On Obama Not Going to Memphis
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Barack Obama, Martin Luther King, Martin Luther King Assassination, Martin Luther King Jr.,
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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.
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Did he just call Obama an Uncle Tom?
Why is barack considered black? I consider him white. Half doesn't necessarily mean one or the other, does it? So, I'm making my choice. He's white.
I have to say i think Mr West is so correct, i think Mr Obama should have been there, my feelings is
he felt like he did not need to be there because he has the black vote, well people let me tell you he was at a all white function in one of those states, grinning, notice when he shake a white man hand he is grinning black man he bearly shake it look at his reaction, I agree with Tavis Smiley he is telling the truth i did vote for him it is a vote i wish i could take back, He could have taken time out, his wife said black votes need to wake up he does too he he think because he is black he is going to get my vote again he is wrong, also from my unstanding he has said we dont need aaffirmitive action anymore. I just thinkj out of respect he should have showed ihis support for Mr Kinf family he did speak about it but he should have been with everyone else speaking about it he ddont want to look to black people wake up!!!!!
Exactly.
How absurd! While West is to be respected as one of our most pronounced scholars, he represents the collapse of black leadership today. Too often we see black leaders championing some of the most extraneous causes as urban decay increases. Why not discuss the attack of the black church by the media, isn’t that much more offensive? This troubling trend can only be attributed to egotistical attention hungry opportunists. Black leaders must learn when and how to pick their fights. To understand Obama is to understand an intricate network of political maneuvering. Mr. west must consider the greater good. Why must we insist on measuring ones blackness? Like west, Obama is a Harvard grad, but instead of accepting a lucrative position in government he elected to do grass roots efforts on the south side of Chicago. He has continued his fight in congress and in the state legislature. Attention: Smiley & West – Obama could be the next leader of the free world!
I thought the day was about commemmorating Dr. King and his legacy, not Senator Obama. I'm trying very hard to understand the argument from Tavis Smiley and Dr. West that Dr. King's legacy needs validation from a single individual, namely Senator Obama. Senator Obama is no more or less a beneficiary of Dr. King's work than me or you, and I wasn't there. Were you?
There has been more focus on Senator Obama's absence than Dr. King or the living giants of the movement who are still alive. Senator Obama's absence doesn't diminish Dr. King...Foc
If he had been there, it would have been a spectacle, much like the event in Selma which became a battle of the speeches between Obama and Clinton rather than the historic nature of the day. No doubt, all of the media's attention would have shifted to Obama. And no doubt Tavis Smiley would have criticized Senator Obama for overshadowing Dr. King.
Senator Obama can do nothing right in the eyes of Tavis Smiley. If he did walk on water, Tavis would say he couldn't swim.
he is not white, he is black his wife children is black he uses those phases for white folks, wake up i am very disappointed in him as of 4-4-08
Nellpost, it doesn't work like that. Anyone who has 1/4 Black blood in them is considered Black, regardless of their outward appearance. That was the law of this land for many years (not too sure if it still is, and which particular states, but you can google words like "Octaroon" and "Quadroon" for more info on this). Also, because of his outward appearance, Senator Obama cannot walk this earth as a "white" man and get anyone to take him seriously.
maybe hes black because he went to a black racist church and listened to black propaganda for 20 years, maybe!!!
It's a racist church? You better tell the white people who worship there! Quick!
Black racist church?To call it a racist church while never attending it and only being witness to soundbytes realy exposes your racial insecurities. Martin Luther King was far more controvercial than Wright. I am confident that you cant quote one thing that he said thats racist. For the record Wright is an accomplished military man, he medically cared for Lyndon B. Johnson, has earned four degrees, raised millions for the poor, and belongs to a denomination that is 99% white, and if you are a Clinton fan than you should know Bill invited him to the white house.
