Obama Speech on Race - Analysis
{ Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008
by alan
}
The US Democratic Primaries are shaping up to be major headliners as battle lines are drawn between the Obama and Clinton camps. Unfortunately, it's going to be like the NBA, after a long drawn out contest in the Western Conference between super powers, Boston (probably) is going to have walked through the East, with little fatigue or weariness.
The election has brought out the worst in the blogosphere. Wherever you go, blogs, newspapers, or other media with uncensored content are awash with dullards who think their one-sentence school ground bully attacks does anything worthwhile. I wouldn't mention it, but web and TV broadcasts with 'informed commentary' are often just as bad.
My perspective on Obama is he is trying to rise above it. And while his campaign has also ran after Clinton, I think he tried to rise above the negativity with his now infamous speech on race: A More Perfect Union. Richard Ford of the San Francisco Chronicle has written what I think is the best analysis so far on it's implications: Instead of a free pass, Obama offers an arduous path, slogging through our unresolved racial anxieties. But he does offer a way through... It's a common politically correct trope today that whenever someone is "offended" - especially about an issue of race or gender - the conversation stops and the offending parties must repudiate their statement. But sometimes offending people is productive: Honest dialogue about difficult and often personal issues will necessarily involve some bruised feelings.
In this day and age, we should expect more from politics and the pulpits then someone telling us the way. We ought to expect our best leaders to show us the proverbial narrow path and say let's walk this one together.
The election has brought out the worst in the blogosphere. Wherever you go, blogs, newspapers, or other media with uncensored content are awash with dullards who think their one-sentence school ground bully attacks does anything worthwhile. I wouldn't mention it, but web and TV broadcasts with 'informed commentary' are often just as bad.
My perspective on Obama is he is trying to rise above it. And while his campaign has also ran after Clinton, I think he tried to rise above the negativity with his now infamous speech on race: A More Perfect Union. Richard Ford of the San Francisco Chronicle has written what I think is the best analysis so far on it's implications: Instead of a free pass, Obama offers an arduous path, slogging through our unresolved racial anxieties. But he does offer a way through... It's a common politically correct trope today that whenever someone is "offended" - especially about an issue of race or gender - the conversation stops and the offending parties must repudiate their statement. But sometimes offending people is productive: Honest dialogue about difficult and often personal issues will necessarily involve some bruised feelings.
In this day and age, we should expect more from politics and the pulpits then someone telling us the way. We ought to expect our best leaders to show us the proverbial narrow path and say let's walk this one together.
7 Response to "Obama Speech on Race - Analysis"
Hey alan,
Just wondering how do you add the "links to this post" link at the end of every post? If you could just leave me a comment or an email or w/e, that would be awesome
thanks!
ryan
Actually, I don't know that answer... I haven't found blogspot to be very flexible. I took a look through the settings but couldn't find any that specifically mention the link-thing.
I don't think it's not that useful. If you want to copy the blog the link is just the URL line.
ALAN THIS IS COMPLETELY OFF-TOPIC...
BUT PLEASE REMEMBER TO DO THE EARTH HOUR THIS SATURDAY!
TURN OFF EVERYTHING THAT USES ELECTRICITY (EXCEPT FOR PERHAPS THE FRIDGE) FROM 8-9PM.
YOU CAN BLOG ABOUT IT!
OMG I'M SO EXCITED! ^^
haha, erika's comments make me laugh. :P
and i thoroughly enjoyed your previous post. :)
Hey alan,
I figured out how to add the "links to this post" at the end of all my posts. Thanks for the tips =P
ryan
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