Digesting the Moment: Did Barack Drop the Historical Baton?

Video Above: Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Julianne Malveaux discuss Barack’s speech after the glitz and glamour last Thursday [Quicktime format]

It’s segments like these that make me appreciate what Tavis Smiley is doing for our community. Dr. West and Dr. Malveaux provide constructive criticism to a moment in history that I will remember for a long time. It brings up many good points, including the idea that Barack needs to continue to appeal to his base: the educated, African-American constituent.

credit: jurvetson

Democratic National Convention

This past weekend, the McCain campaign attempted to steal the thunder of the historic convention through a bait-and-switch Vice Presidential candidate who happens to look like Barack’s former Democratic opponent in an attempt to align himself with angry, White women. As the weekend concluded, our shock of his blatant pandering turned down an unexpected direction when her own family issues were dismissed as life happens rhetoric overshadowing her own ethical violations that are currently under investigation.

Now, not more than a few months ago, Barack was lauded and vilified by the White majority and Black leaders, alike, for ‘condeming absent Black fathers’ and proposing a new set of family standards for the ‘typical Black family’ in today’s 21st century. In what was a sure a political attempt to appeal to a more conservative and evangelical base, he took a swipe and appeared to be on his high horse. Now, the supposed ‘party of family values’ is sweeping under the rug a teenage pregnancy. Every Republican interviewed, including the White analysts, coined the phrase ‘life happens’ and stated we should all get over it.

Now, I’m not saying Barack is being hypocritical, but, with the critical point of ‘not running from history’ Dr. West stated, the attempt to white-wash your message as much as possible, and to go as far as to DEFEND your opponents running mate who is clearly trying to pit White women against Black constituents is starting to get tired.

You’re almost there, man. Do not fall for the okey-doke. Do not try to be soooo nice, that you come off as weak. Do not forget that the Black Freedom Movement is of historical significance and that the root of its cause is the very definition of being American. Your running mate has one of the most admirable civil rights records in the past few years. Do not underestimate the spin and slander your opponents will go to to derail your momentum.

Don’t try so hard to run a fair race that you drop the baton underestimating the historical wind that is at your back.