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Reaction: Obama’s Speech on Race
Yesterday I watched Barack Obama’s speech on race relations and his associate Reverend Wright. I watched the speech in its entirety, and I seem to have taken away something different than most conservatives: I thought it wasn’t half bad. He did hit a tangent of some leftist ideas that I don’t agree with– and I noticed– but I thought the overall message of his speech was constructive and adequately addressed criticism of his connection with Rev. Wright.
Conservative talk radio has been incredibly critical of the speech. Some of the criticism is deserved, and all of it is expected, but judging from the inability of conservative commentators to acknowledge anything good about the speech, I discern they were determined to cry foul if Obama did anything less than morph into a young, black Ronald Reagan on national TV. We all knew that wasn’t going to happen. This morning WVNN’s Dale Jackson said in regard to Obama’s reaction to Rev. Wright’s comments, “All I heard was excuses.” This is ironic, given that Obama said, “Some will see this as an attempt to justify or excuse comments that are simply inexcusable. I can assure you it is not.” I believe that nothing discredits a debater or commentator more than when he refuses to acknowledge any valid points of his opposition. It shows that one thinks they might not be able to logically counter the points if taken head-on, so the points must be unacknowledged or dismissed outright. Liberals, stop wagging your fingers; you’re the biggest culprits.
One thing Obama said that did put a blip on my political radar was “In the white community, the path to a more perfect union means acknowledging that what ails the African-American community does not just exist in the minds of black people.” I thought to myself, “Great, this is going to be another line of the same old race warfare dogma.” I almost tuned myself out. Then I decided to give Obama the benefit of the doubt, and just for a little while I would pretend that I hadn’t been jaded by the mindless drivel of the Jacksons, Sharptons, Farrakhans, and now the Wrights of the world. For a moment I decided to wipe the slate clean. I would judge Obama’s words without any prior conceptions that attempts to explain racism were attempts to blame me for failures and transgressions which I had no connection to whatsoever. I put that aside and listened. I thought, “OK, I’ll assume that racism is still a factor in society. What do you want to tell me about it?”
He proceeded to tell me a lot about it. I think he made some intelligent and valid points on how the education and employment system that ended 50 years ago still has trickle-down effects today. I also think his point is valid that while he refutes what Rev. Wright said he cannot disown the man. I see where he’s coming from. Politics aren’t everything in this world. I’ve got a couple of very liberal friends and at least one very liberal member of my family. I’m not going to disown them because they are big government, tax and spend, hurt those evil wealthy people liberals and I’m a small government leave me the hell alone so I can unapologetically become one of those evil wealthy people libertarian. I care about them. I value their presence in my life. Therefore, even though I don’t think they’re fit to govern a troop of Boy Scouts, I’m not going to break ties with them because we disagree on politics. The counter-point is that I don’t, in fact, have any acquaintances that think “God damn America,” “the government lied about Pearl Harbor,” and that this is the “US of KKK A.” I probably wouldn’t care to be around someone like that. However, Obama is close to Rev Wright and does care to remain acquaintances with them. While I do understand Obama’s stance, it does somewhat bring into question his judgment and convictions in choosing to be close friends with such a person. That’s probably the harshest criticism that can be legitimately brought from Obama’s speech yesterday.
I particularly think Obama did a superb job of painting the picture of race in America from both sides. I had never heard a politician enunciate the following point:
“So when they are told to bus their children to a school across town; when they hear that an African American is getting an advantage in landing a good job or a spot in a good college because of an injustice that they themselves never committed; when they’re told that their fears about crime in urban neighborhoods are somehow prejudiced, resentment builds over time…And yet, to wish away the resentments of white Americans, to label them as misguided or even racist, without recognizing they are grounded in legitimate concerns - this too widens the racial divide, and blocks the path to understanding.”
Thanks to Obama for finally throwing me a bone for being pissed off that any supposedly objective selection process based on merit (jobs and college admission) gives an advantage to anyone of any race simply because of his race. I doubt Obama will become a sharp critic of Affirmative Action, but at least he acknowledged the counterpoint. Many liberals just dismiss it, or claim you are racist for not believing anyone (including yourself) is entitled to any special privilege because of race.
One of the most important points Obama made came near the beginning of his speech when addressing the comments of Rev. Wright, “…they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country - a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America.” Once again, kudos for acknowledging all that is right with America—that Rev. Wright’s flamboyant and public criticism of his elected government (however misguided) is an almost uniquely American concept. There aren’t any Islamic Sheiks in Saudi Arabia preaching “Allah damn the government of King Abdullah!” At least…they don’t do it for long.
I think that’s an important concept to take from the speech as a whole. Sure, I can elevate what is wrong with Obama’s speech above what is right. I can dwell on the fact that he said “the corporation you work for will ship [your job] overseas for nothing more than a profit.” (I’m sorry, are corporations supposed to aim for a loss? What’s the ‘reasonable limit’ on how much profit they should make? As determined by you, I’m sure? I suppose corporations exist to support their employees? Perhaps they should just give up profit to distribute Girl Scout cookies and plant trees on Arbor Day.) I can dwell on the fact that he never stressed individual responsibility in overcoming oppression. He said, “there were many who didn’t make it - those who were ultimately defeated, in one way or another, by discrimination.” (Nobody has ever failed on his own; it’s always due to something beyond his control.)
All those things are contrary to the ideals I hold, but there is a larger message to the speech that I think is very valuable: We can’t overcome a problem if we continue to ignore it, and especially if we magnify it beyond its scope. As Obama said, “It requires all Americans to realize that your dreams do not have to come at the expense of my dreams; that investing in the health, welfare, and education of black and brown and white children will ultimately help all of America prosper.” Bravo and Amen. We will probably disagree on how to properly invest in the education, health, and welfare of everyone, but the fact that once properly achieved it will lead to prosperity is hardly arguable.
I just began reading your blog-I found it via Sarah Boxer’s “Ultimate Blogs” and thought I would stop by.
While I don’t agree with every point you’ve made and don’t exactly like being boxed into the whole “all liberals dig affirmative action” statement…I am impressed that you are able to acknowledge that politicians from both sides of the table have valid points and should not just be dismissed just because they are Democrat or they are Republican…and I am glad that you are able to put your prejudgments aside and actually LISTEN to what is being said.
I think one of the downfalls of the government-especially in recent times, is that there aren’t more people like you…and instead the country is filled with those who are in the mindset of-well they are a Liberal so whatever comes out of their mouth is b.s. and vice versa.