"I Have A Meme": From Katrina and Septembereleventh to Mustard and Relish

[omega minimo]

At the 2004 Democratic convention, Obama showed the nation that he was a smooth communicator, relaxed and basic in his message and delivery. To a nation drowning in spin and truthiness, his refreshing clarity caused a stir. More amazing than the speech was the reaction to it. Barack basically repeated and rephrased one concept: We're. All. In. This. Together.

The excited and relieved audience hadn't heard that in a while. They'd even forgotten we used to say it about ourselves as a nation, not that long ago.

Barack has the calm, focused delivery of an attorney making a final argument. He speaks in simple terms, singsong cadence, a storyteller's tone, as if the jury box is filled with very bright 5 year olds. The language is colorful, memorable: hope and change, Kenya and Kansas, blue states, red states, mustard and relish sandwiches.

During the 2008 presidential campaign, Obama gave a speech to answer critics of his association with a preacher of inflammatory rhetoric. He used his soothing storytime talents to dazzle the Bush-fatigued American people yet again. He calmed us down and tucked us in with visions of the hope for the change of the possibility of the potential for a national discussion about race in America.

Instead of "I Have A Dream," it was a repeat of "I Have A Meme." We're All In This Together. Obama wove his magical web of words and sailed away from the pastor's fiery message.

We're all in this together. Let's hope for a change in the national discussion, hope for an honest acknowledgment of our different experiences and our common cause. The amazement that Obama's speeches inspire show how far we have fallen from the track of progress traveled by those heroes Barack is often compared to. He's not necessarily a trailblazer. It's enough that he's pointing at the road sign. And the people are astonished.

"Oh. Yeah. There's a road!!! Let's get out of this mucky ditch and start getting somewhere. Together!!"

And when we do, let's hope for a change in our ability to look honestly at the crimes, hypocrisy and genocide that Obama's passionate pastor dared to mention.

[Greyskye]

1. well said

How about a :kick: to keep from sinking off the page. :)

I'll throw in an R as well.

[omega minimo]

2. much obliged, Greyskye

:toast:

[Swamp Rat]

3. It's an honor to give this brief but brilliant analysis the 5th rec.

Great summary of the zeitgeist omega minimo. ;)

:kick:

[omega minimo]

17. Heavily edited ;)

love you, SR

[Kurovski]

4. K&R.

Thank you, dear OM. :hug:

[K Gardner]

5. This is the kind of intelligent and thought-provoking post I enjoy reading here.. thank you.

[Kurovski]

7. It's always our loss when Omega "takes a break" from DU.

[omega minimo]

15. I bring Greetings from the Land Beyond Tit For Tat

:evilgrin:

Dropped back by and the whole "let it sink" stink was going on, on top of the expected fights b/w the 2 candidates fans in GD:P.....

The nature of the digital beast to read too quick and hit "post" too reactively....?

Nature of the human to be defensive? Threatened? Negative more safe/fun than creative?

So much potential here to "get out of this mucky ditch and get somewhere, together!!"....



Omega's Helpful Hints for avoiding the Sink Stink:

1. Don't live at DU

2. Focus

:bounce: :bounce:

[omega minimo]

16. Thank you, K. Nice ta meetcha

:hi:

[mrreowwr_kittty]

6. Amen sister!

And when we do, let's hope for a change in our ability to look honestly at the crimes, hypocrisy and genocide that Obama's passionate pastor dared to mention.

This is why I'm so glad he didn't shun Jeremiah Wright, or his grandmother. We're All In This Together. Yes we are.

[omega minimo]

18. may the scales fall from their eyes.......................

Katrina was a test of what unacceptabilities the American people will accept.











Here's to being awake and having the Dream :toast:

[K Gardner]

8. ERROR: You've already recommended that thread.

[TheDoorbellRang]

9. Yup. He's one awesome dude.

K&R

[omega minimo]

14. awesome but he can't include verboten topics in his "honest" discussion

[boppers]

10. Mustard and Relish=>Self sacrifice for healthcare of others.

It may be written for "very bright 5 year olds", but the memes are deep, strong, and planted well. The GOP has realized this, and thus, have fired up as much Wright meme-slinging to counter...

But they will lose.

How do I know this?

The GOP is relying on countering the new, talented, student with the master's old tricks. They missed the memo where the student is *always*, *always*, taught to stand on the shoulders of the master, and take things further than the master ever could.

[stillcool]

11. The recent attacks ...

the endless repetition of excerpts of one Sermon out of thirty years of Sermons is breaking my heart. I feel just like I did watching New Orleans drown all alone. It is not about Obama any more. It's the vilification of a decent man. One man.

[omega minimo]

13. "I feel just like I did watching New Orleans drown all alone...."

My observations of Obama's style culminating in last week's speech, never quite sure who is behind his smooth, bland "inspiring" delivery........ I've been one of those who needs more "specifics" and aren't quite swept away by Obama... now I think he has to do this the way he's doing it, to get as far as he has.

And that includes distancing himself from the Reverend, while making an "historic" speech proposing a discussion of race in America that can NOT include honesty -- and yes, OUTRAGE -- about Katrina NOLA.

Some of us -- including "typical white persons" -- saw Katrina for what it was.

:hug:

[bigbrother05]

12. k&r

[bliss_eternal]

19. Kicking...

:kick: