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Jack and Jill Politics
A black bourgeois perspective on U.S. politics
Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2
Started by baratunde aka jack turner · 1 year ago
Update 11:25pm ET
The NY Times Caucus blog has some comments from people in the room in Philly, including my friend Sozi Tulante
Fellow rabble rousers and artists over at The Message Show take Amy Holmes to task for completely missing the point in Anatomy of a Hater
Here’s a single YouTube clip of the speech
Update 2:20pm ET<br ... Continue reading »
The NY Times Caucus blog has some comments from people in the room in Philly, including my friend Sozi Tulante
Fellow rabble rousers and artists over at The Message Show take Amy Holmes to task for completely missing the point in Anatomy of a Hater
Here’s a single YouTube clip of the speech
Update 2:20pm ET<br ... Continue reading »
1 year ago
This guy is the real deal and he brought it all the way home with this speech.
1 year ago
I'm satisfied.
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I listened to MSNBC and a little of CNN and some of their comments.
Roland Martin said he thought the speech made Rev. Wright a secondary issue.
Joe Scarborough said the speech was not a safe speech that it was unprecedented for a leading political candidate to make.
Pat Buchanan said he found the speech was well delivered and well thought out but he doesn’t think he answered a lot of questions re Rev. Wright and thinks Barack now has a Farrakhan problem. Buchanan also said he found parts of the speech grating when Barack talked about the conditions of the African American community and thought it put too much of the black condition on society instead of personal responsibility.
Jonathan Capeheart (Washington Post) said the speech was amazing and that it went beyond being a Democrat or Republican and it was a truth telling moment for blacks and whites.....said Obama was able to show the path to be able to come together. Capeheart also said the people who won’t vote for him because of anything said in the speech weren’t going to vote for Obama anyway.
Sally Quinn (Washington Post) said she thought it was the most important speech on race since King’s I Have A Dream speech and she envisions new conversations starting at schools and workplaces across America.
The description “historical speech” was used by a few throughout their analysis.
The big question is how this will affect his candidacy going forward. In my opinion the speech just enhanced his ability to lead wisely and honestly.
1 year ago
Also, please consider putting a powerful "Concede Now, Hillary!" widget on your blog, to direct people to the "Concede Now, Hillary!" petition.
This is the campaign being organized by the Afrosphere Action Committee that produced the Jena March. We need your participation, to show that Blacks are not going to take this lying down.
1 year ago
1 year ago
I have been watching that HBO series John Adams.... he also reminds me of the founding fathers of this country.. They knew what a great opportunity they had.. to start an entirely new country based on what they believed.. they were imperfect, but they knew what the country could be..Barack truly believes..some of us can't really see it, but it is crystal clear to him..
1 year ago
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"I've always felt deprived not to be a child of the 60's, to be an eyewitness to greatness. Not any more. I just witnessed greatness in my lifetime."
Amen, amen amen.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Americans, PLEASE ELECT THIS MAN. I'm STILL here crying in my cubicle at work.
Just in print that was incredible. Historic even.
Just like Angela, I was scared when I heard he was going to be giving this speech but...he knocked it right out of the park.
I have NEVER seen any politician anywhere speak so honestly or so eloquently. Do you really realise what a watershed moment this was? I'm not even an American and I can see it - I hope you do too.
1 year ago
1 year ago
What I hear is 'I cannot disavow my grandmother who BTW was a racist, any more than I can disavow Rev. Wright, who is a harsh critic of American domestic and foreign policy and made some controversial comments from time to time.
Not all will see this speech as glowingly as you all here. Will all who take issue with aspects of the speech be called racist?
1 year ago
1 year ago
Hell, it made me cry and I'm not prone to emotional outbursts.
Damn.
Just Damn.
1 year ago
Message: It comes from both sides
Answer: Honest, painful, open discussion and unity.
That being said. Magnificent.
Do you hear him?
1 year ago
Go home. People who see greatness and choose to deny it are their own worst enemy. Stuck in a mindset that Obama has so eloquently stated he is trying to move us out of.
1 year ago
God help me, but I agree.
I haven't seen the video (and probably won't until this evening). I dare say that this is one of the best speeches to come out of this campaign season, if not the best. It was the most specific I've seen (read?) him on any issue.
And to top it all of, it reads sincere. He's speaking from his experiences, his life. You can't counter that (though I'm sure there's those in my circles who will try). That's "straight talk" that even McCain can't match.
As strongly as I disagree with Obama on some things, there are occasionally moments where I wonder just how we're going to beat him. This is another one of those moments.
1 year ago
He bought it on home, and, whew, that was POWERFUL!
Now, can we get back to the real issues??????
1 year ago
This is not an indictment, but those of us who have experienced any of the above understand. But it is ok that you don't understand. Our challenge is to respect the perspectives, millieus and circumstances that we all come from enough to keep things in context. And then, collectively, move forward.
1 year ago
However, I think he has done a sincere job of walking the tightrope of rejecting Wright's more inflammatory words, while embracing the church and what Wright gave him. It is a very gracious speech. We'll see if the media frenzy dies down, or whether they keep it up to do their republican masters' bidding. You all know it was coming.
Then again, FOX will be FOX (just a generation removed from the lynch mob).
Here a web site that defends Wright from a black liberation perspective:
The Jeremiad
Lots of useful information there including Martin, Malcolm and Desmond Tutu video clips.
1 year ago
I didn't hear that.
And even if he did say that-directly or indirectly-I'm conservative, and I KNOW that conservatives/Republicans have some issues with throwing minorities under the bus. Hell, I've experienced it.
From one conservative to someone who sounds like another...let this one go. Attacking Obama from a racial angle just lost its effectiveness.
1 year ago
This race will be decided on issues, and whether voters want moderate or liberal solutions.
1 year ago
Melodie Morgan comments about Bob Beckel’s comments in the Fox News Green Room re Wright and Hussein.
Bob Beckel was steamed.
Later, I asked him why he was so upset.
He replied ..."because Obama’s people didn’t vet him and now Hillary’s going to win.’
Catch that?
A senior Democrat strategist thinks that Obama has lost the campaign over his association with Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s militant separatist language that includes statements like “God Damn America.” ...."
Nita back. I'm flabbergasted. There are actually Americans who buy 'God Damn America' without any context whatsoever... and then I remember how Democrats treat us. I'm pissed off, and I don't know how to express it. But anyway, I searched for the Fox Greenroom story, since Grampa Dave didn't think it was important enough to provide a link while he was providing an assload of bandwidth bustin photoshops...
Melody's site itself
Hells Bells.
If Howard Fineman of Newsweek and MSNBC's favorite Mainstream Media go-to guy can do his best reporting from the Green room (the holding area where guests get make-up and hair done) -- so can I.
I was invited on Hannity and Colmes on Friday night to talk about THE SEDITION REPORT released by Move America Forward earlier in the day at a national press conference in Washington, D.C.
That was before the moonbats took to the streets spreading lies about our soldiers during the Iraq Veterans Against the War propaganda-fest.
Of course, those half-baked contentions were soundly refuted.
I found out late that evening that the entire show was going to be Obama, Obama, Obama and his connection to the Trinity Church in Chicago and the hate-filled rantings of it's retiring pastor Jeremiah Wright.
As I was waiting to go on-the-air, Major Garrett of Fox News was on stand-by to do further reporting on his excellent interview with BHO in which he simply asked a number of questions like: "Did Reverand Wright marry you? Did Reverand Wright baptize your children? How often did you attend church? Did you donate money to the church?"
After that segment aired, Major Garrett's phone started buzzing. He recieved a call from Obama's campaign, and they were REAMING him over the report. From his end, I heard Garrett say "I have nothing to apologize for."
He repeated that several times, and he amplified by saying that he was merely asking questions that everyone wanted answers to.
That did NOT satisfy Obama's people, and Garrett flushed a couple of times while responding to the invective thrown his way.
He finally ended the conversation by saying 'I'll see you guys in April after I go home and visit my three children who barely know their father anymore."
I was scheduled for the last segment with Sean Hannity and Alan Colmes. Bob Beckel, a Democrat strategist with whom I have shared a split screen on several previous occasions, appeared just before me.
This time, he was FURIOUS. Madder than I have ever seen him on TV. He was making a point that I didn't really understand about kids who go to Obama's church growing up to become President, and was drilling Sean about that.
Whatever.
Here's the interesting part.
After the segment was over, I exchanged seats with Beckel. As he was leaving, he slammed the studio door so hard that it almost broke some expensive audio/video equipment, according to the technican who was threading my microphone.
He was STEAMED.
Later, I asked him why he was so upset.
He replied ..."because Obama's people didn't vet him and now Hillary's going to win.'
Catch that? A senior Democrat strategist thinks that Obama has lost the campaign over his association with Reverand Jeremiah Wright's militant separatist language that includes statements like "God Damn America."
I pointed out in my segment that my co-author Catherine Moy wrote about Obama's close personal association at this very website about a year and a half ago. Catherine and I were excoriated for making that piece public.
What a difference a year or so makes, plus VIDEO of those hateful rantings.
I think Bob Beckel really loves Obama. But just a guess on my part. An educated guess, but a guess.
