Obama tells NAACP blacks must take responsibility

my2hands

Obama tells NAACP blacks must take responsibility
By GLEN JOHNSON and DAN SEWELL, Associated Press Writers


Democrat Barack Obama insisted Monday that blacks must show greater responsibility for their actions. In remarks prepared for delivery at the annual NAACP convention, the man who could become the first black president said Washington must provide greater education and economic assistance, but that blacks must demand more of themselves.

"If we're serious about reclaiming that dream, we have to do more in our own lives, our own families and our own communities," Obama said. "That starts with providing the guidance our children need, turning off the TV and putting away the video games; attending those parent-teacher conferences, helping our children with their homework and setting a good example."

He added: "I know some say I've been too tough on folks about this responsibility stuff. But I'm not going to stop talking about it. Because I believe that in the end, it doesn't matter how much money we invest in our communities, or how many 10-point plans we propose, or how many government programs we launch — none of it will make any difference if we don't seize more responsibility in our own lives."

Obama, who grew up without his father, has spoken and written at length about issues of parental responsibility and fathers participating in their children's lives. Yet a similar speech by the Illinois senator on Father's Day prompted an awkward rebuke from the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a Democratic presidential contender in 1984 and 1988, a protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and a fellow Chicago political activist.

Jackson apologized last week after being caught saying on an open microphone that he wanted to castrate Obama for speaking down to blacks.

Republican candidate John McCain is scheduled to address the 99th meeting of the nation's largest civil rights organization on Wednesday.

Obama spokeswoman Linda Douglass denied the candidate was trying to boost support among white voters with his own "Sister Souljah" moment. Addressing a black audience in 1992, Democrat presidential candidate Bill Clinton accused the hip-hop artist of inciting violence against whites. Some black leaders, including Jackson, criticized Clinton, but it helped reinforce his image as a politician who refused to pander.

"It's not just a speech aimed at black audiences. It's aimed at all parents," Douglass said. Noting Obama also called for more corporate and government responsibility, she added: "This is a larger theme of responsibility."

While Jackson complained about such Obama speechmaking, other civil rights activists from the NAACP disagreed. They think Obama is doing a good job balancing his role as a black candidate with the need to speak to all races.

"He can't be totally focused on the black community," said Kelvin Shaw, of Shreveport, La., Shaw said he is most interested in what Obama plans on nationwide economic issues like rising oil prices, household costs and jobs. "We need to be talking about not one race, but what affects all people."

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, the city's first directly elected black mayor, disputed Jackson's argument that Obama is ignoring other important issues for blacks such as unemployment, mortgage foreclosures and the number of blacks in prison.

"I think he absolutely has," Mallory said. Besides his messages about responsibility, Mallory said, Obama has talked about jobs, health care, education, and other "areas where black people are disproportionately affected."

Civil rights veteran Julian Bond, the NACCP board chairman, drew loud applause in a speech Sunday night when he described Obama's candidacy as a milestone.

"The country seems proud, and I know all of us here are, that a candidate campaigning in cities where he could not have stayed in a hotel 40 years ago has won his party's nomination for the nation's highest office," Bond said.

Ronald Walters, a University of Maryland political scientist who was an aide on Jackson's presidential bids, said blacks understand Obama is trying to be elected president in a majority-white nation. But he said there has been frustration for those who want Obama to lay out a specific agenda for the black community beyond speeches from the pulpit about responsibility.

McCain plans to talk about education, including expanded merit-pay programs for teachers who improve their students' academic performance.

Walters, the political scientist, said the Arizona Republican's visit is a way to say he wants to represent all groups.

"It strikes a good tone," Walters said. "If (McCain) is elected president, he can say, 'I was there, I have an open door.'"

In his remarks, Obama also criticized his rival. "Sen. McCain is going to be coming here in a couple of days and talking about education, and I'm glad to hear it. But the fact is, what he's offering amounts to little more than the same tired rhetoric about vouchers."

flywallyfly

Guess the "talking white" claim has finally been laid to rest. Interesting speech, I wouldnt mind watching a video of it to judge the crowds reactions to it.

my2hands

the Obama haters wont touch this one... because he is dead on target on this issue...


Amen Senator Obama, say it again!

Nevermind

my2hands wrote:

the Obama haters wont touch this one... because he is dead on target on this issue...


Amen Senator Obama, say it again!

