Barack Obama tackles race in Philadelphia speech

In a moment that sounded oddly like Mitt Romney talking about religion, Barack Obama just directly addressed the undercurrent -- and occasionally main current -- of race in the 2008 presidential campaign, describing the nation's black-white divide as "a racial stalemate we’ve been stuck in for years."

In a 37-minute speech in Philadelphia, Obama again rejected the incendiary comments of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright while placing them within the context of a generation raised amid the pain of the civil rights struggle and the "legacy of defeat" shouldered by African Americans who, unlike those who "scratched and clawed their way to get a piece of the American Dream," still lead unfulfilled lives.

He sought to cast this as a historic moment -- an opportunity to forge change, or to fall back into the stalemate.

"The fact is that the comments that have been made and the issues that have surfaced over the last few weeks reflect the complexities of race in this country that we’ve never really worked through –- a part of our union that we have yet to perfect. And if we walk away now, if we simply retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges like healthcare, or education, or the need to find good jobs for every American."

But Obama sought to put Wright's views, and those of many African Americans -- as well as whites -- within a cultural context, and it was unclear whether his tack would bridge the divide or assuage those enraged by Wright's comments.

Obama argued that class weighs heavily, too. "Most working- and middle-class white Americans don’t feel that they have been particularly privileged by their race. ... They are anxious about their futures, and feel their dreams slipping away; in an era of stagnant wages and global competition, opportunity comes to be seen as a zero-sum game, in which your dreams come at my expense. So when they are told to bus their children to a school across town; when they hear that an African American is getting an advantage in landing a good job or a spot in a good college because of an injustice that they themselves never committed; when they’re told that their fears about crime in urban neighborhoods are somehow prejudiced, resentment builds over time."

In both cases, Obama said, the angers and resentments "distracted attention from the real culprits of the middle-class squeeze," blame he laid at the feet of corrupted corporate culture, "a Washington dominated by lobbyists and special interests" and "economic policies that favor the few over the many.  And yet, to wish away the resentments of white Americans, to label them as misguided or even racist, without recognizing they are grounded in legitimate concerns -– this too widens the racial divide, and blocks the path to understanding."

Obama argued that "like the anger within the black community, these resentments ...

aren’t always expressed in polite company. But they have helped shape the political landscape for at least a generation. Anger over welfare and affirmative action helped forge the Reagan Coalition. Politicians routinely exploited fears of crime for their own electoral ends. Talk-show hosts and conservative commentators built entire careers unmasking bogus claims of racism while dismissing legitimate discussions of racial injustice and inequality as mere political correctness or reverse racism."

So what to do? For African Americans, "binding our particular grievances" over such issues as better access to healthcare and good schools "to the larger aspirations of all Americans -- the white woman struggling to break the glass ceiling, the white man who's been laid off, the immigrant trying to feed his family. And it means taking full responsibility for our own lives -– by demanding more from our fathers, and spending more time with our children, and reading to them, and teaching them that while they may face challenges and discrimination in their own lives, they must never succumb to despair or cynicism; they must always believe that they can write their own destiny."

But white Americans must acknowledge "that what ails the African American community does not just exist in the minds of black people," and that the legacy of discrimination thrives in both personal anger and policy decisions that had led to unequal access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities. "It requires all Americans to realize that your dreams do not have to come at the expense of my dreams; that investing in the health, welfare, and education of black and brown and white children will ultimately help all of America prosper."

It was a forceful speech, and a good moment for Obama. The question, of course, is whether it was good enough, and whether he can now move his campaign beyond what has become a major stumbling block for his quest for the Democratic nomination.

-- Scott Martelle

Photo: Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Prasoon Tiwari]

I am an american of east indian decent. African americans have always assumed that they represent all minorities. Once, a black CEO of a non-profit organization told me that I would not have been in the US if African Americans had not faught for civil rights. The problems with comments like these are they don't lead anywhere. I have come from India and worked hard to make my life here in the US. In return, I got three degrees from the prestigious U.S institutes including one from MIT. My experiences have been great in the USA. People across all races have been so friendly & nice to me so far. I couldn't agree anymore that the United States have been the fairest country in the world when it comes to providing opportunities to its people irrespective of race, sex, creed, & caste. I have seen the other side of the world and what happens there. There are prosperous asian american communities in California and hispanic communities are catching up. Nobody is complaining. The whole race issue raised by Obama and his pastor has truly upset m e & hurt my feelings because I believe that America can provide opportunities to anyone including a person like me who comes from foreign country.

