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 6 of 7)
76. First of all to poster #1 chaos45i - What a confusing MESS! Can't even read that mess as I got a headache in the first paragraph. From what I did get, sue them yourself and stop whining.
I just read another post that says all I was going to pretty much say other than I want to add that I believe that Michelle Obama would make a terrific First Lady, being the "rib and not the head" so to speak. As for the rest I want to say, this post says it all and bears repeating: Thank you Ric~!! And I quote (post #7):
"Obama needs to step away from the trap that those at the bottom get caught up in. If he wants to be the President he needs to run as an American not as a black man. No other race puts its color, race, or ethnicity forward as to who they are. He needs to get away from drawing lines between the colors and start coloring between the lines. I will vote for the best candidate, not the one who makes sure I know what color he/she is. Following in the footsteps of Martin Luther King is honorable and right. Remember, King spoke for equality for all, the oppressed not just blacks. If he fashions himself after Jesse Jackson or Sharpton, then he is just playing the "black card" and aligning himself with the biggest biggots in the world today. Mr Obama, I'm listening.....impress me!!"
Ric Hopkins at 5:30PM on May 3rd 2007 (thanks again Ric~!)
Meme at 5:59PM on May 11th 2007
77. As Americans, no matter our race creed or color, we should take the presidential election seriously and actually listen to the ideas that the candidates put forth. Unfortunately, we are spending way too much time on incidentals such as race, sex and religion. This is a critical time for out country and anyone with a shred of common sense should listen to all of the agendas before making a choice.
That said, As a Black, female, baby boomer, middle-aged, divorced, college educated citizen of the United States, with all of the lables that set me apart and those that enjoin me with othercitizens who care about our country and our planet...My preferences are Obama and/or Clinton. They just make the most sense to me. The Republicans come across as mean spirited, selfish and uncaring of our country's image, the poor, the middle class and fairness issues that affect our daily lives.
Trene at 5:49PM on Oct 27th 2007
78. First of all, I am impressed by the intellect that Obama carries. I am convinced though that the primary reason that he has been engaging in 'pointing out the color lines' rhetoric is that it is what is somewhat expected of him (although not necessarily verbally) by a large piece of the African-American community. Why is it that when I observe him all I notice is an intelligent, poised articulate Senator from Illinois regardless of race? The media is the most guilty of making his race an issue (in their subtle devious way) to stir up reactions from voters and manipulate the election if they decide they do not want him to be elected. And in regards to a comment made about Sharpton and Jackson, the fact that either of them are granted media attention to spew their reverse racism is one of the things that makes this country dispicable. I consider myself an insightful and objective individual and I have a gut feeling Obama will be rising to the top in '08)
Ntxguy at 9:33PM on May 12th 2007
79. Why yall always gotta make fun of a brother? If this dude was white you no youd vote fer him.
Jay at 9:52PM on May 12th 2007
80. What do the American people really know about Jr.Sen Barak Obahmah,an admitted Muslim,but says he is Black not ant thing else,check out where his name derived from. He is not black,or white what is his real family tree,and how did he come out of the blue with all this money,check out his financial gains from the Mahsaks, mainly in the east and over sea's. Why have we heard nooothing about his vision for America,other than to change our freedom of artistic expression. Hey,Treasury dept,where did he get all that money? We the people are concerned,we also know nothing of the man, his family,parent's,and his Heritage. Theses arenot racist,but important question's. Where is his experience? Why so quiet about so many issues,and he is not even debated any one at this point. Sen. how about telling the U
Donna C. Norvell Phd at 7:42AM on May 13th 2007
81. Anybody, who highlights the mistake Obama made in saying 10,000 deaths instead of 10 deaths, needs a serious self examination. Why not listen to the substance of his message instead of standing watch to find a miniscule mistake. It is obvious that the person's jumping on this mistake is out to find any little mistake, because they cannot find any major ones. Surely, they must be the only perfect people on earth. If this kind of mistake ries them up, I am certain what our administration has donein Iraq has them on the verge of cardiac arrest. If not perhaps they do not have the courage to attack REAL issues that affect our quality of life adversely.
Teenie at 6:29AM on May 14th 2007
82. think of it ...........SALT AND PEPPA ....SO FAR WE HAD "SALTED"...(white) PREZ.AND WE ARE SUFFERING FROM HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.ALL WE NEED NOW >>>black PREZ to "cure" our problems.we need BLACK magic?
vijay at 11:40PM on May 27th 2007
83. There will be a group of advisors to the next president. The group of advisors is called the Cabinet. We will be a much better informed electorate if we understand each candidate's priorities and criteria for selecting the cabinet members that will shape the nation's policies, priorities, and actions over the next four years. Let us hear about the character and capabilities the candidate believes are crucial in a Cabinet responsible for leading our multi-racial and multi-ethnic country into the future.
