ABSTRACT
OBAMA’S SPEECH ON RACE On March 18, 2008, the Obama presidential campaign was in deep trouble. The Obama family’s long-time minister, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, was on tape railing against America, its fundamental values, and its history. Barack Obama and his inner circle, and everyone else for that matter, knew that America and its white majority would not elect the nation’s fi rst black president, if that person seemed deeply alienated from America, its history, and its values. Damage control was the order of the day. But Obama accomplished much more than damage control; he offered a tutorial on race in American history that not only moved Jeremiah Wright off center stage but was accepted by most Americans as positive and healthy. Here is the core of what Obama said in his Philadelphia speech on race:
Consider for a moment how differently the traditional vision of “American Exceptionalism” in the vignette introducing Chapter 1, and Barack Obama’s view here, understand and use history. Leaders need to make a strong and resonant connection with their people if they are to lead effectively. Every president tries to put his or her own political goals into the broader context of American history; how have we gotten to this point, what problems do we face, and how will my political agenda move us forward or get us back on track? If a president, or a candidate for president can tell a story of American history that seems to call for his or her policies as a logical, even necessary, next step, their political way will be smoothed. Different politicians not only see American history differently, they see the road into the American future as leading off in different directions.
