This week I heard Barak Obama’s speech on race and racial tensions in the US and as speeches go it is one of the best I have heard in my lifetime. Right from the first time I have heard him speak I liked Obama very much. He appeared intelligent, genuine and honest. How many politicians can fit this description? But I have always wondered about him. He may have great charisma, but can he make a good president? He has never been tested. Does he have the experience and the skill required to take hard decisions. I had no doubts about Hillary. You knew what you were getting and with Bill Clinton by her side she would be a safe bet for the world.
However this speech on race removed all my doubts. It was a very challenging situation. His spiritual mentor was being caricatured as unpatriotic and racist. A lesser man would have disowned him and distanced himself. Obama took on the challenge with grace, courage and honesty. While he denounced the statements made by his pastor he did not disown him. He explained the reason behind the anger many black people carry. He also explained why white working class people are angry; because they are required to pay the price for the discrimination they did not perpetuate. He spoke about his white grandmother and the racial prejudices she carried.
It was one of the most politically ‘incorrect’ speeches I have heard. Coming from a politician at such a crucial juncture in his career, was an act of tremendous courage. It made me think that all his speeches about rising above individual differences, about unity of spirit and intelligence of electorate were not mere words. When a challenge presented itself, he lived up to all the promise his words held. I think it is a very rare quality. More then anything we need politicians who have their heart in the right place.
Incidentally, this speech also gave me some insights into politics in India. We have had similar issues. The caste system which resulted in marginalizing large sections of the population. Independent India tried to correct these through reservations for backward castes. This is has led to so much resentment among upper caste sections of India. How does Indian politics work – each party panders to one section of the vote bank. It feeds on the hate and insecurities of the people. Elections are won and lost based on castes and not on the ability of the elected representative. I wish we had politicians like Obama in our country, who can understand both sides of the problem and have the courage to take the middle ground.
You can read the full transcript of the speech and watch the video here
Missed your post last two weeks. Welcome. Yes I too feel Obama is sincere and will open a new chapter in US politics if he were to become President. Either way these elections are unprecedented; Americans will either have black head of state of woman head of state (hoping Republican contender McCain wont triumph at the hustings)
Archana,
Thanks for sharing this wonderful speech. His words came right from his heart. I loved the story he tells in the end about Ashley.
I don’t know why but I have a gut feeling that he will be better than Hillary. He seems right for the post.
Archana – nice post about the speech. I was going to write a post about it over the weekend with pretty much the same message, but you beat me to it
Obama, unlike most politicians of the day, treats his audience with intelligence. He talks about the race issue with the nuance that it deserves, not as something that can be seen in black or white (no pun intended).
As you have observed, the resonance of his words in India’s caste context struck me too. Th upper caste ignores the centuries of persecution of the lower strata of the society and fail to acknowledge how that has contributed to the economic and social disparity that we see now. And the worst is, many think that the caste disparity is a problem of the past and it does not exist any more.
At the same time, we have many in the ‘backward’ classes who do not appreciate the progress we have made in forging a class-less society. Current state of the nation may not be where they want it to be, but we have come a long way.
We in India have the same seething resentment as articulated in Obama’s speech. The ‘forward’ caste feels anger over the ‘reservation’ policy when they think what happened in the past was not of their doing. While the members of the ‘lower’ caste act as if society has not moved towards being equitable at all.
I too wish we had a politician who could bridge the caste islands we have.. or at least talk about bridging them.
Nice post Archana and welcome back. This is no doubt a great speech and an inspiring one at that.
I am an Obama supporter and for the first time this speech has given me cause for concern – it is 2 words he utters 2 or 3 times in his speech “Former Pastor”. The pastor of 30 years who even baptized his children is suddenly a “former pastor”?
I don’t think he has made up his mind on whether to support Rev Wright or not. He comes to his side many times talking about all the good things and chides him for the bad things he said. Also at the sametime, saying that this is not uncommon – that one often hears that one strongly disagrees with from their pastors, rabbis etc.
If that is the case then why is Rev Wright a former pastor? Even if the former pastor designation is coming because Obama doesn’t any longer belong to the same church anymore, i find the usage “former pastor” an attempt to distance himself from the pastor while the major part of the speech is ostensibly to support his pastor.
This is the first chink in Obama’s armor and it concerns me deeply.
Economist magazine wrote an article this week with their own take on Rev Wright with a closing quote “The luckiest man in the USA is McCain”. McCain as US President – it is a scary thought for a peace-monger like me.
Krishnan – Thank you very much. I could not write for the past two weeks because I was not well. I hope to keep up my regular schedule hence forth. Thank you so much for noticing.
Saraswathi – Thanks a lot. Ashley’s story was really moving.
