It was a great and courageous speech for some of the reasons listed above. It is also another example of how Obama actually treats the voters with respect of their intelligence and offers introspective, thoughtful and at times complex arguments instead of going for cheap soundbites. Can't really say the same for many other politicians. The problem with appealing to the above-average intelligence voter is that you are always going after the minority.
Cliffs:
Blacks are angry for long held and historical reasons. While their anger is understandable, sometimes justified, it is counterproductive and distorts their world view. Some anger is misplaced and unfairly based. Wright is one of these.
Whites are also angry for perceived injustices and some built in advantages for minorities. Some anger is justified, but some is unfair and also counterproductive.
Blacks and whites don't always understand each other and each other's historical perspective. B&W have had fear and mistrust of each other, and he's been in a unique position
to see both sides. Regardless, B&W need to move beyond anger and resentment to solve their problems, work together to benefit all.
Blacks need to stop the culture of victimization. Need to take responsibility for themselves, their families, their communities and pull themselves up. Fathers need to take better care of the children, and work towards better education for more opportunity.
Whites need to understand some of the historical legacies of black mistreatment, humiliation, and disenpowerment as a major factor in their plight. They are not hopeless however. They don't need handouts, but at least good/equal opportunities for education so they can lift themselves up.
Ultimately that is the key to lift both races up, heal the rift, and see continued progress in America. [Obama] is hopeful, but not starry-eyed. This will take years if not generations, and will not be easily pasted over by his mere candidacy. The benefits to our communities, our cities and everyone's well being are worth the patience however.
___________________________________________________________________________
What Obama is saying is directly opposite of what other black "leaders" like JJ and Sharpton have been doing. They press blacks as victims, deserve welfare and handouts, and all the other baggage that actually keeps blacks down. They also push the racial divide, while Obama wants to close it. Remember how he didn't run off to protest the Jena 6, despite the criticism he endured? I think is genuine in his efforts and promises to become a different breed of black leader that bring people together rather than pull apart for political opportunity. Obama also has a unique prospective of living in both white and black cultures, and sees the benefits and pitfalls on both sides.
Should Obama just have abandoned the church if he didn't like all the statements? IDK. It certainly would have been the easy thing to do. However he seems to be taking a more difficult but more daring angle of trying to change things from the inside. For this I admire his efforts. While more needs to be said on the issue, I see some shimmers of what attracted him to the church, basically their message of empowerment, responsibility, dedication to family and self-reliance. Ironically these are very "conservative" positions.
Its easy to cartoon the men based on a few fiery comments overplayed and taken out of context. I do not pretend to understand black culture. I am willing to reserve judgment for now, as Obama's words and actions have always seemed heartfelt, passionate, principled, good-willed for all. None of his actions nor he way he has run his campaign for the last 14mos suggests he is militant or hateful towards anyone.
If we are going to start damning everyone based on the stupid comments of their associations, I would think very few of us would would escape the pillory.
Edit: Edited to fix thread formatting
Fern
AnandTech P&N Moderator