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 4 of 7)
46. People remember to cast your vote for the best candidate in the presidential race. It isn't about the color of the skin that's important, it is about the character, wisdom and knowledge of the individual who demonstrates the most objective, affluent and effectiveness of his/her campaign to project the most proficient ways in conducting the affairs of this country (USA) for all concerned citizens of the USA and the support: both morally and spiritually that can accomplish this goal. Black or White is not the issue; The overall concens for the USA and it's allies and the general well being of the USA citizens are the issues of Today! Best wishes to the wiser.
B. Johnson at 1:02AM on May 4th 2007
47. Barack Obama No.1 And Hillary Clinton No.2
Let's do it now!
R A P at 1:10AM on May 4th 2007
48. WELL, I DON'T CARE WHAT COLOR OBAMA BIN LADEN SAYS HE IS OR ISN'T FOR ME AND MY FAMILY, INCLUDING COUSINS' WE ARE ALL STANCH REPUBLICANS' AND WE WILL NOT VOTE FOR HIM ANYWAY ANYHOW NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS HE IS OR ISN'T. COLOR DOESN'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THIS ,IT IS THE FACT THAT #1 HE IS A DEMOCRAT AND #2 HE WENT TO A MUSLIM SCHOOL, ALL MUSLIMS AREN'T BAD, BUT HE DOESN'T NEED TO THINK MUSLIMS CAN RULE THE USA. WE WILL BE IN BIG TROUBLE IF HE WINS, BUT IT IS DOUBTFUL A DEMOCRAT WILL WIN!
Diana at 1:27AM on May 4th 2007
49. #49 diana....how self-RIGHTious you are. just because you don't want to be president, just keep your comment to that...but to turn it race and religious thing....talk about ignorant!!! i don't believe obama is ready to be president...but only because he lacks experience. not for party or race or religion. what a shallow reason. i want a real LEADER to lead American out of the mess it is in now - no thanks to bush and co....oil, war, unemployement, health care, schools etc...you name it, its a mess.
iamchavira at 1:59AM on May 4th 2007
50. People become a product of the way they are raised and who they associate with in life. While I didn't see or hear what Obama said on the matter of acting white if the shoe fits then wear it. However grades have nothing to do with acting white if that's the case then the white folks who made bad grades were
supposedly acting black oh boy what a laugh! The black community or young folks who speak against grades are just living in ignorance no matter where
they come from. You can take a black child and raise them in a family and lifestyle that is strictly a white american environment and take a white child and put them in a family and lifestyle of a black american environment then see if you can tell the difference between the children when they
are brought together. On another note in reply to a
comment made by Mike Mugo on the blog Moses did a fine job for the Father it was the rebellion of the people that cause them to lose out on their inheritance. Also as for Jesus He finished the work on the cross and rose again with all power in heaven and in earth it will again be those who reject Him that lose out on the benefits in this life and in His Eternal Kingdom. Mike the choice is yours and also to the Jew first and then to the Gentile. Christ stands at the door of the heart and knocks He doesn't force His way in where He is not invited. If one opens the door He will come in and sup with you and you can sup with Him. You first have to believe that He is and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Peace to the people commenting on the blog! E.P.K
Elizabeth Kettlewell at 3:19AM on May 4th 2007
51. For all of you that are complaining about the fact that Obama is bringing up race and saying that no other contender mentions the fact that they are white. White is the only thing a President has been in the history of the USA. Of course it will be brought up. Many people brought it up before him. The question is, hopefully a democrat will win the election, but which would be the first, a white woman, or a black man? Things to make you go hmmmmmm?
monica at 3:42AM on May 4th 2007
52. I have been impressed with all the view points on the board concerning Obama's run for the High Office of the President of the USA. It is a little understandable that white americans could have some fears of a black man holding such a powerful position. Especially since White men have had the power in America all this time. You have to remember it wasn't so long ago blacks couldn't even sit with white americans in the same places or drink from the same fountains of water. Now you are asking them to concede power of the country to a black I can see why they would feel leary about it.
