OOOOh No. Somebody is going to get in trouble! A loyal WAOD reader sent this clip to me from the Tavis Smiley show featuring Julianne Malveaux and Cornell West speaking about Barack Obama’s speech at Invesco field at the Democratic National Convention. I have some selected quotes below the YouTube clip.
Cornell West — “Obama ran from history”. “You can’t think that you are being American by holding Black history subordinate.” “Why do we have to engage in a disappearing act when you talk about America”
Malveaux “To reduce Dr. King to some praecher from Georgia?”, “He could have said Fannie Lou Hamer”, “I think the brother dropped the historical baton.” If Joe Biden can mention Martin Luther King. how come he couldn’t” “He perpetrated a White wash of our history. its a strong statement, but I stand by it.” Whoa did she say that? Uh huh yes she did!
Tavis ” was expecting Black folks to be in tears. They weren’t”
They gave Hillary a hat tip for mentioning Harriet Tubman.
UPDATE: Just for the record, Michelle Obama mentioned MLK and women’s suffrage in almost all of her appearances. I was at the Black caucus and she spoke about both anniversaries.
48 comments ↓
I saw this interview after the speech. Those two, especially Dr. West, really articulated the disappointment I felt after hearing that 38 minute stump speech.
Cornell, you’re a brave, brave, man. Don’t be offended, as I back far, far away.
Honestly, it wasn’t the speech Obama could have given. I mean, he accepted the nomination on a such a momentous day, anyway. No one, republicans, democrats, whites or blacks would’ve been surprised to see him place “more of an emphasis” on black history and Martin Luther King.
I actually think his lack of emphasis, may have attracted more attention. I don’t believe it will hurt him in the black community though.
Interestingly, I don’t believe it won him any votes in any other community, so what was the point?
In addition, although Al Sharpton has been quite supportive in public, I’m not really feeling the love.
Has anyone else felt a chill in the air? Al Sharpton, to my knowledge, was not one of the traditional black leaders initially supporting Hillary that had to jump ship to Obama. He seemed supportive from day one. But now, in interviews, he seems just a bit chilly.
I saw the program, I’m surprised they said that and I disagree with them.
At la Belle WHY do you disagree with them.
@Yme, I actually think there was more “emotion” in the hall on Michelle and Hillary’s nights at the convention. There certainly was a bunch more crying on Tuesday night. I mean BAWLING.
I have no doubt that if people had been falling out at Barack’s speech at INVESCO, the Republicans would have made that into an ad.
You know, when it comes to Barack Obama, I have given up on the race issue. For me, it is better for him to not even mention it than try to with his pandering, sterilized and half truth history and “reality”. I only listen when he speaks policy and what he is going/planning on doing for America in regards to the economy, the War in Iraq, healthcare, college tuition, education, the criminal justice system and urban policy. I support him in avoiding it because whenever he either brings it up or brings up anything that goes on with black people or what he perceives goes on with black people, I get upset.
It was Obama who said that black people have reached the “promised land” and I still have a pain in pit of my stomach.
As much as I support Obama, he has become a proxy for racial equality that at times I cannot even bear tolerate. While this is something that has been forced upon him, he has perpetuated it to a degree that even has a few white folks scratching their heads.
He perpetuates a very one-sided, yes “white washed” and pasteurized version of black history. I know that he has more comprehensive understanding but he limits it because he will probably not go over well with the mainstream media and rather ignorant (when it comes to black people and history) white population. The fact that it is this way is a clear testament to the fact that we have ions to go.
When he discusses black issues or address black people (as you have mentioned on this blog and as I have mentioned) he is very unbalanced. It is not like that when he goes in front og the other groups.
The realities are too real and the issues, lives and experiences of black people both men and women are too often marginalized. I thank blogs like yours that address the issues that affect black women and girls because it is up to people like you and me and others to bring about change. At times, I feel as if Obama’s rhetoric will only further marginalize certain issues.
America still has a big race problem but not if you watch Obama.
I remember when both you and Melissa Harris Lacewell brought up the many black female politicans that have also paved the way for people like Obama who have been so easily forgotten. The fact that Obama did not mention MLK by name has been mentioned by many on black radio out here in NY. I was bothered a bit by the comparisson’s between Obama and King because the only thing that they have in common is that they are both (black, mabye) and they are amazing orators (even though their styles are very, very different).
I will say that, I did like Obama’s acceptance speech and saw very little to critique. However I did not feel the emotions that many felt that night. I was excited but not crying.
I do however understand what West and Malveaux are saying 100% as you can see from what I stated above.
