Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Obama on race

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/20/opinion/20kristof.html?ref=opinion&pagewanted=all

Nicholas Kristof, an OP-ED columnist, examines Barak Obama’s speech on race. Although he is in full agreement with what Obama had to say, he disagree’s with everything Barak’s childhood pastor had to say. Kristof up’s Barak’s stats by name dropping some rather large names in his column about Obama. He say’s “Barack Obama this week gave the best political speech since John Kennedy […] and it derived power from something most unusual in modern politics: an acknowledgment of complexity, nuance and legitimate grievances on many sides. “ His speech was not perfect, and Kristof acknowledges it, but he does want the public to understand Obama ability to persuade his audience.
Though it is all opinion, I believe Kristof makes a valid argument when discussing Obama’s relationship with Mr. White. I believe race and discrimination are a rather big deal still, and if something does not happen, nothing ever will. But when faced with the sermons of pastors, fathers, and rabbi’s, many people don’t think twice about what to think if they are told something by someone they trust. For example, Kristof highlights Mr. White’s particular sermon when he says “To whites, for example, it has been shocking to hear Mr. Wright suggest that the AIDS virus was released as a deliberate government plot to kill black people.” Since White and Barak were close, many people are skeptical of Barak’s beliefs thanks to Mr. White’s sermons.
Kristof believes that Barak will help to further the cause of abolition of discrimination. I believe race is a large issue in the upcoming election, but I also believe there are many other aspects that are important to each candidate’s campaign, such as education, economy, and healthcare.

No comments: