"Most men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most pick themselves up and continue as if nothing happened." -- Winston Churchill
Churchill's words about the human propensity to ignore the truth that is right in front of us reminds me of the mainstream media's response to Senator Obama's speech on race. The speech was filled with profound truths, and yet so many in the media -- interviewers, newscasters, and pundits alike -- have merely picked up where they left off, continuing as if nothing happened.
But something did happen, something profound. In years to come, the speech Obama gave this week will be ranked among the most significant in our nation's history. Like Lincoln's Gettysburg address, John F. Kennedy's exhortation to "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country," or Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" vision of a unified America free of bigotry and hatred, historians will view Obama's speech as an eloquent address producing effects far greater than "just words" ever could. His nuanced truth-telling about race in America, at a pivotal point in our history, offers all Americans a choice:
Will we just pick ourselves up and continue as if nothing happened? Or will we rise to the challenge and finally, as a nation, begin to talk about race in a way that heals, not hurts? Will we use this moment to bring about real change or will we use it to keep replaying the same old tapes of anger, bitterness, and resentment that have not united, but rather, divided us?
Not only did Obama's speech -- at once personal and intellectual -- reveal some of the subtle complexities of American race relations; it also revealed that Obama is the only candidate in this election who even comes close to understanding the underlying mechanics of societal change. Not just how to create policy changes in Washington, but how to create the shifts in collective attitudes and beliefs that are needed to enable more fair, just, and effective policies to take hold. This is the hidden power of words, and of authentic truth-telling. Together, they can change the collective consciousness.
Barack Obama's uniqueness as a politician is that he understands that real change involves a change in consciousness; and he is gifted at bringing it about. The challenge he now faces is the age-old dilemma encountered by anyone who has the potential to move a group or nation to a new level of awareness: How do you introduce to a collective a profound shift in attitude, belief, and understanding -- and not be silenced or marginalized in the process?
Typically, powerful, authentic leadership or new ideas that threaten the status quo evoke reptilian-brain survival responses from the "powers that be" -- be they political or religious authorities, scientific and medical establishments, or modern news media. Consider Galileo, who was put under house arrest and silenced by the Church for asserting that the Earth revolved around the Sun; or Martin Luther, who was forced into hiding for proclaiming his religious views; or the demonstrators in Tiananmen Square, gunned down and imprisoned by Chinese authorities for demonstrating on behalf of human rights.
The masses, although sometimes at the forefront of consciousness shifts, nonetheless also have a long tradition of rejecting opportunities to lift their consciousness. The Christian story of Easter offers a timely example. On Palm Sunday the crowd hails Jesus as King of the Jews. Only a few days later, they demand that he be crucified. In the Christian tradition, the triumph of Christ was of course that he rose again, thereby profoundly shifting the consciousness of all "who have ears to hear."
This story of resistance to transformational change, followed by eventual triumph, has replayed itself throughout human history. Individuals with high ideals, vision, and a capacity to communicate important truths to others manage to be left alone initially -- until they come out from under the radar. Then the gatekeepers of the collective consciousness step in to swat them down.
Eventually, however, a consciousness shift does occur, simply because it must. Consciousness cannot remain static forever.
A legitimate role of gatekeepers is to examine a potential shift in consciousness to be sure it will benefit the whole. Gatekeepers may rightly stall it long enough to ask reasonable questions, in order to vet the change before it spreads too far, knowing that any shift in consciousness will change our ways of thinking and believing, our very way of life.
The trouble comes only when the human mind cannot discern between legitimate vetting of a new potential shift and survival-response reactions to a threat to the status quo. When the latter occurs, humanity's familiar pattern repeats itself: two steps forward, one step back. In this way, we make slow and plodding progress, as a nation and as a species.
But every now and then a bright light shines. Those who recognize that light are drawn to it. They see it, hear its message, and welcome it into their midst. They allow it to call forth the better nature in themselves. And if humanity is lucky, there are enough visionary representatives among the people to produce a leap in the consciousness of a nation, perhaps the world. In such cases, the usual patterns of plodding gain don't hold; instead, significant advances in political, scientific, religious or other realms occur: the civil rights and women's movements in the United States, glasnost in the USSR, the end of apartheid in South Africa. Even the radical reduction in patient infections -- brought about through the simple practice of washing hands before surgery -- required a collective shift of consciousness within the medical profession, which had initially resisted the idea.