I hope that the other commentors address this with an open mind:
I am tired of the accusations of being a “crab in a barrell” or “He is not running for president of black America”.
As black people, we have almost become complacent in our own marginalization and even disrespect.
I am an Obama supporter but I am sensible in my support. I know what I agree with him on and what I disagree with him on. I would like to see him in the White House along with the first black family but I am not going to fall into the collective retardation that too many blacks have during this election season all for a black face in a high place.
I am sure that if Obama read my comment, he would appreciate it and remember that Cornell West is on his black leadership committee.
It is constructive criticism. We are not threatening his nuts or anything. Just straight constructive critique.
P.S. It is unfortunate that I had to cover my black ass at the end with all the “I really like Obama, I do” stuff so that I do not get blazed…lol. Oh well.
Rhondacocoa said”I would like to see him in the White House along with the first black family but I am not going to fall into the collective retardation that too many blacks have during this election season all for a black face in a high place.”
I might have to recognize that as the quote of the week.
It is a sad day in America when you have to cover youself for engaging in a critique, but alas, it is necessary in these times. I don’t think some people realize how far out they have gone. I just chalk it up to their deep desire to have a Black person in the White House. I understand that, but I also look at countries like Zimbabwe where people are physically attacking each other over an election or think about our anscestors who were beaten, brutalized and killed because they just wanted to cast a ballot and then I watch these wild eyed accolytes running around attacking people at will and I’m like “Don’t you see what you are doing?” They don’t. T
he only hope is that they don’t get a national platform between now and November because after Jeremiah Wright, Obama doesn’t need to have to disavow anybody else.
Did the King family feel slighted? I don’t think anyone is surprised that Tavis had guests on his show that weren’t satisfied with the speech. They probably sat their the entire time saying he “he better say martin!”.
I’m all for the hope and the dream of the slave but do we have to mention black history everytime we accomplish something in our lives? I was more concerned with Barack’s plan for the country. The time for tears are over in my opinion. It’s about who you think will be the better leader for America. McCain or Barcack? Oh and I’m sure they are lovely women but I couldn’t care less about Michelle (her hair was marvelous, though) or Cindy and I’m no more in love with Barack than I was the Clintons.
Gina,
Exactly. Exactly.
By the way, did you hear that Vice presidental candidate Sarah Palin’s 17-year old daughter, Bristol Palin is five months pregnant?
Well not only did he not mention MLK by name, he of course skipped over the influence of Ella Baker on his entire campaign. I know that HE knows who she is, but how many of US do? I thought it was what it was. It was not supposed to be controversial. He had some of the King children on earlier. He is going to continue to avoid direct racial references. Get used to it. He had to add an old white guy to his ticket just to shut up the Geritol generation of racists. I don’t think people realize how difficult it is to be running this campaign. I expect to feel disappointed by Obama on how he acknowledges race. It’s not as if Hillary would have done anything had she been the nominee. And despite what a lot may say she would NOT have been held tot his standard. I found her reference to Harriet Tubman pandering. There’s more white people who will vote against him than Black people who will support him. There’s millions of available Black voters who haven’t even bothered to register. We don’t collectively come together. A lot of people just criticize and are actively being disruptive instead of putting in the work required to get him elected and let him know what they want as well. Also some Black people have a weird way of testing Blackness by encouraging bad behavior and lack of education. No Barack should not get a pass. I live in a ’safe’ state and may very well vote Green even though it is thought that’s a vote for McCain. Why? I want to see the Green Party get congressional representation. Anything to bust up this monopoly. We’ll see. But I have given money and I have volunteered for Obama at least.
i wish that he had taken the risk to affirm Jeremiah Wright - recognize it as a “teachable moment” that only his candidacy had the power to create. instead…
Obama is not the poster child for Black America any more than he is for White America.
It’s the nature of politics and life. Nothing he could have said or will say in the future will appease us all.
For me it still comes down to what these presidential candidates have done for others in their past; their current beliefs and what they view as important goals with plans for this country.
They both are politicans; they will need the help, support and resources from guess who? Other politicans.
I wonder how much of this is simply growing pains, as well. We’ve never had an African American get this close to the White House.
On the one hand, we’re quick to remind each other that he has to be a President for all the people. And, that we shouldn’t expect too much. But, are we really asking more of Obama than we’ve asked of previous candidates? It seems every four years, we make demands and we have expectations.
We expected little of “W”, and I think many of us think, we also got little from “W”.
We had expectations for Clinton. We expected him to listen to areas of concerns that we thought were more problematic for our communities. Many of us have been willing to hold “feet” to the fire, when we felt the needs of our community weren’t being met.