I know for a fact that Alan Colmes does.
My advice to any pundit going on TV --stay away from Bob Beckel when he gets mad.
You might get singed.
P.S. Beckel was really quite cordial after he cooled down. He even complimented me on my H&C; segment.
And that's my complete report from Inside the Green Room....
I don't know what to say. Something about hypocrisy regarding 'half-baked' and 'propaganda-fest' comes to mind... but I'm bushed.
1 year ago
Elegantly stated.
Clinton is still here because she's not really running for her own Presidency. She's running for the PAC's from whom Obama has taken no money. Even if she loses the General Election, they win and the money keeps flowing for her and them. Even if she loses the nomination she hopes to severely damage Obama so that McCain wins in the General... and the money keeps flowing.
She's really running for McCain... on his behalf and for the benefit of their shared paymasters.
If they usurp this ascendancy we will have ten weeks between the Convention and the General Election... ten short weeks before FOUR more years. The damage she is doing is staggering... unbelievable. SHOCKING, even to my old and jaded eye.
I'm fixin' to tear down the house. Does anyone else have a "what if" contingency plan? ... besides lightin' it up?
JnJ... thanks for doing what you do. You're my lighthouse in the Fog.
Cranky Old White Guy
1 year ago
BO said that if he heard those comments first he would NOT have chosen the church. The comparison with his grandmother was that he LOVED both these people BEFORE they disappointed him. So no, he is not related to Wright, however was already in a deep relationship from him before these issues came into play.
D,
I appreciate your honesty and ability to be fair on this even though you don't agree with BO's platform. Your point was well made and received.
1 year ago
This race will be decided on issues, and whether voters want moderate or liberal solutions.
I agree with both of your points. Those are human points.
But I think 'conservative' should be included with solutions; and that 'issues' can encompass a lot more abstracts than the scope of sites like Daily Kos.
1 year ago
1 year ago
My problem is that I don't buy it. And I like Obama. What are people thinking who don't like Obama?
I'm also pissed off that he has to make a major speech in the first place...................... but no one else does, on this matter. McCain is the worst, though, because he can just wave shit off with a 'no comment stop talking to me' -- and he's allowed to. Issues are allowed to become dead, with him.
And I've just deleted the comments I've just written about how I feel about Hillary Clinton and where she can go, because I don't want the comments to be associated with this site even with a disclaimer from me. You all can guess, though.
I'm not going even going to type how I feel about America for incubating this shit in the first place. Three fingers are pointing back, anyways. Heh. :(
1 year ago
Barack Obama gives a good speech — better than most of his congressional colleagues. But at this stage in his life and career, he's not yet who he wishes to seem.
Obama's supporters will now say: "Enough. Let's move on."
Hillary supporters will say: "We agree. Enough. Let's move on." But they will whisper: "You don't think those evil Republicans will use this against him in the fall? He's damaged goods."
Independents will be split — they always are, that's their job. But fewer will see him as they did: a different breed of politician, one who transcends race and party, an agent of beneficient and desirable "change."
Conservatives are less likely to think an Obama presidency would be not so bad, and more likely to see McCain as the lesser evil.
1 year ago
The entire speech is an indictment of our pathetic political process which has devolved into a game of gotcha!
Witness the gleam in Tim Russert's eye as he asks the democratic candidates questions: At 3:13 p.m. on October 19, 2003, you said . . . . and last week you said . . .
Our present system of campaigning and media games prohibits any nuance, any transformation, any evolution of ideas.
More than anything it appears that the nitwits who pass for reporters are simply trying to pin a candidate down in order to trick them up at some point in the future.
It is that, I am convinced, that makes most folks feel so hopeless and disgusted with our political process.
The magnificence of this speech is that it is absolutely nuanced and elegant and true. Except for those who frequent the freepers site (and those people have lost their minds, truly, obsessing over Ronald Reagan, may he rest in peace without these people constantly invoking him as if he's the second coming), I believe that will resonate with voters.
Magnificent speech. I expect it will make us all want to be better than we are.
1 year ago
Another conservative viewpoint:
I'm saying, "Enough, let's move on." Republicans aren't going to use this against him in the fall. Obama just put the final nail in that coffin. Hell, if they do go after him on the basis of race, they're dumber than I thought, and I may well go back to being an independent.
The difference between Obama and McCain (at least in the context of this discussion) is that Obama has trancended both race and party. Lest we forget, there's still a significant section of the Republican base that will, as McCain's mom said, have to "hold their nose" and vote for him. Obama doesn't have that problem. And there ain't too many brothas and sistas trotting out for McCain.
I don't subscribe to the thought that an Obama administration would be "not so bad;" I firmly believe that it would do the country harm. But at the same time, I openly acknowledge and respect Obama's ability to bridge the gaps; to transcend the common problems that our society has and will always face.
1 year ago
Obama has trancended both race and party
_____________________________________
He has not transcended party to the extent that he still believe that 'society must change' in order for certain groups to succeed. He believes in the power of government to change society. He tells the white, blue collar worker, not to blame another man, but the big, bad, corporation that sent his job overseas. But why not blame the government for setting the highest corporate tax rates in the world?
He supports Affirmative Action, and is ambiguous at best on the issue of school choice. He reduces the merits of debate on welfare reform and illegal immigration by citing 'Perhaps somebody (read that: Republicans) told her along the way that her mother's problems were blacks who were on welfare and too lazy too work, or Hispanics who were coming into the country illegally."
He is still a Democrat, and a partisan one at that.
1 year ago
Obama Rises to the Occasion on Race and the Race (barf alert)
This is a subject that needs some serious discussion. Was surprised to hear Mark Shields on the NewsHour say white people can wipe out 400 years of guilt with one turn of the lever.
9 posted on 03/18/2008 10:03:04 AM PDT by SF Republican
This. Bothers. Me. And I agree with everything Anonymous 10:32am wrote. Get a name, though, man.
Obama beats this down with action, not a speech. Denouncing Pastor Wright (who was expecting it, and counseled it in the first place) isn't that action, in my uneducated opinion. The speech speaks to those who already want to hear. What do you do about those whose ears are closed?
Again, I'm erasing what I was about to type about Hillary Clinton. It would have applied to her husband-in-name-only and their merry band of culos as well.
I think Obama can pull this out........ but it's going to be difficult. Very, very difficult. I just can't think of an action which would speak louder than words -- a new action, even though I think re-emphasizing all of Obama's previous intraracial and unifying works would be a nice idea right now. It's too bad there's no way to get the 'opposition' on tape praising him (without engaging in evil Clinton-against-cooper tactics)... or is there? Does the tape already exist? in a way which boosts Obama without letting McCain do his false 'see how much of a swell guy I am' act against his own party? I don't know. I am stumped.
1 year ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU
1 year ago
Hatred towards one fellow man is wrong, even if it is from your white grandmother or your pastor. It should not be condoned or rationalized or put into a "generational context." It must be firmly and forcefully called-out and rejected, wherever and in whomever it appears.
As we are taught, hate the sin, love the sinner.
1 year ago
75 million plus patients with chronic illnesses--the cancer and Crohn's survivors who have been in the emergency rooms and seen the suffering and know it is color blind--heard that speech. Nearly all of them will vote for this guy now. I lost it when I heard that line. It is so true. I have seen so much suffering of people who didn't have insurance. The immigrant who had to bring their three year old with severe asthma to the ER because they couldn't afford an inhaler; the elderly black woman who couldn't get to her chemo appointment because she couldn't afford a taxi ride and had too much pride to ask people who were already sitting down to give up their seats on the bus; the white man who can't get afford his $600 a month drugs. I've seen hospital staffs take up collections to help these people out, and treat them with dignity. People giving up a movie or a baseball game on the weekend to help others live.
I've seen it all. Some are gone now. You can accuse me of being a religious nut job if you want, but I am starting to believe that their spirit--the spirit of so many who are for so long ignored--came back today, and was standing in those flags behind the Senator. It was there.
God bless, you Senator. And thank you.
1 year ago
------------------------
I just listened to Obama's speech and the talking head's response to it. Generally, they said that this was a speech he had to give, that he gave a good speech, this speech won't end the discussion but, but if nothing else, it has made a contribution in opening up a new discussion so we can move past it.
But here's what the talkingheads didn't say: That this was THE 3 a.m. phone call for Barack. Why, his entire presidential race is based on a post-racial politics that even Ray Charles on heroin could see was being derailed by the continual discussion about Rev. Wright's incendiary comments. That made this speech critical.
His entire presidential candidacy was in the balance. How did he handle it? With painful honesty, transparency, and integriy. He admitted he had heard fiery rhetoric from Rev. Wright before, disagreed with it but didn't quit Rev. Wright's church. Nor did he quit on Rev. Wright. Basically, he said he couldn't quit on Rev. Wright, because Rev. Wright represents, to some degree the black church, the black community; he couldn't quit on either because they were all a part of him...
In confronting the issue of race, Obama has already given us a good idea how he will confront issues as a US president, which, evidently, would be very different from Hillary. When Hillary had her 3 a.m. moment (national health care), she blew it by trying to do it with her own White House and corporate clique and in secrecy; and it fell apart. When she had her second 3 a.m. call (a vote to give Pres. Bush authorization to go to war against Iraq), she blew that too, giving Bush the okay to engage in a pre-emptive, illegal war. Why, even she admitted that she didn't even read the National Intelligence Estimate that everyone was supposed to read before voting.
