Is Black America Strong Enough For An Obama Presidency?
African-Americans should be careful of what they wish for. They just might get it.
In February of last year when Sen. Barack Obama officially began his run to be the Democratic nominee for president, the collective response by black Americans was "Well, whoop-tee-do!" if poll reports are to be trusted. Political pundits intoned that he might not be black enough for most African-Americans.
Over the past year and a half, according to those same polls and pundits, black America has revised its opinion about Obama. African-Americans now shout "Run, Obama, run!" and celebrate as they see him seemingly on the cusp of clinching the Democratic nomination, and perhaps in November grabbing the brass ring to become America's first black president. (Note: the one drop rule for being "black" is still in full effect.)
But should black folk be celebrating? If elected to the nation's highest office, President Obama will likely be unable to effectively address problems that disproportionately affect black Americans.
Obama's campaign has already been under intense scrutiny about how "black" it is. Just one example occurred four months ago when Sen. Obama's wife, Michelle Obama, said "for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country. . ." referring to her feeling that America was poised for positive change. Her husband's critics descended like a vortex of angry hornets on what Fox News called her "newfound national pride."
The next day Cindy McCain, the wife of Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain, volunteered: "I just wanted to make the statement that I have and always will be proud of my country."
Of course, those words come easily to Mrs. McCain: She is rich, white, and blond to boot. But for black Americans who like all Americans carry in their pockets portraits of slave holders -- George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson -- to be blindly patriotic is to be blind to important parts of American history. It is to be blind to their personal experience which is pockmarked, albeit less frequently of late, with injustices due solely to the color of their skin.
True: Sen. Obama's official campaign Web site addresses not only the war in Iraq, the economy and health care, but unlike the websites of Senators Clinton and McCain, Obama addresses civil rights in a ways that seem to have particular relevance to black Americans. In that section he promises to "ban racial profiling by federal law enforcement agencies and provide federal incentives to state and local police departments to prohibit the practice", "Reduce Crime Recidivism by Providing . . . job training, substance abuse and mental health counseling to ex-offenders, so that they are successfully re-integrated into society," and to "Eliminate Sentencing Disparities. . .between sentencing crack and powder-based cocaine. . . ."
But if elected president how far would he get in implementing these reforms before he'd be accused of instituting a "black agenda," which one can only imagine is a sepia-tinted Protocols of the Elders of Zion. (The term "black agenda" was actually cited last week on National Public Radio by a Florida voter as a reason some people won't mark their ballot for Obama.)
If Obama is elected commander-in-chief, mainstream America will watch him like a hawk, and it's easy to suppose that progress will stall for the neediest segment of black America.
I base my assumption on my observations of a vocal segment of my fellow countrymen. In January of last year, for instance, in a conversation on a radio talk show about the two head black coaches at the Super Bowl, a male caller, who identified himself as white, said, "Now they'll finally have their black Super Bowl coach no matter what. What more do they want!?"
In a March 2006 review of race in television that ran in a prominent newspaper, the critic mentioned the program "Grey's Anatomy," noting:
"For obvious historic reasons, networks are geared to be most attuned to African-American concerns. Some shows try a little too hard: 'Grey's Anatomy,' set in Seattle, has among its lead characters three African-American surgeons and one Asian-American. . ."
It's likely that the person who tried "a little too hard," was not a network executive, but Shonda Rhimes, the creator and producer of the hour-long drama, who is black. But of course the television critic didn't know that.
In 2002 Pat Oliphant, the Pulitzer prize-winning political cartoonist, drew a four panel strip about slavery reparations. I've tried to find an online copy of the cartoon, but it seems to have vanished like an entry in the old Soviet encyclopedia. Still, accounts by the Associated Press and the Student Press Law Center, a non-profit organization in Arlington, Va, confirm my memory of the strip: In it Oliphant depicts a conversation between Abraham Lincoln and one of his advisers. Lincoln is offering black people civil rights, affirmative action and "all sorts of other preferential entitlements." (I was tickled to see Mr. Oliphant refer to civil rights as a "preferential" entitlement.)