Are we saying, this should not be the case for Obama? Don’t we have the right to ask, at least the same of him? Or, is the concern, that we’re asking too much of him? We’re a small percentage of the population. But, we’re supporting him, as a percentage, more than any other group. Shouldn’t we have high expectations?
This reminds me…Obama is supporting driving licenses for illegal immigrants. This is a group, that doesn’t vote (legally) and yet stands ready to benefit from an “understanding” potential president.
I dare not even mention what McCain is willing to do.
Obama is hopeful that this “may” curry favor with Hispanics. Not even all Hispanics see this as necessarily as a good idea, but he’s willing to reach out with this obviously controversial proposal in order to show that he’s willing to reach out.
Are we so encouraged at the notion of a black president, that we’ve become an easy first date? Will it be worth it? Or, is this collective low self esteem on our part?
Yme:Are we so encouraged at the notion of a black president, that we’ve become an easy first date? Will it be worth it? Or, is this collective low self esteem on our part?
That’s my whole problem with almost 100% of Black folks voting for Obama! And getting downright hostile when they realize you don’t support Obama. I do not agree with Obama on several issues, one of which is the illegal immigration issue, and that is the reason I support someone else. I, too, want to see a Black man or woman as president some day, but not this Black man. He is too radical for me; that is my opinion. But, I’m afraid that when he is defeated in November (and I believe he will be because whites can say they are voting for a woman for VP and won’t have to admit to themselves that it’s because Obama is Black), it will take years for another Black candidate to be nominated.
Im sorry but I am really sick and tired of these civil rights groups trying to take us back into history.Every time we try to move forward they take us back. And they got some nerve to say the wm has them down.No honey you and your liking are holding yourselves down. They live off black people insecurities and make money off of it. And some of ya’ll are willing swallow it up all in the name of history. We know our history. Too many people especially in the BC want to talk about it, have roundtables about it, and still do nothing. Our ancestory didn’t fight for us to be free so that we can use our history as an excuse for life. They fought for our freedom so that we would could have equal rights, have the same education as white children, and equal opportunity. You cannot deny that we have far more access to anything as black people than our parents or fore-parents.
They want to credit Hillary for mentioning Harriet Tubman are you kidding me? she was making a point with her speech to the hardcore clinton supporters. I didn’t watch obama’s speech going “i hope he mentions black people”. No Obama was talking to all of America, white, black, hispanic, asian. And not just American’s but to those all over the world who were watching. Obama is NOT running for the BLACK AMERICA OF THE UNITED STATES, he is running for THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Cornell West can take a bow and kick rocks for all I care. No one is listening to him anyhow.
I agree with what Cinco said
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Yme said:
Are we saying, this should not be the case for Obama? Don’t we have the right to ask, at least the same of him? Or, is the concern, that we’re asking too much of him? We’re a small percentage of the population. But, we’re supporting him, as a percentage, more than any other group. Shouldn’t we have high expectations?
This reminds me…Obama is supporting driving licenses for illegal immigrants. This is a group, that doesn’t vote (legally) and yet stands ready to benefit from an “understanding” potential president.
I dare not even mention what McCain is willing to do.
Obama is hopeful that this “may” curry favor with Hispanics. Not even all Hispanics see this as necessarily as a good idea, but he’s willing to reach out with this obviously controversial proposal in order to show that he’s willing to reach out.
Are we so encouraged at the notion of a black president, that we’ve become an easy first date? Will it be worth it? Or, is this collective low self esteem on our part?
****************
Me: The problem is black folks have become a “safe” voting block. Democratic politicans (black or white) don’t have to try as much to curry favor with us because most of us are not going over to the republican side anyway. The Dems are considered the lesser of two evils. The reason why politicians are so interested in illegal immigration is because the sheer number of Hispanics (legal registered voters) are a another potential voting block that could go to either side. What politican wouldn’t try to get their vote? Black folks have become so predictable in their voting pattern that politicans don’t bother.
There is no single issue that black folks can rally around and use as a barometer to determine whether politicans have the interests of black folks at heart.
I watched the Shirley Chisholm documentary Ubought and Unbossed and she tried to get Black folks at the Democratic national Convention to ban together to get concession on various issues. They called her insane and crazy and didn’t listen. We haven’t learned yet.
Regarding Black “issues” I agree that Black people are not a monolith and our best chances for political progress is for Black people with similar interestest to ban together and pursue a narrower agenda and leave room for other Black people to pursue a different without savaging each other. Single childless women will have a different agenda thanSingle mothers. Married women may have a completely different set of issues. Working class Black women might have a different set of issues.