Barack Obama's challenge is to lift the consciousness of the people -- and still remain in the game. Although profoundly skilled at the change game, he cannot do this alone. Success will require a genuine shift of consciousness in the people he hopes to lead.
This is why so many Obama supporters are so profoundly committed to this election. They are not merely swooning over a cult figure. They are responding to the call to go higher, wider, deeper, truer. They know it is only a leap of consciousness that will produce the depth of change the world now seeks.
Obama's remarkable success thus far suggests that we may indeed be approaching a tipping point in our collective psyche. The people of our nation may perhaps be ready to "tip" to a higher level. But will the gatekeepers of the consciousness let the new consciousness break through?
Each of us, like the media commentators and reporters, is a gatekeeper. Each of us is part of the collective psyche. And each of us now has a choice to make. Having stumbled over the truth, will we just pick ourselves up and continue as if nothing happened? Or will we seize this opportunity and assist the leap to a new level of consciousness--in ourselves and in our nation?
Will we let the truths Obama has been speaking be seen and heard for what they are? Will we help our country turn to dialogue and respectful examination of these truths? Will we dare to continue the conversation about race that Obama has begun? Will we stand with him in this pivotal moment? (And will we let the media and others know where we stand?)
Or will we let this messenger's voice be trivialized and marginalized, drowned in the din made by those who are missing the point?
What kind of gatekeepers will we be?
Pamela Gerloff is co-author, with Robert W. Fuller, of Dignity for All: Rankism Unmasked (forthcoming, Spring 2008).
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There has been many different debate of Rev Wright, first i took what was said an did not know we could recover from this extremist Rev but i did my own digging and found this on Anderson 360
Stop writing about the media. Could it be that part of the "consciousness shifts" is NOT writing about, thinking about and analyzing about what media -- interviewers, newscasters, and pundits alike -- are doing and thinking. Not tuning it to see if the change. Otherwise you just perpetuate it and keep them happy. Watch but don't hope for them to change. Let them look and remain ignorant. They'll be the last to now that there is a consciousness shift happening around the Country, and it would be their fault.
You have expressed my thinking more beautifully than I ever could. I really have faith in the American people to think independently and open their hearts. I profoundly hope I will not be disappointed.
HuffPost's Pick
To add another voice to the chorus: "But will the gatekeepers of the consciousness let the new consciousness break through?" Break through it must. Thank you for this post and the example of so many thoughtful comments to follow. These words can change minds if we open our gates.
This is a brilliant post...perhaps the only brilliant post I have ever read on PuffHo.
Greatness is leadership IS the ability to shift the mass consciousnessness, and then harness that shift to create the new uptick that a society needs.
It is never achieved without a struggle from the inertia bound. The reptilian brain as well as the monkey brain always oppose it.
That's precisely why CHARACTER is the first and most important qualification for the job of POTUS.
Thanks, Professor. Please write more.
We can only change thoughts and behavior when we recognize we have those thoughts and behavior. As we have seen with the Clintons many things spoken have not been "racist" because they were what they think all of the time. Now if they thought something obviously racist they would know the difference. Yeah right. Some things we believe are buried so deep inside we don't know until they come out how badly they sound to others. Racism is a ugly truth that still resides in the US it's just not as ugly as it used to be.
Dear Ms. Gerloff,
What a brilliant essay/post, we have many fine thinkers and writers grace Huffington post, you are among the best. Kudos. That said, "The answer my friend is blowing in the wind."
Wellcome to HuffPost. Agape. (Love in fellowship of our shared fragile Humanity)
Maybe it is useful to reflect on this political situation in different contexts. Even people with 30-second attention spans might benefit.
THE BASIC DIALOGUE
Clinton & Clinton, to the American people: "You can't give the presidency to that ... to him!" American people: "Oh, yes we can!"
THE OLD COWBOY MOVIE
Guess who produces a phony deed to the ranch and demands that the young settlers get out before sundown.
A MORALITY PLAY
Despite all the assaults against him, it is the good man who eventually prevails.
Hopefully, this is a sign of the hidden potential that this country has within it.
Thank you for a great article.
