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

[Sabreen60]

Oh pleezzz!!! I see absolutely nothing wrong with Obama deciding to speak in Indiana rather than going to Memphis. In fact I'm glad that be decided to stay on schedule with his campaign. Obama is a living testament to the work that MLK and many others did to advance freedom for all Americans. I think Cornel's comments are superficial.

[Hilleluiah]

I believe that this event was scheduled way before we knew that we'd be in PA or IN. Perception is important, and his derier should have been there.

[Susan1968]

Maybe it's an age thing.

But those of us who lived through that horrible year of seeing MLK and RFK gunned down, those of us who lived through those tense times, understand Prof. West's point.

[StephenJK]

Excellent point. There is an obvious disconnect with Obama supporters (mostly the young and vociferous) and the message of MLK and the Civil Rights movement.

[Hilleluiah]

I'm a member of the younger age group and I completely understand what Dr. West was saying.

[Nommo]

You make no sense here. There is no connection between being around when Dr. King was shot and Barack Obama being in Memphis. The only relevant commemoration of an assassination is
a full investigation of the murderers. That would be so in the case of the Kennedy brothers as well.
Obama is running for the office of the president. There will be a slew of such occasions to come.

The hypocrisy of McClowns appearance is far more appropriate for West to get his panties all bunched up for. The liar's appearance is even more grist for that mill. Are you people suggesting that what Obama did on that day was irrelevant?

[Superfelo]

My dear, dear, brother Cornell West, I so, so disagree with you. Senator Barack Obama's mettle,
courage and daring to run for president of the United States of America is the greatest and most enduring tribute that he is paying to Martin Luther King, and all the people of color in the world;
and to America itself; because it shows that he believes in her and the goodness of its people.
King would have been all in favor for that kind of a tribute, which is not merely laying a wreath for one day; but changing the world for all times. Enough said.

[eagleye]

Cornel,

I hear what you're saying, but I think a good case can be made that the best way for Obama to honor Dr. King's legacy is to stay out on the campaign trail and win the Presidency. I'm sure Dr. King would approve...­.

[tdpubs]

Barak Obama chose to make his speech in the state where Robert F. Kennedy kept reason and calm during one of the worst days of my young life. I remember the news on TV. I remember Robert F. Kennedy imploring the crowd to live and grieve in a way that would honor King's memory. RFK consoled black and white alike that night. Indiana was one of the few states spared the awful riots that followed.
Those of us who remember 1968 as the year that hope was again ripped from our hearts by the forces that wanted to keep the status quo, hope and pray that we will not revisit those circumstances 40 years later when we are again coming face to face with another movement for change in this country.
e pluribus unum

[Ariesjill]

I totally agree. Moreover, it always scares me how much stock people put in rituals & pro forma attendance of this and that. It ain't where you go, it's where yr coming from. Logical extension= Mafia funerals.

Beware of real progressives versus limousine liberals.

[Beowoof]

Brack Obama can go where he wants and say what he wants and calculate how he wants. Many of us know where he's coming from and where West is at as well. The symbolism is already within Obama as far as Marin Luther King Jr's legacy is concerned. That said, Cornel West's angle is well noted and hopefully never dismissed.

[bison1]

Obama gave his remarks in Indiana where there happen to be a primary coming up, but its shows how he thinks outside of the box. While all the other presidential candidates followed each other to Memphis, he chose to deliver his speech in Indiana where Robert Kennedy happened to have been campaigning for the presidency in 1968 who challenged this nation to turn the corner when he said: "Most people look around and ask why? I ask why not?" Obama’s speech built on the challenges to the nation that were expressed in his race speech in the context of King’s “fierce urgency of now” message-- making 2008 the mirror image of 1968. He acknowledges the racial stalemate that has existed for decades, but he sees the solution residing in each of us and our ability to seek positive solutions. Obama said, "Part of the problem is that for a long time, we've had a politics that's been too small for the scale of the challenges we face . . . instead of having a politics that lives up to Dr. King's call for unity, we've had a politics that's used race to drive us apart, when all this does is feed the forces of division and distraction, and stop us from solving our problems. That is why the great need of this hour is much the same as it was when Dr. King delivered his sermon in Memphis.” Obama demonstrated leadership by turning a symbolic moment into a call for

[tompaineaz]

Dr. West, I concur.

[falcao]

cornel, man ... i love you, prof. west, but give obama a break on this one ... this fellow has already displayed more political and physical courage than anyone in decades ... let's thank god he's on the national stage and support him all the way into the WH ... i think MLK Jr would totally have understood ...

[WWJD2]

Yes--let's give Obama another break He's just sooooooo perfect. I think I'm going to swoon.

[stupidme]

I too have already posted here reflecting the view that Obama should pursue "The Dream," as a matter of political strategy. That said, my wife and I were watching the 'How James Brown saved Boston" special on VH-1 last night and were struck by Cornel's sentiment, and no doubt felt by many, that there are those who have still not "gotten over" MLK's death. With that in mind, I now have an appreciation for that sentiment and reaction, and must respect it. However, watching the morning shows today, the point was made as to how strategic "the movement" was in back in the 60's. How there was a strategic purpose as to where and when MLK would march, etc. That said, I return to the thought that Obama, as did MLK, needs to be where he needs to be so the "The Dream" can carry on. And win or lose, by Obama fighting the good fight, as did MLK, maybe Cornel West and those who share than nagging pain, can find some healing in the already successful Obama campaign.

[parhuzam]

Barry doesn't need to court the Black vote..... it was 90% last time I checked. This is the same arrogant attitude when he refused to show up at the Katrina meeting in New Orleans.
You Obamanites are scary and ridiculous­... Barry cuts a smelly one and you call perfume.

[WWJD2]

Great post. I'm glad someone is sane and not drinking the kool-aid.

[WWJD2]

I honestly don't think the King family would say they were offended. Hurt yes--not offended.
Obama should have had better judgement.

[Darnamell]

There is a difference is recognizing the man falling leading a movement and pandering to the remnants of said movement.

This is the EXACT same BS that came up about Obama when he began to run for president. He wasn't African-AMERICAN enough for some folks. He has just spent a month speaking to the racial divisions in this country, more than any politician SINCE Dr. King. But you don't care about that.

I suppose you are willing to give John McCain more credibility than Barack Obama since he showed up in Memphis, in the rain, to try to explain why he was against an MLK Day in both his state and this nation. Not to mention having a black man hold an umbrella over his head while doing so. Yeah, just appear and all is forgiven. Try to actually make the Dream a reality and you will be skewered by the press.

How dare any of you even say these things with a straight face.

[JayDDrew]

I've already remarked on Mr. West's brief comments.
In continuation, The Clinton camp erred when Mr. Clinton thought he could "deliver" the black vote to Mrs. Clinton in Suth Carolina. There appears to have been a backlash not only from the black vote, but also from the youth vote. I think the youth realized this was "politics as usual", and wanted someone (Mr. Obama) who was new and refreshing.
I don't think any of us, including the Clinton camp, knew what would happen following this. Now, we see two possible outcomes which the media is just picking up on, but some of us have known it for over a month (since Super Tuesday):
(1) If Mrs. Clinton somehow cleanly wins the democratic nomination, blacks and youth may stay home in November, possibly leading to a McCain presidency.
(2) If Clinton wrestles the nomination from Mr. Obama in any way which seems unfair, McCain wins for the same reason, but in a landslide.
What has not been completely described, but is what some of us fear: Clinton knows 1 and 2 are the only outcomes. Thus, if she can damage Obama enough to make him lose the November election, she can say "I told you so", run again in 2012 after a disastrous McCain (Bush III) presidency, and win 2012 in a landslide.

[Oilygarch]

Would she be serving as Governor of New York in the mean time?