Our problem is that we view diversity of opinion and interest within the Black community as disunity as opposed to a political strength.
Hispanics have a seat at the table no matter which party is in power and it shows. Yet, we run Black republicans into the woods and they respond defensively. Feeling agreived. I wouldn’t put my self out for people that attacked me and made me a pariah either.
We have been taking about this for generations. It aint going to happen. I suggest banning together with people on a very narrow legislative an policy agenda and pursuing that.
EMILY’s list is all about the abortion issue. That’s it. Yet they are wielding power based on a single issue. What is the issue that you are most passionate about? Is there a legislative or policy solution for that issue?
We keep thinking you need all of Black America to support you, but the truth is that you can fit the most powerful interest groups in one room. its not about 100,000 people. Its about 100 who are willing to give $1000.
White Americans have figured this out we’re still trying to relive the 60’s.
I’m jut gonna put it out there that I’ve been reading a lot of African bloggers and Black bloggers who don’t live in the US and I barely heard any criticism. Their perspective is just different and we are being laughed at by our goalposts of Blackness. I think his race speech covered everything that needed to be said. between this and the Palin situation I am done!!! I made the mistake of going over to Kos. I’ve read it less and less because a lot of those people over there just irritate me. Gina you called it and called it well. I will most likely just stick to reading The Field and leave it at that until election day. Al usually brings people back from the ledge.
I have read the comments about this post. I find that many of the remarks are ones that I have heard over the course of my lifetime about one black leader or another.
Let me share what I know to be true. Not everybody who lived in the Civil Rights Era was pro-MLK. I know this to be true. I listened to many of the adults in the community have some rather heated discussions over what type of impact he was or was not having in his role as a leader. It wasn’t until after his death that the oppositional views just disappeared. Malcolm X caught the blues for being bold enough to state his problems with King’s approach to race realtions.
I see it being no different for Obama. He’s too black and he’s not black enough. He always misses some point about being black. But the same could be said about other leaders.
We are multi~generational in our experiences as black people. And I often find that it is difficult for us to find that place where we can agree and function.
It seems that we have an expectation on all black folks who are in the public view. We want them to represent us. I am good to go with idea up to a point.
The problem with this is,we have different ideas of how we should be represented by individuals.
America’s race problem is not solely a white to people of color problem. Some of the biggest racists that I know and encounter are other black people. And their racism is not towards white people. It is towards other people of color. Including black folks just like them.
They also could be charged with being big Civil Rights violators in different situations.
Tavis caught the brunt of backlash about Obama. It was black folks who gave it to him. I agree with you Gina, he may be opening the door to catch the blues again. Who knows? That whole discussion may be bypassed. Or seen in an entirely different manner.
I didn’t watch the video or read the comments because these issues have been beat to death all over the internet ever since the race began! It is sad to me (but not surprising)that at this historic junction in our history the Black community is still so divided. People must realize that Obama is NOT running to be the President of Black people but the President of the United States, nothing he says or does will please everyone. Every statement, every utterance will be toted as too black or not black enough! he can not be made to hold all the woes of black people as his torch and run the race with it.
He is now and probably will be through out this race AND through out his Presidency (if he wins) stuck between a rock and a hard place…
In politics people are required to say and do things to appease others.
Clinton mentioning Tubman did not move me, especially after all that was said and done during her run for the white house! Just because you know the name and the history does not mean you identify with it …
I believe that Obama is going to have to forge a rainbow coalition reminiscent of the one created by former Chicago mayor, Harold Washington. Washington faced the same divide that Obama is trying to traverse now, and managed to leave a legacy of unification, both political and racial. As a Chicagoan, I remember how divisive and vitriolic that initial campaign became, with hate spewed from both white and black camps. Chicago white ethnics couldn’t envision a black mayor while black Chicagoans considered Washington their next black hope.
Washington won the mayorship by a close count (if I recall correctly), and then proceeded to be stymied by a city council that blocked many of his measures, sometimes out of sheer spitefulness. Washington knew in order to be effective, he had to expand his focus beyond being “the black mayor.” He set out to forge a multicultural coalition and many black politicos and voters felt “betrayed” that Washington wasn’t dwelling on “black” issues and was offering pieces of the political pie to the “enemy.” But Washington knew he couldn’t be myopic in his focus, and gradually and ultimately, he became an effective mayor to all of Chicago, earning a second term during which he pulled the city council together and gained the full power that eluded him during his first term. By the time of his death, he was mourned by all of Chicago as well as the whole city council.
Obama would do well to remember that he doesn’t represent any one race or ethnicity. It seems many black voters have the same romanticized vision as the initial Harold Washington voters, that Obama is their personal “black knight.” That view is myopic and passe. Washington paved the way for future black politicos (including Obama) by opening the path beyond identity politics. It would behoove Obama to do the same. That may be a rude awakening for those black voters looking for their “black knight,” but I’d rather have an effective president than an electorate mouthpiece espousing the “same ole, same ole,” trying to fall in line with the “required” black rhetoric.
i did watch the video in its entirety
& i completely agree w/ regina!
btw i cried at barack and michelle’s speech
“my enthusiasm” was not “muted”
I must say that I did not watch the entire clip; I got half way through it.
Big mistake: They are forgetting that Obama is a politician; he ain’t no leader. There is no movement behind him. Movements are about true change of the fundamental system. Obama is about getting himself elected president of these United States. He does not intend to change the fundamental system; he wants to be a part of it, a major player within it, he wants to run the bloody thing as it is.
Also, I don’t think that Obama owes black citizens in this country anything. Blacks (even in smaller groups with loud voices, as it has been suggested we put our energies into on this board, because we are not a monolithic group) need to demand that which we expect him to deliver. Let him know: No solid promise to deliver our demands, then you don’t get our votes Mr. O!
I do not care if he does not mention Tubman or Martin Luther King, Jr. or Fannie Lou Hamer. What I want to know:
Will you promise to end the war in Iraq? Will you promise to end the occupation of Afghanistan? If yes, then when? I want an exact time-frame. (You see, I really care, it breaks my freakin’ heart, that so many Iraqis and Afghanis are being killed and maimed, and that their countries have been destroyed, so I want an end to these wars, to these occupations. Now, that is a “black” issue, if you ask me. The money being spent on these wars/occupations could be put to better use, such as…)
Will you promise to move Congress to institute single-payer health care? (The same type of health care that the members of the executive branch and Congress and the Supreme court receive that is paid for by my tax dollars?) If yes, then what time-frame will you give to Congress to present that legislation to you for you to sign?
Will you promise to reverse the gutting of our constitution? How will you do that? You have got to give me some specifics, because I cannot trust you, given how you voted on the FISA bill.
…oh, my list is quite long, so I’ll end it here.
maybe we should all just stop listening to Barack’s speeches too, says the same thing every time… …just kidding.
i would be satisfied if Barack just stopped talking about black folks altogether. no more angry, absent father, irresponsibility quotes, or the new one, about speaking from our fears and pains.
i am a happy person proud of the accomplishments and contributions black folks have made to progress of the great american experiment.
if he really thinks victory requires that he continue highlighting the stereotypically negative, it would be nice if he can find a way to balance this with some positive statement of policy that is also unique to this group of americans.
something analogous to policy statements that he cites that speak to the status of Jerusalem, Immigrant Rights, Gay Marriage, etc. and, as is his practice in speaking to these issues, it would be nice if he were to explain the special relationship of specific policies to the group of americans who dare not speak their name.
a suggestion; could be as simple as mentioning the work and thought behind the Covenant as an example of how people have come together to focus on solutions to entrenched inequities that uniquely affect African Americans.
if he were to simply replace his personal responsibility speech with a simple shout out like this, it would go a long way in encouraging - highlighting the level of responsibility black communities do take in identifying and addressing root causes (vs. symptoms) of persistent inequities.
the development of the Covenant is just another American story, not different, and as important as telling stories of factory workers going to work in a closed plant. both stories paint a picture of what it means to be a part of the american dream.
we are a great american story, one that i am sure all americans celebrate, its really okay to talk about it.
I’m over it. Don’t his greatest critics see that his candidacy in itself is a powerful representation of black history? Do you not see how his presidency will empower young, black and brown men across the globe? The blood of his ancestors is shown in his personal life, his family, and can be found in his life story. So what if he doesn’t show up screaming, “Black History?”
I have always worked and lived in environments where I was often the only person of color in sight. As much as I take ownership of the fact that my culture is rich in history, I don’t have to profess it to the world. The world knows. Every time I reach another milestone, I thank my ancestors. Regardless of what I give to the world during the day, when I go home at night, I know I’m doing everything for those who came before us.
As a volunteer at my local Obama Office, I work side-by-side with people of all races who have professed to me their comfort with Obama because he’s multi-racial. In fact, one volunteer, an older white man said to me,”You know, he’s not black-black.”
This is the reality, and if Barack has to rejoice in America during the day and profess his love for Black America through his family and his community, so be it.
hmm, while I agree Obama definitely has to be POTUS for all people, I think I disagree that there aren’t some things that affect the black community in disproportionate numbers and are fair game to be discussed with expectations from every candidate, not just Obama.