William Baker at 5:48AM on May 28th 2007
84. There is a strong anti-white sentiment in the African-American community—a changing of the guard at the small minds desk. Once, whites thought that anything ‘black’ was undesirable, now it’s blacks who say that anything 'white' is inherently corrupt , discriminatory and culturally harmful. I am not aware of my ‘whiteness’ but I am painfully aware of the negativity connotation associated with anything deemed ‘white.’
This hatred is buried in African American psyche. With the likes of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson continually reminding whites and blacks of the master-slave relationship, we can’t see what progress we have made, and what progress we need to make—that other challenges other than the ‘white conspiracy’ does exist.
And if you don’t think anti-white sentiment exists, simply go back to the last winter Olympics, as HBO’s Bryan Gumball, an African-American sports announcer ranted about the all-too-white Winter Olympics, which he compared to a GOP convention, adding that any sport not dominated by blacks was not really a sport. The fact that Gumball could mimic the exact type of knuckle-dragging commentary that was washed out of sports by whites decades ago, shows how retro black-thinking has become
mark at 10:19AM on May 28th 2007
85. Obama is not running for president as a Black man, he is a Black man that is running for president. Don't get it confused. His message is for all Americans. Only the narrow minded, misinformed, fearful person is not able to hear it, that is, his message. That person, the narrow minded, misinformed , fearful person is the one who has continuosly voted for a political ideology, blindly, based on fear tactics, counting on the ignorance of the American people, and closed mindedness. Obama appeals to all Americans, the intellectual who can see beyond smoke screens, rhetoric, and tactics to invoke fear in an unintellectual people. Obama appeals to those who are willing to listen and to learn. The best for America is an informed people. We need to be informed about the issues that affect our country truly so, not just "buzz words" that appeal to the uninformed. Obama believes that we Americans are bigger than what we have shown in the past relative to politics, and that we can see beyond color and gender to choose a leader. For those who say that we are not ready for a person of color, nor a woman to be president, I say, what are you afraid of? "The only thing that we have to fear is fear itself". What are you afraid of? Four decades ago a governer in the state of Alabama would not allow African Americans to enter the University of Alabama. What if we all had said that America was not ready. The University of Alabama would still be in the dark age of ignorance. What if we believed as many that there was no place for Blacks in the major league, baseball would be an even more boring game than it is today. Stop being cowards, and have the guts to come out of the closet of fear, and into the light of understanding. Intellect and reason are not bad words and do not make you unAmerican, they are not mutually exclusive. Diagreeing with the current administration does not make you unpatriotic, it shows how willing you are to fight for America, for we are in a time of peril.
Sharon at 10:54AM on May 28th 2007
86. Ron Paul is the only guy I believe. Republicans have moved to bigger gov't, Democrats have moved to globalization & warmongering under false pretense of opposition. Really, I just want the truth, what is fair. They'll probably delete this post and I'll have more fuel for the fire, because they don't WANT Ron Paul to win. I won't even say anything, except research for yourself. Hmmm, imagine that. Someone NOT telling you who to vote for. AOL polls are a crock. Almost everywhere else, Ron Paul is winning.
Terry McClain at 2:04PM on May 28th 2007
87. #6 Andrea, I am a white woman who happens to agree with you. I think Obama is good man, I think he would be a good man regardless of his origin, his color. I don't think he will win, and not because I don't believe he is qualify. I DO BELIVE HE WOULD BE A VERY GOOD PRESIDENT. I think he is the real thing!! Unfortunately the land of the free and the home of the brave is not ready for change!! He's set back.... He is not a rich white man. How sad is that?? Hillary is also not a rich white man! Maybe our children will be fortunate enough to experience possitive change in our GREAT NATION!!
Patty at 2:13PM on May 29th 2007
88. Any subjugated, violated, and chroically traumatized group such as African Amenricans have to find ways to cope with their rage and lack of acknowledgement and oppression by the culture at large. Is it any surprise that an accomplished black kid might be taunted for "acting white"? As we all know, African Americans continue to be systematically discriminated against. Until we can acknowledge our own hate and bigotry, and treating blacks as lower class citizens remains acceptable, smart black kids will be harrassed for "acting white"
ann abram at 8:35AM on May 31st 2007
89. I agree with Barack! The Democrat party has, for years, tried to keep Black Americans on Welfare so they could buy their votes with a Welfare check!
They really need to start looking at people like Barack, Condi Rice, Colin Powell, Michael Steele and others as role-models and not as Uncle Toms!
People like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson should be ashamed for being race pimps!
TommyMun at 8:58PM on Jun 9th 2007
90. Mr. Obama is the right man for the job!
I have heard alot people state that Mr. Obama don't have the experience,But president Bush didn't have
experience the first time. This man (Obama is best for the job. I will vote for him. He's for everyone!
ph
PH at 5:27PM on May 30th 2007