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Tag(s): Black Churches; Obama And Wright; Obama-Barack; Political Mudslinging; Race; Speeches
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March 18, 2008 at 12:04:13

Obama's Speech on Race

by Amy Fried Page 1 of 1 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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Once again, Barack Obama, with his major speech on race, has shown that he is a different kind of politician - a kind we haven't seen since Bobby Kennedy.

So often, politicians try to simplify their messages, so as to be grasped by the lowest common denominator. Stark contrasts are made, caricatures are described, and fear is stoked. Mitt Romney tells us that we cannot have freedom without religion; Hillary Clinton and John McCain alike paint Obama is not up to the task of answering the 3AM phone call; Hillary accuses Obama of offering "change you can Xerox"

The temptation to draw a line in the sand, to be self-righteous, or to over-simplify must have been tremendous. But instead, Obama painted a complex picture of his background, his community, and his campaign, that is rare to see in a political campaign. As such, he asks us to rise to a higher level of discourse.

I was particularly stuck with the way he described the black community, and the black church:

"That has been my experience at Trinity. Like other predominantly black churches across the country, Trinity embodies the black community in its entirety – the doctor and the welfare mom, the model student and the former gang-banger. Like other black churches, Trinity's services are full of raucous laughter and sometimes bawdy humor. They are full of dancing, clapping, screaming and shouting that may seem jarring to the untrained ear. The church contains in full the kindness and cruelty, the fierce intelligence and the shocking ignorance, the struggles and successes, the love and yes, the bitterness and bias that make up the black experience in America."

It's so rare to see such a complex picture painted, with such subtlety, by a candidate for the presidency. The question is: can we rise to this level of nuance, that Obama asks of us in this speech?

I have doubts about the mainstream media's ability to pass on such subtle distinctions. Already (moments after the speech), I saw MSNBC playing the following passage...:

"I have already condemned, in unequivocal terms, the statements of Reverend Wright that have caused such controversy. For some, nagging questions remain. Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes. Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely – just as I'm sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed."

... as if it were some kind of "gotcha," or confessional moment, without playing what followed:

"But the remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren't simply controversial. They weren't simply a religious leader's effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country – a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America; a view that sees the conflicts in the Middle East as rooted primarily in the actions of stalwart allies like Israel, instead of emanating from the perverse and hateful ideologies of radical Islam."

Already we see the MSM predictably failing to make the subtle distinctions that Obama's candidacy represents - in this case, between controversy, and resentment gone awry.

I hope Keith Olbermann - as he often does - corrects this mistake tonight on Countdown. More important, I hope that we can resist the temptation to turn Obama's three dimensional message into a two dimensional cartoon.

http://neoconmind.blogspot.com

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8 comments

Patty Bates-Ballard is a mother and writer who advocates respect for the earth and its people. The owner of WordSmooth, a Dallas based communications company, Patty has just published her first book, Navigating Diversity. She also has written for Environmental Design & Construction Magazine, the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges and World Press, among others.

Patty's Socha diversity + effectiveness workshops have been delivered to thousands of employees across th...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Patty Bates-BallardPatty Bates-Ballard is a mother and writer who advocates respect for the earth and its people. The owner of WordSmooth, a Dallas based communications company, Patty has just published her first book, Navigating Diversity. She also has written for Environmental Design & Construction Magazine, the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges and World Press, among others.

Patty's Socha diversity + effectiveness workshops have been delivered to thousands of employees across th...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Mainstream media misinforms

The mainstream media seems intent on overloading us with misinformation. If they gave us real information, we might vote for some serious change, which might interfere with their profits. I don't expect it anytime soon.

by Patty Bates-Ballard (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments) on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 4:28:37 PM

10 year Navy veteran,former Federal employee with various agencies,
Gallaher10 year Navy veteran,former Federal employee with various agencies,

Misinformation?

Do you have any idea what type of change you are asking for?

Have you lived under a black radical racist government before?

I think not.

You have no idea what you are asking for. I suspected Obama of being a closet racist. His profession of having a racist radical preacher as a lifelong mentor has fulfilled my greatest fear. You don’t want this guy in office anymore than a black wants a KKK member in office.

I ask you to move to Atlanta and try to do business with the all black city government or it's airport as a white person. Good luck.

If you don't think this smooth talking guy is not going to rape America, you sir are nuts.

by Gallaher (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 762 comments) on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 6:33:25 AM

I do have writing credits in a major newspaper--long ago.
Currently, I write for online political boards with a
definite liberal bias. Proud parent, grandparent and
aspiring poet and novelist. I never stopped aspiring.
Finally managed to earn a BA degree in communications/ American lit. Love romantic fiction that also stretches
the intellectual muscles. And am mad about romantic
Russian composers. I take life seriously but tend to
look at it with a healt...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Marilyn FrithI do have writing credits in a major newspaper--long ago.
Currently, I write for online political boards with a
definite liberal bias. Proud parent, grandparent and
aspiring poet and novelist. I never stopped aspiring.
Finally managed to earn a BA degree in communications/ American lit. Love romantic fiction that also stretches
the intellectual muscles. And am mad about romantic
Russian composers. I take life seriously but tend to
look at it with a healt...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Gallaherl, thanks for some direction

Your personal insights are instructive and cautionary. Bill Cunningham, a thoroughly irksome right-wing ideologue talk host in Cincinnati (and with whom I rarely agree on most issues) proffered the same theme about that city's largely black administration. Everytime you disagreed with them, they screamed white discrimination, even though they had the reins of power. Such attitudes tend to diminish constructive criticism.