There is no way anyone can argue that Barack is inspirational, motivational, in all of this speeches. I am a white woman that has in no way any bias towards any of these candidates other than they need to have some substance behind their candidancy (especially when compared to each other to make evaluations for a tuture vote). But when I see videos like these that in no way give me the confidence that voters are taking in consideration experience/accomplishments I shiver.
It is really unfortunate that this whole mess has gone in the direction it has re: race being in the forefront and the Obama camp is the only one I've read/heard talking about it. I said to my husband again yesterday, I haven't heard a peep out of the mouths or direct quotes from both Hilliary or McCain about this whole Mr. Wright Obamanation with Barack's church or his speech other than they were glad that he spoke to the people. I agree that BO is inspirational and a great speaker. No denying that. But when I saw twhat his supporters said about his specific accomplishments that would make him a great president I said "this is scary". His distraction is to push his inspirational speeches, keep race in the mainstream to district from getting people to focus on his accomplishments. This may prove that...it was scary to realize the responses from his supporters were:
BARACK OBAMA'S SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The links below will show you what Barack Obama (BO) supporters said when asked what specific accomplishments BO has made to make them feel he is the best candidate to be President on a couple News networks. That is, putting aside his motivation for change and inspiration he projects in his speeches (because there is no denying the man can orate and pull in his audience, I'll give him that). But, seriously, could an Obama supporter point me to an article that talks in substance about what he has behind him to deal with this upcoming Presidency I can feel confident in for voting for him? Pls. send me you input. Would be greatly appreciated.
VIDEOS OF OBAMA SUPPORTERS STATING HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU08cYX-7y4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn1K_cx51NM&NR=1
Typical!
Here are some links that provide substance to the characture of Barack that the media and the Clinton campaign provides:
o Barack being quizzed by the San Francisco Chronicle prior to gaining their endorsement: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?o=0&f=/c/a/2008/01/18/MNSNUH8DR.DTL. Their endorsement as a result of this interview: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/27/ED6EUKN15.DTL
o A great blog post by Deepak Chopra who asked questions about the core philosophical underpinnings to Barack"s run for president: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deepak-chopra/senator-barack-obama-resp_b_85428.html.
There are also multiple articles (easy to Google) about what he did as a state senator for nine years and as a civil rights attorney prior to that as well as his early years as a community organizer. His second book speaks to his experience and vision for the country, something that seems to be missing from the argument.
Speaking to experience beyond his time at Harvard, beyond his more than twenty years of consistent excellence and activism at the local and state level, you can go to http://thomas.loc.gov/ and see all the legislation that Obama (as well as Hillary to a much lesser extent) has sponsored and championed into law since arriving at the senate three years ago.
Here is just a little about his US senate record that you might not be aware of:
o Sponsored or co-sponsored 570 bills in the 109th and 110th Congress.
o Sponsored or co-sponsored 15 bills that have become LAW since he joined the Senate in 2005.
o Introduced amendments to 50 bills, of which 16 were adopted by the Senate.
Of the 15 bills Senator Obama sponsored or co-sponsored in 2005-7 that became law (numbers in parenthesis below represent senate bill or joint resolutions):
Two addressed foreign policy:
o Promote relief, security and democracy in the Congo (2125)
o Develop democratic institutions in areas under Palestinian control (2370).
Three addressed public health:
o Improve mine safety (2803)
o Increased breast cancer funding (597)
o Reduce preterm delivery and complications, reduce infant mortality (707).
Three addressed openness and accountability in government:
o Strengthening the Freedom of Information Act (2488)
o Full disclosure of all entities receiving federal funds (2590)
o The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (S. 2590)[
Two addressed national security
o Extend Terrorist Risk Insurance (467)
o Amend the Patriot Act (2167)
One addressed the needs of the Armed Forces
o Wave passport fees to visit graves, attend memorials/funerals of veterans abroad (1184).
Finally, he was involved in pushing and crafting legislation to drastically reform the Senate"s ethics standards and curtail lobbyist influence. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/18/AR2007011802176.html.
Barack is more than up to the challenge of being our president.