[Beth]

Obama's speech hit a nerve, one some readers don't want hit. Yes, there is a similiarity between the ignorance of the pastor's hate speech and the grandmothers racial epitaths. I grew up in that era, it was overt then..it is still there but covert. I hear it at work when a black isn't in the room, I hear my son commenting about black people with his friends not understanding why they are poor. He thinks it's a choice. I told him fine, let's go live in their neighborhood and you tell me how many choices you have. Obama showed great understanding of these subtleties and called for all sides to acknowledge the history that led to it, and now move on together to fix the incredible mess that 8 years of Bush and war have left us in. NONE of us are perfect, we have friends and family who said bad things....Barack condemned the bad strongly because it stops us from making a better world. If that's not what you heard, you either didn't actually listen or you are willing to let go of your own bitterness.

[Mandelay]

You can't excuse the rants of a Pastor Wright or the applause he receives from his very large congregation and chalk up the outrage over it to "racism." You can't somehow use your "insights" into John and Robert Kennedy to support your viewpoint. John Kennedy would not have been entertaining a word of Jeremiah Wright and Robert Kennedy would have engaged Wright in a very sharp debate. You can't parade yourself in fromt of 4 very large American flags and expect us to forget your pastor's advice to God damn America. Your mastery of making a fine speech and using images to reinforce your message have been noted all during the campaign. Fact is, you tried to explain it all away last Friday and when that didn't work, you hauled out the flags and made a "major" speech on race. The only major meaningful speeches on race I've ever heard in this country were from Dr. King. I would have gladly listened to them again today than listen to your speech. It was a political speech. A political, stop the bleeding speech. And anyone out there who believes they've heard "the real deal," well, eventually you will come to realize you've been hoodwinked and bamboozled once again.

[Chad]

Again, another liberal politician given a free pass no conservative would ever be alllowed to cash in. As usual, the road doesnt go both ways on race: Align yourself with Black racists and you are fine, align yourself with White racists and you become unelectible...Obama supporters get real with yourselves: You are as complicent as those who stood by the Nazis in the 1930s. Let this man get elected and welcome to the eve of Black fascism....Obama, Wright, and Farrakhan = all the same, there is no difference.

[Obama_is_a_liar]

Wow! It's UNBELIEVABLE how this man can twist things around so his Kool-Aid swigging followers think HE is the victim! He as attended his "uncle's" church and had a CLOSE personal relationship with him for TWENTY YEARS, and now he's trying to turn Wright's pathetic hatred of America and white people into a "poor us, poor black people..." issue. Oh...my...goodness... And his cult members are lapping it up. Unbelievable.

[Jon K.]

One of the most incredible speeches heard in my lifetime. Just amazing. So direct, down-to-earth and courageous. Obama basically has pointed to the 300 pound gorilla sitting in the corner which everyone has been uneasily ignoring for a generation and said, "It's okay to talk about it."

[Jon K.]

R. vasudevan,

Indian society is far more racist than American society. Get off your high horse of self-righteousness and address the sickening perversion of the caste system before you criticize our country.

[fred]

I wish he would have had this discussion at the beginning of his run for office. Seems a bit disingenuous to be doing now.

[KP]

Gayguy, you may be correct in your statement of Black voters thinking Obama somehow sold out by rejecting his former pastor. That is one point he made in his speech. He pretty much said everyone makes quasi racist comments when no outsiders are around, but it doesn't make them a pure racist. He says that we (most of us at some time or another) do this because of our nation's tendency to attempt to ignore one of its congenital issues. You can try to ignore it all you want, but it is still there and will show itself in interesting ways.

Come out about being gay, come out about our xenophobic human tendencies, hey– come out about being vegetarian before coming to my house for dinner. Its always the things we try to hide that jump out and announce themselves for us.