That is not unusal for one ethnic group to lord it over another, especially when they view their lot as one of benign neglect by the majority. But facts are facts; if you are given the power of a post in government, you must rule as a representative of ALL the people, not just your fellow look-or-think-alikes. That is where we separate the men from the boys and the girls from the women. Listen carefully and you become aware of how latent resentment surfaces in the debate over Obama and race. The truly well-adjusted individuals will gravitate toward the argument that is inclusive and comprehensive; the petty-spirited will immediately cite race, gender or ethnicty as a factor in any opposing opinion, without due process.

The elevation of Barack Obama to the U.S. presidency will not solve our racial schisms nor our national crises. A little truth in advertising is overdue and good for the soul in America the beautiful.

by Marilyn Frith (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 191 comments) on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 9:03:25 AM

The author received her Ph.D. in the field of Organizational Behavior, which she now applies to her political writing. She's been an advocate for church-state separation and other civil liberties issues. She writes on the neoconservative mind, women's issues, media, veganism and the Religious Right.
Amy FriedThe author received her Ph.D. in the field of Organizational Behavior, which she now applies to her political writing. She's been an advocate for church-state separation and other civil liberties issues. She writes on the neoconservative mind, women's issues, media, veganism and the Religious Right.

This should be our worst problem

"Black radical racist government?" With all the problems we have in this world, I don't see that as topping the list.

I think your fears are getting far beyond the facts.

by Amy Fried (40 articles, 113 quicklinks, 64 diaries, 213 comments) on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 10:44:20 AM

Having lived six decades now, I've had a lot of experiences! Grew up in a family often oppressed because of our faith - we stood for peace and against war, and for the rights of all regardless of ethnic background. Active from youth in peace and civil rights. Vietnam-era draft resister. Worked for a while for peace and social justice groups, and then became a civil servant. Felt a call to a consistent life ethic, and am currently serving as President of Consistent Life. All this is out of Chr...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Bill SamuelHaving lived six decades now, I've had a lot of experiences! Grew up in a family often oppressed because of our faith - we stood for peace and against war, and for the rights of all regardless of ethnic background. Active from youth in peace and civil rights. Vietnam-era draft resister. Worked for a while for peace and social justice groups, and then became a civil servant. Felt a call to a consistent life ethic, and am currently serving as President of Consistent Life. All this is out of Chr...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Both MSM & Obama screwed up

Yes, the MSM plays for sensation and doesn't want to hear reality.

But look at the 3rd paragraph you quoted from Obama. Obama is downplaying the reality of white racism. And then he indulges in his own form of racism - blaming everything on radical Islam just like McCain does.

Obama completely capitulated to the right wing critics on the substance of what Jeremiah Wright says. But in fact, there's a lot more truth to Wright's statements than Obama will admit.

Right wingers should be very happy with Obama's speech. But progressives should be very disappointed.

by Bill Samuel (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 338 comments) on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 9:40:38 AM

yes, and he will capitulate on other issues

That is my main fear. Obama will be so pressed to please the moneyed right-wing oligarchy, he will upon being sworn-in, drop all pretenses of populist agendas and kowtow with alacrity.

Randi Rhodes on her Air America show has made several references to her initial meeting and interview with Obama, just after he took his senate seat. She recalls he did an about face on several issues that didn't square with his campaign slogans. She attributed the chameleon pose to how the politics of Washington D.C. works and now is saying (to my astonishment) that Barack Obama is so "good" he decided to get out of the senate by running for president in the hopes he can have more autonomy. Say what?!!!

If you can convince me that isn't the most convoluted logic and misshapen excuse to defend him than you will ever hear from any Obama supporter, I will vote for him. (Which I have vowed to not do.) Please, can we keep this discussion and campaign within the regions of rational thought processes?

I am open to new ideas but not to distorted illogical preachments. Obama is not as qualified as Hillary. End of sentence. I defy anyone to dispute that theory with evidence. We owe it to our children and our future to pick the best and brightest, not the most photogenic or glib. It is a moral obligation.

by Marilyn Frith (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 191 comments) on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 11:26:09 AM

Beg to Differ

I really disagree with you about Hillary being more qualified. I think she is morphing her role as First Lady into some kind of presidential apprenticeship, and I don't think that's fair. Obama has actually been a legislator longer than she has. I also think his gifts are the best we've seen in over a generation.

Besides, as Obama pointed out: if time in Washington is the only criterion, then Joe Biden should have been the nominee, and we should just give up and anoint McCain.

by Amy Fried (40 articles, 113 quicklinks, 64 diaries, 213 comments) on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 11:42:48 AM

Hillary just released 11 thous. pages of White House docus

Haven't had the chance to look them over but the vetting has begun in the media already. It is acknowledged she began immediately to fulfill some of her most closely-held initiatives. Too bad she wasn't pres instead of Bill. I think the 90s would have been a whole new ballgame. Job one, as we know was to revamp the disasterous heath-care system. That attempt was of course, derailed and derided roundly. The usual suspects? Big Pharma and no doubt, the AMA...both with vested interersts in the public money trough that we call American medicine. We proclaim it the best on earth; most experts disagree and yet health care languishes, unable to forge a bipartisan rebirth to compete with other developed nations.

When asked what Obama has accomplished, his avid supporters are stumped, almost to a person. Seems to me if his credentials were so impressive, they would be enumerated in detail and on the tongue of even the most unengaged Barack voter. Yes, he did legislate in the Illinois Senate. Hillary was privy to national interests, helped to negotiate, gave advice to Bill on many issues and worked tirelessly for the interests of women and children around the world. A similar resume is evidenced in her stint as First Lady of Arkansas. Why are those accomplishments dismissed so cavalierly by both the media and in the public domain?

Could it be that she is receiving no build-up from the media and no boost from progressive organizations? They play political games and call it embracing diversity. I don't think so....

by Marilyn Frith (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 191 comments) on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 1:14:23 PM