Dr. West I admire you tremendously for all that you have done and continue to do for the black community and the larger global community. I humbly must ask you to take a moment to reflect on your criticism of Sen. Barack Obama and retreat from the influences of your friend Tavis Smiley. Sen. Obama spoke powerfully on the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr at Ebenezer Baptist Church this year. Sen. Obama has consistently embraced the words and legacy in a majority of his speeches. His speech on race was fueled with King's ideology which fueled its impact on this nation. Sen. Obama not only keeps the dream alive, but he has taken the mantel of King's spirit to touch the consciousness of the country like no other person has done since MLK. The bible declares that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Dr. King, in my opinion, would be very well pleased that Sen. Obama is on the verge of becoming what he thought was possible in America: One who is judged by the content of his character and not by the color of his skin. My prayer for you Dr. West is that you humble yourself and come down off your judgmental high horse and walk with us common folk who are experiencing a transforming moment in the history of America. Stop your ego (edging out God) from getting in the way and you will see the bigger picture.
Barack Obama did the correct thing by not going to Dr. King's memorial. Why? Have you Dr. West been looking at tv? Every place Mr. Obama goes there are mobs of people wanting pictures, autographs and so on. If he had gone it certainly would have taken away from what the real reason of the occasion. Can't you see that? The news has said he has rock star appeal and I don't see why you cannot see what his presence would have done. He spoke with the King family. Isn't that enough for you. You black people really puzzle me. First he was not black enough now you and Tavis making comments about him not going. My God what do you want from this man. With you people he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn"t. If he had gone and all the people putting the attention on him you would have said he should not have gone because he took the attention away from the real purpose of being there. Lighten up and give the brother a break.
I have to agree: the problem with Obama IS his rockstar status. He is a media idol, and not much more.
And he would have been roundly criticized for overshadowing the importance of the day. It would have been a complete spectacle!
I AM AFRICAN AMERICAN AND I AGREE WITH MR WEST, ALSO TAVIS SMILEY HE IS TELLING THE TRUTH, HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE, ALL THE OTHER CANIDATES WAS THERE, DID HE THINK HE WAS TO GOOD !!!! YOU NEED TO WAKE UP SPEAKING SOMEWHERE ELSE IS JUST A COVER UP HE NEVER INTENDED TO BE THERE JUST LIKE THE BLACK CAUCUSES IN
NEW ORLEANS HE FELL HE DONT NEED TO BE THERE BECAUSE HE HAS THE BLACK VOTE, I THINK YOU ALL WILL REGRET IT I VOTED FOR HIM THE FIRST TIME NOT THE SECOND TIME I WILL VOTE FOR JOHN MCAIN - IF HE IS TOO GOOD TO BE WITH US AT A TIME WHEN WE NEEDED HIM THEN WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IF HE IS IN THE WHITE HOUSE - PEOPLE WAKE UP - HE HAS NO RESPECT FOR BLACK AMERICANS HE WAS WITH CHRIS MATHES ON THE COLLEGE CAMPUS 80% WIHITE , WHEY COULD HE NOT BE IN MEMPHIS, BECAUSE HE DID NOT WANT TO BE AROUND ALL YOU BLACK FOLKS HE THINK I WOULD HAVE HURTED HIS PRESIDENTIAL RUN!!!!!!!!!! HE HAS OUT VOTE OR SHOULD I WAY YOUR VOTE FOR SURE.
I so don;t believe you're African American 112985. your syntax is completely wrong and clearly you think that an african american reading the huffington post somehow would be uneducated. You are simply trying to sow the seeds of division. We see through you and as an African American female I forgive you.
Give it a rest and remember - pretending to be black doesn't mean you can't speak or write proper english.:)
To Dr. West-- I think you're an incredible scholar but I have to disagree with you 100% on this one. Senator Obama did not need to be in Memphis commemmorating MLK's assassination, his life is a testament to MLK every single day and his choice to be in Indiana at the place RFK made his appeal for peace that day is not only the right decision it shows an utter lack of pandering to political expectations.
Obama '08
In this country, everyone has a right to his/her opinion about a subject. However, we don't have a right to determine unilaterally why someone does or says something without dialog. So I ask you why are you saying these things about Mr. West? Do you have additional information about him that you haven't disclosed? If so, how does it support your conclusions?
Dr. West and Tavis loose all credibility when they take positions that are NOT in the best interest of what the CLAIM to be fighting for. "THE PEOPLE". Bickering over nothing! SAD.
Actually, Obama has retreated wholesale from King's message. It's telling that he embraces King's birthday but not the tragic moment of his assassination when he was speaking out against Vietnam, and the triple threats of militarism, materialism, and racism that had gripped the country. His rebuking of his own pastor for echoing King fits this rather sad trajectory, where Obama disassembles before the great threats to America today. Not going to New Orleans like Edwards did was also a terrible indication of where his politics might go. Sadly, it seems Obama has made his choice to become part of the establishment, although in not the same crass manner as Hillary Clinton nor as a true believer as John McCain. While he is the lesser of the three evils, he does not represent the fundamental change this country needs. He may buy us some feel good breathing room, but not much else.
Dr. West, I have long admired the brilliant creativity of your thinking for many years, but in my humble opinion you are WAY, WAY, WAY off the mark with this one. Dr. King, among many things, was a political mastermind--he had a very fluid and complex understanding of American politics and showed great dexterity in navigating the political spectrum. I don't need to point out the stunning circumstances of barack obama's presidential run to state that it is disingenuous at best and indeed opportunistic of you to post a blog on huffpo deriding the man as power-hungry and insufficiently cognizant of the great legacy he is carrying on even as he negotiates the hate-filled attacks on him for that vey legacy (as you well know Dr. Wright's sermons pale "controversy" with the aggresive posture of Dr. King's later speeches). Give the man a break. He is doing what even many of king's cohort (i.e. Congressman Lewis) thought was literally impossible less than a year ago.
Mr. West,
You don't have to go to Memphis and lay a wreath to pay tribute to the great Martin Luther King, no matter who you are. To do so would only be symbolism. Which is what race and politics is usually about. However, senator Obama is a living tribute, as are all Americans who strive to realize Martin's dream by going beyond symbolism to actually living the dream. You, by achieving and serving as a great role model for all people regardless of color, are realizing his dream. Myself, being being the only full time African-American police officer in Washington County, Maine, am realizing Martin's dream. And by doing so, I pass the torch to my my two daughters - one black, one white - by showing them that Mr. King did not fight in vain. You and I honor Dr. King every day by choosing to strive against the odds. We are the embodiment of the dream, and so is senator Obama.
Respectfully yours,
Peter Allen Harris
WAKE UP PETER, HE HAS NO RESPECT FOR BLACK FOLKS HE THINK HE IS TOO GOOD TO BE WITH BLACK FOLKS THATS WHEY HE DID NOT SHOW UP EVEN JIOHN MCCAIN SHOWED UP WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT SENATOR OBAMA I WILL NOT VOTE FOR HIM AGAIN IF HE WINS THE PRIMARY HE IS A PHONY AND I AM PISSED OFF THAT HE DID NOT SHOW UP IT WAS A BLOW TO BLACK FOLKS WHO HAS BEEN SUPPORTNG HIM, HE DID NOT WANT TO BE SEEN WITH ALL THOSE BLACK FOLKS, SENATOR CLINTON AND MCCAIN CAME SO WHY COULD HE BECAUSE HE KNOWS HE HAS THE BLACK VOTES. NOT MINE ANYMORE
Sorry, Cornell, I am not buying your position. As a black man, I am neither pleased nor disappointed that Obama did not make the trek to Memphis. Obama has paid more than adequate homage to MLK.
YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN , HE DID NOT ATTEND THE BLACK CAUCUS IN NEW ORLEANS, NOR IN MEMPHIS WHERE HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SINCE WE ARE VOTING FOR HIM IN RECORD NUMBERS I WILL NOT VOTE FOR HIM AGAIN, HE HAS SHOWED HIS TRUE COLOR I AGREE WITH CORNELL , HE SPEAKS ABOUT HIM BUT NEVER SHOWS UP WHERE A LOT OF BLACK FOLKS IS TAKE LOOK AT IT!!!
Did you miss the part about how Obama spoke at Ebenezer on King's birthday..
Stop shouting! We can hear you.
We just do not believe you.
Folks should think long and hard, and out of the box, as to why Obama did not go to the site of the King slaying.
Don't goad the smartest of us to replay the reason.
Think about it. Think.
And secondarily, look at those politicians on the balcony, the sacred spot where King died, as if it was Graceland or something. It was disgracefu
And Hillary, trying for another crying game before PA..her speech about her bookbag and her sadness the day King died. THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU, HILLARY. IT IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT YOU!
And, if you really think about what reasons OTHER than political, you hear me, other than political why Barack Obama would not chose to be there, you'll stop shooting your mouth off.
