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

[December7]

I respectively differ with you Cornell

"It was that moment that Obama commemorated today. Not the shot that rang out, but how some responded in the wake of it".

“Dr. King understood that the struggle for economic justice and the struggle for racial justice were really one -- that each was part of a larger struggle ‘for freedom, for dignity, and for humanity,’

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/04/04/860353.aspx

Civil rights were not about Black and white but right and wrong, and economic injustice is what Obama was focusing on and it is as present in Indiana as in North Dakota, PA, MS, or Memphis

[mindact]

Damn, let the brother win the presidency. We know where his heart is. It's with the American people. Had h shown up, he would have been regarded as an opportunist. It's safe he didn't show-up. OBama isn't Martin. This is not about who shows up or not.

The problem with black folks is we get caught up in symbolism, rather than substance. Showing up and pandering then dissapearing and doing nothing is not the way to go. I'd rather prefer someone who doesn't show up but understands the real issues and is willng to work to get things resolved, rather than someone who shows up and then doesn't deliver

[spacealien]

excellent point.

[init]

I'm sure there are legitimate reasons and something we may never know. Lunacy is out there big time right now. I lived in Nashville for awhile, not at all familiar with Memphis, and I can say this: "you know the nearer your destination the more you slip sliding away." Obama knows why.

[LouKane]

As an Obama supporter and as a black man, I agree with Dr. West. There's nothing wrong with Obama discussing MLK from Indiana, but it would have been optimal to commemorate the day in Memphis.

[spacealien]

do u care if he celebrates Malcolm X's birthday and death? what other black leaders or civil rights leaders should obama celebrate their life and death? should he celebrate ceasar chavez birth and death? should he give a speech on the birthday and death of every prominent american leader or just the black ones?

[ObGyn]

Thank you. Well said.

[CeeLee]

Since you obviously are unaware of American History, U. S. Senator Barack Obama is the only African American U. S. Senator in office currently. Since reconstruction, there have only been a few. If you were concerned about the horrific results of the U. S. Supreme court decision of Plessy v. Ferguson, of 1877 that didn't end until the 1960's, you might be able display some amount of empathy instead of hatred for African Americans.

[CeeLee]

I am also an Obama Supporter, and don't have any problem with him giving his appropriate tribute to Dr. King from Indiana. It is typical of some sections of our community to be unwilling to give real support to the first potential African American Presidential candidate, you would post an article on the Huffington Post criticizing him in a "majority" media outlet. Too bad you are so busy finding fault and demeaning his motives and actions like "your" first "black president" Bill Clinton. We don't ever seem capable of lending unified support when necessary, you must marginalize and "scold" just like the plantation sensibilities of the Clintons. I suppose you would rather have him on the balcony in Memphis like McCain, giving phony platitudes and remarks, especially coming from an elected official who originally OPPOSED MLK 's birthday become a national holiday. You all are about as progressively and positively influential and helpful as the NAACP is NOW, not the powerful and important organization that championed civil rights and justice it USED TO BE.

[mojomagic]

That tribute whatever it was ended with '"if you elect me, we will fulfill MLK's dream"

[feelfree]

C'mon Mr. West you know why he didn't go to Memphis. He is the 'post-racial" and the candidate that "transcends race". He might have ran into Jesse Jackson or Andrew Young. He wouldn't be caught dead in a photo op with Jesse Jackson and/or Andrew Young who were standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel with the Reverend when he was murdered.

It was simply an extension of his sinister political calculation that he made early in his campaign. He has to maintain his distance from the so-called old guard (civil rights leaders) or those "angry" black men to shore up his support with white voters in his quest for power.

[bish66]

And don't forget Al Sharpton or McCain who were there...

[CAPTAIND]

Unfortunately, too many have blindly put their trust in Senator Obama as the new moral compass in politics and a new direction for our county. I have felt all along he was simply a glib politician. Their are many fine black leaders who should be standing in Obama's shoes. I agree with your comments, whether there was a political price to pay or not a BRAVE LEADER does the right thing. The right thing would be for Senator Obama to at least make an appearance and pay respects to a very brave and committe black leader. To you Cornel West, I suggest that you consider others to support whether black, brown, yellow or white. Obama just does not have the moral courage and true leadership to be our President.

[Bademus]

If he was only a glib politician he would have shown up, just to please you.

[tjwdraws]

Perhaps there are better ways to show respect than to make a campaign stop. Perhaps Obama's respect for King helped make the decision to not add spectacle to an occasion that deserves dignity and restraint.

[wearyvoter]

It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't for Sen. Obama. If he makes the pilgrimage to Memphis, the talking heads will play it up as him trying to draw a parallel between himself and Rev. King. If he doesn't (as he didn't) make the trip, the talking heads will play it that he's trying to avoid the parallel.

I envy no one who runs for the Presidency­....ever.

[deejsmom]

you're right as evidenced from the statements being attributed here - there's just no winning - is there?

[Siryn]

Too true. Obama eats expensive ham from Spain in Pennsylvania. zomgwtfbbq he didn't eat a Philly Cheese Steak!!