In the strip the advisor tells Lincoln, "They want all that and the money." In the corner of one panel, Oliphant's trademark penguin adds, "They also demand the Academy Awards."
If Sen. Obama is elected president, mainstream America will likely say, "You black people have your Miss Americas. You have your black Super Bowl coach. You even have your Academy Award winners. And now, finally, you have your black president. What more do you want!?"
While it's unlikely McCain or Clinton will do anything to address problems specific to black America, it's unlikely Obama will be able to. No matter who is elected in November, the new administration will inaugurate a new era for native-born Americans of African decent. They will have to bring their full powers of analysis to figure out effective strategies for economic, political and educational progress. Regardless of who becomes president, black America will need to not only put on its collective thinking cap, but also fasten its collective seat belt, because the next few years will be a very bumpy ride.
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It's an ugly fact that what Mr. Copage writes has some truth in it. However, the less the better.
There will be those hoping that an African-American will fail, and others will feel neglected that an African-American president did not do more for them. Fortunately, it's not as bad as it could be, because somewhere out there there are still people, whether of color or not, who are open to some basic logical truths. If Barack Obama wins the presidency and does poorly, it's not because he is African-American. African-Americans should not take it any more personally than a white person who has had the misfortune of suffering through the past eight years of George W. Bush.
If Obama is a great president, the reverse is true. He will have the momumenal task of being the leader of the free world, and if he does well, it's because of who he is and not because of his race. Moreover, the president is the president of all Americans, not just those of his particular race, religion, or culture. It would be wrong for any president to favor any particular group. In the end, I think the proper question is how did the president serve America's interests and those of its citizens. The other criteria ultimately should not matter.
More Americans voted for Obama in the primary than ever before. There's always going to be right wing 'hawks' but who cares. Obama will not be a black president, He was elected as the democratic nominee and will be elected President of the United States. There are a lot of people in our country [particularly younger] who want things changed for people without means. Congress will be forced to do the right thing because this man is a powerful person, and the American people will be behind him all the way. I just take the 'I don't give a damn' attitude when they start insulting Senator Obama and his lovely wife. He's my next President and me and my husband will help put him there. Have some hope!
Independent for Obama '08
I wish some of you who say that things will change for those people without means would explain exactly how and what things you expect to change.
Regardless of who becomes president, black America will need to not only put on its collective thinking cap, but also fasten its collective seat belt, because the next few years will be a very bumpy ride.
__________
Bumpier than the last 250?
Amen!
When a teacher says that you can grow up to be President, it won't be so easy to dismiss. We (speaking as an African American) will be in for a bumpy ride. A lo of old notions will have to be put away and new approaches will have to be adopted, not necessarily a bad thing.
time to rise or fall on your own merits, yes?
I think this article is inaccurate.
First, Senator Obama's campaign is about hope - not fear. It is a campaign contemplating achieving goals that other campaigns do not set. This article is the epitome of fear: fear that Senator Obama will not be able to advance the interests of blacks - fear that he will be hamstrung. I can only say that this perspective is more of the same - not change we can believe in. It is cynicism. As a black president, Senator Obama will be more strongly positioned to fight for the rights of blacks and other minorities than any other president ever. He is not naive, I do not believe, nor am I, to the reality that some believe that policies advancing the interests of minorities necessarily harm non-minorities.
It is easy to contemplate a lot of obstacles when one looks for them - this campaign has never focused its sights on the obstacles - it sees possibilities and inspires Americans to see them too. Of course, the practicalities of advancing the interests of minorities will need to be addressed - in bipartisan fashion - but beginning with an assumption that minority or black American needs cannot be met by Senator Obama quite certainly ensures that they will not.
"If Sen. Obama is elected president, mainstream America will likely say, "You black people have your Miss Americas. You have your black Super Bowl coach. You even have your Academy Award winners. And now, finally, you have your black president. What more do you want!?""
