Yes, but…. Or rather, maybe….
The initial response to this question must inevitably be the Clintonian, “Depends on what the meaning of ‘black’ is.”
For other responses, see the interesting column by Gregory Rodriguez in the Los Angeles Times.
Rodriguez hopes Obama represents a newer, more open conception of race, one that allows for a great deal of individual choice. He does not mention, however, one facet of our current situation that all but precludes choice of race: the sad fact (it is a fact, and it is sad) that for too many people “black” means, at least, an unwavering commitment to a fixed list of conventionally liberal/left political positions.
ADDENDUM
Rodriguez refers to this article by Stanley Crouch, which is equally interesting.
It seems obvious to me that Obama is neither black nor white, but a mixed-race person. Indeed, this is his primary qualification for higher office.
John writes:
>>>”Rodriguez hopes Obama represents a newer, more open conception of race, one that allows for a great deal of individual choice. He does not mention, however, one facet of our current situation that all but precludes choice of race: the sad fact (it is a fact, and it is sad) that for too many people “black” means, at least, an unwavering commitment to a fixed list of conventionally liberal/left political positions.”
“Conventionally liberal/left political positions” such as what, John? Please elaborate.
As far as Senator Obama’s “blackness” is concerned, don’t tell me you’re alligning yourself with a Black Panther of all things, John…
>>>”In 2000, he ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for Illinois’ 1st Congressional district against incumbent Bobby Rush. Rush had suggested during the campaign that Obama “wasn’t black enough” for the position. ”
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Barack_Obama
–Cobra
Isn’t Senator Obama just Dick Durbin in a really nice package. Is there any position where Obama does not follow the standard northern, urban Democratic boilerplate?
If Dick Durbin was president would his cabinet be any different than the cabinet of Senator Obama? I doubt it.
Senator Obama is never described in terms of issues or positions. He is always described in terms of personality. Yet, in the long run, all that charm and charisma leads back to the tried and true Democratic Party positions without any discussion.
It is one thing for Senator Obama to go into a meeting of white evangelicals and tell them they are wrong but would he ever go into a meeting the National Education Association, the American Bar Association, or the AFL-CIO and tell them that they are wrong on some of the issues? I doubt it.
“Conventionally liberal/left political positions” such as what, John? Please elaborate.
All of the positions that Clarence Thomas takes that leads many self-described “civil rights” types to say that he’s not really black, the same (assumed) positions that also led them to say that Miguel Estrada was not Hispanic enough, etc.
As far as Senator Obama’s “blackness” is concerned, don’t tell me you’re alligning yourself with a Black Panther of all things, John…
O.K., I won’t, because I’m not. I’m actually not sure what you’re concerned about here, since I rather like Rodriguez’s notion of race as open to choice. I would certainly never criticize a candidate or anyone else for being not black or white or Hispanic enough, or too black, or whatever.
Why is Obama considered “black” and not “white”? Since his mother is white, isn’t he just as white as he is black?
If his mother had been black and his father white, would he still be “black”?
He is Black. Why are people always trying to negate anything Black. He has been Black , and will always be Black whether he is elected or not.
In my opinion, Barack Obama is neither black or white. Just because he looks black, doesn’t mean he necessarily is. And whos to say what “black” or african-american is? is it a way of living and state of mind? most blacks seem to think obama is not black enough because he never went through the same kind of troubles and life as they did. but that’s wrong, he still went through the same kind of identity issues most minorities deal with in America.
If Obama is 50% white and 50% black, why does he call himself black? He is just as white as he is black! He is completely disregarding his white heritage. I wonder what his mother and her side of the family think about that…
Senator Obama is just as much African as he is Caucasian bottom line. This old antebellum way of thinking is not what we should be ascribing to. Senator Obama is biracial, he just uses one side of his genetic makeup because it is better for him polically.
Senator Obama is a black male. As much it is attempted to be palyed down the race of his mother and father, he is and has been visually percieved as a black man, then in his daily walk, he had dealt with the negative trappings of a black man. Prejudgement of his intellect, financial standings and such.
I don’t understand why Obama insists on being “black”,when he is certainly bi-racial. Is he ashamed of his white side of the family. Maybe he thinks he will get further saying he is black. Get real Obama, you are bi-racial.
It’s really interesting that people claim that Obama says he is black because it’s better politically. I suppose it’s also better that he has the name Obama, rather than Smith or Johnson. What a bunch of nonsense, no black person has ever been a serious contender for President of the USA. Obama is an incredibly intellegent, thoughtful and motivational politician. I cannot remember anyone in the past 50 years who could think so well on his feet.
I suspect that even though he was raised primarily by white parents, he was treated as black by his peers, due to his appearance. After enough years of being treated as though he was black he probably just decided to go with it.
I personally consider him to be simply an American.
Calling Obama “black” and saying he would be the first “black” president seems flat-out wrong. This sort of thinking has a very old racist history: In the slave era, anyone was considered 100% black if one of their parents were black. In a certain country in Europe in the 1930s that labelled everyone as belonging to a particular ethnic group even if they were only 1/4. That lead to some extremely disastrous consequences. Why can’t we just call Obama what he is: mixed race.
Considering oneself as black or white is more than just because of your physical characteristics; it depends on how you as a person socially identify with that social group.
From what I’ve learned, Obama is active in african american related programs and supports them. He identifies, and thus can be considered black. One of the difficulties in making oneself identify with “whiteness” especially if you’re mixed is one, you dont look it, and two there really is no distinct White culture (unless its white supremacy which is just as invisible).
Obama is white. What the mother is the child is also.
I am of a mixed race. But my mother is white so they put white on my birth certificate. So if I am white, Obama is white.
obama is either white, black, mulatto, mutt!
Take your pick. But being 50% white does NOT make him BLACK! I prefer mutt!
Here is the one issue that gets under my skin..Obama uses his 2 races when it convenient for him (Black for the black votes and White for tea and crumpets).
Speaking as an African American, the real issue I have with Obama is his mouth (and his wife’s).
Comment’s such as…
“It’s…It’s…embarrassing when.. when …uh… [sic] Europeans come over here, they all speak English, they speak French, they speak German. And then we go over to Europe and [snicker] all we can say is Merci beaucoup” and his wife, “People in this country are ready for change and hungry for a different kind of politics and … for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback”.
I am a Democrat but refuse to vote for Obama. There is no way on earth I would give away my principles just because he is the only Dem available.
I would rather vote for Boomhauer from King of the Hill than Obama. At least, we expect not to understand what he is saying.
The sad truth is that to most American’s Obama is black. And because he is black, most Americans that can only judge by the color of one’s skin will vote for him for this. I think the only solution is to turn McCain black so that we can have a fair election. This hilarious site has good method to do just this: http://www.obamaisblack.com/2008/08/13/we-can-make-mccain-black/
I thought I read somewhere that he is not even 50% African but somewhere more in the realm of 5-10%. While also being 50% white and about 40% Arabian.