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What do you think about the 3 brothers interupting Obama today in a Florida town meeting? The 3 brothers raise a sign that said [what about problems in the Black community, Obama]. I might not have the exact wording of the sign but you get the picture. Should we make these protest? Or should we keep silent? Does these protest hurt or help Obama? I want to hear your points?
Posted By: Kenneth X
Friday, August 1st 2008 at 11:13AM
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Kenneth,
I have a book out on this subject called "Is Barack Black or White?" http://www.lulu.com/content/3132461
Because we have confused race (innate biology) and learned behavior (ethnic culture)...when a person looks at Barack they assume he should speak for the Black Culture. But culture is learned. You are born Black...and then you learn your flavor of African American ethnicity.
Until we know and understand the difference...people will continue to expect Barack to carry "all" Black issues forward...even if some of these issues are not his issues.
So I ask you...were Barack's ancestors part of the American Slave or Jim Crow systems?
Should he be forced carry that cross for/with us...just because he's Black ?
Friday, August 1st 2008 at 11:27AM
Dr. Ahmad Glover
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I understand what your saying but he's running for the president of the United States. So as a everday citizen should people ask candidates questions that concern them the most or should they complain after theirelected? These 3 individuals (I can only guess) only wanted clarification on Obama stance with regards to their community. Just like the rural communities concerns with simialr issues dealing with gas prices, alternatives to natural gas (wind, solar etc.). So does it really come down to Obama being peg with the black issues stigma or a person who has solutions to these very real concerns with Americans all over the country? I'm sure your book is great but I'm nottalking about him in terms of being a black candidate but the future president of the United States. I mean his campaign was built on being netural.
I just want to hear about what you think about the protest in particular? Is it valid. Should we be silent so that Obama wins. Right now, McCain is at a Urban League conference, while Obama is not. Obama missed many gatheings during his campaign run that some might view as signaficate (Dr. King's memorial in Memphis).
Friday, August 1st 2008 at 11:53AM
Kenneth X
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to me Obama is very suspicious, I don't know about the incident of the 3 brothers, but I would guess they had good reasons to interupt him.
Friday, August 1st 2008 at 12:13PM
Harold Causey
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Isaac, I totally agree with you ,in regards to how the 3 conducted themselves, especially the brother in the middle. I just hope Obama gets in office and do the right thing for all Americans, especially black America, because we need it the most. We have been suffering for a long time. If McCain is elected we defiantly don't have a chance to upgrade our communities.
Friday, August 1st 2008 at 12:46PM
Kenneth X
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I'm haven't caught CNN this morning yet, I'm sure I'll here about it soon. But I like Isaac's comment "the only problem I have is when those people protesting do not know how to conduct themselves, the message gets lost". I feel people are going to expect Obama to have to deal with the African-American issues. We seem to forget as black as his features are he is half white. I'm sure he has accepted his African-American side but he also has accepted his white side.
Actually I believe it was this year when Tavis Smiley became upset because Obama declined the invitation to participate in 2008 State of the Black Union. Obama had offered to send Michelle his wife who is just as qualified. People expect because he
is black he is now responsible for dealing with all these black issues. That's entirely
too much pressure for one black/white man who is running for the President of the United States while still trying to cater to this nations, racism, prejudice and ignorance.
Let cut the brother some slack!
Etana
Friday, August 1st 2008 at 12:53PM
Etana Busara
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Etana, I did cut him some slack. :) But do we get cut in the process while our communities continue to lack behind other communities. I'm just trying to find the balance. I understand what Obama is doing. I just hope, while he and his handlers are deliberating on issues when in office, they don't forget about the black communities when the action plans are drawn up.
Friday, August 1st 2008 at 1:05PM
Kenneth X
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Etana, I did not know that Obama wanted his wife to take his place. I think that would have been wonderful. Did Tavis give a reason why he didn't want Michelle there? I'm asking because I do not remember Michelle being there. I have my concerns about Tavis lately, anyway. Nothing too heavy just some concerns.
Friday, August 1st 2008 at 1:09PM
Kenneth X
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He said he wanted Barack not Michelle. No Michelle was not there after all. There was crazy dialogue 400 page blogs, it was very deep. Obviously Tavis took offense and took it personally. Perhaps he felt Obama should've been there becasue he is "Tavis Smiley".
Etana
Friday, August 1st 2008 at 1:19PM
Etana Busara
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Woo! I'm mad I sign-on too late to miss that one. Thanks for the feedback.
Friday, August 1st 2008 at 1:24PM
Kenneth X
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While McCain was here today, Obama is scheduled to be here (in Orlando, NUL). In my opinion, we are holding Obama to a different standard, and that is not fair. I think when we judge his abilities, they should be for the betterment of America. Changes for Black America have come, although slowly. I also don't believe that we should keep silent about issues that matter most to us. But, we should also be realistic. Obama will not be able to make drastic changes in our community. I think the deeper issues are fought on a local level. Are we voting for our Representatives and our Senators? If so, what issues do they support. Because in all of actuality, those are our voices in DC...
Friday, August 1st 2008 at 7:54PM
MONA HILL
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Dear Brother Kenneth X,
You have a point that these protests can serve to send a mixed message that we do not support Obama. Polls have indicated that at least 80% of Black voters support Obama. Such protests will certainly be pointed out by the media, and often, they will not be positive. Thanks for sharing your thoughtful blog!--JH
Monday, August 11th 2008 at 7:59PM
Dr. Jesse Hargrove
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If black People think that Obama is supposed to get into office and make some drastic change in the way black Americans are dealt with this nation they are sadly mistaken. Barak is graduate of Harvard and former president of the Harvard Law Review. He is not as fare removed from the Bush's and Clintons of the world as we would like to think. I'm not knocking the man, not at all and it would be nice to see some color in the White House, but Obama is still business as usual in politics. Now, if Carol Mosely Braun was the candidate....
Nevertheless those gentlemen are guaranteed free speech by the constituion and as such have the right to civil protest. What's ridiculous if them expecting something more from Obama than they would from Bush, Clinton or McCain
Saturday, August 16th 2008 at 1:51AM
Curly Morris
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Curly, I think thats the reason why many people don't vote, because of "business as usual" politics. And the way you put it, some people have valid points when they refer to Obama as an "elitist" right?
Saturday, August 16th 2008 at 11:47AM
Kenneth X
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Mister Johnson and Harold...I thought I was on an island of one regarding my feelings about Obama. I'm relieved to see that I'm not. LOL
Saturday, August 16th 2008 at 1:03PM
Dee Gray
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