Oh, please, if BO were up to becoming President, he wouldn't keep the company he
SHARENEWS:
I would like to suggest to you Stanley Kutler's "The Foly of Experience," that may be found at http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/2008037_the_folly_of_experince/
Hopefully Kutler's post may enlighten you about the irrelevancy of the so called experience,earned in non presidential capacity, and the success of presidents who may have been deemed to have had no experience. The two Presidents who had the most impressive resumes of governmental experience were: James Buchanan and Herbert Hoover. I don't think they were able to translate their prior experience into becoming successful Presidents. On the other hand, Abraham Lincoln (who had almost identical elective experience as Sen. Obama) and Teddy Roosevelt, are two presidents who became presidents without as much impressive experience as their rivals. Yet, they are both considered to be among the great presidents the country has had. The issue should be whether Obama has demonstrated the capacity for leadership. As the saying goes: "A people without vision, perish." I think that it is time that we focus on our leaders visions as much as we do in their longevity in government service.
Experience is definitely not a replacement for good judgment and moral fiber, it's just a useful accessory. Hillary has the first but not the latter.
Sorry, I meant to explain further, by not hearing that Hilliary or Mr. McCain are getting bogged down into talking to the press that what I've mentioned above....that is a good thing. : )
Thanks. I hope I didn't offend.
Prospectively, there's also Obama's Blue Print for Change on his website (very comprehensive). However, for me, he just also Speaks Truth to Power on our National Secuity and Economic Security (see below). I'm hopeful that we will have a sustainable energy policy that will make us less dependent on foreign oil. He promoted a Gamsa (sp?) plant in PA recently where they are making wind turbines. What a two fer, economic growth with green technologies AND National Security potential to boot.
Gas Prices
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX1JGJAc5hg
Here's another one--Foreign Policy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX1JGJAc5hg
Here's a couple of resources however, I hope you are sincere in requesting information instead of selectively focusing on the "gotchas," the way that someone as mean spirited and low as Limbaugh or Hannity or O'Reilly would be.
The American standard of living isn't going to get any better if you continue with these tactics. In fact, your standard of living will get worse if you continue to distract yourself with these political games.
Here's a supporter on Healthcare:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kica8hmSdAM
I Refuse to Buy into the Obama Hype
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/20/201332/807/36/458633
Sharenews:
There are many supporters of both Clinton and Obama who make their decisions "viscerally". You'll notice that while many Obama supporters may talk of "inspiration", many Clinton supporters do the same thing when they talk of "experience" and "qualified". The fact is, if you ask most Clinton supporters to name one legislative accomplishment that Clinton has achieved, virtually no Clinton supporters can name any. Conclusion? You can't discount a candidate just because of its supporters.
In the current 110th Congress, Obama has authored and successfully passed more legislation (17 + 5) to date than Clinton (15). This is true as of 1-2 weeks ago. I went through the Library of Congress website (http://thomas.loc.gov/) and looked. Unfortunately, I wanted to go through the previous Congress as well when both Clinton & Obama were Senators, but the records are not organized as conveniently as the Congress in session.
The fact that Clinton is more "qualified" and will deliver more than just speeches is bogus, since Obama, who has 4 fewer years of Senate experience, can still somehow author and pass more legislation than Clinton. Obama, unfortunately or fortunately, doesn't brag enough, and has historically, not directly contested all of Clinton's claims.
If you're interested, I listed their successfully passed legislation in a comment under the article "Barack Obama: Power of Language". If you want to read it, it's easier to just go to my profile and read the comment there.
The Washington Post also has a pretty good article on the voting differences between Clinton & Obama (www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ content/article/2006/12/31/AR2006123101004.html).
No, I am really sincere about this request as I have never really heard details of Mr. O's accomplishments. So I thank you for sharing this with me. I appreciate it!
Thanks so much ...I already started reading your links even though I should be sleeping. Thanks for sharing, YenNguyen
So true. I have wondered this, what kind of gatekeepers will we be? I can only continue to hope, and to believe that the better nature of some of us will prevail. In my humble opinion Obama represents a chance to save our country. We all have to think... we have three people now to choose from to lead us the next four years.. If for some reason he does not gain the nomination, I am going to take the Carlin route... refuse to participate anymore. I don't want to do that... I want to at least have the chance to see what he will do as a president.
Thank you for a really insightful column.
