When Obama spoke yesterday to more than 3000 members of the predominantly African-American Apostolic Church of God on the south side of Chicago, he didn't give the normal fathers' day talk. He didn't just ramble on about being a proud father of two great little girls, or rattle off the daily accomplishments and struggles faced by the average dad. Instead, he looked directly into the eyes of the hundreds of black fathers sitting in the pews in front of him and told them, "any fool can have a child...it's the courage to raise a child that makes you a father." Watching his speech on YouTube, I was reminded why I love the guy.
Obviously, I wish he could be as frank talking about his Muslim heritage as he is when addressing his racially mixed upbringing. Unfortunately, with the wounds of 9/11 not still fully healed for many, it might be a little while before mainstream America is able to distinguish Islamic extremism from the true Islamic faith--and as long is this is the case, no doubt will they struggle to comprehend Obama's nuanced religious ties and beliefs. But having shown on repeated occasion that he's not afraid to tell fellow blacks what he believes they need to, and not just want, to hear, I trust that he'll be as sincere to other groups when dealing with the tough issue--that is, as soon as he feels Americans are more willing to hear it. Certainly, his admonishing of black fathers for often thinking that fatherhood "ends at conception" would have been dismissed as blasphemy 40 years ago. Granted, some, including the eternally entertaining Al Sharpton, argue that many within the African-American community aren't yet ready for Obama's message that blacks must meet the government halfway in solving their problems. For this very reason, Obama's words were risky and I think especially powerful.
And lastly, I've gotten flack for basing at least some of my support for Obama in his being black. However, in my defense, there's a reason why Obama, and not McCain, was able to speak such inconvenient truths to those 3000 folks in attendance yesterday; he's one of their own. This is the essence of his wide appeal. In the end, whether he's talking to single mothers, laid off factory workers or immigrants in search of a permanent home, in some chapter of his unique life story, each of us can find a page devoted to, well, us.
OK, please watch the speech in its entirety. I promise, there are plenty of highlights. I think my favorite would be his referencing and then renditioning of a classic Chris Rock skit. Regardless of how obnoxious you might find Mr. Rock, think about it: our future President (knock on wood) just quoted him in a nationally televised address. Awesome.
Monday, June 16, 2008
A message to dads, from Obama: Step it up
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Nice post Brown.
Shockingly, i was thinking the very same thing. I was struck by how honest Obama was, but especially by the lack of flack he has gotten from the press and critics. Bill Cosby, who frequently gives speeches and lectures with the same content, is a constant target of both african-american and white critics who call his point of view both discriminatory and untrue. But with Obama it has been the opposite; he's been praised for his 'honesty' and willingness to tell the audience what they dont want to hear.
That has been a theme in his campaign, from his criticism of the gas tax to his call for moms to turn off the TV and talk to their children. Its just another reminder, as you said, of how his composite identity allows him to identify with many different groups, and then criticize and critique them as an insider.
This seems to suggest that as Americans we still refuse to hear or accept criticism from those we view as outsiders.
So if Obama's candidacy isn't multicultural enough, and he isn't able to reach out to enough demographic groups well have only one more option:
Tiger Woods '12...I wonder if he's a democrat.
Post a Comment