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. I will vote for the candidate who can clearly read, write, speak and spell (sorry, but that excludes many of you). Most importantly, they must be able to inspire. We, as a nation, are so craving intelligence and inspiration. Nobody is going to solve all of the problems George W. Bush (a.k.a. "Jethro Bodine") has created, not quickly or without sacrifice on the part of all our citizens. Sadly, there are still racists and bigots in our midst, but I'm hoping not too many. Race is a non-issue to me. I would support Obama if he were purple with green polka dots...though I'd probably wonder about it. As for the African-American community, it is probably a 50/50 thing. Sometimes, black kids do accuse those who try to do well of "acting white." Sometimes, the school and/or home environment is not ideal. Socioeconomic status(income, education of parents) is the #1 indicator of success in school. Black voters were deliberately and systematically disenfranchised in the last two presidential campaigns. Meanwhile, our society has become increasingly stratified in terms of income. The top 1% control almost 1/3 of our nation's wealth and Jethro wants to keep cutting their taxes. I don't know, but I can imagine that makes some of us pretty angry. If you're not thoroughly outraged, you are probably not paying attention.
Nancy at 12:05AM on May 4th 2007
48. obama is running to win the presidency of the united states.
that means: he has to win enough votes to get the nomination from the democratic party
that means: he has to win a majority of WHITE voters
that means: he has to present campaign messages (at this stage) that are DESIGNED to win over WHITE voters.
that means: he cares about Blacks, but he cannot make that the main reason he's running at this stage, or any other stage of the game.
IF he gets the nomination, then he has to pray that a third-party conservative from the religious right runs in the final election, to split the Republican vote, and allow a Democrat to squeak by with less than 50% of the vote. Obama will lose a two-party run-off in the final because NO DEMOCRAT has won the South since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. got it? Race is the reason... obama or jesse did not introduce it; slavery did...
RAG at 12:36AM on May 4th 2007
49. I am an old white Soldier seen the depression years, WWII,Korea,Vietnam and the latest disasteres war in Iraq. I have to say give Obama a change why all that negative talk,this is a young guy we need young blood in the White-House we don't live in the old days anymore the whole world is changed(not for the better I think)America has to start all over again let the young take care of it and sent all the old guys in Washington home, they given you the same old stuff that does not work in the new world anymore.
It can't be any worse than it is now, so let them do it. Good luck you guys.Make America great again.
Ben at 1:00AM on May 4th 2007
50. Barack Obama No.1 And Hillary Clinton No.2
Let's do it now!
R A P at 1:10AM on May 4th 2007
51. 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
52. #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
53. 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
54. 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
55. 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
56. 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
57. 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
58. 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
59. 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
60. 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