[Susan1968]

Prof. West spoke to a specific sentiment about Obama not being in Mempis.

How can you manage to spin this topic to be about the Clintons?

[Seattlelite]

Symbolic tributes - are overrated in my opinion. Especially when it comes to Dr. King, we celebrate his birthday with a national holiday, once a year we hear all his powerful speeches THEN what? Is his dream for this country fulfilled NO. Sen. Obama is the greatest tribute to Dr. King's memory to date in my opinion. And I would suspect Dr. King would have rather Sen. Obama spend his time getting elected than standing in tribute where he was killed. There are many ways to pay tribute to someone, doesn't have to be at a staged event.

[Gabrielle]

AS MUCH AS I LOVE CORNEL WEST, I AGREE WITH YOU ON THIS ONE.

[GManPhx]

Brother West, I disagree with you. You are missing the point, by a mile.
Barack Obama honors MLK every day when he galvanizes people to judge him not by the "color of his skin, but the content of his character.­" Barack Obama has come to epitomize and indeed embody the very aspect of Kings dream, when Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Wyoming, Washington, Wisconsin, Texas respond to him they way they have responded.
When Obama says "there is not a black America or a white America," he touches on Dr. King's "we are all caught up in a single [American] garment of destiny."
Barack Obama's campaign has inspired millions of Americans, OF ALL RACES, to dream, to hope, to see themselves as AMERICANS first.
It seems to me, you want him to constantly prove his "blackness" before his Americaness.
"A tiger does not have to proclaim it's tigritude!"

[MouthFountain]

“Tigertude!” I love it!

Where is his American flag lapel pin? I am truly tired of labels and false demonstrations as opposed to actions. Frankly, I never even think of Obama as black or white, as he is most definitely both, but as an intelligent leader who I am choosing to hopefully become President.

MLK was of course a great leader and deserves recognition. But, I believe that even he would prefer that we lay wreathes at the feet of larger symbols.

[nightwind928]

Obama has tried valiantly to show his intentions to heal many of the nagging racial problems that divide us as a nation. He has shown us his skill as a peacemaker for all races repeatedly dodging "racial landmines" that others have planted in his political path. It's amazing to me, that most of those have been placed there by the so called "black leaders." This, to me, is another example of using a clearly racial issue to keep a rift open. If he had not gone to John F Kennedy's grave sight on Presidents Day, you surely would not have been so offended. I often watch you on Bill Mahr's H B O program and respect your views, although I sometimes don't agree with all of them. I had thought you were one of the few black leaders that could rise above the temptation to wear your color on your sleeve when the greater good for all races was at stake.

[db08]

Dr. West has been involved in political campaigns as an active supporter of Nader in 2000.

I have great admiration for Dr. West and his acuity. Of course, here come the "but." While he may disagree with Obama on his choice of honoring Dr. King, shouldn't there be a focus on other pressing issues facing this country? I know that Dr. West's analytica mind can be put to better use than this differing choice. This is small minded.

Address the more important issues Brother West.

[SifSkade]

I agree. I very much respect Dr. West's intellect, but his post smacks of the Soul Patrol (i.e., Black people dictating to other Black people how they should express their Blackness), the same folks who accused Obama of not being "Black enough."

[cheneyhasawarmachine]

I might be missing something here but isn't the fact that he didn't go to memphis show that he refuses to use MLK's tragic assasination as political tool. Hillary and McCain both saw fit to go and both are political animals to the extreme. I think in truth that by not going he showed that the death of MLK is not as trivial as a campaign stop that it mens to and to denegrate it to some stump speech in an attempt to get votes is disrespectful. good for Obama.

[JoeHillsSon]

I agree with this post. I believe we should honor Dr. King on the national holiday in his honor and to reflect and morn on the date of his murder. Sen. Obama honored Dr. King with an address on his holiday and by refusing to make a political statement or to share the stage with the brave but shameless and calculating Sen. McCain on the anniversary of his assasination.