The supposed issue is not even an issue. We can only move forward as a nation when blacks take responsibility? I hope Jesse Jackson cuts of his nuts.

chopitdown

my2hands wrote:

He added: "... Because I believe that in the end, it doesn't matter how much money we invest in our communities, or how many 10-point plans we propose, or how many government programs we launch — none of it will make any difference if we don't seize more responsibility in our own lives."
"

well said...and it applies to every American.

fuck

Nevermind wrote:

The supposed issue is not even an issue. We can only move forward as a nation when blacks take responsibility? I hope Jesse Jackson cuts of his nuts.

haha. I haven't had time to read the entire thing, but I briefly skimmed it and:
I think that's a bit extreme to think that ALL he's saying is that we can ONLY move forward as a nation when blacks take responsibility.
For one, I don't think he's talking only about moving forward as a nation, but more particularly towards blacks moving forward, socially. This is clearly indirectly a response to Nader calling him out for him avoiding this issue, and I'm happy to see Obama decide to tackle it, but I REALLY hope this doesn't mean that he's going to blame black people for being irresponsible and not necessarily give them the help they need... And this isn't just for black people, but for poverty all over America... If 60-75% of Obama's plan revolves around people "taking responsibility" THEN he plans on giving them the help they need, then that just sounds like he's saying anything so he can delay the issue even more...

DixieN

Well said, but it applies equally to all groups of people at an economic disadvantage. It applies to poor whites, poor Latinos, etc. I'm not against helping people--I think it's very much needed. But help can't just come from the outside--it has to come from the inside, as well. Everyone has to step up and "help themselves." A lot of people in this country do not realize the value of the help they're given--such as education--and don't try very hard to maximize their opportunities. In fact, they will go out of their way to avoid taking advantage of their opportunities because they are such givens. With schooling--it's hard, it's boring, it's this, it's that...dropping out is easier and who needs education anyway? Not all people in this country have those attitudes...even if it is hard or boring, they plow ahead. Those people are tomorrow's leaders and money makers. The rest of the folks are tomorrow's service industry workers for the most part--there are exceptions to every rule--and everyone thinks they're the exeption. It's a hard truth. Everyone, starting with families and individuals need to take responsibility for their own lives. I'm glad to see Obama speaking the hard truth.

NMyTree

Obama is right about this. And it applies to everyone...not just blacks.

But he has been bullshiting his ass off all along.

Thecure

i like teh message that Obama put out on this one however, my question is around personal responsibilty. it seems to me that to be fair, Obama would hav eto take this personal responsibity to people who houses have been forclosed because they bought houses that they could not afford. i am talking specifically abotu people who took that risk and bought houses they could not afford and not about the people who were screwed or lied to.

maybe it is just me?

Abookamongstthemany

NMyTree wrote:

Obama is right about this. And it applies to everyone...not just blacks.

But he has been bullshiting his ass off all along.

Exactly! Why bother reading more of his posturing and pandering to get votes? It has been the only time he has seemed to worried about these problems.

I'm sick of hearing his words on this and that then next month it will be something completely different. I'm interested in what he has actually done...show me some actions. He has lost all credibility.

NMyTree

It amazes me how he continues to bullshit and lie in his posturing speeches and then does a 180 and completely goes against the things he claims he stands for and will do; yet people keep hanging on his every word as if his words actually mean something and can be trusted.

Don't get me wrong, I wanted to like Obama and I really had hope he would be the man to stand up, make the right changes, challenge and severe corporate interests/control in our government and lead theis country back to being what it should be.

But the guy's voting record and his gloriously phony, vomit-inducing campaign image and flip-flopping; is so dispicable.

This hasn't been a campaign, it's been a highly-scripted, fictional American Idol contest ....for all of them. With Obama leading the way in glossy-phonyness.

It's a sad day when you out-bullshit the Clintons and a large portion of Americans take the bait and swallow it....hook, line and sinker.

fuck

NMyTree wrote:

It amazes me how he continues to bullshit and lie in his posturing speeches and then does a 180 and completely go against the things he claims he stands for and will do; yet people keep hanging on his every word as if his words actually mean something and can be trusted.

Don't get me wrong, I wanted to like Obama and I really had hope he would be the man to stand up, make the right changes, challenge and severe corporate interests/control in our government and lead this country back to being what it should be.

But the guy's voting record and his gloriously phony, vomit-inducing campaign image and flip-flopping; is so dispicable.

yeah, I have to agree... I really had hope for Obama, but his voting history and previous "actions" (or lack of) really doesn't make him all he's out to be... If his supporters think I'm wrong, then you know what, I really wouldn't mind being wrong. In fact, I hope I'm wrong. I really do hope Obama's speech to AIPAC was just him making things up to "get votes" (which is how his some of supporters justify it), and that all his voting and support these days and in the past (FISA, PATRIOT ACT, death penalty, etc), was just an "act" for votes or something...

because if Obama really did those things because that's what he believes in, or if those are the policies he's going to have, then I really think this country should just put his stupid fucking speeches on mute for a minute and take a look at what he's ACTUALLY been doing...

blackredyellow

NMyTree wrote:

It amazes me how he continues to bullshit and lie in his posturing speeches and then does a 180 and completely go against the things he claims he stands for and will do; yet people keep hanging on his every word as if his words actually mean something and can be trusted.

