On the 45th anniversary of Dr. King’s “I have a dream speech” on the Washington mall, Senator Barack Obama became the first African-American presidential nominee of a major party.
I thought that Obama performed wonderfully. He did a great job of anticipating the attacks that the John McCain and Sarah Palin will likely make. He was genuine in portraying some of the struggles he has faced within his own family and the struggles that many Americans are currently facing in terms of health care, affordable education, the economy, etc.
You can hear the whole speech here:
One thing to keep in mind was that Obama’s speech was a party nomination acceptance speech. I have heard that some in the liberal black intellectual circles are criticizing Obama’s speech for not giving more of a nod to Dr. King, poverty and the third anniversary of Katrina. More specifically, Professor Cornel West and Dr. Julianne Malveaux weren’t too pleased with Obama’s speech although he did lay out his policy agenda. You can hear their commentary here, linking to the Tavis Smiley show on PBS. Obama, as a minority politician, would be damned if he did mention more of Dr. King and the civil rights movement and damned if he didn’t. Like other people of color, he has a fine line to tread in acknowledging his own community and in sending the message that he will advocate on behalf of all Americans. While I would not have been bothered by more mention of Dr. King and the civil rights legacy, I think that those of us who are on the more liberal side of the political spectrum should cut Obama some slack. He has to win over the hearts and minds of so many Americans to win, including those who are less tolerant but just may vote see beyond this candidate’s skin color on November 4. And it looks like Obama is already making gains on some voters who are undecided.
I will also be updating the blog with commentary on the Clintons’ speeches, Bill Richardson’s speech, and some of the other events that occurred outside of the DNC this week.
7 responses so far ↓
1 xxxicana // Aug 29, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Yeah for Bill Richardson!!!
2 Michaelr // Aug 30, 2008 at 12:24 am
I never thought I would see this in my lifetime. I didn’t think there were enough American citizens with the intelligence to see beyond skin color, especially in those red states, and those Bible belt states. This says a lot about the real need for real political change. The American taxpayer is apparently tired of being fleeced by the White House, Congress, and their backdoor partners in crime…the Fortune 500. Network television and all their efforts to dramatize and sensationalize the lies and propaganda spewed by all those paid spin doctors couldn’t stop the Obama express.
3 R.Ross // Aug 30, 2008 at 5:27 pm
BRAVO!! Beautiful Set and Superior Broadway Act that went along with it. How is it he can’t speak without a teleprompter but did such a FABULOUS Speech Thursday night? Heath Ledger would’ve been proud of that performance, from one Joker to another.
4 Irma // Sep 1, 2008 at 11:22 am
YAWNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
Getting the nomination without popular consent
is some achievement. First, the Democrats stripped Michigan and Florida of their votes, then they gave them half- let that demoralize
half of the Democrats and then they gave ALL the votes back but CUT the roll call short in case
it would change the outcome.
Barak Obama with his 120 days of US Senate Service accepted the nomination of the set up known as the Democratic convention.
What a sad day for America. My hope is that someday a Latino/Latina will actually EARN their spot on the top of the Presidential ticket in a major party without AFFIRMATIVE ACTION.
I firmly believe that I will see it in my lifetime and I hope that I will agree with them so I can happily support them with my vote. I do not let
race influence my choice in politics.
5 YolandaR // Sep 1, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Irma if you yawned during Obama’s acceptance speech, you will need a Red Bull six pack to survive McCain’s. Then again I could be wrong if you are into folly. Just think 45 minutes of him struggling to read a teleprompter with size 60 font scrolling a speech he couldn’t plegarize. The saddest day in America is that you still believe that your issues are markedly different from other minorities in our country. Or think of it this way at least you lived to see a minority (aka Obama) accept the nomination–My Great-Grandfather and his son, my Grandfather, Choctow Indians didn’t.
6 Irma // Sep 2, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I want to see a Latino reach the presidency , hopefully a Mexican American which is what I am.
An African American EARNING the nomination would have been historic – THIS was a JOKE and an insult to people like Condi Rice or Colin Powell
who in my view who have the experience to be the
president. Barak Obama is the Democratic party’s version of Clarence Thomas. Hopefully,
it is not a done deal with Obama as it is with Thomas.
Basically, I dont think either party offers us a suitable candidate. I am not too thrilled about the VP choices either. God help us all if Americans either elect a guy that equates running a political campaign to running a state government or alternatively a soldier who has forgotten how to fight. McCain should have never let himself be bullied by the right.
7 saraya // Sep 11, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Irma:
I have something to say about your comment regarding affirmative action – think about this: If there were never any predjudice against latinos, blacks, asians in this country, there would have never been a REASON to create laws such as affirmative action to PROTECT those who were and have continued to be discriminated against in the first place..just my opinion and a valid one
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