Obama's Race Speech Won't Make Wright or Race Go Away for Him
"There were early warning signals of the ugliness that could come....the message was that Obama was not exempt from a racial dig. That was also evident in the knock at Obama's Southside Chicago church, or to be more exact the minister at the church, Jeremiah Wright. He is an outspoken afro-centric activist on racial and social issues. The inference was that Obama's guilt by membership and friendship with him made him a closet radical and a race baiter."
This writer wrote these words in a column January 6. It was a no-brainer prediction that the Wright card would eventually be played hard by the media and milked for all it's worth. The inflammatory, provocative rants of Wright were well-known. Thousands within and without his church have heard them for years. His afro-centric tinged writings have been widely cited by black commentators. It was only a matter of time.
The only surprise was the timing. This writer expected that the Wright card would be kept tightly in the political deck and dumped on the political table by the GOP "truth squads" in the fall if Obama is the eventual Democratic presidential nominee. But then again why not dump it on the table now. The Wright rants are just too juicy, racially salacious, and media sensational to keep under wraps any longer. And since Hillary Clinton has been so trashed and demonized by much of the media, while Obama got a free pass, all the better to toss out Wright now. If Obama can be hammered with and tainted by the guilt by association tag with Wright that further poisons the Democratic Party well and makes the throngs of independents that are enthralled by Obama waver, maybe even rethink just who and what they're getting into by backing him.
But this writer didn't just make the prediction that the Wright card would sooner or later be used against Obama. He also flatly predicted the instant Obama stood on the steps of the Old Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois back in February 2007 and announced that he was on a history making quest to be president that two things would happen. The first is that the racial innuendos, rumors, gossip, hints, digs, and finger-pointing would be a subtle and tormenting subtext to his campaign.
The second thing was that he couldn't duck and dodge racial matters by simply pounding away that he and his campaign was about hope, change and unity. That was good campaign stump stuff but it is not the reality of race and politics in America.
Now we come to his so-called race speech. Obama did the obligatory sprint backwards from Wright's preachments and philosophy. The idea was not just to distance himself from Wright's views, but to get ahead of the curve and reassure the waverers and doubters about him that his hope, change and unity theme was still alive and well. The problem with this is that it won't quell the doubts.
He made the speech only under extreme duress, namely the beating that he took for his association with Wright, and his fear that it could wreck or at the very least be a horrible distraction to his campaign. As he correctly noted, the Wright speech(s) will continue to resurface and will continue to be a prick in his campaign's side. It won't open up any new dialogue on race that some commentators naively think will or should happen. Obama in fact told us why. He mentioned the O.J. Simpson case, and how the great racial discourse that the case supposedly ignited was grotesquely twisted, mangled, and ultimately botched.
But that doesn't mean race will magically disappear from the presidential campaign trail, or more specifically from Obama's campaign trail. These questions will still be whispered or shouted out whenever Obama's name is mentioned: Is America ready for a black president? Will whites vote for him in a showdown with two white males? Does he really have the experience (read intelligence and competence)? Is he patriotic enough? Is he black enough? Is he too black? Will he tilt toward blacks and other minorities in the White House? Will he be a yes man for (white) corporate interests? Will his election make race a dead issue in America?
This doesn't make for serious dialogue on racial problems, let alone point America in the direction of real solutions to them. This is mere momentary racial titillation. Obama's speech contained the seed for the racial discourse dodge when he spoke of the disparities in the criminal justice system, failing inner city schools, HIV/AIDS, and chronic and nagging Great Depression high rate of black male unemployment, the need for greater family supports only in the broadest of broad generalities. There was not the barest hint of any specific initiatives to tackle these problems.
The Wright issue and by extension race was forced on Obama. One eloquent and flowery speech won't make either go away.
Read more HuffPost coverage and reaction to Obama's speech
Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His new book is The Ethnic Presidency: How Race Decides the Race to the White House (Middle Passage Press, February 2008).
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How come we only hear from this writer when something negative is going on with Obama, sounds like a little jealously to me.
Let me break it down for you. Some Blacks are going to HATE me for revealing our truth to them. They are jealous. How dare this smart, handsome, well educated man step on the national scene and still Clinton's victory away from her> Some Blacks feel that Obama is a faux Black candidate because he does not have the "slave" Black history. Therefore, he cannot really relate. Our first Black president was Bill Clinton (damn Toni Morrison for that analogy) and we owe our respect to him and ultimately his wife, so they say. All of these Black politicians who support (sorry most of them) Clinton are very jealous of Obama's success. They are House of Representatives who will NEVER win a state wide election..
No it won't but at least this candidate pays truth to the problem. Any other candidate would run from it as if they were naked in a packed mall. Obama gives me the feeling that he wouldn't sell my american interests down the river like the Clintons proved thru the 1990's.
Had to add this...is that ALL you came away with from this speech? What it won't do? Geez....jo
I think it is BRILLIANT how Obama has not stated nor answered questions about the "why" of his speech. He is making us all struggle w/ the "why". That is, the 1) did he do it to save his but? 2) did he do it to deflect attention? 3) did he do it to open discuss race more freely amongst Americans? 4) did he do it to honestly challenge us? I LOVE the way pundits such as yourself are guessing at these questions. It is my belief that all of the above is true. But what is interesting is that we (myself, pundits, other bloggers) have by definition of our questioning of his speech seem to fit EXACTLY what he was talking about. Everyone is focused on HIM and not what WE can/should do concerning the question of race. It was a brilliant speech. We are doing EXACTLY the first part of his either/or scenario..
Stop grouping ALL white people into one category.
Stop allowing myself to be victimized.
Reach out.
Love.
Yeah, it may sound very "We are the World" but it is my start...wh
What's wrong Mr. Hutchison? I don't understand the deal with your stance against Sen. Obama. He never said a speech would make racial problems go away. What he did do was point that out in but also bring the race issue out in the open like no other politician has.
Why don't you come clean on what your deal with Obama is? Everything I read from you is BS. You slam him for being inexperienced but don't bring up H. Clinton's inexperience. Tell me how much more experienced she is. Tell me how much more transparent she is. Tell me she doesn't have her own special place on Judicial.o
But...back to the point-- why do you specifically not like Obama...it seems personal. Please tell.
PS--I know you won't respond.
With each successive column by Hutchinson we see the pattern of a man whose ego will not permit acknowledgement of one who easily surpasses him in education, accomplishment and vision, namely Barack Obama. For Hutchinson to claim "I told you so" about Wright did not require brilliance. It is more akin to the devil pointing a gnarly finger at a cute little girl and informing her parents with a chuckle that she will probably be having sex with men in the future. We all know it the sex exists, Earl, but there are people who don't want to join Club Bitter all through life. We've had enough of your lousy world.
My question to you has always been, to what purpose do you come before us? To tell us that what we know verifiably to be true, isn't, and that Obama can't be trusted or is banal and vulgar like the rest of the world?
That there has never been a more astute, brilliant statesman running for president in our lifetimes is verifiable true. I hope in the years to come people will remember that Earl Ofari Huitchinson was absent in the human revolution to come. Do not attempt to take credit for the rennaissance, Earl. You've forfeited a chance to make history by being shallow and as far as criticism is concerned, George Will represents the complaints you have far more honestly from his viewpoint.
AND another HIllary supporter slams Obama. Big surprise..
Why you bother trying to pretend to be just another blogger with an "unbiased" opinion is beyond me.
You should just start each blog with:
AS A HILLARY SUPPORTER I AM OUTRAGED ABOUT....
At least that will save us the trouble of bothering to read the rest of your post hoping for an actual unbiased and possibly informative blog.
Surely you mean reading a blogger because you thought he would support Obama? Now who is the racist?
Racist???
Exactly WHAT does that have to do with.....o
Yeah, that's the ticket.
I have relatives that are racist, 100%. I still love them and naturally I would probably always try to stand by them. However, if they could, I would not want them to perform my marriage and baptize my children. This is a blessed event and I would want the person who I really admire to do that.
I have to assume Obama does admire Wright. He admitted he studied Wrights sermons in Harvard. I have attended many churches and without a doubt I would not bring my kids to one filled with "hate".
Jesus wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves. I don't buy into his speech. I read about this a year ago and really don't understand why it's just coming out.
He only addressed this 'after the fact'.
Why was he given this platform in a presidential race? Why did he not just get a press conference. Honest questions from reporters. A diverse group of reporters. Obama recieved millions of dollars in advertising with this speech. I guess Hillary should get the same time and speak on gender. McCain can speak about something I'm sure.
His church will be swamped with new membership and sales of Audio tapes, etc.
Wrights comments are not about race. I hardly need to be told as if we are children, that I feel this way due to race. Obama actions are about character, judgement and courage of your convictions.
L. Farrakhan, given a lifetime achievement award? White folks are NOT the only ones who would not want to be part of this hateful church. His actions speak about character. It is our business as he will be our representative. He could be our employee.
If Hillary were in a church that said God D... America, she would be on that stage resigning. That is not race.
Wrights church makes money from the audio, transcripts, etc. The profit, if Wright was not a showman would be far less. This church makes good money, due to this type of dividing rhetoric. These sermons simply cause anger and say victim . How will the kids ever assimilate after hearing these types of sermons. Wright is NOT MLK. He could've joined any number of churches. If he can't leave Wright how do I expect him to speak to world leaders. First he was going to have wright speak at his nomination than not. First he was a member of Obama's staff than not.