Don't get me wrong, I wanted to like Obama and I really had hope he would be the man to stand up, make the right changes, challenge and severe corporate interests/control in our government and lead theis country back to being what it should be.

But the guy's voting record and his gloriously phony, vomit-inducing campaign image and flip-flopping; is so dispicable.

This hasn't been a campaign, it's been a highly-scripted, fictional American Idol contest ....for all of them. With Obama leading the way in glossy-phonyness.

It's a sad day when you out-bullshit the Clintons and a large portion of Americans take the bait and swallow it....hook, line and sinker.

Besides campaign financing, what issues has he come 180 degrees on during this campaign?

Its Evolution Baby

blackredyellow wrote:

Besides campaign financing, what issues has he come 180 degrees on during this campaign?

That's the thing. The Anti Obama people find various quotes from various campaign stops and use it as proof that he's flip flopping. Nevermind that there's been no change to his campaign agenda from the start. They are doing Fox News work for them.

My favorite is that he's pro war against Iran because he won't take war off of the table. He has clearly said he intends for diplomacy first and has never wavered but that doesn't seem to matter much to the Anti-Obmanites.

fuck

Its Evolution Baby wrote:

That's the thing. The Anti Obama people find various quotes from various campaign stops and use it as proof that he's flip flopping. Nevermind that there's been no change to his campaign agenda from the start. They are doing Fox News work for them.

My favorite is that he's pro war against Iran because he won't take war off of the table. He has clearly said he intends for diplomacy first and has never wavered but that doesn't seem to matter much to the Anti-Obmanites.

Oh, I never said he really flip-flopped; his policies are just terrible, in general.

And I don't think he's pro war against Iran, but how can you preach diplomacy one day then push for tougher sanctions? That's not EXACTLY flip-flopping, but sanctions are an act of war...

And when he said he wouldn't take war off the table, that means that if Iran refuses to stop their LEGAL nuclear enrichment at all costs, then we're "forced" to go to war?

fuck

where was that quote where Obama said something along the lines of 'my foreign policy will be like JFK's, Bush Sr's, and even Ronald Reagan'???

Its Evolution Baby

_outlaw wrote:

Oh, I never said he really flip-flopped; his policies are just terrible, in general.

And I don't think he's pro war against Iran, but how can you preach diplomacy one day then push for tougher sanctions? That's not EXACTLY flip-flopping, but sanctions are an act of war...

And when he said he wouldn't take war off the table, that means that if Iran refuses to stop their LEGAL nuclear enrichment at all costs, then we're "forced" to go to war?

You may think you know what it means but no one will know until he opens up diplomatic talks with Iran and we see how those talks play out.

You could be right and this could be a big horse and pony show and that he fully intends to take us to war, but he has said and done nothing that would support that theory. And I don't thing issuing sanctions is a sign of going to war.

Iran and the US have been butting heads since 1977 so this is hardly a new problem. We have issued sanctions against them before and most likely will do it again but we have never been this close to war with Iran until Bush opened his mouth about the Axis of Evil.

Its Evolution Baby

_outlaw wrote:

where was that quote where Obama said something along the lines of 'my foreign policy will be like JFK's, Bush Sr's, and even Ronald Reagan'???

"The truth is that my foreign policy is actually a return to the traditional bipartisan realistic policy of George Bush's father, of John F. Kennedy, of, in some ways, Ronald Reagan, and it is George Bush that's been naive and it's people like John McCain and, unfortunately, some Democrats that have facilitated him acting in these naive ways that have caused us so much damage in our reputation around the world," he said.

You think it proves your point but this is what I like to hear from him. True bipartisan leadership. If he likes what a former president did he will use that policy republican or democrat. And the phrase in some ways hardly means hes going to turn into a Junior Reagan like Alex P. Keaton.

my2hands

blackredyellow wrote:

Besides campaign financing, what issues has he come 180 degrees on during this campaign?

none, propaganda works

inmytree

blackredyellow wrote:

Besides campaign financing, what issues has he come 180 degrees on during this campaign?

great question...

lgt

blackredyellow wrote:

Besides campaign financing, what issues has he come 180 degrees on during this campaign?

The whole FISA issue. First he was against, then voted for, I believe.

I can't really explain it nor justify it with the whole move to the centre tack to appeal to middle America and win the election, like his other moves to the centre/right, unfortunately.