On Obama Not Going to Memphis

I want to say that I'm deeply disappointed that my dear brother Barack Obama decided not to go pay tribute and lay his wreath for the great Martin Luther King, Jr. That brother Martin's profound love and deep sacrifice for black people, America and humanity is in no way reducible to political calculations, even for the campaign for presidency. That Martin Luther King Jr.'s deep commitment to unarmed truth and unconditional love can in no way be subject to strategies for access to political power. Hence, I have a very deep disagreement with my dear brother, Barack Obama -- in this case, commitment to truth is in tension with the quest for power.

Comments

[UNCLEJOE]

Why would Obama stand next to these two opportunists and give them legitimacy for a photo-op in Memphis?
Obama made the right move. He has a spiritual intellect that is above his two sad opponents and Obama bears a dignity that becomes more obvious with each passing day. I definitely equate him with JFK and FDR.

I have no doubt that Obama will be our next president. My fear is that the Neo Cons will try to assassinate him before he takes over the Oval Office. Isn't it time that the democratic presumptive nominee received Federal protection like McCain?

I believe Obama's life insurance is having Richardson as VP and Pelosi second in line for the presidency, just in case he bushwhackers decide to do another assassination strategy that the are famous for... just as the heinous Cheney was Bush's career insurance against impeachment.

[misspeach2008]

Obama has had secret service protection for months. Hillary has secret service protection because she is a former First Lady. John McCain was the last to be granted protection.

[Mike O.]

No, McCain never REQUESTED protection. Get your facts straight. McCain is a brave man and isn't scared of his own shadow.

[Mike O.]

By the way, Obama is only the "presumptive nominee" in his supporters' eyes. Approximately 1%-2% of the popular vote separates Obama and Clinton.

Obama has a long way to go.

[mamak]

What happened to the West that I admire?
Have West and Smiley gone berserk? West and Tavis Smiley (THEY) really seem to be trigger happy in critizing Barack whenever he does something THEY don't "approve".­..Maybe THEY should chastize ALL BLACK Politicians who did not go down to Memphis...­..maybe he should chastize ALL BLACK persons who did not go down to Memphis...­..are THEY jeolous of Barack for being a natural leader who does not need to use the RACE card to talk about politics as compared to THEM and most of all the other conventional Black politicians?
Barack alone will define what he stands for and his perception of his politics unlike HRC and McCain who are morphed to the tune of the conventional political pundits and advisors. Watching HRC and McCain is so so ridiculuou­s....why is the public so easily duped?...*­sigh*

[iswearington]

what is wrong with cornel west.thank god barack knows that he can't lose any points until he wins pennsylvania. he knows that if he ekes out a win in PA..its over for clinton.we blacks all know how important martin luther king was to blacks and everyone in this nation.but barack knows he has to stay away from the subject of MLK and marching chanting negros if he is to win in PA. racism is still here..not in the constituti­on..the lawbooks..­.not in housing contracts.­.but in the places where it is at its insiduous intractable best...whe­re it truly manifests its evil intent..in the hearts and minds of the white racist electorate­.former president jimmy carter..wh­o should know said on tim russerts "meet the press"...t­hat "the only reason white southerners(and by extension.­.white blue collar lower income archie bunker types) vote republican­"..."is because they know...the african americans.­..are in the other party."

[StephenJK]

I hope you don't include me in that "white racist electorate". Another thing; the "black racist electorate" violates Dr. King's message just as injustly. Furthermore, obviously, you miss MLK's message pretty entirely when you talk words like you just have. Wake up and realize that racism is something we have to relegate to the margins afar. As long as you have those ideas of division in your head, racism will flourish in your life. Nevermind racism. Just hatred and distrust. Have the wisdom to know who to distrust and who to lend your trust. You obviously feel that most if not all whites are racist. You are DEAD wrong.

[misanthrope72]

Right you are, mamak. Who anointed West, an oily self-seeker who Mau-maus the white establishment to succeed in Academe, the Conscience of Black America?
If the great MLK were here, he would without question say that he doesn't want tributes , he wants to see a black American get some real power for a change. King was not a simp...he was thoroughly rooted in practical politics. West and the whiners notwithstanding, Obama is on the right track in this race and we'll hope it comes out ok. (And that he stays SAFE.)