[Jesus Francisco Cardenas]

What Obama fails to realize, is that race is not the greatest issue this country is facing now. The economy and the war need to be addressed as they represent issues for all people not just black people. Rev. Wright represents a militant past that refuses to heal, and Obama is excusing him for it. But, America cannot be held in bondage to their refusal to heal their old wounds.

[KP]

Ger, if I told you something two days ago, you could say you didn't know. Today, you'd know, but two days ago, you didn't. Get it?

[Ted F.]

This was a powerful speech! It showed the leadership qualities of courage to address a topic that is one that most people shy from, and a coolness in the face of adversity that many people speak is a strength he has, but was demonstrated for all who have eyes to see.

His call is to look at the history of racism and racial division and then to move beyond it. It is a call to move beyond it and togehter address the urgent challenges that we as a nation face togther.

It's a powerful call to go beyond a politics of divisions, of wedge-issue manipulation that tear us apart!

Powerful speech from a young man who has the insight and wisdom that few who are much older than him have.

United we stand to face the challenges that stare us with an extra urgency.

Divided we delay our duty to start working on and solving the urgent problems which will now go unaddressed.

Yes We Can - go beyond racial divisions and rise up united to fulfill our founders' great promise to provide a nation where all its citizens are assured equal rights and opportunities. We will rise up united to take head on the challenges that are attempting to stare us down!!

[William Joseph Miller]

Ronald Reagan launched his political campaign by fanning white hatred toward Governor Pat Brown's fair housing law. (At that time, black realtors had to call themselves realtists.) He started his presidential campaign in Philadelphia, Mississippi where three civil rights workers were brutally murdered. The Republican party has bent over backwards courting virulent racists like Strom Thurmond. They are sponsoring voter fraud laws that effectively deny millions of African-Americans and Latinos the right to vote.

In addition Republicans are perfectly happy to court hate mongers like James MaGee. They would not survive politically without the backing of James Dobson, MIke Huckabee, or dozens of other preachers in megachurches who preach homophobia which too often culminates in the murders of gay teenagers.

Does any Republican repudiate the teachings of their religious supporters? Hardly. The controversy over Rev. Wright- whose relationship Obama explained very clearly today- reveals one truth only. That it's OK to hate - as long as the victim is a homosexual, a Latino, or an African-American. Racism is alive and well and resides in the Republican party.

[larryb]

Weather you agree with Obama or not. Listen to his words. Even if you think they are just words, are they not GREAT WORDS. Don't allow stereotypes to impress upon you, allow your actions to strengthen you. Take responsiblity for your sucess, don't fall into the role of a victim. Don't believe that your are doomed to fail, believe that you can achieve to suceed. Weather you like Obama or not, there is no denying that this was a great speech. Some people will never believe that there is 'hope', they will always succumb to what previous generations told them. Let us seek a better future for caucasian, african-american, latino, asian. Wherever your father or mother came from, we all seek the american dream. Let us unite together, we shall overcome.

[revgerry]

I think this is a time of opportunity...to understand each other's connection to our common violent and bigoted history.

You cannot read the blogs and dismiss the depth of the hatred and fear in communities black, white and brown that we are being challenged by Obama to examine and move past.

Some in power and some in the media use the divisive tactics of "Let's you and him fight," pitting Latinos against Blacks against working class Whites, in order to distract from the real issue that the disparity between rich America and the rest of us is continually widening, something that we can only overcome by working together.

If we keep fighting, we all lose. If we work together, we all win.

[Janet V]

I'm glad Obama addressed both the source of black resentment as evidenced in the words of his pastor AND the source of white resentment. As a middle-aged white woman living in an all-black neighborhood, I certainly don't feel that same resentment. I always thought the Reagan era was the most shameful time the country's gone through in my lifetime. But other white people feel differently. And some blacks choose anger and umbrage and victimhood. But most don't. I'm sure there are plenty of black Americans who feel a sense of relief at Obama's speech today. Obama has shown that he's capable of stepping outside of the boundaries that others would set for him because of his skin color and I am eagerly awaiting the chance to vote for him.

[Liah]

I am not Obama supporter but after hearing his speech, he is right.
If any of you read about American history, we'll find out that we had the black Americans under slavery, neglect and indifference. The American Nation can not ignore the reality of his own history!

