Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2008 > March > 18 > Entry
Flap allows Obama to show his special strength on race
Barack Obama’s latest speech might be seen as an effort to minimize the damage from one of those over-hyped campaign flaps, wherein a candidate is embarrassed by something a friend has said.
But the speech — a compilation of thoughts Sen. Obama has had for a long time — turned out to be a real contribution. It is a textured dissertation on race in America.
Texture — a recognition of complexity, of layers — is not something you see often on the campaign trail.
Sen. Obama found himself with an opportunity and the need to make a point he likes to make:
He has an exceptionally useful take on American life, in that he really “gets” both the black experience and the experience of struggling white people. He does so on the basis of his own unusual life, not book learning. He straddles and can cross the great American divide.
Unique among the politicians, he can explain black people to whites and white people to blacks. And he can get an audience for both efforts.
Going both ways allows him to be frank. He was right Tuesday in criticizing some black religious leaders for their excesses in racial rhetoric. He is probably the only presidential candidate who could have done that.
The speech he gave — characterized above all by heartfelt identification with the problems of black and white Americans — could have benefited from a little tolerance for American businesses, too. Corporations that are caught up in the international marketplace sometimes have to do things they’d rather not. Rather than admit that he knows this, he used them as a whipping boy, the bad guys against whom blacks and whites must unite.
That divisive populism is not true to his own message about the need to unite Americans, to lower the temperature of our politics.
Maybe he’s taking one division at a time. This is the week about racial division.
Obviously, Sen. Obama does not share the political views of the minister whose ugliest words — literally damning America — are the flap of the week.
Just as obviously, he has always known about that side of the minister, who, as he notes, has been a major figure in his life. Sen. Obama’s early attempts to minimize what he knew don’t ring true.
People will make of all that what they will. There’s enough to turn off some people who are predisposed to be turned off by any person of Sen. Obama’s views.
But the flap isn’t the important thing. Flaps happen. In the course of the epic battle between Sen. Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination, both candidates have faced flaps. Both will have more and will deal with them imperfectly. In the general election, again, there will be more.
What’s important here is that this country still has racial issues to confront. Sen. Obama’s political success at one stage seemed to be leading some people to conclude that that isn’t true anymore. Now, though, his successes are actually highlighting those issues.
Also being highlighted is what the candidates bring to the effort of ameliorating them. He brings a lot.
Permalink | Comments (24) | Categories: National politics
Comments
By You
March 18, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
You’ve got to be kidding me. If this guy was white he would have been labled as supporting racist views a long time ago.By das
March 19, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
The fact that Obama has been involved with this minister and this segregated church for 20 years says a lot. I understand now why Michelle Obama made that statement about not being proud of her country until now.By Stan
March 19, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
Obama is a brave man to take on the elephant in the room in America, its racial divisions. There are two sides to this, us and him. We have to be ready to do our part. There is enough recent political history where white anxieties about blacks have been manipulated to win elections. The opposite has happened too. Race has also been a minefield where a misstep saying the wrong thing devastates someone’s career. Obama has now committed his campaign to an optimistic view that his movement of hope and reconciliation will be able to overcome the anxieties, fears and ingrained stereotypes that we operate under. Reconciliation is not easy, as we know from reading about the world in the newspaper. Many of us recognize the harm of today’s racial divisions and would like to see a way to overcome them. We have to trust that it is worth the risk to change America so that our children and grandchildren have a better place. To some extent political campaigns are about generating mistrust, and that is what we are seeing with examination of him, his wife, his minister and his home political environment. Obama is not isolated from the community around him. He could not be. Instead the community around us is offering an opportunity for us to make an important change. It is really up to us to follow the best of America’s ideals and accept some risk by doing so. Are we ready?By linda
March 19, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
senator obama handled himself and a sensitive position beautifully. racism is alive and well in this country and the democratic contest has brought it into the national spotlight. remember when jerry falwell blamed september 11 on homosexuality? can anyone believe that geraldine ferraro’s comments have any place in the national dialogue? surely,the obama speech made some people uncomfortable — perhaps the writer of the comment above. well, it’s high time more people are made uncomfortable. those who support senator obama will continue to do so. those who are afraid of electing an african-american president will continue to be afraid.By patriot
March 19, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
It is no surprise to me finally the position DDN has taken a pro Obama approach to this “flap” which parrots the other liberal MSM mouthpieces. Finally a report about a major national story that broke late last week, the bias DDNs show is stunning but not unexpected. Obama has now transformed himself into what he said he was not, a political spin machine trying to distance himself from a damaging associations that can define a man or woman. His speech missed the mark on so many levels and I found it to be insulting. His story is changing by the day, first he didn’t know, but now he knew but never directly heard those comments. I am now waiting for evidence to the contrary. Can I believe this from a man who’s family have attended this church for over 20 years? Even Oprah left this church because of the fire brand sermons Rev. Wright delivers. Obama should have too if I am to believe his comments. If he didn’t know about Rev Wrights rants, why did he dis invite Wright to his announcement and kickoff of his presidential campaign last year, how does this put Michelle’s anti American comments into context, what do we say about a man who would subject his children to such hate speak, or the fact that Obama would not put his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance or refusal to wear an American flag lapel pin? To attend such a church and sermons by a sitting Senator, only empowers this racist and raises his credibility. If he really wanted to take on the issue of race in this country he should have quit the church, renounced this pastor and apologized for poor judgement. He did not. We judge people by their character and by the company they keep, it is our human nature. I am no more afraid of electing a black man than electing a Jew, a woman, an Asian etc. Would you expect this kind of question of character from a JC Watts, Colin Powell, or Condoleezza Rice? What does all this tell us about the true character of the man who wants to be the leader of the “free” world? I am for change when change is genuine and has depth and substance. Now tell me, is this really change and is this the type of change we want or need?By R U SERIOUS
March 19, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
WOW! I really feel for Obama…there are not a lot of ways he can clear this mess up at all…beautiful speeches of yesterday included. This whole thing will be damaging to his campaign and probably cost him the election. But hey people there is still Hillary…I definetely rather her than McCain.By Glus
March 19, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Linda, It has nothing to do with “being afraid” It has to do with electing a racist. Obama attends a church that has radical racist views. He MUST believe the hate speech himself since he has been a member of that church for 20 years. I am sorry, but most of us believe that he can’t separate himself from that. He is about 18 years too late. I was raised Methodist and my wife was raised Catholic and I have been to many different churches in my life and I have NEVER heard anything remotely resembling the despicable hate filled sermons that Mr Wright was preaching. While we were being raised to LOVE thy fellow man, and reach out to ALL people, Obama’s church was preaching HATE WHITIE! It has suddenly now become VERY clear to me why the races are still divided. A good a portion of the black community actually buys into this hate philosophy. Obama also lied to the American people by fist saying last week that he had not heard or was present when Mr. Wright preached his hate message. Yesterday, he admitted that he was in fact there for some of it. I am more than ready to unite with my fellow Americans of all colors, but you better double check with black community that buys into this hate whitey and government philosophy. Again Linda, to say we are “afraid” is an ignorance of the REAL issue here. Attending a racist church is a direct contradiction to Obama’s whole unity campaign. I am nothing more than your typical white middle age person trying to make a living for my family, and I was shocked,greatly offended,and hurt. It really does explain a lot!By markle
March 19, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
I wish Obama was as tolerent of our president as he is with Reverend Wright!By alice
March 19, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
