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March 18, 2008 at 5:16 pm and is filed under African American Voters, Barack Obama, Democrats, Election 2008, Politics, Race, Youtube. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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March 18, 2008 at 11:55 am
[...] Obama’s speech on race and Jeremiah Wright via Marc Ambinder. Watch the video of the speech here. “We the people, in order to form a more perfect [...]
March 18, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Wow.
This is why I support Obama - he GETS IT. I’ve always believed that there are two types of U.S. Presidents: those that command, and those that lead. This is how a President LEADS.
March 18, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Amazing! Inspiring…breathtaking. The depths and insights of his understanding about race and race relations in this country. I have not seen any Presidential Race that is more historic than this one. Even though I cannot vote although I wish whole-heartedly that I can, I hope that this man will become the next President of the United States!
March 18, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Obama’s speech, “A More Perfect Union,” is the most important political speech on race in America since Martin Luther King uttered the words “I Have A Dream” on the Washington Mall in 1963. The issues ahead for all Americans are three:
1) What kind of a people do we want to be?;
2) What kind of America do we want to create?; and
3) What kind of America do we want to project to the world.
The nature and future of America and its place in the world is what James Baldwin was articulating when he wrote The Fire Next Time.
March 18, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Until this speech I was a Hilary Clinton supporter. After hearing what has to be the most important political address on race in at least a generation I hope that Barack Obama will be elected President.
March 18, 2008 at 3:51 pm
I think the strength, clarity and brilliance with which Obama has attended to this matter shows his total understanding of the calculus of the American society. It is left for us to either acknowledge the truth of the socio-existential conditions of our society and deal with it or continue in the divisiveness.
March 18, 2008 at 6:00 pm
great speech.
So truth.
I agree he gets it.
March 18, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Hi sagereader,
Doesn’t it make you proud? It’s been a long year blogging about Obama and this has been the proudest moment for me as a supporter.
March 18, 2008 at 6:57 pm
He inspires, therefore I blog.
March 18, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I just listened to the speech again on YouTube. The ending was extremely apt: creating inter racial alliances doesn’t solve our problems ” but it’s a start”. I think Rev. Wright will continue to be a problem for Obama, but he’s had the guts to express loyalty for the man and at the same time disagreement with his views. Sen. Obama’s previous argument that he hadn’t heard the offensive remarks was unbelievable and will continue to hurt him. I hope this speech will encourage everyone to look fearlessly at the anger Rev. Wright expressed, and resolve to move past it and on to forming alliances that work for fairness for everyone.
March 18, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Incredible speech. A non-traditional, potentially dangerous. Another great reason to vote Obama 08 - for an end to the politics of division. Its clear he truly believes in it, because he’s willing to take this risk - and not outright denounce his pastor.
March 18, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Where we tonight shall camp?….The top blogs of the day. the newest report , see and reply me some comments. Thanks.
March 18, 2008 at 9:41 pm
A brilliant speech. Obama has great compassion and insight. This nation needs him as its leader at this time.
March 19, 2008 at 10:39 am
Obama is truly an honorable man that I would be honored to have as President of the United States of America. He is an excellent representative of our country and I believe that when he is president, he will do what he said!
March 19, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I heard (from pastors) that Jesus was a “simple man that spoke simple truths”…I also heard (from my ears) a speech filled with simple truths from a simple man…Obama
March 19, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I,have never been so fired up since MR.KING!,this man brings me to tears!I have never even really felt so upset over race before until now !its time for a complete change and MR. BARACK IS IT! great SPEECH! greatMAN!
March 19, 2008 at 3:45 pm
It is refreshing to read so many positive comments about the speech offered by Barack Obama yesterday in Philadelphia in spite of the fact that so many are looking to find weaknesses and negatives. Finally, we have a leader, a presidential candidate who is honest, intelligent, knowledgeable, and forthright about [among other things] the issue of race in America. In addition to the many good points already acknowledged about Obama’s speech, another strength of it is that it was educational [without being patronizing], and I think this aspect made his speech more understandable to and better received by many Americans. Obama took the time to relate to many Americans by tying together history and socioeconomic issues, and still he has preserved his ‘family’ relationship with Rev. Wright, which I respect. I get exhausted listening to those same inflammatory comments [made by Rev. Wright] repeatedly aired in the news, but I am not appalled by them because I understand the context within which they are expressed. I think that Obama explained well the generational experience that many older Blacks have but often are reluctant to speak about in public. I think Barack spoke for white folks as well. He understands that many people suffer, have suffered, in different but profoundly deep ways and that ‘we’ don’t often have a venue where it is safe to express that. With regards to race in America, I think Barack has created a context for an eventual understanding of this angst and accepting it, together as a country, so that we can move beyond it. This is not ’spin,’ this is healing. I look forward to expanding the circle of understanding about racism to include our red-skinned sisters and brothers, bringing the Native American experience of near-genocide into the discussion. They have a rightful place and something to say we all need to hear and bear witness to.
