I have a nightmare - To liken Obama to MLK does him no favours: non-violence failed usblogs.guardian.co.uk
I have a nightmare - To liken Obama to MLK does him no favours: non-violence failed us
Added 1948 days ago in Society & Religion
guardian.co.uk — As America prepares to celebrate Martin Luther King Day next week, black presidential candidate Barack Obama stands in a strong position to become the country's 44th president. Some view Obama's remarkable popularity as the realisation of King's dream, the final victory of the civil rights movement. Others view it, their respect for Obama notwithstanding, as a testament to its remarkable failure.

Both the aims and the character of the civil rights movement were flawed. One aim was clearly desegregration. But the movement should never have been about integration. It should have been about demanding the respect that is due to free human beings; about ending the physical, spiritual and economic violence that had been perpetrated against African-Americans since the end of the American civil war. What's the value in begging for the right to spend money in a store owned by a racist who would rather kill you than serve you?

Lest we forget, integration was the death knell for black teachers and principals. Thousands lost their jobs. "The movement" moved us from the back of the bus into the unemployment line.

Almost 40 years after King's death, we still haven't reached the promised land. King lamented that, in 1963, only 9% of black students attended integrated schools. But, to give just one example, Atlanta's Grove Park elementary school is now 99.99% black.

King complains in Why We Can't Wait that "there were two and one-half times as many jobless Negroes as whites in 1963, and their median income was half that of the white man". Black median income in 2003 was 62% that of whites, and the black unemployment rate in 2004 was 10.8%, 2.3 times the white rate. The numbers have barely changed.

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Posted by McNaab
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Is Obama a Civil Rights Victory?
Yes
58%
No
42%
This is not a scientific survey, click here to learn more. Results may not total 100% due to rounding and voting descrepencies.
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PollM
Posted 1948 days ago
0 up votes, 0 down votes
Obama is a Civil Rights Victory in his own right, but it does not transcend as a victory to the African American community. If Senator Obama wins the Presidential race, that victory will unlikely mean much to the African American community, the article states interesting facts that plagued and plague today African Americans. Obama is not running as an African American Civil Rights figure and therefore do not expect him to deliver solutions to the African American Community.
McNaab
Posted 1948 days ago
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One year into this election process, I've yet to hear senator Obama speak about African American causes. What have you done Mr. Obama.
HStern
Posted 1948 days ago
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I'll tell you who is, the first Black President - Bill Clinton
James1943
Posted 1948 days ago
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I would have voted for someone like Colin Powell or even actor James Earl Jones, because theses gentlemen stand behind their convictions and their country. Mr O'Bama stands for anti-america because he associates himself with a church that flys a banner over the entrance that reads somewhat like this, this church unashamedly announces a 100% black congregation and if a church with all white people did that the blacks would be rasing cane. He also associates himself with the preacher that so proudly awarded Farahkan a lifetime achievement award and everyone knows that Farahkan is anti-american and for some Black groups he is against them. Now I ask you why is O'Bama asking for white voters to back him for president when he associates himself with anti-american people? He is putting on a big front for you supporters but when the position is acquired you will not be remembered and this country will be in chaos like South Africa. Freedom of speech is wonderful, owning your own weapon is pride in ownership and protection. Get plenty of ammo you will need it.

If Mr. O'Bama is so great ask him to walk away from his church and denounce friendship with Farahkan. He is not what he seems to be to you and you will see.
James1943
Posted 1948 days ago
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I do not think O'Bama would make a pimple on Colin Powell or James Earl Jones's butt.
JBeal
Posted 1947 days ago
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No kidding, he's selling himself as the savior of the African American cause
Jane60
Posted 1947 days ago
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Why is he????
ffox
Posted 1946 days ago
0 up votes, 0 down votes
That's the perception of African Americans who will vote for him based on race. But in reality what has he done to advance African American causes. This will play a big role in South Carolina where people are beginning to feel that Barack is "Black Pride"
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