Brothers ought to know better.
Maybe they do, and they criticize Obama's absence anyway.
Now THAT is the ultimate when you really think about it.
ITA. And I know JUST what you're saying and again, I agree with Barack's decision to not go.
again!!! he should have been there the only reason he was not because he dont want to be around all black folks thats the reality
HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE KING FAMILY!!!!!!
After about the 3rd reply, my mind went straight to your point. I was like there are good reason why that may not be a necessary stop for him. So I am glad that he is doing what needs to do. Especially after that crazy guy was harassing him for a picture on last week. That was REALLY strange.
Prayer circle and moving on...
I am not disappointed at all. Obama is trying to win the nomination for President. He called the King family that day. Obama has a formidable task ahead of him. One I am sure MLK would say go do the work needed. Not pander to what people think he needs to do. He can further the dream by winning the nomination and becoming President. That is what is important right now.
Why does paying respects and honoring the man MLK jr. immediately mean pandering? How come you are sure MLK would say go do the work needed? Do you communicate with MLK somehow?
Where is the real substance behind Obama's past that equivocates him with MLK jr.? Is it because he is a good speaker and is Black? Oh, excuse me, bi-racial.
Obama wasn't more than five years old when King was assassinated, and the assumption that Obama is naturally the inheritor of King's Dream is a made up fable to give an otherwise junior politician some credibility.
Cornell West is by far a more intelligent, engaging and powerful speaker and thinker than Obama. Why shouldn't we listen to his opinion, to ask ourselves: "Where will Obama be when we need representation at a ceremony to respect our great leaders?" Unfortunately, the answer is: stumping for his own personal gains.
And if you don't think Obama has a personal desire and wish to be president -- being a career politician -- you are deluding yourself. There is just as much ego in Obama as there is selflessness. Hence, Obama is no MLK, jr.
I can respect Cornel as an intellect, but on THIS one...he's wrong. And Barack was "more than five years old", he was seven. Small difference, but still...
i agree with you!!!!!!!! he dont want to be around black folks i found that out when the caucus was in new orleans and he was a no show!!!
First, Obama doesn't attend the Black Union Caucus. Second, Obama doesn't make a heartfelt pilgrimage to Memphis to show his support for equality among all people in America. When will Obama return his support for the Black community that has shown him so much support?
If I was Cornell West, I would be greatly disappointed as well!
Would Obama's speech have been more profound in some way if he said it in Memphis? I think not. The mere fact that he is running for POTUS is a screaming example of MLK's legacy.
Well, considering Obama's speech on race wasn't that profound, it doesn't matter really where he spoke it. Citizens and the media both immediately declared Obama's speech on race as profound and historic, yet no one ever quotes from it, nor is it even still in the MSM after 2+ weeks. Obama is no MLK Jr. by any stretch of the measuring stick.
Obama must win, Obama must win...is that the only, most important thing on everyone's mind? What about what Obama says, his policies, his shortcomings, his misstatements and his contrasting tactics of his campaign strategist Axelrod? Obama is becoming the man of Teflon more than the man of substance.
Because Obama is running for President, is he therefore excused from all manner of misdeeds? Because Obama is running for President, is he therefore allowed to veer from the path that he earlier established for himself and his campaign tactics? Because Obama is running for President (oh, BTW, his is only at the stage of Dem. nominee...
Why does Obama get placed on an untouchable pedestal, where all other political candidates, whether by race or sex, must be responsible for their actions or lack thereof?
Please make an intelligent, unbiased look at Obama in total...th
"If" you were cornell west you would be disappointed, but as a white american you clearly could care less and are using this a wedge against the guy. get a life. Obama will return the support of the black community when he wins indiana, wins the presidency and begins to undo the damage to all american communities of the past 8 years.
Thank you for accusing me of being white, and thank you for showing that you hold borderline racist views towards white people.
I have a life, and it is one that cares and is concerned for all people of America, and the world.
And, by your own statement, Obama will return to support the black community when he wins Indiana and the Presidency
I guess Obama is afforded the luxury of choosing who and when he gives his support. Why is Obama afforded that luxury? What has he directly or indirectly done for you and your constituency, besides promoting and idea of hope and change?