Unlike Hillary, Obama answered the phone and said no to war with Iraq. Now, he just answered the phone again and said no to racial politics and, in the process, challenged us (the America voter) to examine, reexamine the racism in our hearts so we can become a better country.
I ain't no obamaholic, and I detest that lame, disorganized democratic party. But Obama just won my vote.
1 year ago
I knew Obama was going to bring his A-game, but these words are way above what I was expecting. It just hit me on so many levels. He got really personal about his experiences as a biracial American; acknowledged the grievances on both sides of the racial divide and implored us to understand where the other side is coming from; that we should focus on what is keeping us divided, namely those with money and power; I could just go on.
What really got me was his ability speak to these issues truthfully and intelligently. He actually talked to us like adults who are able to see the shades of gray. When was the last time a politician did that?
Simply stunning.
1 year ago
1 year ago
You're preaching to the wrong person. I don't think either one of us is going to vote for Obama. Yes, he is still a Democrat. That's a valid reason not to vote for him. Race ain't.
Nita,
I'm a Freeper.
I'm not going to try to defend some of their more questionable statements. All I'm going to say is that there's a segment of the population who, similarly to HRC, will not vote for Obama under ANY circumstances. They're entitled to that opinion.
But I don't think Obama's speech was geared to them, because they're not going to listen. It was geared to those who don't occupy the fringes of the left OR the right; those who are smart enough to see through the BS.
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
This is a subject that needs some serious discussion. Was surprised to hear Mark Shields on the NewsHour say white people can wipe out 400 years of guilt with one turn of the lever.
9 posted on 03/18/2008 10:03:04 AM PDT by SF Republican
This. Bothers. Me. And I agree with everything Anonymous 10:32am wrote. Get a name, though, man.
___________________________________
Whites really do not need to be reminded of the racism we have promoted thoughout recorded history. We hear it often, and liberals repeat it, ad nauseum, as a way degrade this country. It is at the heart of political correctness that has swept through our institutions and schools. It has taken such a hold, that whites are barely able to offer an opinion for fear of one of many self-defined and aggreived groups calling us racists, sexists, homophobics, anti-semites etc.
White men are the most vulnerable for the sins of their fathers, as they share both race and gender, with their white european oppressors. Many whites wonder, when is enough, enough. We get it. We denounce it. Forgive.
But absolution never comes. And layer upon layer of guilt is heaped on those who are not racist, but may have a racist relative, or a slave owner in their ancestry, etc.
After hearing for all of my life, how horrible whites have been throughout history, is it really so shocking that, once given the historic opportunity to vote for a man of mixed race, that a white man would seek absolution in the church of political correctness for the sins of his race?
1 year ago
1 year ago
I'm still vote for Hill in the primary but I will vote for Obama if he wins the nomination. I didn't always feel this way. I had a problem with him downplaying race. He made an effort to minimize his race. He didn't want to be painted as the black candidate. What was so wrong with being the "black candidate"? He didn't have a problem accepting the black vote.
I do wonder how his black supporters will respond to all of his speech. I love the face that he pointed out that blacks must expand our quest for justice to include the plight of Latinos, Asians, recent immigrants, etc. I don't know many black people who supported the latino immigrant marches.
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
The media is not going to be happy until Barack throws Rev.Wright under the bus.
I was listening to Rev. Al this afternoon and he and others believe this is an assult on the black clergy and the black church by the media. Fox News in particular.
You know the media is up to no good when they have Pat Buchanan talking about race. MSNBC had Rev. Joe Watkins on to day the things white folks are thinking but can't say out loud.
I admire Barack Obama for not throwing his pastor/mentor/friend under the bus. This shows the content of his character.
1 year ago
but, gosh, that flag overkill... seems to be fashionable lately.
1 year ago
That this was THE 3 a.m. phone call for Barack. ...
His entire presidential candidacy was in the balance. How did he handle it? With painful honesty, transparency, and integriy.
I agree with you. How Sen Obama handled this is a clear indication of how he will deal with certain kinds of crises if elected president.
To get the bad stuff out of the way first: I was upset by the statement about him in some sense because I am more -- cynical or radical or something than he is about how foundational racism is in the existence of the United States.
BUT. But even so. IMO this was an amazing and excellent action in response to the ugliness/insanity developing in the typical US way of oversimplifications and soundbytes and affective associations they promote.
He responded by confront the issues head on, with honesty, transparency and and integrity as MacDaddy pointed out.
Kitty @ Tue Mar 18, 11:26:00 AM 2008wrote aHe actually talked to us like adults who are able to see the shades of gray. When was the last time a politician did that?
Yes yes exactly.
Way I see it is: This country is in an economic crisis and it's going to get worse. It's crash and burn time. How will its people respond as the economic hardships spread and spread? We could respond with cowardice and selfishness and the soundbyte reflexes or we could respond with courage and willingness to be mature and figure out what is best for ALL of us, not just some of us. (and for the record, I don't usually talk like this, I am way more cynical than this usually , it's so weird to see myself talking/writing like this).
Senator Obama is a talented teacher as well as his other talents -- as an educator myself I recognize his abilities. How we understand what is going on is actually very important in guilding our actions. He has the capacity to shape and encourage understandings that lead toward courageous and mature and honest action rather than reflex respond-from-fear and how we're programmed actions.
Someone in another thread here said that it seems we are at a crossroads with this choice about whether to elect Senator Obama president. I agree. I personally do not feel that the United States, with all of its ugly actions, really deserves such a leader. And yet, here he is, presenting himself and willing to do this job. I don't know how to process that, but there it is, a gift that some people recognize and some don't.
I am afraid for him. And I am afraid I am misunderstanding what is going on.
So this isn't simple for me.
But last night I was saying to someone that this speech would demonstrate something important about how he does and will respond to crisis. And it did. I was saying that agains my cynical better jugement I thought he will be able to pull off what seemed like an impossible task in the bizarre non-truth-oriented climate of this country's political discourse. And he did.
If/when everything is falling apart around us, one way or another this will happen and soon -- a leader who can do what Barack Obama is obviously capable of doing will be necessary to mitigate the worst of it and call out our humanity rather than our fear in response.
PS I used to comment anon in these discussions but on reading that this disorients people I am putting my name. Sorry for contributing to the confusion, stress, etc!
1 year ago
You said you had a problem with him "downplaying his race". If race is such an issue then my main question was how is it OK support a candidate who would not have survived this far if it were not for the desperate race baiting?
1 year ago
My parag about the bad stuff first makes no sense. Before the bad cut and paste job I was saying that I didn't like what he said about radical Islam and that I am generally more cynical about racism and see it as foundational to the United States in a way he seems not to... BUT...
Hope that makes sense, sorry for pressing publish so hastily.
1 year ago
I never prescribed to the notion that the Clintons were guilty of pervasive race-baiting. I think a number of the issues that Obama supporters described as "race baiting" were either blown out of proportion or convoluted (ie the racist context of the 3am ad).
1 year ago
I never subscribed to the racial overtones of the 3am ad but there are PLENTY more. Why is is that HRC supporters always bring up the weakest examples? "Blown out of proportion" Either it is or it isn't! When you inject race, it is just that. There is no taking it back after it is introduced particularly when you are purposely aiming this type of "advertising" at poor, uneducated whites and those who are looking for a reason to subscribe to race issues!
1 year ago
I often say about Barack that he has been good at dodging bullets, but I never thought about it in terms of the 3 A.M. phone call rhetoric.
And if the calm and coolness with which he delivered this speech, as though we were having a conversation in our living room like F.D.R's fireside chats is what we can expect when the proverbial sh$% hits the fan, then
clearly he's already ready for anytime of day.
I will be quoting what you said on my blog tomorrow...hope you don't mind.
1 year ago
I do wonder how his black supporters will respond to all of his speech. I love the face that he pointed out that blacks must expand our quest for justice to include the plight of Latinos, Asians, recent immigrants, etc. I don't know many black people who supported the latino immigrant marches.
I would like it if Latinos, Asians etc.. would include us. They dont want to identify themselves with us. When they want to and if they were willing to we would (trust me) accept. In addition, I am the first generation born in this country and the oldest person ion my family born in the United States. My family is Caribbean. I dont see Latinos including us when they discuss issues in the immigration issue. They dont.
In addition, if Obama wasn't race neutral we couldnt get so far, period.
1 year ago
Folks are calling this the most powerful speech since MLK's Dream Speech...the bar has been raised, and my expectations are SKY HIGH...hope i'm not disappointed.
1 year ago
A mass rationalization and a slap on the wrist for all Democrat haters.
Instead of saying HATE is WRONG, Obama justifies it, saying it's generational, or everyone has grievences.
Now the Democrats are unified and can all feel comfortable with their hate towards Republicans.
1 year ago
1 year ago
And therein lies the great racial divide (gender divide, sexual orientation divide, whatever divide have you): because the past really isn't past and it's difficult to find forgiveness in your heart for anyone when you are still being beaten down by injustices large and small on a nearly daily basis. History has allowed this Country to build whole systems that perpetuate the status quo and the status quo has never favored, let alone been fair to the minority populations in this Country. All we've ever asked for is equality - fairness.
