March 18, 2008
Obama Cites Educational Disparities in Speech on Race
Sen. Barack Obama delivered a major speech on race today—after days of distancing himself from controversial remarks on the subject made by his former pastor—in which the Democratic presidential candidate said America has been stuck in a “racial stalemate” for years.
Mr. Obama added that he is not so naive as to think that the nation can overcome its racial divisions in a single election cycle, but he emphasized that he does believe America can move beyond some of its racial wounds.
In describing remaining disparities and tensions during his remarks, Mr. Obama said that more than 50 years after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education, outlawing segregation in public schools, the nation still has neither fixed bad schools nor closed racial gaps in educational attainment.
“The inferior education they provided, then and now,” he said of the once-segregated schools, “helps explain the pervasive achievement gap between today’s black and white students.”
He also talked about how resentment has built over time among some white Americans. Many hard-working white people have come to see opportunity as a “zero-sum game,” he said, and they have grown frustrated when, for example, they hear of a black person getting an advantage in landing a spot in a good college.
Mr. Obama concluded that just as anger among some black Americans often proves counterproductive, resentment among some white Americans also has distracted the nation from “the real culprits of the middle-class squeeze” that face people of all races.
“This union may never be perfect,” Mr. Obama said, “but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected. And today, whenever I find myself feeling doubtful or cynical about this possibility, what gives me the most hope is the next generation–-the young people whose attitudes and beliefs and openness to change have already made history in this election.”
Sara Hebel | Posted on Tuesday March 18, 2008 | PermalinkComments
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Sorry, I’m not buying it. Obama simply “disagrees” with statements as heinous as these, but continues a 20 year association with “Reverend” Wright? No way! This is the same-old, same-old: spin and disingenuousness, lies and cover-ups. Some “change”. It’s time for the American people to tell Obama that preaching racial hatred and bigotry is not acceptable, whether the preaching is being done by a white man or a black man.
— Wright? Wrong! Mar 18, 12:32 PM #
I agree that disparities still exist. But I have concerns about Obama’s honesty, if he says he didn’t know his pastor was so racist, after he, Obama, had not had the pastor preach at his inauguration for fear the pastor would utter inflammatory anti-white and anti-American remarks. Sen. Clinton is a much more experienced and pro-education candidate, and I am shocked that more of my colleagues have not supported her.
— Joanne Mongeon Mar 18, 12:49 PM #
Hear Hear. And McCain and Clinton should do the same.
— GL Mar 18, 01:37 PM #
Finally, a “black” candidate for the highest office in the land has the “audacity” to face the most divisive issue in our nation’s history head on and some people still won’t try to understand the problem that is undermining our nation?
For this nation to move forward together as “ one nation, under God”, we all must strive to understand the contents of his speech. We must try to understand that there are those within us who, like the quoted Pastor, who after rendering the ultimate service to this nation even in times of war, had been denied the benefits of citizenship and for whom those denials cannot now in anyway be compensated for. Rather than condemn outright their expressions resentment for this shameful past of our history, it behoves us to listen to their expressions of anger and help improve things so no more Americans will have to suffer through the same denial of their right to the “pursuit of liberty and happiness”, now or forever more!
Thank you Obama, for spelling it out.
Hopefully more and more fellow citizens will begin to try to understand…and work in their own way to contribute to making a “more perfect union” for the sake of future generations.
— Oma Ra Mar 18, 01:52 PM #
Mr. Obama is dishonest and a liar. He knew and heard the speeches of his mentor Jeremaiah Wright. However, Obama said that Reverend Wright never made any derogatory comments about whites. Ha! Ha! What a liar?
— kvc Mar 18, 04:00 PM #
If this is the worst dirt anyone can find on Obama, he must be a near-saint compared to some of the creeps we’ve elected.
— Elizabeth Mar 18, 04:08 PM #
God Bless Obama? No, no no…..God damn Obama!!!
— marci Mar 18, 04:35 PM #
I have yet to join Obama’s cult of personality. And I don’t think I will. Wait until we get the details of this “change.”
As for Hillary Clinton, she’s America’s own Emperor Nero. She’ll make America into her own image, no matter if it costs what remains of the national treasure and personal income to do it. Just listen to what she says.