The anti-Obama people on this blog will not be won over no matter what he says or does. They weren’t going to vote for him before because he was a muslim but now because he’s a bad christian. I find it hilarious that those who liked to emphasize his last name to exploit anti-muslim sentiment and loved to lie about his �islamic-terrorist connections� now want to paint themselves as champions of civil rights. To those who expect Obama to denouce not only the words but also the pastor, look into your own lives and your own family for the people you would also be expected to disown. Obama�s speech spoke to me in many ways. I am a white woman of Irish-German descent with a husband and children of Irish, German, African and Japanese ethnic backgrounds. Differences in race and culture have always been a topic in my home; we encourage diversity and tolerance and are proud to be Americans. I grew up and still live in a predominantly conservative Republican county. Although I was raised in a progressive home, my extended family (aunts, uncles, grandparents) are predominantly conservative Republicans. My grandparents moved here several decades ago from the south. I was taught to value my Irish-German and Appalachian heritage, and I always will. My grandparents and extended family are good people, not people I would consider racist, and they have never encouraged discrimination. BUT behind closed doors, it wasn�t uncommon to hear a �black joke�, and it was with them that I first heard the words porch monkey, watermelon and n*. If someone had a camera and the videos had been posted on Youtube, my family would be demonized right now. A couple of weeks ago a white coworker made a black joke in front of me, and when he looked at me and remembered the faces of my children his face turned red and he had to stammer out an excuse. I have not treated him differently, but he has since tried to avoid me because he feels shame. Until blacks and whites are able to discuss things openly with eachother, not hiding behind eachother�s races and without fear of being demonized, the problems we are having will continue to exist. This is a person I would consider a friend, someone that I know as a christian believes in equality but who also grew up like I did where using terms and jokes like that was not to be taken seriously, but could only be said among other whites. Although I too have been ashamed of some of the things my family and friends have said, and in every way I discourage their talk, I love them. I understand them, and I know they are not racist people. The other day I was eating in a restaurant and, not quietly, my father asked me if it was still ok to use the word �colored� or was that bad? Needless to say, I didn�t disown him. I simply laughed and corrected him. The race issue is not black and white anymore. It is not about the klansmen vs. the civil rights worker. It is mostly gray now and I can find the wonderful qualities of my grandparents who were raised in another time as much as I can find joy and hope in the faces of my little children. After watching Obama�s speech, I decided that I supported him even more for president, but a calmness also came to me after seeing this race get so nasty in the last few weeks. I realized that even if he is not elected president, I have hope for America that the Barack Obamas of the world exist and they will continue to make a difference with their leadership in our country regardless.By Jim 5
March 19, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
I read his “apology” and found it wanting. He started strong referring to the “more perfect union” language of the Constitution. He denied he was making an “excuse” for Reverend Wright. Then he referred to the “bias of Black America” as if to be Black, you must have a bias (or White?). He spread the responsibility for Wright’s comments to all Blacks in the way kids say “everybody’s doing it”. This was no MLK moment for Obama, but rather a great opportunity squandered.By Mary
March 19, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
I wonder what would happen if Hillary had attended an all female church for 20 years and whose female minister ranted and raved about the evils of sexism throughout society and culture. Would it all be playing out the same way?By nix
March 19, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
I agree Jim 5. The speech was not even close to the MLK speech. It was called damage control too little too late. Alice there is a huge difference between a black joke and preaching racial hatred.By kate
March 19, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
Mary: the pastor of that church is named Gloria Steinem.By alice
March 19, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
Nix: part of the problem is that you see a difference.By Savanation
March 19, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
After hearing Sen. Obama’s speech, which a lot of these posters obviously didn’t bother doing, I have never felt more that this is the man that America needs to be President. At last we have a candidate who understands people, who cares for people, and America. Just tonight, our Vice President, when asked if he understood that 2/3’s of the American people think that the Iraq war was a completely idiotic venture, gave the usual arrogant answer: “So?” America has too many problems to continue with imbecils like those currently in Washington. After hearing Sen. Obama’s speech, which I would suggest that all listen to, before posting on this site, I feel that we have a chance to get America back to greatness. Take your pick: Sen. Obama or the current madness.By bob