Amit – I feel the same way too
Arun – Good to hear from you after a long gap. Yes, the connection to our caste system was so similar. It just made me feel that human problems are universal regardless of which part of the world you come from. In fact even the two parties seem so similar to BJP and Congress.
Sukumar – He could have avoided the ‘Former Pastor’ bit. It was a contradiction to his statement that he cannot disown him. However, what he did required far more character and conviction then can be expected from Hillary. McCain as the next president! I don’t even want to think about it.
Archana, I’m glad you are feeling better.
I would like to address the concerns expressed in comment #5. In the US a pastor is associated with a geographical location. When one moves, as Obama would have done after being elected to a federal office located in Washington D.C., he would (hopefully) attend a church located in his new location – hence he would have a former pastor.
Taken in an American context, the reference would have no guile associated with the word “former.”
Most of the Americans I know are very dissatisfied with all of the remaining candidates for president, and most will vote based on the political parties’ platforms which will be drafted at the Republican party’s and Democratic party’s national conventions. The issues that will play a part in our decisions are: The war in Iraq and the mid-east in general; The economy; Moral issues such as abortion and gay marriage; and Illegal immigration.
Unfortunately, America’s political scene is in a state of disarray. No matter who wins, there are some powerful people who will keep our nation divided and distracted while they seek to destroy our freedom for the sake of their own financial gain. If you follow the money, you will learn more about our government and the state of the world than you will ever learn watching the individual politicians.
Janet,
I understand the former pastor usage. It is pretty clear to everyone that he no longer lives in chicago but in DC. In that case, why does he keep using “former pastor”. In my view, it is just to indicate to the voters that he is no longer connected to Rev Wright, while the entire speech is an attempt to be in support of Rev Wright and rationalizing Rev Wright’s speeches as something Blacks of Wright’s generation often do and they are justified in doing. While i have my own opinion on where the Blacks stand in the American community today, Obama’s speech while uplifting and inspiring in tenor didn’t adequately chastise Rev Wright or adequately distance himself from Wright or adequately support Rev Wright which was the purpose of the speech. As an Obama supporter i am in a confused state as to what he is thinking. While on the other side, i see McCain’s smooth rise on the Republican side which is scaring me because of his general war-mongering attitude.
Archana,
As much as I would like to believe that Obama is not the usual run of the mill politician and _talks_ about hope, potential, unifying America etc., that would not be the only reason I would vote for him.
I want to know what he has actually accomplished, what he has done with the power that people have given him by voting for him.
Certainly, voting against the Iraq war is a big plus in my book – because it is important to understand and know what one does NOT do as a leader, as what one does as a leader.
Regarding his pastor, here is my questions – Did he publicly denounce the vitriolic words of his pastor before this speech? If not he has used the occasion to draw attention to racism, which is important in itself, but not totally denounce the words of his pastor. To stand by a friend is loyal, but to stand by a bigot is foolish.
Ganesh
Janet – Thank you for that insight. In India when you choose your spiritual mentor, it is for a life time. So the former pastor bit confused me, now I understand. Whatever you say about American politics seems to be true about all politicians and democracies. Today, Bhutan is holding an election and most of its people seem to want the monarchy to continue. He seemed to have been a benevolent and a kind ruler. I wonder if democracy is the best system as we all like to think.
Sukumar – He has to say “former pastor” now that he is no longer his pastor, right?
Ganesh – Thank you. I am not sure if we can judge the pastor as a bigot, just based on the 30sec sound bite. I read comment in CNN’s blog and this lady claims that her pastor very often talked about the Jews in derogatory terms, yet no one in the church objected although many people, including her strongly disagreed with the view. Many religious leaders have views which their followers do not agree. Just because the pope is against abortions, can we assume all Catholics would hold that view?
With regard to his accomplishments, I agree with you. He has nothing much to show for it. Yet, as some one said if you want to take only experience as the benchmark, then Dick Cheney and Rumsfied will be highly eligible.
Archana,
I do detect a tinge of sarcasm in your comments and that is fine!! I am not just taking experience as sole criteria but decision making ability, courage and dignity under pressure and the tenacity to jump in and solve issues instead of just coasting.
About the pastor, what I am saying is not based on any 30 second video. The pastor’s comment after 9/11 and relating it to Hiroshima and Nagasaki and that it was a result of America supporting state sponsored terrorism in Palestine and South Africa is not only mis-guided but also incendiary.
His comments about HIV and America cannot and should not be brushed aside as well.
I can understand the anger of black americans. However, that is no justification for the pastor’s comments and I think Obama should have categorically and much more strongly disowned the comments.
Ganesh
Thank you Ganesh. I did not mean to be sarcastic, sorry if I came across like that.
I too have been thinking of Obama’s lack of experience and these are some of the counter arguements I have heard and thought of.
I agree with you that the pastor’s comments were incendiary, however I do feel Obama condemned it strongly enough. I think we will have to agree to disagree there.
Archana,
First, thanks for covering this important topic. My first US elections were in 2004 when I was just 1 year exposed to US and did not pay much attention.
Obama’s speech is definitely a classy one. But it is also a carefully crafted one. As a person standing for President of US, Obama has to strike a balance not to offend any constituency. He might have crafted words carefully that smoothed all tensions and stroked everyone. I would say as a politician he passed the test.
But as a member of that church and a close associate of Rev. Wright, I have serious questions about his influence. They are quite radical.
If Obama is going to stand for Prez, I am not sure how mid-west America and Latinos vote. They may all vote for McCain rather than Obama.
If only we had such a thoughtful debate among the people who actually get to vote for the President. I love your dialog. I thought that I would post a link to one of Rev. Wright’s speeches so you can hear for yourself and judge the man. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUbUBTlmAiA .
I do not like his rhetoric and certainly would think twice about voting for a candidate who claimed him as a friend – regardless of whether he was his pastor or former pastor.
It is also wise to be weary of McCain’s war mongering tendencies. I am very distraught when I hear any pro-war rhetoric. Cheney, Rumsfeld and others in the Bush administration lied continually for two years to get the American people fearful enough to allow the war. Now the same rhetoric is surfacing about Iran. Cheney railroaded legal permission to ignore the Geneva convention and commit human rights abuses against political prisoners. Americans need to take a deep breath and be reasonable and rational as we seek a solution to the problems that the Bush administration has created. McCain’s proposition isn’t reasonable or rational.
I think that Hillary is the only candidate that has a deep enough understand and the experience to hit the ground running, but I don’t like some of her amoral views.
Front Line is doing a documentary on “Bush’s War” that is airing last night and tonight. The Federal Reserve is doing a massive Wall Street bailout with tax payer’s money. The economy and the war will continue to shape American opinion. There is a long time before we vote. I do hope that you will continue your dialog. It is helpful to have an outside view on America’s doings.
Vamsi – Thank you for those insights.
Janet – Thanks a lot. I watched the documentary “No end in sight”. It was eye opening. I am planning to write about it.
Ganesh,
I am with you. You articulated what i wanted to say much better. Obama did not adequately chastise Rev Wright which he could have on this occasion.
Janet, i am glad we agree that Obama’s former pastor gig is rhetoric and is clearly a cop out intended to distance himself from the pastor. I don’t buy it as you didn’t as well. I am glad we agree on McCain as well.
Archana,
I don’t think Obama condemned it enough. I am with Ganesh. He is actually rationalizing Wright’s actions not condemning.
The “former pastor” which he uttered 2 or 3 times is a cop out. Obama is a man who claims that he has the right judgement and that experience is not relevant. He uses tha No vote on Iraq war as an example of his fine judgement. I actually bought into that like Ganesh.
But this rev pastor thing is a clear lack of judgement. I don’t know how he can claim that he has fine judgement when he chose to associate himself with Wright for many many years. If he does have fine judgement he would have quit the church long time ago.
Thanks Sukumar. Since both you and Ganesh seem to strongly believe it is wrong judgement on Obama’s part, I will give it some more thought.
I remember obama’s initial controversary, when he termed Hillary as senator from Punjab. I think, this is his first mistake in this presidential race.. Many Indians got upset over that.
Secondly, still americans are not ready to have a president who is black and a muslim. Please see this URL.
Doris Lessing, says Obama will be assasinated IF elected
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/obama-would-be-killed-780703.html
The american society is very liberal.. But not their politics..
/** The caste system which resulted in marginalizing large sections of the population. **/
ITs wrong .. Its Britishers, who marginalised and suppressed almost all castes.
Before them, the uppder caste Brahmins, led a pious and simple life, with hardest ever disciplines to follow.
The kshatriyas had all the power.
It was after Britishers, eliminated kshatriya clan, (where a present Iraq like situation was created), and preferred brahmins for most of the bureaucratic jobs, thus, isolating them from the society they were serving before.
Most of our present day sufferings should be attributed to none else but the britishers..
————————————————————–
Archana.. I am registering my alternate views to your opinion on caste system in your post. I respect your right to have your own opinion.
———————————————————
In one way, inspite of all shortcomings, our polity is more democratic than the US.
In US, the democracy is totalatarian, while the society is very liberal.
In India, the democracy is people oriented.. Even most famous, most powerful Indragandhi was reduced to just 4 seats after emergency.
Nice post on Obama. No doubts he is a great leader. But ya, India lacks worthy politicians. This scenario has to change.
Thanks Radhesh.