Obama/Wright and The Continued Power Of Black Nationalism

News Type: Opinion — Seeded on Fri May 2, 2008 7:45 AM EDT

Article Source: RealClearPolitics

us-news, obama, election, clinton, racism, wright

In an essay on TheRoot.com back in February, University of Chicago political scientist Michael Dawson wrote, "It is supremely ironic that Barack Obama, the candidate who seeks to bury race as an issue in this campaign season, owes his overwhelming support among blacks to the continued power of black nationalism."

Black nationalism, Dawson explained, refers to a way of thinking that "takes race as the fundamental dividing line in the U.S." and the "primary determinant for making political judgments."

It is a collective identity that can hold the most pessimistic view of the prospects for full equality. That pessimism can tumble into what -- to whites at any rate -- appears paranoid, as in Wright's avowal that the American government is not beyond intentionally inflicting AIDS on the black community.

Black nationalism can manifest itself in attending the Million Man March or in cheering the acquittal of O.J. Simpson, a reaction that Obama, in an interview with ABC's "Nightline" in March, said made him "ashamed for my own community."

Black nationalism can also find expression in places like Trinity United Church of Christ on Chicago's South Side, where Wright built a huge congregation, including Obama, that identified itself as African-centered and "Unashamedly Black."

And, to borrow from Dawson, there is no small irony that Obama came to national prominence with a speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention that took as its theme the denial of the core black nationalist understanding of the world.

"There is not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America. There's the United States of America." Obama declared in the line that, more than any, came to embody his appeal.

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JohnRussell

What is Barack Obama's ideological commitment to the concept of 'black nationalism' as described in this article? Many Americans want to resolve racial issues and problems with fairness and justice, and they also would like to see this progress within their lifetimes. Black nationalism, as expressed by Trinty United Church of Christ, holds out no such hope. As we have seen demonstrated by the face of TUCC, Jeremiah Wright, this 'black nationalism' is a recitation of division and grievance, but not only that, since grievance could of course be justified, but also a permanent mindset. Wright's black nationalism would be cemented as a permanent fixture in America's social discourse BECAUSE there is no scenario in which the Wrights of the world would agree to have blacks assimilate into mainstream American life.

This is the point everyone is missing. TUCC exists for the purpose of keeping blacks and whites living in different psychological worlds.

What does Obama think about this? I have never heard him say one word that in any way addresses this issue.

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#1 - Fri May 2, 2008 7:54 AM EDT

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