It is not unreasonable to object to the idea that a vote for Senator Obama will end the problem of racial injustice. After all, voting for Senator Obama does NOT end racial injustice and no one I know is really naive enough to believe that anyway.
Instead I believe this tenative line of thought has been distorted by the MSM and some right wing bloggers as a way of belittling the many white people who sincerely believe in Senator Obama's message of hope and change.
A small group of the many Sen. Obama supporters I have spoken to believe a vote for Senator Obama could be a tentative start to addressing racial injustice - a leap of faith, a demonstration of their willingness to start the discussion and see it through, if you will. But they believe this in ADDITION to prefering his positive message, his platforms on healthcare, open government and the war and so forth.
You see the difference between the two? I would add my objection to the thought that a vote for Sen. Obama wipes the slate clean. That's just a weak a** attempt to shut the door on the issue, sweep it under the rug and continue on, business as ususal without ever addressing or redressing racial injustice.
Phrase it the second way and my attitude changes. Is voting for Sen. Obama a way of STARTING to bridge the abyss? I am willing to particpate in that social experiment. I certainly would have more faith that this Country is capable of one day redressing racial injustice when I see that that majority of its inhabitants are capable of coming together and electing a black (bi-racial) man as POTUS.
I read some comments in another blog that really resonated with me that I would like to share. It went something like this:
1st commentator: "its long past time America had a discussion about race"
2nd commentator: "we are already having a discussion - and it ain't going well."
I would implore you to go back and read Senator Obama's speech and keep reading it until you really understand it. It's the first glimmer of hope I have seen that this discussion about race might become more positive.
1 year ago
Some don't want to understand it and they never will. Sad!
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
LOL! What did I correct???? I try not to act like that! LOL!
1 year ago
He didn't justify hate, he EDUCATED the public on its origins in a frank, intelligent way. He called everyone out on their own prejudice, and yes - racism.
______________________________________
Guess you haven't been a white student sitting a history class. I've been educated about my racism and the racism and oppression
of white europeans for the past 30 years. I've had enough white guilt piled on me to last a lifetime, but I am not a racist. I am Italian, and I am taught, Christopher Columbus is no one to be proud of, he was a racist. I am taught, Thomas Jefferson is no one to be proud of, he was a racist. My pioneer great grand parents oppressed Native Americans and on and on and on. I was fortunate to not be born into poverty, yet chastised because some view me as 'rich'.
I am all too well educated about my racist, privileged past. But why should that define me?
I have ignorant relatives who make racist comments and I call them out. Some I no longer associate with because I can't listen to their bigotry.
It is obvious that most commentors here do not see anything inherently wrong with Wright's hate speech. They nod their head and shout 'Amen.' And whether one feels justified or affirmed by such comments, the comments are WRONG.
I am not defined by my past, by a birth to a race over which I had no control. I answer to my God, and to myself, I am true. I try my best to treat other with respect, and to help those in need.
Moral equivalence and political correctness are intellectually oppressive liberal exercises to manipulate people who do not share their views.
1 year ago
For women: never concede to a man.
For whites: never concede to a black.
For white women: they got the vote first! it's our turn now! we got next! how dare they!
@ nmp and jonathan, that's sweet. me, personally, i'd rather live in a world where they didn't have to suffer and die in the first place. the type of psychological damage that had to have occurred to everyone who lived during those times.... i'm surprised more people didn't snap. remember 'slavery flashbacks' in grade school and high school? those were jokes, but not really. but in the present, there's greatness all around us. it's enough to live now.
@ i am not star jones, and yet i hope it doesn't take his death (like King) or a debilitating illness (like Ali) for folks to realize just what they have in Obama instead of hating on him and calling him anti-American and other bullshit.
@ anonymous at 9:52am wrote, The idea that his grandmother expressing fear of black men is in any way equivalent or should even be mentioned in the same context as Jeremiah Wright's racial diatribes is utterly ridiculous.
why? because you're one of the purse clutchers and you don't like to be called out? or forced to look in the mirror? you honestly think it's alright when you do it, your reasons are 'reasonable', but whatever racism you see of Pastor Wright is unreasonable? I also like the juxtaposition of birth with his grandmother (ie -- she couldn't be helped, therefore anything she has to say or does as an adult woman is blameless), and choice with Pastor Wright (he can be helped and should know better, therefore he's the greater sinner). Well, I don't really like it, but that juxtaposition fits in with what I read of you. Ultimately, Obama's grandmother's reactions are natural, Pastor Wright's are unnatural, in your world.
Fuck you. And get a name.
1 year ago
So just b/c you are white and was taught about your ancestors racism you equate this to 'white guilt"? Are you serious? The truth is the truth and it shall set you free! Now having said this, I am not suggesting that we berate the issue. I just don't see how you can overlook it either!
1 year ago
i, Nita, am in no way representative of the views or the education level of the majority of Jack or Jill, or its staff. nor is my use of profanity to be considered the norm or approved by staff or the majority of readers here at Jack and Jill.
1 year ago
1 year ago
What Obama said was:
Like the anger within the black community, these resentments aren't always expressed in polite company. But they have helped shape the political landscape for at least a generation. Anger over welfare and affirmative action helped forge the Reagan Coalition. Politicians routinely exploited fears of crime for their own electoral ends. Talk show hosts and conservative commentators built entire careers unmasking bogus claims of racism while dismissing legitimate discussions of racial injustice and inequality as mere political correctness or reverse racism.
Do you really disagree with what he had written, Anonymous 9:54? if you do disagree, please give an example of why you disagree with his statements about political exploitation of race.
And do you have a response to D at 10:09, who says, "I KNOW that conservatives/Republicans have some issues with throwing minorities under the bus. Hell, I've experienced it."
I hope that I have missed your answer to D, because this is a long thread, and it isn't a case of you ignoring D.
What he also said was:
Ironically, this quintessentially American – and yes, conservative – notion of self-help found frequent expression in Reverend Wright's sermons. But what my former pastor too often failed to understand is that embarking on a program of self-help also requires a belief that society can change.
May I ask: how did you miss that, were your ears really that busy filtering him into saying that conservatives and Republicans are racists and that was it?
or do you disagree with Obama on this point, as well (since that is possible)?
1 year ago
You wrote beautifully. But I have to disagree on one point, this one. I believe enhancing his ability to lead wisely and honestly is outside of an affect on his candidacy. Look at Lele; or look at the overwhelming audience reaction in Harlem at the Apollo last year. More of the same 'I like the speech but I'm not gonna vote for him'. Obama can definitely lead, and he is wise, and he's a lot more honest than the other two major candidates leading right now.................... but that has to translate into having the majority of Americans say 'I want him to lead me' and 'I want him to represent me to the rest of the world'. Does this speech do that for most Americans? I honestly don't know.
Obama has a lot more faith in Americans than I do. You have more faith, too; that's a good thing. Has to translate into votes, though.
@ Francis L. Holland Blog said... If you're sick and tired of Billary & Co., and their demeaning attitude toward Obama and all Blacks, then sign the "Concede Now, Hillary!" petition and blog about this on the "Day of Blogging for Voter Justice", on Tuesday, March 25.
They demean the nation. They demean men, they demean women, they demean whites, they demean latinos, they didn't say a word in asians' defense when the 'asians are too racist to vote for a black man and won't strictly because he's black'stuff; they demean the working class (Hillary may think all of us have forgotten her asinine class-ist statement about how she represents the $92K/year club during last year's social security mess........ but she's wrong). they demean everybody.
I'd be careful with wording, though. She'll only step aside (let alone down) if it's a concession, not defeat. Concession still has a place in government, there's still power. Defeat is thermonuclear, loss of power and pride and place. Hillary obviously has power/empowerment issues.
I think it's time to manipulate that. But that's just me.
1 year ago
because the past really isn't past and it's difficult to find forgiveness in your heart for anyone when you are still being beaten down by injustices large and small on a nearly daily basis.
___________________________________
As individuals, we can all cite many instances where we have felt wronged, slighted, oppressed or ignored. And those feeling are not necessarily caused by the color of my skin.
Forgiveness is a choice. Preseverence is a choice. Determination is a choice.
Victimhood is a choice.
If you choose not to forgive and move beyond the big and small obstacles put in your way how will you grow as a human being.
Many people have great, almost insurmountable obstacles to overcome each day, and the success of these individuals is a testament to the ability of human beings to achieve greatness when all thought hope was lost. And this country provides the foundation and the freedom to overcome adversity and achieve greatness.
I don't blame institutions for my circumstances anymore than I depend of them for my success.
I was always taught, "No one is going to look out for you but yourself." And "Life isn't fair."
The true divide in this nation is not between whites and minorities, but between victims and achievers.
1 year ago
1 year ago
your picture looked familiar.. for a second, I thought you were the afro-caribbean who had the anti-KOS blog, which is in the blogroll here.. so i pull up your name, DANG you've been busy! god bless you, man.