He will do anything to become president. It's a powerful job. He is inexperienced and I would not trust his judgement. I feel as if the nation will have to be afraid to say anything negative as it will be twisted as "racist".
JanetBurns says, "He will do anything to become president. It's a powerful job. He is inexperienced and I would not trust his judgement.
Why do you idiots write all of this mess? You aren't going to change any minds. If I'm for him them I'm for him. If I'm not like you Janet, I'm not. Give it up.
Earl you are a hater pure and simple. You should give it up also.
There is a double standard, as always. Many white people did not stop supporting Ron Paul when they learned he had written racist letters or at least knew of the letters that were written on his letterhead. Now, many white people are condemning Obama for not throwing his preacher of more than 20 years under the bus. The media did not attack Ron Paul but consider Obama a racist because of things his pastor said. Double standard. And I am not even an Obama supporter.
As someone who used to listen to you regularly on the radio, long before this campaign started, I have a very hard time believing that you weren't moved and impressed by Obama's speech. I've heard you express many of the same ideas yourself.
Wow, Earl, what's wrong with you? I'm as cynical a guy as you'll find, and fully acknowledge that what this speech proves is that Obama is a brilliant politician, not necessarily that he will make a good leader, but seriously, it seems like you just run to your keyboard to bitch every time he opens his mouth.
I can acknowledge when Hillary Clinton, or even John McCain, says or does something right; why can't you do the same for Barack Obama?
Why is there a "Black Church" in America today?
Why do the races go their seperate ways each Sunday?
I don't belong to a "White Service Club or White Sports League" nor would I want to.
You don't know what you're talking about....t
Walk into any church in America----it's the most segregated institution we have in America.'
As a black, liberal, evangelical christian.
First of all, many traditional black churches (Baptist, Church of God in Christ, etc.) have traditions that draw from our roots back in Africa. If you ever have the chance, go to a C.O.G.I.C. church and watch the altar call at the end of service... It looks like something out of a National Geographic story. Folks are running around, 'falling out', speaking in tongues, casting out devils... It's a great time!
Now... This is very different from your typical Catholic, Episcopalian, Unity, Lutheran, or Methodist service. Right?
In a way, I think locked in my DNA is a desire to worship the Almighty in this way. Much like my ancestors worshipped the gods back in Africa. In a way, I need the energy and the release to truly feel close to God.
I have attended a nearby Unity church, and I really dig their theology. However, I leave their services feeling unfulfilled. But let me go down in the hood, to one of those store-front Baptist churches..
If you know of a predominately white church in the Phoenix-area that offers this style of church. I'm down to go! If you have no idea what I'm talking about, maybe you should stop by your local 'black church'. Believe me, no one will be mean to you! Heck, the Pastor might come down from the lecturn to greet you.
There are churches where the races mix. To answer your question, however, there are many churches--as well as neighborhoods, communities, schools, places of employment--where whites do not want blacks around. But I am sure you know this fact.
there are plenty of neighborhoods, schools and places of employment that do't want whites around too, what's your point?
Wow Earl! You must have something personal against Obama. Of your last 20 posts, 19 have been anti-Obama or contrary to his candidacy. I have yet to read one post of yours that gives hime credit as a formidable progressive presidential candidate.
Maybe he beat you up as a kid? Did he take your secret crush to the prom? What gives???
LouKane,
My sentiments exactly. The man has a Barack chip on his shoulders big time!
"Two white males"? Who is the other white male besides Republican John McCain? Or are you implying that Hillary Clinton is, as many of us suspect, just a figurehead for a third Bill Clinton term?
It is too bad the black community insists on putting their racist blame game onto the front of the Obama candidacy. Believe this (I am afraid it might just happen) - If Obama loses the party nomination, it won't be because of the white man.
Yes, it will be because of white men and women. Who do you think is perpetuating this media circus? Blacks are not running this story 24/7. Blacks are not writing negative articles designed to keep this non-story alive. This is the work of whites who want to inject race into the primary.
The fact is that there are white and black racist. The problem is that most whites ignore the race issue until they feel they are victims of racism. Then they scream louder than anyone does.
You can't blame whites for this. It is Obama who went to this church with this hate filled minister that he admires and listens to. I don't even want to listen to this speech today or another one ever by him or hia minister! I like to only listen to positive messages by positive people. You are who you are around and who surround you. If you disagree with them and they are a bad influence on you or their family you get up and walk away. It seems that Obama didn't do that. And it seems he won't. Until the hateful whites and hateful and angry blacks stop, I won't listen to any of these people. There are too many people of all colors in this world to learn from and be around.
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