[hoodrat]

Without those like Dr. West, issues that affect minorities would not be brought to light - not all causes are lit up for all to see. Dr. West, Dyson, aren't running for office, but speak about policies that might or might not effect you. Kanye West whined, never heard either other Brother do so(except Smiley), til now.......­....

[Kordo]

They are just pissy because they know Barack will call them on their bullshit, and they see all the fawning political attention they were expecting from Hillary is slipping away fast. This time next year, they'll have to get off their asses and actually accomplish something meaningful for black americans to be considered "Leaders".

Obama 08

[harriscrl3]

I firmly believe wherever he is MLK knows that Obama didnt have to be there to know that he is being honored by him. Its not being in the place its remembering his legacy. Imagine how many people didnt make it to Memphis but they did honor him in their own way.

Yes its a political calculation on his part but come on it wasnt in a sense on Hilarys and John McCain's? There is a reason why two went to Memphis and one went to Indiana and the reasons may not be that different.

Carol

[Awaki]

Barack Obama was "too busy" campaigning for president to hold hearings on Afghanistan: (The Taliban are mass producing heroin which is devastating the Black community). He wasn't too busy to go lay up on the beach in the Virgin Islands on Easter.

He was too busy campaigning for "super Tuesday 2" to go to the State of the Black Union in New Orleans. Yet he took off valentine's day to do WHATEVER.

Now he's too busy trying to win Indiana to go an honor Dr. King, yet he was off just yesterday, in Chicago. These posts here giving him yet another pass on his blatant disregard for that that he should have the highest regards is contemptible.

He never fails to pimp Dr. King's words when he needs them to manipulate the gullible.

[FreedomLoverX]

OK, Awaki, you just exposed yourself, and now we can see what you are all about. You like to spread ignorance as a hobby.

[clevelandchick]

Hillary Clinton was too busy to hold or attend hearings for her committee before she was even campaigning for president, so what's her excuse?

Please, I highly doubt Dr. King would be spending his time on photo ops politicizing the death of a great civil rights activist while he was running for office, he'd have been somewhere talking to the people instead. Talking to folks who don't know him and giving his message. That's what Barack did and it was the right thing to do.

[Leota2]

So . . . .
Barack Obama should stop campaigning to single handedly save our community from heroin that's been coming out of Afghanistan for decades.
He should not spend a couple of much needed days with his wife and children.
He should go to lay a wreath (where Hillary and John were photo- oping) instead of visiting the King family--as he did. And he should have gone to New Orleans where I think we all know the state of the black union. . . . .
Hmmm. Pimping huh? Like John McCain who didn't want a King remembrance and
Hillary who was a republican at the time. . . .
Phony sentiment Awaki. Phony and simplistic . . .

[ColdSteel3]

I believe MLK would say to celebrate after you have won the day. Do not relent in the midst of strife to pay homage to his memory. The greatest homage is to carry forth and win.

[Mike O.]

The difference is that everyone else isn't running for President.

Deeds, not words.

[Ellesar]

The Dream is no artifact to be found on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. The spirit that animated King lives in those who honor it through works rather than through gestures alone. King would have been proud that Obama avoided the morbid photo-op in Memphis and instead chose to pursue the work of becoming the Dream incarnate as president. By realizing it was more important to carry King's life in his heart than to wear his heart on his sleeve in fixation on King's death, Obama wisely observed the sentiment that honors the slain civil rights leader best:

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.

[richardsgirl]

Beautiful post ... and this is one of my favorite songs. It is one of the most spiritual tributes to life that I have ever heard.

[mm29464]

Amen.

[JerseyBob]

Amen.

[ashen]

Beautiful. Thank you.

[DiogenesII]

How Appropriate to quote these words of Melinda Sue Pacho.

He did not die...And to Honor him, we must learn to enbrace

the implausible, so that we can truly view the full expanse of

Possibilit­y....