@ndn5898 said... Guys,I have been watching that HBO series John Adams
John Adams will always have a place in my heart simply because they were anti-slavery when all the 'cool kids' were pro-slavery. And he had a wife who wouldn't take sh*t. She wasn't down with Jefferson's sexual abuse of the little girl who was his deceased wife's half-sister.
@ethirien said... However, I think he has done a sincere job of walking the tightrope of rejecting Wright's more inflammatory words, while embracing the church and what Wright gave him. It is a very gracious speech. We'll see if the media frenzy dies down, or whether they keep it up to do their republican masters' bidding. You all know it was coming.
I agreed with your entire post (including what you had to say about Wright) right up until you used the words "republican masters' bidding". I don't for a minute think this is remotely only a republican plot. The Clintons part in this, and thus Democrats part in this, should never be forgotten or downplayed. Democrats' racial (and gender, on both sides) issues as finally exposed by this election period, should not be swept under the rug into 'the other guys are less pure' neverland.
It's Democrats who are ultimately going to choose between Obama and Clinton -- NOT Republicans. This rests ultimately with Democrats.
Thank you for the link, by the way. I believe it's whites who have the bigger issue with Wright, though; so it's going to have to be whites -- like Francis Schaeffer last week -- and a white perspective who spread a positive word in Wright's defense. But thank you for the link.
@Cranky at 10:13, somebody please goldplate your entire post, particularly this part:
Clinton is still here because she's not really running for her own Presidency. She's running for the PAC's from whom Obama has taken no money. Even if she loses the General Election, they win and the money keeps flowing for her and them. Even if she loses the nomination she hopes to severely damage Obama so that McCain wins in the General... and the money keeps flowing.
She's really running for McCain... on his behalf and for the benefit of their shared paymasters.
If they usurp this ascendancy we will have ten weeks between the Convention and the General Election... ten short weeks before FOUR more years. The damage she is doing is staggering... unbelievable. SHOCKING, even to my old and jaded eye.
Who was it who made the Braveheart comparison, just before Ohio/Texas, with Hillary being the scottsmen making deals with the english for selfish reasons as their countrymen suffered?
she can also be king charles and his wacky mama, pretending to want freedom, but actually willing to just use their people's disgust with the english in order to rule. Obama is joan, never given her real intellectual due for being able to do what she did, being feared because no one believed that she really did have France's best interests at heart instead of seeking power for power's sake like Charles and his mama.
@lexus, except, is that what's happening?
@bigassbelle wrote More than anything it appears that the nitwits who pass for reporters are simply trying to pin a candidate down in order to trick them up at some point in the future.
that's true, but what else are they going to do? particularly when it's so easy to do the tripping up? The Ron Paulers used to say that Ron Paul was the most consistent candidate out of both Republicans and Democrats. Maybe they're being attorneys to attorneys. I don't know.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Barack, I didn’t do it for this.
Barack, I was a civil rights worker… South Carolina, 1966… 22 yrs old … helping old folks register to vote, teaching kids to read and write, directing Raisin in the Sun…
Barack, I didn’t do it for this.
Barack, I dream of my kindergarten best friend Andy from Walden School, Manhattan, born one day after me, shot dead in Mississippi 1964.
Barack, I idolized Stokley Carmichael and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
Barack, I lost the full use of my left hand for life in South Carolina.
Barack, I didn’t do it for this.
Barack, I gave hundreds to the Black Panthers for their children’s breakfast program when I was 25 and a young screenwriter in Echo Park, Los Angeles, even though I knew Huey was crazy and was worried my money might have been going for guns, even though I had my own children in the house when the Panthers came over, their jackets bulging.
Barack, I made excuses for the Black Power Movement even though I knew it was turning racist.
Barack, I didn’t do it for this.
Barack, your speech was bullshit.
Barack, this isn’t about generations.
Barack, this isn’t about the black church.
Barack, this is about a pathological minister whose uncontrolled anger wounds his own people and keeps them down.
Barack, this is about a man who ignored that rage for his own political gain and even now won’t admit a huge mistake and looks for nuance and excuses.
Barack, this about a woman who went on scholarship to Princeton and Harvard and still hates America.
Barack, you say you want Black-Jewish reconciliation but you hung with an anti-Semite.
Barack, I didn’t do it for this.
Roger L. Simon is an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, novelist and blogger, and the CEO of Pajamas Media.
1 year ago
Because they're so desperate to find a reason to dislike him that they'll blindly grab onto anything, even though it contradicts their own reasons for supporting Billary or McCain.
1 year ago
I totally agree. After watching his speech today, I'm now at peace with the fact that he may not get the Democratic nomination. Obama would've been a damn good president, and this speech showed that.
I still won't vote for Clinton, though.
1 year ago
1 year ago
1. I was in church when Wright said some bad things.
2. I didn't like the bad things he said.
3. I never, ever spoke up about how I felt about the bad things.
4. I continued to go to the church even after he said the bad things.
5. All of which is irrelevant because my grandmother used some racil epithets.
Did I get it right?
1 year ago
BTW there's now yet another report of the Hillary Clinton team desperately trying to rig voting machines in Pennsylvania, as she continues to slip further behind. She is apparently being helped by idiots within Governor Ed Rendell's administration, as Rendell is a prominent Clinton supporter.
I'm telling you, if there is even a hint of vote-tampering in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia will burn to the ground. Followed by the rest of the state and the country afterward. You do not f**k with democracy here. Especially when you have someone like Obama who is fulfilling its promises as well.
NYC is still on high alert due to rage about the obvious election fraud that took place there, with many Harlem districts showing zero votes for Obama. Same for California, with the 1,000,000 disqualified pro-Obama ballots. If something similar happens in Pennsylvania-- if there is yet another discrepancy between the exit polls and the rigged voting results-- then the United States will soon be destroyed. If people want this country to survive, then they'd better make sure that the primaries in Pennsylvania and subsequent states occur without a hitch.
Otherwise, there will be brutal consequences.
1 year ago
@Anonymous 11:20am, Hatred towards one fellow man is wrong, even if it is from your white grandmother or your pastor.
since the words of contention being repeated ad nauseum by anti-Pastor Wrighters is 'God Damn America'............... should we really be co-signing that Pastor Wright hates America (which is apparently all white, therefore he hates all whites) by saying 'God Damn America' for the way she wages wars and meddles in other people's business and sells lies about other countries in order to wage war on those countries and kills off its own people? America has done a lot of shit to hate. That doesn't mean one hates America. I agree with you when you say, hate the sin not the sinner. That does need to be reinforced. I don't know if it is, though. Is it?
I'm a little wary of where all of this is going, and it bothers me. I hope it helps. It's just not helping me. It's not helping me for different reasons than it not helping people who were pre-disposed to hating him and finding any reason not to vote for him.
@ D But I don't think Obama's speech was geared to them, because they're not going to listen. It was geared to those who don't occupy the fringes of the left OR the right; those who are smart enough to see through the BS.
I don't have faith in their numbers. And they'd still have to be predisposed to him over Hillary or McCain, in spite of being neutral. So, how can Obama reach those who are predisposed to hating him? or those who like him but won't vote for him under any circumstances?
I'm a Freeper.
You survive over there? dang. You must lay low, or have an old member since date. I know some hardcore conservatives who have been banned by the Freeper mods in the past LMAO. Dyed in the wool, real life, send money, live their life as conservatives -- banned. They shared opinions which were considered 'wrong', so off with their accounts. The worst part is that the bannings aren't consistent over the life of the site. It's like 1984-lite over there. Then again, Democratic Underground is known for pulling the same shit against liberals. It's crazy at both sites, but the craziest for me was when FR was getting rid of posters, no matter how long they'd been members, for being Ron Paul supporters; while officially big upping Fred 'Why am I here? but I'll still take your money while helping my boy McCain' Thompson.
@Ronnie B Now that Barack has quite brilliantly identified the problems AND solutions surrounding the issues of race in politics, I wonder which direction the pundits will go from here?
They'll go wherever the ratings lead them. I'm like to hear from Hillary and McCain, though.
1 year ago
The superdelegates are not going to go against this. They're just not. The best Hillary could hope for in the remaining states, would be a draw. If the supers were to go against this, it would lead to the utter destruction of the Democratic Party-- an exodus of Blacks, young people, progressives and so forth. They're not that dumb. Nobody's going to remember these pastor comments crap a month from now, nobody really cares.
Besides, there's much more dirt on Hillary-- her tax returns, the Clinton foundation, the Kazakh uranium mine connections. This is all going to be spilling forth in ugly detail, pushed by the Obama campaign or not, and hit the national headlines.
What Hillary would do and is trying to do, is to sabotage Obama's chances against McCain. Her political career is over and she knows it, so the best she can do is react with pique and frustration. And there will be awful consequences to pay for it.
1 year ago
1 year ago
He actually dissed Michelle Obama, saying that she hated America after talking about his own past in the 60s which included supporting the Black Panthers. I notice, also, that he qualifies his support of the Panthers with 'school breakfast program', but I know damn well why he made sure to include that and not the other stuff the Panthers were fighting for that were also beneficial but remain controversial.
These old time ex-so-called Civil Rights activists need to be swept the fuck away, for pulling this shit. And for what?