March 20, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
OBAMA FINALLY GETS SOME SCRUTINY ABOUT SOME OF THE PEOPLE HE HAS CALLED HIS FRIENDS. A LITTLE LATE AFTER WINNING ALL THESE PRIMARIES. DO YOU THINK HE WOULD HAVE WON IOWA IF THE VOTERS HAD KNOWN ABOUT HIS PASTOR OF TWENTY YEARS COMMENTS.By Mary
March 20, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
bob, you bring up the issue that has been bothering quite a few all along. The way states have rushed their prirmaries has had a profound impact on how the public gets to know the candidates, and the outcomes and dynamics of the nomination. The Florida and Michigan situation is still a mess. Everyone talks about going by the “rules”, but by the “rules”, there will not be a clear winner. No democratic candidate will have enough delegates to claim the nomination.By das
March 20, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
If Hillary belonged to a sexist church as Mary pondered, she would be crucified. The press has found nothing but fault with her from day one.By mwm
March 21, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this
Most people do not share all the political views of their minister or spiritual leader. They would be insane if they did. And, politics should not be discussed in church.. At all! Not even by a minister. It is not the place for political rhetoric. It is a place of worship. We are a blended nation. Blended from different nationalities. And since we are, we are all Americans.By Raoul
March 21, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
I believe Obama, if he is our President, will be a charismatic, inspiring leader, no matter how much I disagree with his politics. What troubles me are the things that seem to be going on in African-American churches. Reverend Wright does a huge disservice to his congregation by inciting fear and mistrust of our government and our American society. If our country is not governed ‘of the people, by the people, for the people’, and is not a place where we are all equal, with a Bill of Rights to protect our individual rights and freedoms, and is not a country where an individual of any color, race, sex, or nationality cannot achieve their goals and dreams with hard work and determination, and is not a country where we can protest against that which we disagree free from recrimination, and is not a system of government where we freely elect our leaders after hard debate, then I say we should tear the whole thing down and start over. If only Reverend Wright and his followers would see America as the country that ENDED SLAVERY instead of inventing it,and shed oceans of blood to do it, then these racial debates might some day end and we can share this bountiful country together and prosper by our good deeds and our love of fellow man. Reverend Wright, and all pastors of all colors and denominitations should provide guidance and spiritual direction, and quit using the pulpit to preach hate, mistrust, and separation.By Paul Nolte
March 21, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
If we have only known back in January about the connection between Obama and the Rev. Wright. Hillary would have already been the Democratic Presidential Nominee.By RAJ
March 21, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
There’s no hope for this country. Many white people don’t want to admit how horrible a psychological/ physical/financial effect 400 years of slavery had on black people and many black people can’t stop being angry about it. Just because a corrupt system has been declared over doesn’t mean that it is. Meanwhile, as we argue, shifty, greedy politicians and businessmen are sleeping together, lining their own pockets from oil and war, shipping jobs overseas, and, generally, leading us into a bottomless pit while the dollar distintegrates into dust. Seems to me we’re just biding our time until the Europeans and their mighty Euro come and bail us out. But let’s keep arguing about what some pastor said. I’m proud to be an American!By TRS
March 22, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
There is always hope! This country has been through civil wars, world wars, depressions, catostrophic weather events - we’ve changed from an agrarian economy to a manufacturing one and we are in transition again. We have explored space, developed the most dynamic economy in the world and still have people from all around the world wanting to come here. We are free to vote, debate, worship and pursue whatever. Do we have challenges? Sure do with race being one of them. Perhaps if we quit demagoging and actually had a discussion like Senator Obama suggested it would be good. This is a great country, with good but imperfect people. There is always hope.By Raoul
March 25, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
Well put TRS. We may all either be boxed in by our fears and anxieties, and long-held hatreds, or be set free to soar above it all thankful we live in a country that allows its people to right it’s wrongs and debate it’s issues freely. Senator Obama clearly has the power to raise the discussion to a higher level. What matters most is our individual sense of worth, which no one can tarnish. With that, our hopes and dreams can come true, even in times of adversity.