Ellesar, Thanks for Sharing

[miyacom]

Dr. West is a Clinton supporter, nuf said!

[unsolved999]

No! Really? I refuse to believe this. I think he simply misunderstands. Obama made a great speech in Indiana. I think he was trying not to exploit MLK. Or else he would have been in Memphis...

[Awaki]

That is the exact point! Obama's use of Dr. MLK in his "speeching," while refusing to visit the very place where he gave his all so that he could give a speech, is the greatest form of exploitation of Dr. King ever done by anyone living.

If you don't see this now, when you do see it, it will be too late. However, with Hillary's continued efforts, he won't get a chance to show you much more. He will be back in Chicago.

[Boadicea]

Actually, no. He's an Obama supporter.

[BrooklynLager]

It doesn't matter who he supports. Do we have to look at everything through the lense of this stupid primary?

I think Dr. West is hung up on symbolism, but that's always been my general critique of him. I also think he's brilliant in other ways. Anyway...

Obama '08

[huffhuffpass]

Create and achieve the "dream" Dr.King had envisioned! I understand that this year marking 40 years since Dr.Kings assassination enforces his death outlasting his life, but what's more important is the work left undone. Sen. Obama has a chance to not only make the "dream" real, but gives the "dream" a chance to live!

[BillForObama]

Thank you for your kind comments. It is evident that Mr. Obama is an ardent follower of Dr. King. Each person who participated in the Dr. King Observance on yesterday did it in their own way and should be commended for giving phenomenal praise to a man greatly deserving it.

Everyone looking for Mr. Obama to be in Memphis: Mr. Obama was about busily doing the glorious works of His Father and Dr, King!!!

[anons]

Damn, Mr. West!! A great mind like you and this is what you take the time to write about? Furthermore we get nothing more than a paragraph of one liners?? Who and what purpose does this serve?? I
expect cute posts like this from Bill Maher but not from you Dr.

[Herrington]

Obama has projected no race specific objectives in his candidacy, in what may be seen by the less racially sensitive as a calculated effort to be elected by and for the American people and not one just segment of the American public.

This may disappoint some in the black community. And to be sure, missing the Memphis tribute was a calculation. But consider the nature of the calculation in the stated objective of a color blind candidate to encourage a color blind election. Nobody said this would not be hard.

Need Barack Obama prostrate himself before the alter of racial symbolism in order for his candidacy to have meaning to the black community? If he were to do more than McCain or Clinton it would mean as much to the public as doing less. He has cast a stone into the pond of speculation and the meaning will be in the eyes and wisdom of the beholder. It is a message that needs sending, that as pivotal as Dr. King has been, the time is come to realize his dream rather than just dream it. That dream is equality and not servitude to any, even servitude to those who dwell on the past. The iron is hot and Obama intends to strike while it is hot, and not wait for all sensibilities to be assuaged.

If that is political practicality, then we need more of this type and less of the old dug in resentments and exploitation of same.

[ethancorso]

One of my favourite posts ever.

[Herrington]

No fair!...It­s hard for me to argue with that.

[hoodrat]

You can loop this till Nov., and some just can't understand. I don't mind being painted red,white and blue, as long as the ideals finally meet the colors. Never seen a person without physical flaws, and yet you accept the whole person - flaws and all. Extrapolate that to all of the American people - and you got Dr. Kings dream. Put all thoughts of war aside - and you have Gods dream. And yes bro., just blind luck didn't get me this far - skills don't account for some things witnessed. You have Mother Earth, which the Hawaiian side equates well with - the rest of my lowly ass belongs to Him. Peace

[Herrington]

Thanks hood, always good to hear from kin.

[Awaki]

Barack Obama, for 20 years, attends services with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. He receives from him spiritual guidance. Now somehow his honoring the memory and contributions of Dr. King is analogous to his "prostrating himself before the alter of racial symbolism.­"

What do you call his 20 years with Jeremiah?

