Obama's Speech, where do we go from here?
Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:44:29 PM PDT
I was impressed with Obama's speech. I have to say his speech reflected a number of arguments I've been making on this site in light of the racial tensions of the campaign calling for people to step back and take a wider perspective in dealing with the very real and serious issue of racism. I'm glad Obama has been received better than I was for sure. And, he is far more eloquent. His speech will do for racism what Al Gore's documentary did for global warming. It's time to give some serious props to the left for our public leaders. Now however the stakes only climb higher for Obama. As good as this speech was, what he does moving forward is far, far more important.
Obama's speech has already been compared to that of MLK's Dream Speech which is an historical icon for the entire global community. First being a student of history, I hesitate to label any speech historical in the moment. It's like hyping an 8th grade ball player to be the next MJ after seeing that player make one basket. One just does not know. As far as great speeches about race in the history of this country, arguably the most important is "Of Booker T. Washington and Others" written and given by W.E.B. DuBois. How many on this site are familar with that historicall speech? Few have read it, but it's impact is still felt today. Obama's has received a great deal of publicity, but only time will tell if it truly rises to the level of speeches such the 2 I've mentioned as well as the Gettsyburg Address.
What will matter most is what Obama will do from this point forward. Will he embrace the framework he laid out so clearly in his speech for reconciliation? Will he attempt to shift focus away from race for good? This week is crucial for him as well as his campaign.
People on this site instantly proclaimed this speech to be equal to that of MLK, however MLK's speech came in a very different context. His speech was a culmination of 25 years of struggle to end legal segregation through the courts of the United States of America. The Civil Rights Act of '65 was right around the corner and would have happened much sooner had JFK not been assassinated. His speech was not a catalyst as much as it was a celebration of accomplishments of the black community, the american community, and the government of this country to rectify 100 years of legal segregation. His speech was as much an end to a phase of US history as anything else it might have been for people at the time. The Civil Rights Movement changed dramatically after that and shifted into very different goals and the eventual fracturing of the movement none of which reflected the hopeful optimism of King's speech.
Obama's speech comes at a very different time and establishes a very different purpose. The intention of his speech is to function as a catalyst for the American public to in a sense revive those higher principles we once aspired to so publicly during the time of MLK. His speech does a wonderful job of pointing to a way forward in this country that moves us towards reconciliation in way that before he made this speech nobody was even remotely thinking about on a national level. Obama's speech is not a culmination of past events, but a figurative map that might lead us out of the wilderness of race/identity politics in the US. The potential is there, but he must lead this movement forward now. This is his torch to bear and I hope dearly he will embrace it.
He has first and foremost firmly taken the mantle of leadership in the black community in a way we have not seen perhaps since the days of MLK. Next though he must take this forward into the communities of this country and spread the gospel of reconciliation. Equal to the task though must be his most dedicated followers. I read many comments today about people with tears in their eyes, people gushing over the language and power of his words, and people attempting to top each other with historical superlatives. My question to ALL of you is what will YOU do starting tomorrow morning to move the dialogue of race forward in this great nation?
Voting for Obama while a start does little for the community around you. If this speech spoke so deeply to you than go out and live it. The work towards reconciliation takes place in all of our communities, big or small, white or black and is only just beginning. In fact, I challenge someone after reading my diary to write a diary on Kos explaining what you will do tomorrow and open up the comments to what others will to build a bridge of reconciliation starting tomorrow. I'll start. I work in urban schools and have devoted the past 6 years to educating my students about the harsh realities of racism now, the history of slavery and poverty in the US, and the need for all of us to transcend our differences to better our communities. I'll be doing the same tomorrow as I've been doing since before Obama was even a Senator.
As far Obama is concerned, he must go forward into communities and build the bridge of reconciliation. In the way that RFK went into the poor black communities of Mississippi, Obama needs to venture into the hardscrabble towns of PA, witness the poverty, experience the desperation, shake the hands of poor and working class whites, and offer himself in town meetings. Allow these individuals to come to know him in a way that few people do. Living his call for reconciliation will generate profound respect and create a lasting impact on these communities. While risky, this move just might allow him to win PA and seal the deal on this election. In the way that LBJ went into New Orleans in the dead of night after the hurricane in '65 to tell the poor blacks that he and the American people cared, Obama can do the same in the hard hit towns of rural PA building on the momentum of his historical speech and both address the issue of race and the economy. My only concern is will he have to courage to make this kind of gesture and live his own calling for reconciliation. For all of our sakes I hope he does.
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