Obama: Damn right I'm black enough!

ok, so the title is a joke, but it is essentially what happened in this exchange between a member of the audience, who had just pulled out a "What about the black community, Obama?" banner in an attempt to disrupt the speech.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcptOKKG520

transcript from Democracy Now!

Diop Olugbala: “In the face of the numerous attacks that are made against the African community or the black community by the same US government that you aspire to lead—and we’re talking about attacks like the subprime mortgage that you spoke of that wasn’t just a general ambiguous kind of phenomenon, but a phenomenon that targeted the African community and Latino community; attacks like the killing of Sean Bell by the New York Police Department and Javon Dawson right here in St. Petersburg by the St. Pete police; and the Jena Six and Hurricane Katrina, and the list goes on—in the face of all these attacks that are clearly being made on the African community, why is it that you have not had the ability to not one time speak to the interests and even speak on behalf of the oppressed and exploited African community or black community in this country?”

Barack Obama: “I’ve been talking about predatory lending for the last two years in the United States Senate and worked to pass legislation to prevent it when I was in the state legislature. And I have repeatedly said that many of the predatory loans that were made in the mortgage system did target African American and Latino communities. I’ve said that repeatedly. Number two, Jena Six—I was the first candidate to get out there and say this is wrong, that there’s an injustice that’s been done and we need to change it. That’s number two. When Sean Bell got shot, I put out a statement immediately saying this is a problem.”

The audio on the video is pretty bad, but worth listening to.

Overall, something I personally have been interested in seeing addressed. Obama doesn't usually point out his "blackness" (yes, obviously a dumb phrase) so directly, yet seems very much able to when pressed in the right way.

Something that made me a little less cynical of the man, enjoy 🙂

Obamas interracial heritage defines his personality perfectly.

He is black when he needs to be and white when he needs to be..depending on who the voters in the audience are.

Originally posted by KidRock
Obamas interracial heritage defines his personality perfectly.

He is black when he needs to be and white when he needs to be..depending on who the voters in the audience are.

So, you're accusing him of being a politician?

Originally posted by KidRock
Obamas interracial heritage defines his personality perfectly.

He is black when he needs to be and white when he needs to be..depending on who the voters in the audience are.

I'm sure you have some great examples behind this statement.

lol, so aside from the group **** kidrock

anyone else think this is cool? Hasn't obama danced around the "black issues" thing, sort of to avoid what happened to Jesse Jackson when he ran? I know he made the "fathers need to take care of their kids" remark, but that isn't really the same thing as specifically pointing out his credibility on issues that are "important" to the "black community".

I think it's cool. I also think it's cool that he points out the huge problem of babies daddies and homophobia in the black community.

wicked, I actually didn't know about that last one

Originally posted by KidRock
Obamas interracial heritage defines his personality perfectly.

He is black when he needs to be and white when he needs to be..depending on who the voters in the audience are.

dick.

Originally posted by inimalist
lol, so aside from the group **** kidrock

anyone else think this is cool? Hasn't obama danced around the "black issues" thing, sort of to avoid what happened to Jesse Jackson when he ran? I know he made the "fathers need to take care of their kids" remark, but that isn't really the same thing as specifically pointing out his credibility on issues that are "important" to the "black community".

Yeah I think its cool. I knew there would be some people who were going to complain that Obama isn't black enough. At any rate I don't think things are going to change drastically for black people if he comes into power. I think there are still some issues that some people in the black community need to adress.

Originally posted by chithappens
I'm sure you have some great examples behind this statement.

Like when he tells Jewish audiences that his name is a variant of "Baruch"; that might be an innocent, random fun-fact if he wasn't just trying to get votes. Or that his grandfather helped liberate Auschwitz. (which was a lie.)

When he's talking to a bunch of rich ivy league white people, he has something in common with them. And when he's talking to the NAACP chapter in Atlanta, he has something in common with them. But McCain is basically limited to vets and people who enjoy the senior discount at Denny's.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Like when he tells Jewish audiences that his name is a variant of "Baruch"; that might be an innocent, random fun-fact if he wasn't just trying to get votes. Or that his grandfather helped liberate Auschwitz. (which was a lie.)

When he's talking to a bunch of rich ivy league white people, he has something in common with them. And when he's talking to the NAACP chapter in Atlanta, he has something in common with them. But McCain is basically limited to vets and people who enjoy the senior discount at Denny's.

McCain is basically going to get us all killed.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Like when he tells Jewish audiences that his name is a variant of "Baruch"; that might be an innocent, random fun-fact if he wasn't just trying to get votes. Or that his grandfather helped liberate Auschwitz. (which was a lie.)

When he's talking to a bunch of rich ivy league white people, he has something in common with them. And when he's talking to the NAACP chapter in Atlanta, he has something in common with them. But McCain is basically limited to vets and people who enjoy the senior discount at Denny's.

So.... he is a politician!

=O

Originally posted by Devil King
So, you're accusing him of being a politician?

Yes, a despicable crime. 😉

Originally posted by Phantom Zone
McCain is basically going to get us all killed.

So, the US is going to attack the UK? 😕

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
So, the US is going to attack the UK? 😕

....yeah thats what im refering to.... Im refering to the idea that he seems to be the sort of politician that will try to use violence instead of talking with other countries eg Iran.

Originally posted by Phantom Zone
....yeah thats what im refering to.... Im refering to the idea that he seems to be the sort of politician that will try to use violence instead of talking with other countries eg Iran.

I don't know where you get that idea. For what I can tell he has been a bipartisan member of congress form many years. That sounds like he has the ability to talk to people. He also has seen the the bad side of war better then anyone.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Like when he tells Jewish audiences that his name is a variant of "Baruch"; that might be an innocent, random fun-fact if he wasn't just trying to get votes. Or that his grandfather helped liberate Auschwitz. (which was a lie.)

When he's talking to a bunch of rich ivy league white people, he has something in common with them. And when he's talking to the NAACP chapter in Atlanta, he has something in common with them. But McCain is basically limited to vets and people who enjoy the senior discount at Denny's.

Is it ok to know stuff about different cultures?

So does my sig mean that I am kissing ass to white people cause I am referencing a European poet?

You guys are ridiculous.

Originally posted by KidRock
Obamas interracial heritage defines his personality perfectly.

He is black when he needs to be and white when he needs to be..depending on who the voters in the audience are.

What's worse, putting on a fake accent and mannerisms to coincide with the makeup of your audience, or feigning concern about them/their community?

McCain caters to blacks

Damn i live not even 3 miles from st.pete aka the burg, i wish i knew obama was there so i can ask him things and get a picture, also look into his eyes "no homo" you can tell a lot about a person when you look right into there eyes.

I don't think Obama was catering to the audience there.

What is most impressive to me is that he kept his same demenor and responded very clearly and professionally to the questions. Assuming what he said is all true, it doesn't look as though he needs to "cater" to black votes, more than he isn't making the same mistakes Jesse Jackson did.

Originally posted by chithappens
Is it ok to know stuff about different cultures?

So does my sig mean that I am kissing ass to white people cause I am referencing a European poet?

You guys are ridiculous.

Are you running for president? He's talking to an audience he knows is Jewish, so of course, he's going to pander in any way he can. Instead talking about his name's roots, he could've just said "Vote for me, cause I'm cool!".