Race in the Barack Obama Inaugural Address

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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!

Dennis Otieno 12:46AM January 23, 2009

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.

Linda of NJ 10:41AM January 21, 2009

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…

Kalem of CA 9:59AM January 21, 2009

I agree with you about his mothers heritage. If Obama had ran the campaign touting his heritage as a 1/2 white man, he would have never been elected.

RDavidson of TX 7:49AM January 21, 2009

Well if you go back in history you will find that he isn't the first black president.Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Warren Harding, Callvin Coolidge and Dwight D Eisenhower.
I am just sick of all this election is stressing the fact that he is black. He reminds us every time he opens his mouth.
Is that prejudice or what.
Let us see if he can fulfill his promises, I do hope.

Mary Boshers of MI 7:01AM January 21, 2009

if obama were white, we would all be talking about the history being made today. that history would be that we elected a woman to the highest office in the land.
that being said. Obama has the right to call himself African-American. his father was from africa and his mother was from the united states of america. not many back people can call them self African-American an know that they are telling the truth. they are just plain americans, just like me.

mike of NC 1:22AM January 21, 2009

black churches- white churches, thank you jesus for my church that sees no color.

cathy of VA 4:58PM January 20, 2009

Stop????Lying on my Presidentail,he is a good man,is going to make a different in this life time,you are mad that it is a black man became Presidentail.I beleive he will make a good leader in our country.I beleive that God will be with him and his family so Stop lying on him and his mother.

Vanessa of SC 4:33PM January 20, 2009

Well, I hate to break it to you but most African-Americans are of mixed race heritage. In case you have forgotten your history, it was a little thing called slavery where white owners and overseers took advantage of the slaves and many produced offspring. Remember, Sally Hemings, a slave, (alleged mistriss to Thomas Jefferson) was Martha Jefferson's half-sister. In addition, many escape slaves lived with, intermingled and married Native Americans. As a result, African-Americans come in all different colors.
Even though Obama's is not a descendant of slaves, he is the product of an interracial marriage. These marriages were illegal in many states during the time his parents came together. Almost all of these these children from these relationships were considered black if the looked black. If they looked white they "passed" (You may need to read Biography of an ex-colored Man). There were also laws that may still be on the books that if you are 1/16 "Negro" or "black" then you were considered African-American.
Obama does not deny his heritage at all. He constantly refers to his mother's family. However, I am sure he's aware that when you look like a "black" person in American society a lot comes with that. The fact that he identified as "black" in this society has worked in helping him have an identity and a traditional family that he think reflects who he is.
As an aside,I am sure if the cops would have stopped Obama before he became well-known, they would not have said "oh, I stop a mixed-raced person." They would stop a black man and in some areas he would be humilatied to no end because of it.
I wonder how many people each of you look at everyday or even work with who may be mixed race but since they look a certain way, you label them a such.
Of course, it would help if you knew a bit of the nuances of history to inform your comments. It's complicated and often goes back to slavery, in terms of how we view race, whether you are a descendant of slaves or not. Besides, people have the right to identify themselves however they chose. Obama has chosen the race he feels most comfortable with and that does not change his heritage.

IZina of IL 4:05PM January 20, 2009

I agree, he does seem to forget his his mother's heritage. He's bi-racial. He is not just African-American. Why does he neglect to mention that ? I wish him well and hope he can help turn this economy around.

p. Carlucci of NY 2:26PM January 20, 2009