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It Was Always Headed Here
Forty years ago, President Lyndon Johnson's Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders released an acclaimed (and reviled) report that attempted to explain the urban riots of that era. That report challenged America to acknowledge its history of discrimination and its lingering effects and to end racial inequality. This year the Eisenhower Foundation, which considers itself the commission's successor, issued a report saying that not nearly enough has changed. Its CEO, Alan Curtis, like Obama, is banking on the hope that maybe this time is different. By focusing on the educational and economic problems that affect Americans of all colors, Curtis aspires to stimulate a new movement to meet the challenge the commission issued so many years ago.
But if the past is a guide, it seems more likely that the foundation's new report, like Obama's beautifully crafted speech, will stimulate some interesting discussions but little action. Indeed, Obama may well find some of his words hurled back at him by politicians, or their surrogates, less subtle of mind. They'll be intent on making him out to be not a transcendent, unifying figure, but just another black man wallowing in a history many Americans would rather forget.
© 2008
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Member Comments
Posted By: Bobbb @ 04/05/2008 6:53:01 AM
Comment: True conservatives are not attacking Obama. True conservatives are flocking to Obama. I know a 54 year old conservative republican that thinks Obama is better than the invention of the napkin. That 54 yo is now - get ready for this - is now a democrat that will be voting for Obama in the Pa primary. I know a bunch of conservative republicans that are in fact voting for Obama after switching parties this year. The power elite in the republican party are in for a shock - the conservatives that once followed the republican party did so because they believed in them - now they have no basis for belief in them. The in your face comments about no tolerance for religious conservativism is just what conservative needed to get off their backsides and look for a party that will listen to their views- they don't have to agree with us - but if they will listen to us we will come over in droves. Laugh if you like - but let me tell you... it won't take much to get a ton of conservatives to follow leaders like Obama.
Posted By: obama1backer @ 04/04/2008 2:41:19 AM
Comment: I agree Condolezza Rice owes an apology to Mr Boroski's family and all of America.
Posted By: andre evans @ 04/02/2008 12:25:31 PM
Comment: SueWinks-what kind of a person are you? Who's berating whom? Look at your own words of you want berating. Have you walked a mile in Joe Boroski's shoes? Ms. Rice should apologize for her choice of words. They are hurtful and derogatory. She clearly didn't intend them that way, but she needs to amend them. You missed his point. He said black voters, not *black America* or *the blacks*. Loaded prejudice? What's "your ilk"? And where did he say he wasn't voting for Obama?
I am embarrassed as a young black man that my fellow Obama supporters want to attack people on their tolerance. By doing so, you display your on. I learned a great deal from both of their essays. I heard Ms. Rice's comments as a black man and not as a loving father of a special needs child. She never should have used the term "birth defect". It was and will always be wrong. Imagine what would be happening if Sen Clinton said them?