After all even before then during slavery we weren't even thought of as being a full human being
do you see where this is going by your own fears of
what you thought we were or weren't to you this is why people still hold on to old views. The youth and even some of the mature in age white generations have grown with time. However the old ideas and stereotypes are still in the backs of peoples minds and fears are high in this world in general because life has become in many ways things
we don't even recognize as normal any more. If there ever was such a thing as normal. I had doubts
myself that we as a country could or were ready to handle having a black/african american holding the office. I personally felt that it would go to an Hispanic American male even before a woman or a black man. However the Lord has changed my thinking on this matter because I was viewing this according
to my own ideas and not what is possible the truth is that with Jesus there is nothing that is impossible. I can see the possibility now after all
I don't think anyone who knows the truth really expected the outcome we had when BUSH entered the white house. However I'm for who the Lord says should be in power during the next administration that takes the office. I'm not happy with this administration we have but I do believe He was the man for the time that he was in office and not Gore
because GORE isn't a man of war and you can't have a peace president in war time. We shall see what the future holds these are exciting times and what the world needs now is a time of inner reflection
and see if we were put under a microscope such as those who are running for office would we be without our own weaknesses or faults and can we run
things as effectively as these. I do hold the office of president with high regard yet I hold people of faith with even a higher regard. Even the
Lord has requirements for anyone who holds high positions over His people. A man must be able to handle his own household affairs and to do justly in business and community before the people. However he didn't say a man was to be perfect without any flaws. Because some of the greatest in His kingdom had flaws but He was able to use them
in mighty ways to accomplish what needed to be done in the earth and for the Kingdom.
Peace to those giving comments! E.P.K
Elizabeth Kettlewell at 5:39AM on May 4th 2007
53. I think Obama is right on it. He speaks to the issues at hand , not a black, hispanic, or white issue but issues that concerns Americans. I plan to vote for him.
Cheryl Clemons at 8:13AM on May 4th 2007
54. Given the situation in the Middle East, Are we really ready for a Muslim President, regardless of his color?
Dolores Bay at 9:33AM on May 4th 2007
55. I think Obama will make a great president. And by the way they should do away with the electoral votes as we have the means to do what the american popular vote dictates.
James Patterson at 10:06AM on May 4th 2007
56. Black people have and are accomplishing great things in this country. All the black people that I know strive for excellence in everything they do. Yes, there are some big issues that need to be addressed, but that can be said about any community. It's a lot of white kids only interested in playing Playstation, etc...But somebody really needs to address the institutionalized conditions that try to limit black people. Obama should understand that concept. He can't even run for president without being threatened because of his race.
Iris at 10:23AM on May 4th 2007
57. If you are raised in THIS country,you are a racist. If you become a racialist, one who practices racism as a policy or lifestyle, IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU. Obama seems to know the 'open secret', probably due to his background.THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS RACE AND ONLY IGNORANT,BIGOTED,ILL-INFORMED PEOPLE BELIEVE IN IT...These are my thoughts on it and even I sometimes have 'backwards' thoughts and musings about it!
Serge F.Guinier at 10:24AM on May 4th 2007
58. Black people have and are accomplishing great things in this country. Practically every black person I know strives for excellence in everything they do. Yes, they're some big issues that need to be addressed in the black community, but that can be said of any community. For example, there are some white kids that are only concerned with playing Playstation, etc... Everybody wants to target rap music, but what about all the movies and tv shows that degrade people of color and women. Shouldn't they be criticized as well or because a lot of white people are getting rich off of those types of projects they shouldn't be as heavily scrutinized? Somebody really needs to address the institionalized conditions that try to limit black people's upward mobility in this country. Obama should understand this concept. He can't even run for president without being threatened because he's a black man.
Iris at 10:32AM on May 4th 2007
59. I think that Obama is a good example of a strong candidate that is not afraid to speak his mind, and give America a clear vision for a new direction for our future. He is a honest candidate and he have absolutly nothing to prove. This is just the media trying to take him down just like John Edwards.
Jake at 11:18AM on May 4th 2007
60. I am a black democrat but lately I have been voting on the national level for republicans. Yes I do have a reason ! A moral one.The closer you are too the Bible the more you will get my vote. No need to mention the opposite ! I think you get it ! Osama seems to be a very intelligent man. A racial mix that offers something too most of us but if his morals does not add up I don't care what color he is ! So, Iam still listening too Obama ! I remember the day when I would watch a black tv program because there were so few of them, now that we are having more of them ,for other reasons, I may not watch the black program. What am I saying ? We need to have so many colors involved until color is no longer the reason why we make ourselves watch a program or vote for a candidate. Is that day here ? I would say not ! America look around you, we have beauty here in all colors. Bright, intelligent,gifted people in all colors. We are blessed America. We don't have too see everything in just black and white ! What will we do with our blessings ? Let's make good of our people resoursces that God has given us. Who know's when another Solomon will come along, who knows when another Martin Luther King will come along, who knows when another Abraham Lincoln will come along ? If you keep looking at color you may miss them !
Horace Hale Jr. at 11:31AM on May 4th 2007