Wow, you have a pretty low opinion of us white folks. I'm supporting Obama because he's the right person for what the nation and the planet need today. I don't give a rats ass about his color. I suspect a helluva lot more white american's feel the same way than you give us credit for.
Tell you what - if you promise not to lump me in with the ignorant red-neck crowd, I promise not to toss you in with the cracker hating gang bangers.
Let's get Obama elected then then let's pull together to get the agenda for all Americans thru. Universal Health is everyone's agenda. The War is everyone's agenda. Corporate Greed is everyone's agenda. Energy is everyone's agenda. Jobs. Eduacation. Privacy. These are not black or white issues, these are American issues.
Yes! if Obama is about anything, it's an end to divisions keeping us apart.
let's follow his example, ok?
Make no mistake, over the next few months and beyond November there will be a lot of nonsense spoken by Blacks and Whites. But there is no doubt that Obama would not have got this far had it not been for a genuine desire on the part of millions of Americans of all colors to look beyond the color of the man's skin. That is not to say that they have or should ignore his color - it undoubtedly has had a profound influence on his sense of self and his experiences, but to not note the significance would be to fail to grasp that in the 45 years since King's "I have a dream", America has shown that is able to grow.
It will be rough, but there will be plenty of us working right alongside black America to effect the changes we all need. Frankly, I'm glad the conversation is back on the table. Here's to radical change!
I certainly understand your point but would you really prefer denying him the chance?
The mind set needs to change and I think if it's possible, he the guy to do it but I don't see him allowing people to get run over while building a new road. He has my vote.
After 15+ months of this Looong, drawn out, painful process, one might ask, who cares? Obama is first and foremost a politician. He is no political messiah, he is no MLK, he is a smooth talking, ambitious, politician, nothing more, nothing less. Why does the human race, and in this country especially the African American population, see in colour. This entire article has to do with the colour of skin.
I will not be held hostage by fear. Obama will be a president for all Americans.
To paraphrase the Staple Singers: "Move out the way and let the gentleman do his thing."
Let's let Senator Obama do his thing, He has a track record of handling his business.
Thank you for reiterating what I have previously stated. Not only the scrutiny, do not discount the potential sabotage of his presidency. It is the responsibility of well-meaning Americans of all races to be on guard against the subversives. He can be the president but he does not have the numbers in Congress. Don't let a Democrat majority fool you.
Thank you for reiterating what I have previously stated. Not only the scrutiny, do not discount the potential sabotage of his presidency. It is the responsibility of the well-meaning Americans of all races to be on guard for the subversives. He can be the prseident but he does not have the numbers in the Congress. Don't let a Democrat majority full you.
"For obvious historic reasons, networks are geared to be most attuned to African-American concerns. Some shows try a little too hard: 'Grey's Anatomy,' set in Seattle, has among its lead characters three African-American surgeons and one Asian-American. . ."
I understand the point the quote was used to make, but I just want to point out that Seattle is the home of one of the best medical schools in the country, has multiple top-tier hospitals, and is a prime location for medical residencies in family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, infectious diseases, etc. It is not unusual to see black and asian doctors working in the hospitals at all.
I think the right wing is pretty ugly. All the racists I know are right wing people. What irritates me is that the right wraps themselves in the phoney religious cloak to deceive such a marketable slice of the vote. Another election focused on swift moating, flip flopping, and homo phobia is just going to be a waste of money. Issues for anyone on the right? I doubt it.
I USED to think that the all the racists I know are right wing people. However, this Dem primary race has proven me dead wrong. Who knew that our party houses so many closet racists, led by the much revered Clintons??? Five months ago I would never have believed it. What a revelation.
It always amazes me how, no matter the topic of discussion on the internet, someone always manages to inject h-o-m-o-p-h-o-b-i-a into it. Mr. Copage's essay has nothing to do with homosexuals or so-called homophobia. It is about African-Americans.
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