[hoodrat]

EMPOWERMENT OF SELF......­.....20yrs­. worth.....­.....tool

[cyndeewi]

LOOK Awaki,

First of all, you do not know what you are talking about. You heard soundbites of Rev. Wright's sermons and you believe that this went on for 20 years. Come back to this site when you have listened to all of Rev. Wright's sermons.

I am so pissed with a know it all that repeats stuff without check for themselves.

Mr. West, why is it that a everyone that black people have to attend every MLK memorial. Senator Obama spoke of Dr. MLK in his speech today and asked for a moment of silence.
Hell, Hillary and John McCain were there with their lies. Hillary tried to inject a tear in there. Neither one of them cares.

[BrooklynLager]

Spiritual guidance. You said it in your own post.

[Nommo]

Give it a rest, West. Obama is busy running for the highest office in the land. All these 'tributes" to Dr. King are a waste, you get that? They are a waste because we are still being lied to about his assassination, we are led to believe that the man who was once the most hated man in America is now what, a hero? Let the dead bury their dead, and all of that.

You bent on honoring Dr. King so much that you can waste time criticizing others? Demand that they get to the truth about how he died, and let Obama do what Obama has to do. Lay off the cheap attempt at criticism, it does not help and makes you look just a bit silly. Just who do you and Smiley think y'all are?

[Awaki]

Smiley and West are two Black men who have been in the struggle, far longer, far deeper and with far more scars from their battles than Obama. They can relate in more ways than "talk" to Dr. King's plight.

Obama would do well to take a page out of their lives and read it so he can really be in touch. He is out of touch with Black America: Black is more than "skin color."

Dr King got that. Smiley gets this! West gets this! Obama talks it, but he doesn't get it!!

[StephenJK]

You're just absolutely nuts.

To diminish what MLK accomplished and to diminish his message is the makings of something I can't comprehend. We ALL need to continually revisit this message of Dr. Kings. And introspectively investigate ourselves and how we treat one another.

With the way you talk I get the feeling you don't treat too many very well at all.

[Nommo]

"Can't comprehend" gets it about right. What you do not comprehend is the diminishing of Dr. King with all the fake memorials. How dare anyone suggest to another man what he is to do to honor Dr. King when what he is doing in fact is the largest honor that he might do for Dr. King's memory. If West had any sense, he would have condemned Hillary and McWar for desecrating Dr. King's memory. He should advocate for the truth of Dr. King's murder.

How I talk with people is really no concern of yours. You don't know me. That is the same shit y'all tried to drop on Rev. Wright. Please give it a rest.

[mesuki]

The honor and the love that Obama has for Martin Luther King cannot be diminished by the fact that He was not present in Memphis today,and Hillary and McCain showing up in Memphis does not mean that they love and honor Martin Luther King either....­..... It's the things that we do from day to day that honors Mr. King,not the fact that we show up on his anniversary. I think Mr. King would be proud of Obama,but I don't think he would feel the same about McCain and Hillary. Their decisions about the war has cost this country dearly!

[megacephalus]

B.S.

Better to live 'The Dream'...

let McBush and McBitch go for the photo-ops.­..

and still with a 'step-n-fetch-it' to hold their umbrellas at that!

QED

[afroamericanpie]

I agree,

We all know that McCain and Hilliary were there for mostly political reasons...­Barack's mission has to be given some weight before we rush to judgment. If he showed up there, it would have opened up another Hornet's nest of race accusations towards him that the other two candidates would not have to deal with....it­'s sad really...

http://www.afroamericanpie.com

[ebh215]

With all due respect, Dr. West, I disagree. Obama never was a showboater. He deeply marked the genious of MLK, jr. on his birthday. Let Hillary Clinton and John McCain show off for the cameras. But Obama must have had his reasons. Two that I thought of are: 1 obama's saftey. Why invite nutcases to make the connection between an assasination and a black man. Not that Obama was scared, but ccautious is how he operates. 2. The other very significant historical marker is that RFK calmed the city of Indianapolis on MLK's death. Ethel Kennedy was in Indiana stumping for Obama, he is a gentleman and a patriot of all americans, even white democrats, who remember Bobby on that day. So instead of 'dissing the black community, he marked the day in Indiana where the other significant event also took place. His speech called for economic justice whereas Clinton talked about herself, and mccain talked about himself and what he did. Obama marked the day with empathy and love.

