as Black History Month begins, some might ask, what is the significance or value of recalling the achievements, tragedies and triumphs of African people now that a Black man and his family occupy the White House? Does the Age of Obama mean the end of Black History? Full Story »
Posted by Derek Hawkins
This is an unsophisticated, credulous and otherwise boring op-ed lauding Barack Obama's victory as the saving grace of black America. The author shows almost no regard for the maneuvering involved in Obama's rise or the complexities of American political power. Most of the writing is pedestrian at best, and the attempts at emphasis seem contrived. The overarching point, that Black History (inexplicably capitalized) is more relevant than ever, is buried in rhetoric. Reads like a bland speech.
The teary eyes of elderly Black folks we witnessed on the National Mall, January 20th peering up at a son of the struggle, were consciously and subconsciously remembering, reflecting and celebrating the tribulations and triumphs of Black History!
The questionable structure of this sentence aside, I’d be much more receptive to this kind of imagery if the author didn’t purport to be inside the hearts and minds of all the teary-eyed Black folk watching Obama take the oath of office. I find this arrogant.
The gaps and disparities between Blacks and Whites in America in health, education, economic well being and wealth are well documented as are the statistics on the casualties of institutionalized racism reflected in the criminal justice system and the prison-jail industrial complex.
An astute and important observation; I only wish the rest of the piece had been like this.
Take note that this first appeared in The Final Call, the official publication of Louis Farrakhan's crackpot Nation of Islam. New America Media has rattled my trust for having given these quacks a soapbox. Far better writers have written far better analysis of Obama's presidency for far more respectable publications, "ethnic" and mainstream.