— Tracy G. Mar 18, 05:02 PM #
Not all African Americans are for Obama, though it seems that way. As an African American I would like to support him, but I feel that there is more style than substance in what he has presented. I am afraid of him and need a better idea of the change he is proposing. I am afraid of the people who surround him and influence him. I think Geraldine Ferrrara is correct, but most people are too polite to say what she said. There are some black men I could support because they are ready to be commander-and-chief. Unfortunately, they are not running. I think Obama’s candidacy will prove more divisive than unifying around race.
— Elizabeth O. Mar 18, 05:33 PM #
As a biblical scholar, professor of Religious Studies, and ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ, who has worshipped at Rev. Wright’s church and heard him preach on a number of occasions, I must say that (1) the level of ignorance among most white Americans about the black religious experience, and African-American religious expression, remains very high; (2) Sen. Obama’s willingness to be rational, sensitive, and attentive to a range of American experiences with race throughout our history is quite commendable; and (3) the treatment by the mainstream media of the religious affiliations of candidates, whether Mitt Romney’s Mormonism, Hillary Clinton’s Methodism, or Barack Obama’s membership in the United Church of Christ, is rarely about clarity, but apparently only about smears, innuendos, or deliberate distortion.
Despite the attempts of some to address real issues affecting our country and the world in this election cycle, various operatives, linked to both major parties, will continue to use negativity to sway voters. It’s long been the American Way! I’m just thankful that Sen. Obama has made a different kind of attempt. But how it “plays” will remain to be seen.
— JamesDee Mar 18, 05:43 PM #
Thank you, JamesDee. Marvelous comments. As to some of the prior comments, I cannot believe they come from persons who read the Chronicle; they seem more appropriate to call-in participants of hate radio.
Everyone should seek an opportunity to listen to Obama’s entire speech of today, for two reasons: (1) it will be regarded as one of the best speeches in modern American political history, and (2) having heard it, you perhaps will understand a little more and be less influenced by Internet vitriol.
— /case hardened Mar 18, 06:08 PM #
For #1, What specific statement of Rev. Wright preaches hatred of people? I don’t recall his saying that people (White, Latino, Black, etc.) should be hated, but perhaps I missed it.
— Ve Mar 18, 08:01 PM #
I listened to Rev. Wright’s speeches and they made me love Obama more – it means that he is in touch with how every single Black person that I know and also the progressive whites that I know. I was saying hallelujah until I realized that he would be made to distance himself from statements from which I cannot seem to find the offense. What exactly is offensive about the realities of the African American experience (trauma) in America? Our realities, and thus lives, are completely different – people do realize that nothing is universal, right? I’m amazed at how people continue to react to the African American experience. For me it shows that we still have to bow and scrape to what others want and perceive. It continues to “other” us into the corner.
— amazed Mar 18, 09:19 PM #
Who among us has not harbored ill thoughts about members of other groups and even expressed them in the company of like-minded persons? How many of us have had to struggle to overcome the prejudices and bitterness that our society has instilled in us due to racial, social class or religious discrimination?
Barack Obama is running for president, not Rev. Patterson. Obama, as far as I can tell, has taken exception to Rev. Wright’s comments. More than that, Obama seems to be working to move us beyond the bitterness and anger reflected in Rev. Wright’s comments. I think that is what a good leader is supposed to try to do – see us as we are, and then try to get us to move toward the better person we can become, individually and collectively.
I won’t judge Obama by the words of others, not even those of his former pastor. I will judge Obama by what he says AND does. That is the truely honest way to evaluate him. I hope others will do the same, for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
— Rick Mar 18, 09:42 PM #
For #2, When did Obama say that his pastor was racist? I thought he said Rev.Wright’s comments reflected bitterness. I recall Obama saying Rev. Wright made controversial statements. I don’t remember Obama saying he didn’t want Rev. Wright to speak at the announcement of his campaign because he would make “anti-white” statements. Please tell me your reference for these allegations. Perhaps you can specify the point in Obama’s speech (that he made today) where he said Rev. Wright was racist.
— Ve Mar 18, 10:12 PM #
“Being Black” is the only religion most black people have. If Obama’s church really believes all that African hooey, why are they even Christians at all? Why don’t they practice an authentic African religion, like “Muti” ???