USA , "the nation of the free men" but we will not be really free until we overcome racism and prejudice.

Truth hurts!

[kur Anyieth kur]

Today's Obama speech will go down in History as a short moment of courage by a Black presidential Candidate. to confront American racial divide. He is in that unique suitation of not being too much of white or black to adress the issue of race. it is now upto the American People to judge whether to believe him or not.

[Young, Motivated, Hopeful, and Ready]

The speech isn't about any affiliations that one person may have, whether is race, gender or political party. It's just about openness. While in the Senate Obama called for more transparency and he has answered all the questions he has been asked without hiding from the issues.

Today he, again, didn't hide from yet another big issue. It was awesome to hear a candidate talk like a "real" person today instead of from atop a platform.

the worst crime is to be ignorant and stubborn. Obama merely asks people to try to learn from one another and in order to do that we must be open... stop being stubborn, stop being afraid, stop being cynical.

[Jerome Thomas]

Civilization is at a turning point. It has been obvious for decades that America, the free world's erstwhile shining light, has lost its moral compass while we Americans struggle to deny it. Typically, we brand visionaries like Paine, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, King, Carter and Kennedy as heretics while seeking instant gratification through our national obsession with consumption and comfort at any price while realizing full well the folly of our course. Barack Obama extends the promise of not merely doing things differently, but of doing different things. This is the true definition of the "change" we all seek - real change we know to be crucial and overdue. Clinton and McCain want merely to change the curtains. Obama will try to change the view. It is scary. It requires courage and faith. Barack Obama has mine. Got guts? Vote Obama and enjoy the ride.

[savemygreenbeans]

Again, a GREAT speech by a very charismatic gentleman. But it begs the question...

I wonder if Rosa Parks was on the bus that Barack threw his Grandmother under...?

Sorry, but the guys a good speaker, and that's about it. He didn't tell us anything new, did he? Oh, wait, he did tell us that it's okay for an old black man to be racist. And that old black man will always be a part of his life.

One more thing: Barack again and again, talks about "corporate" America making "changes" all in the name of "profit..." Well, Mr. Obama, that's called CAPITALISM!!!! Wikipedia it sometime...

[Ron J Paul]

This speech was not "good enough"....it was historic! Only sceptics in the goodness of America would have any issues with this speech.

Time to move on to heal this nation.....by changing it.

[Evelyn]

The Obama Campaign and its mastermind David Axelrod operate on two distinct levels: What Senator Obama preaches and what they do behind the scenes are very different.

They had no qualms about going after the 72 year old Geraldine Ferraro- a strong woman, a cancer surviver and someone who has always been a champion of civil rights for all of her career. They took her comment to a little newspaper in California and spun it to the national media as a racist comment-- playing the race card against Clinton and forever scarring Geraldine Ferraro's legacy. With Clinton gaining momentum- they needed to bring up something that had worked in South Carolina- and this had worked before so they brought it up so it could work again to stop Clinton's momentum. What's sad is that David Axelrod, a long time Democratic political operative, knows Geraldine Ferraro. He knows she is not a racist. But he did it anyway to further Obama's campaign. It is sad that not one of the Democratic Party elders stood up to defend the trailblazing Ferraro and her record, knowing that this was spin by the Obama Campaign.

After doing that to Ferraro, It seems like karma has hit the Obama campaign as Obama's too close for comfort relationship with his weird Pastor finally rose to the national media's attention after simmering on blogs and youtube for a year now. This relationship rips a hole through the successful branding that the Obama Campaign has so successfully sold to the American public.

How clever of the Obama Campaign to attempt to spin this their way-- to play the race card again to their advantage by billing Senator Obama's response as "a major speech on race in America". So now it is about race when it wasn't about race before? And the national media has eaten it up, yet again. Free airtime for a long campaign speech, not bad. Am sure there are a lot of high fives going on at the Obama Camp.

[Musemuse]

I just watched the entire speech on MSNBC

[Liah]

I am not Obama supporter but after hearing his speech, he is right.
If any of you read about American history, we'll find out that we had the black Americans under slavery, neglect and indifference. The American Nation can not ignore the reality of his own history!

USA , "the nation of the free men" but we will not be really free until we overcome racism and prejudice.

Truth hurts!