From the justice system to education, we have some concerns that while they aren’t unique to our constinuency, they do seem to be affecting us disproportionally more than some other groups.
And, there are some issues that Barack Obama has bravely championed that are somewhat special interest driven. For instance, again, “driving licenses for illegal immigrants”. I can’t say this is a plan that most Americans agree with…and yet, because it uniquely affects a certain population, he’s staked a claim on this issue. And, has proved willing to be very vocal about his support.
As Persistance has mentioned, Gay Marriage is another issue, that to me is similar. It’s different in that it touches on a perceived need that crosses socioeconomic status, gender, and ethnicity, however it probably still isn’t consider popular or necessary to a majority of Americans, but Obama recognizes that it is still an important issue to a segment of our society.
Going forward, is it our general consensus really, that as a diverse people, we have no issues that seem to affect our people more so than others?
That, our communities will fair well, simply because Obama will be a good president in general. And, we need not champion any causes. Our causes are simply the cause of many and our needs will be addressed as the needs of others have been addressed. This could certainly be the case.
And, if this is the case, why do special interest gruops exist, and why do they seem to control so much of the dialogue? La Raza, after all, helped write the McCain’s comprehensive immigration policy.
I don’t believe Obama “owes” black people anything. But, I also didn’t believe Obama owed Hispanics anything. And, yet he’s supporting a notion that not even all Hispanics agree with to curry favor with that constinuency.
And, since we’re agreeing Obama owes nothing to black people, it stands to reason, black people owe Obama nothing. Why should he have to continue to mention African American history in America? Why should African Americans feel any obligation to support Obama as a symbol of fruition in years of struggle?
It’s very interesting. Very thought provoking, indeed.
I disagree with Malveaux and company. The King siblings spoke before Obama, and Dr. King’s legacy was included in the day. Also, if Obama called too hard on Dr. King’s legacy in his acceptance speech, I guarantee you the “presumptuous” label would have reared its head again. It would be a mistake to even hint that he is the fulfilllment of the Dream. Even black people - actually no, ESPECIALLY black people - would have had his head for that one. By being low-key about it, he spoke directly to those who know what he meant about a preacher from Georgia without stoking the flames of the presumptuous card.
A minor said: “….You know, he’s not black-black.”
So this means we are making racial progress?? What message does that send to the little black boys and girls (and young people) who are black-black?
I think Obama did a great job! His speech was amazing, and it’s sad to think that everytime a black female or male accomplishes anything, that they have to “continuously” toot the history horn. Obama has paid homage to our great civil rights leaders and those that have paved the way many, many, times before the convention speech. When are we going to get to the togetherness that he has to display as a potential President? We are “all” in this together, right?
Our take over at the guide.
Full clip, as well.
Monica- It means that we are NOT making the racial progression that we should expect during the same year that we have a black presidential candidate.
I never claimed that to be true.
My point is, many of Obama’s non-black supporters are only comfortable with him because they feel like he’s not gonna go too deep on a “black power” trip.
It’s sad, but true. Trust me, he said these word with no animosity and was totally oblivious as to how ignorant he sounded. However, he did say it.
I believe that Obama realizes that he has many supporters who choose to believe that while he is in fact a black man, he is…different.
I realize that we still have a long way to go, as far as racial progression goes…but what can you or I do to change the way some of these people think?
The purpose of me stating what was said by an older white man who volunteers for the campaign was to clearly show you the fine line Obama has to walk that falls between making non-blacks feel comfortable with him and ensuring that black people don’t feel neglected by him.
This is an easy one for me.
While we may have issues with how Obama is marketing himself, let’s not fail to thoughtfully consider how a McCain/Palin administration will look, sound, and feel. The idea of these two people running the gov’t is enough to make me hope Obama will prevail.
As for Cornel West and Julianne Malveaux, how many people really care what they think? They live among the ranks of the academics/professional talking heads and get paid for what they do: read, write, talk.
@MsLadyDeborah: you are correct that everyone was not pro-Martin Luther King, Jr. during his lifetime. There was an large, ongoing debate in the community about his ideas and priorities. Only after his tragic murder did the unspoken rule emerge that you could not say anything negative about MLK.
I wholeheartedly disagree w/Drs. Malvaeux and West. We all stand tall on the shoulders of our elders, but consider the men that we are comparing.
It is ironic that Dr. King in his own speech didn’t mention the names of his elders/ancestors, those “Negros and decedents of Negro slaves” as he called us. Dr. Kings speech created a dialogue of how far America has come and how far it has to go to honor its promises. I feel that Barak accepted the nomination in the same style that Dr. King wrote the I Have A Dream Speach. Barak is a politician and Dr. King was a minister. Ministers have a lot more freedom to say what is on their hearts, they don’t have to earn votes.