I AGREE HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE
So, Dr. West, let me get this straight, you are concerned that a black man who is the Democratic front-runner for the highest office in our country and is promoting change didn't go back to the site where another high black figure who also promoted change was assassinated? Hmmm. While I generally value your opinion on a lot of things, your rationale and logic on this issue does not make sense to me. I say, Indianapolis was the safe place for him to be.
God bless you ddc, you ARE thinking. (see my post "in Wonderland")
Spot on assessment. I love a critical thinker!
I would challenge you to judge a person by the content of their character and their actions and not by the ever popular photo opt attempts to pander to people for a vote. I would hope that people in this country would be able to see through the "once in a blue moon" attempts to be politically correct. I would hope that you embrace racial, gender and socio-economic equality by actually acting instead of sitting on the sidelines claiming that this is NOT a black white issue. DID YOU WRITE YOUR STATEMENT??? Why the double standard and all to frequent denial of the role of "race" in how you even "see your surrounding"? See step 1 of the 12-step program.
Moreover, when your membership in another demographic, what gives you the right to speak on behalf of African-Americans?? Have you considered that idea that maybe real RESPECT for all that King "stood" for should never be marginalized to a simple pilgrimage. What is important to some could be getting away from the Hallmark card tributes and attending a "Black Union" gathering when one aspires to LIVE up to King's dream.
As Cornel West surely knows, showing up to lay wreaths, in memory Dr. King, or not, isn't the most reliable gage of what is in a politician's heart and mind.
The most important way a politician can show their respect, is through their actions, every day of the year. I'll leave it to West to decide, if Hillary has lived up to her stated ideals, or not but I think most would say she hasn't. And that is what matters.
oh
for a second there i thought you meant you were surprised.
Obama Not Going for Memphis
like cheering for memphis tonight.
you know...
ncaa basketball and all that.
i guess some writters have to make up things to whine to readers about.
this is really lame.
Obama supporters can always find something about Ms. Clinton to attack, generally using spin and distortion to change facts and the truth. There is little Obama supporters cannot find as a fault with Ms. CLinton. On the other hand, the spin and distortion is used to keep from admitting Obama has ever made a mistake. While I guess I can respect the loyalty, it makes some of his supporters seem a little goofy.
"Obama supporters" and other thinking people can always find something about Senator Clinton to criticize, because she has provided them with ample ammo for that purpose. Forget the outright lies about Bosnia, and the queer note about her having a backpack back when student typically didn't carry such things. Think about who her advisors are, and why they're in her cabinet: Ickes, who voted to REMOVE the delegates from Florida and Michigan, now a champion of her propaganda against the Obama campaign for "disenfranchising" the states; Penn, who worked for the Columbian government to pass the very trade agreement that Clinton wants to convince the Unions she's against.
Where is the distortion here? These are facts. I suppose if you're so dead-set on the idea that it's Clinton or Bust in November, looking at facts like this may seem a little goofy. For the rest of us, it's just another Tuesday with the Clinton campaign.
No, Dr. West, did not see Sen. Obama in Memphis on that day; however, he does not know where Sen. Obama's heart and spirit were. He can't be in a thousand places at one time. He is in an unprecedented campaign for President of these United States. I'm almost certain that if Sen. Obama could have been there, he would have been there. It really irks me when a black professional, starts to complain because Sen. Obama hasn't shown up at some historical black event. The man is out trying to fulfil a dream that the late great Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. would have been proud of; I'm sure even he would have understood Barack's absence. Yet, here he is being criticized by his own people, which I believe would have been a more painful thing for MLK to see than Barack's not attending some function in his honor. More often then not, I'm beginning to think that these statements are made simply out of jealousy. My answer to that is that, if you can't say something nice about "your brother" especially at this particular time, just don't say anything. This is a very critical time in Sen. Obama's life and in the lives of the American people.
Continued from post below.
Also, after Wright, the race speech, the suddenly "black" candidate label he avoided so long now hovering over him and the fear by many that he may suffer a fate similar to King's, it makes so much sense for Barack to want to avoid Memphis at that time. Clearly, Obama's candidacy, his existence in this presidential race is an homage in and of itself to King's accomplishments in life and what he died for. Another speech on a particular day for one who must think of King everyday and often during the day, would have been redundant, at best.
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