[vbond]

Dr. West, the complete irony of your point is that the only reason for Obama to "go to Memphis" would have in fact been a cynical political one... to do as Clinton and McCain and American flag pin wearers do... behave "as if" they had deep respect for the dreams of King and of America.

Your job, Cornell, is to give him cover when superficial criticism like - well... like yours - gives him a hard time about taking care of the very business of attaining the righteous power of which Dr. King truly dreamed...

And for which he died.

[StephenJK]

Is it cynical to honor such a righteous message? If that is cynical I may be the most cynical person in the world.

[Nommo]

I'll say.

[richardsgirl]

My deep and abiding respect for Dr. West is beyond words. He is one of the most profoundly intelligent, inspirational and courageous scholars in America. Yet, on this particular issue, I do disagree with him. Senator Obama is confronting unique challenges that no other presidential candidate, past or present, has had to contend with. He did not have to be on the physical location of Dr. King's burial site or at the hotel where Dr. King was slain to honor the legacy from which he, Senator Obama, was conceived. In fact, I saw a lot of hypocrisy in the candidates who did appear to speak in Memphis, and regarded their presence in Memphis and their prepared speeches as far less meaningful than the presence of Senator Obama and the words he spoke in Indiana. To suggest that he should have been in Memphis to make his commitment to King's legacy credible is to suggest that King's legacy is bounded to a specific geographical landmark; yet, King's legacy is universal, and the tribute that is given to it matters more than the place from where that tribute is given. I appreciate Professor West's opinion and, being familiar with Professor West's world view, I understand its source. But in this instance, I feel that Professor West's expectations of Senator Obama -as a man, as a black man, and as a presidential candidate- is over-reaching.

[neoprimordial]

Sane commentary in an ocean of maudlin blather. Thank you for that.

[apresdeluge]

Obama was also AWOL for the State of the Black Union in New Orleans. I guess he figures he can take the African American vote for granted. Sad.

[divaatty]

Nice try, apresdelug­e.. You will NOT split the AA loyalty to Senator Obama. AA are very clear on the issue of whether he is "black enough." We don't need him to pander to the black voter like Clinton and McCain. He was were he needed to be.

[huffhuffpass]

Simply showing up does nothing for blacks or Americans without ACTION! A million man march did what? Are you going to be mad when he doesn't show up for the Soul Train music awards too? The best way to help ALL Americans is to WIN this primary and than the General Election! Got it?

[Awaki]

The reason Obama feels he owes Dr. King no respect is because comments like this prove to him he owes you none. You dare compare the life and death of Dr. King to some soul train music awards? You embarrass yourself!!!! As for the MMM, your comments here are proof positive that you don't have a clue. You are a danger to your own existence.

[JamesAndre]

"Soul Train Music Awards" LOL! Love it. Much respect Dr. West, but enough clapping, amens, and falling out in the aisles. Blacks and all America have had plenty of praise, now we need action.

I placed my bet, the starting gun has sounded, now I suggest you all meet me at the wire. We can critique the horses when the race is over....

Obama '08

[richardsgirl]

As an African American, the African American community did not regard Senator Obama's inability to attend the State of the Black Union in New Orleans as AWOL. If you watched this event, you would have noticed the enthusiasm for Senator Obama, even in his absence. He did not have to be in New Orleans or in Memphis to bring credibility to his candidacy or to pay tribute to Dr. King's legacy. His credibility and his honor for Dr. King is an integral part of his candidacy, and we do not need to see him at a specific place or at a specific time to recognize this, nor does he need to do this to prove to anyone, black or white, that he is a genuine candidate.

[MariaHopeful]

Tavis Smiley's state of the Union? So that Tavis Smiley can sell more books? And black people can be seen to be talking? Go sign up and join Obama's program for organizing people to vote and participate in their government.