Do we really think that Dr. King would have said anything differently?
Debrorah,
I don’t think Julianne or Cornell are saying they won’t vote for Barack. I think it is impossible to ask Black people not to comment on their take on the historical significance or the role of the African American experience in the candidacy of Barack Obama. I am sure TV One and BET and Puff Daddy would not be closely following this election if Barack was not running.
This thing goes both ways. You should expect more interest in barack from Black people. You should expect more interest in a nomination acceptance speech because a Black man gave it.
Either you believe his candidacy is strong enough to handle the idle chatter of a couple of prognostitutes on PBS or you don’t. I think he can withstand the analysis.
I agree that nobody cares abotu the BLack chattering class other than the members of the Black elite establishment. Ask the average American who Cornell and Jullianne are they will draw a blank look. I just posted it because it was interesting that the Black chattering class was griping.
What else is new. Julian Bond was whining on ABC NEWS.com that Barack Obama would be bad for business.
Let the talk. Obama does not care.
“Ask the average American who Cornell and Jullianne are they will draw a blank look.”
Quite true. But, hey, as someone who lives among the ranks of academics, I guarantee my college students can educate me on every foul mouthed rapper that exists.
I think this is probably enough idle chatter for me.
@SWky….hahahaha “Too many of us know our history” Are you serious? No too many of us just know the basics like MLK, Malcolm, and Rosa Parkers.
@ Regina “In politics people are required to say and do things to appease others” True.. but politicians only appease those who donate money, have a clear agenda and can provide bodies, which ensures that they have a seat at the table and have access. Meaning they can pick up the phone and get a “hold for Mr. Obama”. Yeah Obama this is so and so and I have some suggestions about that policy being draft concerning….
I posted this on the other topic we need to have a Council for National Policy or maybe several (GOOGLE them!)…who are these people? The Most Powerful Power Brokers who were the hidden hand who vetted Palin. They are an umbrella group of the most powerful figures, the biggest donors, and the biggest activist. “TheocracyWatch, a CRESP project, describes it as “an umbrella organization of right-wing leaders who gather regularly to plot strategy, share ideas and fund causes and candidates to advance their agenda.”
That should be Parks
It’s true… the two doctor’s don’t get it.
This speech was not a history lesson. And anyway: that night the DNC spent time talking about King, including a speech by congressman John Lewis. MLK got prominent play at the Convention. Of course, you had to have watched C-SPAN to see it… the networks used those portions of the night to engage in punditry.
Yes, there is a story to be told about the African American experience in America. There’s also a story to be told about the Native American experience. About the Hispanic experience. About the West Indian American experience. About the Mexican American experience. About the Puerto Rican American experience. About the Chinese American experience…
I think you get the idea.
The bottom line is this. Obama has talked at length about MLK in previous speeches, and he’ll do it again in subsequent speeches.
What he NEEDED to do in this 45 minute speech was make the case for why voting for him is good, and why voting for McCain is bad. And I think he did that quite well.
Sometimes, I get so tired of these public intellectuals, especially black ones. People: IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT US! There’s something to be said for speeches that reach out to non-black audiences in terms and references that they can “get.”
Here’s the thing. In his famous I have a dream speech, MLK Jr didn’t reference DuBois or Walter White. He didn’t talk about the NAACP. He didn’t mention Frederick Douglass. He didn’t talk about Fannie Lou Hamer. He didn’t invoke the other heroes and pioneers and leaders of black progress.
By the standards of Malveaux and West, I guess Martin’s speech must be considered a disappointment and lost opportunity as well.
g-e-m,
I understand your points and I certainly don’t want to shut down conversation. Here’s my concern: I would hate to see anyone stay home on 11/4 because they think Barack isnt black enough to vote for or because they don’t see a very clear difference between the candidates.
If Barack wins, I think it will be a very close win. In my opinion, now is the time for either building him up or exercising verbal restraint. Let’s save all of this critique for after he wins.
I think it’s a time to be careful.
People need to realize that we are past the identity politics to define and justify our worth to America as a monolith. There is way too much diversity of interests and conditions within our community for the politicians representing us to have anything other than a very pragmatic approach. It is about getting policies through that help all Americans move their lives forward and then it is mostly up to individuals to use whatever options are available to them to advance themselves. Then the community organizations (both public and private) need to work together to help those who need it. If you don’t believe this is the way, just look at the history of the Obama’s themselves. I live here on the south side of Chicago and just like any big urban area, there are issues like education funding, crime, economics, etc. that need to be focused on constantly. I don’t really need the Black history masturbatorial stroke that seems to be suggested here. There will be plenty of time for that once the election is over, regardless if Obama wins or loses. I think he has already accomplished much for Black America to be proud of and will be studied and discussed for many years to come by the pundits and activists.