This motherfucker is calling out Obama for betrayal... but doesn't see the betrayal he himself engages in throughout his essay!!!!!
What exactly did this fool fight for? We gonna find out he's sucking down beanpies with Jan Brady, at home, too? (ok, that was a movie joke... but asking what he fought for is not.)
I can't believe this shit.
1 year ago
I can identify directly with Obama's words about his white grandmother.....I could never disown my dad because of his prejudice...my dad did good things in his life, fought for the US in WWII and suffered many racial injustices as a result of the period of time he lived. i.e. Rev Wright.
I count myself fortunate that I didn't allow my life to be limited by the racial slights directed at me. I know many people from all walks and all ethnic areas and feel truly blessed.
I truly believe what Obama said in his speech about Americans being capable and adult enough to get beyond race issues.....and I think the one who will continue to make Rev. Wright an issue are those who are racist and are looking for any reason to destroy Obama's candidacy.
FYI. I just donated again to Obama to show my support. I will continue to do so if I have to give up all my luxury spending which isn't all that great. We can stop eating out, go on a diet, whatever!!!!
1 year ago
Obama is undoubtedly on track for the nomination, but it'll help to win by big margins in the upcoming states, to shut down the Clinton campaign in its self-destructive disaster mode, and accelerate the process of taking on McCain.
http://tinyurl.com/2hndny
Also, help volunteer to sign up African-American voters in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Indiana and other states. Make calls, and do some door-to-door canvassing.
1 year ago
-- That's when Plan B goes into action. Call me paranoid. And I know you're addressing this to Felicia, but if it were a matter of the math, Hillary would not continue to go thermonuclear over bullshit. She would not seek to completely destroy Obama *and* help the Republican so-called rival at the same time.
If the supers were to go against this, it would lead to the utter destruction of the Democratic Party-- an exodus of Blacks, young people, progressives and so forth. They're not that dumb.
-- Then why is Hillary? The entire Clinton playbook is based upon "we destroy first, we get the votes, we apologize, we kiss and make up, we backstab first, rinse repeat" For whatever reason they're apparently being told not to worry, that the rank and file will 'fall into line' to prevent McCain being president because that's more important than the race to the nomination. If the Democratic party as we know it is to be destroyed, what's going to take its place? Something must already be in the wings.
Nobody's going to remember these pastor comments crap a month from now, nobody really cares.
-- and they're counting that nobody remembers what Hillary did to gain the nomination, if she is given it.
Besides, there's much more dirt on Hillary-- her tax returns, the Clinton foundation, the Kazakh uranium mine connections.
-- Lele knows all those things (I'm assuming), and she still supports Clinton. I've seen black women online say that it was nobody's business what was in the clinton's tax returns. They don't care about any of that stuff. They care about results, and they feel that Hillary as a mother herself will yield results for them.
Her political career is over and she knows it,
-- even to all the women, black white and other, who will support her through hell and highwater, particularly if they honestly believe she's the victim of Men (spit)?
so the best she can do is react with pique and frustration. And there will be awful consequences to pay for it.
Yes, there will be. Hell hath no fury... like the wrath of a lobbyist scorned. Reminds me of the skit before that one Al B. Sure song...where the chick goes 'I paid my (dollars and cents) so now you've got to please me'.
1 year ago
1 year ago
As good as Obama's speech was, I found myself angry that he had to give it when he gave it for the reasons he had to give it. In other words, I really resented the fact that the words of his pastor were used against him and then he had to explain away the pastor's words which were not his own.
Whether one agrees with Pastor Wright's words or not, I also felt a bit annoyed that now the black church has to explain how it functions to people who could care less about it. It has been the one place many of us could go to and release all the stress and anxiety we have to carry from day to day. Now we have to be concerned that some damn mole is there and the pastor has to watch every word he or she says. Can you say "chilling effect."
I want to see Obama win and I understand why he had to give the speech, I just don't appreciate the fact he was forced off message and on the defense for someone else's choices.
So can we get back to the issues NOW!
1 year ago
I believe he did so. But at a price that opens him up to a charge he has been trying to avoid since he began his historic run for the presidency: that he is a far left Democratic liberal who sees the government as the solution to most of the nation’s problems.
More than at any other time in this campaign, Obama forcefully and without qualification endorsed across the board government intervention in every aspect of the lives of American citizens. This includes the prospect of joining whites and blacks together in a “victimhood coalition” to fight the enemy.
And who might that enemy be? Generally speaking, it is conservatives who are at the bottom of every problem enunciated by Obama during his 35 minute speech. Not once did Obama blame government policies for the problems of African Americans, low and middle income whites, or any other identity group he wished to bring into his victim coalition. Government is not only blameless, but statist solutions are the only way to fix what ails us, according to Obama.
Obama clearly rejects and condemned what Wright says. That is not an issue now. Obama wants us to understand where the anger is coming from. And to do that, he attempts to pull whites into his victimhood coalition by enunciating their resentments as well. Obama to Whites: it’s not your fault you’ve been taken in by evil conservatives. You’re a victim too.
An opportunity missed to be sure. He could have condemned all forms of political correctness and what it leads to including campus speech codes, an inability to discuss race or gender issues in any meaningful way. Instead, he used the liberal definition of the practice to legitimize it.
The racial divide aspects of the speech were also fascinating in that Obama combined an extraordinarily brave and honest assessment of the state of race relations in the country (using his own remarkable life as a backdrop) with an appeal to support him based on his perceived ability to transcend his race. But how can he do that by not repudiating his hate filled pastor? Obama attempts to plant one foot firmly on either side of the divide but ends up failing because in the end, he must be who he is: a black man who, while not agreeing with Reverend Wright’s toxic words, nevertheless understands and agrees with the underlying reason he spouts them.
Above all, Obama sees the solution to the divide as whites and blacks united in asking for government help.
The speech — at bottom, an act of political necessity — raised issues Obama had been trying to keep in abeyance. His belief in a society of victims — both black and white — as well as his clear intent to radically invade the space of individual citizens will be picked apart by his Republican opponent John McCain. He could very well lose the support of some independents as a result of this speech.
As far as filling the immediate political need to lance the boil of Wright’s poisonous words, it succeeded. At what cost is yet to be determined.
1 year ago
FYI....we have to support Obama....please go to his site and donate!!!
1 year ago
Angela, I'm a dork. And that was irresponsible of me. But thank you for accepting my condolences anyway. I hope your family is continuing to heal through this. Like you said, no matter how he may have thought or acted, he was still family, and you all still love him.
1 year ago
The breath taking beauty of his words touched me at my core. The honesty, my God. I finally understand what they mean by the truth shall set you free. This is an opportunity that Bill Clinton missed when he had the chance to apologize for slavery and tackle the issue of reparations.
Please America, please let's not get this wrong. A leader of this man's caliber comes along once in a lifetime and here he is, here he is.
I am under no illusions about what an Obama presidency would look like. But if we can get this level of honesty and insight from an Obama presidential briefing, in sharp contrast to Bush's evasive & delusional web of lies, we would be blessed.
Can you imagine his briefings on Iraq, health care, the economy, corporate greed, and on and on.
That in and of its would raise the IQ of this country several points! And I would finally be able to stop threatening to write my book "The Dumbing Down of America"!
1 year ago
You (or someone you copied/pasted, i'm not sure which,) wrote:
"Obama attempts to plant one foot firmly on either side of the divide but ends up failing because in the end, he must be who he is: a black man who, while not agreeing with Reverend Wright’s toxic words, nevertheless understands and agrees with the underlying reason he spouts them."
This perfectly illustrates what has and will be the primary error committed by those who misconstrue this speech:
You have conflated understanding with agreement; or you beleive there is no valid distinction. In both, you are wrong. Understanding is not agreement. If you are unable to parse the difference, then nothing -at all- that Obama says will ever satisfy you with regard to Wright. And you may as well admit that up front.
As for the thrust of the rest of that opinion, Obama has repeatedly indicated respect for and willingnes to use conservative ideas - but real conservative ideas, not this market-fundamentalism-while-
somehow-managing-also-to-be-
a-unitary-executive-constitution-
shredding-authoritarian hoohaa that has been dolled up as, and mistaken for, "conservatism" for the past seven years or so.
And if you can't parse that, it's obvious who you were going to vote for regardless.
1 year ago
I could not understand why I was not as moved as others were then I realized it was because I was pissed off.
Guess it's time to make another donation to the Obama campaign...It makes me feel better.
1 year ago
I think Obama gave a great speech.
I believe the media will ignore what he said and continue on their "Wright-watch."
To which I say, "Fuck the media."
1 year ago
The main problem with conspiracy theories in general is that they require an awful lot of people to work in lockstep, when in fact the very same cynical factors that would push such conspiracies also tend to divide the conspirators from each other.
Sometimes conspiracies do happen, I don't deny that.
But the Clintons have made just as many enemies as friends among the Democratic Party (if not more), and there are an awful lot of Dems who want to see them go down.
And fast.
If the superdelegates and party insiders had been so pro-Clinton, they would have shut Obama down a long time ago without even giving his campaign much of a chance to reach the voters.
They didn't, in part because a large number of them don't like the Clintons either.