Is there not enough navel lint to go around for the media>

[bluevillage]

If he had gone, it could also easily have been seen as trying to take political advantage. I think that delivering a speech on Dr. King in Indiana shows Obama's characteristic willingness to broaden the audience for the words that need to be said.

[AjicNYC]

right so he can use a speech on Dr. king in indiana to his political advantage. see so he loses n no time off his campaign Trail, and plus he black so he doesn't have to really do all those things normal politicians have to do to get the black community to back them.

I am still confused

WHY does the Black community support him?????

. You guys are ridiculous stop it already ,

What cant Obama supporters justify??????

[docpooh]

We support him for the same reason why everyone else supports him. We believe in him! We admire that he doesn't take the politically expedient, pandering way of others. Now tell me please why you support Hillary. You dismiss her lies, you don't see her "kitchen sink" antics. Why is it that when you ask a Hillary supporter why she/he supports Hillary, all they can do is give reason why they don't like Obama?
Seriously, if you really don't "get" Obama's support, I'd love to dialog, because I am dumbfounded by anyone who can still support Hillary! I'm beginning to realize that it's personal. Her supporters PREFER to believe all the crap about Obama. It helps them, as they are committed to not liking him. Whereas Obama supporters (many former Clintonites) don't enjoy the negative feelings they have about her, and would like to be able to respect/sympathize with her. (But maybe I'm just projecting­....) What d'ya think? Polls show Obama supporters are much more likely to vote for Hillary (if she gets the nomination) than are Clinton supporters to vote for Obama. Given their similar platforms, why else would they be so willing to change their party allegiance and vote against their own self interests?

[lisakaz]

What was his reason? Some don't like to commemorate anniversaries of deaths and prefer birth or some other date. I didn't get a sense of the explanation. What is it?

[lafrance]

Prof. West,
I think Sen. Obama did not go because he knew if he went it would be a huge distraction from what the day was to be about and he would become the focus of the day rather than memorializing Dr. King.
We all know the extreme popularity of Obama and he would have had people more interested in him and what he did and had to say.
This is a day that belongs to Dr. King.
And I think Obama was wise to realize this and decide to back away and spend it quietly somewhere else so that people stayed focused on what today is about.

[deejsmom]

I happen to be of the same mind as you on this - this was a solemn time and meant to honor King - not become a Photo Op for candidates - have any of them gone there on other occasions before running for office? I think all eyes should be focused on Dr King and his legacy - not Obama or any of the other candidates today.

[Nivramel]

Can you spell BULL-AID?

[thoughtsoutloud]

I second this, and would also like to say I thought it turned into a photo op and self promotion vehicle for the pols. I thought the pols who attended did so out of the quest for power.

I know your words and thoughts a bit, and am sorry to realize you feel that way.
I respected Obama for passing on the Kodak moment, and until I read this it never crossed my mind it was disrespect for Dr. King.

[eugeneakers]

With all due respect Dr. West, I agree with the sentiments with the sentiments of lafrance above. Although the presence of Barack would have been powerful it would have also been a profound distraction. His decision to stay away was a humble and wise one in my view. I read the beautiful speech he delivered this morning in Indiana. Dr. King and his legacy were most certainly on the Senators' mind today.

[Siryn]

I echo the other sentiments. The day is about Dr. King, not Senator Obama. I think it would have drawn people to make the comparison between himself and King, and he has the decency to not even try.

[AjicNYC]

TRUST me Obama has NOTHING on Dr KING!!!!

[DeeWashDC]

With all do respect there is NO ONE framing that argument here. Please refrain from unfounded outburst. It is disrespectful.

[sangsue]

If he had gone there, he'd have been accused of pandering or being racist. When Clinton and McCain go, it's seen as enlightened.

[rkbroughton]

Being black in America is not a punchlist - we are as capable of remaking our own realities as anyone else. It would be nice if Obama could pay homage to every tradition the black community has, but if he doesn't, does that make him less black? Less committed? I would hope, especially among our most educated class of african americans, that we have the ability to understand that some battles are less important than others when we are trying to win the war.

If we never honor Martin Luther King again his spirit would be alright, especially if we are making the kind of headway he himself dreamed about. A martyr who believes that his memory shall retain the same importance in the grand scheme of things forever isn't a martyr. King knew the cost he would have to pay. He understood what he would have to give up - his life - in the struggle he was committed to carrying out.

I can't speak for what he would say today, but as a thinking black man, I know that if it comes down to it, I am comfortable enough with Obama's cultural identity and the choices he has made in his life regarding black america that if he feels he needs to campaign for more votes and put being black on the back burner for a little while, that is fine with me. Whatever he does in the short term, he will be black for the rest of

[Daly]

I support BHO's decision his mission is to work toward MLK's goals. Cornell you should know or have a good understanding of what is in BHO's heart.

King himself missed lots of milestones because he felt the larger mission was where his focus was needed.

Cornell as family you and Tavis S should be the most understanding realizing that to get to the finish line you have to continue to run smarter, faster harder than anyone else.