Part of the issue here is the continuing specious argument about experience. I read recently that Ted Kennedy told Barack Obama to run sooner rather than later because waiting could cause him to be "absorbed" by the gatekeepers (to use this article's term) and that he would then lack the unique view that he has. It's a crucial point, because those who create transformational change (and Desiderata's examples are excellent here) are necessarily *not* the insiders.
Consider the following facts about Obama and Lincoln:
- Multiple terms in the Illinois state legislature.
- Less than five years in Congress before presidential run.
- Visionary view of America unified by overcoming partisan divisions.
- Use of speech and rhetoric to inspire Americans to action.
I don't think these are just coincidences. Rather, Obama is the heir to the legacy of Lincoln, which became clearer after the More Perfect Union speech (which, interestingly, I heard referred to earlier today as "the Lincoln speech").
As Ms. Gerloff said, it then falls to the press to take the challenge seriously. I would argue that it is then our duty to insist on this.
Very thoughtful post.
it is not surprising that not too many people responded to your blog because like obama you have a vision and do not see anything in white or black,,,,we need to reach together for something bigeer and better than ourselves....too much to ask nit wits to get it!! Lie to folks in one liners and they get it and especially if you use divisive issues like baby killers, racist etc....we deserve the president we get for being stupid and not getting the facts correct!!!!
Jesus was murdered. Lincoln was murdered. Ghandi was murdered. John F. Kennedy and his brother, Robert, were murdered. Martin Luther King was murdered.
I do not believe that I am alone in my fear that not enough is being done to protect Barack Obama. The Secret Service has relaxed it's screening, recently, of the thousands entering Obama rallies. And, it seems to me, Barack has not been taking his safety seriously enough.
Millions want nothing more than to see and hear Obama, and maybe reach out to touch him. Yet we know there are those few who would do him harm if they can.
Barack must understand that he cannot elevate the world if he fails to survive to the General Election. He must accept and take every means, no matter how severe, to live to become the next President of the United States of America.
And we must hope and pray as a nation.
This kind of posting is stupid. We all are aware of this sort of thing and its best left unsaid.
This is the sort of truth that needs to be said, not just thought about. A thought supressed by fear of consequences creates a quiet zone for evil to have it's way.
He does not want us to be afraid for him. Nevertheless, I pray for him and his faily every day.
Interesting perspective that constructively broadens the conversation.
Sorry, Sen. Obama did not win over any of the bigots and racists.
Sen. Obama must face the reality of the 22% of white, Asian, Latino America will never vote for a black person. Just ask former Congressman Harold Ford. Tennessee is a microcosm of America. Harold Ford ran a wonderful campaign for senate. He worked tirelessly and ran a clean campaign and lost to a white canidate who played the race card and eventually won.
Tennessee is a microcosm of Tennessee. It hardly is reflective of the nation as a whole.
Obama more than makes up for those who wouldn't vote for him anyway by bringing millions of new voters into the process. This is what the pundits never bother to take into account. This is why he always outperforms his poll numbers going into an election. It's a factor that apparently has been under the radar so far and may continue to be throughout the primary season.
Pioneer King:
You are making a common mistake by comparing Obama to other black politicians just because they are both black. (Coincidentally, just like Clinton did with Jackson & Obama.) But, Harold Ford is no Barack Obama. They are both light-skinned blacks and they were both DNC keynote speakers (one in 2000, the other 2004), but that's about all. They are very, very different. Harold Ford was not encouraged to run for President. Harold Ford does not "inspire" like Obama. Harold Ford is probably not as insightful as Obama, since Harold Ford never gave an insightful speech about race like Obama did when Ford was attacked with that race card ad. And last but not least, Harold Ford's political positions differ from Obama (Ford is now current chairman of the center right-wing faction of the Democratic Party, the DLC).
As Obama said in his speech -- the mistake is in thinking that things cannot change. Consciousness raising is a process, but it has a ripple effect, which this speech is certainly an aid to. I say that if he never does another thing politically, this speech will have been enough. The ripples begin here ... and can only spread. Then each person who has been touched -- and awakened -- will touch another. In small ways and large, it will spread like a viral video on YouTube. Will we have enough time before the election? Don't know. But anything's possible, especially with Obama.
Posted March 23, 2008 | 11:36 PM (EST)