I guess I am trying to figure out how you think Cornell and Julianne having this discussion on some obscure television show on public television is going to alter the fact that there will be a record breaking Black turnout in November and 90 to 95% of it will go for Obama.
I think people who say “Wait until after the election” lack confidence in Obama’s ability to brush past the likes of Cornell and Malveaux.
The Democrats keep losing the White House not because they don’t have qualified candidates, but because they lack confidence and are scared of their own shadow.
People who want other folks to be quiet until after the election are working from a position of weakness and out of fear and that is the OPPOSITE of what the Obama campaign is supposed to be about. These two are just two more members of the Black elite establishment who are running their mouths and guess what? They have a right to. Nobody is running around telling white people to be quiet until the election is over. No one is telling that to hispanic people or any other interest group so why on earth are black people running around attempting to silence other Black people?
Now I am right there with you, there are some folks who are acting a fool and their acts may prove detrimental to Obama’s chances, but instead of asking , albeit politiely, for folks to be quiet, you need to be gang tackling Sean Puffy Combs and canceling his YouTube account before he cranks out another idiotic video on “behalf” of Obama.
Julianne and Cornell are harmless. Nobody listens to them but Black folks and the Black folks y’all are worried about aren’t watching PBS.
I think I’m through with it. I mean, it’s become somewhat convoluted.
I mean in one paragraph from the same person, we can hear, “Barack owes black people nothing. Don’t ask for anything, he’s everyone’s president, he shouldn’t have to do anything for the black community — to — there is no black community, we’re so diverse we have no special needs — he’s going to help everyone, so we’ll be alright — just be quiet and vote for him. He owes us nothing, but we owe him a vote, unquestioned.
It seemed to me that we could like Obama, support Obama, and still ask questions of Obama. I feel like we’re back in the fields, whispering in the dark… I’m kind of sick of whispering. I’m not for making trouble for a candidate I like, but he is a candidate.
Julianne and Cornell are harmless. Nobody listens to them but Black folks and the Black folks y’all are worried about aren’t watching PBS.
The above is on point. These nitpicking commentaries from them essentially amount to a complaint that Obama is not genuflecting to the past.
The speech was an extended stump piece. I was looking for more, but what was delivered was sufficient, if his 6-8 point bump in the polls is any indication.
So do you all volunteer on behalf of Senator Obama? I’m just curious b/c now more than ever we need to be using our energy to get Obama elected…I’m shocked from how few, young, black people are involved, at least where I live.
Let me get this straight. Barack is trying to make black history and he’s being criticized by people who only talk about it? Would all of these late great black folks be mad because Obama doesn’t talk about them enough or would they be cheering him on?
We can yap all day, but please take your black behinds out and vote. If you are voting for the Green Party and Dec. 25th you complaint further about gas prices because of your new President McCain…you need to shut up because its your fault!
I am so so so so ashamed of each of you Uncle Tom’s who haven’t learned not to air your dirty laundry in public like Tavis, Cornell, Andrew Young, and Malveaux. Other races don’t ever practice this shameful practice. Like Obama or not, he is a smart and respectable man who cannot run this country with a Black agenda. Here you have a Harvard graduate and you folks still aren’t satisfied. After all, folks, we (African-Americans) are only 13% of the US population. He must have a National agenda. Otherwise he will become a joke of a candidate like Jesse or Sharpton (both of whom I respect) who ran with a black agenda. Temper your egos and keep you mouths closed in public! Otherwise enjoy your new war in Iran, Russia, and Pakistan. Send you kids off to war. And be quiet when you spend $6.50 at the pump.
Oh look we have a troll!!! Calling other Black people uncle toms for having an opinion. I can’t see how you can support Obama and yet conduct yourself in a way that is diametrically opposite the class and dignity that he and his wife has displayed throughout the campaign.
People are entitled to their opinions. I am ashamed that you can’t seem to engage in an adult conversation without name calling. You should temper your ego and keep YOUR mouth shut. Just because people agree or disagree with some aspect of the campaign does not mean that they will not be voting for the Senator.
It is “dirty laundry” that narrow minded and politically immature people like you have been cruising the internet acting ignorant and uncouth by calling Black folks who are clearly committed to their community “Uncle Toms”
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