Campaign Desk
Seize the Moment
Obama opened the door for a genuine conversation on race
By Clint Hendler Tue 18 Mar 2008 12:18 PMAfter Obama’s Philadelphia speech on race, there will be an enormous temptation by the campaign press to jam the moment into the usual horserace narrative. Did Obama clear the expectations bar? Did he reassure white voters about his church community? Did he neutralize the Ferraro flap? Can his words deracialize the upcoming Pennsylvania primary?
So, okay, let’s have the pundits chew that all over, and check off those boxes. Quickly.
But then we must seize this rare opportunity and go deeper.
Obama spoke with unusual directness about the economic legacy of racism, about today’s full texture of ethnic identity and resentment, about the need for genuine discussion on race, and about where to go from here.
Let’s meet him where’s he’s led us. There’s no reason Clinton and McCain can’t join in, but again, this needn’t—and in some ways shouldn’t—be a campaign-focused conversation. It’s a long overdue national conversation.
CJR will have more to say on the speech. And we’ll be watching to see if the press can live up to the task at hand, with seriousness and sincerity. Because it’s just too important not to try.
CJR
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Doug Alder![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.cjr.org/nav-commenters.gif)
Tue 18 Mar 2008 06:14 PMYour country (I'm Canadian) is entering a very dreadful time with the very real likelihood of a depression worse than the Great Depression about to consume you, and the rest of the world. If ever there was a time for someone to begin to speak to the heart of America and offer real hope, instead of political platitudes, for addressing those concerns and uniting your once great country again, now is that time.
In the difficult times that lay ahead you will need someone with vision and the character to pursue that vision, to lead your country.
It is past time for the mainstream media to step up to the plate and deal with these issues honestly, instead of what sadly passes for journalism today. Hold their feet to the fire CJR and crank up the heat.
TDC![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.cjr.org/nav-commenters.gif)
Thu 20 Mar 2008 11:10 AMCompare and contrast Obama's statements on Wright and what he said about Imus:
I understand MSNBC has suspended Mr. Imus,” Obama told ABC News, “but I would also say that there’s nobody on my staff who would still be working for me if they made a comment like that about anybody of any ethnic group. And I would hope that NBC ends up having that same attitude.
Any ethnic group except for the "white devil" who has been busy infecting the world's people of color with HIV/AIDS.