African Americans For Obama: ...Celebration or An Abdication of the Civil Rights Movement? [View all]

[alp227]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by FrenchieCat (a host of the Barack Obama group).

President Barack Obama this month launched “African Americans For Obama.” This video shows Obama with an articulate and moving message tied to African American month, but is it the right message? There is no question this is a direct appeal to race as a unifying theme with supporters — a move that would be denounced if tried by his white opponents. In the video, Obama states “I don’t think there’s a better time than Black History Month” for this effort, but some view this as the worst time for an open injection of race as a motivating factor in politics

It has long been a touchstone of American politics that appeals to race are dangerous and divisive. That certainly does not mean that race is not a factor in politics. However, the common open references to race that marred prior elections in the sixties and even the seventies were considered things of the past. If African Americans are united by their racial bond with Obama, does that mean that other candidates can appeal openly to white communities? Clearly other communities organize around their common identities from Cubans to Koreans to Italians. However, organizing solely on the basis for skin color should raise some legitimate concerns and objections, in my view. Indeed, we have strongly condemned past candidates who made even veiled references to race.

One answer could be that blacks have a shared history of oppression that whites lack. This history gives them a special bond not found in other communities. I do believe that argument has merit. Yet, this is a significant change in the long-standing aversion to open appeal to race as a unifying theme.

full: http://jonathanturley.org/2012/02/28/african-americans-for-obama-is-an-appeal-to-race-a-celebration-or-an-abdication-of-the-civil-rights-movement/

BTW, that video has 1,000 likes and 10,000 dislikes with the top comments being condescending ones like "For you to receive your "fair share", you need a job and contribute to the economy. Not sit back and freeload off of the hard working people of this country. If you want something, WORK FOR IT!!!!" So I'd definitely say an abdication.