Philly Inquirer: Sen. Obama's Speech on Race-Brilliant!

[babylonsister]

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20080319_Editorial__Sen__Obamas_Speech_on_Race.html

Editorial: Sen. Obama's Speech on Race
Brilliant!


With his brilliant speech on race relations yesterday at the National Constitution Center, Barack Obama showed why his campaign for president has the aura of a mission.

Few candidates face a test of the magnitude that Obama confronted in addressing the racially divisive remarks of his church's former pastor. "God damn America" for its racism, was among the more outrageous statements made by the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr.

If Obama defended Wright's remarks, he surely would have lost support. But if the Illinois senator rejected Wright, he could have been seen as throwing overboard a longtime father figure for the sake of political expediency.

Instead, Obama did neither. He condemned the sins but embraced the sinner. And he spoke with such grace and candor about America's need to overcome racial divisions that his own political calculations seemed inconsequential.

"Race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now," Obama said. "We would be making the same mistake that Rev. Wright made in his offending sermons about America - to simplify and stereotype and amplify the negative to the point that it distorts reality."

snip//

Speaking to the concerns of whites and blacks had a powerful effect. Obama was masterful in arguing that overcoming racial divisions will make it easier for this nation to work on solutions to health care, the economy, and the war in Iraq.

Obama helped his campaign for president. And he showed the leadership necessary to take this country on a more productive path.

[RaleighNCDUer]

1. Kick

for a good editorial.

[Rainbowreflect]

2. K&R

:kick: