Race in the Barack Obama Inaugural Address
By Robert Schlesinger, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
I was struck but not surprised by Barack Obama's use of race in his inaugural address: With one critical exception, his references could have come as easily from the 44th white president as from the first black president. But because he was the latter, they had special power.
Obama spoke of the "God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness." He referred to those "who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom" as having "endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth." And he spoke of our having "tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united."
Only Obama, of course, could deliver this line:
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed—why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
Obama ran as a presidential candidate who was African-American rather than an African-American presidential candidate, so it is no surprise that he did not focus on race in the speech. And he did not need to: His inherent symbolism imbues words that anyone could have spoken with extra significance.
- Read more by Robert Schlesinger.
- Read more from the Thomas Jefferson Street blog.
- Read more about the inauguration.
Tags: Inauguration | speeches | Barack Obama | race
Tools: 
Share
|
| Comments (12) | Print
Reader Comments
Obama's Heritage
I understand your feelings you who are unhappy with Obama alluding to his African Heritage. You will agree with me that it is easier to remember a boil that suffered you to two days in bed than a pizza that lasted you four meals...
Racists especially those opposed to African-American existence wouldn't have wanted him to mention anything about that side of his blood. White supremacists have a problem with Blacks rising; they are haunted by their ills so much that they are soon filled with fear other than hate...
Obama goes to church signifying that he is a Christian: Christians right from the Bible identifies more with their Father's heritage than their maternal but its never an indication of ignoring their mothers' folk or heritage they respect their mothers as well ... anyway the idea of an African-American president for America has not gone down well with some few such that whatever side Obama mentions some one would still fault him for some reason.
I think we need to hail America for such a bold step She took; she is once again a positive and historical example to other countries.
God bless Americans!
Hollywood Story?
Agree with the posters here. From my perspective, however, it is the idiotic media and public that has exploited racism and “tilted” the story. Not Obama. I can’t speak for the man, but interviews I’ve seen, he has many times spoken of his mother’s influence, his regret that she didn’t live to see his success and how he sees so much of her in himself. Given his story, it is, after all, undeniable. I find it shameful that the media have conveniently deleted her from the story, and a tad disappointed that Obama did play the part a bit in his Inaugural speech.
The media, true to form, love to over-hyped, create euphoria and fantasy (just to later tear it down) rather than just state the facts. They (and he to a degree) have created a Symbol rather than a President.
The characterization of the historic moment and to quote many “we can now finally believe that anyone can make it America” and “I never thought this day would come”, tells me we’ve been asleep as a nation. Despite the scars of our past civil inequities, America came a long way quite sooner than today. I for one am not shocked by the election of Barack Obama. Why can we not just embrace the truth…that a bi-racial American of little means who is smart, well educated and determined to make a difference, has successfully done so. Does it not have more to do with hard work and ambition than ones ethnic back ground. This IS the greatness of the melting pot of America and we should not alter the facts to create Symbolism or a Hollywood story.
As a white female of Italian heritage, should I only believe in America’s opportunity once a woman and/or Italian American is elected president?
Why not just acknowledge who he is honestly, support him, and hope that our new American President serves us all well.
you pick it
A dream has been for filled
Alone we could not do it,
We needed help and help arrived,
A long, hard struggle through the years
There was an abundance of sacrificed lives
We were not alone in our long hard struggle
For peace and racial harmony
We were accompanied by people who understood
They had our backs, the results proved
That they were not a mere phony
Oh, yes! They were down,
Walking with us step by step in our glide
They were not ashamed or discouraged
They never hesitated or tried to hide
They need to be acknowledged, commended
And recognized
Because without their desire for change
Collectively with ours
There’s now way This USA could have survived!
Thanks for all the people who have made Jan, 20 2009 happen
White, Black, Brown, Red, and Yellow!!! And any colors in between
Let’s continue on this path of peace and equality
Only then will heaven be seen…
advertisement
