Part I. Talking 'Race' in America It was not my intention that my blog entries stay within the context of the upcoming election. However, as I easily predicted in my last entry, 'race' was going to inevitably become a bigger issue in the current political sphere. Just the same, to have the opportunity to ground my discourse on 'race' within the context of current events as they unfold is too irresistible, and academically unwise. In addition, I feel that more discussions need to be taking place in academia and in public discourse on how destructive political tactics can be and all for the sake of grabbing votes. Scheming marketing tactics forsake the lived reality of Americans; party unity is put at risk in the process, more importantly the unity of American people is at risk.
Predictably Senator Obama would have had to address some issue revolving around 'race'. 'Race' is still a touchy subject in America and that is precisely why direct discussions up until now have been at a minimum. It would have been nice if straight talk about 'race' arose out of something more positive. But when something sits unresolved and within the civic sphere is tacitly perceived as a touchy subject, and avoided for that reason, it becomes more likely because of its passive nature that a negative pressure will cause the subject to come to surface. That negative pressure was the controversy surrounding Obama’s Pastor. I don’t know if my reactions to Wright’s sermons would help the argument here, I would save that for its own addressing.
In a recent speech Obama has publicly denounced his Pastor’s harshest words, however, not his ties to the Pastor or the church. Despite the negative pressure that has forced this American burden to the forefront of public discourse, it has not fully succeeded, rather Obama seized the opportunity to address the issue of 'race' in America in a positive framework. He took the wise opportunity to open discussions as to why the “Pastor Wrights” of America preach such fiery sermons condemning “America”, and how many white Americans preach their own fiery sermons.
Barack Obama's speech will be seen as historically significant. Not since Eisenhower, and the days of the Kennedys has 'race' in America been directly addressed.
America’s political sphere has been under the influence of Ronald Reagan’s dastardly tactics of blaming black people for the downfall of American values and fiscally overburdened local and federal governments.
In order to grab democratic voters Reagan knew he couldn’t use the tactics of men like Governor George Wallace. His new ultra conservative politics gave Americans something and as it turns out someone to blame for their economic woes. It didn’t take a fool (or did it?) to realize hidden in Reagan’s speeches was the persons to blame. A smart man, Reagan stopped just short of leading the rabbit to the carrot – two words were omitted from his dialogue: Black People. Demographic factors like teenage pregnancy, drug addiction, AIDS, and prison statistics have always been a focus of democrats, not all but enough. And black people have continually, since the end of segregation, been at the top of those lists, but racial inequalities as the direct cause has been avoided in national debate. We all know that 'race' relations are a problem in this country and while we address the issues that have tumbled head long out of an era racist genocide, and I deliberately use heavy terminology, we fail to discuss how you and I and our thoughts exacerbate the problems.
As the black population in America continues to dominate the high side of disparaging national statistics and the low side of statistics that demonstrate growth, you can simply ask why?, or, digging deeper, you can ask a second question: What is the one thing we haven’t done enough of? We haven’t talked about it, directly, squarely in the eyes, and the it is how “race” dominates public space, employment space, and most importantly the space within our minds. This is a proposition to all people not just white people. Black people too have to ask themselves: Why do some of us succeed and many more languish? Why were some of us able to beat the odds and lift ourselves up and far away from an era of hate and injury?, and why do some of us live in the “backwoods” of New Orleans poor as poor can be with a 5th grade education or even with a high school diploma? We can start by understanding how ethnicities today perceive the other - 'Race' Relations.
While it is true Obama’s speech was a political move nevertheless with the intention of “band-aiding” something forced upon him. Whereas Hillary’s motives were purely selfish (And, how would she tackle the issue?) what would be the perceived level of the orator’s sincerity? Furthermore, who better to address such issues? Perhaps Obama has the advantage, considered a black man even with a white mother, however, the advantage is not unfair it just is. What Obama’s mother and father created was a human being, society and science created his racial identity. So perhaps his speech was motivated by politics, but I have no doubt that at the heart of the subject matter Mr. Obama’s heartfelt sincerity lay entangled with it.
