and take thing. You have to get that chip off and stop being so ready to judge your fellow man. Learn to accept a human being for just that. A person and you'll find that you have a lot in common no matter the color of the skin. I personally think that the U.S.population is ready for a new leader of our country. I believe that a black man,a white woman or whoever shows the potential to lead this country has as likely a chanch of winning the presidential seat as any other person running. America is ready for honesty and someone that puts their country and it's welfare before anything else. lilpitypat..
lilpitypat at 7:25PM on May 3rd 2007
23. I am Republican, but I am not a 'straight ticket' one. Of all the Democratic candidates running for office, Obama is a big favorite - and should be - he is articulate, concise, does a bit more of explaining how he would implement a plan, etc. And I am glad and agree with what he says about the black community. I am white, but hang around with a multi-racial crowd - I always have. But the black Americans (I hate saying African-Americans - it would be like me saying I'm Ulster-Irish-American) are not paying attention to the correct role models for advancing themselves. Barak running for president and speaking out on this is fantastic - the same as other positive role models - Colin Powell, Condi Rice, Oprah, Bill Cosby, and AOL's own sports writer, Jason 'the big sexy' Whitlock. All of these people are fantastic role models, and want the black community to forge ahead to become whatever they want to be/or do, but at the same time, not using the Rap artists as the role models, or some of the sports figures. Being 'smart' and studying hard is not a white attribute. It is a student's attribute - someone who wants to make something out of themselves. Maybe those black students who are getting a hard time for 'being too white' need to tell their black peers, 'maybe you are being to gangsta, and you know where they end up - dead or in prison'.
I also see why Obama needs a Secret Service attachment sent to him - he is popular, and that is a threat to a bunch of folks - KKK - skin head - white power freaks, and you can't be too careful when they are around.
Keep talking, Barak. I'm listening and I have not made a final choice for president yet!
J-Man at 7:29PM on May 3rd 2007
24. MR OBAMA I AGREE WITH THE OTHER PERSON IS NOT SPEAKING FOR ONLY BLACK PEOPLE HE IS SPEAKING FOR ALL PEOPLE. WHY BECAUSE HE IS BLACK HE HAS TO BE ONLY FOR BLACKS. WAKE UP RACISTS HE IS SPEAKING FOR US ALL.
cutie pie at 7:44PM on May 3rd 2007
25. I am what I call a political 'Centrist', after having, much to my embarassment, voted conservative in the last two presidential races. I will now, proudly, throw all of my voting power, and any other help he needs, behind Senator Obama, to be the next President of the United States. Not because he's African American; I am a Caucasion American... Not because he's a member of the United Church, but that helps... But foremost because he's absolutely the freshest political "face" out there, with the brightest, most intellignt, and most positive 'hope' there is in American politics...
Mr. Obama has my attention, as well as; I am sure; most progressive "young adults" in this country, who are yearning for political, intellectual, and social freedom for every tax paying citisen of these United States of America.
Surely, we are far to socially progressive a country in this day and 'age' to make this a "RACIAL" issue. Please listen to what this man has to say. There is far too much hope in his words to ignore Barak Obama.
M. Harris at 7:55PM on May 3rd 2007
26. I don't care if he is purple, as long as he is an American and he speaks for all American's not just one race ! I don't know much about him the only thing that does concern me is his name 'Obama ? I'm sorry but after 9/11 anything that sounds like Osma-Bin Laden and I don't care if I spelled it right..I still have great fear and I mean fear on another attack in some form. Now if he would have changed his last name to Bush I wouldn't be so afraid . .sorry I little humor. Any way's in a short I will give him a chance to speak and I would rather vote for him instead of Mr. Hillary Clinton. We know she has always worn the pants in that family, but maybe if she would have taken them off a little more often . . .Well we know who wouldn't have done you know what !!! lol
Jeff at 8:07PM on May 3rd 2007
27. Some of you are so paralyzed by your fear of anything even slightly different than your white-bread narrow view of the world. I would suggest you start educating yourself rather than echoing the talking points that are drilled into you througn talk radio, etc. Personally, I think, in these times when the world is so closely connected, we could use someone who has had the broad range of life experiences that Sen. Obama has had. I look forward to hearing more of his common sense.
JC at 8:12PM on May 3rd 2007
28. yes i agree that he is not running to be the black president for black people...i think he is a breathe of fresh air in the black community and they should be over whelmed that a person with his intelect is even considering running for president of all the people and for the people..i don't think he needs to promise 40 acres a a muhle...
m anstadt at 8:44PM on May 3rd 2007
29. Obama is the only person,notice I did not say Black,African American,colored or white, Person that I would be willing to consider voting for. I think he needs a little more time in the senate before he is ready. However for some reason Govenors seem to be experienced enough and do get elected. Really, we need to forget the color of a persons skin. Can he/she do the job the American people elect them to do. If yes then you or I should vote for them. Let's move on an elect the person we feel comfortable with regardles of skin color.
A.W. Lee at 8:46PM on May 3rd 2007
30. Think Ric Hopkins said it like it is, and that is why i can not vote for Mr Obama. It seems he is making it just about the black people and that to shows that he may not be up to doing the job. Dolores Ferrer
Dolores Ferrer at 9:43PM on May 3rd 2007