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=vn20071123041608493C129121
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=nw20071218091005214C251326
I have a great idea. Why don’t black people have a “crime strike”? It would only have to last, like, maybe, a month, just long enough to get the point across. Don’t like being “disproportionately represented” in prison, black people? Go on a “crime strike”! Who knows, other races might be wowed by your example and join you in refusing to commit crimes. As it stands now, “crime-age” black males, who make up less than 6% of the USA, commit over 52% of all murders and 34% of all rapes, USDOJ stat. Talk about “disproportionate”!
How does being poor lead to astronomical levels of rape? Are we really supposed to consider rape an “economic crime”, and that women are “property” or “merchandise” that the poor oppressed black man, “kept down” by “RACIST WHITE AMERICA”, cannot somehow “afford”???
But somehow this is all YT’s fault, I guess. Evil whites made less than 6% of the USA commit over 34% of the rapes and over 52% of the murders. You tell ‘em, “Reverend”.
— Joseph Kony Mar 19, 03:01 AM #
For #16, I didn’t understand your second to last statement about “evil whites.” Are you trying to make the point that there are no racist people (White or otherwise) in America?
I don’t recall Rev. Wright or anyone else saying that poverty leads to rape. Did he say that?
I hope you’ve been reading the newspapers about the numbers of innocent Black (and sometimes White) men who have been released from prison because DNA indicates that they did not commit the crimes.
Are you excusing the crimes that Whites commit? The only time I’ve been the victim of a crime, it has been at the hands of young White males, who I suppose had nothing better to do that day. They were not prosecuted, because there was no way to identify them (other than I saw they were White). If there were no Black criminals, there would have still been close to a million White men in prison/ jail on 6/30/06 (Sabol, Minton, & Harrison, 2007, latest mid-year report available). Do you think the victims of those White criminals hurt less, because at least the criminals were White? So, if crime is your main concern, I suggest you recognize all the Timothy McVeys, Columbine killers, etc. of the world and clean your own house first.
— Ve Mar 19, 09:07 AM #
We are still a divided country and will continue to be one, so long as we turn a blind eye to racism in America. Only a racist (black, red, yellow or white) would deny that racism is a problem in America. Come on America, the first step to healing is admitting you have a problem. WE HAVE A RACE PROBLEM IN AMERICA. The fact that Rev. Wright did not sugar coat his words appears to upset people – why? We are always complaining about being lied to in the media, by our political representatives, etc., and when an individual has the courage to stand up an state the facts as they see and believe we are in an uproar. I agree with Obama, we all have people that are dear to us and have been there for us, that say things that we do not agree with. Those are their words, not ours. However, if everytime this happen and we throw them under the bus – who or what are we running from. The truth is the truth, now whether you agree with what is being said is your right. Race is an issue and will always be an issue and thank you Obama. I don’t know about you guys, but I support Obama; and if the Clinton campaign manages to steal this nomination – then I will cast my vote in Nov for McCain.
— Gloria Mar 19, 10:38 AM #
To #18, I understand your point, but please don’t vote for McCain. I admit that I thought about doing the same. A high school classmate of mine, however, just had her nephew to die in Iraq. He was a 27 year old captain, who was a graduate of West Point. This was at least his second tour of Iraq (I don’t have the newspaper article in front of me, and so maybe he had even more tours in Iraq.) His funeral is today. He had two children and so now 2 more African American children will grow up without their father in their lives. McCain anticipates a 100 year war. Can you imagine how many American men and women will die? If Clinton does win/steal the nomination, I hope I will be able to hold my nose and vote for her. I’m not saying that I will, but I won’t vote for McCain either. Now I know McCain can’t personally keep us in a 100 year war, but just his plans will get lots of good Americans killed. I respect him as a person, but I don’t like his policies and I don’t think he is as smart as Obama or Clinton. (Obama is smarter than both of them.) I humbly implore you to think about that before you vote for McCain.
Rev. Wright served his country as a U.S. Marine and he also served in the Navy. (I think he served in the 1960s and I can’t imagine what that was like for him) I find that a lot of people who claim to be so patriotic, are the ones who have never served a day in the military and definitely don’t want their children to serve.
— Ve Mar 19, 11:14 AM #
Educational discrepancies are class and income based, not race based. Slick Barry Obama is a hypocrite. He went to Ivy league undergrad and law school. Stop whining Barry. Hillary is going to shut your slick mouth.
— Figueroa Slim Mar 20, 11:48 PM #