They were willing to still support Hillary if she could win the primaries, but she's failed miserably in that. Miserably.
Again, if the majority of the pledged delegates, and votes, and states go to Obama, and the party were to make some backroom deal against Obama-- yes, this would destroy the Dem party.
I see what you're saying about the Clintons' tactics, I agree with you, but people's tolerance for "forgiving and forgetting" goes only so far.
People will forgive even reprehensible tactics if they're outweighed ultimately respect.
They would never forgive a BS nomination-- this would be an arrogant attack on the heart of democracy itself.
And considering the often divisively emotional nature of these primaries, they would not forgive anything that would be used to trash the popular vote and the pledged delegates.
The simple truth is, the Party and the country as a whole depend on this election occurring at least somewhat above board.
I still suspect that Hillary will win Pennsylvania, the demographics are pro-Hillary there.
But she won't get nearly enough delegates, which means that Obama continues to dominate in the pledged delegate count.
Pelosi herself, Gore and many others have said this-- the supers need to endorse the votes of the Democrats in the primaries, otherwise the rage would lead the party to fall apart.
And considering the crisis that our country is facing, we can't risk such stupidity.
McCain will be a tough candidate, no doubt. But he's beatable. However, if Hillary continues to damage Obama and the Party, then McCain would almost get a free ride into the Oval Office.
And if the country continues divided like this, then the USA will soon perish, probably within a couple decades. And if indeed we are so bitterly divided, with such a death wish, then perhaps the place would deserve it. I hope it doesn't come to that.
1 year ago
"I still suspect that Hillary will win Pennsylvania, the demographics are pro-Hillary there."
You're right. I grew up in Pennsylvania and know it well. I would caution you strongly against buying into any version of the Clintons' game regarding high expectations for this state. There's a reason Pennsylvania instantly became the next "benchmark state" for the Clinton campaign, and you know what that reason is. Obama is unlikely to win there.
I may be surprised. PA may have changed a great deal since I last lived there. That western two-thirds may have become more liberal; more Iowa-like and less Ohio-like.
But if Obama actually outright wins the state, that will be a very big surprise. He can and should do well there if he campaigns hard, but at the very best, I think we can expect a Texas nailbiter minus the caucus, and probably a result a bit more like Ohio. Which of course means the Clintons (and the media, gotta sell those papers!) are going to be ginning up Pensylvania as though it decides the whole election. Don't walk into that trap.
1 year ago
Obama is the only candidate who actually challenges us be better.
1 year ago
1 year ago
That's quite a prophetic statement there, with which I do not agree. Do you mean it turned *you* off? Why?
1 year ago
http://rate.forbes.com/comments/CommentServlet?op=cpage&sourcename;=story&StoryURI;=2008/03/17/forbes-tracker-appeal-oped-cx_daa_0317appeal.html
Forbes held an independent poll ranking the candidates on the same attributes it uses to select its represenatives. Obama far outranks Hillary.
1 year ago
Yes it turned me off. I liked the man. I wanted to believe, but I know right from wrong. Wright's sermons were hate speech. Wright's words, in any context, for any reason, are wrong. Wright was using his position as a leader to promote and perpetuate hatred for one's fellow man and for our country.
I question Sen. Obama's judgment and his veracity. I feel that he is only distancing himself from the pastor because he had to save his candidacy.
While he may not abide the anger of Rev. Wright, I do believe that he agrees with his pastor. He is a part of him, a part he has chosen to incorporate into himself and now, into his campaign.
1 year ago
I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community.
This is what made me cry. To be honest, I realize this was all I wanted from this speech.
1 year ago
It seems to me like rikyrah's post above answers you straight on without even trying. But since i typed all this in response i'll post it.
What puzzles me about your reaction is this: You say the subset of Pastor Wright's remarks that are being endlessly looped on the news were wrong. Obama goes you one further - he called them "inexcusable" and "divisive."
What he then asks you to do - at great political risk to himself, as your final judgment makes evident - is follow him in a (brief) accounting of the reality of race in American history through to the present. You are challenged not to excuse specific remarks, but to understand. You are asked to believe that this history provides reasons for Pastor Wright's remarks that allow a person of goodwill to put them in the context of his whole life -which includes a great deal of good works and great sermons, by anyone's measure- under conditions which you may not be familiar with firsthand, but which the body of the speech is intended to give you a sense of.
I'll say again that if you cannot discern the difference between understanding and agreeing, i.e. between knowing, understanding, feeling solidarity with, and loving someone, vs. being in lock-step agreement with them on every single issue, then this may be lost on you. If, for you, there is no airspace at all between principle (being the best person you can be under the circumstances you are given) and practice (never, ever breaching a certain list of things that must not be said), then this distinction will be lost on you.
But I would put it to you that if you think about it, that's not really the case. You judge people within the context of what you know about their lives; you love imperfect people. This speech asks you, if you are not black, not from southside, not familiar with the prophetic history of black charismatic preaching, to make what has to be an imaginative leap - to understand why Obama feels this closeness to Wright and the community he serves, and to understand why Obama can declare that love while being aware of "the contradictions - the good and the bad" of the community and of Wright himself, and why it is important enough to him that he makes this speech - the speech he actually gave - instead of a safer one.
There's a reason that many are already saying that this was not like most political speeches. Most political speeches neither give you that much nor ask you to do that much work. If you truly distrust Obama and think he is being disingenuous then none of this will matter. I put it to you that someone who has made the choices he has made, run the campaign he has run, written the books he has written when he wrote them, and given the speech he just gave, has not earned that mistrust but its opposite.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Many investigations have concluded that Federal Agencies have been periodically complicit in the importation and marketing of drugs, especially to minority neighborhoods. This is true from the Golden Triangle during the Vietnam War to Columbia and South America post-Nixon.
It is true that 3 strikes you're out was pandered to the public as targetting violent offenders, but in practice targets ALL felons. It is a felony in many cases to commit a misdemeanor while on parole. Thousands of people, disproportionately African-American are doing life sentences for petty offenses.
It is true that draconian legislation elongating terms for crack, as opposed to powder cocaine, targets African Americans.
It is true that although MORE WHITE youth do drugs than Black, fewer Whites are incarcerated for it. The only demographic where Blacks equalled Whites in drug use was among Heroin users.
African-American people are under assault by the Police, the Courts and the Legislators... to incarcerate, politically and economically disenfranchise; to RE-ENSLAVE.
Damnation does not invariably mean condemnation to eternal hell-fire. The same people that think this are also shocked to hear a Christian Minister say these words, especially in a church... they are theologically ignorant and have only a colloquial understanding of the words, and morality gleaned from too much television... and not enough churching.
If genocide of Indigenous peoples, slavery, Jim Crow, many decades of exclusion, leaving people generationally in abject poverty, is not sufficient grounds for "Damnation," may I throw in our War Crimes in Iraq, Guantanamo and the International Gulag of Secret CIA prisons? Just to borrow from current events.
Any Christian Pastor with the BALLS... the unmitigated MORAL HAIR... to say GOD DAMN AMERICA in the context of these realities.. has my respect.
Barack couldn't say it, but bless his heart for not throwing Rev. Wright under the bus.
1 year ago
But it's now on us. We have to keep this dialog going. Whether it's within our families, amongst our friends, or whenever possible. We cannot let the lizards stop this. This is just too important.
1 year ago
The analyzation is an interesting read, though. Thank you, again.
1 year ago
Great speech. Ha! seems like Barack brought out some poetry in the posters here! I heard he's going to address Iraq tomorrow and the economy the following day..
Re speaking to the whites in Pennsylvania...I hope he channels his community organizer energy, put on a pair of jeans and talk to them from that standpoint.
Barack's got a secret weapon: the grassroots network that supports him. The Dems know these "kids" are the future of the party. They are the ones who will donate in the future, They are the ones who will support any future Dem. candidate at all levels of Gov. The activists are an organizing and money-making machine! If the Superdelegates steal the nomination from their candidate, most will leave and take the future of Democrats with them. I think Pelosi is subtlety warning supers with her comments, in case they start getting any wild ideas about going against the electorate.
1 year ago
There were there to make sure we didn't forge her because IT WAS ALL ABOUT OBAMA TODAY! Hillary who. It was actually pathetic.
1 year ago
That day she said "shame on you Barack.." I think she saw those mailers before anyone from her campaign could get to her and talk her down from the ledge. She just went berserk. I think we saw the real Hillary that day, she just lost complete control. The pundits didn't comment on her behaviour, just on the supposed reason she was mad. That is how she is when she's stressed.. not good.
Right after that, when she appeared next, she'd taken on a robotic, dead-eyed, monotone, and has been that way ever since. Prior to that, Hillary always had a highly animated face with a characteristic laugh sometimes called a "cackle". When was the last time you heard the "cackle"?
1 year ago
I hope Barack will be happy when it's all said and done.
1 year ago
There's alot to admire in this speech, but this part struck an awkward note. While the rest of the speech was about making people confront difficult subjects, including their own chauvinisms, this was, quite the contrary, pandering to Jewish interest groups. We'll have to wait a while longer before anyone asks America's organised Jewish groups to confront their own chauvinisms in the way that Obama asked many others to confront theirs in Pennsylvania.
