Obama's Speech in Response to the Wright Controversy

Not the first time I've read that in this thread and I couldn't disagree more. basso mentioned his own grandmother earlier and his experience with her "unconcious racism." (my term) While I'm older than basso, he's old enough to have had experiences, apparently, with his grandmother that reflects a mindset in much of East Texas and the Texas Gulfcoast that was a direct decendent of the attitude towards, and treatment of, Blacks in Texas in the late 1800's and the first half (at least) of the 20th Century.

I had similar experiences with one of my grandmothers (although I would never have said "you can't choose your grandmother.") You couldn't find a sweeter person on this earth. She was old enough to remember being in the 1900 storm that is still the greatest disaster in American history, certainly in the loss of life, her house floating over a block from its foundations in the Heights. She worked in her Baptist Church for many decades, with countless acts of kindness that she never expected thanks for, teaching Sunday school until she was too old to manage it (into her 90's). My grandmother was great friends with a close friend of my parents who was Black. Anyone who knew her for any length of time would think her incapable of a racist act, yet she sometimes uttered the "N Word" without thinking. It was in common usage where she was raised. We always scolded her (gently... she was a mother and grandmother who loved us all very much) when that happened, and she would be flustered, saying, "I did? My goodness! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." She was like a living window from another time, place, and era in our history.

That is what Barack was addressing. The reason you don't understand it, and obviously you don't, with all due respect, is that you aren't old enough to have had my kind of experience, basso's, or Barack's. I still remember "Whites Only" restrooms at public parks in Houston, Blacks not being allowed to use the local park swimming pool, and Blacks riding in the back of the bus. I've mentioned that here before. I was lucky enough to be raised in a liberal, progressive family at home, despite growing up in a white working class Southeast Houston neighborhood, where racism was on display daily, if you payed attention. My father was a professor and department chair, thanks to his own intelligence, luck, and the GI Bill, being poor as dirt growing up.

I understand where Barack is coming from very well.




Impeach Bush.

 

Obama knew full well exactly what Wright was all about before he put him in a leadership position in his campaign. Now he tries to distance himself from the same guy when the public reacts to the positions Wright holds? One would think that Obama was aware of those positions, given that he has attended the racist's church for the past 20 years. Very poor judgment on Obama's part.

 

wtf does your old age and memory of many decades ago have anything to do with anything? There you go again trying to claim some moral superiority because you remember what happened a looooong time ago. Maybe if our election were held a looooong time ago, your example would be worth anybody's time to read. You're blinded by white guilt

 

Another problem of Obama's speech is that it is very vague. When he said his grandma said some racist things. What are these? If it was just the N-word in an innocuous context, I don't think anyone will raise an eye brow. If she was talking about hate on the level of Wright. Then it is another matter.

But then as a Harvard-trained lawyer, I think he is used to this type of language....

 

It's a very powerful speech.

He broke down PC, addressed the culture wars, white resentment and black resentment without sounding offensive or controversial.

This man understands.

While he was at it, he attacked the GOP and challenged Hillary on whether the race issue would continue.

I don't know about swaying Republicans, but this speech might be the key for him to seal the superdelegates.

 

vague? Obama? Surely you jest

 

Pfft. you're duped. He's extending the race discussion with this. He solidifies his support from the black drone voters and plays to the white guilt crowd at the same time (MadMax, Deckard, No Worries).

 

You seemed troubled that he(in your opinion) threw his grandmother under the bus, yet you seem bothered that he didn't actually go into detail on specifics of her racism?

That would only be worse. I think addressed concerns of many whites, and acknowledged that racism still exists. He said that all along he's disagreed with Wright on some things, but that it isn't uncommon, and refused to disown Wright, even though he knows that it will bring the issue up more.

 

Our next president was amazing!

Of course, after the last 8 years, my expectations of a president are pretty low. I'm just excited we'll have a president that can speak the english language!

 

It has nothing to do with you. I haven't any "white guilt." You reek of something much worse. The foul stench of racism. With all due respect.




Impeach Bush.

 

Race will always be in the discussion. I don't expect Obama to tie one hand behind his back and only respond. Wright's comments threatened Barack's high ground on this issue, and the speech will help reclaim that advantage.

I'm far more impressed with how he pulled it off: with refreshing honesty, respect to his audience's intellegence, and the boldness to confront topics long considered conversational taboos.

If it was that easy, we'd have a politician who would've "exploited" the issue in the last 30 years.

 

But will haunt him with Independents, white, Hispanic and Asian(you don't ever talk about your dead grandma in the same sentence with a known racist), voters in the General election.

 

Only if they listen to half of his speech.

 

EDIT: more useless sarcasm removed...

 

I was talking about something else in the post you quoted. I was talking about the vagueness in his speech and his other discourse. I think we can expect a Bill Clinton like presidency under him.

 

The truth is this speech is quite long. Plus, it is in the morning. (Not sure why Obama didn't do it in prime time.)

The majority of voters will only hear less than half of it. The highlights on TV/newspaper will determine what most people take from the speech.

Based on what I read on the online forums, he does score some points but it is only marginal at best.

 

you mean 16 years.

 

Another problem is that even though some people heard the speech they were not listening.

Obama made his point without giving the specifics of what his grandma said. It appears that you need to know what that lady said, in order to continue your anti-Obama rant.

 

This beyond silly.

Let me guess. You are not black.

 

And I'm not white either. How is it silly?

The guy grew up in HAWAII and was raised by his white Grandma! He even went by the name of BARRY in grade school - not Barack. In case you haven't heard, the majority of Hawaiians are NOT black or white. Hawaii is 2% Black 28% white. and 40% Asian according to the last census. He just renewed his black identity when he went to Chicago. He did not grow up on the Southside of Chicago. He conveniently, albeit more for political reasons, joined the Trinity Church and Rev. Wright found his Christian and Black theology identity.

Your point?

I grew up in a predominantly WHITE part of Texas. I was one of maybe ten Asians in my entire school. I didn't identify with my culture until I got into college. I started to identify more with my culture once I left Texas and got to New York.

So how is that any different than Obama relating to his culture once he left Hawaii?