In closing, I am proud of Barack Obama and his bid for the American presidency. I believe that if elected he will bring more integrity to this premier office and leadership position and be a model of one who is capable of effecting justice through positive and united change in our country. Barack Obama reflects hope for the future by facing, by being willing to examine, some hard but not insurmountable issues. The fact that he is committed to accomplishing progress through unity, being inclusive for the benefit of all the people, demonstrates to me that Barack Obama is the kind of person we want as the President of the United States. He represents an authentic and trustworthy leadership that our country desperately needs.
I appreciate this opportunity to share my thoughts and participate in this discussion. Thank you. GC
March 19, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I was not able to listen to the speech live, but when I read the transcript of the speech, I cried. I have never been so engaged, excited and empowered in my 20 years of voting. Senator Obama is intelligent, understanding, honest and meek. He is true to himself, therefore, he’s able to be true to the American people. Thank you Senator Obama for your courage and not displaying the pusilanimous behavior of many of our former and current candidtes and politicians. It is only a matter of time before many of the imperfections of the others will be revealed. For all of those living in the “glass houses” and throwing stones, remember the TRUTH will always be revealed. Take Heed as we approach this EASTER Sunday.
The issue of race is real, but there is HOPE and Senator Obama is the person that I believe can bridge the gap and lead us into the future.
March 19, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Obama has taken all of American history and told the story that needs to be told. A united country begins with simple steps and the truth spoken. He condemned the inflamaatory statements of Rev.Wright, and yet he can not abandon him - and Obama will do the same for this country. He is not afraid to speak of the great Race Issue, he does not condemn others, but opens the door, the floor for talk and scrunity of the issues at hand. He brings out the best in each of us. He is the best of each of us. Obama is what this country needs. Obama is this country. Yes we can. Goodnight. FCG
March 20, 2008 at 1:36 am
THIS IS A MAN THAT IS MADE FOR GREATNESS AND PROSPERITY. HE IS SENSIBLE AND VERY SOBER IN HIS KNOWLEDGE OF WISDOM. BARACK OBAMA IS A TRUE LEADER . WE WILL BE BLESSED TO HAVE A PERSON THAT STANDS UP FOR WHAT IS BELIEVES IN AND HAS GOOD JUDGEMENT. I BELIEVE GOD IS GIVING OUR COUNTRY A GIFT OF SOMETING WE NEED AND HAVE NEEDED FOR A LONG , LONG, TIME.
GOD BLESS BARACK OBAMA
March 20, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Obama makes Hillary and McCain seem amateurs. It seems he is the teacher and they are the students……..
The only flaw on Obama message is that he trusts the same people that elected Bush over Kerry…. It is really hard that the same people that could not see how stupid it was to re-elect Bush will notice how much better Obama is than the other two….
I am afraid I will have to suffer the consequences again if the majority of the Jerry Springer / CSI watcher population do not educate themselves better to see that Obama is the ONLY option for America today.
March 20, 2008 at 9:44 pm
He can choose who his spiritual leader is, not his grandmother. If we should not choose our next president on experience as suggested by Senator Obama, then we must select them based on the choices they have made. Senator Obama constantly reminds us of this.
March 20, 2008 at 10:14 pm
^^And who did Obama choose to be his spiritual leader?
He chose a former military veteran, a renowned African American preacher who had been honored by the top seminaries in this country, a man who had been invited to the White House as a guest during the Clinton Administration, a man who unlike most pastors encourages people to love gays and lesbians rather than condemn them to hell as the spiritual advisors of Presidents like Clinton and Bush believe.
He chose someone who has the largest congregation in a predominantly white congregation and whose church has 70+ ministries to the local community and attracts the elite of the city including Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Oprah.
He chose someone who speaks more languages than you or I probably speak put together, has written highly regarded books, and was ranked the number 2 African American preacher in the country.
I don’t have a problem with Barack Obama choosing someone with these accolades as his spiritual leader.
March 22, 2008 at 7:44 am
I cannot vote for Americas next president, but verily the whole world is concern about it. Because, America is the no. 1 influencer in every country worldwide. If America has a great leader, fair and just, to whatever races and religions, then good for us all. I hope it will be Obama. Very substantial speech that nobody can turn away their heads, it is from Obama.
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http://baikong.wordpress.com
March 22, 2008 at 11:59 am
My heart soared! This man is the *real deal*. It is this kind of ethical integrity, truthfulness, fairness and compassion that will not only equip him to take on the rigors and challenges of the presidency of the greatest nation on earth, but will also encourage others toward high ideals and right actions and their best selves. Despite the issues and difficulties in the history of this country and its people, this man dares to believe that he can be president of the United States of America. How awesome; what a great country!
I’d also like to see a posting of Harris Wolford’s introduction of Mr. Obama’s More Perfect Union or “Race” speech. I thought he also did a beautiful job!