THE PLANK MARCH 18, 2008
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We reached out to several friends of the magazine to respond to Obama's big speech in Philadelphia today. Here's what Alan Wolfe, professor of political science at Boston College, had to say.
After his forty-six state victory and moving inauguration day speech, pundits gathered to recall that brief moment back in March 2008 when there had been a sudden flurry of interest in some intemperate remarks that had been delivered by President Obama's preacher Jeremiah Wright. "What was that all about?" they ask each other. The combined forces of a tanking economy and displeasure with the war in Iraq had so motivated the American public to vote into office one of the most impressive presidential candidates in years that the Wright dust-up had been long forgotten.
Will it play out this way? That is beyond my power to know; perhaps Wright's comments will have provided Hillary Clinton with just what she needed to stop Obama's momentum, just as it might feature in the Republican campaign against him should he win the nomination. What I heard today, though, was not a political speech in the sense we have gotten used to in this country. I heard instead a speech that, as much as it was about Obama and Wright, was also about us. Our politics does not quite know how to handle such a thing; campaigns are meant to tell people what they can expect to receive, not to ask them to understand, forgive, and reach out.
The campaign for the Democratic nomination has already gripped the nation for two reasons: It offers either the first woman or the first African-American as the candidate of a major party, and it has been as close as the last Super Bowl. Now we have a third reason for our fascination: We have been asked to reflect in the most serious of ways about the role that race plays in the life of our country. I cannot recall any leader or potential leader in the last two or three decades asking us to do that. I hope we are up to the challenge. I do not believe--nor, from his speech, do I think that Obama believes--that to think seriously about race we have to vote for him. But I do think that when we address race, we ought to do it, not by running endless videos of people, black or white, who have said outrageous things but by finally having the honest conversation about race we keep promising ourselves--and keep postponing. Agree or disagree with Obama, I ask people who are less inspired by him that I am, but at least acknowledge that in this presidential candidate, we have a man of honor--and an honest man.
--Alan Wolfe
7 comments
I agree- it was more htan a political campaign speech. He asks us to think, to look within, and then all work together for the common good of ALL Americans. Truly inspiring.
- irunkle
March 18, 2008 at 2:02pm
Dsiagree with Wolfe but agree with Crowley. Obama's speech was too academic and is likely to please my academic colleagues and the media elite, but not who really matters-- tyhe American people. He missed a critical opportunity to connect with the workin class and Latinos, he sounded like a lecturer for most of his talk, and he has shown-- once again-- why campaigns of rhetoric by inexperienced candidates don't deserve the highest office in our nation. I suspect, however, that he'll be the Democratic nominee, but he will perish in the general election. Think of the clips the republicans will use just from his speech today. Ugh!!!! He gave them ammo, lots and lots of it!
- Tammy
March 18, 2008 at 3:08pm
A man of honor? Surely you jest. A man who has spent his entire adult like in a radical black liberationist racist church now passing himself off as a moderate unifier of all peoples is a man of honor and an honest man? A lying manipulator of folks like Alan Wolfe perhaps? Aren't you the same crank who wrote about a Richard Cohen op-ed that questioned the Reverend Wright's praise for Farrakhan, saying that it was the “single most despicable op-ed of this century so far.” How dare he criticize the Minister of the great god Obama! I guess you can label your next book The Audacity of Hate. But have no fear, nobody marks you.
- hsaper7
March 18, 2008 at 4:07pm
An inspired and inspiring speech... and most of all it doesn't dumb down the issue. It doesn't talk down to any of us... why are some of you so ready to believe that American blue collars are just too stupid to understand?
- Annabella2
March 18, 2008 at 5:50pm
With this speech the Obama campaign takes this year’s historic election to a newer and higher level and a deepening level of discourse. It stands in stark contrast to his opponent who seems never to miss an opportunity to manipulate divisions and fears. Obama confronts America’s distractions and diversions head-on; and gives all Americans (Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American) a dose of reality and the real challenges that are at stake in this period of our history. Again, one cannot help but to be impressed with the contrast against the shallowness of the other campaign.
- matthawk
March 18, 2008 at 6:07pm
There will always be people wedded to their hatred and invested in it emotionally and they were not going to vote for Obama anyway. People who really want to understand where the other guy is coming from, those people will appreciate this speech.
- psantillana
March 18, 2008 at 6:51pm
These are not "just words." In the past, Obama's speeches have been inspirational, which is important in itself for someone who seeks to change the course of a nation. This speech was different. It is as nuanced an analysis of the racial dynamics in 21st century America as you are likely to find. It confronted and examined the complexities of racial identity in this country in a way that few others have been dared grasp, let alone articulate.
Pundits may fault it for being to cerebral; but in an increasingly pluralistic and multicultural society we will find ourselves returning again and again to the complexities and contradictions that Obama has laid out for us today. We will have to, or we won’t be able to understand ourselves as a society. Obama stepped out of politics, for this moment, and into social and historical clarity.
He stands in stark contrast to the shallowness and political opportunism of Hillary Rodham Clinton. In one sense, all that really matters is that this moment in a highly charged campaign is a transcendent moment. It will have historical impact (win or lose) long after this election is over. Obama has turned an atmosphere of race-baiting and dirt-mongering into a uniquely "teachable moment." We will see what comes of it in political terms, but its real implications are far bigger than mere politics.
- matthawk
March 18, 2008 at 10:06pm