April 28, 2008
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Back On The Scene Again!
B"H
I have been silent for far too long. I have been reading and writing comments on many other blog sites for several months now, but nothing here. I told a few friends that I intended to ramp up the current conversation on race relations and add my voice and opinions nearly two weeks ago. Due to several more pressing family commitments I put off that impulse, but now the time has come for me to speak up.
Starting this week I will be basically using the following format:
Monday – Race Relations Blog
Tuesday – Q&A follow-up to Monday’s post
Wednesday – Open (subject matter yet to be determined)
Thursday – Book and Article Recommendations
Friday – Listing and commentary from the week’s Torah Portion
Sat/Sun – Open
Recognizing Barack Obama as a Role Model in Current Race Relations
Every week and sometimes every day or so, a new issue arises which shows the dire need for more and more of us to enter the waters of current race relations. When Barack Obama first emerged as a U. S. Senator from the obscurity of the Illinois State Senate there was talk at various levels of his potential run for higher office, sooner or later.
I don't do political endorsements. Those who know me understand that I have little faith or confidence in secular political endeavors. On the other hand, I firmly believe that GOD's people can, and should, be fully engaged in seeking to make this world a better place. This is only logical, in my view, from a position of being good stewards of GOD's creation. Within Jewish theology the term for this is tikkun haOlam, restoring or healing the world. GOD has purposed that His people would be partners with Him in the process of building and establishing His kingdom here on earth. This doesn’t negate the promise that Jesus will one day return to rule this earth Himself, but rather it stands in continuity with the concept that GOD will consummate His original purpose in Creation through the Redemption of those who were previously lost. We were created for fellowship and partnership with GOD and through the prospect of the new birth we can now function as co-workers with Him in His mission in the world.
After this long disclaimer, I don’t do political endorsements, I want to start my comments by saying that I am proud of Barack Obama. I recognize that he is a politician, but I am most impressed with him as a spokesman in this current conversation on race relations. I am impressed with his eloquence and even keeled demeanor, as well as his sharp mind and straight talk on difficult topics. Several other writers and bloggers have lamented that Senator Obama’s recent speeches may be ‘lost on politics.’ I certainly hope they are wrong. I understand that some people may think that his recent speech in Philadelphia, “Towards a More Perfect Union,” was entirely politically motivated. They may be correct, but I think that speech has the potential to be remembered in American literature, long after this current election season is over, and ranked with some of the finest and most important oral works of our history. Barack Obama speaks to us not only in terms of awakening our hopes and dreams of a better tomorrow, but he calls us to strive to do better than we have done and to actively participate in being “the ones we have been waiting for.”[i]
Both white and black Americans need a strong leader who can speak clearly and firmly on the issues of current and past race relations. Being that Barack Obama is a politician his current role may indeed be limited, but I highly commend him for his bravery and integrity in addressing the issues without selling his soul for momentary political gains. While his political foes, and the vast majority of voices in the public media, were insisting that he denounce his affiliation with Rev. Jeremiah Wright he instead took the higher path of clarifying his differences with Rev. Wright while still acknowledging the spiritual debt he owes the Reverend. Most of white America has little first hand knowledge of life in black America. Barack Obama is uniquely situated to bridge the gap and urge us on to a brighter future together. By staying true to his identity, as an African American, Barack can speak with authority to both Whites and Blacks. My prayer, and my plea, is that we will soon see many others, both black and white, who are filled with the Word of GOD and prompted by His Spirit to stand up and speak out declaring the purpose of GOD Almighty to show forth His glory through all of His creation, not just some.
Comments (2)
Shlomo,
Glad you are back to posting, and as usual, you've given us something to think about. While Obama's role as a politician sets the general context for his comments, speeches, publications, etc., I agree with you that he helps to bring clarity to the conversation about race in the United States. And an Obama administration would certainly possess the possibility to spark honest conversations about race.
After the Philadelphia speech, I read online in one or two places where writers were comparing Obama's critical yet (re)conciliatory tone to the work and witness of James Baldwin. This thought crossed my mind as I read the speech and listened to it, and this kind of comparison struck me as important and worthy of further reflection.
B"H
Hey Phil,
I'm glad to have you joining in here once again also. Any time you'd like to elaborate on the comparison between James Baldwin and Barack Obama feel free. I would love to hear it.
"...an Obama administration would certainly possess the possibility to spark honest conversations about race."
I wonder about this Phil. I tried to assert in my post, as well as in various comments that I have been writing on other sites, that I am most impressed with Barack Obama as a statesman. Politicians bother me. I imagine that there could exist an honest and honorable politician, but due to the nature of politics, as trading favors and support in return for the same, I regard politics as inherently evil. From a radical vantage point compromise is like a four-letter word. Every politician, no matter how highly principled, must be a deal-maker or else nothing will be accomplished. The very nature of politics causes one to pawn his or her integrity for the purchase of a cheap bowl of cooperation. I guess it's possible that Obama, the politician, could advance the cause of equality, so I wish him well as he presses on. In the long run I have my doubts and therefore I'd rather see him as a political maverick, seeking to do good without the fear of committing some unpardonable political sin.
Shlomo