2008 Woodie Awards
Obama's speech hits home
By: Brent McDermott
Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: Voices
Barack Obama's 45-minute speech on race in America on Tuesday was a much needed sobriety check for our country that gets drunk in the intoxication of American politics.
A brutally honest examination of racial tensions, Obama's speech is likely have more impact culturally than politically. Like him or not, his speech was a brave attempt to encourage Americans to stop being afraid to talk about race, and "move beyond some of our old racial wounds."
An orator best known for spine-tingling optimism, Obama candidly reminded us of the ugly racial tensions which have existed since our country's conception. Obama spoke of the contradictions between what our constitution says about equality and our history of racial inequality.
Despite coming at a volatile time in his campaign, Obama's speech seemed more cathartic than political. Making such a concerted effort to prevent his candidacy from becoming about race, I believe Obama was anxious to flesh out the sensitive subject.
After an ugly series of racially-charged sound bites from his pastor grabbed the attention of Americans, Obama knew it was time deliver this highly anticipated speech. Obama uttered Rev. Wright's name 14 times, but Wright's comments were the springboard, not the focus of the speech.
Speaking passionately of the black experience during the 1950s and 60s, Obama reminded us why blacks like his pastor have a worldview that generates controversial statements by 21st century standards. Talking about "loans not being granted to African-Americans… blacks excluded from unions, or the police force, or fire departments," Obama was recognizing the economic woes racism brought, and later tied that with pride.
Obama also empathized with the racial frustrations inside white America over affirmative action. "(White Americans) are told to bus their children to a school across town, when they hear that an African-American is getting an advantage in landing a good job or spot in a good college because of an injustice that they themselves have never committed, when they're told that their fears about crime in urban neighborhoods are somehow prejudiced."
A brutally honest examination of racial tensions, Obama's speech is likely have more impact culturally than politically. Like him or not, his speech was a brave attempt to encourage Americans to stop being afraid to talk about race, and "move beyond some of our old racial wounds."
An orator best known for spine-tingling optimism, Obama candidly reminded us of the ugly racial tensions which have existed since our country's conception. Obama spoke of the contradictions between what our constitution says about equality and our history of racial inequality.
Despite coming at a volatile time in his campaign, Obama's speech seemed more cathartic than political. Making such a concerted effort to prevent his candidacy from becoming about race, I believe Obama was anxious to flesh out the sensitive subject.
After an ugly series of racially-charged sound bites from his pastor grabbed the attention of Americans, Obama knew it was time deliver this highly anticipated speech. Obama uttered Rev. Wright's name 14 times, but Wright's comments were the springboard, not the focus of the speech.
Speaking passionately of the black experience during the 1950s and 60s, Obama reminded us why blacks like his pastor have a worldview that generates controversial statements by 21st century standards. Talking about "loans not being granted to African-Americans… blacks excluded from unions, or the police force, or fire departments," Obama was recognizing the economic woes racism brought, and later tied that with pride.
Obama also empathized with the racial frustrations inside white America over affirmative action. "(White Americans) are told to bus their children to a school across town, when they hear that an African-American is getting an advantage in landing a good job or spot in a good college because of an injustice that they themselves have never committed, when they're told that their fears about crime in urban neighborhoods are somehow prejudiced."
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 10
Scott
posted 3/19/08 @ 8:03 AM EST
The author of this article is an operative for Obama.
He started Students for Obama, raised money and has actively campaigned for him on campus.
You can't be serious
posted 3/19/08 @ 8:25 PM EST
I agree with you, Alumna, it's an amazing speech. But I think it is a generalization to state that "the majority of white folks wouldn't agree with him. (Continued…)
buck
posted 3/19/08 @ 10:27 PM EST
rather unethical if true
mr. kite
posted 3/19/08 @ 10:38 PM EST
"However, I knew after he was done that the majority of white folks wouldn't agree with mnay of his statements...true to form. Self-absorbed and unaware, as ususal. (Continued…)
Journalist
posted 3/19/08 @ 11:13 PM EST
He's a columnist for the paper, which makes his affiliation to Obama highly unethical because it's not properly disclosed. It's a major conflict of interest. (Continued…)
Joe
posted 3/20/08 @ 10:21 AM EST
Scott, that is why this column is in VOICES. It's an editorial.
It is clear that Scott is an operative of the right wing conspiracy.
Greg
posted 3/20/08 @ 3:37 PM EST
I'm wondering why Obama didn't speak about what has to be done about racism. In his articulate form, he described where we've been and where we're at, at the same time giving excuses for us all to be here, but now what?
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