Tuesday, January 24, 2012
What does Obama and Dr. King have in common in terms of the common welfare for the less fortunate ?
Black Studies programs have a rich legacy steeped in social movement, movement associated with helping to define an agenda to address issues pertaining to the African American community. Over the past few years African American Studies has begun embarking on a new era of engaging students during the age of Obama, the first African American president. Tonight, we watched a video of then Senator Obama speaking to students in my Black Leadership Development class in 2004. One of the highlights was his beliefs on the responsibility of the well to do to help those that are less well off. In addition to the Obama film, we watched a video on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called "The Other America." Was there a common thread between Barack Obama and Dr. King's beliefs? Remember to follow the format for responding that is articulated in your syllabus.
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The common thread that stuck out the most for me was their belief that an individual that had the opportunity to help others had a certain civic or social responsibly to do so. Obama spoke about offering internships that would not affect ones bottom line but would change a young persons life by giving them opportunities they wouldn't have otherwise. Likewise Dr.King spoke about how the silence of the good people will be just as loud as the hate from the bad people.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the main thread between the two men was their belief that individuals who were able to help other, had a certain responsibility within the African American community to do so. One of the points that struck me most through the MLK speech was when he referred to people pulling themselves up by their bootstraps. Some people in society don't have the ability to do that themselves and thus require the help from others in order to help be uplifted in society. In the book 'Upbuilding Black Durham' by Leslie Brown one of the main thesis' is "lifting as we climb," basically meaning whilst the African American population are climbing up to a better social and economic status, it is vital that they uplift those who don't have the ability to do it themselves. Even though the book is concerned with an earlier period of time, the notion of 'lifting as we climb' is still evidently of vital importance through MLK's speech and through Obama's conversation.
ReplyDeleteOverall, both men stood/stand for a united front in regards to change. In spite of personal views, both men represented fairness for all regardless of race, social class, or beliefs. In the interview with Obama, he expressed how his decision to utilize his educational credentials were based on his desire to make a difference in contrast to accumulating the almighty dollar. As a result, he will have made an everlasting impact on society from a humanitarian perspective rather than a financial standpoint. This decision correlates with Dr. King's speech in which he encouraged, those in the position to, Americans to help one another with intentions of better life for all. King expressed that America can not reach its full potential without recognizing the role of all Americans. Furthermore, he stated that the Caucasian man needs the African-American man as much as the African-American man needs the Caucasian man. Overall, both men are strong advocates for integration rather than assimilation.
ReplyDeleteI agree that both men were calling on both races, white and black, to understand the intrconnection between economics and american prosperity. As far as integration is concerned I think both men struggle with where exactly white ppl fit in all this. it was interesting how King ends his speech taking about white ppl. I noticed his audience was all white and I am sure he felt a need to placate emotions especially when spouting a problack agenda. I think the problack stance has always been one of contention for Obama. I know he has been critisized for not attending publically to black issues. I wonder if any president , of any color, in America could SURVIVE their presidency with a stuanch problack agenda. I do agree with the saying that "when the black community catches a cold, the nation gets pneumonia" . I also think , as stated in class, that American capitolism will always encourage poverty.
ReplyDeleteI think King knew he was going to die becasue he was keenly attuned to american politics and economics. A conversation about why MLK jr was really shot would be a reveiling one for most Americans.
I definitely agree with all previous posts, but identified more so with the most recent post. Both Obama and Dr. King spoke of civil responsibility within the community as a way to make a difference in the lives of the less well off. Dr. King talked particularly about the contrast of the life of the Black man in America versus that of the white man, and ironically spoke on how the destiny of the white and black man are tied together. He went on to talk about how power must be shared, which I find to be very interesting, because in our society power usually equates to wealth and money. As Nino stated above, Dr. King and Obama chose to embrace this civic responsibility instead of the monetary gain that they could have acquired. This post made me ponder on what power actually is in the age of Obama? Does having a black man as president of the United States mean that "justice for all" has been achieved, and that it can be achieved through a humanitarian/grassroots movement?
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