I am still reeling.
Is this man for real? Am I in some weird kind of dream?
And did he really, in this day and age, write that speech himself?!
Did I just see a black candidate for President of the United State just make clear, in perfect rhetorical form, what many Americans can barely even bring themselves to talk about, what few of us Americans feel comfortable discussing in mixed company?
Did I just see a political speech actually lay down historical anchors, with mention of the slave trade protection clause in the Constitution, deft presentation of sociologists Massey and Denton's analysis of how wealth production in the black community was prevented by discriminatory Federal Housing Adminisation, GI Bill, and exclusionary real estate practices? Then move right into the silent anger of the black community, followed by mention of how the black community has often been complicit in its own misery?
Did I also just see a black candidate for President of the United State channel sources of white frustration, talk about why many whites reject the criticism of "white privilege", and the understandable fears and prejudices that makes whites guilty of being nothing more than human, as opposed to "racist?"
Whoa. This is the most powerful and historically lucid speech I have seen in all my short 36 years of time spent on earth. This is a man who is not only a uniter, but eminently "presidential" and who truly transcends the petty politics of reductionist identity. It is worth watching in its entirety.
This speech is simply amazing, on several levels.
Firstly, it was a risk. He let people off the hook, put himself potentially on it -- he didn't make political potshots, and kept it classy.
It's honest and I respect Obama for not simply dumping a friend because it's politically convenient, especially when it would have been actually understandable -- nay, even expected -- that he do so.
He manages to rise above the mud-slinging fray and actually let Ferraro off the hook by equating her with Wright, and for suggesting that not only are her feeling expected, but even understandable.
He, for the first time since I have been politically self-aware as a political being, articulated the problems endemic to American society -- health care, housing, and education -- in terms of the need to rise up beyond the "not my problem" way of thinking when watching the "kids on the other side of the fence" go to failing schools, live in dilapidated and dangerous surroundings, or go without health care. Ever since Jonathan Kozol's book Savage Inequalities both angered me and cause me to well up with tears, I have never heard a politician make the central point that it's a crime for Americans to watch other Americans live like this, regardless of them being "other people's children."
[Source: The New York Times]
And this speech puts to bed that ridiculous but persistent notion that Obama is "all talk." After going toe-to-toe in several debates with the sharpest political animal imaginable, after showing that he is perfectly capable and deft when getting nitty-gritty on the "issues" but obviously has chosen to speak-to-inspire when on the campaign trail -- now, he has displayed a "third mode" for me.
The man knows how to integrate powerful political rhetoric with the hard facts of history, with an emotional suasion and clarity that speaks directly to the hearts of Americans of all backgrounds, who sit in their corners, too afraid to talk with one another, too timid to exchange anything other than polite pleasantries across the racial/ethnic divide, while the big, fat elephant continues to sit in the room, preventing us from solving any of the corollary issues that continues to keep our nation less than it should and could be.
This is a man who has just demonstrated that he is truly a class act, a level above anything Clinton or anyone like her could muster up, even on their best day.
This man is a true LEADER, and the most deserving of being elected President of the United States that I've seen in my lifetime. He's not the "not-Bush" John Kerry, or "Slick Willie" or even any of the men I've read about in history book for whom I might have voted (and hindsight helps): Carter, Johnson, Kennedy, FDR.
Is Obama as great as any of them? Quite possibly, but he ain't been president yet. But he's on the short list already, and I damn well wanna find out.
I'm voting for Obama WHEN he's chosen as the democratic nominee. I haven't this excited about politics in my life.
And back on earth, in the realm of petty politicking, I'm sure Hillary is hating that speech, because it was just so damn good, and she wishes she had made it. Well, if that were even possible.
Damn, Obama's good.
And that's the thing. He's not even trying to be. "Good," that is. He is just who he is.
And anyone watching that speech knows he just hit a fucking home run outta the park. Gone. Over the bleachers. Hit a skylight, too.
Gone!
