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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe black president some worried about has arrived
There's this thing people sometimes say down South.
So-and-so is "acting brand new." Sometimes that's a reference to someone behaving like they don't know old friends and family -- that they have evolved past their old crowd. Sometimes that's Southern speak for the emboldened, someone behaving like they either don't know the rules or have outright decided to disregard them.
In the past four weeks, we've seen President Obama take up residence in a place that sits somewhere in-between.
He's spoken off the cuff about race relations on a widely circulated podcast (even using the n-word) and then eloquently followed that with what can only be described as a sermon on race relations in America before breaking into song. He's challenged America to go deeper in its support of equality than retiring symbols of slavery (like the Confederate flag) and impolitic words (like the n-word).
While eulogizing a slain minister and state lawmaker allegedly killed by a white supremacist in Charleston, S.C., he outlined a whole raft of ways in which discrimination remains and inequality continues to grow. And now he's gone and announced two major reform packages -- housing last week and criminal justice on Tuesday -- in the span of two weeks that could, if ultimately implemented, be of particular benefit to people of color in the United States.
Here's the thing: This Obama might look or sound "brand new" to some Americans. He might even sound a little something like the black president that some white Americans across the political spectrum feared (or hoped for). But to people who watch the White House closely, this is the President Obama that has been developing for some time.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/the-black-president-some-worried-about-has-arrived/ar-AAd1dxi
cilla4progress
(24,760 posts)Maybe he's given PBO a backstop, a hard left to pivot from? Maybe Bernie allows President Obama to sound more "mainstream" and "moderate". Ya think?
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)If Obama were shelving the TPP and planning to break up the big banks, then I'd be more inclined to think Bernie was driving his actions.
Also, "Bernie has freed him." Rather unfortunate turn of phrase.
pnwmom
(108,990 posts)And he is not Bernie, though he and Bernie and Hillary are all progressives.
underahedgerow
(1,232 posts)doesn't have to pander to anyone. It's his way or the highway now. No elections are looming, nothing is at stake other than what he sees as the right road to travel.
I like it! This lame duck is a Mighty Mallard!
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)cilla4progress
(24,760 posts)I assume this article's sentiment is about more than race, ie, Iran deal, commuting sentences. I confess I didn't read beyond this snip.
For myself, I think it's important to not always see a racial undertone (there I go again?). Perhaps my use of words is subconscious, or perhaps it's OK to use a term such as "free" when referring to an African/American person without subjectively attaching meaning that wasn't intended? This is the criticism of PC. I prefer to take things at face value (interpret that as you will), at least initially. I think it's good to trust. But you are certainly at liberty (sorry) to interpet as your own brain and conscience guide you!
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)mfcorey1
(11,001 posts)people that had nothing to do with race were either blocked or disrespected. Much of that was because he was a black president, even though some of his actions would have benefited all people. We all wish that some would have ignored the race issue from the start of his administration. Talk to John Boehner and his boys about that, then extend out to the greater population with its hate groups.
pnwmom
(108,990 posts)wasn't the issue. I know that Bernie doesn't especially like to talk about race, but Obama hasn't been holding back.
From the article in the OP:
"He's spoken off the cuff about race relations on a widely circulated podcast (even using the n-word) and then eloquently followed that with what can only be described as a sermon on race relations in America before breaking into song. He's challenged America to go deeper in its support of equality than retiring symbols of slavery (like the Confederate flag) and impolitic words (like the n-word).
"While eulogizing a slain minister and state lawmaker allegedly killed by a white supremacist in Charleston, S.C., he outlined a whole raft of ways in which discrimination remains and inequality continues to grow. And now he's gone and announced two major reform packages -- housing last week and criminal justice on Tuesday -- in the span of two weeks that could, if ultimately implemented, be of particular benefit to people of color in the United States."
cilla4progress
(24,760 posts)I am making the point - which perhaps is tangential to the point of the article, but I do think a propos - that having a foil to his left, that of Bernie Sanders, may liberate President Obama in some way to be more upfront about some what may be considered some of his more left-wing positions.
Not only Bernie's existence, per se, but his viability, popularity, and the forthrightness with which he refers to himself as a socialist, for example.
The word socialist has been used to smear President Obama; Bernie is de-toxifying it.
My deepest apologies if it has been totally either offensive or obfuscatory to extend the message of this article to other issues.
pnwmom
(108,990 posts)I just think it's his lame duck status that has liberated Obama more than anything else.
But you are right that Bernie is helping to de-toxify a progressive message.
cilla4progress
(24,760 posts)civil disagreement of views. I find too often such conversations devolve into name-calling, etc. I think it's so important and valuable for us to be able to disagree civilly, and in a manner where one might even learn something or change a perspective. If we can't do it within our communities, how can we ever expect it on the world stage!
Have a good one!
pnwmom
(108,990 posts)cilla4progress
(24,760 posts)to apply the meaning of this article to all things Obama - not just his position on race.
I remember the "angry Black Man" he wasn't allowed to be...from the very beginning.
From race to Iran to police brutality to economic inequality to LGBTQ...I'm glad he's getting his righteousness on.
As the snip says:
"Here's the thing: This Obama might look or sound "brand new" to some Americans. He might even sound a little something like the black president that some white Americans across the political spectrum feared (or hoped for). But to people who watch the White House closely, this is the President Obama that has been developing for some time. "
daredtowork
(3,732 posts)Isn't this a rerun of when the President "spoke" about free Community Colleges? Suddenly the Hope and Change President we voted for in 2008 had finally been "freed" and was coming out of wherever he had been "forced by politics" to stay hidden. Suddenly we were going to see who Obama REALLY was. Obama was going to use his remaining time in office to get a progressive agenda DONE!
Instead Obama has just giving lip service to the progressive issues I care about, and has devoted all his *action* to the TPP!!!!
This is wearing on my soul.
I was proud to vote for Obama and thought his Presidency would be epoch-making.
Show me something, Obama.