1 year ago
I couldn't agree more with your assessment of Mrs. Dyson and other Hillary supporters on Larry King.
Like Ms. Martin said, it was truly pathetic. Like a jealous little sybling screaming for attention, "Look what I can do. Look what I can do!" Trying to piggyback off of Obama's good press. I don't even know why they were invited.
I loved when they teased the idea that Hillary could do a similar speech on gender. Well . . . good for her (rolls eyes). This was not a policy speech, it was an honest, heartfelt response to the crap he's been getting for the past week. Stop trying to steal a brotha's shine! (lol!)
It'd be like Peyton Manning showing up at Eli's press conference to say, "hey, remember me guys, I can win a superbowl too." Hey Hillary . . . this ain't about you!
Man, I wish the media would stop trying to join Barack and Hillary at the hip.
Obama's speech wasn't some pre-planned publicity stunt. It was a reaction to growing racial tensions and a rabid conservative media that was trying to paint him and his family as racist anti-americans.
You had idiots like Sean Hannity calling for Obama's RESIGNATION from the Senate.
But, props to Ed Shultz for reminding everyone that Obama voluntarily did this under immense media scrutiny. Obama took a risk when he didn't have to. He could have released another statement or held a short press conference. He could have disowned his church. He could have spoken to the American people like children rather than challenging them as adults.
But he didn't. You learn a lot about a person when their back is up against the wall. Obama gave a politically risky speech and tackled the issue head on. His back was pushed up against the wall and, rather than attack, Obama talked to the american people like adults and conveyed the complexity (and beauty) of race in America.
The blogosphere absolutely loved Obama's speech. So did probably 85% of the mainstream media. That will trickled down to the "working class white voter," over the next few weeks.
There's NO WAY you can listen to that speech and think that Obama hates America.
1 year ago
Obama's speech was unprecedented in modern day politics.
You don't see that type of speech from a politician these days. He spoke to us like adults. His speech trusts that we're smart and open enough to get it.
He's basically saying, "I know you're smarter than the media gives you credit for. I have faith in YOU, the people."
Hmm . . . a President with faith in the intellect of his electorate. What a concept. Very refreshing.
Absolutely amazing!
1 year ago
I love how all the "serious" media people on GMA, Today, etc. - Russert, Stephanopolous - talk about how great the speech was but the American people are too stupid to get it. Uh, aren't those people watching the morning shows?
1 year ago
The Speech was what it was. Part politics. Part nuance. All unvarnished and unequivocal truth--truth in a day when some people are mortally afraid of it, and wholly dependent on spin and obfuscation.
The Speech was a smorgasbord of truthful inspiration for any and all to partake. Those who claim to have found nothing of inspiration, really don't want to be inspired anyway.
1 year ago
B-Serious, I co-sign...if anyone wants to hold onto this then they were never in support of him or were unsure of him from the beginning.
Cranky, we all know here what Wright was talking about. Many people in this country are still unaware of the institutionalized racism that exists in this country-education, media, government (criminal justice system, policies etc)etc.. I am yet to see anyone in the media tackle that. Any of that however we are dealing with a white opinion dominated corporate media. You will never hear a different perspective. One guy after the speech claimed that Obama still has to explain himself. He is trying to turn this on the American people when he should be answering questions as to why he entertained a racist and anti-american preacher. That just shows me how obvious it is that people dont get it. They wont. They are trying to keep this up cause they get a kick out of calling a black man racist and they dont want to hear about the realities of race in America. However I believe that this speech was effective and once again if anyone wants to still pull back their vote for Obama then they were never that dedicated to him to begin with.
1 year ago
Unfortunate because I am not and I am sick of wat has happened to the news media. It has really been dumbed down. I can't watch because i'm smarter than everyone on the major cable news networks.
1 year ago
I mentioned this on my blog. Obama has actually begun to marginalize his critics on this issue.
When you've got John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Peggy Noonan, the 700 Club as well as liberal media and a majority of the MSM praising Obama's speech, you've basically painted Sean Hannity and Fox News for the "haters" they are. They lose credibility. They're stuck on this story like a broken record. People move on. I think people will begin to see Fox and the like as merely being focused on some personal mission to destroy Obama's candidacy. They lose credibility (not that I think they have any) when they do that.
Obama's speech wasn't aimed at conservative or liberal; democrat or republican; white or black. Obama's speech was aimed at our greater angels. His speech was made to evoke rationale, critical thought.
Most reasonbale people (regardless of whom they support) look at that speech and say it's sincere. Again, unless you're talking to the conservative Hannity crowd (and perhaps die-hard Hillary supporters) you're gonna have a hard time convincing people that Obama hates America.
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
I don't know his thoughts.
But, to me, Juan Williams looks like he's starting to cross over into Larry Elders territory. My impression of him is that he's increasingly eager to say whatever it takes to gain favor from his conservative friends at Fox.
He's anticipating conservative talking points to appear more independent-minded - especially during such polarizing times.
It's not a matter of what he says. He seems more concerned with the reaction he'll get from people like O'Reilly, Hannity and other conservative pundits.
1 year ago
"A crazy white lady with too much money and not enough lovin'"(Tracey Morgan, SNL, March 15, 2008)
1 year ago
McCain's response: (crickets)
which is the worse response?
1 year ago
Is Tracey Morgan a writer for the show? or is he just mouthing what is given to him?
SNL is suspect.
1 year ago
As crazy as it sounds, an SNL spoof of the Wright controversy could help Obama if it's done in the right way.
Imagine SNL making fun of the absurdity that is Fox News and their obsession over this issue. How do you think that would play?
Personally, I'd rather SNL leave it alone. But something tells me the writers are cooking up something right now.
But I'm with you. SNL is a little supsect to me as well.
1 year ago
I'm usually suspect at SNL also but I did see the clip of Tracy Morgan and he said, I heard Tina Fey's comments about Bitch being the new black, but I just want you to know that Black is the new President, Bitch. (Not word for word)
It was really funny.
1 year ago
I don't understand the people saying he should have left the church or made his objections known. How do we know he didn't make them known? That's a pretty big church. Should he have jumped up and ran down the aisle. How do we know he didn't have an offline conversation with him? I know that I've disagreed with my Pastor before and we've just agreed to disagree on things. I didn't leave the church because I wasn't there for HIM, I was there to praise GOD. If you go to church to only hear the preacher say things that you will like, then you'll never grow. How many Catholics left the church after supporting child molesters?
Any why are so many people shocked that social/political issues are discussed in the black church. White politicians have known this for years. That’s why every election season they tramp up in the pulpit and clap offbeat and rock the wrong way (including the Clinton’s). At least one good thing came out of this though; we can put the Muslim rumors to rest.
1 year ago
As I recall both Clintons have been in plenty of black churches and understand the preaching style. If the Clintons were authentic progressives, or even authentic patriots, or just ordinary decent Americans, or just members of the Democratic Party who wanted their party to win in November, they would have led a furious defense of Obama and his pastor by putting things in perspective.
If the Clintons were decent people Obama would never have had to give a speech on being black and being a presidential candidate, let alone explain his pastor. The Clintons would have stepped up for him. And if FOX News, MSNBC, CNN et al. weren't playing a filthy game for ratings this wouldn't be a story.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/mccains-church-hates-ame_b_92140.html
It's surprising that the religious people who are publicly defending Wright (and Obama), and putting it in historical context, are from the right - Shaeffer and Huckabee.
Seriously, where are the black religious leaders who are backing the Clintons on this? The only person I've been seeing is Rev. Eugene Rivers (a Hillary supporter I believe) getting down on Obama for not being forceful enough in denouncing Wright.
1 year ago
Women sit in the pews and listen to how they should be submissive and silent. Homosexuals listen to anti-gay messages. People continue to sit in pews and listen to sermons long after those sermons cease to match their beliefs. Religion is static, while people are not. We grow and become more compassionate and understanding, while preachers teach 6000 year old rhetoric. We listen to stories of "God's chosen" conquering nations and being instructed to kill all the men and keep the virgins for themselves: sexual slavery. That we enter the church at all is absurd!
I suppose, we enjoy the sense of fellowship, the music and community outreach...sermon notwithstanding.
1 year ago
OUCH!
@ CM
Where are the religious leaders that support Hillary? Continuing to throw Obama under the bus as well as their own s/b pride and dignity by overlooking the race baiting she started in the first place. At the very least, Clinton is speaking the language that appeal to racists and they either sit by and do nothing or even worse, defend it! YUCK!
1 year ago
My point is that the whole thing is nuts: the virgin birth, Genesis, Govt. engineering HIV, men in the bellies of whales, women worth less than men...it's ALL crazy...who are we kidding?
My other point is we don't go to church for what makes sense and is logical - 'cause clearly, none of it is. We go out of habit, tradition and in small degree, what feels good. So, Obama opponents can't impose the logical test of asking "why did you stay?" on a behaviour that is inherently illogical!
Now, all the Christians are going to kick my ass.
1 year ago
No butt kicking! All I can say is OUCH! I'm not going to "preach".
Never underestimate the HOLY SPIRIT!
1 year ago
that last one was out of the ballpark.
1 year ago
Your point was well made and I agree!